Senator Clinton has impressed me for the first time in weeks

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

This may sound harsh, but my Hillary apologist credentials are in very good order, so I can say this.

I value Senator Clinton's ruthlessness. I think it is necessary in 2008.

When I watched her presser about the resolution of the hostage situation I cringed because I felt she was milking it. (subjective view, but that's how I saw it)

Then Chris Matthews, who has been spewing hate at her like nobody's business, comes on dumb-struck over how wonderful Hillary was... just the right tone, just what American's want in a politician. And all his guests agreed. Roger Simon was gushing over her sincerity and unaffected manner, and how it's great for people to see her human side. And that scarf was just perfect! (He actually said that.)

Now, if I hated Hillary I'd focus on the fact she seemed to be milking a terrible incident. And if I loved Hillary I would be impressed with her profound sincerity.

But as someone who favors Clinton only for practical reasons because I think is the best instrument to break the Republican party (as candidate and as president), I was delighted. She had the gall to milk it and the skill to get away with it! She's shameless and surprisingly good. And I thought, now this is what I want to run against the republicans.

[liberalnurse]

1. Exactly!

She is the ONE!O8)

[skipos]

2. I think HRC is the candidate most likely to ensure partisan gridlock if elected

Republicans will be a pain in to anyone, but I think they will put forth extra effort in making her Presidency as unproductive and difficult as possible.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

3. They cannot be broken without confrontation

[skipos]

10. No one advocates avoiding confrontation

Some Presidents, like LBJ, get a lot done. Some, like Carter, come in with ideas but aren't good at achieving them (and this isn't a swipe at Carter, I think he is a good man). I don't see Clinton "breaking" anyone, and Republicans will delight in ruining her Presidency more than any of our candidates.

Just my opinion. Maybe I will be wrong.

[cuke]

13. Wrong again

Obama is

[Bongo Prophet]

30. Obama makes a point about bipartisan healing. I prefer beating them down a bit first.

They will stab us in the back if we let them get close.
After all the spying on congressional computers, vote fixing, character assassinations, accusations of treason, etc etc.
.
.
.
.
I am not ready to make nice.

A few decades in the wilderness would do them good.

[hedgehog]

34. Take the swipe at Carter, he deserves it! He came into office talking a

good story and I had high expectations. The walk down Pennsylvania Avenue: priceless. But then, for whatever reasons, he just couldn't deliver. He reinstituted registration for the draft and didn't get us out of the torture business in Central America. IMO, he listened to too many of the old hands and didn't follow his own gut feelings.

[Taverner]

6. But if all they have is the Supremes, there's not much they'll be able to do

[ronnykmarshall]

17. Don't be talking shit about The Supremes ....

[Bongo Prophet]

24. Yes, STOP in the name of Love, before you break my heart.

Think it over ;)

[cuke]

8. Yes, the repukes will definitely hold back for the Dems not named Clinton

After all, look how gentle they were with Gore and Kerry

[Olney Blue]

9. Which is why she or any other of our Dems need a Dem Congress too.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

12. We will not be losing congress., though the pugs will still have the filibuster

I doubt we are going to have 60 Senators anytime soon

[1corona4u]

4. I didn't think she was milking it...

well, maybe for a second, but then I started to think she was just acknowledging, and thanking all of the campaign workers. I thought she seemed very sincere.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

7. My perception could be way off... but I'm more impressed with political skill than sincerity

Heck, I know lots of sincere people, but I don't know any world class politicians.

[emilyg]

37. Agree.

[Catherine Vincent]

5. I was shocked that Matthews said she looked presidential.

I guess he'll go back to bashing her next week.

[1corona4u]

11. I think Chris has a love-hate relationship...

with her. One day he likes her, the next day, he slams her...tomorrow is another day...

[Cameron27]

16. I don't think there's any love there,

if anything this was grudging respect.

[Bongo Prophet]

31. I think you're right, with a bit of shock thrown in. The man has issues, for sure.

Predictably unpredictable, that man's moods are as bipolar as his blood sugar levels. :)

[BeyondGeography]

19. He once called her "majestic" after a debate

he has his moments, but it's hard to conclude that he doesn't use the occasional compliments as an excuse to do what he really likes, which is tear into her.

In other words, she'll pay for this. :evilgrin:

[maddiejoan]

27. and dearly.

I'm afraid you're right.

[napi21]

14. I didn't think she was milking it at all! If she hadn't said anything to the

Press tonight, you and everyody else would have been bitching! She said, as far as I cn tell, the facts. She was in touch with the families of the hostage victims, and with the police, she was very happy this all ended without anyone getting hurt, she thanked her campaign workers, and said I gotta go now.

What did YOU want?

[stillcool]

15. I must have missed something...

what was there for her to say? I mean, based upon the information that law enforcement had released?

[maddiejoan]

22. For me it was the fact that she didn't.

She didn't grandstand.

She didn't politicize it.

She didn't milk it.

She was just there. Present. Honest. Real.

I saw the real woman behind Hillary --or at least a glimpse.

I liked what I saw.

[maddiejoan]

18. Her handling of this situation tonight --

--is what finally tipped me over the edge to actively supporting her and deciding she has my Primary vote. (Not like I'll make a big difference in NY)

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

21. I may be too cynical. But either way, we see different things but both like her.

And that's valuable. She can appeal to a bitter old cynic like me while also appealing to much nicer (or better adjusted) people, which you probably are.

I genuinely value that in a politician.

[Cameron27]

20. I was very impressed with the way she handled it,

no milking at all IMO.

[K Gardner]

23. I thought she handled it with poise and dignity. n/t

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

29. Then she did... how much to say or how to say it is subjective, and she obviously did it right.

And, judging from the general reaction, I would have done it wrong.

And that appeals to me... I want a candidate to have a much better idea of what seems appropriate than I do. It's their job.

[Bongo Prophet]

33. That is how i saw it as well. I think that's what pundits were impressed with.

It bypassed their inner narrative, and it kind of blew their minds for a bit.
Took them off their GAME as it were.

Real life, that could have even affected THEM, and Hillary with a very low key response.
It may have trigered a bit of repressed shame too - the 'perfect scarf" type comment to cover the blush of embarrassment.
But maybe I read too much into their minds, eh?


Glad everyone was safe.
Heck, even the cops showed restraint.

This could have turned out far differently, and yet everyone kept their cool and ended it without disaster.
A good thing indeed.

[Auntie Bush]

25. The future Madam President impressed me too.

I was truly shocked to hear Tweety actually praise her. Every time I hate him...he rejuvenates himself. Keep it up Tweety and I'll stay tuned in.

[maddiejoan]

26. It was her Dean Scream

in reverse.

[Cameron27]

28. Madam President

better have a certain retired general in her administration lol. (and I'm almost sure she will)

[Auntie Bush]

45. She damn right better! I wish I was sure then I could sleep better

and I'd be such a happy person...you wouldn't be able to get the smile off my face and I'd look like I had pogo sticks for legs. That would be such great news!

[Andromeda]

46. You're so funny Auntie...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[AX10]

32. Hillary is one of the few who will break the partisan...

gridlock because she will bust the GOP's nuts.

[maddiejoan]

35. With the GOP proclivity towards BDSM --

--as revealed by recent scandals.

They will probably thank her after she crushes their nuts too.

[hedgehog]

36. You mean the same way she's done so in the Senate? nt

[maddiejoan]

38. Because as we all know --

--a Junior Senator has the same exact power as the President of the United States.

:sarcasm:

[hedgehog]

39. Senator Clinton occupies a unique position in American politics.

In 2006, she not only failed to come out against the war, she refused to debate an anti-war candidate. watching someone come out against such issues as flag burning and violent video games does not give me confidence that she's learned to stand up to Republicans. The first Clinton folded on the promise of universal health care, how do I know the same thing won't happen with a second Clinton administration?

[maddiejoan]

40. She didn't come out against the War in 2006?

Huh. That's funny --I could have sworn she announced back in 2005 that her IWR vote was a mistake. I know she announced that as President she would end the Iraq War.

Other than the farce whipped up about her IWR vote and her support of Kyl/Lieberman, I don't see how she is viewed as "Pro-war". Neither stance was "Pro-War". It's astonishing to me.
One could argue that they were ill-advised, I suppose. Which anti-war candidate did she refuse to debate. I don't recall this? Can you enlighten me?

I see no problem with her opinion of violent video games. I share them. Flag Burning? Who cares --that's just a sop to an issue that'll never gain traction anyway.

Health Care has always been Hillary's baby. Blaming her for her Husband's failures to get her plans through is rather bizarre.

[hedgehog]

41. If she was against the war before election day, 2006, she certainly

kept it a secret from people in upstate New York! She's been playing it safe for years getting ready for this presidential season. If elected, I would expect her to continue to play it safe to ensure her re-election. If re-elected, I'd expect her to avoid any controversies ahead of the mid-terms. Along about 2014 there might be an effort to create a legacy.



Check this out:

June 14, 2006
Senator Clinton was met with loud booing, hissing, and protest chants during a speech at a conference of left-leaning Democrats yesterday when she repeated her view that American troops should stay the course in Iraq

http://www.nysun.com/article/34404


June, 2006: Stay the course.

I rest my case.

[maddiejoan]

42. I notice you quote the editorialist --

--but not Hillary.

Here's what she is quoted as saying:

"I do not think it is a smart strategy, either, for the president to continue with his open-ended commitment, which I think does not put enough pressure on the new Iraqi government," said Mrs. Clinton, as protesters stood up and began chanting "Bring the troops home, bring the troops home."

"Nor do I think it is smart strategy to set a date certain. I do not agree that that is in the best interests," she said. While some applauded Mrs. Clinton as she left the stage, a group of several dozen continued booing her until she had left the hall.


I'd encourage you to read her speech of July 10, 2007

http://usliberals.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=usliberals&cdn=newsissues&tm=19&f=20&tt=2&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.hillaryclinton.com/news/speech/view/%3Fid%3D2366

<snip>
Today President Bush will speak once again to the nation about Iraq. Our message to the President is clear: it is time to begin ending this war. Not next year, not next month, but today. We have heard for years that as the Iraqis stand up, our troops will stand down. Every year we hear about how next year, they may start coming home. Now we are hearing a new version of that very familiar song from the President. He claims that we can, with slight adjustments, stay the course.
<snip>

[hedgehog]

43. Sounds like she was taking both sides of the issue back then, too.

[maddiejoan]

44. yeah yeah yeah

blah blah blah.

you're like a broken record with that shit.