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Hillary Clinton's "Emotional Moment" in the Portsmouth, NH café on Monday has already become the stuff of myth, with many pundits directly and indirectly attributing Clinton's surprise victory in Tuesday's primary to the tears that almost fell (but never actually did). Leave it to Chicago's own Jesse Jackson Jr., co-chairman of Barack Obama's national campaign, to siphon the tears out of the excretory ducts of Clinton's eyes and leverage them for political gain:
There were tears that melted the Granite State, and those tears that Mrs. Clinton cried on that day clearly moved voters – she somehow connected with those voters. But those tears also have to be analyzed. They have to be looked at very, very carefully in light of Katrina, in light of other things that Mrs. Clinton did not cry for, particularly as we head to South Carolina, where 45 percent of African-Americans will participate in the Democratic contest, and they see real hope in Barack Obama.
And why was Clinton (almost) crying?
Not in response to voters – not in response to Katrina, not in response to other issues that have devastated the American people, the war in Iraq, we saw tears in response to her appearance. So her appearance brought her to tears, but not hurricane Katrina.
First: there were no tears. Second: how do we know that Clinton didn't cry for Katrina or Iraq? She could very well have cried buckets of tears for Katrina and Iraq in the privacy of her own home. And third: Clinton's appearance did not bring her to tears (we hope).
In all fairness to Sen. Clinton, the question asked was, "How do you do it? How do you keep upbeat and so wonderful?" Why that sort of softball elicited the response that it did is anyone's guess. We hate to admit it, but New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd probably put it best when she wrote, "What was moving her so deeply was her recognition that the country was failing to grasp how much it needs her. In a weirdly narcissistic way, she was crying for us. But it was grimly typical of her that what finally made her break down was the prospect of losing." That about sums it up. To call Clinton "calculating" is nothing new, and it's perfectly reasonable to suspect that the moment in question was not entirely genuine, but for senior members from within the Obama campaign to suggest as much on a national broadcast is probably unwise, especially in light of the "you're likable enough" business. --Mark Boyer [Ed note: Male politicians cry too. Unlike baseball, there is plenty of crying in politics.]
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Nice to see that Junior is as wacky as his old man.
Man, when is Chuck Sudo( Rhymes with Judo) gonna beat Jr. Kung Fu A$S. How F*cking stupid! On National TV!
Not to mention the fact that Daddy Jackson a few months called B'Bama out for not doing enough on Katrina or those kids in Nola who were about to be rail roaded into prison.
Chuck Sudo Judo flip that Mutha F*cka over the Capitol Banisters. You got the mad matix skills son! You can get out as smoothly as you got in afterwords
What a dumb comment. In a way, though, it's encouraging: If JJ can succeed, I guess we all can.
Not the first time he's said something idiotic in the last week. One would think someone would be asking him to keep his comments to himself.
Not the first time he's said something idiotic in the last week. One would think someone would be asking him to keep his comments to himself.
I tend to agree with Michael Sneed: "I know what that's like; it's when the frumious Bandersnatch grabs your throat when an unexpected kindness comes in the middle of a mess."
Maureen Dowd has had a vendetta against Hillary for years, and I think it's "perfectly reasonable to suspect" that her analysis is not entirely genuine.
While Jessie Jackson Jr.'s comment may not be the best route to go, the Obama campaign has not even begun to sink to the level of the Clinton campaign.
Just today Andrew Cuomo (a Clinton surrogate)stated that New Hampshire is a state that couldn't be won by "shucking and jiving."
http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/hillary_surrogate_andrew_cuomo_obama_does_shuck_and_jive_with_press_corps.php
Bob Kerrey (Clinton surrogate)helped perpetuate the madrassa meme, reminded the world that Obama's father was a Muslim (although neglect to mention he was non-practicing)and that Obama's middle name is Hussein.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004077664_obama17.html
Billy Shaheen had to resign his post as New Hampshire co-chair over his suggestion that Obama could be a liability to the party because people may question him about being a drug dealer.
The clinton campaign is using a racist subtext in their attacks against Obama. Where is that story?
Thanks for this, Mr. Boyer. You're likable enough, too.
Did you know that the woman who asked the cry-question voted for obama?
Check this out:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17970221
That Melisa Block. Asking the tough questions.
ishum.wordpress.com
What is this primary season going to come down to? You're sexist if you vote for Obama, but racist if you vote for Hillary? Keep that narrative going while Hillary and Obama trade wins throughout and we end up with Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton as the ticket. Are we then absolved of all racism and sexism?
As Steve Rhodes pointed out yesterday at the Beachwood:
"It can't be a Hillary/Obama ticket - not if Hillary has said he's not ready to be president. You have to be able to argue that your vice president is ready, Dan Quayle notwithstanding."
Dowd nailed it if you aske me.
It wasn't like her win in NH suddenly re-anointed Hillary as the Candidate of Destiny. Tears or not, I had her pegged to win the state - by a close margin - before Obama won Iowa (and Kevin can vouch for that). If anything, her eventual margin of victory suggests that more people (not just independents) are tuning into Obama's message.
Such as it is.
Hillary also got a big Steve Nash-to-Shawn Marion-like assist (how's that for a matrix reference, spook?) from Bill in the closing days when he went off on how the media weren't questioning Obama's record of flip-flops. As masterful as Edwards turning on Hillary in that debate, Bill showed who the master really is.
The first major test between the two is going to be South Carolina. And it should be interesting to watch.
Why is Obama embarresed by his dad being a muslim? My dad was a catholic you accept it and move on. Its obama inaility to be honest about his past that bothers me and will destroy him before the end of the primarys. Tell us your dad was a muslim what was that like hows that influenced you? come clean about Tony Rezko and all the help and money he gave you. Explain your past drug use.How about the endorsement of dorthy tilman still proud of that. Why did you vote present so much in the Il. Senate takeing a stand to tough? obama is just a crook co. machine hack he is a well spoken rich daley/todd stoger. In another example of what obama learned in crook co politics lookat his voting record hes a ghost employee showing up to work is to much to ask but he cashes the paychecks.
Fed up,
I am not aware of Obama being embarrassed by his dad's religion. He even wrote a book entitled the Dreams from My Father about his parents and his experience as the son of an African and and a white American. His parents separated when he was 2 and his biological father was not active in his life. The problem is that others twist his Muslim background to appeal to people who fear and hate Muslims and spread rumors like Obama is a Muslim plant planning take over the US for the so-called Islamofscists.
Also, in that book he discusses his drug use and has discussed in on the campaign trail at one high school at least.
Present votes are often used tactically in the Illinois legislature. The present votes regarding abortion issues were a strategic move and done in part by the request of Planned Parenthood. Some present votes also had to do with Obama being concerned about the Constitutionality if the bill or the way the bill was designed. Obama was a professor of Constitutional Law at UofC (which in and of itself is a defining difference between him and Stroger). Some of those present votes we're probably political calculations. Here's an article from the NYT about it if you care for more information: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/us/politics/20obama.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq
Obama was a professor of Constitutional Law at UofC
(which in and of itself is a defining difference between him and Stroger)
Yup O'bama, the elitist lake front liberal choice
Spook,
I would definitely describe myself as a liberal but not an elitist lake front liberal. I grew up in a working class neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago (not in Hyde Park though - nowhere near the lake in fact). Neither one of my parents went to college - my dad was a truck driver. But why bother trying to present you with facts when you enjoy stereotypes so much.
Also, the UofC law school is notoriously conservative. And considering the way the current administration has trampled the Constitution, I would welcome someone with a thorough knowledge and respect for the document upon which our country is founded.
fed up, you are way off with your analysis of obama. not even close
The tactic is to not have to take a stand on an issue that you may have to explain later. Hiding from your past is one way to ensure that others are going to dig deeper and deeper.
His response to teenagers about did he inhale or not 'thats the point' is that a good example to teenagers.
Dont get me wrong I like to listen to obama's speeches but the substance isnt there. He is a machine political hack and hes been a do nothing senator.
"....Obama was a professor of Constitutional Law at UofC (which in and of itself is a defining difference between him and Stroger)...."
Jackson93
What I think is that you said something (see above), which is most certainly elitist (no matter what you daddy did for a living) and instead of fessing up that you made a boo boo, you blame me for of stereo typing, instead.
And I know full well that the U of C, where O’Bama felt so at home is very conservative
No excuse me while I wait for Magilla Gorlilla to explain why Fed Up "has it all wrong"
Spook,
I don't understand how that is an elitist statement. Please explain.
(I am sure you will take this as an opportunity to tell me that the fact I don't think its elitist is a testament to how elitist it really is, but I guess I am just a glutton for punishment.)
Your comments seem like a defense of Todd Stroger. Is that how you want government run?
Todd Stroger is a hack who is driving Cook County even further into the ground. He does not strike me as being particularly knowledgeable about government and our laws, as seen by his illegal proposal to raise certain taxes. Todd Stroger was not a professor of constitutional law - he was an investment banker. Many people have many qualifications for public office - I find being an expert in constitutional law more applicable to holding an elected government position than being an investment banker. If that makes me an elitist so be it. After all I could never be as pure of heart and mind as you.
fine, here's my response to fed up:
1. how is he embarassed about his dad being muslim? i believe obama is baptist himself. it's a non issue and would only be used as ammunition against him. there are too many small town redneck voters in this country who cannot differentiate between radical muslim extremists and regular muslims. if he's reluctant to be upfront about it, it's because of the irrational perceptions by ignorant voters.
2. the rezko conflict may seem like a big deal to people in chicago but it's small potatos on a national scale
3. he's been as refreshingly open about his drug use since any serious politician i can remember
4. dorothy tillman? who gives a shit whether she endorsed him? total non issue
5. comparing him to stroger is preposterous
obama has bigger issues to discuss and concern himself with than petty local issues. if you have a problem with him, you should come up with some real issues
Gorllia
Lets discuss those bigger issues, tell me how O'Bama is different on policy than say Clinton or Edwards, what makes him so special, perhaps his support for the bankrupcy Bill or his lack of an urban agenda and why is it that the corporations like him so much?
Magilla Obama endorsed tilman in the race against a progressive canadate. Why because he is a crook co machine hack trying to help a crook co machine hack.
Obama isnt a baptist you know alot about your canadate.
Everything is small potatoes until you have to answer questions then it gets to be a big deal.
your redneck excuse is a joke. Just like obama wont explain his health plan tax plans or any other so called plan he wont discuss his past.