Hillary Unhappy with Russert

Newsmax ^ | November 1, 2007 | Newsmax staff

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Hillary Clinton’s top advisers charge that the presidential candidate was unfairly targeted by moderator Tim Russert during Tuesday night’s Democratic debate in Philadelphia.

Russert asked Clinton a number of tough questions during the MSNBC-sponsored debate, including one on Social Security and another on the release of documents from the Bill Clinton administration, as she sought to fend off attacks from her Democratic rivals.

Mark Penn, Clinton’s senior strategist, said: “Russert made it appear that President Clinton had done something new or unusual” in regard to the release of documents.

“I think there will be further clarification.”

Penn and Jonathan Mantz, the campaign’s finance director, told supporters on a conference call after the debate that the Clinton campaign needed more money to fight back after what some observers termed a shaky performance at the debate.

One caller from Oklahoma said the questions put to Hillary “were designed to incite a brawl,” and that Russert’s and fellow moderator Brian Williams’ moderating was “an abdication of journalistic responsibility,” according to The Hill newspaper.

Another caller said Russert “should be shot.”

At one point Russert asked Clinton: “I want to clear something up which goes to the issue of credibility. You were asked at the AARP debate whether or not you would consider taxing, lifting the cap from $97,500, taxing that, raising more money for Social Security. You said, quote, ‘It's a no.’ I asked you the same question in New Hampshire, and you said ‘no.’

“Then you went to Iowa and you went up to Tod Bowman, a teacher, and had a conversation with him saying, ‘I would consider lifting the cap perhaps above $200,000.’ You were overheard by an Associated Press reporter saying that.

“Why do you have one public position and one private position?”

Penn complained: “The other candidates were asked questions like, ‘Is there life in outer space?’” – a reference to Dennis Kucinich being queried about his claim that he had seen a UFO.

The Clinton campaign released a video Wednesday titled “The Politics of Pile On,” showing clips of Hillary’s rivals going after her during the debate, The Hill reported.

But Bill Burton, spokesman for the Barack Obama campaign, said in a memo: “The ‘politics of hope’ doesn’t mean you don’t have to answer tough questions.”

© 2007 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

[shankbear]

Boo freakin hoo. This woman must be defeated.

[1rudeboy]

Did Russert “invade Hillary’s space,” or something? I thought she’s the smartest woman in the world.

[Perdogg]

They should close Fort Marcy Park and put Tim Russert on suicide watch.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Another caller said Russert “should be shot.”

Not an impossible scenario, with Hillary involved.

[psjones]

Poor HIllary, I guess she expected to get a free ride because she’s female. The woman wants it both ways, on the one hand she claims to be capable of being president on the other hand, she uses the female card when trying to deflect criticism. If she was a guy, she’d be accused of being a girly man for the whining her campaign is doing.

[TornadoAlley3]

[Diogenesis]

Foster: "Hey, Tim. Watch it, when she says those three words to you."

[bray]

The Clinton Chinese Mafia War Room is not happy with MSDNC’s Russert. How dare he ask Harpy a semi-real question??

Pray for W and Our Victorious Troops

[CMailBag]

He Swiftboated her and she didn’t have an answer that she would say out loud.

[Duke Nukum]

Correct me if this is incorrect, but a candidate’s rivals are supposed to go after her in a debate, right? If they all agree, what is the point of the debate?

[Shermy]

In January 2005 did some of the same to John Kerry - got him to say he will sign a 180.

[mewzilla]

But NewsMax left out the best part of the quote. From this link...

Campaign call reveals Clinton debate concern

...Another said Russert “should be shot,” before quickly adding that she shouldn’t say that on a conference call.

I added the bold, BTW.

[SauronOfMordor]

Another caller said Russert “should be shot.”

I would advise him to stay far from Fort Marcy Park

[freekitty]

If you can’t take the heat, Hillary, then get out.

[Old Sarge]

I am now speaking to Mr. Russert, if his staff are lurking on FR someplace.

Sir, I advise you to take a few simple, but necessary precautions, to wit:

- Install reflective sheeting on your home’s windows, similar to what is installed on limousines, to prevent anyone from seeing the occupants;

- Use an answering service to screen all calls into and out of your residence;

- Install new locks on all exterior doors and windows to your residence, and obtain the services of a reputable alarm system;

- When you drive, be certain you walk completely around your vehicle at least once, and observe the pavement for wires, leaks, or other signs of tampering;

- When you drive to and from work or home, vary your route several times, being certain not to take the same route on successive days;

- Be aware of your surroundings: vehicles that occupy the same spot for several days, or individuals passing your house the same time each day: the same vehicle fololowing you through various intersections, etc.;

These simple precautions will serve you well in future.

Thank you.

[TASMANIANRED]

Russert didn’t ask a single tough question,,,he just didn’t toss puff balls each time.

[Hornitos]

. . . pile-on . . .

Gee, either she's a tough person who can handle the tough job of President, or she's an emotional lightweight who requires puffballs to be thrown at her and whines like a victim if a tough question coming her way. Which is it?

[abner]

Did Russert “invade Hillary’s space,” or something?

Nope, that was Lazio in 2000... He was picking on a lady.

[HIDEK6]

We know how much good that did.

[Brilliant]

unfairly targeted by moderator Tim Russert during Tuesday night’s Democratic debate in Philadelphia.

Russert asked Clinton a number of tough questions during the MSNBC-sponsored debate, including one on Social Security and another on the release of documents from the Bill Clinton administration...

She was unfairly targeted because he asked "tough" questions? Oh, I get it... He undermined her self-esteem. In Hillary's case, you need to ask questions that she can hit out of the ball park. Everyone has a right to feel good about herself.

[LRS]

“The Politics of Pile On”

I’m surprised the Clinton supporters haven’t characterized that debate as a "gang rape" already...

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Why do you have one public position and one private position?

LOL. Because if she showed her private face in public she'd be run out of town.

"All of them witches."

[freekitty]

Hillary, if you can’t stand the heat; get out.

[Jacquerie]

This woman drips the haughtiness of royalty. She is emotionally and temperamentally unsuited to the office she thinks of as her hereditary right, that of President of the United States.

[Miss Didi]

Well, Brit's Panel certainly changed its tune tonight. Last night they defended Mrs. Clinton saying she was SO tough standing up to all those boys and the only "grown up" on the stage to trust on foreign policy. I was sure that Fox had received its marching orders.

Tonight Mara admitted she is indeed vulnerable and that damage was done. And old Mort was quite firm saying that playing the victim was no way to act if you want to be the C-in-C of the leader of the free world. “This is not Wellesley vs. Smith in a field hockey match!” Fred ended with a list of issues where she has got to give a straight answer: Iran, illegals & licenses, Social Security and her locked up archives (which Brit quipped apparently show “her experience”).

[Mr. Mojo]

Ultra-thin skin and a nasty disposition is a combo that invariably dooms Presidential candidates. Hillary will be no exception.

[tired1]

nah,i just hope that he has all of his taxes in order.

[LADY J]

What a creepy little wimp. As a woman - I sit in disgust at what a cheap victim role she and her handlers are trying to pull.

And we're supposed to believe that she can be Commander In Chief!!

The history of her and her slimeball husband is to sell out for cash to all our enemies and use our military as their private servants while they were in the White House.

Whoever votes for her has to have a screw loose.

[freemike]

Is this really a smart strategy to publicly complain about the moderator?? It would not surprise me if she had an FBI file on him and secretly threatened to use it,, put pressure secretly on his boss or whatever,, but public whining?? Will this really gain her a single vote?? Will this really make her look Presidential?? Are they really too stupid to realize it???

[mewzilla]

Hillie’s no Iron Lady, is she?

[evad]

Note to Timmy...

Stay Outta Da Parks!!

[Miss Didi]

The Clinton Chinese Mafia War Room is not happy with MSDNC’s Russert.

[Enchante]

Another caller said Russert “should be shot.”

What a nut. Probably a dedicated Clintonista campaign worker. Leftists want to treat real terrorists with kid gloves, but let a journalist step out of line to ask a couple of inconvenient questions of Shrillery and this is how they respond. To the moonbats: why don't we agree to execute the terrorists we capture and leave it at that?? Journalists, even those much worse than Russert, can be handled with words of criticism, thank you.

[evad]

..put pressure secretly on his boss or whatever,,

Hey, maybe she'll write a letter and Timmy can auction it on e-Bay.

[Bommer]

Boo freakin hoo. This woman must be defeated.

I'd tell her "Put some ice on it!"

[Tarpon]

This means she is going to tell the Mullahs with the nukes, she is unhappy with them? This woman is starting to give me the creeps, what does she think she is applying for, the tooth fairy?

[Red_Devil 232]

This attitude of Hillary’s and the other Dem candidates is exactly why she and they will not agree to appear on FNC debates. There will be serious questions that do not follow their talking points!

[Berlin_Freeper]

President Bush gets unfairly targeted every minute of the day, she can’t handle a few question in a single night??

Boo-Hoo!

[RichInOC]

Welcome to the NFL, rook.

[mewzilla]

If FNC scares the snot out of them, imagine what Al Qaeda’s gonna do...

[driftless2]

Russert had the audacity to ask a direct question of Her Exalted Highness and expect a straight answer. Russert maybe should shot for extreme naivete.

[xcamel]

"There will be pain...."

[NonValueAdded]

She can ride the "they're picking on me" horse only for a while. Eventually the weight of her flip flops and duck-and-weave routine will add up. It is good that this is happening early.

ACTION ITEM: Maximum kudos to Russert. Let the other newsies see that there is a reward in increased respect and credibility for asking the tough questions.

[advertising guy]

....pile on............

just shows ya how much moxy Dubya has...........he is piled on by the mountain load hourly......does he whine ?

he gives em medals and accalades

great case of real class vs crap

[LADY J]

"Hillie’s no Iron Lady, is she?"

She's no lady- forget about Iron Lady!!

She's got a filthy mouth and a vile temper.

I'm waiting for when someone asks her something that really sets her off and she loses it. She can dish it out and talk big but she can't take it!

[Squidpup]

[Libloather]

Another caller said Russert “should be shot.”

That comment could also be found a RATS underground - no?

[Tall_Texan]

I’m loving this. Somebody finally asked Hillary a tough question and not only did she botch the answer but her minions are whining about the questions asked.

Roger Mudd, then of CBS’ “60 Minutes”, asked Ted Kennedy in 1980 a very easy question. “Why do you want to be president?” The normally loquacious Kennedy hemmed and stammered and gave a totally unconvincing answer which CBS showed. This came at the height of the campaign to replace Jimmy Carter on the Democrat ticket with Kennedy and his answer, plus constant unconvincing answers about Chappaquiddick, sunk Teddy with a lot of voters. He lost the nomination to Carter who was then defeated by Reagan.

The hedging and the whining can only hurt Mrs. Clinton with voters. If you can’t explain yourself to Tim Russert, how do you expect to explain U.S. foreign policy to other heads of state?

[jwh_Denver]

Ask Huma.