Has anyone brought up Hillary's Makaka moment? If they haven't,.... they will.

[liberalitch]

She made a horrible joke at a speech (I don't remember what the occasion was, but it's been about three years). It was a stereo typing joke about Indians and convenience stores, Ghandi was mentioned.
I'm sure that I am not the only one who remembers that.

[ElizabethDC]

1. No, you're not the only one who remembers it

it's been discussed several times here already.

[evlbstrd]

2. I thought that was Biden.

[Lerkfish]

4. me too, and it wasn't a speech but a walk by with cameras rolling.

at least, that's what I remember

[Jane Austin]

12. It was in a speech in St. Louis at an event for a candidate for Senate

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/elec04.s.mo.farmer.clinton.ap/

[Lerkfish]

15. thanks. I didn't remember that, but I did remember the Biden thing, or think I do anyhow.

[Debi]

5. It was Biden w/the 7-11 and Indian

Clinton did Ghandi (He used to run a gas station in St. Louis..)

[evlbstrd]

21. Ah, yes.

So many Macaca moments.

[Lerkfish]

3. I must be remembering wrong: I thought it was someone else...biden, maybe?

[youngdem]

6. Comes up often. Since the American-Indian vote is small, I'm sure it means little for her

I mean really, these stories hurt Repukes with moderates, but have less weight with a Dem. What is a voter going to do - decide that because she made a bad joke about convenience store clerks(the same one the Simpsons makes every episode) they are now going to vote for Guiliani, McCain or Romney? Any one of those jokers has a hood in his closet when compared to Hillary. So really, it ain't gonna do much.

Plus, you have to consider the fact that there is a real percentage of people who actually might LIKE that sort of thing, and think that it softens up her image as a mushy, oversensitive liberal. So, there is a certain risk for the corporate media in bringing it up.

[ElizabethDC]

8. She actually enjoys significant support among Indian-Americans

and I'm sure that if anyone remembers the joke, they do. But she's received some endorsements from the Indian-American community. I'll try to find some links.

[karynnj]

16. Look at the link upthread to the CNN story

It was not about 7 11s, that was Biden - it was a joke saying, pretending to think Ghandhi was a gas station attendent in St Louis. It was thoughtless given Ghandhi's reputation and importance, which goes beyond the Indian population. I was told of it 3 years ago by a very offended Indian American neighbor, who was mystified why a person of Hillary's stature would say that.

[sandnsea]

7. gas stations and gandhi

It was a ridiculous remark, but she apologized for it straight up. I think the right will smear her on opportunism and corruption, things like this Gandhi comment probably won't even come up.

[AtomicKitten]

9. wasn't that Biden's "makaka" moment?

:shrug:

edited for snark

[Jane Austin]

11. Here's a link to the AP story about Hillary's Ghandi remark:

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/elec04.s.mo.farmer.clinton.ap/

The accompanying picture shows how much more put-together and poised she is now.

[AtomicKitten]

14. thanks for the link

I didn't realize she was still apologizing for what is now stale if not ancient history.

[AZBlue]

17. Oh, AK, I don't get it.

Is it really that much of a stereotype? Is it just me, living in Arizona, where I don't see any one race or nationality owning gas stations more than any other?? I mean, if she'd said he worked at the Circle K or 7-11 I could see the problem - and that's not me being prejudiced, we have the Simpsons to thank for that stereotype (and here in AZ I see more women behind the counter in convenince stores than anyone else, so I'm really not being prejudiced). Wasn't it just a really lame joke about who she was quoting that is being picked apart?????

[ElizabethDC]

18. It's very common for Indians to own gas stations and has become a popular stereotype

I drive up and down the East Coast a lot, and it seems that about a third of gas stations are owned by Indians. Additionally, it's something that my Indian friends joke about a lot.

[AZBlue]

22. Ah...thanks for the clarification!

Out here in Arizona, I'm a little out of the loop - in more ways than one, lol.

[ElizabethDC]

23. It's okay - I think the majority of American-Indians live on the East Cost

I know they're most populous in New Jersey.

[AZBlue]

26. Yes, and there aren't many here in Arizona unfortunately.

We're not a very mixed crowd here. Quite a culture shock for me when I moved from NY and DC to Arizona!!!

[AtomicKitten]

19. What it is is an avenue for the Media Heathers to explore

and those that already hate Hillary to cackle over. If folks insist it was a fumble and she made a mistake, she apologized to assuage the delicate sensibilities she ruffled and apparently is STILL apologizing. Sometimes stating a simple reality is conveniently and gratuitously construed as having all kinds of nasty implications.

Trust me, this crap is like water off a duck's back. The one thing about Hillary is that she stood tall during the 1990s jihad waged against her husband's White House and stands tall in the wake of the nasty shit spewed about her on the internets.

In other words, like you I conclude BFD.

In the words of a Bill Clinton spoof on SNL: "I am bulletproof. Next time best bring kryptonite."

[AZBlue]

20. Good points, all around.

As she said the other day, what more can they do to her? I have to give her credit - after what's she's already been through, she's willing to take them on again. She's got even more strength than I originally thought she did! It's pretty inspiring really.

[AtomicKitten]

24. something that pisses off the Clinton haters on both the right and left

is that they almost grow stronger with this stuff ... it's remarkable and also comforting to know in case she does get the nod in light of how dirty the GOP plays.

Something people may be loathe to admit is the fact that she is running a virtually flawless campaign. She is strong in debates, sets herself apart from the others, and tells some inconvenient truths such as chastising those that would promise what they cannot deliver currently, i.e., an instantaneous end to the war. All the candidates have pledged as their first priority to end the war; in that capacity it is possible.

Still I'm hoping Gore jumps in. He seems to bridge the great divide among Democrats.

[AZBlue]

25. It does piss them off, doesn't it?

What fun! I just hope she's having as much fun with it as we are!

Her campaign is truly grounded and real - and, as you pointed out, she doesn't tolerate B.S. I knew she'd have a good campaign, but again she's exceeded my expectations. The detractors will always find something to hate about her (because otherwise they'll implode) but when viewed through a realistic lens, she's doing extremely well.

As for Gore....I don't know what to make of the situation. I would just love to see him run - but if he is going to, why the wait??! Perhaps there's a behind-the-scenes motive for the delay that will in the end help his bid, but I can't figure it out.

[AtomicKitten]

27. he's screwing with the media

using them for a change

[Jane Austin]

10. I cringed when I heard it back then,

and I cringe to think of it now.

Her explanation was that she was tired, but I can't imagine being so tired that I would make an insensitive remark like that - especially in front of an audience.

Looking back, I wonder if that was when she began to lose some of her shine for me. I used to be a big fan, but I'm less so today.

[rinsd]

13. Who will bring it up? The Republicans? Indo-Americans love Hillary.