Hillary Clinton as historian: a bad match

Largely obscured in the understandable uproar over Hillary Clinton's Friday reference to the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy has been the fallacy of the basic point she sought to convey -- that there is nothing all that unusual about the trajectory of her battle with Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nod.

Before invoking the Kennedy killing in comments to a South Dakota newspaper that she quickly rued, Clinton said, "My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary, somewhere in the middle of June, right?"

Actually, wrong in all but the most technical sense.

Bill Clinton became the hands-down front-runner in his party's contest 16 years ago in mid-March, when his main competitor, Paul Tsongas, exited the race. There was an outbreak of buyer's remorse a few weeks later ...

... when California's own Jerry Brown, who initially had been little more than a gadfly in the race, won the Connecticut primary.

But in early April, Clinton crushed Brown in the New York primary, all but ending the competition. And then he ended any doubt by easily winning in Pennsylvania in late April.

Yes, he needed to win the California primary in early June -- along with several others held on the same day -- to officially surpass the magic number of delegates required for the nomination. But it had been crystal clear to all for more than a month that he would do so, and the remaining primaries were mere formalities.

One would think Hillary Clinton, of all people, would recall that. And, given that she was a college student in 1968, one would think that she would recollect the year as a moment unto itself -- and know that since then, nothing has come close to duplicating it in politics or other ways.

Then again, as the Bosnia sniper fire non-incident demonstrated, Clinton' grasp of history apparently can be shaky, even when she was in the middle of it.

Clinton would be well served to simply characterize her fight with Obama, as she often has, for what it is -- one of the closest and most fiercely fought in U.S. history -- and not bother with comparisons.   

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Mimi]

The media and the Obama people are like Vultures waiting for the kill. Everyone knows she said nothing wrong nothing hurtful she simply was stating a fact, but not even one news organization has stood up for her no because everyone is so afraid of being called racist.
Well things will be changing there is clearly outrage about this and Obama will experience a BACK LASH everyone I speak to is telling me this was the last straw. Although they are life long democrats if Hillary is not the nominee they will vote for Mccain . So now all you Obama lovers really screwed up.

[Mimi]

Now Obama is after Hagee and Mccain but his 20 year relationship with Wright- oh that's ok. He is a master at dividing Americans. But poor Obama he didn't realize the Jews might be a little bit smarter they actually like Hagee and they see exactly what Obama is trying to do. I am a life long democrat but I will vote for McCain if Hillary is not the nominee. I will never vote for Obama.

[Miri NY]

It was not a historical analogy. She knows that Super Tuesday used to be in March and the CA primary used to be in June. In the context of her racial appeals, allegations of extremist ties by Sen. Obama & her claims that his victory over her is due sexism by Sen. Obama the unbalanced could very well take this as an invitation. The response of her supporters characterizing the Obama campaign's tactful response to this as an attack on her indicate that they will act on her invitation.
If she did this without considering its implications she is unfit to be the President whose chance remarks can have global implications. If this was purposeful & her prior conduct militates against any presumption of good faith, the implications are horrific.
Either way, she should withdraw not only from the campaign but also from public life.

[Indy Pendent]

Further proof that "ready on day one" means ready to distort, spin, and otherwise "interpret" the facts. The 1992 nomination was not in dispute in June of that year.

[Susan]

Hillary Clinton and the United States of America is a bad match. Her campaign officially ended yesterday.

If we, as a country, defend this remark and somehow find a way to forgive it, there is no longer a decency limit in politics and we are in terrible trouble.

Could you imagine Hillary Clinton in negotiations with another country and slipping in one of her patented nasty remarks?

She has really, really done it this time. I, for one, will never forgive her this remark and hope the voters of New York remember it as well when it's time for reelection.

[Mimi]

Pelosi is disgusting if she wants to keep her job she had better start supporting Hillary because there is a big back lash and everyone I know has decided to vote for Mccain if Hillary is not the nominee. The reason for this is Obama's underhanded sneaky ways of trying to blame Hillary for every single thing. He has really stooped to unspeakable tactics.

[abh94]

Don,
Your too kind. Hillary doesn't suffer from being a bad historian - she is a manipulator of the truth. Or, in more impolite circles, a lawyer! These repeated "misstatements" exemplify the very worst of the political class.

Anybody but Hillary since 1994

[Bob]

Not to mention her claim to being named after Sir Edmund Hillary years before his historical assent of Mount Everest!

Air Edmund Hillary’s Assent = May 29, 1953
Hillary’s Birth = October 26, 1947

Hillary, the Queen of Spin and a Legend in Her Own Mind!

http://klintons.com

[vb]

The media is so off the wall these days, both MSM and the blogosphere. What can anyone say about the insane hype over a comment that was obviously meant to convey the reality that the duration of the 2008 primary is not unprecedented.

But the media is compelled to parse every word, twist every conceivable meaning, and distort the context as much as possible every time Hillary speaks.

It's called sensationalism, yellow journalism, or tabloid journalism. Never iis it considered an ethical procedure for reporting the news.

It appears Obama and his supporters, especially his allies in the media, continue to be threatened by anything Hillary says or does even though the Huffington Post, the Daily Kos, and other online crazies anointed him the presumptuous nominee months ago.

The whole scene is simply pathetic.

[Adrienne]

I did not vote for Hillary in the Primary held in my State because I just was not sure I wanted her to be President. I was planning to vote for Edwards, and when he dropped out I chose Obama. A few months ago I would have supported her if she did become the nominee. The more she campaigns the more I find wrong with her and I would not vote for her under any circumstance. I am a woman over 50 and find it ridiculous to vote for her just because she is a woman. I have had several women bosses and I can tell you first hand that a lot of them should not have been in charge of anything, because like Hillary they have been insensitive, divisive, mean spirited and practically destroyed our department. Hillary is destroying the Democratic Party. i wish she would just shut up, the more she talks the worse it gets. We need to work together to beat McCain, and I don't think she is interested in anything or anyone but herself.

[johnny7]

Is it history... or truth she has the problem with? I tend to think it's the latter.

[Tom in California]

The RFK reference is telling because it illuminates Senator Clinton's way of thinking. In her world, Obama is significant only because he is an obstacle that stands between her and what she wants. And a number of things (an unforeseen scandal or a plane crash -- or even assassination) might fortuitously remove that obstacle from her path at any moment.

Given that outlook, put yourself in Obama's position for a moment. Would you want Clinton as your vice president?

[Kevin]

THAT'S NOT WHAT SHE MEANT, STUPID.

[Benjamin]

Don, Don, Don. You've just exposed yourself as a sexist and fanatical Obama supporter by contradicting Hillary Clinton. You must stop this vicious misogyny now, as it's gone too far.

I mean, if she can't be right about history here and now, then when and what woman can? By saying Hillary is wrong Don, you are saying all women everywhere are wrong just like voting against HIllary is voting against all women, thus continuing millennia of oppression against women. I don't how you can live with yourself Don.

[allison, california]

Barack Obama: Gaffe Machine
by Michelle Malkin
Posted: 05/21/2008
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=26630

"Here's something that you will rarely hear from a politician, and that is that I'm not familiar with the Hanford, uuuuhh, site, so I don't know exactly what's going on there. (Applause.) Now, having said that, I promise you I'll learn about it by the time I leave here on the ride back to the airport."

I assume on that ride, a staffer reminded him that he's voted on at least one defense authorization bill that addressed the "costs, schedules, and technical issues" dealing with the nation's most contaminated nuclear waste site.

-- Last March, the Chicago Tribune reported this little-noticed nugget about a fake autobiographical detail in Obama's "Dreams from My Father":

"Then, there's the copy of Life magazine that Obama presents as his racial awakening at age 9. In it, he wrote, was an article and two accompanying photographs of an African-American man physically and mentally scarred by his efforts to lighten his skin. In fact, the Life article and the photographs don't exist, say the magazine's own historians."

-- And in perhaps the most seriously troubling set of gaffes of them all, Obama told a Portland crowd over the weekend that Iran doesn't "pose a serious threat to us" -- cluelessly arguing that "tiny countries" with small defense budgets can't do us harm -- and then promptly flip-flopped the next day, claiming, "I've made it clear for years that the threat from Iran is grave."

Barack Obama -- promoted by the Left and the media as an all-knowing, articulate, transcendent Messiah -- is a walking, talking gaffe machine. How many more passes does he get? How many more can we afford?

[David]

What makes it weird is the question it was supposed to answer. It wasn't like they asked her if she recalled any other Dem primaries that ran this late. The question was essentially: " Why are you still in the race if you can't spell out a path to victory?" Her response came off sounding like, "Hey, Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June. You never know, I may still have a chance. Something could happen."

Tired? Misspoke again? Except they floated this line a couple of times before.

To some people it sounds more like, "Don't vote for the black guy, someone might shoot him. They won't shoot me, I have a proven record of being in the White House for 8 years and not getting shot. And if he gets shot, I'm still in this thing."

It's safe to say there are quite a lot of people afraid that Obama may be assassinated before the nomination, before the election, during his term in office, and doubtless a few that would be glad of it. There is a great deal of hope mixed with dread of the unspeakable, a fatalistic "Here it comes again" feeling that is especially strong among his older black supporters and whites that were activists in the sixties. One has to wonder what the ultra-crafted Clinton message machine intended when they tossed this line out there. I'll bet the apology was already written before she even said it. What in God's name are they up to? It seems so stupid, but they're smarter than I am, so I must just not be getting it. Anyone?

[Randy]

Statement by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

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.

Translation - Stop Whining about nothing...

[David]

Hillary "sniper-fire" Clinton should be thrown in jail for her assassination remark. She is the lowest form of life. She should not be allowed to run for public office anywhere on this planet. She is a disgrace for all women in the world.

[DoTheMath]

Senator Clinton's comparison fails the history test for a few reasons this article hasn't mentioned. She claims that the timing of Robert Kennedy's California victory proves it's not unusual for campaigns to last as long as this one, yet the first contest in the 1968 nomination process was New Hampshire's March 12 primary. The first contest this year was Iowa's caucus on January 3rd. If you back up 1968's events two months to parallel this year's starting date, that means whatever happened in June in 1968 should have happened by April this year.

Besides that, why reference a highly unusual primary, marked by extreme turmoil and violence, to make a point that this primary is not unusual? Two turbulent primaries don't add up to business as usual.

Furthermore, the point of Clinton's argument was to invalidate suggestions that her prolonging the primary season (especially the manner in which she is doing so) is damaging the party's prospects for getting its eventual nominee elected in November. Guess what, Richard Nixon won in 1968.

And one logical, rather than historical, question: if the only point she was making concerned the length of the campaign, why not simply mention the date of Kennedy's California victory? Why bring up the assassination?

[steve wells]

She is over 200 delegates behind and with only 86 elected left, its true she needs a miracle, but I would rather she lost than to see another tragedy,

OBAMA WEBB 08.

[Robyn]

All of you supposed "Democrats" have GOT to be kidding me that you will support McCain if Hillary is not the nominee. Give me a break!

As much as I cannot stand Hillary, if she is the nominee, I will vote for her over McCain.

Stop being so selfish and irrational! You'd seriously give a vote to McCain and just give a sign of approval for him to send more Americans to war??!!

You'd vote to make sure we DEFINITELY have NO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE!!

WAKE UP!

This is about our country, not Clinton or her supporter's hurt feelings and egos.

Clinton will still be powerful if she loses and if she gets the nomination, she will STILL be better than McCain!

GET A GRIP!!!

[CW-in-Wichita]

One would hope that Hillary would have much better judgement if she fully expects to be the leader of the most powerful country of the free world. For a while I really worried about Jeremiah Wright's judgement during this campaign, but he is, after all, NOT a candidate. Hillary IS a candidate, and is rapidly becoming more scary as the race goes on. If she displays such lapse in judgement over a situation like this, what does it say about what she'll do or say during a world crisis in the future (On Day One or Day OneThousand)? Very scary. Thankfully, for our (voters) sake, it is almost over.

[vsrobinson]

It's time for Hillary to do the gentlemanly thing and stand down.

[Donald]

You idiots that plan to vote for McCain is Obama is the Democratic cabdidate deserve $5.00 gasoline, rising food prices, expensive heating oil, and declining values for your dollars. American divisebness is the class war that will confinue under a McCain admisistration. May your offspring fight the upcoming wars.

[DoTheMath]

David, if they're smarter than you, I'll eat my hat. You're right on the money.

Mimi, who's a vulture?

Mimi again, Obama isn't "after Hagee and McCain." I distinctly heard him say everyone knows better than to attribute Hagee's remarks to McCain.

[Bill]

These Democrats who will vote for McCain because they didn't get Clinton are playing into Ann Coulter's feint to the left when she urged everyone to vote for Clinton over McCain because he wasn't "conservatie enough". Come on! Obama has some trivial concerns that don't reflect on the man and he has been a party-line Democrat during his career. Why would a Democrat vote for a man who would oppose most of the very issues they stand for? Sure McCain is a centrist. But he has to satisfy the right wing of his party. Are you satisfied with them too?

[ted in pdx]

I'm a Republican. Well over a year ago, I heard Newt Gingrich praise Hillary Clinton for the job she was doing in the Senate, so I decided to take a look and see if in fact I should consider supporting her. I was impressed. She's smart, she works hard, she has an excellent command of the facts (at least those which have nothing to do with her qualifications as President). So as the campaign started out, I was still open to the idea that I might support her.

After the New Hampshire primary, I was starting to have my doubts. Since then, we've had sniper fire in Bosnia, a direct threat to use nuclear weapons against another country "if they attack Israel", and now a Freudian-slip so creepy and despicable, I'm wondering if maybe she's a descendant of Mary Surratt.

What bothers me the most is the blind allegiances that seem to proliferate in an election. I can totally understand why many women looked favorably on Hillary at the outset. (I did also!) But after a seemingly endless pattern of behavior and commentaries revealing her narcissism, her megalomania, and her all consuming ambition, how difficult is it to consider that perhaps this woman doesn't really have the temperament to be answering the phone at the White House, at 3am, or any other time of day?

[Roy Stureen]

For Hillary, these primaries are a lot like dog sled races in the Iditarod. If you aren't the leader, the view is always the same.

[James Pro]

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE REAL TRUTH BEFORE IT'S TO LATE GOTO ( hillarythemovie.avi). AND AFTER WATCHING IT, IF YOU DON'T SEE A SYSTEM TO THERE PLAN YOUR IN WORSE SHAPE THAN HILLARY.

[Can't have it both ways]

Clinton supporters cannot have it both ways -- either Hillary is colossally stupid, or she knew exactly what she was insinuating. Don't buy this tired and desperate excuse either -- it wasn't the first time she has twisted things -- what she counts on is the ignorance of her audience. How unfortunate for her that she's gotten caught a few times. Colassally stupid or maliciously twisted, neither one belongs in charge of this country. We're better than this, or we at least should try to be.

[elizabeth bauersox]

Stories like this -- whether they appear in the main paper or on a blog page -- are wildly inappropriate in any news outlet that purports to be unbiased. So many of us are so angry at the media -- and the way the Clinton campaign has been sabotaged by it to benefit the less-qualified Obama, that we are determined to vote for McCain -- unless Clinton is the nominee.

As for the LA Times, you need to take a look at the SPJ page on journalistic ethics at: http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp.

Readers should look at this page too, so they will see the extent to which they're being shortchanged by the mainstream media, cable TV news, and garbage quasi news organs like Huffington Post.

[Jim]

Somebody please put Hillary in a strait jacket! SHE IS DEFINITELY A NUT CASE!

[Jeff]

The points that the writer in the article made are actually minor compared to the fact that none of those races started as early as the one this year. The 92 race started in min-February, and the 68 race started in mid March. The race this year on January 8. So while Bobby Kennedy wasn't wrapping up his nomination until June, the race was less that 4 months long by that point. The race is now 6 months long between Clinton and Obama. Face the facts, Hillary Clinton is either a bald faced liar or she has a very poor understanding of reality. She makes these kinds of distortions way too often.

[Eddie Zalez]

The problem with Mrs. Clinto is that her brain does not control her mouth. She has made too many mistreps in citing historical facts. Her "lack of sleep" does not excuse many things she has said in recent months. I hate to think about her reaction when she gets the 3 AM telephone call.

[Kneight]

For any so-called Democrats who think they can threaten the majority of us by trying to force us to accept Hillary Clinton or else they will vote for John McCain, I say; go ahead!
Barack Obama will win the Presidency anyway, by attracting honest, progressive, new voters who believe in a better future for this country and the world.
To say you will support John McCain proves you also support Cheney-Bush. It shows you are not Democrats. Democrats believe in democracy; not dictatorship.
Go join the Far Right-Wing of the Republican Party where you belong.
Good riddance to you and your threats.

[bubba]

You guys are still counting chads down in Florida. What a sight... as usual ur pick for president is a shell game. Three card monty we call it down here.. no solutions, plans just the same ole rhetoric. Flip flop on every issue .. thell them what they want to here no matter the truth or not.. well now you will soon be counting chads and going to court to see who wins the dem nomination... LMAO....

[Bernadette Anderson]

"The media and the Obama people are like Vultures waiting for the kill."

Hillary is still waiting for the shoe to drop on Obama and that's ok?

"Everyone knows she said nothing wrong nothing hurtful she simply was stating a fact, but not even one news organization has stood up for her no because everyone is so afraid of being called racist. "

Apparently you are a mind reader of millions. As a supporter of Obama, I don't believe she said anything implying that she wished Obama was assainated or anything this of that nature. But anyone in their right mind would not bring up the assasination of a presidential nominee. Especially during and election year.

"Well things will be changing there is clearly outrage about this and Obama will experience a BACK LASH everyone I speak to is telling me this was the last straw. "

And what backlash is it you are referring to? And many people are saying this is the last straw on bothsides, so you and your friends are not alone.

"Although they are life long democrats if Hillary is not the nominee they will vote for Mccain . So now all you Obama lovers really screwed up."

This shows how much Clinton has divided voters. Not the party, voters. If you are truly life long Democrats then you wouldn't vote at all. You would rather extend Bush's eight years to another four?

This is so sad. Just because the pundits and commentators spew this crap it doesn't mean everyone of Obama's supporters believes it. Common sense should tell anyone that.

[Lisa Kirby, St Albans, UK]

You want this revisionist Divider as your President??? Then have at it folks! America ALWAYS gets exactly what it deserves. And if you think you deserve Her Royal Highness of the USA ... then by jove go ahead and make it so. After suffering so long under Maggie Thatcher, no wonder we shake our heads in utter disbelief at the American Democratic Party. It's about as cohesive as crude oil and salt water. Pathetic!

[robinia]

Inasmuch as I loathed Hillary Clinton, I'm actually beginning to feel sorry for her. It seems like the imposter "angel of light" has begun to have a difficult time camoufaging her demonic horns that she was born with. If you go to her garage, you'll probably find a pitch fork and a broom as her means for transportation. (If Bill and Monica aren't using them for their props, of course.)

Bosnia,

didn't inhale,

it "ain't" really sex,

comparative debacle with RFK,

dividing the Democratic party,

Vince Foster,

30 plus years of experience and 16 of them were to the "unelected" office of first lady of Arkansas and the U.S.,

a health care platform which is good for the people, but would care not to use its physicians,

Vince Foster,

Vince Foster,

Vince Foster,

Need I say more?

[Guy]

The comments from dems who will vote for McCain if their candidate for the nomination fails just brings a tear of joy to my eye. The Republican party will continue to run the show because the dems will continue to destroy themselves.God you people are morons.

But anyway - thanks for another four years!

[George J. Lujan]

I understood Hillary to be inartfully referring to the campaign schedule when I first heard her remarks IN CONTEXT and, when she pointed this out during her apology, I believed her to be sincere. To reject her apology because she used the word "regret" or because used the phrase "if I have caused anybody pain" to be far too formalistic. To maintain that "either [she] is colossally stupid, or she knew exactly what she was insinuating" and that there is no other alternative is simply fallacious. The philosopher Neil Wilson advanced the following 'principle of charity': The more bizarre or outrageous we make out a person's views to be, the likelier it is that we have misunderstood that person. I think we should be more charitable toward Sens. Clinton, Obama and McCain. I would like to conclude with two points: (1) Sen. Clinton made a fair point in an inartful way for which she has apologized (if Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., can forgive and urge us to move on to more pressing issues, that's good enough for me). (2) We seem to celebrate freedom of speech until it is actually practiced. (3) We should focus less on gaffs and more on the issues.

[Klare]

I can understand why Clinton supporters feel the media is sexist. But I can't understand how they can excuse the poor judgement shown in her RFK reference. As many have said, she can't have it both ways. Either it was a stupid mistake or it was purposeful. I lean towards mistake. But that her supporters would defend her remark as no big deal I cannot understand. Your arguments about bias towards Clinton would be much more credible if you occasionally admitted her errors. It was more than crass. It was hurtful to many, many people. And her spectacular non-apology was worse than the original statement. Just once, Sen. Clinton, admit with candor and sincerity that you misspoke. Most of us can forgive mistakes, but this Bush-like refusal to admit to a mistake is just unbecoming and demeaning to your campaign. Even moderate Obama supporters (and some Clinton supporters) were put off by the RFK reference, and it would have become a non-issue if she had sincerely apologized after the fact. But apparently she is as incapable of sincere apologies for mistakes as she is for a graceful acceptance of personal defeat in this race. And yes, I will admit that it was a close race. And yes, it will not be officially over till Denver. But she has very little chance at this point. Her campaign now is only causing the party to split more fiercely in two. And I'm sorry to say I'm coming around to believing that is her goal.

[Sunny]

OPEN LETTER TO HILLARY
Enough! How much more garbage can they dish out? How much more can one take? The Democratic Party doesn’t deserve your talent, popularity and brillance anymore. You need to move to the INDEPENDENT Party and get away from all thisdelegate/superdelegate/swiftboating/sexist nonsense. To be talked into the VP ticket by the Obama camp is crazy! This would only insure that Obama gets the Prez position because he cannot win without your supporters–so they will push the “party-loyalty” BS on you. Don’t fall for it!
Talk about lowering the “glass ceiling” AGAIN and asking a woman to be submissive when she is clearly the one to be President!! Don’t do it! Run, Hillary, Run– on your own! We (millions) are behind you! As a lifelong Democrat–I am ready to stand up to what is right –and it is time to vote Hillary for the Independent ticket(or not vote at all!)

Howard Dean–get a new job!

MSNBC/CNN, You lose if Hillary moves to the Independent ticket because your "pretend darling" Obama sinks without Hillary’s supporters–and she sure can trounce (your REAL hope) McCain.

[dave]

this is not about obama or clinton. and certainly not about mccain. it is about whether the american people will wake up in sufficient numbers to prevent the total demise of america, and the country's permanent transformation from a constitutional republic, to a (corporate) fascist dictatorship. from a country of free and self-reliant, independent people, to a province of autocratic nwo rule by proxy (globalist dynastic monarchy), that deprives the people of their birthright, liberty, prosperity and peace, and practically enslaving them. the three preselected presidential candidates do not even qualify to run for office. the only independent (non-cfr/bilderberg...) valid candidate to challenge the agenda of the 'power brokers' is candidate for PRESIDENT RON PAUL, and his popular movement to rebuild america in agreement with the constitution. the campaigns of the other candidates mainly serve as a distraction. they are fabricated propaganda, delivered by the media. it seems plan a is to first install mccain in office, as the weakest of the 'puppets,' together with a vice to later carry on; plan b seems to be obama. had there been plans to install another clinton, she would certainly not have dropped those hints. so if there is a plan c to remove and replace obama, it would not be for her to take his place, but would serve as an instant excuse to implement a totalitarian police state. clinton says she doesn't know why 'people' are manipulating her campaign that way; though apparently she knows who it is or might be.

[N.E. BodybutHillary]

Hillary is the most vile disgusting politian since Bill Clinton. Holding out in anticipation of her opponent being assasanated brings the Clinton clan to new lows. Her campaign much like her carreer has been based on corruption and deceit.
Hillary's only supporters remainingt who have not been insulted by her disgraceful actions are the racists who cannot abide a black president, or the sexists who demand that this president have female genitalia.
There is no more discussion about Hillarys qualifications, She is the wrong person for our country.

The DNC needs to act now to stop her lunatic behavour.

[keith]

"DON'T BE DUPED AGAIN AMERICA !!!

IT'S ABOUT ELECTABILITY !!!

Large numbers of BUSH_McCain Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses from early on with the backing and help of the medical and insurance industry. Under the direction of the George Bush, and Karl Rove vote fraud, and vote manipulation machine. Because they feel Barack Obama would be a weaker opponent against John McCain."

Negative - GOP crossovers mostly voted for Hillary to keep her in the race to keep the dysfunction going in the DNC runoff. At the direction of dittohead Rush Limbaugh.

That being said, a lot of centrists who may have voted GOP in the past are now supporting Obama out of truthful conscience.

IMHO, it's going to be McCain vs. Obama, Obama takes the gold. If the DNC subverts the popular vote and nominates Hillary, McCain's got a better shot.

Face it, Obama at least represents a possible shot a something new, while Hillary is just the same old song and dance.

[Katie]

Wow. Some Clinton supporters sure are mad at Obama because of what Hillary said. Not quite sure why--- I don't think Obama is a ventriliquist controlling her strings. Folks, she made a gaffe. Obama was crucified in the media ( and by Hillary and crew) when his words regarding bitter folks like myself got out. It is unfortunate how silly things like this get blown out of proportion--- which is actually what Obama has said regarding Hill's statement. Remember, she was not nearly as generous.

As far as allegations that Republicans have allowed Obama to assume the nomination, this claim is absurd. Yes, some Republicans switched over to vote for Obama--- an overwhelming majority of these folks plan to support Obama in November. Republicans have also crossed over to support Hillary--- most of these folks will openly admit their intention was simply obstruction of the Dem's process.

We're are going to have a tough race against McCain, whoever the nominee is. I will admit, if the nominee is Hillary, I will be less than enthusiastic about voting for her due to the way she has run her campaign. However, I will do it because healthcare, the environment, education, women's privacy and rights are all at stake. For any woman who cares about these things to issue a protest vote for McCain would be a travesty. Do you want Roe repealed? Do you want America turning away from universal healthcare? Do you want America fighting endless wars? Come on folks, this election is not about our personal preferences or respective grievances--- it is about our nation's future.

[laststitcheffort]

She's a liar, again.
"Though she has now apologized for that very strange and tasteless comment to the Argus-Leader, this was not the first time she's said it. This from her interview with TIME Managing Editor Richard Stengel, published March 6:
TIME: Can you envision a point at which--if the race stays this close--Democratic Party elders would step in and say, "This is now hurting the party and whoever will be the nominee in the fall"?
CLINTON: No, I really can't. I think people have short memories. Primary contests used to last a lot longer. We all remember the great tragedy of Bobby Kennedy being assassinated in June in L.A. My husband didn't wrap up the nomination in 1992 until June. Having a primary contest go through June is nothing particularly unusual. . .
UPDATE: H/T to commenter Elvis Elvisberg, who notes that even the reference to her own husband's campaign was wrong. Bill Clinton's primary race was effectively over in March"

[Its Over]

Drop out now you ghoul. Your campaign is now festering. Nobody will elect a vulture to office. You are sick and in need of therapy.
Stop Hillary before she kills!

[jonathan]

This is such a non-issue and only confirms the media's relentless attacks on Clinton. Every word, ever step, every turn, she's attacked, but never Obama, despite his lies and deception, he can do no wrong. And this will be the undoing of the Democrats in November. Everyone is so foolishly certain we can defeat McCain, just like they were certain Karry would beat Bush in 2004... but didn't.

[wolf]

I cannot believe how obtuse a few people here have been. The meaning and context of her analogy was apparent to the rest of the world. We've all seen the video and read the transcripts.

What she said was simply horrible and inexcusable.

[bubba]

Is there one democrat out there that can say what your candidate will do for this country in a constructive manner. All I ever here is the same rhetoric that was on the liberal radio talk show that lasted just a few months. You all say no more lying, no more oil, no more big profits for companies.. what do you plan??? total socialism?? Why dont you elect Maxine Waters for your leader... you blame the present administration for your problems, however the present admin is a congress led by democrats.. lowest rating in history of the house and you blame everyone but your idols... get real.. get a job.. go dear hunting....cut down a tree..get off of umemployment....

[firewoman]

I think CW11 has been very unfair with Hillary Clinton. The media is totally biased and are not portraying the news well. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out that there is nothing wrong with Hillary's reference to Bob Kennedy's assasination. CW11's take on this is sooooo third world. I suggest you study third world media and realize how you are running this country to the gutter. You are letting bad propaganda corrupt your nation. It so pisses me off how CW11 news can be so careless in presenting the news. You need to put a balancing team in presenting the news because frankly speaking, you are not presenting it FAIRLY. Not at all!

[08vote]

What's this "love affair" with Hillary Clinton by those ardent Clinton supporters? Think of it this way, if Hillary was a light-skinned Black person and Obama was as White as the KKK sheets, Hillary supporters and the Los Angeles Online Media would threaten to vote for McCain if the "Black" Hillary was ahead and the "White" Obama was behind, and the Los Angeles Online newspaper would not let up since Iowa, giving free scrutiny passes to the "White" Obama. Those who claim to be "life long Democrats" need a reality check on their own sense of fear and prejudice.

[amazed]

Zero electability, Clinton now would most assuredly lose to McCain not to mention Obama. She has repeatedly shot herself in the foot and then blamed the media. No credibilty, No leadership ability,no financial ability, no broad support base, and now no class.
The media only reports facts. She has sunk her own boat.

[roly luis]

Disturbing are some traits that the presumptive nominee show in public. Not yet has he demonstrated the courage required to lead this great nation, and not even the party. Once more today he manifested the craven posture by lambasting at people's active desire to have the voters of Florida to be recognized of their right to select their candidate.

What is he afraid of?

One necessarily courts distrust if he would rather engage in rhetorics and would rather call “stirring up” a movement to have Florida voters to be recognized, than be the brave leader he purports to be and blazed that path to right of suffrage recognition.

On this basis alone of failing to lead a basic right issue, he has, as in so many past failure to speak or make a stand on important issues, that shows the need for him to be forged.

He was not even courageous enough to decline his secret services, at the cost of taxpayers' money. What is he afraid of in this country he calls his own, that he did not at least requested the same protection for the other candidates?

That he accepted that privilege without lifting a small finger in protest as if it were a right only perpetuates the notion that blacks are owed preferential treatment for being black. And it certainly reassert the perception that he only talks about changes that he only loves himself to hear said.

I have voted as a Democrat in all elections since I started voting. But if my party's candidate this year could not be a profile in courage, I deeply feel that voting for him will only make JFK groan in grief in his grave, his brother's endorsement notwithstanding.

[jennifer potenciano]

what you saying , eh frederick? that based on the instant research paper given you gratis et amore by the obama camp, you conclude that hillary is a “bad historian.” really?

rt thinking about changing course. because in this election
but in your blind, fawning obeisance to your idol obama, you ignore the fact that obama is even worse of a “historian,” he’s even a double-crossing “historian,” twisting facts to suit his ends.

didn’t you read david reinhard’s expose (titled “ nuance or confusion”) on obama’s weird trotting out of erroneous assertions, e.g.. “: "when {jfk} kennedy met with khrushchev," obama said, "we were on the brink of nuclear war."

how can the cubans expect anything good from obama when he doesn’t even know the difference between the bay of pigs from the cuban missile crisis?

even modern history obama fails to grasp correctly, dismissing one day iran as not posing a serious threat, but backing off the next day, & saying, no, iran is a “grave” threat, prompting reinhard to ask, “’grave’ but not ‘serious’?”

worse, obama said once that he won’t meet w/ iran’s chief anti-israel zealot, ahmadinejad; but an earlier you tube earlier captured him as saying that he would!

obama chided mccain for misrepresenting his (obama) cuba policy.”i have never said that i was prepared to immediately normalize relations with cuba." so he was merely pulling the cuban groups collective legs recentlu when he, obama, vowed as much.

this is the same style he tried to use before a crowd of jewish-americans, “talk, just talk, blind them w/ promises, no matter how empty!” & you’re that gullible, the great jewish-american gentry? how to reconcile obama’s pledge to you vis-à-vis his rev. wright’s “anti-american, anti-semitic ravings,” as natl review online’s sabrina leigh schaeffer pointed out?

& what’s sabrina’s conclusion on obama’s “style?” “obama’s style may win him the democratic nomination, but as we head into the general election he would be wise to sta, the company he keeps just might be enough to take the wind out of his sails."

[Micah Rose]

I'm not sure if jacksmith was trying to make a run at satire, or if he is truly out of his mind, either way, his post was disturbing.

I guarantee you that Republicans would rather run against Hillary. Nobody energizes the Republican base like a Clinton, especially with all the dirt that hasn't gotten mainstream yet.

[Nicole]

Senator Clinton's remark was not only reckless, but monumentally stupid.

And, at the very least, utterly insensitive to the raw wounds of our tragic national/political history, not to mention the Kennedy and Obama families.

Rabid pro-Clinton supporters are now trying to make her own comments the media's fault. But, Senator Clinton has not once shown any sign of respect or restraint in this campaign season.

Instead, she has gleefully jumped all over Mr. Obama's "gaffes" and ruthlessly tried to prosper from them. She is only reaping what she has sown.

Senator Clinton has simply not earned the benefit of charity and I find it appalling that anyone would still express support for her candidacy.

[Bob]

One thing I don't understand. Are we are going to win the election.

Well one question for Obama supporters for how long you know him and tell me something about what he did for this country.
Now what we are doing is bring an Elementary Teacher to teach in Univeristy. Or make a soldier General.

The media was totally an favorite Obama why????. Did obama payed them and I thing an investigation should be made for all the spending and were the money when to.
Another thing about raises we are in 21 century and why we have to make an issue white black or yellow. We all have to thing we are human thats all.
I don't know how we are going to call the White House latter because of those old and retarded things

About election in Florida & Michigan if those to state don't count they votes I will not call an end game.
Or we can't call USA with 50 state but 48.
Obama supporters saying that we win the game in 48 min but still have another 2 min for the game to finish. Why you guys don't accept to make another primary and if you win you win. It looks like you are not going to win in both state.

Another nonsense I see splitting the delegates by percentage. Who win the state win the delegates. And if you see that way who win the state get the delegates Hillary is over 400 delegate more then obama who he claim won the most state. You have to see also the popular vote.

I'm an democrat but as far I see the only way to win the White House is Hillary Clinton.

[AlanKatz]

This is the saddest comment board I've ever been on.

Hillary loses her marbles for a day, and all of her acolytes are accusing Obama of framing her, accusing all the rest of us and the media of being mysoginists, and swearing they'll vote for McCain once the nomination is "stolen" from Hillary.

How can people fall for such a bizarre narritive? Is there no sanity left after all these months?

Here's a surprise, Clintonistas, Obama and his campaign had nothing to do with this gaffe. If you want to take a reality break for a few minutes check out today's New York Times "Caucus", which has the whole history of the promulgation of this gaffe. It was started by The New York Post and followed up and spread around the world by AP.

Obama has been nothing but gracious, even this evening defending Hillary as just "misspeaking" when she was tired.

This has NOTHING to do with sexism or mysoginy. I was a male Feminist before most of you were born. But I never, ever made a mistake believing that all woman were no good because I didn't like one woman. Nor should you believe that all men are out to get Hillary because some people criticize her.

This is insanity. Go vote for McCain, as you wish. Then live with an ultra-right Supreme Court, the erosion of all your civil rights, the end of Roe V. Wade, the continuation of Don't Ask Don't Tell or worse, and thousands of deaths around the world from these testosterone-driven war mongers.

If that's what you want, then go indulge your childish temper tantrums. If not, then you'd better get behind the democratic nominee, or all is lost.

You may forgive yourself. But the rest of us will never forgive you.

[RoyM]

You Clinton cult members always are good for a few laughts everytime you'd cook up another ridiculous reason for Hillary to steal the primary that she's lost fair and square. If you cult members really plan to vote for McCain like you crybabies claim you will then I suggest you start right now. Put your money where your mouth is and start donating your money and time to McCain's campaign. Otherwise just shut up and stop whinning, Hilliary's toast and the only way she's getting into the White House after November is if she stands in line for a White House tour.

[Birman_lover]

Hillary Clinton simply isn't smart enough to be President.

She, and many of her female supporters, seem to think that the men are bound to dutifullygive up their equal right to a Presidential nomination as if it were nothing more than a subway seat.

I'm a 54 year old woman and I truly don't get Clinton or any of the Clintonites (personally I don't care to anymore as I think they're all a wacky bunch...)

[Texas Republican]

This Texas Republican voted in the primary for Obama because he thought Obama would make a better president than Hillary.

Rather than rant about Hillary, I'll just refer readers to the many excellent articles by Camille Paglia.

It seems clear that the Democrats are going to win this November. They're more certain to win with Obama than with Hillary, but I try to think of the national interest.

To take a chance on getting an absolutely terrible president in Hillary makes no sense.

Better a roll of the dice at 5 to 1 Obama vs. McCain, than a roll of the dice at even odds Clinton vs. McCain. The downside should Clinton win is just unacceptable. The downside if Obama wins? Who knows? Maybe he'd make a good president. We'll see, I reckon.

[Meg]

I love Hillary because of her strength of character, in-depth knowledge, determination, intelligence, and ... may of them lack in Obama.

The treatment of Hillary in the media is pathetic. It reminds me the period right after the war, when they had lost their dignity.

Rise Hillary ... Rise
PS: She has the popular vote, and NONE of them can have the delegate numbers without superdelegates.

[maggie]

Hillary 08 :)

[Michigan Democrat]

What's interesting is that if Hillary really wanted an example of a primary still being contested in June, she could have mentioned... Mondale in 1984. Or Carter in 1976. Clinton in 1992 was a false example, and RFK in 1968 was a bizarre and terrible "stretch." Either her knowledge of history and the facts is very poor, or she wanted to make the reference she did, at least unconsciously.

That's not the media's fault. That's not Obama's fault.

[Cynthia]

A lot of Hillary's supporters have left her. Obviously, the remainder who continue to support her condone lying on a consistent basis, continuous overt cheating, race-baiting, ruthlessness, deception, and possibly murder if necessary.

Can you imagine if she were President? We would never know when she was telling the truth. If she can't run a national campaign decently, how in the world can she run the country? It's already a mess, it would be a super mess after she gets control.

As a woman myself, I don't undersand this blind support.

[Laura]

If Obama gets the nomination....McCain gets my vote. There is so much dirt to be releases by the republicans agains Obama and his wife that he will not be elected. He is not going to represent America fairly.