Architect Of Vast Right Wing Conspiracy "Reassesses" Hillary

"To Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton, Richard Mellon Scaife qualifies as a charter member of the 'vast right-wing conspiracy,'" the New York Times notes, "having bankrolled an elaborate multimillion-dollar campaign throughout the 1990s to unearth damaging information about the couple."

But in a striking about-face, Mr. Scaife now says he has changed his mind -- at least about one half of the duo.

"I have a very different impression of Hillary Clinton today," he wrote in an opinion article published Sunday, amid her campaign for president. "And it's a very favorable one indeed."

His sudden conversion from fervid Clinton basher to lukewarm Clinton fan occurred after Mrs. Clinton, a Democratic senator from New York, sat down for a 90-minute interview with reporters and editors of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, a newspaper owned by Mr. Scaife, the billionaire heir to the Mellon banking fortune.

Here's a taste of Scaife's op-ed:

Walking into our conference room, not knowing what to expect (or even, perhaps, expecting the worst), took courage and confidence. Not many politicians have political or personal courage today, so it was refreshing to see her exhibit both.

Sen. Clinton also exhibited an impressive command of many of today's most pressing domestic and international issues. Her answers were thoughtful, well-stated, and often dead-on.

Particularly regarding foreign policy, she identified what we consider to be the most important challenges and dangers that the next president must confront and resolve in order to guarantee our nation's security. Those include an increasingly hostile Russia, an increasingly powerful China and increasing instability in Pakistan and South America.

Like me, she believes we must pull our troops out of Iraq, because it is time for Iraqis to handle their own destiny -- and, more important, because it is past time to end the toll on our soldiers there, to begin rebuilding our military, and to refocus our attention on other threats, starting with Afghanistan.

On domestic policy, Sen. Clinton and I might find more areas on which we disagree. Yet we also agree on others. Asked about the utter failure of federal efforts to rebuild New Orleans since the Katrina disaster, for example, she called it just what it has been -- "not just a national disgrace (but) an international embarrassment."

Comments

[LathamHall]

Hillary: Affirmative Action Victim ?

But I'm more experienced..........He got where he is 'cause he's black......... I won all the big states..........Does this rant sound familiar ? It certainly strikes a chord with many of the white male, blue collar Democrats who vote for Hillary. Effectively she is being asked by party elders to step aside, sacrificing her ambition for the younger black man. Her claim on the Super Delegates is no less valid than Obama's and they have full discretion to vote as they wish. Her bitter incredulity when faced with being an Affirmative Action "victim" is especially ironic. She and Bill have long advocated such preferences for others but when faced with being passed over for Obama she is outraged. I guess Hillary and Bill can now say "I feel your pain", honestly to their blue collar supporters now.

[accountability]

What does this have to do with the article?
Not only does you post lack objectivity and intellectual honesty it displays fallacious arguments based on inaccurate portrayals of events and who is saying what, therefore your conclusions are erroneous and certainly suspect. More troubling is your obvious elitism and contempt for working people.

and Oh Yeah, off topic!

Have a nice day.

[presto]

I think you are on a different post.

[NightRider]

Of course they agree. She became a Republican after super Tuesday.

How else was she going to take down Barack?

[rjean]

hillary is NO REPUBLICAN...dont insult repubs...she is yours dems......

and she hasnt taken down hussein...in fact IT IS THE OTHER WAY AROUND....

the witch is almost over and out...REJOICE AMERICA

[nohat]

From the witch scene in Macbeth:

Macbeth: "How now, you secret black and midnight hags, what is it you do?"

Witches: "Tis a deed without a name."

That is how she will take Obama out, a deed without a name.

[swanky]

I think it shows class and courage to be interviewed by that paper, knowing who was going to be in the room. Obamabots have zero ground to stand on with this issue. Your man wants to sit down and talk directly with Chavez, Ahmadinejad, Kim, and given the chance OBL himself. How does the fact she gave an interview to a newspaper, attended by her harshest and fiercest critic translate into her being in cahoots with the Scaife's? Are you people crazy? I could understand your hatred it if she sat in the same room with him and listened to him rant for 20 years about the evils of liberal America, but let's be real here...

[accountability]

Swanky:

"Are you people crazy?"

LMAO!!!

What do you think?
Rabid turns crazy.
Hate begets hate. This Hillary Hate has become a madness for the ill informed, the ignorant, the malicious and the duped by the neo-cons.
It has become a cultural phenomenon among so called Progressives.

This is a form of cultural scapegoating because people have the government they deserve. They piss and moan but they don't actually DO anything. Where are they when it comes to demonstrations, civil disobedience, grass roots campaigns? signing petitions online? That helps but it sure isn't enough, if it was we would be out of Iraq and the idiot king would be impeached.
I don't see any passive resistance atthe Capitol, at the WhiteHouse, getting arrested for standing firm for right. If it happens it is usually a few middle aged people (or older) who have done this for decades, they made sure Nixon was thrown out, stopped the draft, marched for civil rights, against the Vietnam war and much more. The rest don't bother to show up or else they stand around in free speech zones (ridiculous) instead of risking anything.

In ancient Judea the early Hebrew people would take a goat and load it (literally) with their "sins" and send it out to the desert to die... a sacrifice of atonement. This is what is going on with Hillary otherwise it is mass hysteria.

I support both candidates defend both when it comes to the ugliness of supporters.

[nohat]

I am pretty sure that the scapegoat thing is something that Hillary and Bill do very well: make everyone else a scapegoat for their mistakes and crimes. They have always done this. And this charge you guys keep bringing up, that Obama supporters are filled with hate, sounds to me like something Bill and Hillary would initiate.

[nippersdad]

It does not require any hatred of Clinton to recognize that her candidacy was alway a fall back position for Republican Party business stalwarts in a time of Republican Party implosion. Look at her funding base, her votes and her advisors; look at her recent campaign style. She is almost by definition the most corporate friendly of the Dem candidates and it should come as no surprise that such as Scaife would come to her defense when their preferred candidate is showing such weakness.

By talking her up so consistently and continuously early on, Rove signalled that she was the preferable alternative insofar as she would do little to redress Republican excesses and they would still be able to bash her "brand." A two fer which would set them up nicely in 2012...after all of the Republican engineered economic and international policy bombs explode and a savior is required to put the pieces back together.

She is a sockpuppet for the economic powers that be who do not want to lose the gains that they have made in the past four Administrations...they do not want an FDR; they have seen to it that we will not get one. This isn't hatred, this is just common sense.

[M.S. Bellows, Jr. - Huffpost Blogger]

You're missing the point. She showed no courage at all, because she knew, going in, that they were both on the same side. She wouldn't have done it if they hadn't cut a deal in advance. She's in line with Scaife's views, he's in line with hers, and that's significant.

[GoodGuysandBadGuys]

"She's in line with Scaife's views, he's in line with hers, and that's significant."

----------------------------

you are correct, it IS significant.

will any of the people who support hillary see the significance? doubtful.

[Plank]

This is the same guy who spent Millions accusing the Clintons of murdering Vince Foster and dumping his body in a landfill. Most of us who defended the Clintons against these right-wingers, feel betrayed. So, should you.

[KQuark]

It shows her cynical political decision making at work again. I would rather talk to Stalin than the people that led to the impeachment of my spouse.

Do you think Bill Clinton is happy she is buddy buddy with the man who tried to destroy his presidency?

It's a mater of respect for you spouse and again she has shown political expediency over principles.

[msmaggie]

First, RM Scaife is not "the" heir to the Mellon fortune, he is a trust fund baby, one of many. Second, he's crazy. Great expose on him and his new honey in Vanity Fair a month age-she an ex prostitute, I am not making this up. Their tyrsts were brought to light by the wife's PI--they used to meet at a motel that rents room by the hour and throws in a six pack of beer. Again, not making it up.

When people are rich and act thusly, they are "ecentric" I guess. LOL

[NightRider]

The link would be helpful

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/02/scaife200802

[presto]

So what? That is not exactly news. He has bankrolled some of the most vicious anti-Hillary campaigns ever conducted. Nobody ever accused him of being normal. His opinion now is interesting because of his background and his extremism. If nothing else, it's fun. No one is required to take it seriously.

[Henk]

This is really disgusting. Has she no shame. First Murdoc, then Bill goes on Limbaugh, Rush had the sense not to show up, but his stand in did the interview, and now this. I always thought that crap about Hillary doing anything to gain power was just a wing-nut talking point, now I am wondering....

[nohat]

Perhaps the worst thing about Hillary getting in bed with Republicans is that it shows utter contempt for her party. And she doesn't care. I can't understand why Dean or someone like that didn't take her aside and explain to her that when you are a Democrat, you just don't praise, or cuddle up to, a Republican, and you especially don't openl, to the voters, prefer a Republican to a fellow Democrat. It is insane that she wasn't called on the carpet for this, in my view, anyway. As I've said before, she just runs amok and not one party leader does anything about it.

[M.S. Bellows, Jr. - Huffpost Blogger]

She has been called on the carpet for it, but she's immune. The best we can hope for is that her egotistical continuation of a doomed campaign leads her to self-destruct -- hopefully to the point that she can't ever consider running in the future either -- then pray Obama can recover in time to win in November. I think that's the "party elders'" strategy, anyway, since she obviously puts self before party (or country) and since she won't listen to anyone besides Bill.

[presto]

Why does this interview mean Hillary is "getting in bed with Republicans?" Obama is scheduled to do the exact same interview. Pretty crowded bed.

[bish66]

"I can't understand why Dean or someone like that didn't take her aside and explain to her that when you are a Democrat, you just don't praise, or cuddle up to, a Republican,..."

So does that mean that Howard Dean has to pull Obama by his big ears and has to tell him that Reagan was B-A-D?
And that you do not model your foreign policy on Republican presidents?
And that you do not mention Reagan, Bush the Elder and JFK in one breath and in a comparison?
And that the Republicans are NOT the party of ideas?

[karela]

What do two snakes in the grass say to each other when they meet?

[nohat]

I don't know. What?

[leftoflennon]

*slaps Clinton supporters across cheeks*

WAKE UP!

[accountability]

disagreeing without being disagreeable eh?
very nice.

[leftoflennon]

*wink wink*

[AdultFilmLegend]

Richard Mellon Scaife set up Bill and Monica for their first date.

[skeptical1]

The enemy of my enemy is my friend seems to be the common denominator of Scaife and the Clintons. I imagine they met at a meeting of "The Family" through Senator Brownback. Heaven forbid that a mass populist movement take over the country through small donations and grassroots organization from the bottom up. It must be stopped! And, the Clintons are willing to be the vehicle if they are given the chance - by any means necessary. "Don't go to the tower on Christmas, John Doe."

[foreffectivegovernment]

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Hey, that describes U.S. Foreign Policy to a tee. We supported Dictators all over the world because they were against Communism and were shocked when they turned against us. Read about the history of Iraq, Iran, Cuba, etc. Read about Iran/Contra under Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Sr.

[wmbear]

THE RIGHT DOES NOT WANT HILLARY TO BECOME PRESIDENT. The right wing in this country wants Hillary to be the Democratic nominee because John McCain stands a much better chance of beating her than he does of beating Barack Obama....

[gvidal]

Hogwash - If you understood exacting what he is saying ( and you can read between the lines) - this is EXACTLY why she would win FAR MORE votes in the fall than Obama.
She can bring over the Republicans - and many independents. ( without the many unknowns that WILL happen with Obama).
Proceed with caution is all I can say.... You can roll the dice with Obama - and good luck to you. Ther's a 50-50 chance you will adress Mr President as President McCain.
On the other hand, if you nominate Hillary...its probably a 85-90% chance you will be saying President Clinton all over again. Thank the Lord.

[Brubeard]

This is one reason why I support Sen Obama (my third choice for candidate). I fail to see how this is an "Obamabot vs Clintonista" issue.

Sen Clinton has been in the public eye for 16 years, and STILL cannot generate much more than a 49% approval rating among mod Reps and Independents...the very ones needed to win a General Election. Sen. Obama, however, can (and does) attract those voters. This "vast, right-wing conspiracy" which Scaife orchestrated (and which I do believe did occur) has been so successful at demonizing Sen Clinton that her appearance at the top of the Dem ticket will not only turn off indeps and Mod Reps, but will also galvanize the rank and file Reps to swamp the polls--not to vote for McCain but to vote against Sen Clinton. This is why the Reps desperately want Sen Clinton as the Dem candidate...and the deciding factor for me when I decided to support Sen Obama, a decision made in the last few days leading up to the party caucus in my state.

Nobody can honestly say that scenario is wrong, either.

I do respect Sen Clinton's wilingness to appear before her "enemies" and stand her ground. She definitely has more balls than the current resident of the White House.

[M.S. Bellows, Jr. - Huffpost Blogger]

Nope -- they might prefer McCain to Clinton (maybe), in which case she's the best nominee because she's unelectable -- but they'd be happy with Clinton, too. She's a straw man for the DLC corporate side of the party.

[jwsub28]

Just goes to show that Clinton will kiss anyone's ass as long as it looks good in the public eye.
What she did and continues to do i disgusting in every aspect. I really really believe this guy, of course they want her to be the nominee , they are afraid of Obama vs. McCain.

You can't fool everyone Scaife!

[rvme]

Or charm anyone she needs too... Lets see a VERY LIBERAL vs a MODERATE. Or a MODERATE vs a MODERATE. Take if from someone who lives day in and day out in a conservative world(and is a liberal) they fear Hillary more. She is more like them--you all have been saying that all along haven't you? Its getting to the point where I can't be in a party with so many stupid people... And I am talking about the Leahy's of the world. I hope Al keeps his powder dry, we might be calling on him soon.

[nippersdad]

That is just silly. There is very little difference in the voting records of either Clinton or Obama which would justify your "VERY LIBERAL vs a MODERATE" concept. Much less the 'MODRATE vs MODERATE" comparisons you are trying to make. McCain is running on an extremist right platform, Clinton is running on a conservative Dem platform. Obama is only running slightly to the left of Clinton. Your observations only work if you eschew the Edward/Kucinich contingent which such as Scaife have effectively done by refusing to let them get their views out and ending their candidacies early.

You say that they fear Hillary more, but if there is one thing that Republicans love it is both comity and fear. When Clinton finishes dividing the Dem Party and runs as McCains' VP, just watch them fall over themselves to vote for the "uniter ticket."

[presto]

And what will you be saying when Obama has the same interview with the same people, as is scheduled? They are both seeking the endorsement of the Trib. Hopefully your comments will be evenhanded and you will be suitably disgusted then as well.

[loball]

I knew HRC would join the vast right wing conspiracy. Hillary backers expect more of this if she finds a way to make it to the general election. I expect she will move dramatically to the right on foreign policy, especially in regards to the war.

[AceInTheHole]

Birds of a feather flock together, EVENTUALLY!

Because they will all end up in the same place, ANYWAY!

Have you ever heard of the sad side of ETERNITY?

[M.S. Bellows, Jr. - Huffpost Blogger]

This is a beautiful bookend to the almost unreported fact that, late in her last Senate race when it was clear to everyone that she was going to be reelected and was just raising money to roll over into her predicted Presidential race, Rupert Murdoch and Fox News THREW HER A FUNDRAISER!

Here's a great photo, and there's a link there to the story itself: http://vichydems.blogspot.com/2008/02/overview-why-nominating-hillary-is-bad.html

The deal is that the transnational corporations and the hyper-wealthy only want to keep us all (conservative and liberal alike) distracted while they screw us.

So there are pro-life corporatists like every living Republican politician except maybe Ron Paul, and there are pro-choice corporatists like Hillary Clinton, and most voters aren't well-informed (or cynical??) enough to notice that the folks who appoint them don't really care about faith, abortion, welfare, health care, etc. -- they only care about having a pro-corporate President, from either party. HRC is a Democratic Leadership Council, free-trade-supporting, imperial-America corporatist, so they back her and hate Obama (who may or may not be a corporatist -- but at least it's uncertain with him, whereas she's clearly in their pocket).

[SeekerOne]

Might there be a relationship between Hillary's chosen "Family" that Barbara Ehrenreicht and Mother Jones wrote about, and these rightwing endorsements ?

[presto]

Like conspiracies?

[The Hedonistic Pleasureseeker]

What, Hegelian dialectic not working anymore? Or is obfuscation and confusion all the corporatists have left anymore?