Another "The Hillary I Know"

The street fighting that is happening online is intense. It seems to start with the goal of running Hillary Clinton out of town.

I liked Barack Obama even more on Tuesday night for not piling on. For recognizing that ultimately we Democrats will all be in this together.

But it seems he was acting alone. If I read one more time that Hillary Clinton's goal is to ruin Barack Obama's chances in the fall or that she won't do as she promised and work hard for the Democratic nominee or she doesn't care about the Democratic party or the issues I'm gonna scream -- or cry cause I am a girl.

A tool in the Clinton campaign arsenal was "The Hillary I Know". Testimonials from dozens of people whose lives Hillary Clinton has touched over the years. From her childhood friends to her colleagues in her work on children's issues to her time as First Lady and as Senator. All the stories were solid examples of why Hillary Clinton would be a great president.

No, it doesn't look like that will happen at this point. She has some tough decisions to make. I know she feels a strong is a commitment to complete the primaries and she doesn't want to be quit on those who have supported her.

Today, however, the blogosphere is in desperate need of some new testimonials. Because all I am reading today are stories about her motives and beliefs from people who have never liked her and don't know her.

Well, the Hillary I know doesn't get run out of town. She stays. She engages. She thinks and she cares.

The outcries today calling for her head remind me of the attacks on Al Gore during the Supreme Court deliberations and ultimate decision about the 2000 election. Gore's opponents could not have been nastier about his quest, claiming that he was damaging the country. They were certain that he would work to delegitimize the Bush presidency (of course President Bush ultimately needed no outside help in doing that!) before it started. Instead he surprised them, (but not his friends), with the classiest most patriotic exit possible.

I don't know what Hillary Clinton will do in the next few weeks. But I do know that she is not going to take an unwinnable fight to the convention and spoil the party. She wants to beat John McCain in the fall. And she sincerely believes that she has the best chance to do so and that she would be a better president. However, if a majority of the superdelegates tell her in the ensuing days that they are going to be for Obama, then she will accept their decision. And she will resolve her campaign the way she has lived her entire career -- with class, commitment and intelligence.

And if that were to happen, mark my words, she will be the MOST valuable surrogate Barack Obama has in the fall campaign.

Comments

[iLogos]

I'd like to believe this... but the problem is it does not fit with the words Sen. Clinton herself has uttered.

As to why people are calling for her to withdraw... she has no one to blame but herself. She has taken very nearly every opportunity to malign Sen. Obama, divide the party along racial/socio-economic/education lines, and even pass on known lies, to win the election. She has done almost as much damage to the party as she has to her own political legacy. The only questions remaining are will she bow out gracefully when the time comes and will she finally take the high-road for the last three weeks? So far it isn't looking very promising.

[ornovscot]

Ms. Rosen refers to people who know what Hillary Clinton is like. Since most people can't judge what she is like in private or on a personal level, all they are left with is her behavior in public. And, just as the above post indicates, that behavior has been found wanting.


More recently, Ms. Rosen defended Senator Clinton's being selected as Barack Obama's running mate.


As Vice President I believe that Hillary Clinton would continue to be divisive and would say and do things that would harm an Obama Administration.



I'm sorry, but all the electorate can see is the behavior she's exhibited in public. That behavior is divisive and negative.

[jbdeakyne]

I used to like Hillary. And I have no problem with her staying in the race, as long as she stops bashing THE CANDIDATE. I can't believe anyone can find this defensible. All she needs to do is become gracious, kind, and fair - like Obama. If she can't do this, she needs to go away. And the leaders of the party need to help her if she will not go gracefully. This family dysfunction may not be hurting THE CANDIDATE, but it makes the Democratic party look stupid, ineffective, petty and all-in-all too weak to take care of the Hillary problem. No wonder so much of the public hates us. Sometimes I do too.
JBD

[judgeinmillvalley]

Bob Herbert said it all in his Times column when he bemoaned the Clinton lack of class in knowing how to exit. After suriving the Monica Lewinsky scandal, he noted, they proceeded to the infamous pardons of criminals who were paying off brothers Hugh and Tony Rodham to win pardons from the Rodham brother-in-law. The Clintons removed furniture and rugs from the White House and had to put them back. I would be less likely to care about these things, but as Hillary is fond of saying, "Is there a pattern here?" Yes, one of blatant self entitlement. Interviewed on Sixty Minutes, she used both body language and inuendo "as far as I know" as to whether Obama is a Muslim, instead of declaring that she and Obama attend prayer breakfasts together as Christians. When she talked about the "hard working whites" who were supporting her, what is she implying? As opposed to the lazy black and whites who don'? On the Philadelphia debate concering Bosnia "misstatements," she flatly said she was "not dumb.' Better play dumb as to those "hardworking" remarks, Mrs. Clinton. It's the optimal excuse. To this person (me) who worked hard to elect Bill Clinton, both Clintons are yet again an enormous disappointment.

[tojoi]

You got it , judge. At some point you have to give up the ghost and work for reconciliation.

The most confusing and heartbreaking part is I really "liked" the Clintons. Shoot, In the 90's, life was good. Yes they had their faults, but folks was working, buying homes, and the economy was balanced and at a surplus. AND WE WERE AT PEACE.!

Unfortunately, this by-any-means-necessary, self-indulgent, pandering to her audience of the moment approach is crushing to my once positive image of the Clintons. This is not the same Bill or Hillary we thought we knew. And it only shows that her lack of diplomacy, snide remarks, and her inablity to manage her campaign will only hurt the country if she's elected. It will be more of the same good ole boy - ahem, and girl- politics.

Prime example, that "elitist bull crap she started about Obama was ridiculous. But she knew folks would fall for the okey-doke. He's the poorest one in the bunch and just paid off his student loans, for Goodness Sake. But she's a shrewd politician and knows although some folks will not admit it, they are scared to death to have a black man as President and leader of the free world and will use ANY excuse to justify it.

[lavisiter]

You gotta be kidding me! for a "judgeinmillvalley - this is alot of fantastical projections! I wonder - will you finally stop hating when and if your guy becomes the candidate? He's doing pretty good buddy! Calm down!

[CAPTAINSKIPPY]

The real damage to our party and country will arrive if we elect an unqualified person as President. (Compare with Bush, GW)

[lavisiter]

OH, YOU ARE SO RIGHT! I can't believe we are going to end up doing this ALL OVER AGAIN!

[syllepsis]

Hillary Clinton is certainly not the cause, but a major symptom of the ills of our politics. Her husband, a competent President (but competence is not wisdom), was blackmailed by hypocritical, thuggish Republicans until his Party decided to revoke the Nixon-era controls on our would-be Imperial Presidency. (I could curse the Democrats forever for giving in to this blackmail, but the Party has until lately shown no big-picture thinking at all.) Hillary, understandably, does not want to be blackmailed again. But lacking insight- she is DANGEROUSLY lacking in insight- she does not see that the problem is institutional, and not a matter of simply making sure that she can give as good as she gets. The American people are wiser than her in this regard. This is why she has already lost the Democratic nomination.

[lavisiter]

No, I think Hillary knows this country is in BIG DO DO and she knows she can make a HUGE CONTRIBUTION in turning it around!!!! Yep a real patriot who is unfortunately running on a Democratic ticket! Her biggest mistake was not to run as an Independant!

[lizr]

I too am very sad for Hillary and I have shed many tears over her and this election. Mostly tears of grief at the disillusionment I feel, the disappointment at seeing the feet of clay of someone I so greatly admired who has shown herself to be so much less than I had hoped for. The politics of white v black and division and racism that have come OUT OF HER MOUTH have made me feel such despair. Because I would have loved nothing more than to vote for a woman in this race.

Initially I was neutral I had supported Hill and Bill in the 90's in every way I was able to. I am a feminist, so are are my family. We would LOVE to vote for a woman. However we are all about peace, too. I was angry about the votes for the war, and concerned about the economic divide and so I went initially for Edwards. But watching her behavior drove me towards Barack.

I cannot condone any form of racism, certainly not coming from A FEMINIST, in the DEMOCRATIC PARTY. It's a no brainer, and a mind blower at the same time.

As long as working class whites are shortsighted enough to be blinded by racism, none of us will move forward.

And THIS is at the core of the issue that makes people so angry with Hillary. True Dems don't engage in dividing people by race. Or abet that process in the media.

[lavisiter]

I don't believe a word you're saying lizr? Period!

[dawlishgal]

I lost a best friend of decades over a difference of opinion re HIllary and her behavior. The amazing thing is that even though I think the rift cannot be repaired, I feel a sense of relief at defining for MYSELF the limits of what is acceptable and not acceptable to me in a politician. For somebody to rationalize Hillary's behavior as being necessary for her to win just makes them seem equally sleazy to her, and it makes it hard to mourn the death of the friendship.

When the Clintons started behaving like bozos, I went back and reviewed their in-power behavior (such as the NAFTA deception and the healthcare debacle, as well as her defusing the bimbo-eruptions by calling the young women "stalkers" in case somebody had seen her husband with them in public---stuff like that), and I realized I wouldn't have liked them any better then (if I had been paying attention). I felt guilty for having supported them so thoroughly and for such a long time. Of course, then the alternatives to the Clintons were far worse. Now the alternatives are better. Thank God for that.

[ornovscot]

I am not surprised by the behavior the gentlewoman from New York has evinced during this campaign.
Indeed, had her behavior been otherwise I would have been shocked. Her campaign's use of elements of the media in its attempt to level ad hominem attacks against Senator Obama during the Wright controversy is itself telling.

I do think that the methods she used during this campaign are consistent with past behavior. I quite agree that her voting to authorize the use of force in Iraq is unacceptable. Even until a few years ago, Senator Clinton supported sending additional thousands of soldiers to Iraq. And, well, now she is averring that she is opposed to this war. But, as well, she says that the withdrawal must be measured and well considered.

Her response that she would obliterate Iran was itself revealing of the type of mentality she has.

And for those who are interested in other matters that would reflect poorly on any campaign, this is an interesting article:

http://www.counterpunch.org/giordano10012007.html

Still, there are many great women who would make splendid Presidents. Simply because Hillary Clinton is not one of those women should not be an argument for greater progress where feminism is concerned.

[tdiem]

Spoken beautifully --Thanks.

[Briarcircle]

At the start of this campaign I was thrilled to support Hillary. I kept waiting for her to be Presidential but it never happened. She is an abuse victim who uses the excuse to do the same to others to show she can dish it out. I suppose we should thank her for showing her true colors and what she is capable of doing to get what she wants. What a shame.

[lavisiter]

And she did WHAT Briarcircle! The projections in these posts are so irrational! Go to any length..........talk about abuse - EXACTLY - TOWARDS Hillary Rodham Clinton! And all for WHAT?

[BubbaC33]

The only shame in this campaign is the shame Obama supporters ought to feel for the constant attacks on Ms. Clinton based on spin and distortion.

[yhgtup]

Constant attacks on Mrs. Clinton? Hillary supporters have been vicious! They're following their leader, petty with NO CLASS!! Hillary herself, has repeatedly "dogged" Barack whenever possible. She kicked him HARD when he was down! She made the comment during the Rev Wright fiasco that, "you can't choose your family, but you can choose your pastor". Political pundits say you don't do that when a member of your own Party is down. You don't pounce on them, too. Well, how come the Clintons invited Rev Wright to the Oval Office for "spiritual guidance" when Bill cheated with Monica Lewinsky? Surely, being President of the United States, with all the options, Bill and Hillary could "choose" another pastor. That's just one example of how low-down she is. And, Barack KNOWS this information, but he is too decent to "throw it in her face". Go to michaelmoore.com and read the Open Letter, dated April 21, 2008. Hillary and her supporters are mad because Barack beat the Clinton Machine at their own game! supporterBarack has su

[lavisiter]

No kidding, BubbaC33! And THIS is exactly what our country has come to since the 8 years of GWBush - AND most of the people writing this OLD (yawning) trash in these blogs (especially the couple above) about HRC are the same ones (you know the 80%) that were salivating to go to George W. Bush's WAR!!!!! And now they've become just like him!!! UGH! Are these REALLY OBAMA supporters/fans? It's frightening and NOT much CHANGE to look forward to either!

Of course it's not over - til it's over! :-)

[Bettysdad]

I'm curious. What in any of the stories from her childhood friends to her colleagues in her work on children's issues to her time as First Lady and as Senator were solid examples of why Hillary Clinton would be a great president? She's left very few fingerprints anywhere.

[lavisiter]

I wish she'd leave FOOTPRINTS myself and LEAVE this creepy Democratic party!

HILLARY - PLEASE - LEAVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND RUN AS AN INDEPENDANT!

[idest]

So, you're no longer a Democrat because the majority of your party voted a different way than you? Wow, I guess it was time to rethink your ideology anyway.

[pbone]

Perhaps the lightest, most invisible fingerprints of all in NYS after she took on the "job" of U S Senator. Ask anyone from upstate NYS who attended any of her "listening tour" whistle stops - pure, unadulterated pandering with no intention whatsoever of following through on her slick, empty promises! Just what has she been doing for SIX YEARS? Anybody? ANYTHING AT ALL?

[dawlishgal]

Well, for one thing, she supported invading a country that had done nothing to us.

[Bella Liberty]

Super power US Presidential elcetion will have an impact not only on US but also on the whole world where world affairs including peace is concerned. Result of US presidential election will have a pivotal effect probably involving an immediate change in the corridors of world history . World peace will be determined by election. Destiny of American people depend on it. economic recovery depends on it. As the current history of US is the effect of 2000 Presidential election, the current Presidential election difintely affect the history of US and the denstiny of its people. So every vote is life of the Nation and who should win is an important political matter.

[juangault]

I agree that the choosing of the next president will send a big message to the rest of the world. America is now more dependent on the world than ever before. Like many individual citizens who are coping with the problem of owing more than they have, or can earn, America as a nation must now somehow work it's way out of debt. It also must realize that it does not have the moral "high ground" to use it's military might. Like Vietnam, it will lose in it's effort to extract resources from other nations, in the guise of "spreading democracy" or retaliating against religious zealots resorting to terrorism. I think that the world's best interest is served by someone who will lead the country down the long road of America's inevitable future by first building the bridges it blew up with the Republican neocon fireworks, then slowly but effectively returning it's statue in the world to the position it had before World War 2. The whole outcome will depend on how or if we find an alternative to fossil fuel and atmosphere. Someone must answer the question. "Who is John Galt". "Yankee ingenuity" is alive, but not well. Everyone will benefit if we get over this mountain range.

[DHGallegos]

I just went and checked the HRC website......The Hillary I know or knew? .....is not on the front page anymore......... She is just asking for money to pay off her debts for a losing campaign. The Hillary I knew in the 90's was one of the most fab feminists for my generation to look up to.......But FEMINIST does not mean pandering for votes and lying to people that do not know better that she will get them a whole $10.00 a month over the summer.....that she KNOWS she can not get them this summer......And the Hillary I thought I knew would never THINK of RACE BAITING....and YES SHE IS!!! Personally I think it is the people that she has running her campaign that have ruined this election for her.....So just like her failing to admit the HUGE mistake she made in voting for the war.....she has also failed running her campaign. America does not owe her the nomination..........and the way she has conducted herself thru this campaign has shown me as well as many others that she is not our "First Female President".....sad to me as well as my Mother as we were so hoping she would BE HER OWN WOMAN.

[lavisiter]

What are you talking about? I've seen this post - reposted ad nauseum! But hey - congratulations on being your own woman!

[Bettysdad]

If Mrs. Bill Clinton was one of the most fab feminists for my generation to look up to" you must come from a rather pathetic generation. You wouldn't know her name if she hadn't married Bill Clinton. The last thing she did on her own was apply to law school. She approached the glass ceiling standing on her husband's shoulders. She should be scorned by every genuine feminist as she is everything feminism opposes.

[SharonToji]

I spoke with a woman the other day who said she thought Hillary was great but would get power hungry if she was president, so she wouldn't vote for her! And of course, although white people are faulted for voting for someone by race, and women are faulted for voting for Hillary because she's a woman, no one seems to remark on the fact that black people are voting almost 100 percent for Obama. Why? Because it would be taken as a racist statement! I would be proud to have Obama as president. I'm in a mixed race marriage. I have adopted children of the same ethnic background as Obama. I have grandchildren of many "mixtures." It was hard for me to choose between a woman with great ideas and background, and a bi-racial person with great potential, so my initial choice was a white man, Edwards, based strictly on his ideas for programs. But stop listening to that Republican chant about how terrible Hillary and Bill are, and support Obama because you think he's the better choice, not because she's a bad choice. Give her the due she deserves -- the due of a strong, intelligent woman who represents many other women of her generation, and the steep climb they have all had to make to get any recognition.