Title: Fox News "Fox and Friends" - Transcript
Date: 01/09/2008
Location: Chappaqua, NY
Interview
Fox News "Fox and Friends" - Transcript
MR. DOOCY: Pollsters and pundits may have started to write her off in New Hampshire, but she scored a stunning comeback in the Granite State.
MS. CARLSON: The 2008 Democratic presidential candidate joins us from Chappaqua, New York, her home town.
Good morning to you, Senator Clinton, and congratulations.
SEN. CLINTON: Good morning. Oh, thank you so much, Gretchen.
MS. CARLSON: You know, I thought of course the line of your speech last night that everyone will be talking about this morning is the one where you said, "I listened to you," meaning the people of New Hampshire, "and in the process I found my own voice." What did you mean by that?
SEN. CLINTON: Well, what I meant was really I believe politics is about a process so we can actually help people's lives. I'm not interested in it as a game or a horse race, and I've gotten up for 35 years every day and tried to figure out what I could do to help somebody else. And in the process of these four days, the intense four days when I started 15 points behind, I had so much interaction with New Hampshire voters. I answered hundreds of questions, and I really understood how we were connecting. And it gave me a real opportunity to let people know a little bit more about what motivates me, why I do what I do because I'm sure there are some people, especially watching all of you, who say, "Why would she do this?" And I do it because, you know, that's what I care about. I care about trying to help somebody else.
And so I really feel very good about what happened in New Hampshire because it gave me a chance to really regain my footing and make it clear that I'm going to put all of my years of experience to work on behalf of the people of our country.
MR. DOOCY: Senator, you weren't supposed to be here winning the gold --
SEN. CLINTON: (Laughs.)
MR. DOOCY: -- because, as you mentioned a moment ago, all the polls had -- one poll had you down by 13 points going into the time people started voting.
SEN. CLINTON: I know.
MR. DOOCY: How did the pollsters get it so wrong?
SEN. CLINTON: Well, Steve, you know, I've been -- obviously out on the campaign trail a lot, not only for myself but for a lot of other people over many years, and I honestly don't pay a lot of attention to what goes on in these snapshot polls. I'm more interested in what I feel, what I get back from voters. And you know, after that debate on Saturday night, I just felt the ground shifted because it was a real debate in a real election. And people were serious about making up their minds because they wanted to pick a president who would be serious and effective in making the kinds of changes that America deserves to have.
And so when I got up before dawn yesterday and went out to see a lot of my volunteers who were at different polling places and brought them some hot coffee and really met a lot of voters and could look in their eyes and hear their questions and what their tone of voice was toward me. I came back in the early afternoon and I know I was still down according to the so-called exit polls, but I didn't believe it. I felt really good. I felt that we were going to make a lot of positive advances in New Hampshire. And I wasn't quite sure that I could pull off the significant victory that I did, but I knew that voters were hearing me, they were listening, they were believing that I can do what I've said I will do as their president.
MS. CARLSON: And Senator, a lot of those voters saw you have that emotional moment a few days ago in New Hampshire. The media made a lot out of that, and we discussed it here. I found it interesting that both Democrats and Republicans for the most part said that they believed that was a genuine moment for you. What was the real reason that you teared up?
SEN. CLINTON: I think it was, Gretchen, because I spend the vast majority of my time in public presenting my ideas and then asking people how I can help them -- you know, what's on their minds, what do they need from someone in my position. I'm really other-directed. It's what I believe in because I think that's what you're supposed to do when you're in public office. It's not about the speeches you make; it's about the results you deliver.
And when that woman asked me how I did it and how I was, you know, it was so touching to me because that's what I'm usually asking somebody who tells me that they can't find health care for their kid or they just lost their job. And I really felt that there was a relationship between me and voters in New Hampshire. I've always loved the state. I admire their fierce independence, and maybe it just gave me the impetus to say, "Okay, you want to know what I do what I do? Here it is. I really believe in what I do, and I love this country, and I'm going to fight every day to give more people the chances that I've had in life.
MR. DOOCY: Right. Mrs. Clinton, there was I guess some internal polling done that discovered that New Hampshire women were overwhelmed with sympathy when they saw you choking up, and in fact they wound up voting for you. You got a lot of the women voting, and even a lot of Barack Obama's supporters voted for you as well because of that moment. Is the lesson there that it's okay to be human?
SEN. CLINTON: That's a really good way of putting it, Steve. You know, we've obviously had lots of presidents, going back in my memory to Reagan, Carter, you know, and back even beyond, who have demonstrated that they're not just leaders who get up every day and put on a suit of armor, but they do have feelings. They do empathize. And maybe it's a little more challenging for a woman in this position because obviously we know what people will say, but maybe I have liberated us to actually let women be human beings in public life. You know, we are. Let's be that. Let's demonstrate what I think I've proven over a lifetime -- nobody doubts I'm tough enough to lead, but the reason I get up every day is because I want to make a difference in people's lives and I care deeply about what goes on.
And you know, most of what I do is never on a camera. I'm never going to be asked about it on your show or anywhere else, but it's what really rewards me for all the long hours and the hard work and some of the slings and arrows. And that's why I think what happened then really helped to integrate what I believe and who I am and what I will do if people give me the chance to be their president.
MS. CARLSON: Senator Clinton, one of your greatest weapons is your husband, of course, the former president, Bill Clinton. He came out swinging against Barack Obama. I mean, I haven't seen this kind of passion in your husband in a while. He basically accused Barack Obama's campaign of being the biggest fairy tale he has ever seen. Is he going to do to your political dirty work for you?
SEN. CLINTON: Oh, I don't think that's what he was doing. I think what he was doing was to say, look, there are important facts that voters need to know, and regardless of the characterization, the facts remain the same. And I think it's important for people who are looking at each of us to understand what we've done, what we've said and who we are. And in particular, the fact that Senator Obama gave a speech against the war in Iraq is to his credit, but by 2004 he was saying that, you know, he agreed with George Bush about the conduct of the war and he wasn't even sure how we would have voted in the Senate. And he said he wouldn't vote for funding for the war, and then in '05, '06 and'07, he voted for $300 billion of voting funding for the war. You know, I think that's relative information, so it's important for people who are trying to pick the next president to know about our records, and we're going to keep talking about that.
MR. DOOCY: Senator, as we were watching the results come in on Fox last night, you were just one point ahead for the longest time. I know it was really exciting at our house. How many gallons of Maalox did your campaign staff go through last night?
SEN. CLINTON: (Laughs.) Well, you'll have to ask them because there was a lot of moaning, groaning, yelling, shouting, you know, cries of joy. I mean, it was an emotional roller ride.
But you know, the people of New Hampshire have done this before. They did it for Senator McCain this time. They really put us through our paces. And it's the first election. It's an election that really matters because people vote all day long. People who work at night can vote. People who are overseas serving our country can send in an absentee ballot. So there's a lot of intensity around picking the next president. And I feel very good about the judgment the people of New Hampshire made yesterday, and today I'm up and I'm at it and I'm going to keep going as we take on all the rest of the contests between now and February 5th.
MR. DOOCY: Oh, come on. Take a nap.
SEN. CLINTON: (Laughs.) Well, this crazy schedule! I mean, honest to goodness, it's the closest thing to insanity that I've seen in politics in recent years.
MR. DOOCY: Right. Sure.
SEN. CLINTON: There's not much time for that. We got back at 4:00 in the morning, and here I am. So thanks for talking to me
MR. DOOCY: You betcha. And by the way, Senator, I should point out that of all the polls out there, the closest one to the final outcome was the Fox News poll. So just keep an eye on Fox, Senator.
SEN. CLINTON: Well, you know, that's very interesting. I'll have to really think hard about that.
MS. CARLSON: Well, we hope that you do.
SEN. CLINTON: I don't know. Should we start saying -- I will. And it's great to talk to you. I really enjoyed it.
MS. CARLSON: All right, Senator. Thanks very much.
MR. DOOCY: All right. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, joining us live from Chappaqua, New York.
http://www.foxnews.com/foxfriends/index.html
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