WASHINGTON (Agencies)
A key foreign policy advisor to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama resigned on Friday, after Hillary Clinton's campaign demanded her ouster for calling the former first lady a "monster."
The comment threatened to become a huge embarrassment for Obama, who has criticized what he calls negative campaign tactics by Clinton and has based his presidential bid in part on a theme of rising above political bickering.
"With deep regret, I am resigning from my role as an advisor (to) the Obama campaign effective today," said Samantha Power, who made her comments in an interview with British newspaper, Scotsman.
"Last Monday, I made inexcusable remarks that are at marked variance from my oft-stated admiration for Senator Clinton and from the spirit, tenor, and purpose of the Obama campaign," she said in a statement.
"I extend my deepest apologies to Senator Clinton, Senator Obama, and the remarkable team I have worked with over these long 14 months."
Power's remarks were the latest sign that Obama's once flawless campaign is feeling the heat from increased pressure from the Clinton camp.
"We f***d up in Ohio," Power told the Scottish daily, referring to the midwestern state which the Illinois senator lost to Clinton in Tuesday's primary.
"In Ohio, they are obsessed and Hillary is going to town on it, because she knows Ohio's the only place they can win," Power was quoted as saying.
"She is a monster, too -- that is off the record -- she is stooping to anything," Power said.
"You just look at her and think 'Ergh.'"
In a conference call earlier Friday, key Clinton supporters had demanded the head of Power, and branded the drama as a "test" for Obama's leadership skills. |
