Rhetorically, Hillary Clinton hits the right notes

Manchester, N.H., -- Hillary Clinton, in claiming her victory in New Hampshire's Democratic primary, almost had to make a nod to the "Comeback Kid" label her husband so deftly applied to himself in finishing second in the party's contest 16 years ago. And she pulled it off -- also deftly.

She avoided simply parroting Bill Clinton ("Comeback Girl?" Comeback Gal?" Comeback Lady?" -- none would  have worked). Instead, in one of her first lines to her understandably jubilant supporters, she said: "Now together, let's give America the kind of comeback that New Hampshire has just given me."

Even better, though, were the two sentences that preceded that one: "Over the last week, I listened to you and in the process I found my own voice. I felt like we all spoke from our hearts, and I'm so gratified that you responded."

With the first of those lines, she defined herself as back on her game -- and guiding her own political fate -- in rebounding from her third-place finish in Iowa. And with the second, she slyly referenced her rare public show of emotion Monday -- a moment that many will argue keyed her win and, whatever the merits of that view, now will be an eternal part of U.S. political lore.

Her campaign also clearly learned a stagecraft lesson.

Last week, as she spoke after losing in Iowa, those in camera range included not only her husband, but faces from his administration (i.e., the past), such as Madeline Albright. Tuesday night, she walked onstage by herself. Only after she accepted and bathed and beamed in enthusiastic acclamation from her audience did Bill and Chelsea Clinton make a brief appearance for family hugs. And they quickly exited, leaving the candidate standing on her own.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[jazzence]

So basically she only listens to the polls and pundits. Wow. Keep listening then, Hillary.

Don't cry for me, America.

[Carry]

Eleanor Roosevelt taught us that sometimes silence is the greatest sin

by Mrs. Lyndon Baines (Ladybird) Johnson
Former First Lady, United States Of America
Women can move beyond the struggle for equal status and for material goods to the challenges and opportunities of citizenship. Quality of goals and the achievement of goals which will mean a better life for all. For me, it was the beginning of seeing how politics can bring tangible results. I always hope that the very best of our people will go into politics, and I am sure that some of our best are women. So, I say: "Don't hold back. Don't be shy. Step forward in every way you can to plan boldly, to speak clearly, to offer the leadership which the world needs. Let us today earnestly resolve to build the true foundation for Eleanor Roosevelt's memory--to pluck out prejudice from our lives, to remove fear and hate where it exists, and to create a world unafraid to work out its destiny in peace. Eleanor Roosevelt has already made her own splendid and incomparable contribution to that foundation. Let us go and do likewise, within the measure of our faith and the limits of our ability. Let Eleanor Roosevelt teach Us all how to turn the arts of compassion into the victories of democracy.Eleanor Roosevelt taught us that sometimes silence is the greatest sin.

"Madame President of the United States...it’s an extraordinary thought. We truly are in a momentous time, where a woman’s potential has no limitations," said Streisand. "Hillary Clinton has already proven to a generation of women that there are no limits for success. She is driven by her passion for public service and her belief in the enormous potential of our country. Smart, capable and strong in her convictions, Hillary has transcended the dictates of what is thought to be possible for our time.
"Hillary is a powerful voice for change as we find our country at an important crossroads. Under her leadership, our country will regain its respect within the global community. She will prioritize issues of global climate change, universal health care and rebuilding a strong economy. After 8 long years, the public will once again have faith in their government.
"Another former first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote, ‘In government, in business, and in the professions there may be a day when women will be looked upon as persons. We are, however, far from that day as yet.’ More than 50 years later 'that day' is now upon us…and Hillary Clinton is ready to shatter through that glass ceiling for all women."

[D in California]

Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton... this strikes me as a horrible idea. This era will be remembered as a time of great wealth but too much polarization to get anything done... We need fresh faces, new ideas, and young but prudent leadership. This is a truly disappointing day for America! Still, Obama now has a chance to prove his fighting spirit. If he can beat the Clinton machine, he can get anything done!

[Zohreh S. Behbehani]

Senator Obama reminds me of ELMER GANTRY. He can give a good talk. He is a good speaker but I am afraid that one year in US senate does not qualify a person to become the leader of the free world. The stakes are too high to go with a rookie. The hype around him is unbeleivable.

With all the problems in the world we need a true and tested leader. He is an orator like a sothern baptist preacher. We need someone with experience. He is not the one this time

[julia s]

Hillary did find her voice, and a more feminine side: something learned from the younger gen, maybe, woman who don't think it's necessary to act and look as tough (butch, some call her) as a man in order to be taken seriously. With shows showing executive, high powered women more fashionable than prim, that's what seems the norm for many today. Hillary's started to look a little softer even in her hair and clothes.

Those things are subtle but there for men, too: look at John Edwards the populist, caught getting a $400 haircut and keeping people waiting while he does it. And Romney and his wife, looking so expensively groomed and smug, McCain always a little rumpled despite a wife whose hair looks glued on, and Huckabee also less than perfect maybe by design.

Despite that, she allegedly got more of the blue collar vote than Obama -- so her name recognition factor as well as more recent Senatorial demeanor and foreign policy experience all came to the fore. I'd have liked to see her V P someone like Biden or Dodd, even Richardson: three of the smartest, most exeperienced and smooth guys in the race. Unfortunately, you've got to be glitzier to last this time around, so given how badly everyone else did, Hillary is doing very well. She'll do even better in the more urban states. Frankly, I also hated the "old" shrill Hillary of the healthcare debates (though the way the media kept playing up how much everyone hates her, actually made me MORE sympathetic to her -- she's the underdog in that Obama has been the one annointed by the press), but she's reinvented herself personally and more politically.

Obama's still finding his message, beyond "change," and will be more ready next time around. If not for their religious and anti-choice views, I'd be more open to a Republican, but Huck and Romney seem phony. I could live with Rudy, though -- he and Hillary aren't all that different. Maybe it's just their both being a product of the give and take of tough urban politics.

[Marks]

Some have a fascination, liking Hillary but loving Bill even more. People voted in New Hampshire some polls showed they are concerned about the economy.

Bill balanced the federal budget back in the 90's. Fans of the Clinton's don't want him doing traditional First Lady things as First Man. They want him working policy with Hillary on economy issues.

Bill calling Obama's attempt to be President, a fairy tale, its amazing his life survived the political scandals and their fans have forgiven him for all that past behaviour. The Right Wing Conspiracy caused every problem the Clinton's had.

How can voters want a repeat of past political fighting in Washington? Where is the change, when Bill is part of making policies decisions with Hillary.

The tone both Bill and Hillary took is becoming personal attacks on Obama. Every decesion he's made in the past is wrong to them. A lot of decisions the Clinton's made while they were in the White House was wrong.

The race is on. It's actually better Hillary won in New Hampshire, the steep hill to climb is realized. Running for President must have ups and downs. Obama has to battle Bill and Hillary to win the White House. The Establishment has two heads. Some day Edwards votes will stop being taken from Obama.

He's at a debate with Hillary. Bill is off elsewhere giving a speech hammering Obama that he's got little experience for the President's job. Obama can't respond to what Bill is saying immediately.

All that prior political experience Bil had, look at the poor decisions he made. Obama's personal life is better than what Bill's was running for President.

Iowa and New Hampshire split. On to more diverse population states! The next two primaries for Democrats in Nevada and South Carolina should be interesting.

[soms]

She brings Eleanor Roosevelt a good name alright.She is not half the woman the former first lady and a leader of feminist empowerment was. She goes on a smear campaign, undermines the efforts of MLK jr and JFK, Falsifies records of the opposition, is in a marriage of convenience for very little but power...I am sorry you have got a sleazeball uttering BS here. Gertrude Stein and Roosevelt must be spinning in their graves at the mention of this manipulative woman's name in the same breath as them.
Open your eyes America....she is no symbol of Feminine empowerment...She brings a bad name to the phrase 'over the fray'
America...you deserve a sleazeball and a cheney -fearmongerer 's second coming that is Hillary 'Lyndon Johnson reborn' Clinton.
Congratulations...keep voting for the sleazy negative-spewing gofer who I'll assure you still has a dirty bag of tricks to unleash. She'll smear again and the voters will gulp it down, she'll tear up on a cue from her sleaze-breeze campaign team..and again the voters go nuts....
Seriously...even 3rd rate candidates in India which is the world's largest democracy can be read through behind all such manipulation...and American still shimmy up and believe the mind games....
PATHETIC

[New Mexico Fan]

The comments about the Orator and Preacher got it right. You can inspire people to change and have hope from the Pulpit, which is what he is doing.

A President must Make the Changes. Obviously, Hillary Clinton knows how to change, and fast.

Obama needs to have some EXPERIENCE of changing something, particularly a bureacracy, before he uses it to inspire anyone.

[verball]

anybody think that if a white guy with Obama's credentials tried to run for president he'd get laughed off the stage?

[Vojay Rajan]

A could-be President who is emotional is not fit for the job.
We have all seen experience in the WWHite House has lead us to wars which we did not want based on facts which where twisted and turned for their own ends.
One side of experience has already spelt disaster the other side of experience is wooing with tears with words such as "future of our children" which is purely a misquote. In other words it was "My political future" and my heavy head. This is what experience in politics teaches to act and behave depending upon ones position.
Now whoever is reading would very well know who it is I am talking about. Give a chance to someone who is sincere and is not rinsed in the dirty waters of politics of experience.