August 26, 2008
Even in Denver, Clintonian Rhetoric Leaves Door Open (Doug Heye)
Two recent news items demonstrate the one-two punch the Clintons bring — and the tightrope they are walking.
The first, from Major Garrett's blog, The Bourbon Room (yes, you read that right), reports on a meeting led by Hillary Clinton's former campaign manager, Maggie Williams. The message? If, at the end of the day, Hillary Clinton has not convinced you that Barack Obama is the best candidate for president, i.e., better than Hillary, Clinton supporters should vote their conscience. You know that means: Vote for Hillary.
That's Punch One. Punch Two comes courtesy of The Hill's own Sam Youngman with a story headlined "Bill Clinton in Denver again undercuts Obama."
In his piece, Youngman quotes Clinton as saying, "Suppose you're a voter, and you've got candidate X and candidate Y. Candidate X agrees with you on everything, but you don't think that candidate can deliver on anything at all. Candidate Y you agree with on about half the issues, but he can deliver. Which candidate are you going to vote for?"
Clinton later added, "This has nothing to do with what's going on now."
Of course not.
To take Clinton or the campaign at their word asks voters to be so naive as to forget both Clintons' eight years in the White House, 12 years in the governor’s mansion in Little Rock and, of course, Hillary's eight years in the United States Senate.
The Clintons are pros, folks. They know what they're doing.
Hillary Clinton knew what she was saying when she said, "I know Sen. McCain has a lifetime of experience that he will bring to the White House and Sen. Obama has a speech he gave in 2002.”
Bill Clinton knew what he was saying when he said media coverage of Obama was a "fairy tale." (And he was right!)
Agree with them or not, the Clintons generally say what they meant to — they didn't get where they are by luck.
In the next two nights, the Clintons' words and body language will be examined to death. You'll hear words like "unity," "urge" and "support." You may even hear the word "experience."
But the most important word in following what both Clintons say and these next two nights will be unspoken. The word is nuance.
You'll see the Clintons check all the boxes, even if they're really trying to thread a needle.
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Divide and conquer. That's what this is all about, isn't it? It is ludicrous to insinuate that the Clintons would rather see a Republican win the election than for Obama to win. And the word that is going around -very quietly but insidiously - That they are looking ahead to the next election, is even more ludicrous. Sure, they are disappointed, but I think they are still loyal Democrats.
Comment by Anne Vance — August 26, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
Doug
I could stretch my imagination and conclude that Bill meant to express that McCain is the choice that will deliver.
As you may have observed, I have switched to McCain based on his experience.
Perhaps McCain = Y
Comment by JFK-HRC — August 26, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
The egomaniacs involved in this minuet, will settle for nothing short of mutual destruction, accompanied by the melody of a violin.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — August 26, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
Hell hath no fury like a Clinton scorned.
Comment by Igor R. — August 26, 2008 @ 6:43 pm
[...] Source:The Hill's Pundits Blog Two recent news items demonstrate the one-two punch the Clintons bring — and the tightrope they are walking. The first, from Major Garrett's blog, The Bourbon Room (yes, you read that right), reports on a meeting led by Hillary Clinton's former campaign manager, Maggie Williams. The message? If, at the end of the day, Hillary Clinton [...] Rating: (No Ratings Yet) Loading … Tagged: denver, hillary clinton, meeting [...]
Pingback by Politics news - Even in Denver, Clintonian Rhetoric Leaves Door Open — August 26, 2008 @ 7:14 pm
[...] Others: Booman Tribune, The Hill's Blog Briefing Room, The Hill's Pundits Blog, The Politico, Ross Douthat, The Moderate Voice, TownHall Blog, Rocky Mountain News, ABCNEWS, The Campaign Spot, Weekly Standard Blog, Wake up America, Donklephant, Taylor Marsh, Truthdig, The New Republic and Hot Air and more via Memeorandum [...]
Pingback by Let it go, Bill, Let it go….. – Political Byline — August 26, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
As usual, republicans are smearing the disinformation and franticly making sh*t up.
Nobody is listening but these days Americans are onto the smell. Sorry but, it isn't workiiiiiing.
Comment by Jeff — August 27, 2008 @ 12:36 am
As one Hillary supporter said on CNN after the speech, she needs to be courted. And the Obama campaign just spit into their faces. The contemptuousness of the terrorist elite!
Comment by Igor R. — August 27, 2008 @ 1:47 am
Hey Jeff! Bill Clinton is skipping Obama,s speech thursday night.Think the republicans made that up?
Comment by Teerry Gee — August 27, 2008 @ 9:57 am
Ok I am here in denver and watched the speech live. Yes there are some holdouts but for the most part, BOTH clinton and Obama supporters were cheering.
I sat next to three young women, they were clearly moved by the clinton speech but all were supporters of Obama and planned to vote for him
Comment by Theard — August 27, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
Theard, three young female supporters of Obama? What could you possibly find attractive about THAT combination?
Comment by Igor R. — August 27, 2008 @ 4:38 pm
Other than the fact that they were gorgeous, smart and politically active? Nothing.
Comment by Theard — August 27, 2008 @ 5:48 pm
Duplicitous bitch..Conniving and undermining…It is without question that they continue to push her supporters to vote for her..if only on the down low.
Please lets get themout and away.
Comment by Docb — August 27, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
I guess that beats chaperoning Helen Thomas to the nearby Presidential Memorabilia Convention.
Comment by Igor R. — August 27, 2008 @ 6:37 pm