Palindromes: It Started with Hillary Clinton and It's Got to End with Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton made an excellent show of her support for Senator Obama and the Democrats at the DNC party. But now is her moment to show that she is more than just motions for the Democratic nominee for president. She is, in fact, the perfect answer to Sarah Palin, John McCain's VP choice.

Why? Because Hillary Clinton can f$%# you up. Clinton is best suited for the gritty work of attacking Palin, who the GOP is casting as the affable yet hot hockey mom, doing her best by her family. Senator Obama and his VP choice, Joe Biden are already treading carefully in their positioning against Palin because almost any move they make can play negatively for them for one simple reason: no one likes to see a woman attacked by a man. Obama faced this in his primary fight with Clinton; he could not throw the same punches as she could. She used it to her advantage, he withdrew. She cast herself as a fighter, he refused to fight this way and held his ground. The Democrats made their choice about which they preferred, but there's no question that Clinton established her credentials as an attack dog. Bona fides in hand, Clinton can show how Palin's stance against abortion, for example, is not in the interest of women and how Palin's position is exactly indicative of the kind of compliant, caged woman Palin is, and 'you, American woman' are not. In a sense, Clinton needs to create a distinction between herself and the kind of woman who becomes like an advocate for the oppression of all women. And, Clinton can portray Palin as an opportunistic naif, who does not understand the needs or issues of those 18 million voters Palin so breathlessly appealed to, as if they might be so changeably bought by one speech.

Hillary and Palin occupy the same social caste -- white, professional women of faith, with families and they, in this way, are 'allowed' to attack each other, without the danger of it being too unseemly. Except Clinton's done better than Palin. I'm a former first lady. Who exactly, are you again? Do you really think the people who voted for me, would vote for you?

This should not be an impossible sell, as one wire reported:

Obama, Biden and Clinton oppose Palin on every major social issue. She is against abortion for rape and incest, for the death penalty, against same-sex marriage, for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, against gun control, and she famously sued the federal government to delist polar bears as an endangered species. But as an avid outdoorswoman, a self-proclaimed hockey mom, and a reformer who openly criticized the notoriously corrupt politics of Alaska, she will be hard to patronize when Biden debates her on Oct. 2...

Democrats have a way of making even an easy job hard, and they could underestimate the obstacles ahead. Palin will be cast as an excellent mirror of the American family -- a working mom, her family is broken in ways similar to that of the many American families (teen pregnancy, a relative's marital conflict, a child with disability). Clinton alone can show how Palin is not the answer for all the American women who are looking for an equal voice at home, in healthcare, in politics, and in their professional lives. Clinton is best suited to question how someone with such a loose hold on the management of a teen and embroiled in a personal scandal at home in Alaska, is not the best candidate to be second in command of the United States.

Here's what's on the table:

Clinton has a chance to be a hero. She can put herself or she can put the Democratic party ahead for November. Unfortunately, if this is an indication of the pussy-footing ahead, this might be it, as the NYT noted:

Clinton advisers said they expected that a bloc of her female supporters would give Mr. McCain a second look because of Ms. Palin, and that Mrs. Clinton was probably Mr. Obama's best weapon in response. But asked if the Palin pick would lead to a new political marriage between Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton, a senior Clinton adviser, Ann Lewis, said: "Not a political marriage. She is not on the ticket. Senator Obama chose Joe Biden as his running mate. Hillary will do what she can to help."

So, if Senators Obama and Biden aren't brilliant about this and if Clinton doesn't show up, I'm afraid the Dems may only have the loose hope that McCain will decompose in some way. Perhaps McCain might go Manchurian candidate-like, driveling on about something erratic and wacky, the bombs, Iran, my room, 5x7, Fridays, I love ice cream, boobs, t-shirts and polka dots. My first marriage, Vietnam, they're all miracles. Something like that, something to make even the Patriots frightened. Short of that, Dems will really need to work out how to show and tell why they're better.

Comments

[Puma-SF]

It is not Hillary Clinton's job to garner support for Obama. It is Obama's job to win our votes. He hasn't been able to do it so far and I doubt that he ever will. I am a Hillary Clinton supporter adn I will never vote for Obama no matter how many times she asks. My vote will go to John McCain. Obama has proven himself once again to be an empty suit, lying hypocrite who stole the nomination and is not qualified to be president. John McCain has experience and I believe the "know how" to get things done.

When the Republicans take office in January just remember that Hillary Clinton had a 100% chance of winning when she was railroaded out of the race. It is people like you and the Huff Po who drove her out and guaranteed that we would not support Obama. We've been saying it all along it's just too bad no one was listening.

[KoryO]

'Scuse me, but OBAMA is the nominee. He has the responsibility to go out there and win this, NOT Hillary. If he wanted her to fight for him, he had the chance to put her as the VP. He didn't even consider her. He went for that electrifying dynamo, Joe Biden. Yeah.....w­oo hoo.

Hell, when Carter and Kennedy had their battle to the end in 1980, Carter didn't depend on Kennedy to go out there and win it for him afterwards. It wasn't Kennedy's job to do that.....h­is job was to stay out of the freakin' way because he didn't win. He gave his speech for party unity and then went home to enjoy the rest of the summer. Nobody blamed Kennedy because Carter didn't win. Carter manned up and took the blame for blowing it (ok, he blamed Reagan too....but he didn't blame Kennedy for it like a sniveling little brat.)

Obama wanted it, he promised that he could win it, and now he's the standard bearer. If he isn't tough enough to win it on his own like a big boy, he should get into the waaaaaah-mbulance and step aside.

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BTW, Logan, get back to us if/when you have a teenager and let us ALL know your secret for keeping him/her under control so they don't do anything stupid. Ahhh....I remember back when I didn't have kids and had all the answers, too.....he­h heh heh!!!

[minty]

Now you all are just being silly.
The last time I checked you wanted Senator Clinton to quit, go away, die or even worse. Many here called Hillary every derogatory name in the book and proliferated hate, sexism and misogyny. Now you call her back like your mother to clean up what you all have broken. Now you want Hillary Clinton to be your Hero? You all are poor excuses for democrats.

Your guy "won", so stop whining and put on some adult pants and get to work. Senator Obama is the nominee. He is running for Commander in Chief . If Obama cannot handle a 2 year Governor from Alaska..ho­w is he supposed to run a country? Pathetic.

[DennyCrane]

Hillary's silence has been pretty deafening. John McCain picked Palin in large part to attract disgruntled Hillary voters. She should come out and show those who supported her that she doesn't think Palin would make a good VP or President. By saying nothing, she sends the message that she would rather her supporters go to McCain now that he has a woman running mate than Obama.

[arthur2008]

She could schedule her speech opposite the McCain acceptance speech . . .

[NeoLiberal]

Where's Hillary in all this?

Why is she not speaking out?

If she's going to do everything she can to get BHO elected, then she needs to quash this sexism meme once and for all and speak out.

[SDSL]

Hillary will speak when the time is right. However, with the betting on that Palin will withdraw her name - a la Eagleton - it's wise to wait and see. Even if Palin is a better speaker than Hillary (HA!) in her first national appearance tonight, Palin and the GOP still have to answer the main question of qualification for the VP position. That case will never be made.

[MaryT63]

Why should Hillary be the attack dog for Obama. She created most of the mess that Mcbush campaign is using. Besides she wants WH in 2012. Obama chose the correct VP. I would not trust Hill/Bill beyond my nose. Should Obama loses, Hillary can kiss 2012 goodbye.

[nancysabet]

Please you all, leave Hillary alone. You are asking her now to make sure he wins?? Obama WILL NOT WIN! BECAUSE HE DID NOT WIN THE PRIMARY in the first place. As for the Palin, unlike Hussein, she is a real, genuine, authentic, principled human being with loads of character and integrity–a very good match for John McCain. They’re both maverick reformers. They can help bring about the real change we all want to see in Washington. They both actually have a track record of bringing about positive changes in government. If you can make it in Wasilla, Alaska, you can make it any where. Sarah will, once in DC, have no problem leading the Senate in the charge of taking on the little squirrels inside the beltway with much greater ease and effort than she exerted in taking down some moose-sized corruption in Alaska. Finally, Please provide me, with my "lower IQ", a list of B. Hussein Obama's vast executive experience. (I bet you don't answer, no offense, but nobody has been able to answer yet).

[SugarPuddin]

Please tell me if he didn't win in the first place why on earth is he the Democratic pick for POTUS? I like Hillary Clinton and she is a brilliant and powerful female, but she DID NOT WIN. If you think Sarah Palin has a great track record, then Heaven help us all. If you do not vote Obama/Biden, you are either a bitter person or I'll just tell it like it is, you are prejudiced.

[idahospud44]

Okay, you have every right to keep your love for Hillary alive. However, you need to do your research on Simple Sarah Palin. She believes we are in the "End Times" do you know what that means? She shoots mammals from airplanes for sport, she would force any young woman raped to have the rapist's child, She has limited experience and was educated at a lily white "party school"-the University of Idaho and never bothered to get an advanced degree. She doesn't believe in global warming, sued the federal government over including polar bears on the endangered species , and has taken hundred of thousands of dollars from the oil lobby. Do any of these positions bother you? Are they ones that Hillary would support? Barack is a genius and you are allowing emotions to blind you to the bleak future a MCSane and Simple Sarah would offer you and all of us.

[IndyStacey]

nancy, you all keep citing Palin's executive experience as evidence she has more experience than Obama. Do you realize that McCain has no executive experience either? Per your logic, Palin should be at the top of the ticket. Palin has many fine qualities, but none of them have prepared her to be second in command of this country.
p.s. grow up.

[utleftie]

1. If Obama wanted Clinton to fulfill the role of attack dog, he should have picked her as his running mate.

2. Clinton already is a hero to many women. I doubt that she's seeking any validation from you.

3. She has already done more than enough to help Obama. I know she will continue to do more, but she doesn't owe him anything.

4. If Obama was not so sexist himself, handling this person (Palin) would not be a problem for him.

5. It's time for Obama to take care of his own business.

[ckfan]

Please explain to us, in specific detail, what Obama has done to make you believe he is sexist???? Specifics, please.

[jdona]

Lets see, how about shooting her the middle finger, ridiculing her as Annie Oakley and telling her to bring her six shooters, brushing her off his shoulders and shoes like she was dirt. Making fun of her with his "I understand that she may PERIODICALLY feel down and blue", with his sarcastic, smug little smirk, to the whoops and hollers of all his juvenile delinquents in the audience. You may not think that was sexist. We do.

[dsmyre]

HRC should be supporting her party's pick for President. She should be doing it for her party, not for Obama personally. If Bill and HRC want a future in the party leadership, they should be fully supportive of Obama when he needs their support. Which is now.

[dsmyre]

C.linton should be working to fully support her party's pick for President and VP.
If she wants a future in the party leadership, she better get her fanny in gear and work it now, while the party needs her help. Nobody owes anybody any personal favors. And it's not up to Obama to "take care of his own business" as you put it. It's strictly politics and C.linton knows that better than anyone.

[XME]

Clearly you have a problem with Obama, so I'll ignore most of your comments, but must comment on a few.

I don't think ANYONE, other than PUMAs and Republicans can claim Obama's been sexist. Fact is when it comes to Palin, it won't matter...t­hat's why they picked her! Now, if he says ANYTHING, they can call him sexist, true or not, and try to use it to get women to "sympathize" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/mccain-camp-levels-charge_n_123257.htmll). It's an insult to women, and to the work that Hillary's done over her life for Palin to compare herself to her in any way.

Yes...Clin­ton is a hero to many women, and no, she doesn't owe Obama anything, but you can still bet she'll be out there campaigning against McCain/Pal­in...NOT for Obama, but for her supporters, who KNOW Palin is unprepared and a joke to women who ARE deserving, not to mention Palin represents everything Hillary has fought against!

It has nothing to do with Obama, it has to do with Hillary and what she's worked for. Palin is a joke to women who've earned where they are. She shouldn't be out there campaigning because she owes it to Obama, but because she owes it to her country, and especially because she owes it to the women out there who believe in everything she fights for. Palin is no Clinton.

[PhiloVance]

Kwitcherbellyaking.

Leave Hillary out of this. The One made his choice. Deal with it.

Remember Alice Palmer?

[jhNY]

"Hillary and Palin occupy the same social caste -- white, professional women of faith, with families..­"

That's a mighty big social caste in which to be members in common, as it includes the vast majority of adult women in the nation, so big as to make the caste practically meaningless, as in Alaska and Arkansas are pretty much the same state-- both begin with the latter A, both have capital buildings, both have large rural populations, and here's the clincher-- when you look up, the sky above each state is a beautiful shade of blue.

Lots of people who had little to positive to say about Hillary the candidate now seem to have chore lists in hand for her, full of commands as to what she must do for the good of a party many wished devoutly she were not a member of during the primaries. Hope she's more forgiving than I would be under the circumstances, for all of our sakes. But not to worry in any case. Palin is doing a fine job of self-immolation. No need for any democrat, man or woman, hanging around the scene of the suicide brandishing matches.

[utleftie]

Your comments are totally right on!

[THEhillbilly]

If you can't find the word "palindrome" in a dictionary, let me know and I'll post a link for you.

That solecism wasn't the goofiest part of your "me too" article, which could have risen to the level of "catty" with more work. The choir you preach to here will have loved it anyway.

"Hillary Clinton made an excellent show of her support for Senator Obama and the Democrats at the DNC party."

"Show"-- yes, exactly. Though they dutifully delivered what was negotiated, we know that the Clintons will do everything they can possibly do clandestinely to keep trainee Obama out of the presidency. Like G.W. Bush, Barack Obama, John McCain, just to mention some spectacular examples, their priorities are Me, Party, Country in that order. They still believe she has one more chance to be president and that's what they'll work for.

[ESerafina42]

"We" don't know anything of the sort. Glad to hear you've been in their heads and know exactly what their beliefs and motivations are.

Could you people please get OVER your little snit, which has been going on for oh, probably about 6 months by now? Your guy WON!

[Mojane]

Hillary during the primaries was challenged by all of her fellow contestants -- all men. They didn't pull any punches with her because she's a woman, so why should Palin be immune in this race from her opponents? What an insult to women, implying they can't take the heat. She needs to be roasted just like Hillary was.

[BCubedReg]

Hillary didn't get treated with kid gloves in the primaries because she didn't set herself out as the woman candidate, she set herself out as any other candidate running for president, and I respect her for that.

She now needs to continue working for the dem party to dismantle Palin as McCain's running mate.

Though Hillary did not set herself out as the woman candidate, many of her supporters saw only that (and still see only that), and are willing to throw the entire woman's platform away on a McCain/Palin platform that supports none of their issues.

At least Hillary could see the forest for the trees. Her supporters do not.

[PennP]

I'm a former first lady. Who exactly, are you again?
"The governor of Alaska. I didn't marry into it, I won it."

Do you really think the people who voted for me, would vote for you?
"The polls show that a number of them would."

Hillary risks looking like a jealous bully, swooping down to spoil the chances of another woman who's poised to usurp her "rightful" place as first VP, or president. She'd be dubbed harpy, not heroine.

Let the market forces take care of Sarah Palin, whose days as a candidate are most likely numbered in the single digits. Turn the focus on John McCain and his judgment, and unmask the "maverick" label as nothing but a cover for injudicious impulsivity. McCain himself has admitted he's often wrong in his snap decisions, but has said that only he has to live with the consequences. That's never been true, and it's especially wrong now. I don't think he has the chops to make considered choices, or the patience to weigh a decision, sift through evidence, and come to valid conclusions. He's entirely too superficial, and in a critical sense, lightweight. And THAT is the most valuable takeaway from the Palin scandal at this point, IMO.

[jhw22]

I am confident that Hillary does not want Palin to be the one to bust through the ceiling. Howard Wolfson is now pro-Obama. Hillary will be out there, the question is when?

Another question: If it is sexist to challenge her qualifications why isn't it sexist to say she has more experience because she is a mom of 5? I don't hear those same people giving cred to Biden for being a dad and going home every night WHILE developing a massive record on national and foreign experience.

If we are going to use motherhood as a check in the experience column, then we need to do the same for fatherhood.

Jennifer

[rzan1]

I disagree. I don't mind that she is the mother of five, but she has an infant son with special needs, and he needs his mother. I don't have children, but if I had a baby with Down Syndrome, he would be the most important part of my life. She is not your usual working mother; she is running for a job that is second to the Presidency of the most powerful nation in the country. Trig needs her more than the American people do.

[minty]

How many women of children with disabilities have the luxury of staying home because their mother "needs them". What planet do you live on. Yes Palin is your usual working mother if you would take time to open up your eyes.

Do I support Palin politicall­y...hell no. But some comments like these are off the charts and reveal the double standard in which our country functions. No one ask Biden to resign when he lost his wife and daughter so he could care for his injured son, who was now motherless.

[Cramus]

I think there would be arisk to have Hillary speak out. The far right doesn't need to get anymore fired up and feel victimized by the Clintons. It might be best to just sit back let the internal fires of the Republicans fester and implode. I think they are starting to implode. I'm not sure we need to give them a common enemy to unite against. Implode instead