Who Is Hillary Now?

Things sure are getting weird with Hillary. And I don't just mean the arresting spectacle of the 60-year-old presidential candidate in her suit and good jewelry knocking back Whiskey and yukking it up with some working-class fellows in an Indiana bar. Hey, I'd be driven to drink too if my poll numbers were plunging as rapidly as the Dow. And if I got booed by a labor crowd in Pittsburgh the next morning when I was only trying to point out how un-elitist and non-bitter I was.

Really, how rude!

Come to think of it I might be confusing the timeline and details of those events. My memory's not so good. But apparently neither is Hillary's, as evidenced by her repeated telling of Bosnia snipers firing on her entourage at the airport when they, um, didn't. Oh, if only I had John McCain's sparkling facility for getting facts straight, like his impressive grasp of Sunnis and Shiites and who's fighting whom in Iraq.

But, seriously, Hillary's desperation for blue-collar votes and her tiresome attacks on Obama are leading her down some awfully treacherous trails. Last night's debate made her look positively petty and peevish. Why does she insist on linking Obama to personalities that have no relevance to his candidacy or character? Like former '60s radical William what's-his-name, a guy most Americans have never heard of. For that matter, when did George Stephanopoulos, who came across as flacking for Hillary all night, start channeling Sean Hannity?

Speaking of transformations, Hillary has gone through some startling personality changes herself. This incarnation took its latest form when she morphed into a gun aficionado while wistfully recalling an episode from her childhood. To wit:

"You know, my dad took me out behind the cottage that my grandfather built on a little lake called Lake Winola outside of Scranton and taught be how to shoot when I was a little girl," she told a group of supporters.

You know, some people now continue to teach their children and their grandchildren. It's part of culture. It's part of a way of life. People enjoy hunting and shooting because it's an important part of who they are. Not because they are bitter."

No, but they are a bit miffed over losing their jobs to outsourcing, their homes to rip-off mortgage artists, having to shell out $4 a gallon for gas while the oil companies continue to rake in record profits and pay a good chunk of their taxes for a war they don't want in Iraq.

I just hope Hillary doesn't start marching in front of some Planned Parenthood in the Heartland to appeal to the right-wing. Or suddenly profess her concern for the "unborn" as John McCain did the other night during the Hardball college tour before a crowd of Villanova students. Her base could have issues with that.

According to the latest Washington Post poll, they may already be disenchanted with her. Sixty-two percent of voters believe that Obama is better able to win in November, while only 31 percent now say Clinton is more electable. And 58 percent say they don't think she's honest and trustworthy. Not good.

Well, at least now I know where Hillary stands on gun control. I think.

Comments

[ChimpmasterDJ]

"Who is Hillary now?"... Show me what crowd she thinks she's speaking to, and I'll tell you who she is at that moment.

[Sandy972]

You know, I don't want to sound smug, but I have been saying since 2004 that Hillary and Bill helped and wanted John Kerry to lose so Hillary could run this year. A lot of people poo-pooed me but I stuck to my guns. It was so obvious and a no brainer. Well she shot herself in the foot, guess she didn't learn to shoot as well as she thought, because she didn't expect the likes of Barack Obama. It probably hit her at the Democratic convention when he made his speech there, but Hill didn't ever think he would run so soon. We all know the outcome, but now she wants to help elect McCain, like she did Bush, so she can run against him in 2012 but hopefully everyone will have seen through her cloak and daggers by then.

[happydayz]

I'm surprised that Obama is doing so well in the polls after weeks and weeks of sustained attacks and swift-boating. Unprecedented for Americans to not internalize this stuff...am I missing something? Or could the polls be wrong? I hope not.

[ObserverinVancouver]

It's the Internet, stupid. People aren't restricted to information that has been pre-digested by the MSM. They have access to the original source "documents" and can check them out for themselves and MAKE UP THEIR OWN MINDS. In 2000, in the first (I think) debate between Bush and Gore, the immediate reaction of the proletariat was that Gore had won. A few days later after all the talking heads said over and over that Bush had won, the proletariat changed its mind and went with Bush. Also, the Internet allows for a huge range of easily accessible opinion. Not just from the immediate article you're reading but also the comments and the links. So, bullshit detection is way easier. Sometimes I feel like I'm Ali Baba looking into the forty thieves' cave.

[PistonMoaned]

Politics 2.0

[rationalthought1]

We need to quite blaming Hillary for getting a few facts wrong. Snipers, schnipers! You'd misspeak too after downing all those whiskey shots. Not getting the nomination would drive you to drink, too.

[nomobull]

voters are awake this time.

[Plowboy]

Fool me once, ....How many times can you fool me?

[LeeFromVA]

The thing is, Obama is no Dukasis. Nor is he Gore or Kerry. These attacks only stick when the candidate is less than likeable. I really like both Gore and Kerry, but many people didn't and were just looking for a reason not to vote for them. Obama is fresh and likeable. He does have his detractors out there, people who probably won't vote for him anyway, but if he can unite the Dems, he's unstoppable.

[FINTA]

Ok.. this is a question for DEMOCRATS!!!!

If you are an Obama supporter, will you support Hillary should she win the nomination???

If you are a Hillary supporter, will you support Obama should he win the nomination??

FYI people: the things that you are complaining about now: high a$$ gas prices, Iraq war, our tax money being sent to Iraq instead of being spent at home, possibly more wars, HORRENDOUS economy, wiped out middle class... etc etc... These are the things that McBush will offer you for the next four years!!!

Hillary and Obama are about 95% similar on their policies... so if you are supporting either because of their policies, (which should be the case) then a vote for the other won't hurt you!!

Our goal is to win the WH, bc so far, after 7+ years of GOP nonsense, our country has been sliding down down down... the rich get richer, the middle class wiped out, the poor get poorer...

A vote for McCain bc your candidate didn't win is childish and ridiculous... if you agree with his policies, by all means vote for him...

I won't vote GOP ever... bc they do NOT CARE ABOUT US AVERAGE JOES!!!!!

[happydayz]

yes

[Veeve]

Did you folks hear Hillary propose extending the umbrella of deterrent to other countries in the Middle East beyond Israel? That is further to the right than John McCain and sure to get us into WW III sooner or later. I am voting primarily on foreign policy. Obama has the exact right idea on foreign policy. John McCain is wrong on foreign policy but the above proposal coupled with her Kyl/Lieberman vote scares me into thinking Hillary has the exact wrong idea about foreign policy and I'm not convinced she wouldn't launch strikes if her administration got pressured on Iran and it meant a difference on whether she were re-elected.

[WAstateliberal]

Hell yes. Yes, yes, yes. Are you kidding? No such thing as a Democrat who would truly vote for a misogynist pig like McCain. I am very disappointed in Senator Clinton, but if she is our nominee my $25 per month that currently goes to Obama will go to her, not pizza.

[FINTA]

I agree... I support Obama... but should she get the nomination, I will support her over McBomb anyday!!!

I am very unhappy with her Iraq war vote, but I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt that she will pull our troops out!

I know for a fact McBomb won't do it

[happytrails]

Yes, I'll vote for whoever is the nominee. I would have a stroke voting Rep or wasting my vote on an Indy. Just couldn't do either.

SAVE THE SUPREME COURT

[GBecker]

I support Obama, but would vote, albeit reluctanty, for HRC if she is the one left standing. NEVER EVER for McSame. It makes my skin crawl to see supporters of either candidate saying they'd vote GOP or not at all. That is so wrong on so many levels.

[Obamamo]

If Hillary steals the nomination I will stay home. I don't vote for liars and hypocrites.

[BubbaC33]

If Ms. CLinton gets the nomination it will be ebcause enough super delegates believe she would be the better person to oppose McCain. That isn't stealing the nomination.

[JamesInDenver]

Finally a video of Hillary in her own words. Archive news-reel footage of Hillary from 1992 to present.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exsmFDYyK4U

Hillary in her own words promoting NAFTA.
Hillary in her own words talking about Iraq.
Hillary in her own words talking about the importance of character.
Hillary in her own words acknowledging that voters are tired of politicians who lie.
Hillary in her own words insulting stay-at-home-moms that bake cookies.
Hillary in her own words talking about elitism.
Hillary in her own words talking about Bill's $800,000 for speeches supporting Columbian free trade.

People who like this video, may also like "Hillary's Inner Tracy Flick":
http://slatev.com/player.html?id=1377935786

Go Obama.

[uscitizen]

Interesting link.

[harriscrl3]

Her saber rattling the middle east with Massive attack from America frightens me. First of all where are we going to get troops to launch a massive attack. Is she talking about nuclear attack? America needs to GET THE HELL OUT Of the Middle East not embroiled itself further in it.

How the heck do we trust her to bring the troops home?

Carol

[ruthinking]

Is Hillary getting botox? she had no facial expressions. It was amazing what can come out of her mouth, and still no facial expression.

[BubbaC33]

This is the typical Obama supporter. Nothing of substance, just a distorted personal attack on Ms. Clinton. If these are the folks Obama wants us to unite with this nation is in serious trouble. I rarely agreed with the late William F. Buckley, but at least he was intellectually challenging and witty. Obama supporters have none of those attributes.

[FINTA]

you should rephrase that and say "some" Obama supporters... I don't make personal attacks on her, just her policies!!!

I don't support her bc of her Iraq war vote... My husband serving a third term, over 4000 dead, and my husband's personal friends dead bc of utter nonsense...

I understand she didn't launch this debacle on her own, but she helped pave the way for GW SHRUB... and any politician that voted for this clusterfu^% will not have my support.

[cheforacle]

Are you suggesting the fact that 62% view Obama more electable to 31% for her is not substantive? Or the fact that 58% do not think she's trustworthy? Is it the fault of Obama supporters that people view her that way or is it based on the aggregate perception people have formed about her over 17 years since the Clintons hit the national scene?

[bhobo]

I was wondering the same thing. If flag pins are relevant then why can't we wonder if Hillary is shooting herself up with Botox?
I bet that sly old Hillary will work the Botox angle into her health care pitch.

[ellenolenska]

She's definitely getting botox injections and has been for the last several months...she's so authentic and such a true feminist. I wonder how many working class women can afford botox treatments?The entire plastic surgery and botox phenomenon is so elitist.

[happytrails]

Just compare the pictures of a few weeks ago with more recent ones.
Elitist NOT Feminist!

[InjunTrouble]

Hillary Clinton sounds exactly like a republican now.

She should run as McCain's running mate.

[Dan1967]

NEW POLL IN MICHIGAN: BARACK OBAMA IS THE BETTER CANDIDATE AGAINST MCCAIN.

Barack Obama leads McCain in Michigan 43 to 41% with 8% undecided, but Hillary is losing to McCain in Michigan 46 to 37%. Barack Obama is clearly the Democrats strongest candidate against McCain in the general election. I copied and pasted the poll below, and the Link is here:
http://www.mlive.com/elections/index.ssf/2008/04/obama_does_better_against_mcca.html

Monday April 14, 2008
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- A new poll shows Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama doing better against Republican John McCain among Michigan voters than Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The poll by Lansing-based EPIC-MRA shows 43 percent of the 600 likely voters polled back Obama, while 41 percent back McCain. Eight percent say they'd vote for independent candidate Ralph Nader, while 8 percent are undecided.

McCain leads Clinton 46 percent to 37 percent. Ten percent say they'd vote for Nader and 7 percent are undecided.

Fifty-nine percent have a favorable opinion of McCain, while 55 percent feel that way about Obama and 45 percent about Clinton.

The poll was conducted April 3-8. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

[AjicNYC]

STOP WITH THE POLLS!! It is just a way to manipulate US. stop validating them

[cheforacle]

Better than those who issue speculative assertions that one candidate is more electable than the other based on motive not evidence.

[ljsfolly]

The unfortunate part with Hillary is not only is she being nasty hateful and eager to destroy anyone and anything who gets in her way, she is leading those who support her for whatever reason down the same path. Why the media and the superdelegates continues to help her in this destructive actions is apparent. The like the amount of ratings they can get out of the fights and the nastier she is the more they think they can convince people to help her steal the win. I wish the superdelegate would see what they are really doing. It no longer matter if more people register as dems when more people are flooding the ranks of McCain supporters. People are tired of the mess and it cannot end too soon.

[SamanthaJaneSalem]

Setting aside for the moment that six story structure of mud and slime which was Senator Clinton's strategy of attack last night on a fellow Democrat, what struck me was how frequently Clinton seemed to be talking as Chief Spokesperson for The Bill Clinton Legacy.

A lot of things about things the Clinton years were great. We Democrats appreciate it. But it was eight years ago! Also, I remember how out of touch George H. W. Bush sounded in 1992 when he only wanted to talk about how wonderful things were going. By not admitting that the middle class has been slipping, through Republican and Democratic administrations, and that corporate consolidation and free trade have undermined the American worker, Senator Clinton sounds like she's speaking from a distant ivory tower.

Even as she praised Gov. Ed Rendell for preventing more home foreclosures in Pennsylvania, I wondered what the voter from that state who did lose her or his house was feeling. But the statistics say things are fabulous! If the approval ratings were up and the economic numbers basically good-- for Bill Clinton that was always good enough. Hillary Clinton showed last night she would continue that mindset. To our detriment.

[efranklin]

Who is Hillary now? This just about sums it up for me. Listen to her response when asked about the last time she shot a gun or went to church: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/15/jon-stewart-mocks-obama-b_n_96760.html

[mongus]

Hillary is the same "lady" that told Bill to "SCREW 'EM", refering to Democrats that didn't support him in a 90's election.

She is the SAME divisive, lying politician. Her 'spots' won't change.

[BubbaC33]

Ms. Clinton's comment was concerning Reagan Democrats, the folks who claim to be Democrats while voting for the GOP. The folks opposed to progressives and liberals. the folks who would never vote for Bill CLinton, Hillary Clinton or Obama.

[Swanto]

Because my comment was 1250 words I sent it in 5 installments. I didn't realize they would be printed in reverse order. The newest one was the ending, and the first one was the beginning.

[moda31]

well it's clear from your unreasonable affinity for reality that you must intensely despise your vagina. seek help.

[Swanto]

We have only the twenty-three. We have seen that to effectively oppose a committed executive there must be sixty-six. As long as there is a Republican proposing the war, we will never get enough Republicans to oppose the war and join the twenty-three and the wishy-washy Johnny come latelies. They support the war on a partisan basis, because a Republican is waging it.

So if you oppose this war, vote for a pro-war Democrat. Get Hillary in there, and make sure she favors a continued involvement. Some people say the football team, the Washington Redskins, are the real game in D.C., but I say, that among Republicans, Clinton bashing is the number one sport on the Potomac.

It won"t be a god-fearin peace, or one based on reason or intelligence, but rather a grubby partisan peace. But what the hell, "Minister"s Questions" really isn"t so high toned either.

A partisan peace is better than no peace at all.

Which is to say, politicians make strange bedfellows, and a partisan piece is better than no piece at all.