A 'Fighter' in the White House

If you've been listening to the pundits, the campaign staff and the candidate herself, Hillary's pugilistic display is a prime reason to back her. Surely we want this fighter in the White House. It doesn't matter that the election numbers are overwhelmingly against her. It doesn't matter that party leaders and political experts are screaming about the damage to the Democratic Party. Pay no heed to glaring reality; damn the torpedoes -- full speed ahead.

Who does this remind you of? Who else is a fighter in the face of overwhelming opposition? Who else listens to no one holding contradictory opinions? Is there another politician who ignores the numbers, the advice of experts and the popular consensus on critical issues?

Can you say 'George Bush'?

Yes, Hillary has displayed great tenacity. Yes, she is impressive in her drive and commitment to her campaign. But these characteristics are not inherently valuable. We have an outstanding example of this residing in the White House right now.

Comments

[oldwiseone]

After reading that article about Gore and hillary, and if the story is a payback story, what goes around comes around, I think the best thing Obama could do is ask Gore to be Vice president and Hillary could be the Secretary of State. See http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/11/clinton200711?printable=true¤tPage=all . Sure, a Obama/Hillary would be a shooin, but if it is the right thing that needs to be done it really should be Obama/Gore and just hope the American people have seen the light (or darkness).

[speechteach]

I'm not so sure Hillary would be an asset on the ticket. Remember that Obama has tried to run a clean campaign without bringing up all of her baggage. The Republicans will find every little tidbit, including the Paul vs. Clinton case in California, her lies, etc., to bring down the ticket. Obama needs to find someone who thinks like he does when it comes to changing politics. I truly believe he will make selections based on what he feels is best for America.

[burnt]

Thank you Catherine. Unfortunately, as long as she can expect the Obama campaign to pay her debts after she is "forced" to drop out, she will continue to inflict damage on the Democratic Party. Count on it. Can you imagine paying someone to attack you? absurdity abounds

[oafishcad]

Last I heard Senator Obama has to win the nomination and win the general election He will not ascend to the Presidency. To win he will need the support of the Hilary voters. Calling them stupid for voting for Hilary, or immoral or pandering won't win you their support. Maybe you should find out WHY we voted for Hilary over Obama. You won't get my vote with your insults and condescending attitude. I do agree however that it's time for Senator Clinton to bow out gracefully. I voted for her because she has the tenacity of a pit bull to get things done. If she doesn't bow out, I'll think she has the judgement of one.

[Umungus]

Please explain what she has gotten "done"?

[editorjuno]

You voted for "Hillary" because you are blind to who she really is: the junior Senator from New York who couldn't have gotten elected mayor of Chappaqua if she wasn't married to an ex-President. The Democratic nominee never wins among undereducated white folks -- the so-called "Reagan Democrats" -- and Senator Obama is perfectly capable of ceding them (to Grandpa McGaffe or apathy, whichever prevails) on his way to the White House. He will put formerly solid GOP states like Virginia, Indiana, and Colorado into play, add them to the slam-dunk "big states" (including Pennsylvania, btw), and will garner well over 300 electoral votes even if he can't crack Florida or Ohio.

[michiganfan]

"I voted for her because she has the tenacity of a pit bull to get things done."

Yeah, that worked out real well with her health care initiative. She set back health care reform 15 years and handed Congress to the Republicans. We'll be much better off as a country if we don't give her any more opportunities to "get things done."

[Lazyeye]

George Bush. George W. Bush. I remember distinctly the first time he played cowboy or something and called and named three nations as an Evil Empire. true or not it seemed a bit over the top, don't you know, (sarcasm) -- I sat up in my chair. Now, here is his female clone saying we are going to blow Iran to hell and back....

[Opus007]

Great post Catherine.

Message to the Clinton campaign:
Go home Hillary and take Bill and Carville with you.
We the voters have done some soul searching .You are stuck in the past and we have moved on fpr new and fresh perspective. The Bush/Clinton dynasties are over.

[RealistDem]

And please, please take Lanny Davis too, when i see that shill spin, Im just amazed the words come out of his mouth with a straight face, Lanny baby please, its getting to the point where your embarassing yourself. Lastly take Kiki McClain too, if I have to see that frozen look of amazement smile on her face, Im going to shoot my TV.

[aleco]

Amen!

[SamThornton]

Well, regardless of political preferences, one has to admit that Sen. Clinton has well and truly earned the King Canute Award http://tinyurl.com/5vhol66).

[downwithbs]

Spot on!! You need to expand on the ways Hillary and her surrogates resemble George Bush and his:
...spinning campaign setbacks into positive news ("Of course we're winning!")
...attacking anyone perceived as disloyal (paging Bill Richardson)
...putting so little faith in experts who disagree (economists)
...relying on unreliable numbers and constantly change the goalposts (remember "benchmarks"?)
...talking about "uniting" when you're really "dividing"
And not to mention the sickening, Orwellian language distortions.

Change, anyone?

[flatus]

Tenacity and library books,good. Tenacity and comic books bad.

[DMW1]

As an educated, white woman, I agree absolutely. I believe Hillary is willing to win at any cost, regardless of the consequences. She panders to the uneducated by turning "elite" into a dirty word.

I can't wait to see a female president - but I prefer one who doesn't ride her husband's coat tails to power and is actually deserving of it.

[Independent007]

And I prefer Claire McCaskill as VP or Richardson(a former Clinton supporter which would appease some in her ranks).

[Rule Of Law]

Pitbulls show tenacity, as well. But they don't play nice with the other doggies, or people, for that matter.

[oafishcad]

It's a good thing Obama isn't as insulting to the opposition as his supporters, otherwise I could and would never support him. Newsflash Obamatons, insults and derision is not the way to win over people to your side. Saying Hilary is the same as George Bush is not only inaccurate, it's insulting, to Hilary and the Millions who support her. Obama did not win his probable nomination in a landslide. Almost half the Democraic voters voted for Hilary, people whom you'll need to win in the general election. You want, as I do, an Obama victory in the fall? Stop insulting the integrity and judgement of those who don't see Obama as the next coming.

[speciallady2003]

Let me count the ways:
1. Elected to office on family name
2. During campaign chose to take the low road-Wright, Swift boat
3. Promised to obliterate-Iran, al Quada
4. Pretended to be working class
5. Did nothing for said working class when in office except lose jobs

[michiganfan]

We are not insulting your integrity or your judgement. We are simply saying that you've been conned. Before Hillary conned her supporters, Bush conned millions of Americans into voting for him. It happens. Everyone gets conned from time to time.

What's important is that you recognize what happened, and learn from the mistake.

[BeingFrank]

Spot On Article Catherine !

I never could understand this whole 'Fighter' rhetoric, as if we elected wrestlers to an oval ring...

A president needs to be a Communicator, Negotiator, Persuader, Inspirer, ... all packaged under the tent of a Visionary with Dignity, that holds the interests of all Americans in heart at all times.

Not a pitt bull, win at all costs, no rules, risk it all today, damn tomorrow, burn all bridges, spin, dig, pry, twist, or repaint every possible crack,..
A mentality that would further destroy bridges we need to build between one another in our country and around the world.

Perfect example,….Clinton telling a country that we are attempting to keep from developing nuclear weapons that we will use those very weapons to wipe them out, not just their military, but their whole nation ?
Those very words will push the Iranians and other countries to build the bomb just to protect themselves from us.

No Vision ~!

Rocky Balboa ? Yes,..!

Presidential ? NO !

[gerireig]

BeingFrank: Bravo-well said.

[RealistDem]

I 2nd that, very well said.

[lavisiter]

I've already given my thoughts in another post - but after reading so many of these Obama supporters continue to make these horribly and abusive HATEFUL comments towards HIllary Rodham Clinton - I have to say: CATHERINE considering your credentials it's profoundly SAD and deeply disappointing that you would stoop to to these depths as well by comparing Hillary Rodham Clinton to that bastard GW Bush! Have you no compassion or understanding for the plight of a woman who works against ALL ODDS to simply make a little progress and history in this world!! No other MAN running for this position as had to endure this hypocracy!!! Do you see no value in fighting against this kind of hatred and misogeny! EVEN YOU hold this woman to an impossible DOUBLE STANDARD and have NO PROBLEM abandoning her to the many HATEFUL people who would rather see her dead! I'm not afraid to say - as a woman and human being - it hurts me deeply to the core to see you make this kind of absolutely unfair comparison!

[Opus007]

Hillary is a fighter.
But we are at a time in our history that we need cooler heads to prevail. If HILLARY won the most states, most popular vote and most delegates- she and her surrogates would be demanding that Obama get out. So "lavister" if you talk a honest look at your own candidate you will see that she- Hillary Rodam Clinton- is the person with the DOUBLE STANDARD!

BTW- I do not appreciate the Clinton campaigns use of race baiting, cheap gimmicks like the gas tax and dirty politics in general. The Clinton are very experienced politicians- they know they cannot win. She only continues to try ot raise more funds from her largely low income supporters to pay off her huge debt from this mismanaged campaign and damage Obama as mujch as possible to set herself up for 2012.

Hillary Clinton simply does not represent the ideals of the Democratic Party; I will not vote for her- ever. She is a better fit in the Republican Party.

[trailrunner9]

I agree wholeheartedly with you, Lavister. Very discouraging to see Catherine Crier engage in this.

I read a post here back a few months ago that alluded to the fact that thought the Clintons who were relentlessly attacked from the get go by their right wing political enemies and pundits, they won the battle at the time, but sadly lost the war, as we have a new generation of their own base that is attacking and defaming them with the same talking points used by their right wing enemies in the 90's.

As for the point of toughness not being important, though wisdom is certainly an important component, no one should underestimate how tough one needs to be in order to take a stand to the system and thought the Clintons were attacked mercilessly, investigated mercilessly, and combed over for every move they made over the previous 25 years of their lives, they withstood and at the same time provided peace and prosperity for the masses over almost an entire decade, and there is nothing to point to the Clintons beng warmongers. Quite the opposite. President Clinton was respected and revered around the world. They made mistakes, who doesn't, but they don't deserve this re-write of history based on right wing 1990's talking points and Obama blinding righteousness. Support your candidate, critique differences in policy, but stop villifying and destroying 2 people that gave much to this party over the years.

[lavisiter]

"Ten years ago, this country ranked 37th in terms of women's political representation. It now sits in 71st place, according to a recent Interparliamentary Union study."
Maya Schenwar | Women in the Running truthout.orgg)

[RealistDem]

I voted for Bill twice and defended him to various hard core republican friends all throughout the 90s. However watching Hillary triangulate with that same right wing conspiracy agaisnt a fellow democrat(Obama) was truly disgusting. I always have and always will fight against the right wing attack machine.

But i have to ask Clinton supporters didnt it make you more than uneasy seeing Bill go on Rush Limbaughs show? That he would gravel for phanton operation chaos support? The same Rush that called Chelsea a dog. Hillary goes to Richard Mellon Scaife paper, the same Mellon Scaife that funded the right wing conspiracy. The man the funded the book that Hillary killed Vince Foster. Terry McCauliffe saying FOX News was the most balanced? I watch Dick Morris on FOX now and realize why so many Clinton staffers were turned off by this guy, one reason why stephanopoulis left the WH. If the lesson Hillary learned from her WH years was triangulation, then she sold herself and her causes out.

[murphysgirl]

It has nothing to do with Clinton being a woman..It has everything to do with the Clintons thinking they can steamroll their way to the White House!!!

[Marnie1]

Setting Obama aside for this discussion -
There are several important factors you have left out and they make all the difference.

Both Clintons are intelligent and hard working.
Bush is an air head and a spoiled brat.

The Clintons have earned what they have gained.
Bush has gained what he has been given, and gotten by on his daddy’s apron string.

The Clintons think.
Bush doesn't think.

Both Clintons have grown in their lives.
Bush is the same vacuous mental black hole that he was in college.
Let’s face it if Duhyba weren’t rich and reasonably good looking the highest he probably would have
risen would have been used car salesman.

The Clintons may indeed have become somewhat spoiled and selfish as a result of their successes.
Bush has always been spoiled and he has no successes. Unless you call cheating himself into office four times "success."

The Clintons are not afraid of opposing opinions.
Bush is intolerant, bitchy, and vindictive toward opposing opinions.

Bush is indeed stubborn. Rich brats can usually get what they want if they hold out long enough and are demanding enough.
The Clintons are certainly people of great determination, but they also work for what they want.

Give me leaders who are hard working, intelligent, thoughtful and who are willing to continue learn. Even if I don't like them or their politics, they are more likely to make the correct decisions than someone who has none of those characteristics. Can you say Duhyba?

[Ironfox]

So what is your point exactly?

[Independent007]

When you put it that way, I can't say anything bad about the Clintons.
However when you put it as a comparison against Obama, that is where many Independents like me have problems.
We are not beholden to any party, we want someone to get us on a completely different track.
Hillary is too polarizing to do that. She would have been perfect when Kerry won, and she probably would be in the white house.
However she chose to wait, and play dirty pool, and race bait, when Obama has continually taken the high road.
Big difference between Hillary and Obama, although I agree with your comparisons to Clinton and Bush, who wouldn't agree!
Another point, could you imagine the uproar if Obama said "The blacks are supporting me and the whites are supporting HIllary? He would have been run out of town.
Okay for Hillary to lie(the majority of whites support Obama btw) and relatively few call her out on that, while if Obama slips, it is a two week story...
And that goes for the Hagee story as well(sitting in the pews or no, McCain supports his endorsement).
He is crazy.

[lavisiter]

In the "big picture," ALL oppressed peoples are cursed to struggle and yes, FIGHT for the same rights as the "status quo!" Some people do not dedicate their lives to these important struggles. YET "fight" or not - ALL peoples will reap the rewards of these mighty warriors! Barack Obama is clearly reaping the rewards of an important and necessary historical "fight!" Most are thrilled to see this kind of progress!

Hillary Rodham Clinton's run for this candidacy is however a CLASSIC example of what most ALL women have against all odds ALWAYS had to do: Struggle, yes fight at least twice as HARD as our "white male counterparts", against the "status quo," the "collective old beliefs" and apparently now the highly biased media for these same kinds of equal opportunities! In the "big picture" all QUALIFIED women, including HRC are absolutely required to STAY in the grueling trenches in order to make any possible gains - yes continue to "fight" against all odds and especially in the more competitive fields!

Barack Obama doesn't appear as a "fighter" because he has clearly delegated this "fighting" to his campaign manager & staff! And he's had the (mostly white male media), the political pundants fighting" for him as well! Wouldn't it be equally valuable for ALL if things were equal by now!? HRC deserves to stay in this "fight" - as all men who have gone before her - LET GO OF YOUR FEARS and BELIEVE in the Democratic process! It works!

[suuzie]

To all of the Hillary Clinton supporters who pride themselves in the way she can put up such a good fight: Would you want to work with her, or for her?

NO.............I didn't think so................I don't think anyone on Capitol Hill would want to work with her either..

You lost Hillary--get out of the race, please, you frighten me.

Thank you

[OliviaRee]

Oh bull! Hillary had the MSM in her bra until recently!