It will come as a surprise to many people that there are rules in politics. Most of those rules are unwritten and are based on common understandings, acceptable practices, and the best interest of the political party a candidate seeks to lead. One of those rules is this: Do not provide ammunition to the opposition party that can be used to destroy your party's nominee. This is a hyper-truth where the presidential contest is concerned.
By saying that only she and John McCain are qualified to lead the country, particularly in times of crisis, Hillary Clinton has broken that rule, severely damaged the Democratic candidate who may well be the party's nominee, and, perhaps most ominously, revealed the unlimited lengths to which she will go to achieve power. She has essentially said that the Democratic party deserves to lose unless it nominates her.
As a veteran of red telephone ads and "where's the beef" cleverness, I am keenly aware that sharp elbows get thrown by those trailing in the fourth quarter (and sometimes even earlier). "Politics ain't beanbag," is the old slogan. But that does not mean that it must also be rule-or-ruin, me-first-and-only-me, my way or the highway. That is not politics. That is raw, unrestrained ambition for power that cannot accept the will of the voters.
Senator Obama is right to say the issue is judgment not years in Washington. If Mrs. Clinton loses the nomination, her failure will be traced to the date she voted to empower George W. Bush to invade Iraq. That is not the kind of judgment, or wisdom, required by the leader answering the phone in the night. For her now to claim that Senator Obama is not qualified to answer the crisis phone is the height of irony if not chutzpah, and calls into question whether her primary loyalty is to the Democratic party and the nation or to her own ambition.
Loading comments… 
I worked on a poltical campaign, and what I observed, was how easy it is to get caught up in your own hype. Again, its not about the person running for office, its about the people and thier needs. it almost has to become a mantra. You tune out the noise, the nonsense, get back to basics, push what you do know, admit what you don't. You don't play both sides to the middle and expect to get votes from either side. The public is brighter than that. You tell them, you don't have all the answers, but will work hard to come to a mutual solution that works for everyone, not just a special intrest group. Hillary is a bright woman, a great speaker, hard worker. Had she had someone reminding her of what was important, not how to play the game, she would be winning big now. Ego can ruin the best of men and women. It can also ruin elections.
I believe this was the one that aborted your illustriou
he is making policy. Just what are the tactics of a Republican
Democrats try that strategy. If you don't have some one willing to fight to win in November, say hello to President John McCain. I hope you will be happy when Obama loses and you can
strut around saying, we lost.....b
already with Kerry and Gore. You guys are just having a hard time with the fact that a woman
has what you don't have......
Kosovo? Oh that was all her (the peacemakin
Bill getting oral in the Oval Office by an intern? Not her fault. Though some would suggest that if she was satisfying Bill, he wouldn't have wandered off to find Ms. Lewinsky. Something to think about.
Tech boom? All her. Why? Cause she was really in charge of Bill.
Tech bubble burst? Not her fault.
All this supposed "experienc
Hillary's threshold was the one Bill carried her over about 35 years ago.
Being a hack lawyer in Arkansas and tea-drinke
http://www
GETREALALR
We're extremely lucky to see these personalit
Thank you, Mr. Hart, for your commentary
Certainly there is nothing wrong woth being a partisan in support of Senator Obama. It just isn't OK to be dishonest in doing so.
Gary: How dare you lecture Hillary about breaking the rules? How dare you lecture Hillary about party loyalty? How dare you lecture about good judgement? Remember Donna Rice?? We supported you and you broke our hearts.
You give new meaning to the expression "no fool like an old fool." Just shut up and go home.
The Center for Media and Public Affairs reported that since mid December, when the Iowa caucuses came into play, Obama has received the lion's share of the positive coverage: "From Dec. 16 through Jan. 27, five out of six on-air evaluation
"NBC's coverage has been the most critical of Clinton - nearly 2 to 1 negative (36 percent positive and to 64 percent negative). Conversely
The Pew Research Center found a sharp difference in tone between coverage of Clinton and Obama.
The SNL skit was dead on.
Love your feminine touch. Such Grace!
:
Remember how Rush Limbaugh was encouragin
http://ima