Hillary Clinton's Statement Of Regret

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:08:53 PM EST
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Hillary Clinton issued the following statement today in Brandon, SD:

“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.”

More below

I took a moment to watch some of the coverage and Hardball's panel is actually going to do clinton a world of good, by blowing it out of proportion. the panel is E.J. Dionne, who should knwo better, Chris Cilizza, who knows about as much as you and I, and Michelle Bernard, who is an Obama supporter.

Bernard made the biggest mistake of all by making it racial. She flat out accused Clinton of saying that Clinton is staying in the race because Obama might be assassinated. It was offensive and gross. Indeed, Bernard has shamed herself in such a way that will make her hard to be considered as anything but a fool.

The problem for the Clinton haters is there really is not much more to be said about this. Clinton made a huge mistake. The mistake speaks for itself. She apologized for it. at this point saying much more about it is simply piling on.

This is Memorial Day Weekend. No one except the sickest political junkies will be watching cable television. Their views of Clinton are made up. And Clinton supporters will see any attempts to keep this story alive for a week as piling on.

Another important event also intervenes. The airing of Recount. Florida to the fore again. Clinton will be talking about Florida and Michigan. That story will overtake this gaffe soon enough. like by Sunday.

In a way, this is the equivalent of a Friday news dump. Clinton made some bad news for herself on the best day possible - the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

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< Hillary Clinton's Meeting With SD Newspaper : The RFK Mention | Are We Overreacting To the RFK Statement? >

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Hillary Clinton's Statement Of Regret | 251 comments (251 topical)

Good for her. (5.00 / 3) (#1)
by Shainzona on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:09:40 PM EST

: Is this the Michelle Bernard you're talking about? (none / 0) (#249)
by TheViking on Fri May 23, 2008 at 07:18:12 PM EST

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/95/Michelle_Bernard.gif
I did a Google Image Search for her and found another women in the results. However I get the impression THIS must be the one you mean.
:)

[ Parent ]
: It still amazes (none / 0) (#250)
by TheViking on Fri May 23, 2008 at 07:20:38 PM EST

me how Hillary cannot say a F**king thing without the Race Card being thrown at her...
To me it was nothing, and simple point that she was making...
She didn't need to apologize, but you know, those Race Cards are REALLY SCARY!!!
:)

[ Parent ]

KO's worst person award (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by Chimster on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:12:17 PM EST

Five bucks says Olbermann will crucify her tonight as one of the world's worst people. Watch for it.

Who's still watching KO? (5.00 / 3) (#79)
by JavaCityPal on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:31:42 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Not I (5.00 / 2) (#145)
by flashman on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:49:23 PM EST

What a loser.

[ Parent ]

I would hope not (none / 0) (#7)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:14:08 PM EST

but for the Clinton campaign, I would hope so. Overreaction might help her politically here.

[ Parent ]

AMEN BTD (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by americanincanada on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:15:39 PM EST

I totally agree. KO and the rest of the breathless Obama boys over reacting will backfire.

[ Parent ]

They're about to backfire themselves into (5.00 / 3) (#91)
by kempis on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:35:31 PM EST

a President McCain.

[ Parent ]

Heads are exploding all over... (5.00 / 1) (#151)
by Shainzona on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:51:53 PM EST

at MyDD. One can only imagine the gore (no pun intended) happening at Daily Kos.

[ Parent ]

I was just gonna mention MyDD. (5.00 / 3) (#166)
by Marco21 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:59:16 PM EST

Josh Orton says she has to drop out over this.

I am really struggling to understand all the outrage.

[ Parent ]

At the Orange, drop out AND (5.00 / 3) (#172)
by nycstray on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:02:44 PM EST

give up her senate seat. If she doesn't she should be stripped of them both. Plus she's insane!! lol!~ Oh, and it needs to be the lead in on ALL MSM news. Hate to break it to them, we had weather and holiday travel as our lead in on all 3 half hour slots so far ;)

[ Parent ]

: And the Senate seat? (5.00 / 2) (#177)
by Marco21 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:06:44 PM EST

Amazing.

[ Parent ]

They were just (5.00 / 1) (#228)
by rnibs on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:37:14 PM EST

waiting for an excuse to start up the tired old "she must drop out" meme all over again.

[ Parent ]

One dKos diarist is calling for a prayer circle (5.00 / 2) (#198)
by Jim J on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:16:10 PM EST

for Obama's safety. I kid you not.

[ Parent ]

I think (5.00 / 3) (#13)
by ajain on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:15:50 PM EST

She actually seemed reasonable on the CNN news report.

But I think her enemies are going try hard to make hay out of this behind the scenes.

[ Parent ]

It was a tough time (5.00 / 4) (#36)
by pie on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:25:04 PM EST

for the country then - JFK, MKL, the Vietnam war. When RFK was killed, I was a junior in high school and had just gotten up and turned on the radio. I was stunned to hear the news. I ran downstairs to tell my parents, and my mother started to cry. MLK's death was just as shocking - it seemed the whole world had gone crazy. The war was horrible.

We survived.

Bush's damage has been more insidious and will be harder to repair, IMHO. Certainly, the media are terribly guilty of enabling what they deem to be the best outcome. Unfortunately, that outcome doesn't benefit the majority of us. This has all been very disappointing.

But whatever happens, we'll survive this, too.

Growing pains.

[ Parent ]

: MLK. (5.00 / 1) (#42)
by pie on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:25:55 PM EST

[ Parent ]
: I often wonder (5.00 / 1) (#86)
by BackFromOhio on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:33:50 PM EST

Whether the history of the U.S. would have been drastically different -- in a good way -- had the Kennedy brothers and MLK not been assasinated. I long for the good old days when there were leaders that lead by appealing to what is good and decent in Americans and urging us to use that to do better for the good of the country.
Last summer I read David Talbot's "Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years." One of the most poignant books I've ever read.

[ Parent ]

thats if she gets the Benefit (1.00 / 1) (#39)
by TruthMatters on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:25:17 PM EST

of the doubt, but a good question is WHY that year? other years went to june, why not use those, why use the one thats famous for the likely nominee being assassinated?

I know what she meant, but I also know what Obama meant with the bitter comment and you saw the benefit of the doubt the MSM and HRC campaign gave him.

[ Parent ]

Oh, yes. (5.00 / 1) (#47)
by pie on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:26:52 PM EST

Let's analyze this to death.

[ Parent ]

I'm sorry (3.00 / 2) (#89)
by TruthMatters on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:34:21 PM EST

are you new to politics?

the first AA with a legitimate chance on the verge of being the nominee, who had to have SS protection given to him earlier then normal because of this and has recently had that protection beefed up because of threats, has his rival remind the nation "hey remember in '68 when the likely nominee was assassinated?"

ON a holiday weekend meaning slow news? yeah your right this is no where near the bitter comment I mean if that got WEEKS of news coverage, then this should be forgotten tomorrow.

[ Parent ]

: Stop! (4.42 / 7) (#112)
by pie on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:40:02 PM EST

You're killin' me!
You're making this about Obama, pal.
Obama's bitter remark was directed at the voters.
And that remark will come back to bite him if he's the nominee, because the repubs will give it new life.

[ Parent ]

She mentioned 1992 (none / 0) (#85)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:33:20 PM EST

and I understand 1980 and 1984.

[ Parent ]

we all know what she meant (none / 0) (#93)
by TruthMatters on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:35:53 PM EST

but its a gaffe and its a holiday weekend so slow news, this isn't going any where even IF every pundit goes "well thats not what she meant" they will spend ALL weekend telling us well thats NOT what she meant. meaning they play the comments over and over

JUST like with the bitter comment my point is I see this gaffe on the SAME level as that. and that got weeks of media coverage

[ Parent ]

: Didn't Obama not apologize for that? (none / 0) (#109)
by nycstray on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:39:43 PM EST

I thought it was a meant what he said?

[ Parent ]

I was about to say... (none / 0) (#200)
by kredwyn on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:17:58 PM EST

Teddy took it all the way to the convention, didn't he?

[ Parent ]

you can tell a lot about people's character (none / 0) (#182)
by Josey on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:09:18 PM EST

by the way they react. And as usual - Obama took the low road, interpreting Hillary's remarks in the worst possible way. There could be no other explanation as far as he's concerned.
Obama's published statement is reactionary and similar to "shoot from the hip" comments uttered by middle school students.
Scary traits for a presumptuous nominee.

[ Parent ]

: but that was AFTER Obama's (none / 0) (#246)
by Josey on Fri May 23, 2008 at 07:07:58 PM EST

published statement.
Usually campaigns are more "together" - unless they purposely want to provide conflicting messages.
Until Obama takes the mature route on this - his followers will continue emulating his exploitationS.

[ Parent ]

Which other years went to June? (none / 0) (#222)
by Boston Boomer on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:27:12 PM EST

Dates and details please?

[ Parent ]

Yawn (none / 0) (#252)
by TheViking on Fri May 23, 2008 at 07:29:38 PM EST

Please don't make comparisons to you candidates insulting Bitter comments and this...

...and please stop trying to 'analysis' this to try and find some ill-will when there isn't one.

...in fact doesn't comments like this show your true colors?

Pathetic.

[ Parent ]

Overreaction (none / 0) (#218)
by joanneleon on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:25:06 PM EST

It helped in 1998.

Americans can be pretty stupid when it comes to the media, but there's a limit to their stupidity and gullibility. People can see what's going on. Hence, the primary results of late.

It's pretty clear who "will do anything to win" and it's not Clinton.

[ Parent ]

Naw, this is going to be a long wknd blip (none / 0) (#224)
by Ellie on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:29:58 PM EST

It's the kind of "outrage" that can't be neatly encapsulated by the faux-offended opportunists in few enough words to outline the nature of the offense.

At worst it was in bad taste but that context relates more to Sen. Ted Kennedy than Obama anyway.

By the end of the weekend, for Obama himself or any of his team or supporters to turn that from the Kennedys towards Obama will look bad on them and be in even worse taste.

Clinton was right to apologize and swiftly and should just move forward.

[ Parent ]

He's doing one of his (none / 0) (#199)
by gyrfalcon on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:17:45 PM EST

"special comments" on the subject, it was just announced.

[ Parent ]

Yes, good for her (5.00 / 3) (#6)
by lambertstrether on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:13:40 PM EST

Admit you're wrong, move on. Good.

In a way, it's a lot like Bill Clinton's comment in SC. Two deeply knowledgeable, world-class politicos talking politics and about history, about what truly happened. Then, and now. But mention a trigger, and all hell breaks loose, as it will, and all the pent up hate gets projected again.

Yep. (none / 0) (#15)
by pie on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:17:04 PM EST

Which is why Obama is so carefully controlled.

Unfortunately, that makes him a weaker candidate, not a stronger one. And he is the darling in this cycle.

[ Parent ]

: He's being given a hard ride in (none / 0) (#29)
by JavaCityPal on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:21:51 PM EST

Republican politics today. Between his Cuba statements, and a very anti-Obama internet ad, he's under fire, too.

[ Parent ]

hmmm.. "admit you're wrong" (none / 0) (#21)
by DJ on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:19:50 PM EST

is The Chosen One paying attention?

[ Parent ]

: There is NO NEED for the Chosen one... (5.00 / 1) (#95)
by lambertstrether on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:36:33 PM EST

...to pay attention, since He knows in advance whatever would have needed paying attention to!

[ Parent ]

good and quick apology, nicely done (5.00 / 3) (#9)
by DandyTIger on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:14:36 PM EST

I'm glad that was handled quickly. I think she handled that well too. Basically she covered the issue of didn't mean anything by it, and was thinking of historical close races, etc.

Now we get to measure the character of her opponents and the media by how they cover this or respond to this.

: we saw Obama's character - again (3.66 / 3) (#123)
by Josey on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:42:47 PM EST

How quickly he responded - as usual - interpreting her comments in the worst possible way.
For a "president" to be that driven by Hate and Animosity is frightening.

[ Parent ]

If the MSMharps on this (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by americanincanada on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:14:54 PM EST

after she has apologized deeply and sincerely as well as explained what she meant...it will backfire on them.

yep we saw how that (3.00 / 2) (#32)
by TruthMatters on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:23:08 PM EST

worked with bitter gate, once you apologize the other side drops it and they don't try and use it to attack your character

err wait.

[ Parent ]

Hmm, yes... (5.00 / 2) (#43)
by reynwrap582 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:26:00 PM EST

Saying that the working class cling to guns and religion because they can't find work and hate immigrants... vs. a poor choice of mentioning what month a historical event occurred. Same thing.

[ Parent ]

Honestly (1.00 / 2) (#106)
by brad12345 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:39:09 PM EST

You really think that saying that people are bitter is worse and more offensive than implying that you're staying in the race in case your opponent--who happens to be the first prominent African American candidate with a real shot at becoming president and a guy who has required an unusually large amount of security--get shot and killed?

[ Parent ]

Gee, are the Obama talking points (5.00 / 2) (#131)
by zfran on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:44:07 PM EST

out this quickly?

[ Parent ]

you implied it - she didn't (5.00 / 2) (#133)
by Josey on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:44:12 PM EST

Hillary suggested nothing of the kind ... (5.00 / 4) (#134)
by Inky on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:44:19 PM EST

and you either know it or you are so blinded by your hatred of the Clintons that you really should take a rest from reading the blogs for the sake of your own mental health.

[ Parent ]

: She wasn't even talking about why (5.00 / 3) (#170)
by americanincanada on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:00:14 PM EST

she is staying in the race.
She was answering a question about why people have been asking her to drop out.

[ Parent ]

Silly season, indeed. n/t (5.00 / 1) (#181)
by magisterludi on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:08:43 PM EST

Honestly (5.00 / 2) (#232)
by MonaL on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:50:40 PM EST

do you really think that's what she meant? Or do you want everyone to believe that's what she meant so you can justify your dislike for her. Play hardball politics much?

See this is another problem I have with Obama. He pretends he's going to change the way WA works, and then plays the same game he accuses everyone else is playing. That's so Bush-like. If he'd just be a regular politician without pretending to be more, then I can get behind that. It's like a priest who denounces sex with minors, but then has sex with minors regularly but in secret. It's a different kind of hypocricy, worse.

[ Parent ]

Obama Was Given A Break On His Comment (none / 0) (#256)
by MO Blue on Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:05:10 PM EST

as the media chose to focus on the "bitter part." Had the focus been on people clinging to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them it would have had an even greater impact.

[ Parent ]

But Obama (5.00 / 2) (#44)
by Edgar08 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:26:03 PM EST

Really does look down on us.

Well. Not you.

Us.

[ Parent ]

Obama replied with "it's true" (5.00 / 4) (#96)
by Davidson on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:36:46 PM EST

Difference: Obama immediately replied to the bittercling controversy with "everyone knows it's true." So, no.

Clinton was wrong. She apologized quickly, recognizing what a f*** up it was.

[ Parent ]

: I was wrong about one thing (none / 0) (#233)
by Davidson on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:51:40 PM EST

She didn't f*** up. We did. She didn't say anything wrong and we shouldn't buy into the Clinton Rules because it only entrenches the conditioning process where she's always wrong for something.

[ Parent ]

He didn't apologize. He explained away... (5.00 / 1) (#173)
by alexei on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:04:31 PM EST

and he is wrong about it anyway. This is not the same. She was making historical references to long campaigns - and 1968 was one. She apologized for this and to the Kennedy family.

[ Parent ]

But according to (none / 0) (#210)
by gyrfalcon on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:21:09 PM EST

what I've just been hearing, she didn't apologize correctly, you see. She apologized in general and to the Kennedys. She should have apologized to Obama, according to the developing conventional wisdom.

[ Parent ]

: Yes, we must all apologize (none / 0) (#223)
by Democratic Cat on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:28:07 PM EST

to the thin-skinned one, for every imagined slight.
I don't know if I can take four years of him as President.

[ Parent ]

Ridiculous that she has to apologize (5.00 / 9) (#11)
by stillife on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:15:09 PM EST

but that's politics. Good that she addressed it immediately. If Obama were in a similar situation, he'd probably find a way to blame his staff, or the bigoted, bitter voters.

Yep (5.00 / 5) (#26)
by reynwrap582 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:21:01 PM EST

After waiting a few weeks for it to really fester before giving another one of his carefully-scripted primetime speeches that somehow causes everyone in the MSM to fawn over how amazing he is and fully forgive his transgressions.

[ Parent ]

And it would be hailed as (5.00 / 7) (#31)
by stillife on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:22:49 PM EST

the most awesome speech about RFK evah!

[ Parent ]

I dunno... (5.00 / 2) (#33)
by reynwrap582 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:23:46 PM EST

I'm sure he'd find a way to fit all the Kennedys under the bus as well. :p

[ Parent ]

I Don't Know, There Are An Awful Lot Of (none / 0) (#41)
by PssttCmere08 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:25:31 PM EST

Kennedys... :)

[ Parent ]

It's a big bus,,, (5.00 / 5) (#50)
by reynwrap582 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:27:35 PM EST

I'm sure if the 17 million of us shift around a bit, we can make room.

[ Parent ]

: You're either on the bus (5.00 / 0) (#67)
by stillife on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:30:18 PM EST

or off the bus...or under the bus.

[ Parent ]

Several Kennedy's (none / 0) (#234)
by MonaL on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:52:58 PM EST

are Hillary supports, RFK Jr. for one and a few of his sisters.

[ Parent ]

I still don't get it (5.00 / 15) (#17)
by Stellaaa on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:18:25 PM EST

It's a historical marker, I will never forget the California June primaries because of that event. It always reminds me how long primaries went. I think this is ridiculous.

: I agree (5.00 / 6) (#138)
by frankly0 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:45:47 PM EST

No honest person can insist on interpreting Hillary's statement to mean other than what she said it was: a way of referring to the event that would have been emblazoned in people's memories that Bobby Kennedy was still very much running in June.
If the Obama side tries to pretend that it "really" meant something else, when the innocent interpretation is the obvious and natural interpretation, that says nothing about Hillary, and everything about who they are.

[ Parent ]
: One other point (5.00 / 2) (#167)
by frankly0 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:59:39 PM EST

one reason it would make sense for Hillary to have mentioned that Kennedy was assassinated was that the fact that he was still running in June did not imply that he was even finished running -- had he not been assassinated, he might have been running still later, all the way to the convention.
Of course, it would have been vastly better had Hillary not said he was assassinated, but had instead that his campaign was still ongoing when it came to a tragic end, or some other, more acceptable way of expressing the fact. But on the spur of the moment, the better formulations often escape us.

[ Parent ]
: I do too. She made an historical reference. (5.00 / 2) (#188)
by alexei on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:11:06 PM EST

So, now we can't discuss this as well? Damn, I remember what happened, I was in eighth grade and had gone with my former sister-in-law to see the Israeli Dance company. I stayed up late and went to school, and everyone was talking about it. It was June, and the race was still going on.
I am sick and tired of people who were not even alive flipping out on this. Get a grip. We need to put this in perspective. Yes, the nomination was still going on. Blame Sirhan Sirhan.

[ Parent ]

As an Obama supporter (5.00 / 5) (#18)
by Maggie on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:18:29 PM EST

I'm perfectly willing to believe that all she meant was that nomination battles have continued until June.

But as you all get your knickers in a twist about potential overreactions from the Obama side of the ledger, might I say that people in the Clinton camp have very rarely practiced the art of charitable reading when it comes to Obama. So maybe this would be a good chance for us to all pause and remember that everyone is vulnerable to making statements that can be construed in a very negative light by others and maybe learn that it would be best to start cutting each other some slack?

I'll cut the Obama movement some slack (5.00 / 4) (#22)
by Edgar08 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:20:18 PM EST

When the media starts comparing Obama to black characters from the movies.

And no, it's not Obama's fault, but it's there.

[ Parent ]

: I think you may have meant (5.00 / 3) (#81)
by Valhalla on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:32:10 PM EST

black psychotic killer characters from the movies.

[ Parent ]

Fine, but a little late (5.00 / 7) (#30)
by rilkefan on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:22:46 PM EST

The Obama campaign has relied heavily on faux outrage (e.g. freaking out about the entirely benign "fairy tale" remark).

[ Parent ]

obama Has Been Cut Slack Time And Time (5.00 / 6) (#34)
by PssttCmere08 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:24:23 PM EST

again...and it is his continued parade of half-truths, untruths, not sticking up for other dems, and not holding himself accountable for ANYTHING makes one wont to not be in his corner. And don't get me started about the voting blocs he feels he doesn't need to win the election. If he doesn't need us, why would we want him?

[ Parent ]

: Just for the record (none / 0) (#260)
by Sleeper on Fri May 23, 2008 at 10:47:31 PM EST

If you could site a specific example where Obama or someone in his campaign said that women, or Hispanics, or any other demographic, was "not needed," I would appreciate it. Thank you.

[ Parent ]

Look to my comment (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by Molly Pitcher on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:27:24 PM EST

for Obama's reaction: it wasn't about the primary battle, it was a hint that he could be assasinated.

[ Parent ]

: Which is the most despicable part of this entire.. (none / 0) (#201)
by alexei on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:17:58 PM EST

episode. Obama and his followers in their arrogance jump on this comment to mean something will happen to him. F*k this! I am tired of this arrogant, elitist a*hole comparing himself to the Kennedys and jumping on these comments and implying nefarious intent. Stop this now. This is not about Obama, not everything is about Obama. This is about how before the last two election cycles, most primary battles went far into the primary season. That is all. Stop this faux outrage. In particular, those who were too young or not even born stop talking about events you have no idea about.

[ Parent ]

Axelrod & MSNBC - Giving HRC Benefit of Doubt (5.00 / 3) (#51)
by BackFromOhio on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:27:49 PM EST

I am listening to Hardball; 1st David Axelrod - said he is sure Hillary did not mean RFK comment in any untoward way; then Chuck Todd, Pat Buchanan & Andrea Mitchell said same; Mitchell pointed out that Hillary is quite tired; Todd said when she apologized, she was cleared personally pained, both for the unintended potential meaning of her statement and for having made a gaff that could irretrievably damage her campaign.

Axelrod was incredibly generous toward Hillary on all questions posed by Matthews. He also emphasized that the race would not be over until June 3; said he thought Obama would get good chunk of vote in Puerto Rico. Only thing Axelrod said of concern was that Obama campaign has made clear its support for seating Michigan & FL delegations after something like "giving effect to the rules."

Why the sudden generosity? Intent to overtake her through the "rules"????

[ Parent ]

The Obama Campaign... (5.00 / 1) (#82)
by reynwrap582 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:32:14 PM EST

Finally realizing being nice to Hillary and her supporters might actually be necessary to get any of them to vote for Obama in the GE? Nahhh, Axelrod isn't that sharp.

[ Parent ]

It's part (5.00 / 3) (#99)
by rnibs on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:37:38 PM EST

of pretending to be nice to her now so her supporters will forget everything that happened the last five months.

Note how they're trying to force her out by June 3rd now. It's the new drumbeat.

I hope she takes it all the way to the convention. She's got the support of half the party.

[ Parent ]

: I fear (none / 0) (#124)
by BackFromOhio on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:43:07 PM EST

it may be to soften the blow of the 'rules' to be enforced to disenfranchise FL & Mich

[ Parent ]

Uh oh (5.00 / 3) (#101)
by Davidson on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:38:10 PM EST

Axelrod being generous scares the hell out of me. Damn it.

[ Parent ]

Axelrod's words (none / 0) (#226)
by gyrfalcon on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:30:49 PM EST

were completely at odds with his expression. His face was full of glee.

Later MSNBC panelists E.J. Dionne, Rachel Maddow, Tony Blankley, Eugene Robinson all hit the outrage button hard. The only sane person in the group was John Harwood, of all unexpected people.

[ Parent ]

: Rest (5.00 / 1) (#247)
by BackFromOhio on Fri May 23, 2008 at 07:12:45 PM EST

Hillary needs to rest -- everyone has a limit. But I think this gaffe may be just the thing the Obama camp needed to converted a bunch of SDs. She has to be so perfect at the time.

[ Parent ]

"knickers in a twist" is troll sign (5.00 / 4) (#87)
by lambertstrether on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:34:03 PM EST

And we've been dealing with over-reaction from the Obama camp ever since they deliberately smeared the Clintons as racist after NH.

So we'd be stupid not to expect your over-reaction, or to plan a response.

Don't you have a bridge somewhere to go under?

[ Parent ]

Well, months after his boneheaded (5.00 / 2) (#115)
by Shainzona on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:40:46 PM EST

Bataan Death March comment, he's going to try and make nice by going to a memorial on Memorial Day.

At least Hillary realized her mistake and took immediate steps to clarify her intent and apologize.

I image everyone at Daily Obama is all a twitter - MyDD is about to explode with OUTRAGE!!!

[ Parent ]

Outrage du Jour (none / 0) (#193)
by Fabian on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:13:17 PM EST

That was my name for the Daily Kos habit of dredging tabloid trivia up for about 48 hours of OMG! Have You Seen This?

[ Parent ]

Excuse my ignorance (none / 0) (#248)
by BackFromOhio on Fri May 23, 2008 at 07:13:44 PM EST

But what was the Bataan Death March comment?

[ Parent ]

: Here Is The Quote (none / 0) (#257)
by MO Blue on Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:13:54 PM EST

"For those of you who are just weary of the primary, and feeling kind of ground down or that it's like a Bataan death march, I just want everybody to know that the future is bright." The Page

[ Parent ]

Look, what Hillary said (5.00 / 4) (#149)
by frankly0 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:51:32 PM EST

clearly has a perfectly innocent meaning. It takes no great brainpower to see that. No "charity" need be applied.

This is a case in which, if you impute a truly ugly meaning into what she said, then it is you who are practicing the purest of malice. You know perfectly well of the innocent meaning, and are doing everything in your power to try to pretend to people that it was not that, but some incredibly malevolent thing meant instead. And you would be doing so with the most pernicious of motives, to slime someone you know to be innocent of the accusation.

[ Parent ]

92 primary campaign was over in APRIL (1.00 / 2) (#117)
by seesdifferent on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:40:58 PM EST

She made it up.
Wikipedia:
Clinton effectively won the Democratic Party's nomination after winning the New York Primary in early April.

The convention met in New York City, and the official tally was:

Bill Clinton 3372
Jerry Brown 596
Paul Tsongas 289

[ Parent ]

Um (5.00 / 2) (#148)
by Shawn on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:50:25 PM EST

Do you not understand the diffence between "effectively" winning the nomination and "clinching" the nomination? You can make a case that Obama "effectively" won the nomination in February, but he still hasn't "clinched" it - ie. won a majority of delegates (despite his victory party the other night).

[ Parent ]

: Re: Um (none / 0) (#261)
by Sleeper on Fri May 23, 2008 at 11:05:52 PM EST

But her argument was that one reason she should stay in the race was that the race was still ongoing in June of 1992, and it wasn't. Bill Clinton had it locked it up two months earlier.
To argue that he hadn't clinched it is like arguing that a president-elect hasn't really finally completely won until they're sworn in two months later, because a meteor might fall on them. Which I guess is technically accurate, but...

[ Parent ]

Will you please stop repeating that untruth? (5.00 / 3) (#163)
by ChrisO on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:58:07 PM EST

Saying Clinton "effectively won" after New York is not the same as saying the race was over. If you bothered to look up Jerry Brown on Wikipedia, you'd see the following: "Although Brown continued to campaign in a number of states, he won no further primaries. Despite this, he still had a sizable number of delegates, and a big win in his home state of California would deprive Clinton of sufficient support to win the nomination, which Brown apparently thought would revert to him by default. After nearly a month of intense campaigning and multiple debates between the two candidates, Clinton managed to defeat Brown in this final primary by a margin of 48% to 41%."

Saying Clinton had it wrapped up after New York is like saying Obama had it wrapped up in February. Clinton had to battle Brown to the end, much as Obama is battling Clinton. Please know what you're talking about before you start bloviating.

[ Parent ]

If the game being played this primary season (5.00 / 4) (#20)
by JavaCityPal on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:19:13 PM EST

wasn't so quick to jump on everything, people would have realized that her statement was meant to serve in reminding people more than one primary has gone into the month of June. That RFK was still campaigning in the primary at the time of his death would jog memories of a big share of the population.

Why in the world does she have to explain to anyone her choice to continue campaigning until a nominee has been decided? It isn't new, nor is the thought of a brokered convention.

Haven't you heard... (5.00 / 4) (#28)
by zfran on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:21:24 PM EST

she is evil and shouldn't be in this campaign and she should annoit Obama and get the heck out of his way. The Obama camp actually issued a statement (first I believe) critizing her and the (true) statement.

[ Parent ]

: :) Actually, on FOX News, that was the (5.00 / 0) (#35)
by JavaCityPal on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:25:00 PM EST

topic that immediately followed.
1st up: RFK assassination = her warning to Obama
2nd up: WWTBQ
They are really looking desperate.

[ Parent ]

LOL! (5.00 / 5) (#24)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:20:47 PM EST

Obama has thrown entire constituencies under the bus as "Archie Bunkers" and has gotten less mention than this.

Remember, she's dying as a candidate, has NOOOO chance. She apologized. I don't care if the Obama supporters don't think it's good enough. Leave her alone.

: And BTW (5.00 / 2) (#56)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:28:16 PM EST

she rarely gets coverage for anything positive she says, only for the negative.
I suspect this gaffe will be covered heavily and the apology barely mentioned. And I have no doubt if the crazy idiots on channels like NBC can cover it, they will in the worst possible light.
I'm sick and tired of this. I hope she quits. I hope she tells Florida and Michigan to stuff it, and I hope she leaves the country.
I don't want anything to do with politics in this country. It's all just a bunch of garbage.
Okay, I feel better.

[ Parent ]

Now we hav to see how much hysteria (5.00 / 5) (#25)
by Xeno on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:20:53 PM EST

the cable bloviators and the blogger boyz can gin up about this. They'll be hampered by the fact that ir happened on a Friday afternoon, but I expect them to keep it alive until Monday so they can amp up the hypocritical pseudo-indignation. Of course, Monday is Memorial Day, so that will probably hamper them. They can be counted on to give it a good go, though.

Not just Friday afternoon (5.00 / 1) (#45)
by JavaCityPal on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:26:35 PM EST

but, Friday afternoon leading into a holiday weekend. Most folks are already on their way to the campsite.

[ Parent ]

And a lovely holiday weekend here (5.00 / 3) (#80)
by nycstray on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:32:03 PM EST

it shall be. Most folks just care about the weather and the price of gas at the moment. Politics not so much. Local news is more about the weather (NICE!).

[ Parent ]

on their bicycles (5.00 / 1) (#128)
by DFLer on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:43:51 PM EST

no doubt

[ Parent ]

I live in the Maryland suburbs - it's nice here (5.00 / 1) (#147)
by Xeno on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:49:36 PM EST

The weather is going to be too nice this weekend for even the most hardened political junkies to obsess over this nonsense. (Cable bloviators excepted, of course.) And plenty of people are going to stretch the holiday weekend past the official three days.

Given that impediment to public attention, the Clinton haters will have to go to great lengths to flog this. It's likely that Olbermann and MSNBO will feel compelled to reignite the flames, should they die sown too soon. Expect a Special Comment on Tuesday, accompanied by much spittle-flecked invective from Tweety & company. If any of them are on vacation they will probably fly back to their studios just to get their licks in.

[ Parent ]

It is indeed beautiful... (none / 0) (#220)
by kredwyn on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:26:52 PM EST

I'm spending most of the weekend riding in Rock Creek Park and cleaning up the backyard.

Seeds to sow and all that...

[ Parent ]

: Sadly, I'm under the weather (heh) (none / 0) (#235)
by Xeno on Fri May 23, 2008 at 06:04:41 PM EST

Everyone in my household is sick, right down to the cats. (They're barfing, but then they always do.) Since I'm the least sick, I plan to spend the long weekend tending to everyone else. Hopefully we'll all be well enough to enjoy the beautiful steaks I have on Memorial Day.

[ Parent ]

On their way to campsites listening (none / 0) (#100)
by 1jane on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:37:54 PM EST

to their radios and discussing Clinton's remarks over marshmellows.

[ Parent ]

: doubtful... (none / 0) (#219)
by kredwyn on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:25:24 PM EST

lots of CDs, tapes, and DVDs to listen to.
And lately? The news is covered by AM radio and NPR. Most music stations aren't paying attention to this blip.

[ Parent ]

Obama's comment from Boston paper: (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by Molly Pitcher on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:25:13 PM EST

"Senator Clinton's statement before the Argus Leader editorial board was unfortunate and has no place in this campaign," Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement.

Axelrod said (5.00 / 1) (#62)
by BackFromOhio on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:29:19 PM EST

the opposite -- as did all pundits on MSNBC!. See my other post.

[ Parent ]

Axelrod is smart (5.00 / 1) (#72)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:30:54 PM EST

: & cunning? (none / 0) (#119)
by BackFromOhio on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:41:20 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Not all pundits by any means (none / 0) (#238)
by gyrfalcon on Fri May 23, 2008 at 06:17:54 PM EST

see my earlier post...

[ Parent ]

disgusting.... (5.00 / 1) (#71)
by kempis on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:30:37 PM EST

: No... (none / 0) (#139)
by Addison on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:47:02 PM EST

...it's not.

[ Parent ]

Oh wow. (none / 0) (#46)
by masslib on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:26:50 PM EST

That was befpore her apology (none / 0) (#57)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:28:30 PM EST

I think Burton is right.

Her statement has no place in this campaign.

[ Parent ]

Why not? (5.00 / 3) (#159)
by citizen53 on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:56:54 PM EST

The fact is that he was killed in June, right after winning the primary and showing his viability?

So what is wrong with saying it?

Or is the wrong the way people react?

I think the latter.

[ Parent ]

: And that race wasn't settled yet, was it? (none / 0) (#227)
by nycstray on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:30:54 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Get real. She was referring to lengthy primaries. (5.00 / 1) (#242)
by masslib on Fri May 23, 2008 at 06:26:38 PM EST

Second, this is the most like 1968, ie wide open primary with no obvious nominee in either Party. Totally cynical of the Obama campaign. This is just like the article you posted this morning. Odd you reacted so harshly.

[ Parent ]

I disagree. Why is an historical fact.... (none / 0) (#211)
by alexei on Fri May 23, 2008 at 05:21:42 PM EST

though tragic, verboten?

[ Parent ]

your wrong (none / 0) (#253)
by TheViking on Fri May 23, 2008 at 07:55:27 PM EST

Highlighting the need for an apology is no better than inferring she meant that she condoned an assassination on Obama.

[ Parent ]

I am sorry.. (5.00 / 4) (#40)
by JustJennifer on Fri May 23, 2008 at 04:25:27 PM EST

but I see what she was trying to say and I am so so very sick of everyone making everything about Obama. She ne

Hillary Clinton's Statement Of Regret

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