I think Hillary Clinton is a liar. I don't think she is a liar for the reasons that have been circulating in conservative circles for the last 15 years. In what is probably the greatest example in recorded history of the pot calling the kettle black, conservatives will have you believe that Hillary is responsible for: a) the deaths of hundreds of people who "crossed" her and Bill; b) stealing millions of dollars from taxpayers; and c) every single bad thing that has ever happened to everyone ever.Most of this is simply not true. It's all part of the usual conservative reframing of reality baloney. What is true about her is that she has spent the last seven years cozying up to several large corporations, especially key defense contractors in New York as well as several red states, and that she supports the Iraq War. She may say she doesn't but believe me, she does. If she is elected president, nothing will change in Iraq.
I wanted to like Hillary, y'know, I really did. The first woman president? We need a goddess in the White House. But Hillary? Nope. She is too far gone around the bend. Her time in Washington has made her cold and calculating--she'd give Dick Vader a run for his money, no doubt. While she and I do share some common interests on domestic issues, it is Iraq that is THE issue. And the Middle East. And defeating terrorism. I think her policies would be a simple continuation of the same crap we have had for the last six years.
The other thing is that if she is elected, our country would remain as divided as we are now. There are still people out there who froth at the mouth when Bill Clinton's name comes up. I would wager there are about 90 million of them in this country. There are still more who are Democrats and just don't like her. So, half of the country would hate her (for all the wrong reasons of course) and we just don't need that right now, whether it is justified or not.
Now I know that some of my liberal friends are going to pissed as hell about this take on Hillary but too bad. At the end of the day, I am finding it a real struggle to see a difference between her and W. Enlighten me, if you will but for now I give her a D.
Thursday: Joe Biden.
11 comments:
As former Clinton associates have always said, it’s shocking that the Clintons can lie with such ease.
Her mysterious changing southern accents aside, I think Hillary would be a terrible president. She doesn’t have the charisma that Bill had and thus couldn’t lead (as nobody would follow) and also would been seen by the world as the phony she is; and you can’t build relationships and alliances on that. But, hurray, France might like us again (if they ever did).
I confess. I would call myself one of those illogical Clinton haters, only a small step up from the illogical Bush haters. (A step up because I thought Bill Clinton only should have been impeached, not hung like so many of our dear readers.) But again, I just don’t know where you get your information. Who said she’s responsible for hundreds of deaths? One death maybe; but not really. The crazy Vince Foster scandal only had legs for a short time and only due to Hillary’s own making; i.e. you can’t very well ransack the office of your lawyer (the day he died!!) and when asked to return the files, take months to “catalog” them, without stirring up just a wee bit of suspicion.
…couldn’t care less what companies she cozies up to as long as it’s legal. But with their list of scandals, would it be? And as a side note, are the corporations’ addresses that important? If that terrible corp. were from a blue state would it be OK?
Indeed, Iraq is “THE” issue, and I trust she’s lying on that, which is good, because, well, you know where I stand on that. But Hillary-care is what scares the bejesus out of me. I’ve seen European healthcare first hand…yikes!
Agreed, we are a polarized nation and electing her would simply extend that. Kind’ve like if Jeb Bush ran & won.
…and I hate to get off topic, but since you brought up lying. Isn’t it curious how politicians (from both sides) so easily lie and more to the point that the public often knows and doesn’t care? People don’t care!? That kills me. For example, during the last election when gay marriage was a hot topic, Kerry often said how he stood for traditional marriage (but not for the amendment). A reporter on the street questioned some gay rights activist about it and asked why he supported Kerry when Kerry was on the record as pro-marriage. The guy came back with (summarizing), “well, I know he’s just saying that to get elected but once he’s in office, I’m sure he’ll be on our side.” That’s why voting records & deeds matter, you just can’t trust what anyone says.
Mark, I’m agreeing with you so much these days, it’s uncanny. Love her or hate her, I think we can all agree that you can’t believe a word that comes out of this woman’s mouth.
So much so, I’m here to tell you that (gaah!!) I’d almost vote for her. Why would a life-long Republican perpetrate such a travesty? Well, you hit the nail on the head. Iraq is issue numero uno…and I think she’s lying about her opinions on how she’d handle it.
Sure, I’d have to ditch my moral and principled upbringing and take a stiff drink before pulling the switch, but, I think we may (just maybe) be a bit better off with a Democrat in power and Hillary in particular…
So much of the rank and file Republicans are such weak-kneed sissies they’re useless. The Republicans have only a couple of candidates that can even articulate the GOP message (Thompson (love him!) & Giuliani). Both are straight up sharp-shooters that actually give me hope…and both would bury any Democrat in a debate if the country weren’t so polarized and people actually listened and compared.
And here’s the big “but”. But, why turn on my beloved GOP? Why not just vote for one of those two? It’s not that I doubt them. But I’ve seen the enemy up close, in the street, and I think the more I learn about them, the more I realize that we cannot defeat them as a split nation. And, make no mistake, we are a split nation. And I pin the origins of that polarization squarely on the Democratic Party.
I’m sure Democrats believe they are acting out of the best interest of the country. And maybe they are but I just don’t see it. But by simply viewing their actions over the years, I cannot believe anything other than that they want Bush out of power at all costs and don’t care how they do it. And since they had pretty much the same mentality w/ Bush Sr. & Reagan, let’s typecast this and say that they want all Republicans out of power and don’t care if they ruin the country or lose a war to do it.
So, why then would I want to help the Democrats into power? Let’s set aside their socialistic tendencies and focus just on the war on terror for today. In our nation’s current state, with this existing “political” condition, I do not believe we can win the War on Terror.
So, how can the Democrats win it? Well, they can’t, actually. Not without the GOP’s help, anyway. But, once they’re in power, their motivation to do stupid things (i.e. their single-minded goal to ruin the GOP, country-be-damned) would diminish and they could act fully for the benefit of the nation without distraction.
The GOP, like ‘em or not, are much more conciliatory when in the minority? They didn’t make much fuss over the conflicts in Serbia, Somalia, etc. Heck they even passed Clinton’s ridiculous Supreme Court nominees without fuss. Not because they liked or respected them, but because it wasn’t their job to select them, just confirm qualifications.
But mostly, America, under new Democratic leadership, would then act as a unified team when facing the world. Republicans understand that political disputes stop at the border. You simply would not have a Republican traipsing all over the globe undermining our country’s stance on issues by touting their own and demeaning the president. How can an ally, or a nation you’re trying to help or influence, ever trust that you’ll be with them for the long haul when they have someone from the other side of the isle whispering a contradictory message in their ear?
So, provided the Dems lose their squeamishness about using the military, which will probably happen once another 9/11 happens, we can really prosecute the War on Terror. And come on, you know Hillary has no qualms about using our intelligence operations to their fullest. A politician willing to get FBI files on her political opponents or raid a dead lawyers office in the middle of the night is not going to let a little thing like FISA interfere with getting the real enemy.
So, to wrap it up, Democrats are more or less the little kids on the playground that will pick up the ball and go home if they don’t get their way. So, I’m thinking, if we get them into power, at least we keep the ball out on the field and continue to play, more or less as a team. And as a team, America is unbeatable.
Oops...forgot my grade.
Hillary: a reluctant B
Wow. Great posts, Dave and joe. I have to say that both you and anonymous joe are like blood brothers--something I never thought would ever happen--these days. A while back, joe made a comment to me that he, as a conservative posting here in a mostly liberal blog, felt that I should...well...walk a mile in his moccasins before I judged him. So you will be happy to know, joe, I am doing just that.
Go here.
http://smallestminority.blogspot.com/
Read the post and scroll down and see me being ripped to shreds up and down the joint. I have to admit, guys, I really know how you feel now. You guys and my ol buddy crabmaster are like Dennis Kuecinich compared to these folks.
I have some stuff to say about your takes on Hillary but I will wait until some others weigh in.
What can I say, great minds...
Too dang much reading there to even find your post.
...but, other than being an old debate team addict, I have no idea why I'd post here. Posting on a conservative site is simply preaching to the choir and what fun is that. I guess I simply find the left fascinating and have some weird dream that one day they'll see the light of day and I'll be the one to have shown them the path. Plus, as you always say, know thy enemy & knowledge is power, so I'm here to see learn about my political opponents. ...you may get a kick out of the fact that you're in my IE favorites under the folder heading "the bad guys".
...plus I think you're the only one still in contact with some of my old volleyball pals. ...weird sort of distant association...
Mark, have you lost your mind? Hillary Clinton is none of the things you say. She does want to change direction in Iraq and I don't think she is lying about it. Much of your impression of her has been crafted by the right--whom you say you don't agree with!!
Her domestic policies are right in line with several things you have written here and you give her a D?
I am more of an Obama man myself but seriously, mc, Hillary and McCain on the same level? That's bullshit, Mark, and you know it.
I have lost respect for you after these last two posts.
Mark:
I thought I'd return the favor and comment at your blog for a change.
"Her time in Washington has made her cold and calculating"
She was "cold and calculating" before Bill won the Arkasas governor's chair. To some extent, it's a requirement of political life. The difference with the Clintons, and Hillary in particular, seems to be that it appears the only goal behind the calculating is the achievement of office - of power, for power's sake.
She voted for the war based, she said on the advice of people she trusted - she told this to, I believe, Code Pink. Now she says she was mislead by Bush. But the fact that she was so easily mislead shouldn't count against her. You're right. She's lying. The only question is about what, not about why.
There are too many people too uncomfortable with the ease with which she so obviously lies. You're one of them. I don't think she has a prayer of winning the White House, but I've been wrong before.
I hope you're right, Kevin. I can't take another 4 years plus of this country being divided.
Mark, if you think the 2008 election is going to unite America, regardless of who wins, I've got this bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you...
Post a Comment