Clinton: Gore And Kerry Lost Because They Were Viewed As Elitist

Speaking to reporters in Pennsylvania on Sunday, Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said that previous Democratic nominees lost in the general election because they were viewed as out of touch with the nation:

Pressed on whether she truly believes Obama is an elitist, Clinton called him "a good man," but recalled the narratives of the 2000 and 2004 president election.

"You don't have to think back too far to remember that good men running for president were viewed as being elitist and out of touch with the values and lives of millions of Americans," she said.

Clinton later reiterated the argument at a CNN sponsored forum. Watch the video:

At the same CNN forum, Barack Obama said that he thought Gore had won the 2000 Election. Watch the clip:

Related: Clinton Says It's Not Relevant Last Time She Went To Church Or Fired A Gun

Comments

[crossoverwriter]

Which would you rather have--a president with brains and vision and a good education (ie: elitist) or a good ole boy with a GED?

Why does educated automatically translate to elitist?
It just shows how backwards and hillbilly a lot of the thinking is in these here states.

Besides, the consensus is that Gore won.
Obama--the clearly most intelligent and capable and HONEST--in 2008!!!!!
Yes, we CAN, and WILL.

[alaintex]

backwards and hillbilly

[Neocon187]

Don't you know that education is a liberal thing? You never see George W. Bush running around using big words (that are actually IN the dictionary)!

Al Gore got 600,000 MORE votes that George W. Bush. Forget about the chads and all that; in any other country on the face of the earth (that isn't run by a warlord or generalissimo) that would mean AL GORE WON! And furthermore, no other country has been stupid enough to try to copy the BS Electorial College, since from a political standpoint it's nothing more than a failed experiment.

I believe it was Justice Souter in he dissent who said it is not the Supreme Court's role to elect presidents.

[cathye]

I'm the same way as well. There are measures of intelligence, after all, and having a law degree from an Ivy league school is a huge, huge measure that "hey, this guy knows what he's doing." Over half of America has some college education these days, and many of them have a 2 or 4 year degree, so the majority of Americans are "elite" by the standard of "they have had some higher education.­"

I'd take a president with a law degree that has TAUGHT constutional law (senior lecturer vs professor aside, the subject matter is the same) and knows that document inside and out, over one that only managed to graduate with his MBA because his professors were warned not to flunk a Bush, any day!

[tumblewind]

As far as I could see both Gore and Kerry more than likely won. I am positive Gore won. The election was just stolen by fascist's who wanted to take the country over. The same thing happened to Kerry. So I look for there to be big irregularities in selected states again. It's their MO to stay in power and destroy what's left of the country. The Republican party is corrupt to the core and they are corrupting the whole country.

[eggman]

2000 was stolen by the Supreme Court.

2004 was stolen by electronic voting machines. Exit polls showed Kerry about 7 million votes ahead. Machine tallies put Bush 3 million votes ahead, a 10 million vote swing, or about 10 percent off from exit polls. That's a national average, but the disparaty between exit polls and electronic vote tallies was most pronounced in several swing states, and the Election Board found more than 1,200 "irregularities" in voting, concentrated in those states, virtually all benefiting GOP.

In both elections, but particularly in 2004, mainstream media failed in its job as watchdog for democracy.

[TLV]

Let's also not forget that in Ohio, the vote tally FROZE for about an hour at around midnight. Before that happened, John Kerry was well ahead and the polls had closed hours before. Afterward, Bush was mysteriously in the lead! This strange phenomenon went virtually unnoticed by the media and, therefore, the American people.

Who was the campaign point man for Bush in Ohio? None other than the man in charge of the election, Kenneth Blackwell! By the way, Blackwell is under investigation for illegal bonuses he handed out to employees when he was about to leave office. Payoff for help in stealing the 2004 election for Bush perhaps?

[Wulfstan]

Main stream media is in reality Corporate media. They SUCCEEDED in their job by helping elect George Bush. Propaganda works.

[alaintex]

"As far as I could see..."

Now that we understand what your range is.

Here's an example of voting irregularities:

But there was a problem: Once the polls closed at 7 p.m. March 4, the Evangel Assembly of God church closed its doors, leaving hundreds waiting outside

Pastor Jerry Roper said more people showed for the caucus than could have fit in the church.

"There were 300 or 400 people there," Roper said. "Our church only holds 100 on a good day."

People began arguing with one another.

Some started encouraging others to leave, saying the precinct conventions weren't going to take place.

"They ran each other's people off," Roper said.

'Pushing and shoving'

As people grew more frustrated, some began accusing others of disenfranchising voters, according to witnesses.

"At this point, we were dealing with physical pushing and shoving," Workman said.

Roper said someone with the church called the police out of fear that a riot would start.

"It was a big mess," Roper said. "It really was."




And that was Obama vs. Clinton.

[Pammy1151]

The truth of the matter is that both Gore and Kerry regardless of their "eliteist" name tags won the elections. Gore won the popular vote and lost because of the crooked state of Florida and Kerry would be president if the state of Ohio would have not been rigged by Rove. So let's say that the eliteist tag was not the problem with either one. Obama will win unless the Republicans/Hillary don't FIX the election this time.

[harriscrl3]

WRONG: Gore Lost because our democracy was NOT democratic the election was STOLEN by the fascist theif in the white house currently.

Carol

[TLV]

I recently heard someone sag that using the word "fascist" to describe Bush was way over the top. What many people do not understand is that Bush's grandfather, Prescott, was among a group of corporate big wigs who greatly admired the fascist system of government. He was a Nazi-connected war profiteer who conspired with his cabal to overthrow FDR.

They were unsuccessful, however, because the man they had hoped would lead a private army to stage a coup did not go long with it. His name was Smedley Butler, a well-loved former Marine officer who went along with the plan just enough to understand who was trying to lead the series of criminal maneuvers in order to make the American people more destitute and manipulative. Once he knew who they were and what they were up to, he turned them in. The Supreme Court archives contain this information, but much of it has been redacted. THAT is the kind of evil power the Bush family has in this country.

[anticon]

Another brilliant move Hillary.
You just drove Gore into the Obama camp!

[toni1920]

Sad thing about it is she messed herself up with other superdelegates who respect Gore and Kerry

[LeftLeanWing]

She can forget Pelosi as well, after she keeps making the point that Obama said those so-called "elitist' comments in San Franciso, the Republican version of Gommorah.

I'm sure by now Nancy is ready to go on the warpath.

[Vige]

Yep throwing Gore under the bus was not a smart move. You know, Gore one of the elders of the party, that will sway the resolution of neither candidate having enough to clinch the nomination on their own.

Gore knows very well what it is like to work with Clinton so she did herself no favors.

[indc]

Clinton's behavior in office and his lies to the American people while looking us straight in the eye on TV was the first step and necessary condition to allow Bush to get close enough to steal the election.

Clinton, of course, he and her will take no responsibility whatsoever.

[Neocon187]

Oh yeah: lying about a BJ is the same as lying your country into a war that costs over 1 Million lives and $1 Trillion.

It was the sleazy republicans (forgive me for repeating myself) that were desparately trying anything in an attempt impeach him. Remember that the republicans spent $60 million trying to prove the Clintons made a $600,000 dirty real estate deal, then when nothing came out of it they used ILLEGALLY taped conversations to go after Bill about Monica. I worked with a lot of Europeans at the time who thought it was a joke that a President of the United States could be impeached for lying about having an affair.

[olderdem]

Al Gore won/lost because Bill Clinton could not keep his pants zipped in the Oval Office. Kerry lost because he was swift boated. Hillary will lose because she is a liar just like her husband.

[Mayoyo]

Amen....to­ok the words right out my mouth., Great post!!!

[TLV]

Some of what you say is true, but we cannot forget that stupid, childish, illegal activities like the Brooks Brother Riot which was staged by young employees of the Republican Party, were the ones doing it....not ordinary citizens.

Check out the photo and the names of those involved as well as the positions they held:

http://oldamericancentury.org/preppy_riot.jpg

[joja]

Whoa. I wonder what Al Gore thinks of this.

So, according to their Majesties, Gore lost, not b/c the Republicans were successful in linking him to the Clinton Follies, it was his growing up in a wealthy, well-connected, political family -- like Chelsea Clinton(?). Hmmmmmm. Bit of a stretch, isn't it?

It will be interesting to hear Al's take on the causes of his defeat.

[fraziersview]

No, they lost because the right wing specializes in creating perceptions, in defining and judging and labeling any situation regardless of reality, truth, history, character, or virtue all for the sake of political expediency. They also own most of the media, and entertainment venues which they used to influence public opinion.. The only way to restore political balance is to aquire and create new cultural venues, as well as co-copt existing traditional conservative venues, thru which to perpetuate Progressive ideals and values. Once Democrats and Progressives have won over public opinion, it will be much easier to implement progressive policy and restore the relationship between truth and reason and leave reactionary cultural and politcal behavior behind.

[gaiilonfong]

Hillary is what Rhandi Rhodes called her.....
AND WORSE

[alaintex]

Or maybe "Progressive ideals and values" are just minority positions, and preaching unpopular "ideals and values" from newly acquired venues will only turn more people off.

Maybe.

[fraziersview]

yeah, right....t­hats the ticket.

[pertello]

Nice to know that someone remembers that Gore won. I think Obama and Gore would make a great team. Gore would be the most excellent Secretary of State this country ever had. I just hope he would consider a position on the Obama team and not think it a step down. And how we all suffer for the White House Theft of 2000!
Gore serving in any capacity in the Obama administration would be gift he would give us all as Americans.

[FastMovingCloud]

I think Gore would do better as Secretary of the Interior as it would give him much more control over environmental issues.

[Mollye]

Why should Al Gore serve in any capacity in the White House? He has it made, he has found his calling and it is a noble and vitally important cause.

[DFDoerr]

Of course, everyone knows why Al Gore had to win in 2000?

Did it have to do with corruption? With a corrupt white house and justice department?

What was the first thing W promised to do? Oh yeah, investigate the corrupt Clinton Administration.

How many sealed criminal cases are there, two or three?

[LeftLeanWing]

His administration was investigated during Clinton's entire tenure.

Think about all of the fun they are going to have investigating after W leaves office

[pertello]

So I guess Hillary may as well throw Gore under the bus because I don't think she and Ol' Bill were holding their breath for a Gore endorsement anyway, eh? HAHA!

[thedirtman]

The Clintons left Gore with a mess to explain in 2000.That'­s why Gore didn't ask for any help from them.

[kempis]

Gore should have won handily. He had to run against the GOP and a press that had fallen in love with Dubya's "sunny nobility" and detested Gore, the "serial exaggerato­r." Oh, and the "progressives" were for Nader because they thought there was no difference between Gore and Bush.

Some of us live and don't learn.....

[thedirtman]

Clinton is trying to close the door on dialog with the "elitist charge". Making such a charge is the most destructive thing a leader can do to society. The elitist charge makes it impossible share and find intelligence. Stupidity abounds in times and places where wisdom and reason are hidden in shame. One cannot attempt to fix a situation that is hidden from reality. The elistist charge is a way to quickly summarize a situation and jump to a conclusion without thinking it through - without giving it even the benefit of a thought.. This is particularly harmful when Obama is trying to attempt to focus on the probems of middle America so that we can overcome the pathological policies from the disingenuous representation of the last three administrations. Further, it makes intellectualists appear unfashionable and unkind. We need to encourage our youth to become intellectualists, and at the same time encourage them to listen to the wisdom of others so they do not become arrogant and snobbish.

[justobserve]

Well said! Especially after Clinton said Gore lost the election because he was viewed as "elitist". As a master of spin, her spin of Obama's remark is for a destructive purpose: her own ambition to get the presidency. Luckily, it seems people can see through it. This morning, CNN/AM 's survey showed that two third of people don't think her attack harm Obama.

[thedirtman]

Yes. We can't ignore the fact that Gore won the popular vote by a few million, even if the outcome of the election was in doubt. Obama could turn the tables here if he takes a few pages fom Gore's book "Assault on Reason".

[LivingStardust]

Dirtman, you know a lot about dirt. Good show.

[ResistanceisFutile]

Bill needs to get off the pipe.

Gore lost because the election was stolen in florida.

Kerry lost because the election in Ohio was stolen

If you don't believe it, look it up!

[TLV]

In 2004, "nearly half of the 6 million American voters living abroad(3) never received their ballots -- or received them too late to vote(4) -- after the Pentagon unaccountably shut down a state-of-the-art Web site used to file overseas registrati­ons.(5) A consulting firm called Sproul & Associates, which was hired by the Republican National Committee to register voters in six battleground states,(6) was discovered shredding Democratic registrati­ons.(7) In New Mexico, which was decided by 5,988 votes,(8) malfunctioning machines mysteriously failed to properly register a presidential vote on more than 20,000 ballots.(9­) Nationwide, according to the federal commission charged with implementing election reforms, as many as 1 million ballots were spoiled by faulty voting equipment -- roughly one for every 100 cast.(10)"

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10432334/was_the_2004_election_stolen