Clinton Surrogate Compares Obama Ad to Nazi March [Updated]

[Updated below] On a media conference call organized by the Hillary Clinton campaign today, Clinton surrogate Len Nichols compared an Obama health care ad to Nazis. The ad features a couple at a kitchen table, which some Clinton supporters said was reminiscent of "the famous insurance-industry-financed 'Harry and Louise' ads against the original Clinton plan," as The Politico reports, and Mr. Nichols said it "personally outraged" him. He continued:

It is as outrageous as having Nazis march through Skokie, [Illinois]... I just find it disgusting that this kind of imagery is being used to attack the only way to get to universal coverage.

Nichols, who worked with the Clinton health care task force, was essentially likening himself and Clinton supporters to the Holocaust survivors who were offended by a proposed Nazi march through their town in 1977. The Politico reports that at the end of the call, a Clinton campaign spokesman "disavowed the Nazi reference, saying the campaign didn't think it was appropriate, though he acknowledged the passions the issue stirs."

Accusing political opponents of Nazism is an outrageous smear. Raising the specter of a Nazi march in response to a health care mailer that evokes the insurance industry is so absurd, it would be hard to take the attack seriously, were it not launched from a high profile national campaign conference call in this crucial stretch of the presidential race. And political observers know, of course, that the Clinton Campaign regularly arranges opportunities for surrogates to launch these kind of smears, which are later followed up with apologies. (See: Bob Johnson, Bill Shaheen, Bob Kerrey, and Francine Torge, to name the most recent offenders.) For his part, Nichols did not immediately return a call requesting further comment.

Hillary Clinton made a point of stressing respect for Obama at Thursday night's debate. It is a shame that she is actually running a campaign that repeatedly smears him and disrespects the voters' ability to see through the facade.

Update: The New America Foundation released a statement from Mr. Nichols this afternoon, listed below in its entirety:

Len Nichols, Director of New America's Health Policy Program, stated, "For nearly 17 years I have worked tirelessly to reform our nation's struggling health system. Today my passion overwhelmed me. I chose an analogy that was wholly inappropriate. I am deeply sorry for any offense that my unfortunate comments may have caused. I made unfortunate comments that do not accurately reflect my bipartisan conviction, political philosophy, or most importantly, my opinions about Senator Obama and his historic campaign for the United States presidency."

"While I have consulted with seven former and current presidential candidates, I am not affiliated nor a surrogate for the Clinton campaign, or any other campaign."

"I wholeheartedly appreciate Senator Obama's concern for Americans struggling to afford health insurance and I admire his amazing ability to inspire the nation. In fact, it is my own moral and religious convictions that lead me to believe that it is necessary for our country to guarantee quality, affordable health insurance for all Americans. My foremost priority is to advance the health reform debate by protecting a fact-based discussion."

"The New America Foundation is a non-partisan think tank, that does not endorse or advise any campaign in an official capacity " said Steve Coll, New America's President and CEO. "Len's decision to participate in the call and his comments on the mailer are regrettable. Len is passionate and committed to reforming health care in America, and I know that he sincerely regrets these unfortunate remarks."

Comments (37)

1. Petty stuff!

   Posted by Happy at 02/01/2008 @ 2:26pm

2. I think Len Nichols is outraged because the ad is effective in showing the weakness of Clinton's healthcare plan. In her effort to "appear" to be universal, Hillary forgot that premiums must be affordable or you are simply punishing poor people by mandating that they buy coverage.

   Tackling the affordability issue "first" is sound public policy, because it is affordability that leads to universal coverage.

   Posted by Metteyya at 02/01/2008 @ 2:29pm

3. Melber:

   Hillary Clinton made a point of stressing respect for Obama at Thursday night's debate. It is a shame that she is actually running a campaign that repeatedly smears him and disrespects the voters' ability to see through the facade.

   Did we expect anything less from this pair? It'd be poetic justice if they --Hill and Bill-- go down in infamy and disappear from the national political leadership scene.

   If we could be so lucky.

   Posted by b_kool_66 at 02/01/2008 @ 2:31pm

4. Godwin's Law strike the primary campaign?

   No surprise really. Hillary's "people" already have tried "He's a secret Muslim"..."Barak HUSSEIN Obama"..."he sold drugs"...."So what? Jesse Jackson won South Carolina"....and (locally) "He's a mulatto and doesn't care about HIS people in Kenya".

   Only thing they HAVEN'T thrown at him is a sex scandal...and the reason why is of course obvious.

   Posted by Mask at 02/01/2008 @ 2:32pm

5. It seems the Clintonistas get outraged ANY time the facts about Billary's intimate ties to Big Pharma, Big HMOs, Big (insert your own oligopolistic industry here) get exposed. The reason people dislike them so much is not just because of them selling out many years ago to the corporate elite, it's because they try to deny it and sell themselves as guardians of the little folk, even while having dinner with Murdoch and taking in more lobbyist money than six other candidates combined.

   Posted by Steve1us at 02/01/2008 @ 2:41pm

6. Only thing they HAVEN'T thrown at him is a sex scandal...and the reason why is of course obvious.

   Posted by MASK 02/01/2008 @ 2:32pm

   That one would be kind of funny. I wonder how Frank would spin that.

   Posted by Cccomfo1 at 02/01/2008 @ 2:42pm

7. Succinctly said, Steve1us.

   Posted by b_kool_66 at 02/01/2008 @ 2:44pm

8. "Did we expect anything less from this pair? It'd be poetic justice if they --Hill and Bill-- go down in infamy and disappear from the national political leadership scene. If we could be so lucky." Posted by B_KOOL_66 02/01/2008 @ 2:31pm

   Hard to tell to whom this smear was pitched. To remember the Skokie incident, one would have to be at least approaching 50. To take the smear to heart, one would have to be semi-literate &/or an aipac member. The net effect would be either to alienate yet more Dem voters from Billary &/or further galvanize Billary opponents. Are we sure this Len Nichols isn't a secret Obama girl in drag?

   Posted by sloper at 02/01/2008 @ 2:47pm

9. Posted by CCCOMFO1 02/01/2008 @ 2:42pm

   Easy..."Obama cheated on Michelle...but Hillary has NEVER cheated on Bill! Comparing Bill's 'momentary indiscretion' is meaningless since it was HIS, not My Beloved Goddess'!"

   or the standby for ALL these smears...."SHE didn't say that, it was one of her 'low level' staffers who said it! Hillary can't be responsible for everything some small potatos person on the campaign did!"

   (thus either being oblivious OR disengenuous as to how tight an organization it is and how NOTHING goes un-planned...or that Hillary can't control "her people" and therefore would be a POOR ADMINISTRATOR as President!)

   Posted by Mask at 02/01/2008 @ 2:49pm

10. oooh, nazis

    attention markie!

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/01/2008 @ 3:20pm

11. When an brat has nothing to say.

    Nice try Ari.

    If you think these are accidents, you are a fool. That or just as evil as the Clintons.

    Posted by dentedpat at 02/01/2008 @ 3:24pm

12. Posted by FRANKGRITS 02/01/2008 @ 3:25pm

    "boy"? "boy", again, FRANK?

    How is a 47 year old man a "boy"?....unless it's because he's....???

    Posted by Mask at 02/01/2008 @ 3:26pm

13. Posted by FRANKGRITS 02/01/2008 @ 3:25pm

    Actually this was a planned event for Hillary's group. Obviously come on Frank open your eyes. Jesus Christ. Also please feel free to post some comments made about Hillary by the Obama campaign I would like to see if any of them equates to calling a person a Nazi.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 02/01/2008 @ 3:29pm

14. Some uniter huh?

    Posted by FRANKGRITS 02/01/2008 @ 3:30pm

    Funny that you bother to say this to defend a candidate who has spent this whole election mudslinging and encouraging her supporters to mudsling. She's a true uniter.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 02/01/2008 @ 3:43pm

15. Does Clinton really want to go down that rabbit hole? Sure Kennedy was part of the brain trust that was NCLB but why does anyone care from a media prospective? Candidate surrogate A attacks flawed now changed position of surrogate B. Clinton and Obama both are for either a revamp or dismantling of the NCLB program. I fail to see what is news here...

    Posted by Tzimisce at 02/01/2008 @ 3:47pm

16. "Update: The New America Foundation released a statement from Mr. Nichols this afternoon, listed below in its entirety"....

    anybody recognizing a pattern?

    First the attack...then the apology, when it backfires....if it works, they keep it going. If not, act like it was "an unfortunate outburst and I (we) have nothing to do with the Hillary Campaign and have the highest respect for Senator Obama's historic campaign!"

    Posted by Mask at 02/01/2008 @ 3:52pm

17. Posted by FRANKGRITS 02/01/2008 @ 3:25pm

    "boy", FRANK?

    Posted by Mask at 02/01/2008 @ 3:52pm

18. Posted by FRANKGRITS 02/01/2008 @ 3:44pm

    If that was me getting dizzy spinning which everyone on this site knows I'm telling the truth you must be vomiting heavily into a trash bin right now.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 02/01/2008 @ 3:54pm

19. "I didn't realize that the difference in the experience of the two candidates was so stark. Hillary scored big in that regard last night. Obama was like a cub scout standing next to a ranger."

    In what way? Seriously this is some rather extreme hyperbole. Her answers were more crisp, she seemed more confident, but to state that is absurd. And if you are making experience an issue then consider that the Republicans ALL have more legislative and executive experience.

    Posted by Tzimisce at 02/01/2008 @ 3:56pm

20. Posted by MASK 02/01/2008 @ 3:52pm

    MASK, I was just about to comment on that when I saw yours. I grow weary of hearing "blah lies blah slander blah misrepresentations" followed by "oops, sorry 'bout that."

    Posted by FritztheCat at 02/01/2008 @ 4:01pm

21. Posted by TZIMISCE 02/01/2008 @ 3:56pm

    Seriously going to have to agree with you. How can He go on and on about experience when you consider McCain who she will be running against is close to her politically AND has way more experience than her? Obviously he will come out with a win against her.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 02/01/2008 @ 4:05pm

22. Posted by FRITZTHECAT 02/01/2008 @ 4:01pm

    It's a neat trick. A Hillary flunky gets the word from on-high (does anybody doubt they are acting "solo" on the operation) to smear Obama....

    they do.

    (A) It works and sticks. They keep going. Meanwhile Baba Rodham Yaga keeps "above the fray" and other flunkys (when it is claimed "She said...about Obama") say "She's not saying that; she's sticking to the issues!"

    (B) It backfires. They come out and apologize (or get fired) and Her Nibs and others claim "She can't control what every little person under her does!" (Note: While previously telling us what a great and smart and ORGANIZED campaign this was!)

    Posted by Mask at 02/01/2008 @ 4:35pm

23. For Katrina Vanden Heuvel

    There are an aweful lot of republican operatives on this site trying to pass thenselves off as democrats. I hope you understand that.

    Posted by FRANKGRITS 02/01/2008 @ 3:34pm | ignore this person

    This from the person who will vote for McCain before he will vote for Obama.

    Posted by brunowe at 02/01/2008 @ 4:40pm

24. Posted by FRANKGRITS 02/01/2008 @ 4:30pm

    I saw the debate, and I would agree with you that she has more "experience." But again every Republican running has more Executive (either the branch or business) or Legislative experience. This experience is ELECTED experience. First Lady is an important role, and that is not to be dismissed, but Joe 6-pack will pay more attention to elected office experience.

    To be honest I will state that experience is important to a point. An experienced person can make a mistake just as easily as an unexperienced person. Look at The Dubs (aka our president) he was governor and a CEO (not to say he was successful). Did his experience prevent him from making bad decisions?

    I would disagree that experience "it is [the] most important." I would say the disposition of the person, and maybe even their history of making correct decisions, are two more important factors than experience. I view pragmatism to be THE most important factor.

    In the end we are hiring/voting on a sheet of paper. That's why jobs have interviews, experience counts, but so does the actual person.

    Posted by Tzimisce at 02/01/2008 @ 4:41pm

25. That should read "aren't" voting on a sheet of paper

    Posted by Tzimisce at 02/01/2008 @ 4:43pm

26. This from the person who will vote for McCain before he will vote for Obama.

    Posted by BRUNOWE 02/01/2008 @ 4:40pm

    17,546,345 points for you!!

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/01/2008 @ 4:48pm

27. BARACK OBAMA HAS SECRET SEX ORGIES WITH GOATS AND PIGGIES AT SATANIC FLAG BURNING GAY MARRIAGE CEREMONIES.

    AND HE'S IMPOTENT, TOO!

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/01/2008 @ 4:50pm

28. sorry, that was uncalled for. respect for an opponent is a crucial part of the democratic process.

    i sincerely apologize to senator osama.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 02/01/2008 @ 4:51pm

29. Isn't the kind of nonsense that some of you are throwing out in support of Hillary Clinton the same kind of divisive and untrue shit that got her ass kicked in South Carolina?

    Keep talkin'.

    Posted by edwriter at 02/01/2008 @ 4:57pm

30. Posted by FRANKGRITS 02/01/2008 @ 3:34pm For Katrina Vanden Heuvel

    There are an awful lot of republican operatives on this site trying to pass themselves off as democrats. I hope you understand that.

    So.....close to that ignore button...so so close.

    I'll 2nd it or 3rd it: BOY? Frank, I'm starting to see your true colors.

    PS frank I spell checked ya buddy! Good job there.

    Posted by DaCraftyB at 02/01/2008 @ 5:02pm

31. So you're not even denying that racist dig huh? Good for you.

    Posted by DaCraftyB at 02/01/2008 @ 6:08pm

32. Frank,

    you asshole. You called Obama boy. Are you now not only defending the Clinton's campaign of "what, we didn't know. Oh, that was offensive, of course we apologize" but now taking part in it?

    Four years ago, I thought you were a valiant and interesting liberal, the way you took on the wingers here and talked about your kid.

    A year ago I started to question your critical aptitude--supporting HER.

    Six months ago I realized you were blinded by the not so bright light.

    But now I just think you're a sorry sad asshole.

    Fuck you Frankgrits. Go to hell.

    Posted by Rintrah at 02/01/2008 @ 7:38pm

33. Again, someone from the left incorrectly throws the Nazi analogy out there for effect. When will we all, republicans and democrats, universally condemn anyone who incorrectl attempts to label their opponents with the Hitler, or Nazi label??????

    Posted by Len Mosse at 02/01/2008 @ 8:16pm

34. Top Ten Campaign Slogans for Barack Obama [tinyurl.com]

    Posted by coolobserver at 02/01/2008 @ 8:38pm

35. " McCain isn't George Bush and we will have a strong Congress to rein him in... "

    Posted by FRANKGRITS 02/01/2008 @ 8:25pm

    Strong congress?

    This congress?

    We are talking about the U.S. congress, aren't we? The current "military commission's", "Sit on our hands and marvel at the audacity of bush appointees (FCC,FDA,FEMA)", accountability "off the table", "in the defense industries pocket/war mongering" congress?

    If so, than I am confused. My congress has Pelosi and other useless obstructionists. The rest are faux democrats and do nothings.

    What country are you from?

    Eric

    Posted by Malcontent at 02/01/2008 @ 8:50pm

36. Posted by COOLOBSERVER 02/01/2008 @ 8:38pm

    I like number 10;

    10. Let’s face it, when candidates have to sell themselves to corporate donors in order to raise at least $250 million, it doesn’t matter who you vote for. So here’s your chance to appear progressive without really changing anything.

    Posted by Malcontent at 02/01/2008 @ 8:54pm

37. Frank,

    while my manners may have been poor (frustration pushing me over the edge), I'm afraid I can't apologize (not that it matters).

    Your support for HRC is one thing, but in her defense you've continually and aggressively pushed the "mullato" "boy" bit way too far. You can claim, like your mistress, that you "don't remember" or that "you didn't mean it the way it came out," but the constant and continual nature of the offenses puts the lie to those claims.

    It's sad, and I'm sorry for you. Whatever pathology has driven you to such behavior has twisted a mind that once had the potential to be so much better.

    Posted by Rintrah at 02/02/2008 @ 06:32am