Count me among those who doubt very much that Hillary Clinton is harboring any secret desire that harm befall Barack Obama. That said, her statement today can only be described as astoundingly tone deaf. And what it proves, I think, is not that she is bad person, but that she is not nearly as well "vetted" as she claims to be. Throughout the primary race, Clinton and her surrogates have suggested that Barack Obama is an untested novice who will be eaten alive by the media and by the Republican attack machine in the Fall. She, on the other hand, is the skilled veteran who knows how the game is played and is not going to fumble the ball on her way to the endzone. I think that particular argument can be put to rest now.
This was a MAJOR gaffe, and it's not the first one to come from Clinton's mouth during this campaign. The reality is that she's really not all that seasoned a politician. She's won two political races in her career, both against very weak competition in an overwhelmingly Democratic state. And throughout her public career, including her time as First Lady and prospective First Lady, she's said things that were politically ill-advised (remember her comment about baking cookies?).
I say this not to disparage Clinton's political skills. She's certainly a capable politician. But she's hardly the zen master of politics, and I see no reason whatsoever to believe she'd be any less likely to stumble or commit a major gaffe in the general election than Obama would. The notion that a Clinton campaign would be free of unforced errors has always been a fantasy. Hillary is very smart and has pretty good political instincts. She'd no doubt run a competent general election campaign.
But I think Obama has demonstrated during this grueling one and half year primary campaign that he is every bit her equal when it comes to raw political skill, and his campaign has out-smarted and out-maneuvered hers at every step. When you combine that with Obama's far superior rhetorical gifts and fundraising potential, it's hard to see why people still think Clinton would be the more formidable general election candidate.
1 comment:
It's is just another attack on Hillary. I noticed the Media and some Americans like to forget Prescott Bush plotted to kill FDR. The United States Government killed John F. Kennedy and many Law Makers were rewarded for their actions. Yes Bobby Kennedy was campaigning in June when he to was assassinated. Only an idiot would be American would never try to kill another President. Obama has had death threats from day one when he entered in the campaign. Notice how Rev. Huck, Mitt, Rudy even the Maverick didn't have secret service security. Did anyone see McCain carry his own bags at the airport? Wake up and smell the coffee Obama is black and like Dr. King any Leader is a target by someone. The United States has come a long way but it is still not finished with racism. As the Media reporters spread racism people follow. There are alot of people who would love to kill Obama and even Hillary. Notice how wacko's aren't going after the real idiot Bush or Cheney. We still have prejudice in the US and that hasn't changed. All the speeches of love wont change it. Hillary was using Bobby's name because he to like Bill was still campaigning. Now as for the out cry by Obama's campaign it's just to score points or at lease hope to. Let's see if the Media shows the special in June on the anniversary of Bobby's death or Nov. 22 when the US Government assassinated JFK. Let's see if Obama's name comes up then, at lease JFK and Bobby showed how much they had done for all Americans at the time of their murder.
Post a Comment