Geoff Garin, Clinton Chief Strategist, Once Called For Violent Revolution

With 60s-era radicalism now a hot topic in the Democratic primary, it's worth noting the (amusing, ironic) history of Sen. Hillary Clinton's co-chief strategist Geoff Garin.

Philip Weiss, who attended Harvard with Garin more than 30 years ago, recalls that he was "a special guy -- softspoken, funny, brilliant. He was also a radical. In 1973, on an anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, Garin called for violent revolution in the United States" in the student paper, the Crimson:

...America and much of the world is living dangerously close to oppression. ... Whether Americans will soon become steadfast in their resistance to oppression depends on their coming to understand what resistance is all about. The way we celebrate the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party will gauge the depth of that understanding.... Freedom is on the wane in this country and repression is on the rise all over the world. We can no longer sit back and swap stories about the good old revolution. We have to start worrying about the present. On this anniversary we must recognize that the patriots of Boston acted wisely in overthrowing their oppressors and the time is come to express our confidence in what our forefathers did by doing it ourselves. [my emphasis]

Following Agnew's resignation in 1973, Garin again spoke of revolution:

The government in Washington can not survive under these circumstances, and under these circumstances the government should not survive.... America will be governed in any case, but the question is by whom. If not by the people, then by a strong executive. These are revolutionary times, and we must decide now whom we want to win the revolution.

Of course, Garin was 20 years old when he wrote the pieces above. But as Weiss notes, "It is helpful to read his writings because they demonstrate: how much people grow, how common revolutionary statements have been in the left (even in the Jewish meritocracy, of which Garin and I are members). But mostly because they show that the continuum of left-center ideas, which are now coming back into American life, includes Wright, Garin, and Obama."

Comments

[LeeinJax]

Last week HILLARY Clinton (NOT an aid, contributor, strategist, surrogate, or a preacher) made an indefensibly irresponsible statement that demolishes every principle of diplomacy: as a former First Lady and US presidential candidate, she threatened the “obliteration” of a sovereign nation. Remember, this is a nation we are encouraging to halt nuclear development.

We’ve had weeks of outrage and turmoil because Obama used the word "bitter" to describe how people in rural PA might react to a different politician after being let down repeatedly. People claimed his use of that word made it impossible for them to support him.

The argument goes that Hillary’s comment was in the context of threats to Israel. So, Americans will NOT, but Iranians WILL consider context? Iranians will hear "obliterate" --the threatened destruction of every man, woman, and child in their country--but they will simply laugh it off, or ignore it understanding the broader context?

Most of us would not want to be tarred with Bush’s ideology; we are ignorant not to recognize that the voices of moderation (they do exist) in Iran (and elsewhere) were smacked upside the head by Clinton’s obscene threat. I strongly support efforts--sadly lacking under Bush--to bring peace to the Middle East. We do not need another mindless cowboy. That will not help Israel, the US, or bring the peace necessary for global survival.

Why pretend we have to look back 30 years at her strategist, when the candidate herself shows such shocking recklessness?

[filo]

It might take 100 years to complete the obliteration.

[Detestable]

As a staunch Obama supporter who has weathered the Wright storm, can we PLEASE knock this bullsh_t off? Who effing cares? There is way too much to be done in this country and we don't need any more of this garbage. Get your head out of your 5th point of contact MSM.

[fanoftruthiness]

I like him better already.

[maxwellinformed]

I will not vote for Hillary. This country deserves what it gets. Congratulations!

[mjc]

Thirty years ago my political friends thought maybe it was impossible for a democracy to withstand a Nixon or an Agnew as well and perhaps the only way things could change was through manning the barricades and taking our case to the people. But Nixon was defeated by legally elected members of Congress and his reign ended. That was not lost on us.

[JohnDewey]

Nixon wasn't defeated - he resigned & was pardoned w/o ever being fully accountable for his crimes. The most egregious offenders in his admin. (i.e. those who gave the orders, not the ones who carried them out), were free to continue their life's work of destroying the Constitution. Kissinger, Rumsfeld, Cheney, et. al. suffered no adverse consequences.

Meanwhile, too many hippies & faux-radicals became yuppies, willingly trading liberty & social justice for security & personal comfort. One need look no further than Bill Clinton's triangulation Presidency for confirmation - the Democrats under Clinton spent eight years apologizing for the 1960s rather than defending their principles against the disingenuous right-wing.

However, if you remain unconvinced, look at the abomination known as the George W. Bush Presidency. It's clear to me that those who control the GOP absorbed the lessons of Watergate whilst remaining true to their core beliefs & working for each opportunity to advance them, culminating in their fruition under G.W. Those who control the Democratic Party, OTOH, decided that victory lay in becoming more like the GOP. Great for the bank accounts & campaign coffers of a few, but miserably lousy for the rest of us.

[crossoverwriter]

We all know Hillary is the ultimate hypocrite.
Go Obama!
Repubs, Dems and Independents for Obama! Non-divisively.
We want new government, not old school Bush/Clinton/Bush/ Clinton yada yada yada.
Yes, we ALL can.

[OkieMon]

yeah big deal....our founding father jefferson called for the killing of patriots.....move on.....

[dooleynoted]

Funny, when Hillary brought up the Ayers thing you didn't say move on. I guess hypocrisy doesn't just apply to the candidate.

[ohmercy]

well that goes both ways. You did say to move on, so why don't you?

[NYC07]

Jefferson also said this :And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerve in the brain of Jupiter. But may we hope that the dawn of reason and freedom of thought in these United States will do away with this artificial scaffolding, and restore to us the primitive and genuine doctrines of this most venerated reformer of human errors.
-Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, April 11, 1823

and this :In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Horatio G. Spafford, March 17, 1814

Now imagain these statments being run 24/7 on TV Do you really think that Jefferson would have a shot of being the nominee of the party he founded ????

Like Hillary says "Words Matter "

[maxwellinformed]

Clinton's taste in mean is only slightly less horrendous then her ability to tell the truth.

[maxwellinformed]

taste in men. this is what happens when you type angry.

[meanguy]

don't be bitter, get better

[maryrat]

Well she definitely has a taste in mean! Sometimes freudian slips reveal the truth.

[Trueheart]

"In 1973, on an anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, Garin called for violent revolution in the United States" in the student paper, the Crimson:"

Yes, and I was in my late teens at the time, living in Cambridge and I remember that. In the heat of the times, when my friends were either getting drafted or living in fear of it, it seemed like a reasonable suggestion.

[peggio]

Yeah, me too and it probably was the same for Professor Ayers, in the sixties and yet, he's Hillarys newest hobgobllin!
No one will mention it. The Clintons have certain things that mere mortals may not discuss like her past defense of Black Panthers and dancing in the streets of Chicago, circa 68. I too, was there but then I'm not using one's associates (however limited) to run a filth campaign.

When Lawrence O'Brian dared mention the Clinton supporter who'd organized the Wright melt down on Dan Abrams last night he was instantly talked over and tee heed. On the other hand this morning on MSNBC I heard how this controversy was put to rest by Obama.....over and over this morning, complete with analysis by Andrea Mitchell whose husband has endorsed McWhacko.

By all means let's talk about Barack Obama and parse his every word while we allow McCincain to say and do any filthy thing they wish to derail the hopes of our next generation.

[Trueheart]

I think it is appropriate to examine the records of campaign advisors and close associates ONLY when their actions can be shown to be in conflict with the law, or with the stated positions of the candidate. All other matters are irrelevant.

[ohmercy]

Laurence O'Donnell.
And you are cherry picking the way it happened.
O'Donnell went rabid because Lynn Sweet contradicted him about the Clinton supporter who "organized" the event.
Sweet was attempting to explain to Larry that there is a **committee** who chooses, decides, organizes these events when HE, O'Donnell started practically foaming at the mouth trying to tie Clinton to Wright. These events aren't planned three days ahead of time. Reverend Wright was invited 2 years ago for crying out loud.

Besides which... even if that were true did she script the questions? Oh, now that you mention it... probably! Right... I can hear the wheels turning in the twisted logic of trying to make Obama always right and Clinton always wrong. Did she feed Wright hisw answers?

Sure she did, in fact she sent him to Seminary so he would evangelize a young man namede Barack Obama in the fullness of time in order to set him up to run against Clinton.
que creepy music... ohhhh, Hillary Clinton knows and sees, and creates all... the evil one will take over.
Y'all are so fricking silly.
Give it a rest. Hillary Clinton is not responsible for every ill the world has known.
Next you will be saying she gave birth to Obama so she could challenge him for the Presidency.

[ohmercy]

Further information on your ridiculous smear canpaign.

Why those on the left take on ancient neocon rumors designed to smear clinton is beyond me... well, no it isn't, they have become the left's faction. The ObamaCon.

here is a 4 page article that has interviews etc outlineing clinton's time with that internship.
She was there in 71 BTW.

Not that facts will mean anything to anyone who love to Hate.

http://tinyurl.com/69yvcl

[evekendall]

If this bill passes, someone could probably be jailed for writing something like that in a student newspaper (and probably denied an attorney, renditioned, and tortured according to current government standards):

Read about the "Violent Radicalized Homegrown Terrorist Prevention Act" sponsored by Jane Harman:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-giraldi/the-violent-radicalizatio_b_74091.html

[ohmercy]

AMEN!
Seems like a good alternative today too.
Unfortunately those with the youthful energy to match the passion of outrage with this administration's criminality are far too busy spreading hate and division on Progressive blogs, complaining about the media and demonizing Hillary Clinton to actually back away from the computer and demonstrate en masse in front of the White House and Capitol (NOT free speech zones) demanding investigations and justice. Far easier to apathetically type invective and fool yourself into thinking you are participating than risk getting involved. Demonstrations are so messy. It's cold, its hot, there aren't any bathrooms, the police have mace and those hard clubs. ewwwww. Plus, they might miss the newest Hillary Hate post on Huffbama post.

Just saying:
Glad we didn't feel like that or who knows what hell we would be living in. We definitely wouldn't be having an AA and a woman running for President. I guess many of these complainers would be in Iraq now since we wouldn't have ended the draft.

[nerakami]

I think this and so many other un-reported information clearly indicates that it is the media that holds the power in this country and that is a scary Truth. I think this is what should get all Americans to sit up and take notice. The information being pushed repetitively - doctored or otherwise does affect the way we perceive things. In addition, we have seen especially in this election cycle, that the media pushes it's own agenda, that of ratings.

It is time for Americans to mature and declare their independence from what the media collectively is doing. With the internet, there is no excuse to simply accept what is being peddled to us. We must become engaged enough to seek our own truth and let the media know that we are mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore.

So let me be the first to say to the media, I denounce, renounce and reject you and for good measure, I'm divorcing you as well !

[crossoverwriter]

Yes, nerakami, you're right. Don't believe the media hype. They are pushing their agendas and candidates. I believe that media wants to continue the bloodfest and wants Hillary to be the nominee because she will be easier to beat than Obama (and keep govt as is, because after all, the media runs off corp $$). Remember, she's got tons of baggage (Google Clinton Body Count). She lied about her foreign govt experience. She gets $$ from big drug Companies. She served on Walmart's board. She was pro Nafta & for the Iraq war.
Vote your heart and mind. Vote for the candidate who can bring this country to its feet again.
Think 1776.
Think new, honest govt.
Dems, Repubs & Independents, Vote Obama.

[NoRepresentation]

See this will be overlooked because this guy is white. It is the reason it has been overlooked for so long as it is. Also if the media is doing such a bang up job then tell me why I hardly hear how Ms. Clinton's biggest influence on politics is a man that is known as Mr. Conservative?

[Trueheart]

It should be overlooked, regardless of the guy's race. That happened 35 years ago. I'll bet Garin inhaled too. A lot of people in high-ranking government and private sector positions of influence inhaled...and snorted too. We have an ex-snorter and alcoholic presently sitting in the Oval Office. How many of you have seen pictures of people you know on My Space or YouTube doing things they will regret in 35 years. We have to stop living one way and pretending that our leaders have to walk on water. I wish Obama would haul out his pack of ciggies and start exhaling...right into the camera lens.

[JohnDewey]

The problem is, as always, the hypocrisy. If a politician spent their youth being promiscuous/drinking to excess/smoking pot/listening to loud music/using hallucinogens etc. & now they regret it, I expect them to keep their moralizing to themselves.

Too many of these wealthy hypocrites believe that their youthful indiscretions were a useful learning experience for them but that everyone except their friends & family should be thrown in jail for the same actions. I'm sick of these so-called leaders lying & buying their way around the laws they create to oppress the rest of us. I have no respect for hypocrisy, whether it has an "R" or a "D" after its name.

Whether it's Bush & Cheney with their DUI's, Bill Clinton & Al Gore with their pot smoking, or Rush Limbaugh, Noelle Bush & Al Gore Jr. with their prescription drug abuse, I say either throw 'em in jail or get rid of the stoopid, blue-nosed laws.

[ohmercy]

OMG.
race baiting and childish at that.

[Paula1953]

I am sick of the coverage of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Everyone in the media is saying, ’why doesn’t Barack Obama denounce the man’? Now that is rich when the media itself and all who work for it keep allowing Wright to appear time after time on the television screen. Everyone wants a piece of the story.
I watch CNN and MSNBC all day long and into the night. Every hour a new reporter comes on and each and every one has their opinion about how Obama has to answer to Wright’s comments. I think he has answered these comments over and over again and again. Where will it end? When will you in the media stop allowing Wright to dominate the television screen? It is you, you know. You talk about what Obama has to say or do now. It isn’t about Obama any more. The media has allowed it to become about Rev. Wright. You’re playing Wright’s game by his own rules. This is exactly what he wants and you’re allowing him to have it.....air time.
Obama is a victim of bad judgment on behalf of the media to cover the negative and ignore the positive. Obama has had to fight with the Clinton’s, McCain, Wright and the media while Hillary, McCain, Wright and the media get to skip off into the sunset holding hands.

[evekendall]

>You said: "I watch CNN and MSNBC all day long and into the night."<

That's what they WANT you to do. That's one of the reasons they do this - so you will watch their sponsor's commercials 24/7. We need to TURN OFF THE TV and hit them in their pocketbooks. Write to their sponsors to protest. (And rent the movie "Network" to help open your eyes.)

[eladora]

someone need compile a list of sponsors on each show : Huff Post --that should be you.
Does daily kos need to do all the work on issues?

[YWCYWC]

As an Obama supporter I prefer not to stoop to Clinton's or the media's standard of picking our next President. I could care less about what Mr. Garin did 30 years ago, nor what Rev. Wright says. I care most about the policy differences between the candidates and the integrity of the candidates themselves.

Hillary has made her gas tax policy proposal the center of her stump speech this week. Many economists have come out strongly criticizing her assumptions and the her policy and warning of its consequence. Here is today's column by Tom Friedman in the New York Times. He has no problem lumping Hillary and John McCain together. The candidate who stands on her platform of "solutions" will make our problems even worse -
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/opinion/30friedman.html?ref=opinion

[LeeinJax]

"Solutions for America" is her slogan. Speciously pandering to Americans is her "solution".

I believe she has convinced her supporters that Pinocchios are badges of honor. It helps to attract the undereducated.

[Bill3rdterm]

Pandering is Obamas middle name.

[democrattotheend]

Personally, I don't think something Clinton's chief strategist did when he was in his 20's is a reflection on her. But I don't think sermons Obama's pastor gave should reflect on him either, particularly when there is no proof that he was there to hear the sermons in question.

[NoRepresentation]

So you don't think that someone who thinks that the government should be destroyed is a threat, even if that person is a CHIEF STRATEGIST? What are those meetings like by the way? However you do have a problem with someone who has nothing to do with the election? PURE CLINTON INTELLECT.

[modmom]

If Garin was the Chief Strategist for Sen Obama this would be front and center in all of corporate media, but since it's Hillary's (the corporate candidate whose husband signed into law the Telecom Act of '96) Chief Strategist then it will be buried on the blogosphere.

[Toonbytes07]

That is 100% true and the reason why I am COMPLETELY losing faith in politics. If someone like Obama gets swiftboated by nonsense, we are powerless.

[FrictionSoul]

You mean completely losing faith in the mainstream media. They need wright because they need scary black men. It's the media attacking Obama via Wright. They don't dare attack Obama because there is nothing there.