Metanarratives and Hillary's Honesty Gap
Do you want to know how McCain beats Hillary in November? In short, the same way George Bush beat Al Gore (minus the Supreme Court coup). As Rolling Stone explained in 2001 :
Last year, a review conducted by two nonpartisan groups, Project for Excellence in Journalism and the Pew Research Center, found that a stunning seventy-six percent of the Gore campaign coverage in early 2000 centered around two negative themes: that he lies and exaggerates, and that he's tarred by scandal. "We call it the metanarrative," says Tom Rosenstiel, director of Project for Excellence in Journalism. "Journalists are looking for a story line, a narrative device, that plays out over weeks and months, and there's nothing wrong with that. The problem is if they let the narrative overwhelm the facts, then it becomes a distorting lens. It can lead journalists to ignore and mischaracterize facts as they try to fit them into the story."For those whose memories of Bush are cloudy pre-9/11 or forget how much the press despised Al Gore prior to his public resurrection as a party elder and environmental evangelist, Google the words "invented the internet" to get an idea of how the zombie lies of media narratives refuse to die. All it takes is a few quotes out of context and a few dashes of hyperbole to turn someone into a "serial fibber" with a "Pinocchio problem".
It's pretty clear that this is the same sort of tactic that would be used to defeat Hillary Clinton in the fall if she were to become the Democratic nominee. Over the past week, she's been contradicted on a number of claims that she uses to bolster her "experience" over her rival. The first being her Ohio primary-motivated insistence that she opposed NAFTA, which Jake Tapper has been debunking at length :
I have now talked to three former Clinton Administration officials whom I trust who tell me that then-First Lady Hillary Clinton opposed the idea of introducing NAFTA before health care, but expressed no reservations in public or private about the substance of NAFTA.For the Clinton campaign, we're not supposed to pay attention to what she did (which, according to her recently released schedules, included a handful of pro-NAFTA meetings) but what she said about NAFTA (but only privately, at least, until it was politically convenient).
Yet the Clinton campaign continues to propagate this myth that she fought NAFTA tooth and nail because she opposed the substance of the bill.The campaign claims over and over that she did not support NAFTA. That may be emotionally and intellectually true -- but actions speak louder than misgivings.
The even bigger, and more embarrassing, fib is Clinton's fictional account of her dangerous flight into Tuzla, Boznia which is becoming her campaign-killing YouTube moment. (via nitpicker)
Clinton's foreign policy credentials have also been questioned recently in regards to her role (or lack therof) in the Northern Ireland peace process :
Mrs Clinton's version of events has been challenged by Peter King, an Ulster Unionist Party negotiator at the Good Friday talks in 1998, who said: "Hillary Clinton was totally invisible at the actual negotiations.These incidents taken individually wouldn't necessarily be enough to derail a campaign, but how they play into the "metanarrative" speaks volumes about how her campaign might fare in the fall. For Gore in 2000, mentioning "Love Canal" and "invented the internet" were all it took to remind voters of the media storyline that Gore was a serial exaggerator. In the months between now and the general election, it's hard to imagine that the same wouldn't happen to Hillary Clinton, with scattered references to "Northern Ireland", "NAFTA", and "Tuzla" making their way into unrelated campaign coverage and subtly undermining her campaign.
"As far as I am concerned, Mrs Clinton was as relevant to peace in Northern Ireland as Tony Blair's wife or the ex-wife of Bertie Ahern [the Irish prime minister]."Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with John Hume of the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party in 1998, told The Daily Telegraph last week that Mrs Clinton's claims were a "wee bit silly".
This month, Terry McAuliffe, Mrs Clinton's campaign chairman, told CNN: "We would not have peace today had it not for Hillary's hard work in Northern Ireland."
Both Unionist and Nationalist negotiators told this newspaper that while Mrs Clinton's work with women's groups was positive her overall role was peripheral and she played no part in the gruelling negotiations that took years.
In fact, that narrative is already being shaped to a lesser extent as the Obama campaign capitalizes on recent polls showing that a majority of Americans don't believe that Clinton is trustworthy :
This honesty gap that separates Clinton from her two opponents will ultimately end her campaign, either in the primary or general elections. Whether or not any subsequent claims about Clinton are valid would be irrelevant (as Gore could attest) as long as they play into the preconceived notions that people have about the candidate. With a public that already distrusts her, getting frequently caught misspeaking (to use the Clinton campaign's preferred euphemism) only reinforces the media narrative that Hillary Clinton is a liar who will say anything it takes to become president.
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She better save some funds for her nose job after her campaign totally implodes. The Pinnochio factor in the Clinton campaign is off the charts.
Schuster from MSNBC just reported that he also flew into the same landing area as Clinton. He stated they had to put on helmets, protective vests and that the transport employed a steep approach in order to avoid sniper fire. This incident was 12 years ago. Schuster appears to be the only reporter left at that network that hasn't become an Obama cheerleader. Good for him.
I understand this is part of Mr. Schuster's required CPS (Clinton Public Service) while on Double Secret Pimp Probation ("DSPP"). Seriously, though, what's this got to do with the cost of black pekoe in the forbidden city? Unless Mr. Schuster was on the same flight (vs. "same landing area") - and even if so - it's clear from the video that there was no ducking/running for cover for the First Lady's party. They strolled along the tarmac, shook hands, kissed the little girl's cheeks Euro style, etc.
Funny!
Cheryl Atkisson of CBS News reported this morning that she was on Hillary's trip to Bosnia and there was no sniper scare on landing, in fact there was indeed a greeting ceremony on the tarmac where a little girl gave flowers to Hillary. They have videotape of all of this.
Ready to LIE on day one....go Hillary!
Yes she is a liar, and is ridiculous, she is power hungry and dismissive of those who do not agree with her 100%, and her staff is made up of an angry mob! And she is married to a man, well what else can be said about Bill Clinton, not much so I will not go there. For the most part she disappoints me as a democrat. Yet she remains a candidate ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND TIMES BETTER THAN JOHN MCCAIN. So if my candidate some how does not get the nomination,(even though this seems impossible) yes his name is Barack Obama, I intend to vote for Hillary Clinton, first and foremost because we cannot allow another Republican to run this nation into the ground, into another war (this time with Iran), I would certainly count on Hillary to not make these kinds of ridiculous mistakes.
Problem is, she lies so much, and her pockets are lined with more of the same money GOP candidates have, I think your claim about being better than McCain is easily challenged. Plus, the assumed First Gentleman clearly sells his influence to the highest bidder. As this race continues, it's become clear to me that the only chance we have to right this ship is an Obama presidency.
If Obama does not get the nomination- I hope Al Gore jumps in. The Republicans that pumped up Hillary's numbers by crossover voting in the primaries will vote for McCain. Most Obama supporters just hate Hillary now after the muslim inference, the photo of Obama is Kenya native dress, the accusation of plagarism from a speech his own campaign chairperson suggest he use (What a joke compared to the Bosnia tall tale), her ripping apart Lazio on tax returns but not providing hers etc. The idea that she is in any way a viable candidate is a media myth. The media loves the drama.
We have to face the fact that she would never win. So if it is not going to be Obama- we better start shopping for a new candidate. We are wasting precious time.
Opus007 writes, "If Obama does not get the nomination- I hope Al Gore jumps in. " - - I think VP Gore would do very well against Senator McCain. But Senator Obama will almost certainly get the nomination. Will he do as well against Senator McCain as VP Gore would have done?
the powers that be want either hillary or mccain. if hillary can't get the nomination, she will stay in the race as long as possible, and make it as incendiary as possible, to fragment the party so mccain can win.
and if, by some miracle, obama wins, then, in the words of bill hicks, they'll "take him into a dark, smoky room with the heads of industry, and show him a film of the kennedy assassination from an angle he's never seen." and then they'll give him his schedule, and send him out the door with a friendly pat on the rear. its just easier for them to work with someone who agrees with them ideologically. but they'll get what they want, one way or the other.
beware the military industrial complex and the central banking system. follow the money. everything else is just smoke and mirrors.
I agree with the article's basic premise, but I think it's being too harsh on Gore. Gore actually did play a critical role in promoting the development of the internet within government. Hillary's statement (and her clarification), however, had no basis in reality at all.
Baloney. Same thing.
Anyone ever take a second to question the press in this debacle? This is the same media establishment that sat idle as news stories were made up about President Clinton (most of Whitewater that did not involve perjury) and perpetrated or aided the slander of both Gore (internet and Love Canal) and Kerry (swift boat), yet cowardly sat by while the Bush Administration lied us into war (list too long to count).
The press lies to us more than anyone else. Whether through laziness, incompetence, or complicity, the press has failed us miserably for a long time now.
Where is the presentation of facts? Where is the investigative journalism? Why do we let the press pick up a story from one outlet (such as Drudge) and repeat it without verification until most people believe it is fact?
Where was she when she had to duck her head and run to her car? Did THAT ever happen ANYWHERE? Or is that another 'misstatem
Good question.
Interesting to see how the author mentions Gore. Today, people wail for him to be President.
Saunders is referring to Gore "prior to his public resurrection as a party elder and environmental evangelist
Misspoke, the new word for lie. Hillary must have hired Frank Luntz. A misstatement is an noun and misspoke is the verb. Hillary Clinton misspoke a misstatement. Maybe she was on a commander and chief training drill where they pretend there is sniper fire in case you ever enter a war zone with your daughter and a 8 year old girl. Common scenario for any president. If it had been Bill he would have said "F you guys, I ain't getting off this plane." I have a different take on it. I think that she actually believes it happened. I am seeing more and more evidence of someone with a tenuous grasp of reality. I follow this stuff pretty closely and right now about 80% of the things she says aren't actually true.
Good grief.....
Then why bring Chelsea? Or was the WH saying, "If it's too dangerous for the President, send the First Lady. If it's too dangerous for her, send Chelsea."
The fact that there was a very real danger in Bosnia isn't being criticized by anyone here. It was dangerous. The problem is Hillary Clinton recalled, in great detail, of a harrowing incident involving sniper fire and a needing to quickly run to her car. She described a dramatic case of mortal danger that was a complete fallacy. She's lying to get votes in other words. She's lied lot's of times. Her role in Irish peace? A lie. Her claims of railing against Nafta behind the scenes during her husbands administration? A lie. Her claims of voting for the war wasn't a vote to go to war? A Lie. In regards to the primary in Michigan she said " It's clear, this election they're having IS NOT GOING TO COUNT FOR ANYTHING," Hillary said this during an interview on New Hampshire Public Radio's call-in program, 'The Exchange.' That was a lie. She later claimed that those votes should count. She lies without fore thought, she lies boldly and with no conviction. At the end of her Bosnia Sniper lie she says with conviction "and that is what happened". That re-affirmation of the lie is a lie and her press release that her comments were a "misstatement" is in of itself a lie.
After Bush, if any American votes for this woman they need to be lobotomized.
80 % sure. Yeah closely. You seem to be at 100% Lyeing about lying, it's the American political system and its followers at work
Misspoke, the new word for lie. Hillary must have hired Frank Luntz. A misstatement is an noun and misspoke is the verb. Hillary Clinton misspoke a misstatement.
You should check out this great new book by Mal Fraunklen, "Misspeaking Misspeakers And The Misstatements They Misspake".
So when did paragraph breaks become verboten?
Thanks for the tip. Obviously, the site is glitchy today.
Watch the video!!! I don't understand why they use the words mistatements, when she lies. She has lied about her experience over and over again. You can see the video that she lied, lied, lied! Why do we let her get away with everything? She gets to tear up. She gets to scream in anger. She gets to be bi polar and we let her!!! She gets to lie!!!! Leon Penetta and Greg Craig, former Clinton advisors has also said, she doesn't have the experience she says. Why does she get away with all the lies?
I don't understand why they use the words mistatements, when she lies. She has lied about her experience over and over again. You can see the video, unless you are blind, you can see that she lied, lied, lied! Why do we let her get away with everything? She gets to tear up. She gets to scream in anger. She acts bi polar and she lies and she gets away with it!!!! Leon Penetta former Clinton advisor and Greg Craig has also said, she doesn't have the experience she says she has. She's a liar! Why do we keep giving her a pass ????
How does someone forget that they WEREN'T under sniper fire?
It was super tense then. People did get warned about possible sniper fire a lot. But you guys can gloat about this display of her ego. She obviously was on a roll and got carried away. And Gore did the same. He lost, too. Aren't we glad we judge people like him by such measures? *haha
Another reason that contributed to Gore losing the election is how THE CLINTONS damaged the DEMOCRATIC brand. Everyone was so sick of the Clinton BS. Just like Bush is doing now to the Republicans.
Especially since Chelsea was walking around looking equally as relaxed and unstressed as Hillary (and the 8 year old). I'm sure Bill...Che
Mr. Saunders writes in part, "....as long as they play into the preconceived notions that people have about the candidate.
Sorry, that was weird. Only half my post came through. Here's the remainder as best I recall it:
Paragraphs aren't allowed right now. Can you guys get to the main headline stories? I can't. Won't load.
Try, try again. This time with no paragraph breaks. What I intended to add was that Mr. Saunders appears to have already shown that folks' notions about Senator Clinton are rather less "preconceived" and rather more "based on experience".
Exactly, doodlefarbe! The problem with Saunders' point is that the anti-Gore metanarratives established by the corporate media political infotainwhores typically fabricated falsehoods about Gore. For instance, they reported that Gore was a "serial exaggerator" prone to take credit for all sorts of improbable achievements-- then they had a field day spreading truth-free claims about Gore claiming to have "invented the Internet", identifying Love Canal as a hazard, being an inspiration for the "Love Story" character, etc. Never mind that this was ALL wrong-- including the "earth tone" Naomi Wolf invention. On the other hand-- damn this loss of paragraph breaks!-- if there IS a "Clinton" metanarrative, as Saunders and Bob Somerby argue-- it's far more complicated because Clinton DOES dissemble and make shit up. Unlike Gore, Clinton is not merely a victim of the pathological media. She's counter-pa
She will Say and Do anything to be Pres. haven't we had enough of this Meglomania in the WH?
LOL HOnesty Gap, check this out...
I never knew Wright talked that way. I did know Wright talked that way. :) Let's get real about whose got character issues about lying.
And Obama will even disenfranchise voters and have his surrogates try to run her out of the race to win. Why would you imagine you've got the moral high ground? Perplexing to me, for sure. Either he's the winner and has no fear. Or you know darn well he's in hot water and wish to avoid more evidence.
If HRC had wanted to enfranchise voters, perhaps she would have gotten Bill Nelson et al in FLA and Levin and the Gov et al in MI to offer re-votes on the same terms. She didn't give a hoot about enfranchising those voters unless she could do so with a tilted playing feel. Intellectual honesty, please.
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