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Hillary's New Crusade
Jens Meyer / AP Photo
A year ago this week, Hillary Clinton ended her presidential campaign—to the relief of many. But even her critics must admit that as secretary of State, she’s been a feminist hero to behold.
One year ago today, Hillary Clinton ended her presidential campaign, much to the relief of millions of ardent Barack Obama supporters like me. Throughout the primaries, I had been irritated and then outraged by those who argued feminism obliged women to back her. The possibility that our first female president would be a former first lady promising to continue her husband’s legacy struck me as profoundly dispiriting. During the campaign, her hardball tactics horrified me. So when she made her rousing and gracious speech in the National Building Museum, conceding defeat but celebrating "18 million cracks" in "that highest, hardest glass ceiling," I was too furious to really hear her.
Listening to it now, though, I can’t help but tear up. I’m still glad I supported Obama, who I think is proving to be a better, defter president than Clinton would have been. Nevertheless, I was wrong to mistake her political ruthlessness for a lack of principle. Just as Clinton proved her skeptics wrong upon entering the Senate in 2001 with hard and diligent work, she is now quietly remaking the State Department. That’s especially true when it comes to women’s rights. As secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has been the feminist hero of this administration.
Just as Clinton proved her skeptics wrong upon entering the Senate in 2001 with hard and diligent work, she is now quietly remaking the State Department. That’s especially true when it comes to women’s rights. As secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has been the feminist hero of this administration.
Clinton made it clear during her confirmation hearing that women’s rights would be at the center of her approach to foreign policy. “[O]f particular concern to me is the plight of women and girls, who comprise the majority of the world's unhealthy, unschooled, unfed, and unpaid,” she said. “If half of the world's population remains vulnerable to economic, political, legal, and social marginalization, our hope of advancing democracy and prosperity will remain in serious jeopardy. We still have a long way to go, and the United States must remain an unambiguous and unequivocal voice in support of women's rights in every country, every region, on every continent.”
The Right Dumps Carrie
Jacob Bernstein is a senior reporter at The Daily Beast. Previously, he was a features writer at WWD and W Magazine. He has also written for New York magazine, Paper, and The Huffington Post.
What's Joe's Problem?
Lloyd Grove is editor at large for The Daily Beast. He is also a frequent contributor to New York magazine and was a contributing editor for Condé Nast Portfolio. He wrote a gossip column for the New York Daily News from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he wrote the Reliable Source column for the Washington Post, where he spent 23 years covering politics, the media, and other subjects.
Geithner's Stock Plummeting
Jeff Madrick is a contributor to the New York Review of Books and a former economics columnist for the New York Times. He is editor of Challenge Magazine, visiting professor of humanities at Cooper Union, and senior fellow at the New School's Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis. He is the author of Taking America, The End of Affluence (Random House) and The Case for Big Government.
Palin's Ego Trip
Michelle Goldberg is the author of The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World and Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism. She is a senior correspondent for The American Prospect, and her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Nation, the Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many other publications.
Women of Influence: Malalai Joya
Michelle Goldberg is the author of The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World and Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism. She is a senior correspondent for The American Prospect, and her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Nation, the Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many other publications.
Hannity's Gay Target
Michelle Goldberg is the author of The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World and Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism. She is a senior correspondent for The American Prospect, and her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Nation, the Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many other publications.
i'm amused by your comments on hillary,is it because she is a women and you vastly identify? obviously the clintons have many lovers(no pun) and many detractors they are the most ruthless politicians to haved graced the political spectrum ever,the deaths,drugs,illegal monies know no limits,succintly they have no honor as humans.no i'm not a rethuglican.
I doubt it. Deaths? Hardly... Drugs? Cocaine like Bush... Illegal Money? Like paying reconstruction companies billions in Iraq, a war of choice. Bush makes the Clintons look like the belong in a church choir. The Clintons are just good politicians. (And all the joys that go with it) Ruthless, vile, and vicious can be attributed to Rove, Cheney and their ilk.
Thanks for your reply. I am constantly amazed how republicans can project so much of what they don't want to face about themselves onto the Dem., especially the Clintons. It is both sad and disturbing to see so many take the bait of hate from the Right Wing pundits and so self-righteously proclaim the horrors of the Dems., while their own house is filled with so much dishonesty and incompetence. How any party who has Bush Rove and Cheney can point a finger at anyone, including the Clintons, is amazing. I think Freud called it "projection".
Thanks, I couldn't agree more!
Not just Bush. Does anyone look at what Obama did to his mentor to get his first political office??? That is just one example. As a Democrat I feel like I have a right to say that we are so outraged that the Republicans gave idiot Bush a free pass to do as he pleased but we are doing the same with Obama. The only difference between Obama and Bush is intellect. We will see in a few years who does more damage to our country. Michelle , I hope you aren't getting paid to write these things. You clearly don't do your research. Shouldn't you have tried to figure out who Barack and Hillary were BEFORE you spouted your empty opinions to the world?
Hooray Hawnzz,
Clinton is doing the hard work. Good politicians are always tough. Otherwise they fail. She is reshaping and delegating a State Dept., not looking for pats on the back. We are lucky to have her as a public servant.
The Hillary flaw is Billy. She will do what it takes to protect his "legacy" and keep covered what these so-called political leaders don't want you to see. The following is a key passage from "New World Hors D'oeuvres." Find lots of reasons why for all sorts of stuff that went on in the Clintstone administration.
You are about to find out why Fidel was calling all the shots relative to Elian Gonzalaz. (Since when does Fidel tell us who stays in America and who repatriates). You will also get insight why ef be eye broke into the Bowker ISBN data base and changed this political commentary satire "Trade" book into a "Specialty" (Meaning stores pay in advance - no returns) book of "witty humor" for kids aged 13 - 17. Is that a niche market, or what? That was the work of your domestic counter intelligence people, insuring book stores would not order and the poet prophet would be marginalized for the rest of his days. Enjoy these paragraphs from "New World Hors D'oeuvres:"
"And so, dear peer-ships, for that final juiciness as to "what Fidel had" on Billy Clintstone that drove the Elian Gonzalez case and skewered our pallah tics, having detailed all of the Eli�n facts, to obtain King Solomon's wisdom, we need change course, and revisit Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1989. Oh! Your throat is dry, you're hungry for the details and furthermore, it's time for brunching.
Speaking of brunch in, or luncheon, whichever you prefer, in or out, it was noted years ago, that for a period of months, a couple three times a week, Clintstone ignored his daily Governor's schedule and high tailed it over to Charlie's downtown Chye-knee restaurant for a noontime special.
When Clintstone went on these lunchtime forays three blocks down the street, was the governor driven by a state trooper, or followed while he strolled? Clintstone didn't stroll. Quickly changed into his jogging duds, Billy dashed from the State House without notice, on his way out the door, advising his trusted secretary, Betty Curie, to hold all his calls. He jogged down the street, by himself, slipping the alleyway gate into Charlie Lin trie's kitchen, panting wet in summer sweat. What was Billy's luncheon modus? What was our Billy Clintsone's back door operandi?
Revisit photographs that feature restaurateur Charlie Yah Lin Trie. Does this chef appear he'd be comfortable over a stir fry wok, or doling out Chinese egg drop soup, Charlie Yah Lin Trie, Chinese cook, who migrated to America and snookered super fortune cookie? Hedge those bets on Charlie.
And when Billy Clintstone dashed over to Charlie's place for some noon time Chinese dishes, did he forage the chow mien buffet line, gobbling lunch, and gabbing away middle day with Charlie's regular noon time choppers, or was our next President's hangout spot in Charlie Trie's secluded banquet room, the doorway in from Charlie's kitchen? And was Clintstone's made-to-order spread at one particular around-the-corner secluded booth each time, a special booth designed with the wily Arkansas governor, unbridled in mind?
Yes.
And when our Clintstone flopped at his own very special table, in Charlie's semi-private banquet room, 'Closed" to the public, his booth, out of sight, around the corner from the doorway in, was Charlie the governor's server, or was Yah Lin Trie minding his cash out register? Was Clintstone's server famous Guangdong waitress, Shrimp Throat Kim Soo, brought special from Macau to Little Rock, expressly for Bill? And what else did Shrimp Throat Kim serve our soon-to-be cookie fortunate President, besides her succulent lunches?
They call it a "nooner."
Was Charlie's banquet room rigged in advance for the Governor's appearance, with hidden video cam recorders focused on that one special booth where Clintstone pegged his nooners, sew the surreptitiously created video tapes do clearly show it is our Billy Clintstone for sure beyond any shadow, dew wop a dew, and you can read Charlie's menu askew on the table?
Yes it was. Yes they do.
Does this eggs plain why James Riady's lowly gardener was sent to our White House for a soft money campaign coffee, there to say softly to Clintstone, as Billy Clintstone marched around the room heartily shaking hands with all his millionaire Clintstone investors, "The Riadys sent me?"
Can the innocent Riady gardener's crypt tickle message be translated thus: the transferring of Loral's missile tech to the Chinese military has to take place sooner, rather than later, or else the whole wide world, bling bling, is going to see your "nooner?"
Yes it can. Yes it does.
Do those scrumptious tapes of Shrimp Throat Kim serving Billy her breath away lunches explain how democrat party fund raiser John Huang was suddenly so easily flipped, with top security clearance, from Democrat Party headquarters to the Commerce Dept., his primary purpose there, to facilitate the speedy missile tech transfer from State to Commerce, sew Loral's key missile aiming technology could then cross the sea and land in the military hands of the shiny Cheyenne-easy?
Yes they do.
Do the underhandedly created Kim Soo tapes eggs plain why the Loral Group, whose missile technology was always for sale, dipped giant chunks of soft money, yearly to the democrats, but the year of their missile tech transfer Loral cut their demo party trib way back? Yes. The tech sale, they were told, was going to go regardless, sew the Loral group's quid pro Chinese party quo was knot but for appearances, to muddy the trail?
Yes again, says our Onlion Shem.
It was during the Monica megillah that former congressman Cox's Report, documenting the fishy Chinese military stuff during Clintstone's administration was completed, but for gnashional security's sake, the fruits of his committee's investigation were kept under wraps far too many months, with some parts knot slated to crack dawn until the next century, long after Clintstone is departed.
Dear Peers! What is it that we, the American people are prohibited from seeing? Do our spineless self-serving Members of Congress fear the populace united would slip together as a body into nonpartisan outrage, and move to remove each and every Member of the Congress for their oblivious malfeasance in our public offices?
The Cox Report's congressional staffers talked amongst themselves: "The evidence we collected is air tight. Everything here smells like unadulterated treason, but what could be the reason? Where is there a motive?" The staffers weren't up to sniffing Clintstone's modus operandi. The staff was not apprised of all the juicy lunches served by waitress non-witness Shrimp Throat Kim Soo, who was shipped back to Macau and, during the trip, to protect our witless Clintstone, snuffed in the Pacific.
Charlie Yah Lin Trie told Clintstone, after Clintstone won the presidency but was still, officially Governor, hanging out in Little Rock, expressly with the purpose in mind to slip in a serious palaver with Charlie Trie, "Mr. President. You remember waitress, (Shrimp Throat) Kim, from Macau? She got picture. I hear video picture. I knew nothing but I can go back to Macau and find her."
Does Shrimp Throat Kim explain how overnight, a chintzy stir fry restaurateur from downtown Little Rock morphed into a major democratic political party fund raiser, with more visits to the White House than Monica Lewinsky, plus photo-ops galore with Clintstone sew Charlie Trie could promote himself to all the Macau gangsters as a true entrepreneur with most high White House connections? Yes.
King Solomon muses.
Shrimp Throat Kim was the reason behind Billy Clintstone's reluctance to give up his Arkansas Governorship, to relocate in Washington, D.C. for his transition, bedding down at the historical Blair House, with a glorious pre-presidential shebang of svelte beltway dinners, all the beltway peeps raptly wined up to meet them.
Bill needed a Charlie chat before the blare, to figure out what happened to Kim Soo, what he could do, where and who. When Clintstone stated they had to stay in Little Rock, to carefully oversee packing bags and books, it was not Billy's first mis-troof, rather it was the first mis-troof both Bill and Hill thought they got away with.
Of course the as yet to be exposed video tapes explain all of Clintstones' mini-treasons, blackmails, bribery, high crimes and missile tech state secret Ms demean hers that every buddy, regardless of pallah tic party, knows inside their bones are Billy Clintstone's true legacy: publicio thong-a-dong corruptus.
The Riady Lippo group owned the Clintstone tapes. They cost the Riadys thousands of dollars to create, and after the missile tech was transferred to China's military that was the end of it. Years before, they'd surreptitiously mastered tapes of Clintstone, jamming Kimmie down her throat, because the tapes were make-able.
To outright quote Monica-Man, nay paraphrase, why he, the Clintstone, dude what he did, the Riadys 'did it because they could.'
The Riadys couldn't and wouldn't sell the Clintstone tapes to their good friends, the Cheyenne-easy. The Chinese, unaware of any sex-pre-presidential tapes in the first place, instructed the Riadys, in no uncertain terms, to deliver the missile technology transfer for their military, or else. Or else what?
The Chinese knew the Riadys were Clintstone supporters. It was well known the Riady group fronted Clintstone's political campaign a fast, illegal million-dollar 'loan' when the self described comeback kid came out of New Hampshire in 2nd place, their 'loan' enabling Clintstone with enough raw campaign ducats to knock off New Hampshire's adopted favorite son, Paul Tsongas, in the Florida primary that was, in 1992, fast coming next.
The Cheyenne-easy told the Riadys to use their influence with Clintstone on behalf of the Chinese military, or jeopardize their own extensive operations in China. That's 'else what.' Between the Riady Lippo group and the Chinese generals, there wasn't any love loss. It was just business.
That costly batch of video tapes, featuring Billy Clintstone, breeches breached, getting a nooner by waitress Shrimp Throat Kim, doing what she did, her best, served their purpose, and that was that, but with more than just, "a painted paradise at the end of it" when Eli�n Gonzalez practically washed up on the beach in Florida, world wide instantly famous, a truly miraculous survivor.
The Riadys looked at Fidel, who couldn't do anything beyond standing by and watching from across the Straits; the soul of Shrimp Throat Kim cried out for retribution, and boing! The Riadys saw fabled potential in their trip x tapes. An 'eyes-only' screening was arranged for Castro. Fidel bought his copy with cash on the spot, a suitcase full of street corner fifties. Sew Clintstone's buds, James and Mochtar Riady, recouped their countless ducats spent on Shrimp Throat Kim and the missile tech, and then some, selling their black malleable yo-yo Shrimp Throat video to Fidel.
That is why silence from Cuba for so many months after Eli�n was rescued at sea. After Fidel bought the Clintstone tapes he consulted with his closest advisors on the next move to make, amongst them, Stalinist Russian advisors left intact from the good old days. For success, Castro needed to construct a careful cakewalk across the Straits, with the highest of tidings possible, to Clintstone aide, Bruce Lindsey, and through him, a lasso into Clintstone's Oval Office, thus, Greg Craig, Clintstone's high priced mouth from the impeachment days, who it just sew happens, is capable of conversing with Fidel in impeccable Cubish.
These maneuvers took their own good time to arrange. Fidel, holding the wildest of cards, could not chance blowing his hand. At first our government agencies worked with Eli�n's Miami-Dade County family, because that is our policy in cases like Eli�n's, where the custodial dispute is only a going-through-the-motions spread, to protect the remaining family in Cuba.
When Fidel, through hired emissary, Greg Craig, made the case to Clintstone what he, Fidel, had copies of, Clintstone realized, without consulting a soul, he'd better heed Fidel, and commit to what Castro wanted, or a whole lot more than his presidency was going down the tubes. That is exactly when Attorney General Janet Reno had her "phone call," when our immigration agency abruptly altered the normal mitigating course of its Cuban policy, relative to Eli�n.
That is why Clintstone compromised our democratic way, manipulated the press, and dumpstered Eli�n's constitutional guarantee. Clintstone needed to keep his true legacy out of the public eye; those hot lap videos of Charlie's climactric waitress, Shrimp Throat Kim, doing her thing. His thing. Why Greg Craig, attorney for Bill and Fidel backed Barky Obama's campaign instead of Hill's.
Much too long.
Much much too long.
All true.
Billy Clintstone committed treason.
In the event someone knocks on Hillary door
with the tapes of Billy and Shrimp Throat Kim,
Hillary will do what is required to
keep the tapes buried.
We need new people for all our public offices.
(Ritarita still ultimate s.)
Knot muppet!
as for the rise of christian nationalism,i never believed in bartering with god.
The only reason people would be surprised that Hillary would be a great Senator, Sec'y of State, etc. is that they have been completely suckered by all the right-wing propaganda that has demonized her. Had Ms. Goldberg actually researched Hillary's true history, she would realize that Hillary has always been a serious, intelligent, impressive woman who has been able to work with all sides on a issue to effect change.
For example, as First Lady of Arkansas, Hillary spearheaded Bill Clinton's much needed educational reform. Not only did she get the various players in the state to buy into the program, she convinced Sam Walton, the conservative founder of Walmart to support a tax on corporations to fund it. That alone speaks volumes about her ability to work effectively to improve the lives of others.
It is time people woke up to just how much - and how long - our perceptions have been distorted by right wing lies.
You have to admit, she has bigger cajones then anyone in Washington. She has taken more @#%^ and was still standing then even Bush, Cheney, Rove (any of the equal cronies on either side of the political spectrum) would of been able to... they would of been left wimpering in the corner.
I don't always agree with Hillary... but I'm often impressed. She's one tough woman. (Even if you don't like her, you have to give her that.)
I second that. I'm always amazed people disparage her for being "ruthless" and "machiavellian." Hello? It's politics and she's perfect for it. The best leaders are. Obama's doing okay but I'm still of the camp that wishes we had Hillary for President.
scott1607
wish u had chimed in earlier and wish i hadn't been gone all day. i think i'm in your camp except i wish hillary was in pelosi's position. that would be a very interesting prospect. i'm afraid the concept won't get play though, the comment energy has moved on.
She's brilliant. She works her ass off. She knows how to get the job done. And we will see an enlightened and effective State Dept. because the lady knows what she's doing.
Exactly, and shame on Michelle Goldberg for just now realizing she bought into the anti-Clintonism of vast right-wing conspiracy.
Ms. Goldberg is representative of the shallow, entitled, cluelessness of women...no, they don't deserve to be called women, of "girls" in my generation. Watching 20-35 year old girls bash Mrs. Clinton last year made me wonder if they were really that dumb and easily fooled or just drunk on Kool-Aid. It was probably both.
Yo, Michelle, Hillary has always been like this. It's nothing new. How you can now write with no sense of irony that the same traits Axelrod and the dirty, manipulative, race-baiting Chicago machine made you THINK you abhorred last year are now the very things you suddenly appreciate about Hillary is more yet proof that the females in my peer group will never hold a candle to serious, tough, real accomplished women like Hillary, Condi, Ferarro etc.
Hillary wasn't good enough for these ingrates when she wanted to be head of the company. Now that she's goen back to her place and become a secretary, they love her?
Wake up, ladies!
DK,
A hit job came from both sides to Hillary.
She is smart enough to understand the politics involved, and smart and strong enough to evaluate it all while not allowing any of this shit to prevent her from performing at the high level we are witnessing. Bravo Hillary!
Bernie, thanks for your great post.
I cannot understand why Ms. Goldberg couldn't see Hillary Clinton as the feminist she has always been. I am glad she's seeing more clearly now. For all of her initial misgivings about Clinton, none of them have any substance----they are a matter of style.
I am pleased to see that Goldberg has awakened to women's issues. According to the Inter-Parliamentart Union, before the 2008 elections, the United States ranked #69 in female representation in government. After the 2008 elections, we dropped to #71. Afghanistan and Iraq rank higher than we do.
If we want to do a better job and be a leader in the world, it would be great if other women could study the process Goldberg used to finally appreciate the real Hillary Clinton. We women are are own harshest critics. This fact has been used to divide us to keep women out of leadership roles and dilute our one real power------there are simply more women than men.
By all accounts from pollsters, the real reason President Obama won is because the African-American population came out to vote. AA voting patterns had been at 30---35%. In 2008, the figures were around 92%. If women would follow that lead, we would finally achieve parity and make this country a fully representative democracy. As Americans, to paraphrase Clinton, we cannot achieve our full greatness as a nation until women achieve parity.
Although it is a little late for the 2008 elections, it is thrilling to see women such as Goldberg awaken to our responsibility as women to lift each other up. If not us, who? If not now, when?
Why would the writer of this article be surprised that Hillary is a hard and diligent worker? She has been her entire life. She would have made an excellent president as well... although I take nothing away from Obama, whom I voted for... but I did vote for Hillary in our state's primary,of course. Hillary is one of our generation's most outstanding individuals.
Unfortunately, Hillary is a generation or two ahead of her time and chose the supporting role for Bill. I'd bet if they both took an identical test her scores would exceed his. She is a born leader and I'm proud she took on those glass ceilings. I know her impact is needed in the State Department but I would be proud to have her nominated for any future vacancy on the Supreme Court.
Michelle, I've read this just minutes after watching Clinton's interview by George Stephanopoulos. Yes, I too found her Presidential campaign insufferable, but hopefully she is going to demonstrate the difference between having a woman Secy of State and having a feminist Secy of State. More power to her. Thanks for your candid piece.
It is human nature to rrecall the last action one sees and Hillary stooped real low at campaigns end. In retrospect it was only due to advisement of handlers and a last ditch effort for the office President. Her appointment was genius and she has handled it with brilliance. She will be a tough opponent 8 years from now. I do hope she breaks that ceiling.
Hillary might have gone on to achieve great things had she not shackled herself to an undisciplined egotist for a husband. She's 10x the person he is.
Hillary Clinton is still just for Hillary Clinton. Today on TV I hear her saying something about Obama and, "I am glad to serve with him," thus giving herself equal status. I have never heard this from anyone else, regardless of administration. It is "I am glad to serve in his administration" or the like. But not Hillary.
If she had any idea that she could prevail, she'd run against Obama in 2012 in a New York Minute. Her loyalty is to herself.
I also think she is as much of a warmonger as George Bush was.
It amazes me that the tweenybopper types still can't see beyond the propaganda. The DNC broke it's own rules to install a freshman senator as the nominee. For a "journalist" to not see the republican talking points, to not do the research and understand reality, to still be drinking the kool-aid is truly astounding. You expect that from children who are infatuated with their first campaign. But one would hope it would wear off and they'd start judging Obama on actually accomplishing something. Deeds not words are the standard he'll eventually be judged by. Hillary's deeds will stand out in history, the words used against her will ultimately be exposed as the republican lies they always were.
I hope Obama actually does something. There is too much on the line right now. But it isn't looking good. He isn't keeping the few promises he made during the campaign, he was so vague on the issues you couldn't know what he believed in. His supporters just projected their views on him, along with their hopes.
Single payer could have been a reality, but he won't even let them have a seat at the table to discuss it, let alone consider it. Big Pharma & Health Care have bought and paid for this round of "reform." If they are supporting it do you really think there will be any appreciable change?
His "support" women is laughable. He wants us to support their right to wear veils and the hijab. I'm more concerned about the stoning of rape victims and the acid attacks, and the women forced to wear the hajib or face being beaten or worse. Yet these girls aspiring to be women see Obama as the stalwart supporter of women's rights.
Obama supports Bush's rule of conscience, like bush had one. How do you like that support girls? He supports spying on Americans. He won't stand up to the telcos but prefers they get immunity. I'm not seeing much difference her between the two. Sad but true. Maybe he'll develop a backbone, but the Dems have lost a lot of formerly loyal party members with their tactics. I hope the children pan out for them but they'll probably get distracted by the next shiny toy. I'm still astounded by Harry Reid's pride that he pulled aside a freshman senator, that has never done anything but get elected, because he gave a pretty speech and told him to run for President right away. Wow. That is some kind of leadership.
If you have all the answers, exactly how would you solve all the problems? Maybe you should be more concerned with the treatment of women in this country and allow other countries to evolve as the see fit. The right's that women have gained in the country were the results of efforts by women in this country not by outsiders who wanted to impose their values.
Women in this country have a long way to go before they see equality. Witness the misogyny of the presidential campaign. Obama and the press. Read the current article. Look at the frat boy Obama keeps on staff as his speech writer. Obama is known for his speeches. If his words matter Favreau's actions speak very loudly indeed. Look at Obama appointee Larry Summers.
We absolutely have problems in this country that need to be solved. I am concerned about them and continue to work to change them. But they aren't solved by women who do not support women.
You don't have to agree with their point of view. I did not agree with Palin's point of view, but I did not agree with the misogynistic treatment of her by the press. the blogosphere, and Obama's supporters.
Inequality of women in the US is not solved by ignoring problems in the rest of the world. Especially among the starving and brutalized. I notice you don't knock Obama for commenting as an outsider on other countries.
Were you opposed to the pressure placed on South Africa? Where you opposed to intervention in Rwanda?
Women's rights are human rights. They are not cultural values. I have no problem with women wearing the hajib if that is what they truly choose. I oppose them being forced to wear it, being beaten or killed if they do not. I oppose rape victims being stoned for adultery, especially 13 year old girls. I oppose women being unable to work and earn money for their fatherless children. I oppose men telling women they can't have reproductive health care, including contraception. I oppose genocide.
So Hillary playing hardball during a political campaign upset this writer? Well, well. It must give the writer the vapors when women act like real people.
At her age she is still rebelling against her mom. Let her get a dose of the real world and then we'll see her change her tune.
I really feel for her, irritated because people with a different viewpoint didn't quit when Obama said they should. After all, Hillary is a woman, it would different if say a man was running for president and didn't give up, like say Teddy Kennedy or any of the others who campaigned with less reason to expect success than Hillary, with 18Million votes. If the economy hadn't tanked, it wasn't clear Obama would have won. Now it isn't clear if we'd be worse off. Sad to say, but true.
Al Gore got more votes in NYC than she did; Rudy din't run against her. She screwed up health care when most of the country was for it. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The nomination was hers and in her arrogance she let it slip through her fingers. Her hubby, don't forget signed the law that turned the major investment banks into bucket shops and greased the skids for the debacle that followed. Ever read her valedictory address from Wellsley? Give her time, she'll screw up again...
GPatton...surely you jest!! Hillary knew there was a need for healthcare reform before it was "cool" to be for healthcare reform. All we ever hear is how she had closed door meetings when formulating the reform policy, but we rarely hear that the top leaders in the Dem party "requested" she formulate the policy in this way, so as to avoid the prolonged back and forth from others in the congress who hadn't done an ounce of research on the subject. It should be much easier for BO to get some kind of healthcare reform since this will be the second time around, and HRC established the groundwork for it, in addition, many more people are now uninsured, and see the need. Most of the country was NOT for reform during the Clinton yrs., especially after the drug co.'s spent a fortune on commercials to defeat any reform. Get your facts straight, or at least, have one valid point.
Reagan actually signed the law that allowed bankers to loot accounts and began investing people's money ruthlessly. Also, under Reagan, credit card debt exploded, and for the first time since WWII, consumers had a much higher debt/savings ratio.
If the far right had spent millions to vilify BO for years ad nauseum, he would have had an image perception to overcome during the campaign as well. He had a clean slate, because he hadn't really done anything, and most people didn't know him. If he hadn't been tall, I'll venture to say, he still wouldn't have won.Psychology is a funny thing....
And reading this is why I'm still infuriated by Obama supporters. Every attribute you subscribe to Clinton during the primary, best describes Obama. Obama supporters think themselves and he so righteous that none of them can see Obama's obvious flaws, the unforgivable race-baiting tactics by his campaign, nor their own brain-wash-induced vilification of any of his opponents. I really didn't care much for Hillary Clinton, until I saw what her supporters had to endure by the rabid Obama supporters. Further, if you really respect hard work, you would have favored Clinton, who has always busted her ass, over a lazy opportunist like Obama in the first place.
I don't think lazy
Is actually a good descriptor
For Obama.
Try again.
I don't know, it seems to fit.
He likes other people to do the work. He likes to game the system. Yeah. Lazy opportunist looks pretty apt.
Sad but true!
bpai99
Hillary might have gone on to achieve great things had she not shackled herself to an undisciplined egotist for a husband. She's 10x the person he is.
Flag It|Permalink|Reply11:46 am, Jun 7, 2009
I'm always taken aback when writers have these "epiphanies" about Hillary. Hell, anybody who had done their research, would know she truly is a valiant "public servant", always has been, and always will be. She works her heart out for this country. Does she like power, yep, I'm sure she does, but show me a leader at the top of this game who doesn't!!! BO sure as heck was power hungry, but I never heard it used as a negative against him...go figure.
The Rush Limbaugh's of the world made their millions trying to bring down the Clintons. Unfortunately, what they were selling got gobbled up and stored in people's collective consciousness, and the perception had legs of it's own. Nobody has been vilified with the same tenacity as the Clintons. Millions of taxpayer dollars were spent to try and find something, anything, and the final conclusion of Ken Starr's smear was: No other President has been investigated so thoroughly with so little wrongdoing found. The End. BC has done very amazing work since leaving the Presidency as well. Most of BO's supporters were too young to know their history. Sad.
HRC is a tireless workaholic, a policy wonk extraordinaire, a compassionate woman, and I feel much better knowing she is SOS. I think she would have been a fantastic President, but BO may turn out to be okay as well. Time will tell. I was impressed with BO for knowing what he doesn't know, which was "policy", and appointing knowledgeable people in the important roles.
The writer and a few other posters alluded to
HRC's "insufferable" campaign tactics, and I find that amusing, because as a loyal HRC supporter, I found the BO campaign to be a classic study in Chicago style dirty tactics. I did vote for BO, and I support the way he's handled some areas.
Did I miss Al Gore's run against Hillary in the primary?
I think most people know where the blame for the current financial debacle belongs.
I didn't get to hear your valedictory address from Wellsley.
Hillary keeps fighting for what she believes in. She tells you where she stands and she keeps working towards the goal, despite the obstacles.
Obama is weak tea by comparison. There is too much at stake to for him to fail. Sadly he isn't stepping up. I truly would like to see him accomplish what the people need him to do. Instead he keeps following bush's lead. Jr. jr.
We need change. I hope for it now more than ever. Structural change in the financial sector. Oversight in how money is spent. He talks a nice game about transparency, but he didn't get there based on the sunshine provisions of the DNC and we aren't seeing it in his actions so far. Instead of rejecting Bush's unitary executive privileges, he is claiming new ones.
Sorry. I wanted a liberal Dem, or at least a progressive one. Or one that actually believed in the Democratic principles and didn't spend his time lauding Reagan. Or even one that didn't ignore the few measly campaign promises that were specific enough to know when he went against them. Sorry. can't seem to get that bar low enough for him. You try, you're better at it.
So many of my close friends, just like the author, rejected Hillary with great (read ugly) enthusiasm and are only now coming to understand what makes her awesome. It is a crying shame and, I think, is a manifestation of our biggest stumbling block in the present women's movement--namely, that women don't particularly like to see each other successful and powerful. They don't see each other as allies, still only threats.
The thing such women miss is this: so many of our, women's, future successes will be attributable to Hillary's persistence, her unabated determination to carry out her goals. Every time I win, I'll thank Hillary.
I love Hillary for all of her mistakes and her rough edges; she has blazed the way for us and continues to make this world more livable for women everywhere. If this is the legacy everyone was so afraid she'd carry on, I hope to god we do!
All of these elected officials have one thing in common: they are reactive politishinz - they react to world events. They are not leaders with personal drive intertwined in their characters, like for example Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
They don't have a clue what to do. Every 'solution" tendered involves either a status quo government bureaucracy, or an outside Money&Power.
Mr. Web Soft-money (Is that a cool name for a living character: Mr Web Soft-money? Web's wife could be named "Babe.") is the controlling figure. Like plastic man, he slips every lock, his reelection money the key.
@ Michelle Goldberg,
This was a very interesting article, and I greatly look forward to your forthcoming piece.
But there are a few points that need correction. I hope you'll give them some thought.
When critics talk about Obama supporters having swallowed right-wing talking points hook, line, and sinker, they have a point. I imagine you think this doesn't apply to you, but it does. To wit:
"and when her husband's mistresses threatened his ascent, she took part in trying to silence or discredit them."
-- this is simply NOT true. You can read the background on how this lie got started and by whom (Peter Baker in the NYTimes, Chris Matthews on MSNBC) during the election. Scroll down to "Part 4."
http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh061807.shtml
"Re-reinvention" and "'New' Crusade" -
-- as you yourself point out, Hillary has not re-reinvented herself, nor is this a new set of issues for her. She has always been a feminist, and she led the charge in Beijing to establish ICPD. So why the "new " and "re-reinvention"? Because it fits into the right-wing talking point about Hillary as a chameleon, a fake, a person driven by ambition and not issues. Now, this may be the work of a lousy editor, not you, but you can see how bad it looks to anyone who is already familiar with Hillary's career.
-- in addition, your reference to Hillary's appalling campaign is again the product of fevered election imaginations. Do a quick review of the primary battle between Jimmy Carter and Ted Kennedy, and then think about what you saw in 2008. Hillary was a sweetheart compared to what went down between those two.
Last, and unrelated to the above points -
"Her response stands as the strongest defense of reproductive rights worldwide ever to issue from the lips of a senior government official"
--Not "worldwide" - as you know, the governments of several Western European donor countries (Netherlands, Sweden, UK, Spain) have been real leaders on this issue.
Great post!
Part of what makes Hillary Clinton interesting is that as a advocate for women's rights, she practiced what she preached. She is and has always been an advocate for a woman's right to have and make choices.
She has made her choices, and not all of them are palatable to everyone, but it was and is her right to make them, and live with the results.
Her intelligence is not in question.
It is, however, our right to question her ethics and her political ideology.
And to disagree if we choose.
And to vote for someone else.
And a lot of people did.
Hillary Clinton may see herself as an advocate for women's rights, but she is no example.
She has stayed with a husband who has abused her for years, by cheating on her over and over again. We don't normally admire women who are unable to pack up and leave their abusers. In fact we go out of our way to encourage them to leave.
I believe she stayed with him, because she saw him as her ticket to her ambitions, another characteristic we don't admire.
How is this a "new crusade"? Just because you didn't like and agree with her before because you didn't like how she presented herself, doesn't me she's adopted new ideas because you now like her. Odd....
Abortion should be safe (OK), legal (OK) and rare (excuse me?). Abortion should be available to women and girls, for free, universally, no questions asked. There are already far too many unwanted kids and enslaved mothers on the planet. There are already far too many humans, period, on the planet. Please revise your reality, Hillary. Otherwise you're doing great.
Are you serious, or are you just interested in more rabid discussion on the abortion subject?
I am amazed at the total ignorance of Obama supporters. During the primaries millions of people supported Obama however, when asked what specific accomplishment Obama had made in the State or US Senate no one could site a single accomplishment. On the other hand Clinton supporters could site an extensive list of accomplishments. Now you are surprised that Secretary Clinton is doing a great job!
Again I will ask what has Obama actually accomplished as President? His financial decisions have saddled us with over a trillion dollars of debt in 100 days and still counting. I would not mind investing the money if Obama was able to articulate in concrete terms how this money is going to help us and how we were going to pay for this.
GM is a great example Obama's thinking. Obama gave GM 20 billions of dollars and 60 days to work out a new forward looking plan. Firstly, this time limit is ridiculous. Second after 60 days past GM said the plans were not finished and they could not even make the initial payment owed to the US. Obama angrily said here is another two billion dollars and you have 30 days or else GM will have to file bankruptcy. Thirty days later GM was still unable to meet Obamas requirement so they were forced into bankruptcy. Now GM has had to file bankruptcy and at the end of this Obama is giving GM an additional 30 billion dollars and will take a 60% ownership. I find Obamas this thinking to be inexplicable. It makes no sense to give GM the initial money only to force them into bankruptcy and them give them more money. Please do not misunderstand me I think it is important to help GM my problem is in the application.
While many find Obama's speeches to be inspiring this is in dark contrast to his actions. The following is a small list of Obamas promises compared to his actions:
Reinstating Military Tribunals
Allowing the US to hold people indefinitely without a trial for an act they may commit in the future
Overturning himself and now refuses to release pictures of abuse that the Federal Court of Appeals ruled on which ordered the US government to release the pictures to the ACLU
Refusing to fulfill his promise to reinstate the Brady Bill Refusing to honor his campaign promise to codify abortion Refusing to honor his campaign promise to stop Don't ask Don't tell
Refusing to honor his campaign promise to repeal DOMA Pushing for Health Care Plan that leaves out the 49 million uninsured Americans: Obama carved out an exception that allows people not to get health insurance because they cannot afford it and allows small business's not to have to offer health care insurance. I thought the idea was to help these people get insurance instead of exempting them. How is this Universal insurance ?
For another Obama apology tour but this time stating 6,000000 Jewish people who lost their lives in the Holocaust is equivalent to the suffering of the Palestinians Appointing a Supreme Court nominee that votes with Republican nominated Judges 95% of the time ( See Chuck Shummer on MSNBC)
I could continue but what is the point! I am so disgusted with my party who refuses to speak out against Obama when he is wrong! I see no point in continuing to vote or support Democrats when my Senators and Congressmen are to scared to stand up to Obama or worse cannot see Obama is wrong! I know you think I do not get it but finally people are slowly reporting the only change we have gotten from Obama is Obama changing his promises and policy! See Mort Zuckermann, Rachel Maddow, Bill Maher, John King etc.
Oh and Michelle, just as you were wrong about Hillary's abilities you were wrong about Obama's He would not have been considered for Secretary of state. He wasn't qualified. Still isn't. Sorry. And all those derogatory comments he made about Hillary and "tea parties" with the wives of leaders. They were lies. We knew it because we knew the history. We didn't listen to the republicans like you did. Sadly, we have very few journalists in this country. They, too, are afraid to upset their own applecart or challenge their own assumptions or question what they are told. They take dictation. That is why you were surprised by Hillary. You took dictation from Obama who restated all the Republican garbage.
Karenmb: HRC is as arrogant as you are naive. G Patton
Thank you.
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