Peggy Noonan: At This Point You Either Understand The Problem With Hillary Or You Don't

Wall Street Journal :

I think we've reached a signal point in the campaign. This is the point where, with Hillary Clinton, either you get it or you don't. There's no dodging now. You either understand the problem with her candidacy, or you don't. You either understand who she is, or not. And if you don't, after 16 years of watching Clintonian dramas, you probably never will.

That's what the Bosnia story was about. Her fictions about dodging bullets on the tarmac -- and we have to hope they were lies, because if they weren't, if she thought what she was saying was true, we are in worse trouble than we thought -- either confirmed what you already knew (she lies as a matter of strategy, or, as William Safire said in 1996, by nature) or revealed in an unforgettable way (videotape! Smiling girl in pigtails offering flowers!) what you feared (that she lies more than is humanly usual, even politically usual).

Read the whole story: Wall Street Journal

Comments

[Thomei]

After reading all these terrible Hillary supporter comments about the right wing, I'm wondering if they'd change their tune should Hillary get so fed up with the democratic party that she joined the republicans again. Would you all then be pro-republican? Both sides are just people - we're really not the big enemies the press would like you to think.

[barkingcat]

From the Noonan column:

"[Hillary Clinton] can't figure out how to win, and she can't accept the idea of not winning."

I concur, and therein lies the crux of the matter, Ms. Noonan.

[ProfessorDuh]

Well put, Ms. Noonan. Nice to have the rare treat of a Republican sounding rational.

[gayleg]

Obama people are closet Rethugs.

I knew it. All the DEMOCRATS I know are for Hillary.

[borderorder]

You should get out more.

[Kalima]

Shame that you know so few Democrats then. Suggest you make more friends.

[Kim445588]

Interesting, I don't have any friends or family who are for Hillary. I guess it's all about the demographics.

Most people I know will vote for her is she wins FAIRLY though.

[roesch]

I got it about Hillary long before the Bosina story--and while Noonan may not have got it about Bush, as many others did not, she has it right here. Really can we just quietly close the score on the Clinton Bush walz around the white house, and play a new song?

[ProfessorDuh]

Actually, I think you'd better reexamine Hillary "endorse McCain as commander in chief" Clinton on that score.

[samuraijack]

Note to Peggy: You were a hateful witch when you worked for the idiot Reagan, who, despite the hype, was the most ridiculous person to ever be president-even more than W. You remain a spiteful old bag, you are a dreg.

[StillAmused]

Ms. Noonan will be serving hors d'oeuvres in the GOP lounge... right after the oil crew wipes her down.

Look up "obsequious". You'll find a picture of Peg.

O'bots, this is the apologist-laureate who helped feed you all those neocon lies on doilies, with her overworked diction and above-it-all affect. Look up "Stockholm Syndrome", and be careful picking new friends while you're in a delirious stupor.

[natasyenehc]

A lot of hate seems to be directed at Peggy Norman here - obviously irate Hilary fans.

Though admittedly I have never heard of her before, and am not aware of her past transgressions (if any), this article and her views are spot on, I dare say. Incisive and painfully so, for Hilary.

One thing about Hilary, and I donno if it's just me - but she comes across as so fake - her emotions her body language just doesn't come across as genuine. Maybe that's why she isn't winning - people can see through her .....

[skidz12]

Hey, it sucks that a repub said it but it's true. If you've been blind enough to buy the Clinton spin till' now you ain't gonna stop now no matter how painfully obvious her scam becomes. Too bad too because it's exactly that kind of ignorance that led to two terms of Bush. If we keep electing all the wrong people to all the wrong positions because we're too ignorant, lazy or prejudice to elect the right ones then we've got nobody to blame but ourselves when we fall like ROME.

[coolaid]

Irregardless of what Peggy Noonan or anyone else in the republican party think, I must say this campaign has revealed the "say-anything, do-anything" to get elected politics of Hilliary Clinton. The BS-nia story is a perfect example of why I don't believe her "reasons" for voting to authorize the war in Iraq.
IMO, Hiliary's Iraq vote was all about positioning herself for a future run at the presidency, however it backfired for her and unfortunately 4000 brave Americans and tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians have had to pay a dear price.

[CoulterIsASuccubus]

Why is HuffPo printing ANYTHING by Peggy Noonan? What next, Ann Coulter?

[newunderground]

I think I hear the fat lady singing. Yes, There it is. Do ya hear it Hillary?
Na Na Na Na Nannana HEEY HEEY GOODBYE,
At least Bill has Charisma. Hillary has nothing. Unelectable. Even half the democrats are starting to hate her and her odious team.

[gayleg]

Hillary is funny, well-spoken and scary-smart. She's more real than her husband but she has lots of charisma.

You've clearly been brainwashed. You need to stop automatically accepting everything you hear on the Anti Hillary media and blogs and start seeing HRC for who she is.

[neocon43]

That was Reverend Wright singing.Ye­s, half the democrats hate her and half like her .Why do you think this race is where it is basically even and split.I would suggest that Obama is unelectibl­e.When the news starts coming out about his ties to a terrorist things are really going to get good !

[newunderground]

I can walk AND chew gum at the same time. I can loathe Peggy Noonan, while still loathing Hillary. See, it's easy.

[jnratliff]

The thing you have to understand is peggy nooner is a lying republican fool!

[Rog49Thomas]

Sisster Peggy is a Republican apologist.

When she begins calling the "lies" (or mis speakings) of the Republicans, then I will listen to her.

Until then ....

Folks, let's not get distracted. The goal in 2008 is a Democratic President not President McCrazy.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

Anyone who attacks HRC on a legitimate basis isn't all bad.

[LBKN]

"..The goal in 2008 is a Democratic President not President McCrazy...­"

I guess you should have sent Hillary the memo years ago... so she could have acted like a Democrat for the past decade.

[partyofone]

When it comes to analyzing Hillary, Peggy Noonan gets it and shares it in very thoughtful, insightful, revealing ways. Rog49Thomas is clearly one of those who put loyalty to the Clintons over the best interests of the nation. Sad. But as Peggy notes, they will never change. We have to hope that voters with some integrity prevail.

[BitJam]

Clinton is uniting the country in a way that Obama never could. Just like Bush united Iraqis in their hatred of the US occupation, the left and the right in this country have come together in their loathing of all things Clinton.

[Kim445588]

She's uniting all right. Uniting a bunch of conservatives who would otherwise stay home in protest of the "liberal" republican that they got stuck with.

The only thing real conservatives detest more than McCane is a Clinton.

[Bliss]

This is one of the most offensive articles, I mean OPINION pieces (isn't it sick how propagandistic editorials, talk radio and tabloid-worthy gossip have replaced The News?) I've ever read in my life. Peggy Noonan, you are clearly manipulative, that is for sure, and I bet you've heard that a lot growing up (which it's time to.) To suggest that the press tries their darndest to be fair (!) when we all know the bias in the media AGAINST Hillary is deplorable AND irresponsi­ble... and to blame Hillary for the bias against her is a bit like blaming the rape victim for the rape, I'm sorry, but there's no other way to put it. I'm getting as fed up with this latest American trajectory as I did when Bush took office. So she made a misstatement about one incident out of thousands and thousands - who knows what she had been told about the mission? I DON'T CARE for these faux controversies - I CARE WHAT A PRESIDENT WILL DO FOR ME AND FOR MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW AMERICANS FOR THE NEXT 4 TO 8 TO HOPEFULLY 16 YEARS if Hillary and Barack team up. There is only one candidate who has the results to back up the promises..­. yes, of course, President Hillary Clinton.

[shp]

"I CARE WHAT A PRESIDENT WILL DO FOR ME AND FOR MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW AMERICANS FOR THE NEXT 4 TO 8 TO HOPEFULLY 16 YEARS if Hillary and Barack team up."

Congratulations! You just summed up the entire problem with the Democratic Party. It's always about what the government can do for me, not what I can do for myself. A long way from JFK's speech on what you can do for your country. You're either a baby-boomer who doesn't know what sacrifice is or a generationer xer who doesn't give a crap unless there's something in it for you.....

[Thomei]

You just proved that everything Peggy Noonan stated above is true. Either you have a comprehension problem or you can't see the forest for the trees. If you don't believe Hillary is capable of a bald-faced lie, even video won't help you. Don't hold your breath for an honest-to-goodness gentleman (Barack) teaming up with his polar opposite. She can't get his voters and she can never win the presidency without them. Even wild crying, pleading, and rich-people threats won't change that. Nuff said.

[MiddleRoad1]

Bliss, Do you see that rainbow over to the right and the unicorn standing beneath it? They aren't real. Go look for your medication

[DRPike]

Lets be clear, she did not misspeak, she blatantly lied to you. We get your ok with it. Did her lie rise to disqualification? Not as a rule but be careful what you ask for.

[partyofone]

DRPike, good post.

The point of course is that Hillary is either a disturbingly frequent calculated liar, or just a habitual liar, as Noonan notes, well beyond what is typically human or even typical of a politician. There is something deeper and clinicial here, I think.

Clinton loyalists hate the truth, and always attack the messanger. No hope for them. But many former Clinton supporters are seeing the TRUTH and running away.

[FlowerGirl]

Is the Bosnia lie a disqualifying lie?

--If you think she really misspoke only, when she said it repeatedly, and even read it from her prepared speech. A CinC could start a war with such misspeaking.

--If you think she believed she were speaking truth. For then she is too delusional to have such deadly power at her disposal.

--If you think she knowingly lied. For then she must have a very great contempt for us American people. Don't you want someone who respects us and cares for our wellbeing to lead the nation? Otherwise she would give us more Bushlike programs to benefit corporate thieves, etc., who have been supporting her.

[Bliss]

She misspoke, and she said she misspoke, AND I'm ok with it. I'm looking for her stand on policy not publicity. All three candidates have consistently revealed a propensity for misstatements, only one gets the heat. "blatantly lied to you" is a bit hysterical, unsubstantiated and irresponsible, don't you think? Keep this up and you could be a successful political pundit on TV someday.

[julescator]

This is an OPINION piece. By their very nature, they are not designed to be FAIR. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. You can either agree with it or not, but you can't say that it's unfair if its not in step with yours. I too agree that the BIG LIE is Hillary's undoing.I think Obama was trying to paint a picture as to how his black father and white mother came together in the context of what was going on in this country in the 60s - the civil rights movement. But the BLATANT LIES Hillary has told about ALL the incidents she used as the cornerstone of her candicy and that is "She has foreign policy experience" based on these LIES. Well if you strip off the lies, it turns out that she has less foreign policy experience than Obama. He at least lived on 3 continents. The Clinton's total behavior on this campaing is shameful. I think that's what most people are feeling from them. Otherwise, explain her negatives going up and positives coming down. We have just lived through on lying president and administration. I don't think we want another. Obama is head and shoulder above BOTH Clintons.

[Mscomment]

How interesting that the Huffington Post has decided to select of all thing out of the news stream Peggy Noonan bashing Hillary... Peggy Noonan, now the darling of the progressive movement..­. I never thought that I would have lived to see the day....

How interesting that the Huffington post did not notice more interesting and helpful commentary that is in the news stream today... For instance Paul Krugman's article on the candidates economic policies..­. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/28/opinion/28krugman.html?em&ex=1206936000&en=aec5cbbab8294e44&ei=5087%0A

Oh but I forgot, Peggy is now the poster girl for the progressive blog movement.. and Paul Krugman ?? Well search this site for recent past references to him and you will see how things have changed

I am sure that this post will never be accepted on this site... nothing critical of HP or Obama..

[Abycat]

Relax! Peggy Noonan speaking or writing on anything is reason enough to not believe that thing. Like 'w' she has serious credibility issues. Peggy Noonan attacking anyone is rreason to support that someone.

[RButler]

Noonan gives sanctimony a bad name.

[MiddleRoad1]

Yeah, she tells whoppers on TV and has got caught. She talked about dodging bullets...­. wait, that was Hillary

[partyofone]

There was nothing right wing or Republican about this column. I don't like Peggy's politics, but she rose about them in this analysis of Hillary. It is spot on. If you don't see it, Peggy explains why. For many Clinton loyalists, the truth just doesn't matter.

[HeadScratcher]

So you made the case for supporting Obama for Hillary supporters. Thanks.

If you take you comments and simply exchange "Peggy Noonan" with "Hillary Clinton", it makes a lot of sense.

[julescator]

Let me be clear. I work for the largest investment firm in the world - i think you know who that is and we have put out an election piece what clearly states that Obama's plan is actually better. As you know, most of the financial industry are repubs, so this is saying quite a bit. Obama is better on every front. Either you get it or you don't.

[debwarot]

Well, I am reading your words, Mscomment, so I guess your comments were accepted after all.

You think very little of Peggy Noon, and perhaps with good reason, but her comments are accurate. Are you perhaps guilty of ignoring the truth cause you don't like the wrapper it comes in?

[MRb1000]

Hillary Clintons nose is growing by the seconds.

[dadw5boys]

THEY ARE WORKING OVER TIME TO STOP NATIONAL HEALTH CARE !!!!!!

STOP HILLARY AND STOP NATIONAL HEALTH CARE.

[Thomei]

Give me a break! If you think just getting Hillary elected will bring her health care to fruition you're totally ignoring the fact that congress won't pass it - there's no super majority for it. Get it?

[MiddleRoad1]

And stop garnishing my wages, forcing me to choose health insurance over food.

[julescator]

We will have National Health Care and more without Clinton. This is the one area where she FAILED before and that is not a LIE. Obama and his administration will be much better because the will listen to the experts and not think THEY are the experts like Clinton. Obama will be open, not behind closed doors like Clinton. There is so much WRONG with Clinton and so much that is RIGHT with OBAMA.