Clinton Official Slams Obama's Drug Past, Then Backpedals

Obama's people rip 'desperate' low blow
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 13, 2007 4:59 AM CST
Clinton Official Slams Obama's Drug Past, Then Backpedals
Former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, accompanied by her husband, Bill, left, discusses her decision to make another run for the U.S. Senate Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. Bill Shaheen is in hot water with both sides of the campaign after his comments about Obama Barack's drug use as a teen. (AP Photo/Lee...   (Associated Press)

Clinton campaign officials are rushing to distance themselves from comments that Obama Barack's teenage drug use could be a big problem for the Dems, AP reports. Top adviser Bill Shaheen has apologized for remarks to the Washington Post that much of Obama's past was unknown and "there are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks," including questioning if Obama may have sold drugs.

The Clinton campaign said it did not "authorize or condone" the remarks. Obama's campaign manager had slammed the comments, insisting it showed how "desperate" the Clinton campaign was becoming. He stressed that Obama has been completely candid about his use of marijuana and cocaine as a teen and that the candidate has also emphasized the lessons he learned. (More Election 2008 stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X