Indeed, Hillary has learned a few things in her many years of Washington experience.
This week Sen. Clinton, seeking free press and apparently a high-profile opportunity to slander her opponent, granted an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes. In the interview Steve Kroft speaks of rumors circulating recently among Ohio voters challenging Sen. Obama patriotism. As the rumors go, Obama does not know the national anthem, "wouldn't use the Holy Bible," and is a Muslim. Kroft gives Ms. Clinton the opportunity to clear the unfounded and blatantly malicious rumors (of unknown, suspicious origin). Kroft asks Ms. Clinton if she believed that Mr. Obama is a Muslim.
Her response? “No. No. Why would I? No, there is nothing to base that on. As far as I know.”
It's like Swiftboating, Clintonian version. Where is Move On dot Org? Perhaps it's time for some good, old-fashion Democratic Party disciplining?
Check out Bob Herbert's Sunday New York Times Op-Ed to read more.
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2 comments:
I agree with this post that Hillary's response to the question of Barack's religious background was not definitive. I also agree that the last few words of her response were meant to give the viewer the sense that even Senator Clinton still has an ounce of doubt as to whether Senator Obama is a Muslim or not. This ounce of doubt leaves the issue on the table and allows for further evidence to be complied that may suggest additional ties to the religion. Clinton clearly did not shut the door entirely on the Muslim question, and, I agree that this was probably an intentional move.
I don't think it goes all the way to the point of slander, perhaps, but it is an example of her "being a politician" and responding with a statement that has more to it than just what was said. If Senator Clinton had wanted to squash the issue entirely before voters in Texas and Ohio went to the polls, she could have, but she was evidently not against leaving that bit of doubt out there about his belief in Christian principles.
So I do think that Senator Clinton clearly knew what she was doing with this "as far as I know" answer, but I don't think it was an awful trick or worthy of discipline. After all, she did say the word "no" emphatically and quite a few times in the answer, before adding that tinge of doubt that sneakily keeps the issue alive. It may even be a "dirty trick" and part of her overall strategy to question Senator Obama and blur his image, but Senator Clinton does not tell flat out lies to the press, which would be more along the lines of a swiftboat attack.
I'm sick and tired of this intra-party bickering and general bullshit. If Hillary and Barack don't want to squander the greatest opportunity in recent memory for a more progressive America, they better get a hold of themselves and cut this shit out.
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