Jeffrey Toobin: Clinton's Refusal To Concede "Deranged Narcissism"

On CNN's election night coverage Tuesday, political analyst Jeffrey Toobin called Hillary Clinton's refusal to concede the election "deranged narcissism." Watch Toobin below:

The folks over at The Hotline put together a roundup of other pundits' reaction to Clinton's speech in New York City tonight:

"Well whatever that was, it wasn't a concession speech." -- FNC's Hume

"Clearly, she's trying to position herself, keep her options open." -- NBC's Russert, on HRC's speech (MSNBC).

"If I were Barack Obama, if I heard that speech, I would not be very happy. ... They are living in parallel universes right now." -- CNN's Borger.

"This was a defiant speech, against all the kind of advice that [heavyweights] within the Democratic Party gave her" -- Ex-WH adviser David Gergen, on whether he was surprised by Clinton's speech (CNN).

"She did everything but offer Obama the vice presidency" -- GOP strategist Alex Castellanos (CNN)

Comments

[Totto]

After nearly eight years of a sociopathic president with a narcissistic personality disorder, we can not tolerate a narcissist in the office of vice-president.

[nonofyabusiness]

They left out Keith Olbermann's comment.......I was waiting for a bannana peel (somethen like that)

[riley85]

Toobin got what he wanted---publicity. Just another wimpy guy afraid of strong women.
He's not helping Obama by trashing Hillary. She'll concede in a few days. Obama won --so stop all the gloating and be gracious winners.

McCain08 Hillary2012

[SanityClaus]

Thanks for the lecture on how to behave. Now try being a gracious LOSER.

[Ivar]

Amen sanity clause

[nonofyabusiness]

You'd do better watching the Twilight Zone......

[truthskr]

Wow, McCain 08 and Hillary2012? Wrong and wrong. Do you EVER get tired of being wrong? I'm sorry that you are as ungracious in defeat as your candidate. But then, on the up side, I guess you'll be all practiced up for when McCain loses in November, defeating both of your McCain08 and Hillary2012 delusions in one fell swoop.

I'm sorry that you're an uneducated voter who obviously wasn't voting on the issues, or you would realize that Hillary and Obama vote the same about 95% of the time. Enjoy voting for a while, elderly male who calls his own wife a c**t, would destroy the Supreme Court and women's rights along with it, would usher gays back into the closet, and will keep us bogged down in the Middle East until our military is broken and we are bankrupt as a nation.

[thecanadian]

Toobin is the only one on CNN who has consitently shown frustration and tried to tell it like it is.
Last night - he finally said it like it is.

Please keep up the honesty and STOP with the Hillary crap!

Also - let CNN call McCain on his very FIRST statement - unmoderated debates & televised. No hiding out McCain. Or maybe Mccain is afraid!?

[protagonia]

"McCain08 Hillary2012"???

You are clearly an opponent.

Why should we believe one more single word from you?

You're here to trick us.

Devilish.

[claudiam]

Hillary is disgusting. She has no integrity.

[Dadoodaman]

Toobin: nailed it.

Hillary failed to concede any loss in any primary or caucus this season. It was no surprise she failed to do so last night.

On the other side, Obama acknowledged her each and every victory, and even congratulated her efforts in her defeats.

And that really shows all the difference in the world.

[politicalscientist]

Toobin and the other commentators with him failed to understand how candidates need to respond to events when so many supporters are involved. Hillary said she was trying to ensure that those who supported her were respected. As one of her supporters who worked many hours for her nomination, I was grateful that Hillary did not rush to any judgment of what her future should be nor concede to Barack. There is ample time for that. Those of us who helped earn those 18 million votes need time to reflect and adjust to the situation. Thanks to Hillary for respecting us. Toobin and other pundits make their money by saying outragous things so they will be noticed and their remarks echoed aroung the blogosphere so they can make more money.

[wm1066]

David Gergen had a cow when Toobin made that comment, it was funny...
Did anybody notice that Obama had about ten thousand people outside the arena that didn't get in but were listening to his speech and Hillary didn't have any overflow in her arena? And McCain barely had two hundred people and couldn't even give a coherent soundbyte!

[newzzzjunkie]

If Hillary didn't get any press...she wouldn't be an issue anymore.

Way too much drama for Obama.

Don't pick Hillary as VP...ambassador to Tibet sounds good.

Congrats Barack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes We Did!!!

[sandy77477]

I do not agree with the assessment that this was Hilary's night. I would really like for someone to explain that to me.

But at any rate...I think we must become aware that this is no longer a debate about issues, electability, if states, swings states etc. This is a conversation about what must be done to move on to the general election. I regret that Hilary Clinton did not use this opportunity to move us past this emotionally divisive campaign but chose instead to prolong it. I was disappointed that Hilary Clinton chose to use the opportunity to make a passive aggressive move toward not just Obama but the Democratic Party as a whole. Which is what she sandwiched between her love for HER Party. She did all of this with the treat of Chaos at the convention and a loss in November. The point should not be missed that the lives of ALL HARDWORKING AMERICANS hang in the balance not just the ones that support Sen. Hilary Clinton but also the over $36,153,416 million people who voted in the Democratic Primaries from all contests; when not selectively choosing who should count and who should not.

YES Count Every VOTE; yes, even the caucus states

[MLFN]

Jeffrey Toobin, you said the first honest thing of the night. Before last night I would have thought it harsh but honest to God this candidate, this woman, this Hillary is intolerable. We should all be celebrating but like the spoiled younger sister she has managed to do something to get attention. Perhaps she is an enabler of her husband's antics, she the disciplined one who has vicariour pleasure through his wildness.
But I waste my time.
Celebrate Obama and let Hillary, who had much to offer but has condemned herself to righteously being accused of 'deranged narcissism."
Thank you, Jeffrey Toobin.

[Yve72]

Can they give Jeffrey Toobin a show on CNN like Keith Olbermann has on MSNBC.
I love his honesty.

[motu]

EVERYONE should email CNN!!!
Below is one link to tell CNN how true Jeffrey's words are!
If there's a better place let us all know.

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/

[nonofyabusiness]

Dayuuumm!!! It's unbelievable that CNN would allow him to say this....Must of seen all the play Keith Olbermanns special comment recieved. Now you know O bama's the Nominee!!!

[m4rk0]

Must of? What form of English is that?

[roshni]

KO rocks! He is funny and perceptive. I love his show. They should do away with Abrams though. He is a real apologist for Clinton. Thinks there's nothing wrong with her behavior Tuesday night.

[Stagehnd1]

I e-mailed them...thanks

[thecanadian]

Thanks for CNN email. Will email right now. Everyone should spread the link around to all the stories so everyone gets it!
Thanks again.

[jtown]

email CNN and tell them Jeffery told the truth, thank God someone told the truth on TV for change. This thing with Hillary has gone on too long, and people need to start being honest in the media about her and her husband, this is not normally behavior, somthing is wrong here, hell I thought maybe she was bi-polar. I will send CNN an email, expressing my thanks to Jeffery

[roshni]

Thanks for the suggestion. I just did and told them to get rid of that racist Lou Dobbs as well.

[edwarvir]

right on !

[mairs]

He WILL be a friend to Israel? I knew it. She will play Obama's mom. The gadfly who sticks his feet to some nonexistent fire she has made up in her head. She is taking the reins of his "conscience" or some awful construct to keep herself in the primary spot of importance.

[justShareandbeNice]

I have noticed that, too. She is trying to take on the role of his mother, or mother-in-law. She always knows best, she will pick up the pieces if he screws up, she will give him and his supporters unwanted "advice" - not that all moms act this way, I guess we are referring to the stereotyical dysfuctional mom!!

It's all bull. She is ruthless, and will be seeking vengence, I think. We need to get her out of positions of power altogether. I hope NY is organizing to elect another senator. I can't stand the thought of her becoming a long-term senator.

[roshni]

Only if he lets her and the Obama I voted for won't let her. He'll tell her to "get lost" with a lot of dignity and class. Maybe she can become our ambassador to Siberia.

[sojtruth]

OK - consider this (this is a FACT folks, its in the transcripts from last night's speeches) so you can't say this is made up, I'm crazy etc.

Both candidates used "we" 24 times in their speechs (great let the love begin!)
Obama said "I" 30 times and "me" only twice
Clinton used "I" 64 times and "me" 18 times

Toobin is spot on! I rest my case.

[GerryT]

Rev. Pfleger is on the money.