Hillary Clinton apologizes to Kennedys

In a talk with the Argus Leader in South Dakota earlier today, Hillary Clinton  took a walk through political history -- and stepped on a figurative land mine. Asked about her continuing campaign against increasingly long odds, she invoked 1968 and the assassination of Bobby Kennedy fairly late in the primary calendar. Her intent seemed to be to point out that anything can happen.

But with Ted Kennedy gravely ill, and an undercurrent in the election of the risks Barack Obama faces, well, the reaction was not quite what she expected. Which led the campaign to release this statement a few minutes ago:

"Earlier today I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Senator Kennedy waged in California in June 1992 and 1968 and I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nomination primary contests that go into June. That’s a historic fact. The Kennedys have been much on my mind the last days because of Senator Kennedy and I regret that if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation, and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that, whatsoever. My view is that we have to look to the past and to our leaders who have inspired us and give us a lot to live up to, and I’m honored to hold Senator Kennedy’s seat in the United States Senate from the state of New York and have the highest regard for the entire Kennedy family."

Gaffes like that don't help you play catch up with the SuperDs.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[KYJurisDoctor]

A new LOW in politics has been descended into by the AWFUL Clintons.

Now, if you can't beat your opponent with ideas and BOGUS "experience" and you CANNOT incite racial hatred against your opponent, you speak of a wish that your opponent be off'ed in June before the primary!

SHAME on BILLARY. You ARE UNFIT to be President!!

[Barbara]

So why didn't she apologize to Obama? She was implying that HE could be assassinated. Disgusting. Hillary, go home, your done. No VP slot for you.

[LCSusan]

Damn, like a blow to the gut...so, so sad.

http://strictlyanecdotal.com/2008/05/23/when-really-smart-women-say-really-stupid-things.aspx

[Majadi]

You know what, let's just stop playing games. Hillary Clinton meant her statement just how it sounds. She is hoping that Obama gets killed so she can ascend her thrown. She has been pissed that this black guy has somehow stolen it from her. She is from the old school, and in the old school it was always thought that it would be a white women before any black. She is mad as hell that Barack Obama has smashed that notation and didn't wait his turn like a good little black boy would do. Her supporters feel the same way. You can keep making all the excuses you want, but we all know the real truth laying deep within. White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Arab, etc. RACISM is alive aand real. Hillary Clinton is far too intelligent to have just made a gaffe...get real people.

[MaoTseClinton]

Yknow, I can tolerate a certain level of lies, non-promises, gaffes.... but she's gone beyond the pale again and again.

I didn't think she could top the bizarre convoluted math to win, I didn't think she could top the "Whites Luve Me!!!" argument.

But this.... It's as if she's thinking aloud that "HEY! If someone kills Obama, I'll be the front runner". It doesn't matter if she's male or female, white or black. And her excuse was "Oh, I've been thinking of all the dead Kennedys". What???

Maybe that's the logic behind Clinton (Bill) trying to fight for her to be the VP. They may honestly believe Obama won't make it past the election, and then she'd be president for *almost* two terms.

They both scare me, possibly as much as Bush and Cheney do.

[Phil Doggy]

I just got off the phone with a Kennedy family member, and I want all to know that the family is not miffed at Hillary for her comments on Bobby. Although the family does stress that Hillary is no Kennedy, and never will be. Lets all pray that Uncle Ted gets better. I told him years ago to put the bottle down, and well, here we are with a liquored up tumor, the poor basttard. Anyways the family wants you all to know they appreciate your prayers, and wants you all to vote McCain in November.

In Christian Love, Phil

[Rdav]

There is a list circulating the e-mail about how people who got in Hillary and Bill's way mysteriously wound up dead. Now coupled with Hillary's vengeance towards the Kennedy's for supporting Obama, and her losing the Democratic nomination it may be a resonable deduction to believe she was hinting at Obama's untimely death.

For those of you who claim to be loyal, are you loyal because of gender, sex, or race, or are you able to discern that we need a President who can fulfill the job requirements of presidency...my mistake, there seem to be no rules beyond being a US citizen, being at least 35 years of age and having lived in America for 14 years... a person going for a job at a 7-11 or mini-mart has more requirements.

Let's us use intelligence this time and get a candidate who can actually do something right and get our military folks home with their loved ones, get healthcare, make better environments for us and our progeny and better education for our kids.

Loyalty can be blinding and blind loyalty is foolish!

[WTL]

There seems to be a pattern. As Stop Hillary said above, Clinton has done this before, and she used almost exactly the same words in explaining why she shouldn't stop campaigning. Since there are so many ways for her to make her case without such references, that's no accident; it's calculated. Clinton doesn't make that kind of egregious, nightmarish mistake (if she does, she's automatically disqualified to be president). There's no other way to put it: It’s as if she’s subconsciously calling for Obama’s assassination. Having lived through all three '60s assassinations, which marked me for life in a very bad way, I think he’s already in danger because of what he represents – some people love to be the one to destroy other people’s hopes and dreams – and I hate even to talk about it, it makes me sick. But Obama brings JFK and RFK – especially JFK – to mind just because he’s so new and fresh and different, and now Clinton has said this at least twice, in the same language, and Huckabee has said it once. It's what many people are beginning to associate with Obama, and that’s not only bad for the campaign but it actually increases the danger to Obama as people like Sirhan Sirhan pick up on this meme and take it upon themselves to be the one to do it. For whatever reason. And as we all know, the Secret Service can’t always save a president’s or candidate’s life. This is a horrible situation, and I'm appalled that Clinton could do this, and seem so unaware of how awful it is.

[BobbyG]

The Hardworking White American Woman Candidate dog whistles "Put the Asset on Standby."

In the wake of Hillary's "gaffe" today mentioning the murder of Robert F. Kennedy as one tangential rationale for her staying in the primary race, it occurs that, well, nothing whispers "psst- hey, I want to be your running mate" as effectively as does reminding the electorate of prior Presidential candidate assassinations.

[Steve]

For crying out loud , what is it with you people ? Get all cranked up about nothing other than a comment . You seem to base who is going to be President on who has a big nose , which baseball team they support , fashion sense ,anything other than the ability to govern a nation and reinstate the USA as a world leader . Maybe thats why you got Bush twice !

[Anne]

And this person is applying for a job that requires DIPLOMACY?

[Charles]

Both candidates make mistakes. But in this instance, just like the Bosnia case, this statement also has a track history. She made the same statement in March.

As for the length of the Primary season, her husband for all intents and purposes, had his nomination locked up by the end of March. Paul Tsongas, the last real threat, withdrew in mid-March.

The season in which Bobbie Kennedy participated in was thrown into chaos when Johnson withdrew after losing in New Hampshire on MARCH 12, 1968 and Kennedy announced his candadicy. Note the date: MARCH 12. The beginning of the primary. Only 13 states had primaries (how far we have come in only 40 years....). Humphrey had 561 delegates, Kennedy 393, and McCarthy had 258.

This is a history she knows, she was politically active already. This is just a continuance of Bosnia.....if she can get away with it once, why not twice?

[On the Clock]

She apologizes to the Kennedys, without mentioning Obama.

Nice try, Hill. Thanks for the peak into your dreamscape. See you in the funny papers.

[jh]

A question for annie...
From your comments you seem to think it is Barack Obama's fault that Hillary Clinton made a gaffe in invoking (for the second time) Robert Kennedy's asassination? Why are you seeming to blame him for Mrs. Clinton's unfortunate choice of words?

[Dee]

Robert Kennedy Jr. issued the following statement this evening:

"It is clear from the context that Hillary was invoking a familiar political circumstance in order to support her decision to stay in the race through June. I have heard her make this reference before, also citing her husband's 1992 race, both of which were hard fought through June. I understand how highly charged the atmosphere is, but I think it is a mistake for people to take offense."

The Argus editorial board also confirmed what Hillary Clinton said was about June primaries, not about assassinations.

I'm sure the truth won't stop the criticism, but the LA Times should report the news, not make up the news. Even blogs should have integrity. And the bloggers on this site who spew hatred toward Hillary should take a deep breath. Get a life. If you hate your mom, find a therapist.

[El]

Inciting murder is not a "gaffe" nor is it a "joke". Those who think so are in serious denial. Neither Clintor nor Huckabee said those things "out of the blue". Obama scares the corporate maniacs who pull the Old School strings. Can we trust the Secret Service to protect Obama from these people?

[lebecka]

to annie--
doesn't sound like you were gonna vote for Obama anyway.

Hillary and her supporters- what a class act. Glad she won't be representing my country.

[joe]

No Bama, the landslide against him will be worse than McGovern, Dukaksis and Mondale combined.

People are so gullible to believe the empty rhetoric of the DNC's mouthpiece.

[DavidB]

Fist it was Mike Huckabee; now it's Hillary Clinton. In both cases, the suggestion and seed planting are clear.

[Slim]

I'm now hoping that she stays in the race as long as possible. Give her lots of rope, and watch her hang herself. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

As far as I'm aware she's continuing only to garner enough donations to recoup the multimillion dollar loan she made to her campaign. Anyone still in her camp is either (a) pretty stupid and willing to be used and discarded, or (b) a cornered racist with nowhere to go if she drops out. Going by the support she still has, there's lots of both out there.

[Bill]

The problem with Hillary's explanation is that Bill Clinton had the nomination to himself in March of 1992. Not June. When Tsongas dropped out, only Edmund G Brown was left, and Bill had a 7-1 lead over him. It was over.

So the "June" coincidence and thus the analogy she says she was making is another "sniper fire" mistake, no?

[ROBERT MANN]

She acts as though the Obamas do not exist -- as though they are not worthy of consideration. Her "apology" to the Kennedy family is a bit bizarre. Only they are worthy of her concern. But, of course, they suffered no injury. Her "apology" is displaced from those whom she actually injured.

[LAShores]

Hillary is a dangerously insane person and should not be let out of the house.
P.S.
Keith Olberman speaks for me!

[Mark]

To parody Hillary - "As far as I know" she has never had an opponent assassinated.

[mona]

If journalists did report factual based news reports and actually did some research instead of always sprinting to the SPIN cycle, you would find she has said this sooo many times throughout this campaign. However, because it's all about making sure Obama is pampered and powdered the media prefers to SPIN this and make him the victim. The longer this process continues the more I realize just how ridiculous the American media has become. Journalists have become so pathetic you should all be writing and reporting for the National Enquirer.