Hillary Clinton’s vulnerable campaign moment Monday, when her eyes welled with tears and her voice broke, has pundits debating whether voters will see this as a sign of weakness or a rare authentic moment from a guarded and overscripted candidate.
The media are making too much of it. It’s not a big deal. After all, Mitt Romney has had more than one teary moment in recent weeks. If anything, it shows Clinton in a more human light — and for her, that’s a positive.
The problem is bad timing. After months on the campaign trail, she finally gave voters a glimpse of her personal, emotional connection to this race. But it probably comes too late to make a difference. And coming on the eve of her likely loss today, it will be seen by some as self-pitying and manipulative.
54 Comments
Human? Really? REALLY??? Or just practiced?
She has that ‘human’ moment just when her advisors tell he she need to be more ‘likable,’ more human. She takes advantage of a convenient question (or one planted, a common Clinton machine tactic) to show that ‘human’ side, and conveniently drops in the attack line of “some of are ready to lead on day one, and some are not” (she’s ever on message, isn’t she?). She even touchingly tells us of her “35 years” of experience (yup, more on message) . . . what 35 years is that, exactly? She’s a junior Senator who parachuted, carpetbag in hand, into NY not to represent New Yorkers, but to trade on the name and reputation of the husband she attached herself to years ago and run for President. After putting up with his philandering I suspect she thinks she deserves this – it’s the payoff. But where is this experience? Where is this resume?
Where is this humanity?
The only thing that brings Hillary! to tears is that the presidency, which she apparantly thought she was entitled to, is slipping away.
and I feel just awful about that . . .
That moment of honest love and concern for country and knowing how close America is to slipping away won me over.
The Senator knows that for the first time in our history, the next generation will have it worse than the last unless we act. She’s got my vote.
Some fascination the press has with thinking Democrats are somehow not human. Gore’s a robot, Hillary is a Vulcan. Whatever.
“Some fascination the press has with thinking Democrats are somehow not human. Gore’s a robot, Hillary is a Vulcan. Whatever.”
This is news? RepubliCONs have been trying to paint anyone who does not toe their line as being less than human for years…and nowhere will you see this more than in our beloved Doo-Dah.
Democrats, on the other hand, are far too niiice and poliiite about it…and get perceived as doormats.
“The media are making too much of it. It’s not a big deal.”
So, let’s make it a blog topic.
Human? How about her acting ability.
Nevertheless, we cannot have a weak president. If she wasn’t acting, then she is too emotional to serve us as president. Unless of course, her man Bill is there to fill in for her whenever she has a cry.
But the American people deserve more than paying huge Kleenex bills at the white house.
It would appear that Hillary’s chances are slipping away. I would like to think it’s because of her ideology, but it might be that she’s a girl.
When Romney tears up it’s not to bad because, after all, it merely shows his sensitive side.
When Edwards acts tough it’s OK, he’s a man.
I think it would be very hard to run as a woman, if she’s too nice, she’s weak. If she’s too strong, she’s a bitch.
If you want to know what I think, it’s Chelsea’s fault! Why isn’t she married with kids already? If Chelsea had delivered a grandbaby or two to the cause then Hillary (grandma) could call Obama any vile names she wanted to and get by with it as long as she was holding her grandchild!
If only. . . I can see Bill now, grandchild in his arms, holding Chelsea’s hand. Grandma Hillary with another little grandbaby in her arms, family dog at their feet. . .
Then, when see gives us the patented little ‘it’s for our children’ speach with a obligatory tear in her eye. . .well hell, she’d get my vote!
J R and me, on the Hillary express together!
Ahhh, the damsel in distress syndrome and the male
knight in shiny armor.
Completely understandable.
Is Chivalry dead?
Big Girls Don’t Cry!
I totally agree with you Hank. She’s damned if she does, damned if she don’t. And thanks for pointing out that Romney has had near tears, and it’s not being held against him.
But all of this talk that really shouldn’t matter about whether or not she is too sensitive, or not sensitive enough, is why she won’t get the nomination. There is too much controversy linked with Hillary, partly because of who her husband is, and partly because of who she is. And for those of you who don’t get it yet, America is REALLY ready for change, and it’s hard for Hillary to sell that. Just about anything else and she would be able to get on the bandwagon, but CHANGE, it just doesn’t fit her or her family.
Maybe I should be hoping the Dems pick Hillary.
Less chance of her messing up my great healtcare
insurance.
“Meanwhile, Edwards sharpened his criticism of Clinton, blasting her for taking money from the pharmaceutical and defense interests the former trial lawyer routinely excoriates on the stump.”
AP
One of 270,000,000 Americans with healthcare and insurance.
Well TDT,
The ‘change’ crap is Obama’s schtick. She has several things I think she could effectively run on in my opinion but she’s fighting the battle where Obama has the high ground.
She’s actually said some halfway intelligent things about the war in Iraq. She could choose one side and stick with it. I actually think she would be the best democrat when it came to fighting the war on terror.
My wife is a very smart, strong woman. She’s a very sucessful business person. It amuses me to observe how different people respond to her success.
In Hillary’s case, I think much of her husbands success is because of her. You can say a lot about them, but if you go after one of them you had better be able to take on both of them. We’ll see if Obama is up to it. It ain’t over, and the fat lady hasn’t even arrived at the theater yet!
TDT,
You mentioned change. ALL the candidates are talking about change. What kind of change are they talking about? After all, it’s only a word, and without anything to back it up, it’s an empty word.
Dubya brought us plenty of change. Do we want more of that kind of change? Are the Republican candidates referring to that or something else?
I’d like to hear something substantial from these people, something other than that they believe in God. Nothing wrong with that, but it means absolutely zilch. Even Charlie Manson believed in God. He thought he was Jesus.
Oh, was she supposed to be a robot. I thought she was human before but just a monster of a bitch, which is a good thing for a canidate, especially if your a woman, gotta bring bigger balls to the table than the guys.
I think if canidates want to come off more humanable, they need to wing a lot of their talk, and speak the same things to every group of people they talk to, and speak what they truly believe instead of pandering. No pre-manufactured recited speeches written by speech writers, those are other peoples words.
Vote for McCain.
Phantom, Chivalry has been dead, u must be dead too also to not know its been dead since the 70’s.
I’ve done some research and several of you guys, like Max, J.R., The Phantom and a few others have been referred to in different blogs or newspapers. Apparently people outside of Wichita read the WE blog once in awhile.
Or, outside of Kansas for the matter.
RD and Hank – My response to your “change” comments are going to drive you nuts. Obama’s “change” is not a tangible thing. It’s that he is different, not because he is black, but because he is a young, new senator who has not been hardened by the political machine in Washington. (You’ll really hate this Hank)It’s the fact that he really wants us out of Iraq, and I truly believe that with a President working towards that, in a few years we can not be out of a war in Iraq, just be support like in Kuwait, or Germany (well maybe not that much). It’s the feeling of openness that I get from him, which is especially refreshing after the Bush administration. There’s more to it than what I described, and you either get it or you don’t. But obviously a lot more “get it” than even I would have predicted.
“not be out of a war” = “be out of a war”
had a duh moment
TDT
Posted January 8, 2008 at 4:15 pm | Permalink
Obama’s “change” is not a tangible thing.
Well duh, no shit!
meaningless might be a better discription.
J R
Posted January 8, 2008 at 1:26 pm | Permalink
That moment of honest love and concern for country and knowing how close America is to slipping away won me over.
The Senator knows that for the first time in our history, the next generation will have it worse than the last unless we act. She’s got my vote.
————————————————
Oh Barf! Sen Clinton was ACTING JR! She has not one speck of honesty in her body. Love for the country? The lying witch cares only for herself.
If this generation sees a reduced standard of living, then it will be caused by the failed Socialism experiment of Government.
LBJ launched most of our welfare programs in the 1960’s.
Bill Clinton supposedly reformed welfare in the 1990’s.
Yet the poverty rate remains the same, evidence of failed Socialist policies.
You want more of the same, vote for Sen Clinton.
Max writes, “yet the poverty rate remains the same.”
WRONG.
The poverty rate has gone up most years under Worst. President. Ever.
The poverty rate has nothing to do with “socialist policies.” It is mainly influenced by the lack of good paying jobs, which have followed Republican presidents like the plague.
But thank goodness, HALLIBURTON’s doing so well!
Max sounds like he is worried his REPUKES are goung to get repudiated this fall.
After reading everything on Clinton and living in NY before and during her terms as senator, I can tell you I don’t want her as President. She is relatively new to politics as the lead, but she had years of learning the manuvering from her husband. I have always found that she believed in or supported things that would achieve her goal. I’m a Republican who often votes Democrat. I really want change and I believe that someone that is relatively new to politics is the only one to do it. If you look at the polls and the blogs I’m not in the minority, and believe me it’s not because she is a woman. She just represents the same ol’ same ol’.
WhiteElephant
Posted January 8, 2008 at 4:01 pm | Permalink
I think if canidates want to come off more humanable, they need to wing a lot of their talk, and speak the same things to every group of people they talk to, and speak what they truly believe instead of pandering. No pre-manufactured recited speeches written by speech writers, those are other peoples words.
—————————————————————————————————
I agree. And you have just described Fred Thompson to a T.
Those who say he lacks enthusiasm or energy have NOT seen him give a speech. A 6′5″ very imposing figure standing on a stage, with a baritone voice, very deliberate in what he says – he is a Southern Gentlemen.
Not a fast-talking pretty boy type, but very firm with his convictions. And what he SAYS – MATCHES what he DOES as shown by his voting record.
http://www.issues2000.org/Fred_Thompson.htm
Max still needs a daddy, aw, ain’t that cute?
“If this generation sees a reduced standard of living, then it will be caused by the failed Socialism experiment of Government.”
You have that exactly wrong. It is greedy business and commerce that is RUINING this country. If anything we NEED more socialism to keep the greed monster from ultimately eating itself.
Yeah you would figure Max for one who would favor a boss man type candidate. Ol’ Fred thinks he is above the fray til’ South Carolina.
Somebody should tell him he is already out of it. But they will have to wake him up first.
Sure a lot gnats around here…
Max I have been watching and listening to Thompson and have been impressed by what I have seen. It is still a wide open race. Money and purchased exposure has presented us a slew of candidates in both parties not worth electing. I think now the cream is starting to rise. I’ll wait and see.
J R
Posted January 8, 2008 at 1:26 pm | Permalink
That moment of honest love and concern for country and knowing how close America is to slipping away won me over.
The Senator knows that for the first time in our history, the next generation will have it worse than the last unless we act. She’s got my vote.
JR you are a big teddy bear aren’t you. Gullible though is not an admirable trait. Don’t fall for that line. Bill has just taught her to emote at the drop of a hat like he could do.
Bill was stumping today for Hill and I was amused when he blasted the press for never asking Obama the ‘hard’ questions. Said Obama was having a fairy tale campaign. Don’t you just hate when the Clintons see what the rest of the world saw a long time ago with Hill and the press.
Bill is doing the whining for Hillary, saying NH officials had the primary too soon after Iowa, didn’t give Hillary or the electorate time to digest the Iowa results ….. and the media gave Obama a free ride on his war voting record….
She says she doesn’t understand why 35 years of experience doesn’t count — now she almost knows what it’s like to be unemployed and over / near 60 —-
They are now becoming a sad couple —- wonder if she will get reelected to the Senate
One reason I would be against Hillary as the candidate is that the extreme right already has, via their favorite cottage industry, a whole host of “Hate-Clinton” material. I was at a conservative site recently – “WorldNetDaily”, or some such permutation. There, they had their conservative T-shirts on attractive women who would not be caught dead in such a get-up. Plus they had their “The Hillary Crimes” DVD – you know, no doubt, one of those gems where they accuse her of executing Vince Foster, smuggling cocaine into Arkansas, and other such nonsense.
Nah, nominate Obama. At least the vast conspiracy will have to do some more work [sic] – writing fiction can be kind of difficult, though, from what I hear.
Now I heard that ol billy said that the press has been giving Obama a free pass because he is black. Is that true?
No, Bill said it was because he had not been challenged on changing his positions re: Iraq.
Thank you
Ksgrm, ya just gotta SEE Thompson to know that the press on him lacking Energy and Enthusiasm is a bunch of crap. Go online, watch a speech, go see him, and you’ll see he is VERY IMPRESSIVE!
Check is position at On The Issues and Vote Smart and tell me any conservative doesn’t agree with him 90% or more of the time on his voting record.
Gotta eat. Back later.
“Bill has just taught her to emote at the drop of a hat like he could do.”
Ksgrm,
Is your hatred of the Clintons to the extent that you would not allow that they might have human feelings? Hatred, if that is what it is, that extreme, must make living life difficult.
Steven hatred is such a strong word. I don’t give anyone that much control over my life. I do however accept reality and who can forget Bill Clinton at the funeral of Ron Brown. Just in case you have – check it out.
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/CRASH/BROWN/TEARS/tears.html
Real emotion and the Clintons don’t have much in common. JMOHO.
Guess chivalry isn’t dead after all!
“Gotta eat. Back later.”
Dining on ashes there Max?
ksgrm? I don’t feel gullible. I consider myself a good judge of character and a good detector of hypocrisy and the phony.
I didn’t take Senator Clinton’s emotional moment as an act. I feel reassured that Tom Brokaw did not either.
I am cyncical enough to agree that it might have been a scripted moment, particularly after the planted questions earlier.
However, I don’t doubt that, in her own corporate-friendly way, Hillary cares about our country going to Hell in a handbasket. Long before she sold out she had an impressive activist pedigree.\
And to assume that it had to be fake would be wrong, and wrong-headed.
I don’t think Hilary faked it, I imgaine that would be an akward thing to watch if you were there. Suck it up Hil bot, she’s weeping because her campaign is in trouble. Kind of like a killer crying after he’s been sentenced to life in jail, not because he feels empathy for the person he killed, but he’s sad that he got caught in the first place.
Well, looks like she wasnt on the verge of losing in New Hampshire after all… hmmmm… guess the press was wrong again!! LOL
Likely loss, uh…Randy, don’t quit your day job. Fortune-telling ain’t your bag.
Thanks for providing another example of the Clinton Hate Machine, Grm. You guys may be busy for a few more years. It is still possible to get a life.
If Hillary was a good wife, Bill wouldn’t have to make his interns into human humidors.
She an actress that carries a southern drawl when in the South. She carries an East Coast accent when she is there. She is useful to perpetuate endless war, nothing more.
Correction…she’s an actress, not she an.
http://www.google.com/search?q=Hillary+Clinton+fake+Southern+accent&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8
Ksgrm:
thank you for sharing the link, I was specifically thinking about that emotional moment between off color jokes myself, just didnt know where to find the proof. I had a good laugh the last couple of days of the NH race when Hillary did a 180 from the hard, tough battle veteran to the poor vulnerable victim of the rough, inconsiderate politics of being called to task on her voting record concerning the war and the fact that she was a part of an eight year team that certainly extended the status quo… when you hold her up as a defender of the little guy against the Big Corporations, don’t look too hard at her relationship with the good ol boys at Tyson and the commodities deals she profited from so dramatically where Tyson took the loss ends of the positions and she got the gain ends, a pretty cool way of funnelling money without it showing as a payment or contribution….. Then Bill… WOW, the “fairy tale” speech was pure Bill Clinton method, look the camera right in the eye like you are so mad that fisticuffs are sure to break out soon, shake that famous finger that has been everywhere, and make accusations AFTER all the debates and time to react are gone. Except for the wrinkles and grey/bleached hair, it could have been 1990 all over again.. These guys can just keep running over and over and over again, they are like the Simpsons.. Bill is Homer, Hillary is Marge, Chelsea is Lisa, WHERE IS BART??? Omigawd theyve killed him and hidden him in the park! (just kidding about the Simpson thing, but the rerun deal is just amazing in that we have seen it so many times and are still gullible enough to believe it is genuine.) as for ” I;ve been making change for 35 years”, it is unfortunately a case of promoting the same line every year over and over: one years experience 35 times. By the way, nice open, GMC70.
I GOT to get a Hillary nutcracker.
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