'Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy' Leader's Newspaper Backs Clinton

PHILADELPHIA — Could it be the "vast right wing conspiracy" is having second thoughts? Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton was endorsed Sunday by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, whose owner and publisher, billionaire Richard Mellon Scaife, personally funded many of the investigations that led to President Clinton's impeachment in 1998.

It was one of a handful of endorsements the New York senator has received from Pennsylvania newspapers before the state's primary Tuesday. Most of the state's major papers have endorsed Barack Obama.

In its endorsement, Tribune-Review editors said Obama is too inexperienced to be president and that his recent comments about bitter voters living in small towns showed a lack of respect for middle-class values.

"In sharp contrast, Clinton is far more experienced in government _ as an engaged first lady to a governor and a president, as a second-term senator in her own right," the paper said. "She has a real voting record on key issues. Agree with her or not, you at least know where she stands instead of being forced to wonder."

Clinton met with the Tribune-Review's editorial board, including Scaife, last month. Afterward, Scaife wrote an editorial titled "Hillary, Reassessed," declaring how impressed he had been by the former first lady.

"Her meeting and her remarks during it changed my mind about her," Scaife wrote.

In the 1990s, Scaife helped support conservative groups and publications investigating Bill Clinton's financial dealings and sex life.

Scaife spent $2.3 million to fund a series of articles by The American Spectator magazine that dug into Bill Clinton's behavior as governor of Arkansas.

The magazine reported that Clinton had asked state troopers to help procure women for him and that he had sexually harassed a state worker named Paula Jones. Jones's legal case against Clinton helped launch an independent counsel investigation that eventually exposed his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Hillary Clinton famously defended her husband at the time, saying the allegations were part of a "vast right-wing conspiracy" heavily funded by Scaife.

Comments

[filo]

It's no surprise that they endorsed the Republican in the race.

[LBM]

When conservatives see that Hillary would be the better candidate she is somehow a sell-out or part of a conspiracy, but when the same people see that Obama would be the better candidate they are crossing divides to support the uniter. What hypocrisy. This is a great win for Hillary, she is obviously the true uniter.

[LittleSanityLeft]

Joke post?

[LBM]

Come on, what would your post be if they had endorsed Obama?

[DesertLight]

Operation Chaos exceeding all expectations.

[Obamlatina]

Naw, you're kiddin' but i thought Hillary was a Democrat?@­&$^^@)^$&(­&!#^

[e2008usa]

Wouah.. Why not call this news: An endorsement by association to allegations. How can Scaife's Newspaper talk about Hillary's experience as a President only because she pretends to deserve that attribute? Wouaw... What a handful endorsement based on the credit of Bill Clinton experience that has cost to Pennsylvania’s citizens NAFTA and jobs out of the Pennsylvania’s peoples. Wouaw... it's just like someone takes money from my pocket and then come back to Pennsylvania and say you know this is the country of my parents so I want you to vote for me. The "Bill friends" are unbelievable.

[Anne1776]

Of course they endorsed Clinton- because Clinton can't win against McCain, and that's who they want to win in Nov.

[SaskiaStars]

exactly

[harriscrl3]

I go back and forth on this but I'm starting to have my doubts that she can beat McCain. When she said something like a massive retaliation against Iran if they attack any other countries in the middle east "m starting to think she cant win. She is going to need a lot of work from Obama because with statements like this she is going to lose the Anti war crowd. Democrats has not learned you cant compete with a war mongerer by out warmongering him.

Carol

[bison1]

hawk

[RRonin]

Countess states that Clinton finally earned the love and respect of the right wing. That really describes her husband in the 90's. He worked tirelessly to curry the favor of the Republicans and so took the loyalty of Democrats for granted...­.

[ObamaSuperDelegate]

They can have her, I wish they would take her and get her out of our lives. While they're at , take Joe Leiberman too!

[Erdgeist]

Speaking of conspiracies, there is an MSM one against Sen. Obama. When you consider all the "guilt by association" questions, it is obvious. And just to sense how outrageous they really are, let's consider this: "How many of the Catholic Priests did the Pope know who were involved in the Roman Catholic sex abuse cases?" I hope the point is taken, viz., that when the MSM selectively plays this filthy game of guilt by association, not only do they undermine common sense, but they are also contributers to our nation's ruin.

[Adagio]

Come on, people! Have you not noticed that EVERY republican type when asked to make a choice says that Hillary would be the better candidate? Have you not noticed that EVERY reliable poll suggests that Hillary would be easier to beat than Barrack? Of COURSE Scaife wants to run against Hillary!

Does anyone for a minute believe that Scaife and his rag will endorse Hillary over McCain in November? I don't think so.

[Pjsandiego]

Let's see if those small town Pennsylvanians can pull themselves away from their guns and their churches and appreciate how the Republican's are once again playing them for the fool.

[RThM]

After George Bush, a monkey (trained or not) would be a better choice. Obama even said as much when asked if McCain was better than what's in the Whitehouse now. But Scaife endorsing Hillary Clinton? That's genuine when pigs fly.

[eladora]

does that guy wear a flag pin?

[moda31]

i'm sure she's honored to have their support. finally she's being accepted by her right wing brethren. somewhere hillary is jumping up and down chanting yes we can!

[GaryinToronto]

Doesn't this mean - according to the "rules" of this campaign season - that she must immediately reject and denounce Scaife? Otherwise wouldn't it be fair to say she supports everything he's ever done - including his attacks on her and her husband?

Just trying to wrap my head around the "logic" of American politics this season.

[Countess]

Hillary Clinton is now officially the darling of the vast right wing conspiracy. Congratulations senator Clinton. You have finally earned their love and respect.

[dannydonovan]

Why would she reject or denounce this endorsement? She sought it out! I saw the video of her on Keith Olberman's Countdown show sitting at a table with Scaife at the Tribume, discussing policy, and looking for an endorsement.

Olberman even went into the irony of this meeting pointing out the stance Scaife had with her husband, and the democrats in general.

This wasn't just a "Oh, I decided to endorse Hillary" thing, this was an actual deal between the two. She met with him, sought it out, I wouldn't be surprised if she had told him exactly when she wanted the endorsement. Probably hoping to put it out there if she got into trouble and needed some good press....

But yeah, hell, she met with him weeks and weeks ago.