Wanna see a rightwing site REALLY twist and parse?

[wyldwolf]

First, this post is about Bill and Hillary. Second, I realize some of you may not like them or may disagree with what is said. My point isn't to open yet another debate on the Clintons or abortion but to open another one on the rightwing media...

ok, exhibit 1: The LA Times from July 13:

Clinton Defends Wife's Abortion Remarks

WASHINGTON -- Former President Clinton, defending his senator-wife's statements on abortion, said Wednesday that Democrats are held to a double standard.

The comment came during remarks to Campus Progress, a left-leaning student group. He said young people in his party should speak directly to conservative voters.

He contended that Republicans have defined the abortion debate in a way that boxes in Democrats.

"So for example, if you're a Democrat and you have sort of normal impulses, you're a sellout, like when Hillary said abortion is a tragedy for virtually everybody who undergoes it, we ought to do all we can to reduce abortion," Clinton said.

"All of a sudden," he continued, the media began asking, "'Is she selling out? Is she abandoning her principles?' But if John McCain, who's pro-life, works with Hillary on global warming, he's a man of principle moving to the middle."

"It's nuts," the former president said.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-clinton-abortion,1,685737.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

now... exhibit B, or, how a rightwing site interpreted this:

Bill Clinton Complains of Media Pro-Abortion Bias

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Complaining that the media's pro-abortion bias is "nuts," former US president Bill Clinton compared the abortion issue to global warming.

"If you're a Democrat and you have sort of normal impulses, you're a sell-out, like when Hillary said abortion is a tragedy for virtually everybody who undergoes it, we ought to do all we can to reduce abortion," Clinton claimed, according to an Associated Press report.

"All of a sudden," Clinton continued, the media clamoured, "'Is she selling out? Is she abandoning her principles?' But if John McCain, who's pro-life, works with Hillary on global warming, he's a man of principle moving to the middle."

"It's nuts," he added.

Sen. Clinton, despite her husband's opposite contention, has consistently supported legalized abortion...

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jul/05071402.html

First, Bill Clinton has never contended that Hillary doesn't support legalized abortion. Secondly, Clinton wasn't complaining about any media "pro-abortion bias." As the LA Time article says, Clinton suggested (and in my opinion he's accurate) that the media holds Democrats to a double standard.

At least the rightwing site reminded us that Hillary has indeed called for abortion to remain legal, has advocated expanding embryonic stem cell research, and has declared contraception "basic health care for women."

For that, I guess she's going to hell. (sarcasm)

[BlakeB]

1. In the words of Hank Rutherford Hill:

"God I miss voting for that man." Stupid double standard.

[Inland]

2. Exactly what I've said here

even using McCain as an example of how a moderate statement from anyone but the Clintons gets a showering of love while a moderate statement from Hillary or Bill gets calls of sellout.

Like the Hate Clinton republicans, everyone assumes that everything the Clintons say is calculated to appeal to conservatives, no matter how un-conservative it is.

[ArkDem]

3. Actually, it would be calculated to appeal to whomever they

were speaking with.

[Inland]

5. That's the premise. But there's no reason to believe that's so.

Rather, both Clintons simply take moderate stands and get pilloried for it by people who don't believe that anyone can take a moderate stand in good faith or by people who simply pillory anyone who disagrees with them. The meme is that the Clintons calculate for appeal, thanks to the right wing media. It gets repeated here by those who join causes.

[ArkDem]

8. I've known the Clinton's since the mid seventies. We are NOT

speaking of memes here. Although whem you break down the word (Me Me) it does start to add some clarity.

[lvx35]

4. I don't know.

How much love do you think McCain gets from the freep right when he steps toward the middle? Not much. I don't think we're obliged to clap for Hillary when she does it.

[Inland]

6. McCain doesn't get any love when he says something not-insane

from the right. He's praised for moderation by the left.

Yet Clinton doesn't get praised for moderation by the left. He's a traitor or a DINO or calculatedly shifting, and the same with Hillary. It's just an example of how we would rather have a rightwinger who takes a moderate stand on an issue or two than a liberal who takes a moderate stand on an issue or two.

I really don't care what the freep right does. They aren't my model citizens.

[lvx35]

7. The problem with Hillary

Isn't so much that she embraces some "right wing" issues. I agree that abortions are tragedies. She should focus on creating a society that is welcoming to children, and that means healthcare. But she should stick our flag in it, make it our thing. When we have to move to the right on something, we need to claim it as our own...not look like we're flip flopping.
I think Hillary is a great woman, and she could be president. Nevertheless, she is out of touch with Dems fighting on the front lines. The greatest problem we have is the perception that we are weak, and a lot of Hillary's causes don't help. The mommy legislation, things like banning smoking in bars or going after the guy who put the naughty porno easter egg in Grand Theft Auto while Rove is being indicted are killing us. What we need Hillary to do is stand up and be proud about how she represents Bill Clinton and his legacy of wealth and prosperity for the American people, and the rule of law. We need them to take strong stands behind these core issues right now, we need the appearance of permanence, because a sense permanence attracts conservatives.