The top story of this week came when Senator Hillary Clinton admitted that she "misspoke" when she said that during her trip to Bosnia 12 years ago, she and her daughter, Chelsea, came under sniper fire.
This story came after the Philadelphia Daily News asked her about a video that conclusively proved she was not under sniper fire on her trip to the country during her husband's presidency.
"I say a lot of things -- millions of words a day -- so if I misspoke, that was just a misstatement," Clinton said.
I say a lot of things -- millions of words a day -- so if I misspoke, that was just a misstatement. Senator Hillary ClintonWith her extensive history in the public spotlight, she cannot afford to misspeak about any issue, no matter how big or small. Every time she does so, she will be hounded by the media.
This "misstatement," however, was in good timing for the Obama camp because it shifted the heat from Obama and his pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright to his final opponent for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Clinton.
More information about this story can be found at CNN.com.
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Senator John McCain spoke at the World Affairs Council Wednesday in Los Angeles. He discussed his plan for foreign policy, the importance of good allies and even global warming.
"I run for President because I know it is incumbent on America, more than any other nation on earth, to lead in building the foundations for a stable and enduring peace, a peace built on the strength of our commitment to it, on the transformative ideals on which we were founded, on our ability to see around the corner of history, and on our courage and wisdom to make hard choices," he said.
While McCain did express his support for the war in Iraq in his speech, he never mentioned President George W. Bush, but instead quoted Presidents Truman and Kennedy, both of whom are Democrats.
This, in my opinion, is a deliberate political strategy to separate himself from Bush and gain the support of independents and so called "Reagan Democrats." It is a plan that might, in fact, work especially if he focuses his campaign on issues instead of the war in Iraq.
More information about this story can be found at the Tennessee Journalist article entitled "McCain addresses Iraq war in first speech since Middle East trip."
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In other campaign news, Senator Barack Obama received another major endorsement on Friday, this time from Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania.
"I've been impressed by so much watching this campaign ... impressed by his compassion, his strength, his ideas, and I think especially ... under fire," Casey said.
I've been impressed by so much watching this campaign ... impressed by his compassion, his strength, his ideas, and I think especially ... under fire. Senator Bob Casey Obama received Casey's endorsement by saying that it "meant more to me as any endorsement I've received on the trail because I knew it was coming from the heart."
This endorsement may significantly help Obama's campaign and significantly hurt the campaign of Senator Hillary Clinton. To this point, Clinton is leading in the state polls. She has received the endorsement of Governor of Pennsylvania Edward G. Rendell according to MSNBC.com.
With this endorsement, Obama might be able to close the gap between himself and Senator Clinton in time to be competitive in the Pennsylvania primary on April 22.
Though he has a significant delegate lead as of now, a win in Pennsylvania would shift in momentum in Clinton's favor and could change the outcome of the elections.
More information on this story can be found at MSNBC.com and CNN.com.
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In campus news, UT Student Government Association's annual elections are just around the corner.
The three campaigns this year are: FOCUS, CONNECT and Students for a Just University, who are back campaigning again this year after being defeated by ACTION last year.
Elections will be held Tuesday April 1 and Wednesday April 2 and students will be able to cast a vote online.
Check the Politics section of the Tennessee Journalist this Sunday for coverage of all three group's stances regarding campus issues.
Comments
Alonzo commented, on March 29, 2008 at 2:39 p.m.:
All Politicians lie, its regrettable but something that is almost expected of them. The problem for Clinton is that this whopper borders on the realms of fantasy. Imagine if she were elected, how would other world leaders regard her ? I can imagine that first meeting with "Medvedev/Mevedev/Meddy/..Whatever"
Also she put her daughter in the position of having to backup her mother's lies. Now if that aint pimping I dont know what is
innocent bystander commented, on March 30, 2008 at 10:53 p.m.:
The problem with this lie is the split screen video. One side shows her telling the story of the corkscrew helicopter landing and the gunfire overhead while the other side shows the 8 year old girl handing her flowers. It is obvious that she did not misspeak - she got caught.