Not A Gaffe, An Epiphany: Clinton, Muskie, Romney

Edmund Muskie weeping in the snow, George Romney being brainwashed, Michael Dukakis in an Army tank, John Kerry on his windsurfer. These moments are memorable not because they are gaffes, but epiphanies, illuminating what many voters already think of a candidate. The images endure not because they were aberrations, but revelations.

So it is with Hillary Rodham Clinton and the nightmarish memories she summoned at the editorial board of the Argus-Leader in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was tired, distracted, even groggy. She may have meant no harm, but she spoke in the context of the Clinton era, a Sister Souljah saga of saying and doing just about anything for political advantage, a recipe for political success. It's 1996, an election year? The Clintons abandon a Martha's Vineyard mansion to camp out in the Rockies. It worked.

This Clinton campaign's context has shifted from inevitability to ad hoc frenzy. As frustration and fatigue took their toll, the "kitchen sink" strategy disgorged assertions that were unlikely, then preposterous, now ghoulish. Even in the immediate context of her Friday remarks, Clinton misremembered:

"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary, somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember, Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California."

Bill Clinton's nomination was not in doubt when California voted on June 2, 1992. He won 15 straight primaries in April and May. He captured 30 of 36 primaries and won 51.8 percent of the popular vote in the primaries. In November, he won 43 percent of the popular vote and 370 electoral votes.

Clinton's sigh in Sioux Falls joins Muskie's temper and Romney's syntax in the pantheon of self-destructive moments. In 1968, Muskie's testiness was as notorious as Romney's malapropisms, well-known to both staff and press. Both awaited the volcanic moment of truth.

No one cringes more anxiously than staff. In 1988, the Dukakis advisers hoped their candidate's ride in a tank would emphasize his status as an Army veteran. They anticipated a nifty photo, their candidate's Macedonian locks flowing in the breeze. Dukakis, supremely proud of mandatory seat-belt laws in Massachusetts, insisted on safety first, wearing a helmet. The result: Rocky the Squirrel, too wonkish for words.

In 2004, the Kerry campaign wished its hero would adopt the Clinton vacation model, perhaps sponsoring a bowling tourney in Chillicothe. But he felt entitled and enjoyed his exotic, trendy and oh-so-telegenic sport. Staffers could not prevail against his stubbornness, though few admitted so. As another Nantucket Sound sailor, John F. Kennedy, said, "Victory has a thousand fathers and defeat is an orphan."

Entitlement helped cause Kerry's downfall and Al Gore's before him. They exuded the attitude of some educated baby boomers that voters were lucky to vote for them. That sense of entitlement also animated both Clintons. Hillary Clinton may not be one of the boys, but her sense of entitlement suggests that she is too much like them. Stubbornness is the residue of entitlement.

Comments

[denimtruth]

We all know that it has been a long campaign and that the candidates, their staff....everyone is tired.

However, I don't agree that she said the "asass..." word because she was tired. She spent the entire interview, 20-30 minutes or more, answering questions and going into great detail about a variety of issues. Frankly, it left me admiring her grasp of these issues.

When it came to the question about why she was staying in the race she noted the 1992 race, then mentioned Bobby Kennedy........and she then hesitated before she made the rest of the comment. It is hard for any of us to believe that she could have intended to say that, but it is clear that she chose her words carefully. That is what we do when we hestitate when talking.....we either think about what to say, or we pause for emphasis.

Superdelegates, don't give her a pass on this one...she does not have the character of someone we need to lead the country.

[LoloZ]

Great post, and I think it hits the nail right on the head. Whether she "misremembered" or lied, her kitchen sink campaign did indeed conjure up a "ghoulish" image.

[ayc]

Her gaffe got her back in the news, and back on the front page....

[DennyCrane]

A sense of entitlement has permeated Hillary's campaign right from the start. From the moment John Kerry lost the 2004 election, Hillary was declare the presumptive nominee for 2008. And when she finally declared her candidacy, the media said it was her nomination to lose. Even Hillary bought into this thinking and instead of being humble and acting like she had to earn people's votes, she projected arrogance thinking it was just confidence. No one likes to be told who to vote for. No one likes to be told that things have been decided for them. And along came Obama actually doing something unheard of. He went out and earned people's votes. Hillary's arrogance did her in and it's a perfect example of what a lousy president she would've been.

[baldingeagle]

DennyCrane: She didn't declare herself the presumptive nominee. The press declared her that. What was she to do, tell them she was wrong? And at the same time, the press called said she acted "entitled." A man would have been "confident." A woman: "entitled." If we end up counting Florida and Michigan, Ms. Arrogance will have "earned" more people's votes than Mr. Obama. Details. Details. Your analysis is a joke.

[nomobull]

NOT EVEN THEN OR DO YOU ONLY LISTEN TO BS THEORIES BASED ON
FUZZY MATH.AND THE UNKNOWN NUMBER OF THE CAUCUS STATES FIT YOUR THEORY HOW OR AE YOU LIKE HRC NOT COUNTING THEM .

[JimR]

I reject your analysis as seen through a sexism prism. The point is she was declared the inevitable nominee by the media, so it's disingenuous for her to say the media has always been attacking her.

And yes, there is a sense of entitlement with this campaign. Just as there was a sense of entitlement with the Bob Dole campaign, and to a lesser extent, this year with John McCain's campaign.

[Lonestarmom]

The post by the Hillary supporter shows why this long primary season must end soon...they need time to process Hillary's loss and look realistically at Senator Obama and Senator McCain...if you think that McCain is the maverick of 2000 then you have not been paying attention. He has said that he will continue the war in Iraq which will cost the lives of more of our young people, he will continue the economic policies of the Bush years which greatly benefit the wealthy...the middle class Republicans speak of includes people wih salaries of $150,000 to $250,0000 a year...sorry but in my mind that is not middle class. And he has said he would appoint conservative judges as outlined in the post by CalGoldenBear. If you are a true democrat then Senator McCain is not an option. Look at the policies supported by Clinton and Obama...they are not so far apart....do some research and join us in supporting Senator Obama...he is the leader our nation needs at this time!

[Moose49]

"Clinton misremembered"

No, she lied. She has said this over and over again. It wasn't even the first time she mentioned RFK in this context.

But you are right, this was a window into the dark and ugly recesses of her mind. And her sense of entitlement is at the root of all of her problems and failures.

[MPeter]

What a great piece of writing! HRC is indeed one of the boys. She lies better than most of them and she is more slippery than an eel. Right now, she is in a state of shock and cannot believe that she has been found wanting in a game she thought the Clintons owned the copyright for. She does not believe she is being guillotined even as her head gets between the blades.

[baldingeagle]

Nice, MPeter. Guillotined. If the tables were turned, would you say Obama was being Lynched? You're despicable.

[ayc]

Wow - MPeter, I guess if the only tool in your tool box is sexism, you use it everywhere. This middle-aged white woman has more tools than that, and I don't see it.

[Tane]

Very well put, thank you!

[CalGoldenBear]

To all pro-choice Clinton Dems:

Does the name "John Paul Stephens" ring a bell for you?

If it doesn't, then let me tell you the Mr. Justice Stephens is the currently longest serving member of the U.S. Supreme Court and is, I believe, regarded as the swing vote.

BUT Mr. Justice Stephens was born in April, 1920, making him 88 years old.

Do you think that Mr. Justice Stephens -- may the good Lord shine his light down on him -- has a 'guarantee card" in his wallet that says he'd live out four years of John McCain or his VP's filling out the term?

Should Mr. Justice Stephens DIE between now and January 20, 2013, he would perhaps be replaced by another Repub, most likely a pro-life one. Then what happens to Roe v. Wade?

With all due respect then, sitting the general election out or voting for John McCain are NOT options. Certainly NOT if you want women to continue to have the constitutional right to a legal abortion as they have since 1973!

[Revrob56]

I guess you can add George Allen's "macaca" moment.

[altohone]

Residue of entitlement.

Well said.

[obamagirl1968]

I kind of like that too....

[Johnnn]

I liked this article. Even as I like Hillary, I would, if I were her, keep a low profile, stop giving
interviews, and slowly slip away. I would not end the campaign although I might suspend it. Then I would say nothing. No endorsement. I would just do my job in the Senate and pay no attention to the junior Senator from Illinois who is going to save us all, like the Messiah.
I would like to see when Mr. Obama gets around to seeking Hillary's support. Maybe we'll be lucky and he'll think he doesn't need us. Then I would feel no guilt voting for McCain, who I prefer anyway.
There are many things wrong with this presidential selection process this time around. I am left
feeling discarded by the whole thing, as many Hillary supporters do. I did not expect to be considered part of the problem instead of part of the solution.

[ramblingjohnny]

You are not part of the problem. But she sure is and while you supported her up until now can you really say that she deserve your support now? Her campaign was a train wreck for many reason but it not your fault and you should not feel any loyalty left toward these peoples they just don't deserve it. They don't deserve respect either they deserve nothing but an historical footnote. If you wish to support McCain that your choice but can we really afford four more years of the Bush clone?

[JAJ2007]

I am sorry that you feel that you have been discarded in this process. It has been a long battle. We have had two solid candidates for some time - since just after South Carolina. It's unfortunate that things between some Obama supporters and Clinton supporters have gotten personal and nasty. However, I would say to Clinton supporters who right now think they should just stay home in the fall - you ARE part of the solution. Part of the solution to 8 years of carelessness in the White House, belligerent foreign policy and non-existent domestic policy - other than tax cuts. I understand that you are frustrated that your candidate didn't win. She did her best, but wasn't good enough. However, before you stay home, remember that her opponent holds essentially the same policy positions that she does - and is the polar opposite to McCain. So - hold your nose if you must - but be part of the solution and vote "D" in November

[SethBullock]

Hey, Johann--if you are for 100 years of war in Iraq, torture, and putting women in jail for having abortions--you should definitely vote for McCain. But if he wins--and you don't like that stuff--it'll be on you. Hope you'll feel very self-satisfied in your sour grapes.

Face it--she has lost. She lost because of her own nastiness and mendacity, because she voted for the war, because of her lust for power--because people just don't like her.

[ATLiberal]

Johnnn, if I may dissent slightly, why would you recommend a "take my ball and go home" strategy for Sen Clinton? Of course Obama needs Clinton voters and of course he is going to do everything in his power to reach out to them. I would expect that Sen Clinton would display the magnanimity that every other candidate from the same party displays when they have lost the nomination, and pitch in to defeat McCain.

[Liberoservative]

"Then I would feel no guilt voting for McCain, who I prefer anyway.
There are many things wrong with this presidential selection process this time around. I am left
feeling discarded by the whole thing, as many Hillary supporters do. I did not expect to be considered part of the problem instead of part of the solution."

I am not sure what you are saying here... you first say you prefer McCain and then you end with feeling discarded as a Hillary supporter?
If you prefer McCain then why are you even saying you are a Hillary supporter?