Obviously, visuals can be highly damaging to a candidate, such as the mild images of Hillary at the Tuzla airport after she spoke of being greeted by gunfire. However, we don't often break down why. In this case:
1. The latter shot evokes the image of the threatened young children asleep in Clinton's 3AM "Who Can You Rely On?" ad. What the Tuzla imbroglio does is to raise the question whether Hillary -- upon receipt of that 3 AM call -- wouldn't have trouble accurately interpreting the level of danger to these young innocents.
2. These pictures uncover something of a paranoid streak. The "dramatically non-threatening" scenes undermine the argument Hillary makes that she is constantly under (political) enemy attack.
3. Whereas Chelsea has emerged this year in the role of Hillary's soul-sister, as well as someone who reinforces and insulates the campaign on the gender front, these visuals also call Chelsea's integrity into question, and make her seem more like a political prop.
4. Hillary's over-dramatization of danger in a conflict setting can't help but bring to mind her validation of George Bush's over-dramatization of the threat of Iraqi WMD, and her consequent support of the Iraq war resolution.
5. The Tuzla images start to unwind a great deal of campaign work designed to frame Hillary as the more experienced candidate. In a curious line in the original CBS report in '96, reporter Cheryl Atkinson says: "Mrs. Clinton ... is well aware that she risks looking like she is trying to do the President's job." In the present context, these photos reinforce Clinton as the ambitious former first lady far more than potential Commander-in-Chief.
Embellished Memory (Newsweek)
CBS Exposes Hillary Clinton Bosnia Trip (CBS via YouTube)
1996 Clinton Bosnia Trip (CBS News via YouTube)
(images: CBS. March 25, 1996. via YouTube)
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Yeah we believe you Hillary!! Check it out!
http://www.videosift.com/video/Pilot-on-Hillarys-sniper-Bosnia-flight-interview
Michael:
"Whereas Chelsea has emerged this year in the role of Hillary's soul-sister, as well as someone who reinforces and insulates the campaign on the gender front, these visuals also call Chelsea's integrity into question, and make her seem more like a political prop."
So you've just realized how the Clinton's have used Chelsea as a prop. Remember the little walk that the three of them made to the helicopter after the Lewinski affair. Prior to that Chelsea was rarely seen.
Or how about in New Hampshire before Chelsea was ready to go prime time the way Hillary would drag her to some eatery. BTW does Chelsea still have that eating disorder?
Hillary's campaign wanted Chelsea seen but not heard remember the refusal to answer the little girl"s question. The Clinton"s made it clear Chelsea "was off limits to the press." The press went along with it - what the heck Chelsea is 28 year old college graduate with a master"s degree and she's off limits. Even Sen. McCain's ditzy daughter talks to the press.
On the other hand, perhaps HRC was merely channeling another great raconteur. She was being ... Reaganesque?
Hillary is the ONLY candidate who can beat McCain and more importantly the Republican attack dogs in the general election! Stop admiring the trinket in the window libs and keep your eye on the big prize.
What is the basis of your claim: "Hillary is the ONLY candidate who can beat McCain?" Are supposed to take your word for it?
Hillary, her surrogates and her campaign staff have alienated the black, youth vote and white liberal voters who support Obama with their Rovian campaigning. Independents and moderate Republicans do not like her and will choose McCain. Hillary will be crushed by McCain.
Hillary has no advantage whatsoever in the general election. A huge percentage of voters who traditionally vote Democrat will stay home if she is the nominee. That's just a fact. Not only does her candidacy mean less Democratic voters going to the polls because they don't want to vote for her, it means all of the down ticket candidates are going to suffer if she is the Nom.
So with Hillary as the Nom, forget all the gains we could have made in the Senate and House to counter the disastrous policies of a McCain presidency. Even if Obama is the Nom and loses at least the down ticket candidates have a chance and we at least have a shot at a Super Majority in the House and Senate. We'll need that desperately with Walnuts McCain as POTUS.
Hey first win the primary (fairly) then make the case she is the best candidate in the GE!
The "under sniper fire" comment has made HRC a laughingstock and if she gets the Dem nomination it'll be played nonstop in the general campaign. She provided the GOP with a huge and credible means of attacking her. I expect that it will also cost her her Senate seat next time around.
Where are all the Hillary supporters today? Hiding under a rock??
Hey folks - sorry to get off message, but in regard to the picture of Bush below the comments on this post, have you ever seen anyone uglier than this is your life, I almost lost my breakfast.
When Democrats pander to Republicans with "military" memes, they always die: Dukakis in a tank; Kerry in "camo"; Hillary's "race across the tarmac, dodging bullets" to be given flowers from a little girl, it's always the same.
It's proof that the most important thing to voters is AUTHENTICITY. The fact that Hillary lied is not what's so damaging in this story, it's that she IS SO PHONEY that she feels she NEEDS to lie.
The, perhaps, only true statement George Bush ever made, "at least you know who I am" is testament to the power of an historic superstition: "better the Devil you know than the one you don't."
Hillary may be tough enough to fight like a man, but she's "sowing" a lot of doubt while she's doing it. There's an old saying, "It's a stong man who will admit he's weak." Clearly, Hillary lacks the confidence to show who she really is.
That, may be her eventual undoing.
Obama-Webb '08
Worth noting that there are no Hilliarites on this log - to difficult to defend a bold-face lie?
How does Hillary look in a mirror? All she can see is a person with no integrity, a liar, a destroyer of the principles inherent in the Democratic party, a mother who has dragged her daughter into the web of lies, a wife who doesn't abhor her husbands' indiscretions, a Republican at heart, ...oh, wait! Hillary most likely does not see any of those things - she sees only her own blind ambition - to gain an office she thinks is her divine right and to roll the Clinton Political Machine over anyone in her way. Unfortunately, she is not trying to only crush Senator Obama but the will of the American people as well. God save us all!
And, Emmaboverry, thank you for a super, factual post!
Sandy
This blog should be called blah blah blah blah blah. If Obama should somehow pull off the Democratic nomination McCain and the Republican attack dogs are going to eat him up and spit him out like a tired piece of gum. My first response to you was too racist so I guess the moderators deemed it unacceptable BUT it was nothing compared to what Obama is going to recieve in the general. America has a wide racist streak and it will be revealed in the general.
You are truly funny. I think Obama is getting his chewing now. But when I think of all of the ammo the GOP is just waiting to unleash on Hillary? No freaking way she'll survive that, the 90s will be peanuts. The Hsu affair, Bill's Dubai & Kazakhstan deals, Hillary's lies upon lies on Bosnia and NAFTA? Not to mention the fact that millions of us were bombarded with Bill & Monica 24/7/365 twice over. Nobody can touch the Clintons for scandals to exploit...except the Bushes.
America also has a wide sexist streak to go along with their racist streak - which means those feebs will vote McCain no matter what. Obama has an advantage of the youth and African American vote that Hillary will not. Hillary has no edge. If she's the Nom she will be crushed by McCain.
As always, Mr. Shaw, you have concisely analyzed the issues behind the images. I especially relate to your comment "question whether Hillary -- upon receipt of that 3 AM call -- wouldn't have trouble accurately interpreting the level of danger to these young innocents." When the pictures and videos began to surface regarding this trip to Bosnia compared with the statement made by Hillary, my focus was on Hillary's judgment in taking her daughter with her on this trip. If Hillary was in "danger" so was Chelsea, and Hillary is the person who chose to put her daughter in jeopardy. I agree with you, Mr. Shaw, that "Hillary's over-dramatization of danger in a conflict setting can't help but bring to mind her validation of George Bush's over-dramatization of the threat of Iraqi WMD..." I am weary of the "mushroom cloud" communicators and the damage they have done to our nation.
Here's a "real" woman hero (compare/contrast to Hillary ...who would you vote for?)
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5glkrzVej-PKK8nJR9w7pDvP-eQXQD8VA1ICO0
Second female soldier since World War II to receive the Silver Star
CAMP SALERNO, Afghanistan (AP) " A 19-year-old medic from Texas will become the first woman in Afghanistan and only the second female soldier since World War II to receive the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest medal for valor.
Army Spc. Monica Lin Brown saved the lives of fellow soldiers after a roadside bomb tore through a convoy of Humvees in the eastern Paktia province in April 2007, the military said.
After the explosion, which wounded five soldiers in her unit, Brown ran through insurgent gunfire and used her body to shield wounded comrades as mortars fell less than 100 yards away, the military said.
"I did not really think about anything except for getting the guys to a safer location and getting them taken care of and getting them out of there," Brown told The Associated Press on Saturday at a U.S. base in the eastern province of Khost.
Put her on that phone a 3am!
Hillary claims "if someone she knew was as deplorable as Rev. Wright she wouldn't associate with that person," ... you might not be able to choose your family you can certainly choose your friends.
Considering the fact that Bill has always been a serious philander - and a serial adulterer why Hillary, have you stayed? Do you feel too weak and insecure to survive politically with out Bill? Bill is only family through marriage! Choosing a husband is not the same as family and in some instances even family members have to be divorced or disinherited. Sen. Clinton this question is NOW in play since you've made it clear that questions about a candidates" personal life, personal relationship and religious affiliations are open season. What was your father - daughter relationship like that you lack the confidence to walk away from your friend Bill? Who lies the way you do without there being some bizarre psychosis? Americans want to know why you would stay with Bill after all of his transgressions? Also, your comment to Chris Matthews in New Hampshire "I don't know what to do about all these men who are obsessed with me," and the way you approached him and pinched his cheek was way over the top, it was wacko.
Larry David was right!
America does not want or need a sleep deprived pathological liar, who has a lot of hidden angst towards men and blacks answering America"s red phone at 3:00AM or at any time as
One must remember that Hillary was proferring the WH "Saddam/Al queda connection" when most wouldn't dare touch it.
HuffPost's Pick
I think people need to show a little more respect to Hillary aka MadDog Clinton. She served this country with honor. She took fire. She's been to hell and back, and lived to tell the tale. She didn't make it to Nam, but she get to Bos. Don't people realize that War Is Hell?
I think she's shell-shocked: the intensity of the battles, the non-stop barrage of ammunition whizzing by her helmet, so close that she could hear the wind of the bullet as it passed her ear. She just hit the ground and ate dirt until she finally thought: If I don't do something, we're all going to die here today. Then she saw her opening, a tank, some poor fool driver wounded and trying to crawl out. She jumped up, ran across the tarmac, dragged the sorry ass of the wounded soldier out of the tank, got in, headed straight for the sniper's nest. Then jumped out of the tank, knife held in her mouth ready for up-close combat, two grenades in each fist, and witnesses remember her scream: "This one's for Bill" as she dove into the sniper's nest, taking them out, saving the lives of thousands that day. So, a little respect. Attention must be paid.
Hillary-ious!
Rambo in a pantsuit with a Pinocchio-face. A little Photoshopping and she can be the icon of America's new war policy -- Baroness Hillary von Munchhausen.
TO NABNY AND MOOPH. Absolutely sensational post by NABNY and great come back by mooph. Obama supporters are so smart and clever.
HRC has been caught in another Clinton. It seems she Clintons about everything from her past to her plans for the future, if elected.
Excellent points.
it's a scene straight out of "wag the dog"
Hillary Clinton's lie about running under sniper fire shows just how much diregard she has for our men and women fighting in war. Her husband got out of the draft and Princess Chelsea has the right to say "It's none of your business" because of the men and women who fight and die for our freedoms. Hillary should be ashamed for embellishing (lie) about such a thing. It makes me feel like she thinks our soldiers are playing games. What a slug! I don't know why the press doesn't make a big deal out Hillary's statement from a soldiers point of view who has ACTUALLY took sniper fire! Hillary shows disrespect for our military personnel and she is getting off too easy! She is a disgrace to women and Veterans!
I agree with you about the Princess Chelsea comment; but, that is all I agree with you about. As a Vet and a government contractor I know that HRC does a lot of stuff behind the scenes that we are not aware of. I would attent Political Action meetings our company held regarding our forward plans for business. THere were three Senators that were big supporters of ours...two from GA (who it directly affected) and one from NY, a certain Junior Senator. I almost fell out of my seat when I heard that, and had to reasses all the negative opinions I had for her at the time (I still have a lot of negative opionions though). Also, you must remember she has been a vocal advocate for the Guard and Reserve for the past 5 years of this disastorous conflict. So give her a little break and stop subscribing to the whisper campaigns of Obama and the Right Wing.
A new dominant political party is coming up on the horizon quicker than we thought. I don't think the American people can abide this locked-in feeling to much longer.
She is a big fat liar. There it is in black and white. She repeated the "misspeak" five times. I don't know who was the first to reveal facts evident in the video, but I would guess there were rumblings about her lying, going on behind the scene, perhaps from someone who accompanied her on that trip.
She has delegated her daughter to lie for her. Parents, who are good parents, do not tell their children to back up lies and deceits their mother has told. Hillary is using her own child in the same way she uses people, without much concern at all at the possible conflicts she is setting up within that person--assuming Chelsea has conscience and attended church with her parents where she may have learned Thou shalt not lie--then again Chelsea may have had a dysfunctional marriage to contend with in her formative years.
Hillary has dragged down feminists , such as Emily's choice, NOW and others into a pit of ridicule It will have lasting effects. Who would give their money to Emily's Choice , when it seems the best they could do is to support for the nomination, a woman, who is a known liar? She has dragged down her supporters also. Either they condone the lies, or they need to dismiss it using some form of denial or flimsy rationalization. They are victims also.
What is most revelatory about this latest in a long string of lies was the sheer shamelessness. As well as the subsequent euphemism, the easy glibness of HRC is breathtaking. Now that is natural talent.
The point is----
Those of us who know HRC is someone who will do anything, say anything ALL for her OWN agenda- or possibly the agenda of a larger, more sinister body-- are trying to point out the more obvious and provable episodes of her sociopathic tendencies.
Her calls of 'I'm for change (too)" are part of the 'big picture' campaign of opposites. (like 'Clean Coal' and so many other opposite campaigns- for the environment, for 'freedom' etc ad nauseam)
Another excuse. Now that Hillary is in the vice, it's called GOTCHA POLITICS and now frowned upon. It's her and her crew, that actually started the GOTCHA POLITICS, Obama has been trying to stay on task.
However, after the Rev. Wright comments, that were played & aired continuously, as well as being blown out of context, Hillary's GOTCHA POLITICS were fine. If this story was told by Obama, it would be a major character flaw issue and more.
Joe, on the show Morning Joe, is really disappointing. In fact, he's quite WEAK and bias. I will try and not say anything more about this show, because I don't want to be responsible for any increase in it's ratings.
What this incident does that is good, is it causes a higher degree of scrutiny of her claims. MSM will start digging into her many statements. It won't be one thing, but the totality of exaggerations and outright fabrications that she has woven that will cause a problem for her. The list above by emmabovvery is just the beginning.
Ya Know, I am watching Morning Joe, and it is nauseating with their Hillary sympathy. After President Bush and his lies and embellishments, they are willing to let Hillary off with a NOW DON'T DO THAT AGAIN BABY, NOW GO BACK OUT AND PLAY. Sickening, this is what we want for out commander & cheif. This is how she is going to lead us?
No Hillary, YOU LIED.
Yes, she lied, pure and simple and for Morning Blow to kiss her A** is simply that he is a conservative repub., making sure that his Hillary girl goes up against nutty McCain and she will lose. The "conservative" ( I hate that word), nutties want Hillary b/c she will energize their base and repubs. will come out in droves to vote against her. Obama, on the other hand, will look like Mr. Cool, next to Mr. Crazy, warmonger, regardless of who he choses for VP. Joe S. is a right wing repub., just trying to hide his fangs on T.V. I would prefer Mika over him, as she is bright and knows the facts outright. It amazes me that this Morning Blow got this job on MSNBC.
I agree with you nancytheragingliberal........
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Posted March 26, 2008 | 04:34 AM (EST)