The many sides of Hillary
Last Thursday's primary debate in Texas between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama was supposed to provide Clinton a chance to find a chink in Obama's armor. Unfortunately for Clinton, she never really succeeded. And maybe that's why her campaign seems to have grown more aggressive, tossing strategy out the door in favor of shooting blind and hoping something makes a dent. (So far, it's mostly resulted in friendly fire.)
The New York Times calls it a "five-point attack." Politico calls it "highly improvisational". A Clinton aide christened it the "kitchen sink" method. If you want to judge for yourself, here are some gems from the past few days:
The xerox zinger: In the debate, Clinton defended her accusation that Obama plagiarized Massachussetts Gov. Deval Patrick. "Lifting whole passages from someone else's speeches is not change you can believe in, it's change you can Xerox," quipped the junior senator from the Empire State, who has never lifted a phrase in her life. That didn't go over so well with the audience, judging from all the boos.
Kiss and make up: Later in the same debate, Clinton practically sang an ode to Obama. "I am honored -- I am honored -- to be here with Barack Obama," she said, offering her hand to her opponent. Awww... But wait, there's more:
Whatever happens, we're going to be fine ... I just hope that we'll be able to say the same thing about the American people. And that's what this election should be about.
A gesture of concession? Hardly. More likely it was a move to undo the damage wrought by the Xerox quote -- and to woo back key demographics, especially white women. That sugarcoated moment earned her a standing ovation.
Oh, oh, do the one of Barack, that's my favorite: The warm fuzzy feeling soon wore off, though -- instead of sticking to her "ready on day one" pitch at a Sunday rally in Rhode Island, Clinton did her best Obama impression (gesticulation included) for an appreciative crowd:
I could just stand up here and say ‘Let’s just get everybody together, let’s get unified.’ The sky will open, the light will come down, celestial choirs will be singing and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect.
Straight out of "Karl Rove's playbook": At a rally in Ohio, a supporter handed Clinton pamphlets the Obama campaign was distributing on her healthcare plans -- information she called misleading. "Shame on you, Barack Obama," she scolded afterward, brandishing the offending fliers at reporters. (Who wants to bet that supporter was prompted?)
My best constituents are black! In a more passive-aggressive show of strength, Clinton was the only candidate to appear at the annual State of the Black Union in Louisiana last weekend (Obama offered to send his wife Michelle instead). There's nothing better than courting a reluctant demographic and kicking your rival under the table at the same time.
What's in a turban? Obama staffers wigged out at a Drudge report that Clinton campaign members had been circulating photos of the Illinois senator donning local dress in Kenya. It's not like he's the first public figure to don the local garb -- check out Calvin Coolidge in a Native American headdress. The campaign took hours to deny any role in their distribution, but given the long leash Clinton has given to overenthusiastic staffers (up until she fires them) it's hard to take them at their word.
How many kitchen appliances do you think she's got left for tonight's showdown? Post your thoughts below.



Miss Hillary is toast.........she won't last to March 4th
Posted by: Vectorpedia (Rick) | February 28, 2008 at 05:15 AM
"Regardless of Hillary's experience ..."
What experience?
As head of the assassination team that tried to trash the character of any woman who dared to expose BubbaJeff's sexual predations?
Posted by: Chuck | February 27, 2008 at 04:49 PM
When Obama becomes President, he will have to make a tremendous CHANGE. He will have to establish a new Cabinet Post. He must return to the Medivial Era and appoint his "Court Jester" to his cabinet. The person to be appointed must accept CHANGE and be ready for the first question: HRC.
Posted by: JB Perdomo | February 27, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Hillary's reference to the SNL skit on a debate was completely justified, and this blatantly biased opinion article is merely one additional proof of many others in the media. Shame on you, Los Angeles Times.
Posted by: Y10 | February 27, 2008 at 12:24 PM
@James Miller. Hey, everybody that Clinton pardoned had already faced a trial, or been sentenced and done their time. Even Mark Rich was pardoned if he returned and paid his civil fines. The uproar made it impossible for him to come home and accept the pardon. But hey, the press was outraged by this. On the other hand, Libby was looking at four years or so, and the question there was, will he give up Rove? The vice-president? The president? Bush, like his father, pardoned people in the middle of an active investigation that made it impossible to go after them as the criminals they are.
Bill's brother had done his time. Now he has his record expunged. The circus couple had done their time, and now can do business.
HW Bush pardoned the Iran-Contra conspirators while the special prosecutor was still in business and the target of the investigation was HW Bush. And he pardoned Armand Hammer, one of the sleaziest individuals to ever have a U.S. passport.
Posted by: Jim H | February 27, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Please, having a supporter hand her a pamphlet is "Karl Rove" type tactics? Did you write that? No, more like Karl Rove tactics is accepting the word of Matt Drudge that "the Clinton campaign was circulating" a picture that had already been on right-wing web sites. What Hillary did was react to a Harry & Louise-type smear, and what Obama said afterwards, that it is "entirely accurate," is Rove-like.
Here's what happened. 9 horses in the races, all perceived, at least, to Hillary's left. She moves left, forcing the pack to the rail. Obama made his move rounding the turn ON THE RIGHT; first, repeating Republican lies about Social Security, and then using the MSNBC liars to dredge up all the stuff about Bill and Hill that had been lying dormant because, after all, it was ten years ago. But the multimillionaire Reagan Democrats at MSNBC were partisans, as they proved again last night.
Rove? We'll see him in the general election. Hillary was defeated by typing her like they did with Gore, and Kerry: he or she is a flip-flopper, a liar, an unstable personality who WILL DO ANYTHING TO WIN; Obama will be Dukasisized: he's an alien to us, with swarthy skin and strange customs. You watch. That's Rove. If Obama supporters think that the Clintons have exhibited Rove-like tactics, they've got some big surprises coming. I certainly hope the Chicago pols behind Obama's campaign realize the difference. If they don't, they're sunk.
Posted by: Jim H | February 27, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Hillary voiced her opposition to President Bush's pardoning of Mr. Libby, she failed to voice her opposition to her husband as he handed out 140 Presidential Pardons on their last days in the White House. Is this the first-hand experience she garnered while she was in the White House?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton_pardons_controversy
This list of Pardons include individuals charged with cocaine possession, cocaine distribution, bank fraud, medicaid fraud, tax evasion, wire fraud, tax evasion, securities fraud, armed robbery, etc etc..
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pardonchartlst.htm
According to Wikipedia, "In March 2000, Bill Clinton pardoned Edgar and Vonna Jo Gregory, owners of the carnival company United Shows International, for charges of bank fraud from a 1982 conviction (the couple were already out of jail, but the prior conviction prevented them from doing business transactions in certain states). First Lady Hillary Clinton's youngest brother, Tony Rodham, was an acquaintance of the Gregorys, and had lobbied Clinton on their behalf.[11] In October 2006, the group Judicial Watch filed a request with the U.S. Justice Department for an investigation, alleging that Rodham had received $107,000 from the Gregorys for the pardons, in the form of loans that were never repaid, as part of a quid pro quo scheme.[12]"
And what about the substantial donations to the Clinton Library and Hillary's senate Campaign by fugitive Mark Rich, who was pardoned by the Clintons...
Susan McDougal was pardoned for her role in the Whitewater scandal.
Roger Clinton, Bill's half-brother was pardoned on drug charges.
Does the Pardon process work or is it shamefully abused? What are Obama's thoughts on this topic?
Best regards,
James Miller
Posted by: James Miller | February 27, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Hillary: going, going, gone!
Posted by: Mauricio Galvão Anderson | February 27, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Regardless of Hillary's experience and ability, it's time the country moved past the Clinton-Bush era. A McCain-Obama election would present us with an entirely new choice. We could finally turn the page on a dark period of American politics.
Posted by: Hunt | February 27, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Dear Editor in Chief: The Los Angeles Times is quickly becoming the Fox News of the Democratic Party. The shift is obvious. In order to save the future reputation of the L.A. Times, I seriously suggest that the organization rethink its mission.
Posted by: Dean | February 27, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Calvin Coolidge had good reason to wear an Indian head dress--he was part Indian, a fact which he mentioned in his autobiography and of which he was proud. (As far as I know, he was the first president to state publicly his Native American heritage.) Indians were also grateful to Cal for on June 2, 1924, he signed legislation making them U.S. citizens. He used his executive authority on occasion to wave for civil service requirement so that Native Americans could assume goverment positions. The Coolidge administration followed a policy stressing education and assimilation, which unfortunately was abondoned under the New Deal.
Posted by: sage of oxford | February 27, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Hillary looked and sounded her usual pathetic self. When she uses her plastic smile her face looks like it will crack at any minute. When she speaks her voice is shrill and annoying. I don't want to see that face or hear that voice for 4 yeas. It's over.
Clintons GO HOME!!!
Posted by: kathy walsh | February 27, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Hillary really pulls out all the stops when she accused the media of being tough on her. Poo hoo!!! Lets not forget the only reason she made it as far as she did is because she IS A WOMAN!!!!! If she were a man, would any of you white women so adamantly throw your support behind her??? No way, she was given a free pass to basically be coronated the Democratic presidential candidate, and had an Ex-president and the entire democratic machine behind her? What happened? Hillary happened. She is a total and utter fake, and the country sees it. The less exposure she gets the better, she is downright unlikeable, and ruthless. The more she talks, the worse it gets. Kind of funny, you can't make a pig into a racehorse.
And the whole experience bit. Does she really expect the world to believe that because she is a first lady, that it is the same as being president? And she has proven that she is unable to perform. The whole healthcare blunder, she blames the failure on the insurance lobby. Lets look at the facts, she had a democratic house and congress, and she was married the president!!!! The stars were all aligned!!!! How much more can you ask for? And she failed, because she can't get along with anyone, would be useless as a president. You can't make a pig into a racehorse, and she is proof.
Posted by: Sam | February 27, 2008 at 06:31 AM
Correction:
Democrats need to start realizing that there is much at stake here, and crazy Clinton has a much poorer chance of winning a general election against McCain than does Obama. In that contest, I'd vote Nader. Dems in the coming contests need to favor electability in their decisions.
An independent woman (and independent thinker) who re-registered as a Democrat to vote for Obama, I will not vote for Clinton, even if she wins the nomination with the help of connected, establishment Dems in the guise of super-duper-delegates.
There are many of me out there. Clinton is not a woman of integrity. She is a narcissistic, power-mongering, obnoxious egomaniac. If she's elected, every decision will be based on whether it will get her reelected.
I want to see a woman president in my lifetime, but, please, not this woman. What an embarrassment to women. I would like to see Obama get a little tougher with her, and call it like it is, instead of being quite so gracious. But I guess his graciousness is why he'll be able to build a coalition to get things done, which she will not.
Posted by: teacher | February 27, 2008 at 06:03 AM
Democrats need to start realizing that there is much at stake here, and crazy Clinton has a much poorer chance of winning a general election against Obama than does McCain. In that contest, I'd vote Nader. Dems in the coming contests need to favor electability in their decisions.
An independent woman (and independent thinker) who re-registered as a Democrat to vote for Obama, I will not vote for Clinton, even if she wins the nomination with the help of connected, establishment Dems in the guise of super-duper-delegates.
There are many of me out there. Clinton is not a woman of integrity. She is a narcissistic, power-mongering, obnoxious egomaniac. If she's elected, every decision will be based on whether it will get her reelected.
I want to see a woman president in my lifetime, but, please, not this woman. What an embarrassment to women. I would like to see Obama get a little tougher with her, and call it like it is, instead of being quite so gracious. But I guess his graciousness is why he'll be able to build a coalition to get things done, which she will not.
Posted by: teacher | February 27, 2008 at 05:59 AM
Interesting article in today's THE TIMES in London UK.
Posted by: politics12 | February 27, 2008 at 04:42 AM
Hillary is simply useless:
-she fails to accounts campaign funds entrusted by supporters.
-she readily throws blame at helpless subordinates for any losses.
-she failed as a First Lady when endowed with worldly resourses at White House to inspire Bill who had to turn to Monica.
-she readily steals credits at whatever cost to benefit herself. She stole the limelight at Texas debate by displaying crocodile tears for American victims devastated by roadside bombs abd snipers in Iraq war, which is of her own doing by giving vote to Bush going to war in Iraq.
-she is an oppurtunist of the highest order who readily changes position at whatever cost to benefit herself. Currently she is campaigning to rewrite NAFTA signed by Bill and denying that she had earlier supported NAFTA which has resulted thosands of jobs moving offshores from Texas and Ohio.
Posted by: ishak abdulhalim | February 27, 2008 at 04:00 AM
What I see is a Hillary hellbent upon securing the nomination by fair means or foul. She obviously lacks Obama's people appeal and his perceived integrity. The more people see her, the less they like her. But no matter, she wants the nomination and she "deserves" the nomination and by George she'll never give up until the Party takes the nomination from her clenched teeth. Why does this woman want to run for President so bad? Does she not know that 45% of the nation's voters dislike her intently?
Posted by: Sooku | February 27, 2008 at 03:32 AM
Hillary is lost. We do not want an erratic person as President. The way she engage people (destroying others that don't listen her non sense), is distrative and not healthy for the Country.
I am Republican...but I will vote for Obama.
Yes we can!
Posted by: pedro | February 27, 2008 at 03:11 AM
The lair shall learn to speak the truth! This includes the Billary team, and friends.
May God bless us all, and restore our Souls from fear to Peace...
Obama/Edwards 2008
¡La guarida aprenderá hablar la verdad! Esto incluye al equipo de Billary, y a amigos. El dios de mayo nos bendice todos, y restaura nuestras almas del miedo a la paz... Obama/Edwards 2008
Posted by: Elijah | February 27, 2008 at 02:48 AM
For cryin' out loud! Stop beating up on the little white girl!
Since when America allowed that kind of behavior toward our female citizens to go on without cryin' out loud for it to stop. So Stop! Stop criticizing Hillary. Yes, she beautifully spoke at the Black State of the Union Forum and where was Obama? He showed all yall Black folks something didn't he after he got your votes.
He told yall to kiss his ass and went on about his business and offered to send his black wife who could better blend in that "ghetto atmosphere." Too bad Michele isn't the one running for President instead of her husband. She and Hillary have guts.
Posted by: Concern | February 27, 2008 at 02:34 AM
I say let us all unite and get back at the media and vote up like crazy for Hillary. If we don't we are all going to rue the day voting for a man who is only half American and most Americans don't know anything about. People are just voting for him because of the prejudice media machine telling them to do so. Remenber the rich and shady people (and the media)who are backing Obama don't need to rely on hope and change so they can afford to put their money behind him. The rest of us cannot pay our bills on hope. Remember that when you have to pay the high tax bill he has presented. Be smart America and put your vote behind Hillary before its too late.
Posted by: BLOCKobama | February 27, 2008 at 02:07 AM
she has anti charisma... a bad air about her...
Posted by: David lee | February 27, 2008 at 01:56 AM
Geez, I was so for Hillary at the beginning of this campaign... but over time just cannot stand her attacks and accusations .....her campaigns lame tactics use of both gender and race cards. Her campaign people are so so lame... Us Americans are a bit smarter than you think. I just can't stand it... and I for one do not want to see someone like this lead our country....
Posted by: Jenny | February 26, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Hillary's deepest resentment comes from her sense of entitlement and privelage going all the way back to her privileged origins on Chicago's North Shore. And her position is being challenged by whom? Someone who has lived and worked ,not on behalf of himself, but of others less fortunate from the wrong side of Chicago. Her reactions show all the bristling reaction of someone faced with the temerity of a Barack Obama to whom she is really saying: Keep in your place. The South Carolina primary wasn't just a watershed: it was a revelation and unmaksing of Hillary's real sentiments. Why doesn't she just come out and call Obama "boy".
Posted by: Barry | February 26, 2008 at 10:46 PM