Truthdig - Ear to the Ground - Buzzkill: N.Y. Times Editorial Rebukes Clinton

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Buzzkill: N.Y. Times Editorial Rebukes Clinton

Posted on Apr 22, 2008

The New York Times editorial board, which endorsed Hillary Clinton early and enthusiastically, has had enough of negativity in the race for the White House: “It is past time for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to acknowledge that the negativity, for which she is mostly responsible, does nothing but harm to her, her opponent, her party and the 2008 election.”

New York Times / Editorial:

Voters are getting tired of it; it is demeaning the political process; and it does not work. It is past time for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to acknowledge that the negativity, for which she is mostly responsible, does nothing but harm to her, her opponent, her party and the 2008 election.

If nothing else, self interest should push her in that direction. Mrs. Clinton did not get the big win in Pennsylvania that she needed to challenge the calculus of the Democratic race. It is true that Senator Barack Obama outspent her 2-to-1. But Mrs. Clinton and her advisers should mainly blame themselves, because, as the political operatives say, they went heavily negative and ended up squandering a good part of what was once a 20-point lead.

On the eve of this crucial primary, Mrs. Clinton became the first Democratic candidate to wave the bloody shirt of 9/11. A Clinton television ad—torn right from Karl Rove’s playbook—evoked the 1929 stock market crash, Pearl Harbor, the Cuban missile crisis, the cold war and the 9/11 attacks, complete with video of Osama bin Laden. “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,” the narrator intoned.

If that was supposed to bolster Mrs. Clinton’s argument that she is the better prepared to be president in a dangerous world, she sent the opposite message on Tuesday morning by declaring in an interview on ABC News that if Iran attacked Israel while she were president: “We would be able to totally obliterate them.”

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By Fadel Abdallah, April 23 at 6:49 pm #
(382 comments total)

Yes, weather, I know hate is not a healthy thing. However, I’ve praying for a long time, but I am afraid to say without results.

Furthermore, at some time in my life I even reciprocated hate with love; only to bring me and my causes further miseries. I will be lying to pretend something I do not feel it in my heart. When I say I hate Hillary, I mean I hate what she does and what she is standing for right now. And this is more so because she turned out to be much more worse than what I originally thought about her, especially as a woman trying to break the barrier of what is men’s monopoly.

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By Fadel Abdallah, April 23 at 6:31 pm #
(382 comments total)

Excellent post lawlessone! A more elaborate piece of what I would have said myself, but without the precision and eloquence you did. I even learned a new word “pyhrric” though my computer insists it’s a misspelled word, though I found it in the dictionary.

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By Don Stivers, April 23 at 3:41 pm #
(137 comments total)

Oh Lord. Heaven help us. The same people who fell for someone who could not put two sentences together are out there voting. All you have to do to turn on an American voter is strut around and talk tough and bob you head. I am amazed at the bull shit people believe.

Talking tough got our tit in a ringer called Iraq. And it seems there is no reverse. And a travesty of Justice too. “We would be able to totally obliterate them.” As if all of the people of Iran deserved something like that. I can understand a stupid drunk blurting that out, but a so called leader? Maybe, retch, even a president? God forbid.

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By Gusto, April 23 at 1:07 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Hillary self serving interest

Hillary Clinton is not only doing damage to the Democratic Party, but she is also ding doing damage to this country. People around the world is finally seeing that in America a black educated, capable and hardworking person cannot really aspire to the highest office of the land without been questioned about his/her “real” patriotism, love of country and his/her associates. We serve in the Armed Forces, lay our lives on the line even though we doesn’t even have a permanent “LAW” that gives us the right to vote, we still considered 3/5 of a human in our Constitution, and then we ask ourselves why people around the world doesn’t trust us when we invade their countries in the name of “Democracy”. Hillary is all about power and greed and she will single handed take down the Democratic Party. If she does not make it this year, she can FORGET 2012; NO ONE WILL VOTE FOR HER PAST IOWA.

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By Outraged, April 23 at 11:21 am #
(869 comments total)

Good for the NYT editorial board. This shows good judgement, reasonableness and candor.

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By lawlessone, April 23 at 11:00 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Pyhrric Victories

I am not an enthusiastic supporter of Obama. (To disclose my bias, John Edwards, or better yet, Bill Moyer, was who I wanted.) BUT, I am thoroughly disgusted with Clinton for damaging the Democrats chances to win in the Fall.

The horrendous, biblical proportion, disaster that has been visited upon the US over the past seven years is because Bush and his zealots forgot entirely their oath of office which was to defend the Constitution and the interests of all its citizens—not just their own narrow partisan lusts.

Clinton, in her short sighted lust for office, seems to have forgotten she is a Democrat. Her victory over Obama may turn out to be a Pyhrric one which turns the White House over “born again” McCain and more of the Republican malevolence. If that happens, Clinton deserves to go down in history as big a traitor to what this country should be as Benedict Arnold was.

It is bad enough that Bush put in place judges and decisions that will continue damaging us for decades. For Clinton to give them the ammunition to let yet another of those maniacs add more judges and destruction for another four years minimum is too horrible to contemplate.

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By cyrena, April 23 at 9:40 pm #
(4172 comments total)

Re: Pyhrric Victories

Lawlessone,

I don’t mean to sound cynical here, but I am all about the truth. So, however it comes out…

If we’re being sort of literal here, the Dick Bush regime did not ‘forget’ the oath of office. Not at all. The Dick Bush zealots are more than zealots, and you give them far too much credit in calling them that, because we could more easily dismiss them as religious crazies. They are not. They are CRIMINALS!

No, this was a planned takeover -COUP- if you will, no different than that planned by Pinochet or any of the other fascist dictatorships. OATH? Not even close.

As for a Clinton victory over Obama...it hasn’t happened, and it isn’t even close. We are far enough along now that even if she managed to cheat through the next 4 contests, there’s still no way she can catch up. She’d have to do that AND get all of the remaining superdelegates. If that happens, you can plan on a revolution, because there would be no way to stop it.

We cannot expect a population that’s been subjected to terror for well over 7 years now, to actually ‘hold it together’ if Clinton were to arrange another COUP like the one here partners in crime put over on us nearly 8 years ago. That’s not to say that she/they (because they’re all the same..Cheney/Bush/McCain/Clintons) wouldn’t try, but the American public can’t take it any longer. We just can’t. Even the strongest among us can’t take it.

So, let’s not put Clinton down in history as the next of the Benedict Arnolds..that’s already in the books for the Dick Bush cabal, and we’re not having another one.

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By Maezeppa, April 23 at 10:52 am #
(8 comments total)

Voters are rested and ready

Voters aren’t “tired”. They are turning out in crushing droves.

She’s been tough and she won’t shut up and go away but dirty tricks? Good grief - this is softball played underhand compared to what’s coming.

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By Gmonst, April 23 at 2:46 pm #
(44 comments total)

Re: Voters are rested and ready

I don’t think this really is softball compared to whats coming. I think it will be pretty much the same kinds of tactics, and probably same issues. In fact I am not sure McCain’s camp will be as good at slinging the mud as Hillary’s has been.

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By cyrena, April 23 at 11:00 pm #
(4172 comments total)

Re: Re: Voters are rested and ready

Gmonst, I agree that McCain’s camp is unlikely to be able to sling the mud with the energy and manic determination as has been the case with Hillary. Besides, there’s an awful lot of dirt on McCain himself, to keep everyone busy, including but certainly not limited to the infamous Keating Five Legacy that I’ve noted below.

And, if someone, anyone, were really interested in following this through, many of the connections can be made to the Clintons as well.

Barack Obama was NOT understating the obvious when he said in his time with Colbert, that his campaign has been VERY ‘restrained’ in responding to Hillary’s dirt. They have. If the Obama campaign wanted or needed to resort to the same tactics, they’d have Hillary so ‘exposed’ that she’d have left for China or Dubai long ago in self-exile.

She might still need to after that comment about obliterating Iran, and the fact that the cheating in Pennsylvania is coming to light.

The Keating Five Legacy
By William K. Black
The Campaign for America’s Future
Wednesday 09 April 2008

William K. Black is Associate Professor of Law and Economics at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He was counsel to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board during the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s and was a whistleblower in the Keating Five scandal. His book on the crisis is “The Best Way to Rob a Bank Is to Own One.”

Twenty-one years ago today five U.S. senators met with federal savings and loan regulators at the request of Charles Keating, who controlled Lincoln Savings and Loan. They became known as the “Keating Five"—Alan Cranston, D-Calif., Dennis DeConcini, D-Ariz., John Glenn, D-Ohio, John McCain, R-Ariz., and Donald Riegle, D-Mich. The Keating Five meeting was the event that transformed the S&L;debacle from a story buried in the business section to one of the worst financial and political scandals in U.S. history (though the current financial crises have proven even worse).

The Keating Five, including McCain, were perfectly situated to take action to protect their constituents. They could have held oversight hearings. They could have warned the widows. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing,” an anonymous commenter one said (in a statement generally, but inaccurately, attributed to Edmund Burke). These men did nothing.

Lincoln was (and remains) the most expensive S&L;failure of an insured U.S. depository, costing the taxpayers $3.4 billion. Keating recruited the senators because the regulators were about to remove his control over Lincoln. The regulators had discovered that Lincoln had large losses and was engaged in widespread fraud and forgeries designed to hide its violation of the “direct investment” rule. That violation was the largest in history — over $600 million. S&Ls;that had large amounts of direct investment always failed. Direct investments were fatal not because of their intrinsic risk, but because they were superb aids to accounting fraud, the “weapon of choice” of financial firms.

Continues at the link.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042308F.shtml

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By P. T., April 23 at 10:10 am #
(774 comments total)

Is Clinton Supporting McCain?

There is a theory that Hillary Clinton wants to so weaken Obama he will lose the general election to McCain. That way Hillary can run again in 2012.

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By Gusto, April 23 at 12:54 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Re: Is Clinton Supporting McCain?

If Hillary was to run in 2012, I will predict she WILL NOT MAKE IT PASS IOWA. She is finished no matter what. She has done enough damage to the Democratic Party and a lot of people will remeber that. I hope some viable Dwemocrat run against her for the NY senatorial seat. You will see what I meant then.

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By jatihoon, April 23 at 8:43 am #
(147 comments total)

N.Y.Time says "TIME OUT HILLARY."

N.Y Times, says, “HILLARY CLINTON IS OVER THE HIIL”.

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By Eric L Prentis, April 23 at 8:36 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Hillary's character is defective and she is the

Sen. Hillary Clinton’s character seems to be bipolar, either: 1) the manipulative schemer using her self-selected entitlement justification to backstab and lie her way to the nomination; or 2) acting like the frumpy, crazy old aunt who comes over for dinner and then refuses to leave. Sen. Clinton is controlled by lobbyists and is the past, whereas, Sen. Obama is the future and will easily defeat Sen. McCain, who is even more in the past then Hillary.

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By mill, April 23 at 8:19 am #
(23 comments total)

If the Democrats want their candidate established by now, they should complete all their state caucus and primary votes by now.

With the current structure and the national convention around Labor Day means Democrats will be able to waste most of their time, money and other resources fighting with each other over trivial differences in policy.

Perhaps a different approach to the next national election should be considered. And both Senators Clinton and Obama will be able to congratulate President-elect McCain on his good fortune to have the Democratic party as his only serious political opposition in this election

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By Douglas Chalmers, April 23 at 8:16 am #
(2932 comments total)

Come Hell or high water.... Hillary WINS!!!

“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” now because none of your pathetic whining about who you “won’t support” will not make the slightest difference in the wider electorate.

If you think Hillary has been “negative” in Penn state, you haven’t seen anything yet, uhh. While you lot are impotently “waiting” for history to roll over her, the recession and the upcoming food crisis and the consequences of global warming will roll over the lot of you.

That is, there is soon going to be a whole lot more to be negative about. Just saying that she “could” obliterate Iran on an impossible hypothesis is just pissing into the wind with that dick you now say she has. But Hillary with a strapon dildo is exactly what the soon-to-be-impotent American public wants.

At least they can have “change” while enjoying the illusion of white Anglo superiority for the few years left before India and China and Russia effectively take over. Thus Americans FEARS can be assuaged whilst their dreams and illusions are still pandered to without having to put up with that boring drone from GWB.

Blame it on Iran if not Iraq, pretend to support the military-industrial establishment and pretend to pander to Israel. In the end, who cares as the whole Goddamn shithouse is about to go up in smoke anyway by the time the current global economic crunch is through?!?!

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By jackpine savage, April 23 at 7:05 pm #
(704 comments total)

Re: Come Hell or high water.... Hillary WINS!!!

You make some good points, Doug...but i’m figuring that recession, the food crises, and environmental disaster will roll over you too. Perhaps neither hell nor high water matters so long as Hillary WINS!!!

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By Douglas Chalmers, April 24 at 6:46 am #
(2932 comments total)

Come Hell or high water.... Hillary WINS!!!

Yes, that IS the usual political agenda - on both sides of the Democrats as well as the opposing Republicans, savage jackpine! That’s the way the American political system is set up so that’s what you/we get, uhh

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By beyondthepale, April 23 at 11:03 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Re: Come Hell or high water.... Hillary WINS!!!

As a community activist and an Obama supporter I’m considering how unfair it will for him to take the blame for the disasters that are now inevitable in the event that he is elected. Dmitri Orlov said it so well last month “Democracy is for those capable of self-governance. Americans are not interested in governing themselves, but in watching television . . .” I would say Americans deserve Clinton or McCain, but my 13 year old is one who will be paying the price for our ignorance and complacency.

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By Aegrus, April 23 at 8:36 am #
(741 comments total)

Re: Come Hell or high water.... Hillary WINS!!!

No one is whining about the “loss,” but you sure are gloating over a victory which wasn’t won by Hillary so much as it was given to her through vicious smear tactics. That’s not a real win, and Obama will persevere.

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By Douglas Chalmers, April 23 at 9:00 am #
(2932 comments total)

Re: .... Hillary WINS!!!

...such a dreamer, but you’re not the only one… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEOkxRLzBf0

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By Aegrus, April 23 at 6:25 am #
(741 comments total)

Wow, the NYT is running something with balls this time. How about that? I still don’t believe we should have the super delegates cut the race short, though. Months ago, I had believed this would be the last contest. Guess I never expected every pundit on television and Hillary Clinton herself to work with Karl Rove.

The mission of the machine seems to be, grab the candidates from both parties with the most negatives amongst party lines and see if the general public is able to be influenced enough to vote against their own self-interest. On we march. Victory is not out of reach.

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By Purple Girl, April 23 at 3:42 am #
(240 comments total)

This propped up Cheney & co product is the ‘Most Deadly of the all”!
She’s as crazy as Nixon, as senile as Ronny as complicite & compliant as HW adn as Arrogant and self involved as W. teh perfect combo for the Shadow party the Corporationist. Worst is the fact she understands and is in full agreement with this vile Doctrine.Nuke Iran????OBLITERATE??For Isreal, the SAUDI’S OR THE UAE?????
She’s not winning any Primaries - she’s stealing them. I have no Doubt she Stole MI’s and now with ‘problems’ in PA African American precincts, I’m sure she stole that one too.
She is by No means a DEM or even an old School Republican- She’s Dicks Girl and they are headed to steal the General.
If any on the Fence ‘Super Delegates’ read this…
I WILL NOT SUPPORT HER!!! I will for the first time in my 26 yrs of Voting Vote for a 3rd party candidate, and will work my ass of to Defeat both these Inc Candidates. I will join the Revolution- Sign me Up Jesse,! Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!

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By Purple Girl, April 23 at 3:38 am #
(240 comments total)

Manchurian Candidate

This propped up Cheney & co product is the ‘Most Deadly of the all”!
She’s as crazy as Nixon, as senile as Ronny as complicite & compliant as HW adn as Arrogant and self involved as W. teh perfect combo for the Shadow party the Corporationist. Worst is the fact she understands and is in full agreement with this vile Doctrine.Nuke Iran. NUKE????OBLITERATE??Fro Isreal, the SAUDI’S OR THE UAE- SHE’S DICK IN DRAG!!!!
She’s not winning any Primaries - she’s stealing them. I have no Doubt she Stole MI’s and now with ‘problems’ in PA African American precincts, I’m sure she stole that one too.
She is by No means a DEM or even an old School Republican- She’s Dicks Girl and they are headed to steal the General.
If any on the Fence ‘Super Delegates’ read this…
I WILL NOT SUPPORT HER!!! I will for the first time in my 26 yrs of Voting Vote for a 3rd party candidate, and will work my ass of to Defeat both these Inc Candidates. I will join the Revolution- Sign me Up Jesse,! Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!

Reply to this | Report this

By Purple Girl, April 23 at 3:33 am #
(240 comments total)

This propped up Cheney & co product is the ‘Most Deadly of the all”!
She’s as crazy as Nixon, as senile as Ronny as complicite & compliant as HW adn as Arrogant and self involved as W. teh perfect combo for the Shadow party the Corporationist. Worst is the fact she understands and is in full agreement with this vile Doctrine.Nuke Iran. NUKE????OBLITERATE??Fro Isreal, the SAUDI’S OR THE UAE- SHE’S DICK IN DRAG!!!!
She’s not winning any Primaries - she’s stealing them. I have no Doubt she Stole MI’s and now with ‘problems’ in PA African American precincts, I’m sure she stole that one too.
She is by No means a DEM or even an old School Republican- She’s Dicks Girl and they are headed to steal the General.
If any on the Fence ‘Super Delegates’ read this…
I WILL NOT SUPPORT HER COME HELL OR HIGH WATER! I will for the first time in my 26 yrs of Voting Vote for a 3rd party candidate, and will work my ass of to Defeat both these Inc Candidates. I will join the Revolution- Sign me Up Jesse, I’ll even take up my 2nd amndement rights If either of these Corp Puppets Steal the Election Again! Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!

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By Fadel Abdallah, April 23 at 3:07 am #
(382 comments total)

I hate you Hillary! You’re a Zionist at heart posing as American. There should be a big difference between being a Zionist and a patriotic American, and it seems you have confused both! Wait for the verdict of history on your falsehoods!

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By cyrena, April 23 at 11:04 am #
(4172 comments total)

Re:

Hate may not be good weather, but it’s the reality of the world. Might help to address it out loud. Praying on it hasn’t helped.

Matter of fact, if praying helped, we wouldn’t be faced with the disaster of a possible Hillary presidency, or the genocide that she would willing carry out.

The fact that she doesn’t like herself is NOT our problem. She should seek some counseling for that, or maybe pray herself.

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By weather, April 23 at 5:09 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Re:

Hate my friend is never good. Pray for her, as deep down she doesn’t like herself.

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