The Clintons shrug off defeat

Pat Buchanan summed it up best.

Hillary and Bill Clinton Saturday night did their very best to treat Barack Obama's surprisingly large win in South Carolina's Democratic presidential primary as "an exhibition game," said the one-time Republican (and Reform Party) White House contender who now commentates on MSNBC.

With every sign pointing to a loss for the Clinton team (though not the rout that occurred), neither could be found in the Palmetto State as the votes came in. Instead, each traveled to a Super Tuesday state: Hillary (the one who's running this year) was in Tennessee; Bill (the one who ran in the past) was in Missouri.

Before he left South Carolina, though, Bill made a comment widely interpreted as dismissive of the win Obama was poised to register. Appropos of nothing, he noted that Jesse Jackson -- who in his presidential bids never fully escaped the "black candidate" niche -- had won the state's primaries in 1984 and '88.

Merle Black, a veteran observer of Southern politics ...

who now hangs his hat at Atlanta's Emory University in Atlanta, told Bloomberg News Service: "The implicit comparison is that Jackson won but he didn't win the nomination. That is just another round of trying to devalue what Obama has achieved."

Early in the evening, with Obama declared the day's winner almost the second the polls closed, Hillary called from her campagn plane to personally congratulate her rival. The Times' Peter Nicholas reports that her aides described the conversation as "friendly."

Her public comments about the contest might best be characterized as terse. Indeed, her kudos to the winner didn't even merit their own separate sentence.

Speaking at a nighttime rally in Nashville, she said: "I want to congratulate Sen. Obama tonight and I also want to thank the people of South Carolina for welcoming us into their homes and their communities."

We imagine it's a welcome she won't remember as among the warmest she's gotten. Anyway, that was that for South Carolina. She quickly segued to the future: "And I want to tell you how excited I am that now the eyes of the country turn to Tennessee and the other states that will be voting on Feb. 5. And of course to the state of Florida that will be voting Tuesday.

"So millions and millions of Americans are going to have the chance to have their voices heard and their votes counted. And I can't imagine any place I'd rather be than right here in Nashville as we kick off the next 10 days!''

Not to insult the home of country music, but for Hillary Clinton, Siberia would have been preferable to South Carolina.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Agree]

I'm with Helena on this one. There's no way in hell now that I'd vote for Hillary Clinton in the general election. I'm a white female, mid 30s, college-educated, social liberal - I'm smack dab in the middle of the democratic party's choice demographic.

But the fact that the party has done NOTHING to publically rebuke the Clintons for their race-based campaign means I will unaffiliate myself as soon as the elections are over. The Clintons pretty much invalidated every black person's vote with these comments. "Oh, but they voted for Jesse Jackson".

This is the type of politicking from the 1950s, never mind 1990s. They are vile human beings.

[Jim W]

As a progressive independent-i never understood why republicans were so bent on painting a negative picture of the Clintons. After Obama's Huge victory, i now see why. The Clintons are pathetic creatures who have no place in modern politics.

[crenza]

The Clinton's show a complete lack of class and grace in their attempt to dismiss Obama's stunning rout.

Do Democrats really want to trade the inspiration, hope and integrity Senator Barama offers to return to the era of the '90's including the policy of personal destruction and divisiveness which is the hallmark of the Clintons?

Red faced, finger pointing Billary, the 2-faced, 2-headed monster
makes us wonder who will be running the White House should this divisive duo be elected. Returning them to the White House is a guarantee of continued gridlock in Washington.

And what happens if she wants to pass some legislation - is he going to storm congress pointing his finger and throw a tantrum???

[Max]

Hilary is going to win. Forget all this polls and polical analyst they don't know what they are talking about. When all the dust is settled Hillary will win Obama. This is not the time for Obama yet. Experience makes changes. Obama has about 3 years as Senator and thinks he can handle being President of the USA, Bill Clinton is right, Obama is in fairy tail land.

I tell you what, let the New England Patriots take out Tom Brady (Hillary) with the most experience to lead the team from the superbowl and put a third string quaterback (Obama). Just like in life as a Military General, CEO of a company, you are going to select the most qualified and experienced individual to lead your business; your best player, your best friend, etc...

Anyway, Hillary is going to win!!!!

[Chandra]

Truth-is-Gold

I cross checked your quotes. I haven'tfound any of them in the newspapers/magazines you quoted. Do you work for the Obama campaign?

[Andrew]

Barack Hussein Obama for President -- of Kenya!

[G. O'connor]

Hillary is a witch (with a "B")! Her own conceit is only surpassed by that of her slick Willie's. I'm voting for Obama!

[Obamatide]

I hope people see the Clintons for who they are. They discuss me with their tactics, in the hope to govern the country again. Do you honestly believe that Bill is going to just play golf while Hillary runs the country. Granted every spouse in any administration impacts the office to a certain degree. But he won't only impact the country he will be running the country, he will be the PUPPET MASTER! I believe she is simply depending on the Clinton name to get her elected, I don't believe that her experince is leaps and bounds ahead of any of the canidates she is up against. And if you want proof look at what her and Barack have done in the short time they have been in elected offices. I think you will see that Obama record is more diverse. Second he can talk with Republicans. You would have to be a fool to believe that you can change the country merely through just one party. Granted you could but it would leave America right where we are today divided.

It takes a willingness to work together to bring about change there are Democrats, Republicans, and Independents that need to work together to change things it can't just be the Democrat or the Republican, it absolutely must include both parties giving and taking a little here and a little there to ensure that all of the different issues of America are being addressed.
But to do that you need a president that can get people to shut up and talk to each other, Hillary as polarized most of the republican party, and Democrat's more that she may think. She was arrogant coming into the campaign thinking this is her time and that is the attitude she a carried throughout her campaign.

I don't recall Obama attacking Hillary on one single issue until she started trying to tear him down after Iowa, now she is trying to marginalize Obama's win in South Carolina as simply the black vote. He simply stated what he believes in to his core and laid out a vision for America. What's wrong with that? Somebody needs to remind the Clinton's to not throw rocks when you to live in a glass house. And let her know that the nation we live in today was founded on hope's and dreams. And the last time I checked I thought America was to supposed to be the country that help people recongnize those hopes and dreams.

My final points

On the issues it is obvious that both are pretty much identical.

She beats him on experince in Washington (RED FLAG)

Obama slaughter's her on character, vision, message, and personality.

Give me passion, and vision anyday over so called experince, because we where not an experinced nation when we started fighting for our Nation Idependence back in the 1700's, it was a passion and a vision of what we should be as a people.

So I say this to people that are stuck on the fact the Obama is black, or the fact that he is a Democrat. Close your eyes and listen to that American speak!!!!

[Felipe Yanes]

Bill Clinton is a disgusting individual. He purposely introduces Jesse Jackson's wins in South Carolina as a way of trying to marginalize Obama. He will say that he was just drawing comparisons to successful campaigns, but that is bunk. If that were the case, he could have said: "John Edwards won here in 2004 and ran a good campaign and Obama has run a good campaign in 2008." By bringing up Jackson in view of the fact that the reporter had not even mentioned him is a clear sign of Clinton's race baiting.

[Claudia]

Let's not turn Democracy into long running Dynasties. The Bush reign was greedy and corrupt, as any family would be with untimate power. It corrupts. Time for Obama!

[Teacher Lady]

Who is Barack Obama and what has he accomplished? What is his record? The man gives great speeches and his ideas are nice. I have a problem with the lack of warmth, the lack of passion I see in the debates. His Mr. Cool demeanor is such a turnoff, and the way he accuses Hillary of being the status quo is SO disrespectful. This woman invented the idea of Universal Healthcare (and got crucified by the REAL status quo). "Your'e likeable enough..." No Obama, Hillary is REVERED and she will prevail in November. Take some notes.

[al75]

What a courageous candidate Obama is. He got my attention in his first book, when he said that political discourse was trapped in the ideological wars of the 60's, and we needed to get beyond that. It stuck in my mind, how simple what he said was, and how obvious it was after he said it.

For me, many of Obama's statements have this kind of clarity. I think it stumps the pundits and the political operators. How do you fight a guy who actually means what he says?

The answer, of course, is that you smear him, take his words out of context, make stuff up -- and if nothing else works, you say all polticians are crooks and if he's one, he's a crook too.

But Obama is different. he speaks to a need we all feel. My friends who disagree with me violently on most political issues still respect Obama. Most Americans agree on alot of fundamental issues -- we're coaxed into hating each other by the likes of Rove and Carville and Hannity and Matthews.

I sure hope Obama wins, for so many reasons -- one of which will be the bitch-slap he'll deliver to the politics of slander and pandering that have corrupted our society for so long.

[Matt]

Are people forgetting why Obama won? Or are they just too PC to say it? It was the black vote. Nothing wrong with that, but it changed from Clinton to Obama overnight after he won Iowa. Now, is that to say that the African American community suddenly understood his policies better after his Jan. 3rd win? Most likely not. They voted on racial lines, plain and simple. It must be saddening for Clinton who has worked so much of her life trying to better the lives of minority individuals, to see that in the end race trumped past deeds.

[Undecided Californian]

As an undecided voter - I found both Obama and Hillary charistmatic and vigorous campaigners - I have to say I am voting for Hillary because:

1) I found Obama relentless attacks on Hillary over the summer and last week in South Carolina to be repugnant, divisive,

2) Obama keeps saying "change" without telling me what exactly he has in mind for America and HOW, HOW to achieve that change. All he's been saying is Change! Change! without providing beef. By what, his flowery words of promises promises in an election year? Anyone can promise.

3) His constant changing tones to woo voters, i.e., right after NH's defeat he gave a speech to "congratulate" Hillary during which he mimicked King's speech both in style and words as he was positioning himself in SC. This from a man who prides himself from Illinois and the political machine of Chicago.

I don't know. Whether is style over substance, great orator over real doer who has demonstrated ability to deliver change, I do not want an opportunistic campaign machine that keeps telling me that I have to vote for Obama, that I must vote for Obama, that keeps suppressing my voice as a voter with his campaign's dishonest influence. Obama can say whatever he wants to get votes; his rhetorics, however, is pushing me to vote for Hillary.

[JJ]

Hillary and Bill lost last night. That is part of the democratic process. Congratulations to Obama. This hateful vitriol from either side is not needed as the voters have spoken in South Carolina. They will speak again on Tuesday in Florida and again the following Tuesday in 22 states. please, let this play out like adults. Just as Obama has more to him than style, the Clinton's are not under every rock. The paranoia about them from the Obama people online is scary. I wonder if it is the same people who blame George W. Bush for all of their personal problems. Can we please calm the rancor? Let's have a real contest now. We go on with three Hillary wins and two Obama wins (one incredible one). This is good for the country and good for the democratic party. Congratulations to both candidates and may the best campaigner win!

[PNW Trojan]

As Ben Milk-toast earlier said ...The Clintons know the system and exactly how to make it sing." If you want change, you can be guaranteed NOTHING WILL CHANGE with the Hell-Billys! They serve THEMSELVES first and foremost; then the Party leadership gets it's turn at the Public Trough. Now, it's the Bush/Freak Right...elect the Hell-Billys, and you get the Clinton Freak Left, and even more money for illegals, while working Californians pick up the tab. Air Force 1 will be a shuttle service for the Clintons to joy-ride all over the globe at your expense. True, the rabid Right is disgusting...don't go for change to the Rabid Left! PLEASE!!!

[Herb]

The true colors or the Clintons have been shown over and over again. They'll do or say anything to win and are ungracious in defeat. They've got the buzzwords and lackeys such as John Lewis and Andrew Jackson to do their bidding for them trying to secure the Black vote. Shame to Billiary for using the very same tactics that they screamed the Republicans were using. And lastly, just who is Sen. Obama running against? Step off Mr. Clinton, please step off!

[Tami Burns]

Since 1976, there has been a Bush or Clinton name on the presidential ticket. Does this not concern the American people that their country has been stagnant with a corrupt government for over 30 years. I for one, will hope my Prime Minister will sever all ties with the U.S. Government if "Billarygate" get into power! It's time for a change.............................don't waste this opportunity!

[Pepo]

Blacks will vote blacks. Obama wins the nomination, and loses the elections to McCain. Yet again!!! The death wish of this party has no end in sight. Gore, Kerry, now Obama.

[Terence O'Neill]

Some of these comments are absurd. Most of the people making these comments know nothing about the political process and seem to have been sleeping for the past 8 years. What are you, stupid? Hillary came in second place, beating Edwards in his home state. She was expected to come out third. How are Bill Clinton's remarks racist? Like them or not, the Clinton's are following an interesting strategy that will pay-off in the end. They're running a national campaign, and the numbers seem to show that she will win the nomination. Unfortunately, there will be a lot of damage control that will need to be done to appease Black Democrats.

I like both candidates, but I'm over the stupidity of the media and people who believe their spin. It's what's ruining this county and preventing us from really looking at the important issues.

Terence from Houston, Tex.

PS. I'm not black or white, but Hispanic for those of you who make assumptions about my race based on my name.

[chrisc]

I guess Clinton's "terse" statement congratulating Obama wasn't sweet or ladylike enough for the two old white guys that run this blog. What exactly would you like her to do---endorse him?

Blacks put Obama over the top in South Carolina. That's simply a fact. Look at the numbers nation-wide. Clinton is going to be the nominee.

[Jake1968]

Wow, Obama won South Carolina, wich 53% of the voters were Black? I am just so surprised! Not Really! This actually helps Hillary, as the black voters voted by race, and sends the signal strong and clear to the whites, and hispanics, race is for sure on the table now, and it is in fact South Carolina who made it stick there for good, now, not Bill clinton, not Hillary Clinton, and not Barack Obama, cemented it on the table, but the Voters in South Carolina did, by voting on racial lines, doing what the people in Iowa did not do! This will be so nasty, but the backlash is going Obamas way now, and in a very big way! I am in Iowa, and every person i hear thinks that vote was racially motivated, and many Obama backers are backing of him fast here now, and i sense they will around the country, the racial vote was made, and it was made in South Carolina, it is on the table now, and it will not come of, that vote marginalized Obama as the black candidate, by the black votes, what an irony!

[Seth]

How would you even know it was a defeat? Considering the lede headline, all you really saw there was a freakin' hug! Com LA Times, you can do better than this. What a disgrace.

[kelly]

Go Hillary! This is a contest and she the tougher one.....she shouldn't let sexist, racist people get her down. There are more similarities than differences between Clinton and Barack, but those us us with a MEMORY know that she is a hard worker and a tough negotiator....and that she can restore this country back to the way it before the current bozo took officer. I am tired of hearing people describe tough women with descriptions such as "she lashed out" or "abrasive." How is it that other countries don't quiver at the knees when faced the a strong, smart, compassionate, resilient WOMAN??

[Dave Schulte]

Bill Clinton provided a terse public concession (and dismissal) after the South Carolina primary, even before Hillary spoke. Since he delivered the South Carolina concession speech, should we expect Bill will also be delivering the State of the Union addresses in a Clinton Administration?

If he hadn't been disbarred and were still able to practice law, maybe Bill wouldn't be trying so hard to get his old job back?