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

[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.