Posted on 01/14/2008 1:10:15 PM PST by Sub-Driver
The Clintons and History
By Matt Bai Primary Argument - Matt Bai - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog
WASHINGTON — There’s an old joke people here in the capital like to tell about Charles E. Schumer, the New York senator, and over the years I’m sure it’s been used to describe other politicians, as well: The most dangerous place to stand in Washington is between Chuck Schumer and a bank of television cameras.
Well, that may be, but it seems to me that the most dangerous place to be in the rest of the country is between the Clintons and an elected office.
Just this weekend, after all the recent attacks against Barack Obama involving his kindergarten essay and cocaine, the “fairy tale” of his antiwar stance, we found out that the Nevada teacher’s union with ties to the Clintons is suing to keep workers on the Vegas Strip from being able to caucus in their workplaces, since most of those workers belong to unions that have endorsed Mr. Obama.
Meanwhile, Robert Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, made yet another elliptical reference to Mr. Obama having used cocaine. Mr. Johnson tried to walk it back yesterday by saying that he was only referring to Mr. Obama’s days as a community organizer when he said Mr. Obama “was doing something in the neighborhood — and I won’t say what he was doing, but he said it in the book… .” Sure, because community organizing is not the kind of thing you’d want to speak of in public, with children around. Better to let people find out on their own.
What’s most confounding about this latest turn into ugliness, though, is the Clintons’ remarkable capacity to cast themselves as the victims in every fight.
(Excerpt) Read more at thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com ...
If he finds that remarkable he hasn’t been paying attention AT ALL for the last 15 years. At least...
Some good comments after the article. Thanks..
First time I ever heard that was when I posted it on Free Republic. It is possible that great minds think alike but, ....
For Hillary Clinton to do any of what you suggest in the last paragraph would mean that she was an honest human being with the integrity and judgment to lead this nation. Sadly, she is not.Wow!Hillary does not know how to treat her opponents graciously she simply goes for the jugular and what we as Democrats are going to watch is the Clintons spew Barack Obama’s political life blood all over the nation until he is dead politically.
The sad part is that Hill and Bill already had a turn and they simply are not entitled to a third term.
This is wrong on so many levels. The victimhood mentality of the BarackBashers is just disgusting.But then Hillary’s supporters are like her attack, attack, attack..fight fight fight.
It’s so interesting that all Clinton supporters have to appeal to is there own sense of victimhood. They’re just never treated fairly, are they? Someone is always misinterpreting them or being, you know, mean.
Obama is “divisive” the press is against us, men are against us, Chris Matthews is a jerk, the Iowa caucuses are flawed etc. Watch us play the race card with impugnity and blame it on Obama.
People aren’t allowed to call them on their BRAZENLY dishonest, sleazy brand of politics. They have run a corrupt and deeply dispiriting campaign.
Our nation is going to drown in the bloodbath of the Clintons naked ambition to get back to the WH
— Posted by vicissitudes
ML/NJ
I always though the right was a little nuts when they complained about Bill and Hillary, but now I can see exactly what they meant. Four or eight years of Hillary will do terrible harm to the US and people need to wake up and see the writing on the wall. Obama may lack experience, but he does not lack leadership abilities, and during the difficult times ahead, the US will need a powerful leader with integrity. The Clinton’s do not know the meaning of the word.The Dims are waking up.— Posted by Cathie
ML/NJ
Like a ruthless thug with a knife in a dark alley, I admire the cold purity of her technique, but I don’t want that thug running my government. I have been a life long Democrat, but I swear, if this swift-boating of Obama succeeds, and she wins the nomination, I’ll cross the line and vote for McCain. Hell, I might even work for the guy. In any case, I will not hold my nose again to vote for such a vicious, amoral bully. And I’m not alone. Lots of people will find, finally, a level of disgust with the Clintons that will put them over the edge, and may the Furies pursue them both into oblivion.ML/NJ— Posted by johnzero
There is only one thing to do with bullies like Hillary Clinton: Take them straignt on and straight down. Tim Russert did a credible job yesterday. The woman had no answers. At least George Bush was honestly stupid. Hillary Clinton is neither honest nor stupid. Take her down folks: She is as phony as a three dollar bill and has no business in the Presidency.These are all Dims commenting!— Posted by roger millerr
ML/NJ
I’m very troubled by the attacks from the Clintons. Instead of tackling the issues, they attack a fellow Democrat.ML/NJI may not vote if she gets the nomination.
— Posted by Susan B
1. This guy just figured out that the Clintons are ruthless.
2. He imagines that the attacks are made by out of control supporters and aren’t part of the plan?
3. He’s amazed at the Clinton’s ability to play the victim, I mean was he asleep or in grade school during the Clinton scandals and Vast Right Wing Conspiracy?
4. He thinks the Clintons have the integrity to call off the attacks, for the good of the Party and the Clinton legacy? Like Bill and Hill are’t about amassing power by whatever means necessary.
Well it's good that democrats are finally waking up to this nightmare couple. Another interesting thing about this campaign is that the Clinton’s apparently didn’t realize the press is a lot more skeptical when you attack a popular black man. Its easy to attack Republicans, in fact, enjoyable to the press. But the protections for Clintonian BS is not available against Obama.
As a committed Democrat for 20-odd years, I am in anguish. It is becoming increasingly clear to me that I cannot vote for this woman. I am not a zealous supporter of either Obama or Edwards, but I would be comfortable with either one in office. Anyone notice how Obama talks about what “we” can do for this country, while Ms. Clinton always refers to what “I” can do?ML/NJ— Posted by Elaine
The cocaine discussion is one I welcome. But I don’t think Bill will like where discovery takes the discussion. Let’s start with Dr. Suen, who rebuilt his nose.
I have one serious question. . .ML/NJIf HRC is going to such partisan-style links to tear down Obama, do you really think she is going to bring together this nation?
Watching this has been absolutely disgusting, because, in her quest for power, Clinton is threatnening to divide the Democratic party.
For the record, as stated, Obama never played the “race card.”
In fact, mentioning that the supporters of King had more to do with the Civil Rights movement than LBJ is not a race issue. It’s a mere fact that should frankly insult the many white Americans who gave or risked their lives in support of Civil Rights.
It’s no more a race issue than a similar statement about LBJ or Nixon’s work for women’s or Latino rights. Activists, not politicians, jumpstart movements.
I respect the Clintons, but the way they have approached their attacks toward Obama — and vetting his record is legitimate — makes me ill.
And if it continues, I may not support HRC if she wins.
I’d much rather have someone like Mike Huckabee who can get beyond partisan politics than another Democrat like Clinton.
And if I as a Democrat (and African American) am saying this, what do you think will happen in the general?
Clean it up, or expect to lose in November.
— Posted by ldc
The HillBilly bus will roll over ANYBODY for power.
To all you Obama supporters:ML/NJCan your beloved political golden boy savior ever do anything wrong? Honestly, what makes him so great? What because he is a good speaker, young and black? I am a 23 year old, college educated, Latina woman and Barack Obama does not appeal to me in the slightest. It’s like NO ONE can attack him without out being labeled a racist. This is ridiculous. Why should only he have access to that kind of political security blanket?
We need a competent and experienced leader in the White House, not someone fresh off a part-time legislative job. And all that bit about “change,” please, any one besides George W. Bush will be CHANGE.
The real “fairy tale” of this election has been how the biased American press has fallen head over heels in love with this idea (that is all Barack represents) of hope and reconciliation and has given him nothing but POSITIVE coverage. Yet, every day, we are bombarded with negative articles about Hillary. Give me a break NY Times! This is getting worse than watch Fox News!
— Posted by Maria Zambrano
As a lifelong Democrat and staunch supporter of the Clintons through all their misdemeanors, I have to say that Hillary’s performance on Meet the Press left me disgusted. Her self-pity and lies have put a lot of those previous misdemeanors in perspective. If Hillary wins, my vote in November will go to McCain or to a write-in. For them to launch these inaccurate attacks and then to pretend to be victims is hypocrisy in service to naked ambition. Great article and inspiring comments from the readers.ML/NJ— Posted by Malcolm
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