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Hillary Clinton Campaign Calls Bernie Sanders ‘Unqualified’ Remark A Lie, Fact Checkers Agree

By Zachary Volkert
Published on: 08:15 PST, Apr 7, 2016

Hillary Clinton’s campaign has called for Bernie Sanders to walk back his accusation that the former Secretary of State referred to him as “unqualified.” The altercation is just one detail illustrating how the relationship between both Democratic hopefuls has gone from disagreeable to outright antagonistic as the race comes to a close.

Much of that political animosity hinges on the fallout over a New York Daily News interview in which critics, including Hillary, say Bernie failed to convincingly explain his plan of action to go after corporate interests. On MSNBC‘s Morning Joe Wednesday, Clinton appeared to join these detractors when she said that Sanders’ explanations indicated a lack of research.

“I think that what he has been saying about the core issue in his whole campaign doesn’t seem to be rooted in an understanding of either the law or the practical ways you get something done. And I will leave it to voters to decide who of us can do the job that the country needs, who can do all aspects of the job, both on the economic domestic issues and on national security and foreign policy.”

As accusations have heated up over the Panama Papers, Bernie has sought to blame Hillary for creating an environment that facilitated the money laundering scandal. Sanders has characterized Clinton’s support for the 2009 Panama Free Trade Agreement as evidence that she is not qualified for the presidency, a barbed attack that has been slung in his direction from her campaign as well, according to Bernie.

“I don’t think you are qualified [for president] if you supported the Panama Free Trade Agreement, something I very strongly opposed, which has made it easier for wealthy people and corporations all over the world to avoid paying taxes owed to their countries… We have won seven out of eight of the recent primaries and caucuses, and she has been saying lately that she thinks I am quote-unquote not qualified to be president.”

Hillary’s campaign has hit back hard on these so-called “unqualified” statements. Clinton press secretary Brian Fallon has been vocal on Twitter since Sanders made the speech, calling for an apology.

Hillary has also won the support of some fact checkers who looked further into Bernie’s “unqualified” remark. Agreeing with the Clinton campaign, the Washington Post wrote that Bernie had twisted the words of reporters and subsequently made them appear to be “coming out of her mouth.”

“She never said ‘quote unquote’ that he was not qualified to be president. In fact, she diplomatically went out of her way to avoid saying that, without at the same time saying he was qualified. The [previous] Washington Post article appropriately noted that she raised questions about his qualifications, but certainly never said or suggested she said Sanders was unqualified.”

On Thursday, Hillary dropped a brief interview that seemed to indicate that she wanted to move away from these campaign tactics. Clinton noted that Bernie was not the real enemy to her supporters, but rather likely Republican nominees Ted Cruz or Donald Trump.

“I don’t know why he’s saying that, but I will take Bernie Sanders over Donald Trump or Ted Cruz anytime. So, let’s keep our eye on what’s really at stake in this election. We have Republicans whose values are so antithetical to what’s right for New York or right for America. And I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing with my friends… for all these years to try to really make a difference in people’s lives.”

Do you think the Hillary Clinton campaign is correct to call for an apology over the “unqualified” remark from Bernie Sanders?

[Photo by J.D. Pooley and Joe Raedle/Getty Images]

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