The Clinton comeback chronicles

Will this be another day that adds to the Clinton legend, another chapter in a book teeming with examples that their political apparatus -- whether headed by him or her -- often may be down, but it is never out?

It was just two months ago that Hillary Clinton, seemingly on the ropes following her third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, added to the family legend by confounding the pollsters and narrowly winning the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary.

Going into today's spotlighted contests, a late surge has put the polls on her side -- substantially in Ohio, by a small margin in Texas. At this point last week, Barack Obama seemed to have the momentum, especially in Texas, and story after story delineated discontent with the Clinton camp.

If the polls prove right, it will underscore why it's not a smart bet to write off the Clintons. As do these reminders about her husband:

• Bill Clinton first resurrected his political career in 1982, when he reclaimed the governor's office in Arkansas. He had first won the job in 1978, at the tender age of 32, and had gained national press coverage as a comer in his party. But, in part because some Arkansans saw the young governor and his wife (who at the time went only by her maiden name, Hillary Rodham) as a bit full of themselves, he got bounced from office in 1980 (a tough year for many Democrats). The Clinton who rebounded from that defeat two years later had cut his hair short, admitted making mistakes during his first term and had a spouse at his side now known as Hillary Rodham Clinton.

• In recognition of his rising political standing, Clinton was tapped to give the official nominating speech at the 1988 Democratic National Convention for Michael Dukakis. Clinton responded with a 32-minute marathon of words remembered for the burst of applause it generated when he finally uttered, "In conclusion... ." Initially the object of derision, he demonstrated his savvy by appearing on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson and poking fun at himself.

• In the 1992 New Hampshire primary, that year's first faceoff among the Democratic contenders -- Clinton seemed to ride out the first shock to his prospects -- the National Enquirer story reporting his affair with Gennifer Flowers. But then, the Wall Street Journal reported that he had sought to avoid the draft during the Vietnam war much more aggressively than he had acknowledged. For a few days, it looked like he might finish fourth or fifth in the crowded race; one night, aides Paul Begala, James Carville and Los Angeles lawyer Mickey Kantor could be found checking out tracking polls with stricken looks on their faces. But by dint of dawn-to-midnight campaigning, he pulled out a second-place finish (behind Paul Tsongas, from neighboring Massachusetts) and famously declared himself "the Comeback Kid." Again showing his savvy, he made that declaration early in the evening -- long before Tsongas gave a victory speech -- ensuring that the message sunk in.

• In 1994, voters reacted to the rocky first two years of the Clinton presidency by sweeping Republicans into control of both houses of Congress for the first time in 40 years. Amid predictions that he was destined for only one term, he was forced to assert that he remained relevant. And in fairly short order, he regained his footing when Newt Gingrich and the other new GOP leaders overplayed their hands on several fronts.

• The lulu of all Clinton contretemps, of course, was the Monica Lewinsky scandal. In retrospect, the key to his political survival may have been his willingness to lie about the relationship when the story first broke. An admission during the first days of the furor likely would have resulted in a wave of calls for his resignation. As it was, when he finally came clean, the initial shock of the affair had worn off and the push to drive Clinton from office had evolved into a purely partisan fight.

Quite a list. As Obama has noted, you don't take the champs out on points; you've got to score a knockout.

-- Don Frederick 

Comments

[mark]

Please God, let this be the end of the Clinton regime !!

[Shannon Lynn]

From Taylor Marsh

MSNBC is covering this story right now.

I've been hearing this as well. But it seems the Obama campaign is trying to stack the deck in Texas, but also in Ohio. Marc Ambinder and Jeralyn have already written it up. Obama's campaign has been rebuked in Ohio, with Ambinder having the letter:

Ohio's Secretary of State, an office held by a Democrat, has rebuked Sen. Barack Obama's campaign for trying to staff precincts with poll workers who presented insufficient credentials.

As was just reported on MSNBC, Ohio has very strict rules on poll workers.

In Texas, the reports get worse. Obama's team are evidently copying caucus forms and having their supporters fill them out prior to the 7:15 p.m. deadline when the caucus is called to order. This means the voter wouldn't have to actually attend the caucus, but instead would simply have the Obama team hand in the caucus forms for the voter, which is clearly against the rules, which are very clear:

Participants may NOT begin signing in until the precinct convention has been called to order. The call to order may not occur until 7:15 p.m. OR whenever the last voter finishes voting at that polling location whichever is later. If, after the convention has been called to order and participants have signed in, any participant who wishes to leave may do so, and their sign in WILL count toward the delegate allocation for each candidate. Sign- In ends when the last person present waiting to sign in has done so.

This post brought to you by yet another example of Barack Obama's "change" agenda, on the way to a different kind of politics. Chicago style, baby.

[dave]

how funny, this article could raise a whole cacophony of cackles. but the comeback of the 'clinton chronicles,' that can be viewed on google video etc, could perhaps really be seen as one, though small part, of the nemesis of any chronicles of a clinton comeback that some might still be betting on. although i think they're dreaming.
of course it seems some people can't seem to have enough dirt on their presidential 'friends' - but i think in the clinton case word has gotten round that while she might be hoping to make it into the white house and escape accountability for her actions before her past some would call criminal can catch up with her, she is likely not to win that race. so it seems she might be asked to serve for a term even longer than expected, although in confinements less comfortable than the white house.
and what reasons would busy people also running, like obama or mccain, have to keep her company?
well, bill and the bushs and many others just might do her and us that favor.

[Realista]

Meanwhile, back at the Ranch... military-Industrial Corporate's Candidate gets "A PASS", No Q or A, all Off Record, two days before Super Tue II?

McCain had a barbeque for Reporters, all expenses paid, at his Sedona "Fake Ranch" (like Bush's, no horse, no livestock, just Hat) standard Republican stage setting, we wonder what is real, if rest is false?

Not Reporting Anything about his background?

McCain being a prisoner in VietNam was not a "choice". McCain only had 20 hours of combat when shot down, he was a victim. Like other POWs, he survived, not a hero, But he got equivalent of 1 1/2 medals per combat hour. He also received better treatment than other POWs because NV knew his Father was Navy Admiral in charge of Europe, and he even got medical care for injuries in a Hospital.

Also never mentioned, McCain was responsible for the deaths of 135 Navy seamen when he "Hot-dog wet-started his A-6" and "cooked-off a missle" on jet behind him on carrier Forrestal flight deck, which then struck his plane causing one of greatest single incident loss of life on a carrier. (google McCain Forrestal)

McCain was a Hot-Dog and got away with dangerous behaviors causing the deaths of others, crashed 4 planes in training, but as Son of Navy Admiral, he was treated specially? A true Son of Priveledge, just like those softball MSM barbeque stories?

[Steve]

Please God, Let this be the beginning of the end of the Obama Cult.

[Pam]

Please God make this another Clinton Regime.

[zammy]

Regarding a potential Clinton dynasty...every dog has their day...even Joe Montana had to retire. The difference? The prolific college and NFL legned KNEW when to hang it up!

[zammy]

All these "comebacks" you write about, are of BILL Clinton...NOT Hillary. The nation did not ask for a two-headed administration. If Ms. Clinton does make a miraculous come back, she has to go to bed every night knowing Bill's cigars had been somewhere else. No woman is not affected by an adulterous affair or affairs without deep emotional scars. If Hillary does happen to have a conscience, every one does - even politicians, Vince Foster will always linger in her psyche along with life's poetic justice that seems to always come back to bite us when we least expect it. Whether her ramifications are revealed to the public or not, every living soul knows that no dirty deed goes unscathed.

This alone gives me pleasure to see HIllary win or lose. Keep smiling Hillary.

[Marks]

Prayers won't help. Remember what Hillary proclaimed many times? "Words don't matter" she has said repeatedly.

Her solution is calling Canadian's liars! Canadians must be accepting Obama's double speak on NAFTA.

So now she demand's "Words matter!"

Conversation described on a memo is proof because its one sided testimony! She's a lawyer?

There is no defense to one sided testimony especially from one of the characters in the memo.

The character can't claim he was misquoted. When Canadians say no effort was taken to influence policy during a conversation.

It's wrong to claim to not guilty, she's judged and her campaign is jury.

People in Ohio especially are supposed to disregard the evidence of NAFTA. Closed manufacturing plants don't have any stain of Hillary on them.

Her 35 years of experience caused no trouble in Ohio.

Her and Bill chearleading NAFTA policies to start, that was before, while in the White House she argued against it. A defender of First Lady Hillary says.

It's her way, to champion legislation publicly, then deny support and hope it fails at the same time.

A biographer writer of her book says she played no part the Ireland peace accords. She claims that's a foreign policy triumph.

When discussing foreign policy she's the right choice. But she chose wrong on the Iraq war.

The resulting foreign policy mistake doesn't have her 35 years of experience as part of it.

She's been in front of camera's for 35 years, but now think media is unfair to her. She's never manipulated the media either.

If citizens are smart, they will end this reign of Clinton's as we get rid of the Bush influence out of the White House.

There is no joke with Clinton's and Bush's hold on the White House. It has to be stopped.

Smart voters are rejecting Bill being back in the White House. The complicated process that will bring. He will have more influence on policy and legislation than the Vice President.

I can guarantee no Vice President will like answering questions about Bill doing something or defending words Bill says. Where Bill went in the White House helicopter and airplanes.

.

[Tara]

I said it this morning that Hillary might win or there will be a stalemate. And guess what it is getting there. This is still going to go on for another month.

http://centerline.tv/2008/03/04/hillary-versus-obama-is-this-super-tuesday-in-march/

[Grace]

Doesn't anyone remember the clinton Chronicles? If not, google it and view the video--The Clinton Chronicles.
I just hope Obama is safe with the Secret Service agents assigned him. The Clinton Machine doesn't just play down and dirty but won't hesitate to take out (with more than the ktichen sink) someone that gets in their way of gaining more power.