If you're Hillary Clinton and you've just been caught in a "whopper," the only thing to be grateful for is that it's Good Friday and people are distracted. How bad could this story be for her? When you tell the American public you faced gunfire, and it turns out all you really faced was a little girl with flowers -- well, that's as bad as it gets. When you dramatically say you made a journey that was too dangerous for the president, only to have it revealed that he made the same trip two months earlier -- and that your teenaged daughter was by your side -- that only makes it worse.
And there's video.
If they wanted to, the networks could juxtapose video of Sen. Clinton's dramatic recitation of the battle with this clip of that sweet eight-year-old on the tarmac with a bouquet. The question is: Will they want to?
Just this week Sen. Clinton said that she landed in Bosnia under "sniper fire," adding: "There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base." Clinton used to tell Iowa audiences: ""We used to say in the White House that if a place is too dangerous, too small or too poor, send the First Lady."
And her 16-year-old kid?
This latest deception isdocumented in detail in the Washington Post by a reporter who was there. The paper awards her statements "four Pinocchios," a rating they reserve for political misstatements they describe as "whoppers."
"Whopper" (Merriam-Webster): "An extravagant or monstrous lie."
Comedian Sinbad's now-famous response to Sen. Clinton's claims was to say, "What kind of president would say, 'Hey, man, I can't go 'cause I might get shot so I'm going to send my wife...oh, and take a guitar player and a comedian with you.'" He added, "I think the only 'red-phone' moment was: 'Do we eat here or at the next place.'"
As is often the case these days, the Clinton campaign responded to this observation by sticking to their story, and even embellishing it (in this case, with colorful details about running for cover under fire). That could turn out to have been a catastrophic mistake -- but that, as with so much in American politics, depends on the media and how they choose to handle it. They've saturated us for nearly two weeks with video of Rev. Wright, who as it turns out didn't say anything more extreme than what other candidates' spiritual advisors have said. Will this flap get the same attention? It remains to be seen.
Sen. Clinton's other honesty problem this week came with revelations that, while she claims to have been an internal NAFTA critic in the administration, she actually gave several presentations in favor of NAFTA at the time it was passed. But, to be fair, this may not be a deception. People are often called upon to advocate for decisions in public that they opposed in private. The NAFTA controversy suggests other concerns, such as: If she were such a vehement critic, and the administration backed it anyway, how important was she? And, how can she claim credit for the good deeds of her husband's administration and yet take no responsibility for its problems?
Still, Clinton's handling of the NAFTA question certainly raises concerns. Especially troubling is her campaign's work to spread rumors of Obama sending back-channel messages to the Canadians suggesting their anti-NAFTA rhetoric was all talk -- when, according to a high-level Canadian source, her campaign had done that.
But it is the Bosnia whopper that remains the high-profile, easily documented embarrassment. Will the media run with it? It's hard to tell. Despite the Clinton campaign's PR-driven argument to the contrary, press coverage has tended to favor both candidates at different times. Right now Jim Vandenhei and Mike Allen at Politico are saying that the media's pushing a false narrative in favor of Clinton in order to promote the sense of an ongoing "horse race," arguing that her chances of taking the nomination are actually far less than has been reported.
That makes sense -- not because the media's "in the tank" for Clinton or Obama, but because a protracted race serves its own interests. By that reasoning, it's very possible they'll downplay a story like this. Why? Because it could end her candidacy once and for all. That would give the media one less story to cover.
In the end, maybe one lie shouldn't matter. Perhaps this doesn't reflect on how Sen. Clinton would govern. In our political system, however, it does matter ... but only if the media choose to make it matter. Had Obama been caught in a lie of this magnitude, his campaign might well be over. Had McCain been caught in a similar lie, however, the press would probably have hidden it (the same way they edited video of his recent Al Qaeda/Iran gaffe).
For me, the real subject of this story isn't the candidate who told an outrageous lie. It's the fact that our media holds unprecedented power. They, and the decisions they make about this story, may well decide whether Sen. Clinton's candidacy will survive.
UPDATE:
Clinton supporters have noted an update to the WaPo piece with this statement from Lissa Muscatine: "I was on the plane with then First Lady Hillary Clinton for the trip from Germany into Bosnia in 1996. We were put on a C17-- a plane capable of steep ascents and descents -- precisely because we were flying into what was considered a combat zone. We were issued flak jackets for the final leg because of possible sniper fire near Tuzla. As an additional precaution, the First Lady and Chelsea were moved to the armored cockpit for the descent into Tuzla. We were told that a welcoming ceremony on the tarmac might be canceled because of sniper fire in the hills surrounding the air strip. From Tuzla, Hillary flew to two outposts in Bosnia with gunships escorting her helicopter."
The last time I took a flight I was told what to do in "in the event of a water landing." But if I said I had survived a crash landing on water, would I be telling the truth? Hillary provided a vivid description of having to run from sniper fire. It was a complete falsehood.
From Wikipedia: "Lissa Muscatine was a speechwriter and the communications director of former First Lady Hillary Clinton. Currently, she is a speechwriter for Senator Clinton's campaign for the presidential nomination, and is one of her closest advisors ..."
It requires enormous suspension of disbelief to accept the idea that Hillary brought her 16-year-old daughter too a place that was considered "too dangerous for the president" and exposed her to live sniper fire. Do those pro-Hillary commenters really believe she did that? If so, they should be concerned about her judgment.
I continue to be astonished at the willingness of Clinton supporters to elide, obfuscate, tolerate, condone, and defend behavior from their candidate that would provoke their outrage if it came from anyone else. But that's not my central point. This is: For all the chatter about press bias for Obama, his career might be over had he been caught in this kind of misstatement. But the media wants a prolonged horse race, so Clinton will get a pass while we continue to be hammered with clips of Jeremiah Wright making statements Obama repudiated a week ago. The press is once again influencing the outcome of American elections -- and that's not democratic.
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It will play like a "dud", that's how....as it should
Has anyone asked Mme. Ferraro if Barack would survive being caught in such a whopper?
Was it because Barack is so unfairly black that Ms. Clinton had to lie? Is that like justifying torture?
9/11 was so bad that ......insert outrageous conduct.
Obama is so unfairly black that....insert outrageous conduct.
And, oh yes, Geraldine...your skull is showing!
BOSNIA MON AMOUR
We are developing a line of clothes and accessories called HILLARY. Our first collection, "BOSNIA 1996," will include pant suits available in four camouflage designs -one for each season. Camou fabric helmets wlll have several faux bullet holes -a reminder of Bosnia 1996. The excitement continues with beachwear consisting of camou robes and towels and risque camou swimwear.
It gets better. They said it couldn't be done but we've designed HILLARY footwear to complement that special HILLARY evening gown -an open toed combat boot with a modest lift. Oh ecstasy! And yes, we have a new perfume designed to capure the attention of that special man; the secret -a scent of burnt gunpowder incorporated into our "Evening in Bosnia." The perfume bottle will be evocative of a bullet. One accessory certain to be much in demand is the camou plastic bracelet intended as a reminder of Hillary's exposure to sniper fire in Bosnia.
Watch for news of our upcoming runway presentation. Think of our models running and zig zagging down the runway with the sounds of bullets whizzing through the air. Our audience will have the opportunity to throw little packs of faux blood at our models as they pass by.
And finally, a pinup poster (wallet size will probably be better) depicitng Hillary in one of our "Bosnia 1996" outfits which our troops can gaze at as a reminder of she who shared their deadly experiences taking sniper fire. They'll love it! Just love it!
Have you set a time and place for the first showing? My sister, mother, daughters and I are all very big Hillary supporters. Isn't she great. My daughters think the camo "Remember Bosnia 96" bracelet could be bigger than Lance Armstong's, that it would sweep the young people of the nation into celebrating this great American Hero: Sen. Clinton.
Nice job by the way. I like real fantasy political humor myself. Until he dropped out, I was devoted to skewering Mitt Romney, my former governor and certainly among the most shallow political panderers ever to run for higher office. I got tired of just being nasty and snarky and channeled my anger and energy into humor. And look, he was forced out!
PS: I particularly liked the image of the models coming down the runway and the audience throwing little packets of Fox blood. Thank you.
Perhaps the site of an old pig farm in Secaucus, NJ. It was owned by Henry Krajewski who once ran for president. You note you were "devoted to skewering Mitt Romney, my former governor" until he dropped out. Well he's gotten cozy with McCain recently and you might want to keep your sharp pen handy
I agree with your opinion of Romney. It's easy to think of him as the official in charge of the execution of Eddie Slovak in WWII. I see him stopping the order to shoot because he hears Slovack praying. He runs up to Slovak and rips the beads from his hands and he is so agitated that he right then gives the order to shoot.
Here's something on Romney.. It was posted a while back and you can find it and other relevant comment back where it is posted. I've reversed the first and second stanzas.
A Portrait of Mitt "Dorian" Romney
(Also known as Portrait of a Flip Flopper)
The portrait in the attic
is true to Mitt"s bare soul;
and it's really quite dramatic
to see this hidden toll.
Some blues have turned to red,
and his head's a bit awry.
An eye has gone to bed,
and an ear is on his tie.
As oils run in that dark place,
on a portrait kept at bay.
Romney runs a heated race,
a race to lose on a clear bright day.
(Regards to Oscar Wilde author of "The Picture of Dorian Grey")
I think it hypocritical for women to vote for Hillary just because she is a woman. Now I have to add , I think it is more than hypocritical for women to vote for her because she's white. I say this because today a new poll has "Clinton" supporters voting for race rather than issues. Those are wrong reasons to vote for a commander in chief. This latest poll of her supporters claim to have 48% voting for McCain if she loses the nomination. As a feminist woman (that will be so happy when we put a woman for president) all I can say is I FIND THIS POLL RESULT APPALLING!
I think Hillary is not for women, she does not represents us/our struggles. I know there is a woman somewhere we can look up to that will work for us as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, employees and Americans, UNFORTUNATELY not be this November, I know you want Hillary but she is not the one. If and when you do an objective analysis you will see Obama is the right person at this time. The democratic party needs our help. I don't want to disenfranchise young people or African Americans just because we want a woman in the WH. What message do you think voting for McCain will send to them? what does it say about us? White liberals are no better that republicans that's what. We have values/principles we need to do better than this.
Hare:
And how hypocritical do you find it that 95% of Obama's supporters are voting for him because he's black???? That is APPALLING! Especially considering - Obama's 20 year life changing relationship with racist Rev, Wright... and all the APPALLING horror that comes with that mix!
And don't even begin to speak for all women.. Do you even know what an objective analysis means?
Go Hillary !
Didi, you state that 95% of Obama's supporters are voting for him because he is black.
Please provide a link to a legitimate source for your claim.
Personally, I wish Obama were white, if only so I wouldn't have to hear racist sentiments like those you so openly express in your posting.
Sorry Didi, but most of us who have voted are will vote for Sen. Obama are not voting for Sen. Obama because he's black, but because he speaks to our higher calling as citizens of this great nation, of a more civilized and bi-partisan national dialogue to approach our nation's very very serious challenges, and of respect for opponents.
While Hillary and Co.'s contrived and manipulative sliming of Obama seems to be acheiving the opposite effect of what was intended--diminishing if not damaging him while elevating herself--Sen. Obama seems to restrain himself and his staff from going as totally negative as Sen. Clinton. He seems considered, able to control his anger, perhaps Presidential in the context. Yes, Obama and Co. have thrown some garbage too, but this honestly doesn't seem like what they really want to do.
I am one of many here who supported Hillary with words and donations until January. I loved the idea of a woman President. I still honor her strong social/community values, policy intelligence, and grit, but I have been appalled by the "winning is all that matters" and "throw the kitchen sink at him" directions her campaign has taken.
She is responsible for her campaign, she must be held responsible for the mayhem she is perpetrating. While I will certainly vote for her if she is the Dem nominee, I will never forget the deceitful way she has campaigned against a fellow Democrat.
This seems to be the HilL Liary version of the guy that goes on and on about his made up wartime heroics at the bar to impress women. But more seriously, its akin to someone wearing a wartime medal that was not earned for which now they can be prosecuted. To say, "I misspoke" after having written about the actual account in her book, reminds me of the time my friend and I cut classes to go to the baseball opener. Upon returning home, we both told-our parents how much fun we had in school that day, only to have them to spot us on T.V. during the sports segment of news later that night. When confronted, we should have just told our parents that we misspoke, rather than admitting to a lie.
Political...:
Hillary's Bosnian experience speaks a hell of a lot more truth than Obama's Rev. Wright's denials my friend, and then we have his NAFTA lie, then his credentials lie, and then his Rezko lie, and then his platform lie, which is a facimile of Hillary's platform... and then his Senate reform tall tales... and then his 'Typical White' beliefs...
How about addressing those lies for a CHANGE!
Go Hillary!
Is Burger King open at 3-AM?
Hillary's whopper is getting way more play in the media than McSame's whopper that he tells on consecutive days!
IT PROVE NOTHING except the media LOVE to crucify her. This was the news ALL DAY on EVERY SINGLE progressive talk show, all day on MSNBC, on Rush, on everything and what does it really tell us?
NOTHING.
Yes, all day & on every channel for something that Mrs. Clinton did say right out of her own mouth. Meanwhile we have all had to view the Rev. Wright clips for more than a week, all day & night on every channel for something the man was quoting someone else (Peck) as having said. To be fair the media should play the three minutes that was edited out showing that Rev. Wright was quoting Peck saying "America's chickens have come home to roost". Add to that the fact that Mr. Obama did not make the quote/statement but was made responsible by way of association with the person being accused of saying it.
What does this prove? It proves that when you sling mud on others you are bound to get some of it on yourself too!
Perhaps Sen. Clinton's chickens are coming home to roost in the cozy nest of negativity woven throughout her campaign. It also gives her supporters a clearer view of who she is, & what she looks like as fighter in the ring. There were plenty of honorable ways to campaign & present herself as an experienced serious candidate- wallowing in the mud isn't one of them. Her negativity has instead reminded people of why Sen. Obama looks, sounds and behaves more like the Commander & Chief America has been missing for the last eight years. And I think I am being generous by not including the last sad years of her husbands scandalous presidency.
plafayette:
You're right... the chickens are coming home to roost... with Obama and his camp and the MSM deliberately MISLEADING the public about Obama's political history and false credentials and racist mentor and slumlord friends.. and NAFTA lies.. and I think I'm being generous by not including the 'best is yet to come truth's about Obama'. Rest assured though, the republicans will have no problem airing any dirty laundry they've dug up.
My question is why is the media and everybody so focused on this? Aren't there much more important things to be discussing in the national media like the economy being in the toilet, the skyrocketing cost of gas, hard working people losing their homes everyday, the 4,000+ Americans killed in the war? Give it a break people. Leave Hillary alone and lets take a good hard look at Obama for once....he's been enjoying a media wave for the better part of this entire campaign...why? Cause he can give a good speech and get people fired up? Maybe if the media would stop treating him like the second coming of Christ and refering to him as the next JFK....which couldn't be further from the truth, and start to scrutinize and research who he really is than perhaps they too will know that he's about as qualified and prepared to be President as any 3 year old running around on the playground! Enough coddling Obama...the future of our country is in desperate times here....wise up people!!! I mean do we A) want McBush in the Whitehouse or B) Obama who can't even begin to measre up to the skill and experience the Hillary has. And I say "who cares" to those of you who whine and complain about a duel presidency if Hillary wins...need I remind you that America was a much securer and economically stable nation when Bill was in office!
All candidates have promises on the issues you list. The problem is how they are going to deliver. And this comes down to credibility. Now this whopper is not a misstatement, it is a deliberate lie, a calculated lie, clearly , since its intent is to bolster Hillary's central claim, the "experience" claim. The lie therefore absolutely needs to be focussed on: it demonstrates both Hillary's lack of credibility and her actual lack of experience, thus casting very serous doubts on her willingness and/or ability to deliver on her promises. So yes, the lie is central to all the key issues in the campaign.
How can she possibly remember this moment in such a different way than it actually was. Misspoke? I don't think so - she out and out lied, unless she traveled to another country and was greeted with sniper fire and was confused. Even if it was true, I don't know how it makes her more qualified to be president.
Since when do we send the First Lady over the President of the United States to dangerous places, anyway. That is what the Vice-President is for.
katlade:
You must be very young to even ask how she could have mis spoken about Bosnia. First and foremost, there was very real danger amidst the carnage going on in Bosnia at that time. I suggest you go and do some homework... and perhaps you'll understand. Then the next thing I suggest you do is go and speak to your mother or father and ask them to tell you about a traumatic day in 1996 ... and I bet you they both tell you different versions of the same story. That's what time does to people. Hillary's mis-speak was exactly that... and to spin it into another Obama and MSM camp of .... shame on Hillary... is getting really pathetic.. and very distasteful - to say the least.
"Let's go to the videotape..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=W7WO9bV7rWM
The media knows she doesn't have a chance, but, good fights mean good ratings. They want the country glued to the TV to see what is the next garbage. The sad thing is that Hellary, and her supporters are still believing she might win. She is looking tired, crancky and old. Time to accept reality, but with her track record of living in a world of fantasies, she'll go until December.
rosal:
The media and Obama camp are of trying to continue to it into another anti Hillary 'she doesn't have a chance' etc.... campaign. How much more ridiculous and insulting do they think they can get ?
The public has had it with them as it is.
I think they should get to work on trying to re-establish at least some semblance of credibility for a change. They are looking like total fools... who've managed to make a complete mockery of this election. Imagine... spinning it to the point where Hillary campaigning - becomes a media no no, and Obama bashing Hillary is promoted! What a pathetic joke!
Their desperation to cover up the Wright affair is almost comical... were it not so serious. The media created a fantasy saint like Obama... deliberately! How come? Why did they NOT scrutinize Obama? Why did they lie to the public? And why are they continuing to mislead the public?
The media is too busy reporting about the mayor of Detroit. I don't know what all the fuss is about. He just misspoke in court.
She said they were told to hurry and take cover incase of fire...sounds like she said the same thing to me...what's the big deal ...need a Clinton story to save your guy now huh!!
Hillbillary spin. He didn't have sex with Monica and he stuck to his story too.
If Obama had outright lied like this, he'd be done. But the press will somehow bury her war lies.
AmericanInsurgent:
Stop being foolish.
Listen, when is it a surprise that we can't truest the media to tell the trueth, or be fair and balance? it will be covered quickly, than covered up-------------because they are afraid obama would win over Mccain and Hillary doesn't have a prayer. I can only hope some how people in Pennsylvania will get this bit of news ( or Lie's) that Hillary is spreading. I'm glad she finally got caught. But, don't hold your breath with the Media. The only one they are interested in tearing apart is Obama. our only hope is to keep it alive ourselfs, and pass it on the best we can to the voters in Pennsylvania.
Thank you, Mr. Eskow, for using so beautifully and correctly the verb "elide." Seeing that verb is like seeing an old friend again. thanks.
Posted March 21, 2008 | 06:27 PM (EST)