Word is Obama wanted more than “campaigning on the issues” from Hillary Clinton–he wanted her to become his Mini-Me, and attack Sarah Palin personally. Hillary refused. While I’m disappointed Hillary is even vaguely supporting the Obama camp and a Democrat party that not only stabbed her in the back, but smeared women in general, I am pleased that she has drawn the line at being Barry’s Slur Merchant. Good for her.
Team Clinton Says Obama Intimidated By Palin Factor
The harshest thing Hillary Clinton could come up with about Sarah Palin at a Sept. 6 campaign event at Wagner College on Staten Island was that there was no evidence at the convention in St. Paul to suggest Republicans would “guarantee equal pay for equal work for women.â€
“I heard nothing!†she said.
Reporters tried to get Mrs. Clinton to talk about John McCain’s running mate at a tiny press conference after the event, but she refused even to mention Mrs. Palin’s name, saying only, “I am campaigning for Senator Obama and advocating on behalf of the Democratic Party and our positions.†[…]
“My concern is that I see them [the Obama camp] as totally reactive right now as opposed to getting out there on their own and saying what the hell they are about,†said Leon Panetta, a former chief of staff to Bill Clinton who has advised Mr. Obama. “They seem to be intimidated by the Palin pick. They seem to be intimidated by how the Republicans are coming at them on change. And you cannot win if you are constantly on defense.†[…]
Most of the former and present Clinton staffers interviewed for this story, as well as Mr. Obama’s campaign, say that the limited role she has taken in advocating Mr. Obama’s candidacy is by design, and that she is doing precisely what is asked of her.
We’re not seeing more of her, in other words, because that’s how they want it. “If they asked Hillary to do more, she’d be happy to do it,†said one Clinton adviser. But one source close to the Clintons provided a slightly different version of events, saying that a high ranking Obama staff member indicated to a Clinton counterpart that they would like Mrs. Clinton to take a more aggressive tack, and that the answer was no.
Hmmm, that was smart from a political stand point. And interestingly smart from a decent human being standpoint. Might have to revise my opinion of her upward a notch or two.
I saw Hillary earlier this week she deferred from Palin and spoke only to dem issues. Hillary should dump the dems and save herself. They have put her in an abusive situation — sucking up to/for/about bo is like dying and going to hell, especially since she didn’t die – she won and they pushed her out. Self respect should take her all of the way out!
Hillary is re-grouping to fight another day.
Until then she will bide her time and prepare
for 2012.
Loved the comments on Hillary Clinton by navajosierra!! I feel the exactly same way. I really think she should dump the Dem party & run in the future as an Independant.There are a lot of people, like me, who can no longer back the Dem Party and what they now stand for. I really appreciate everyone’s well thought out, intelligent comments. keep it up!!
S. Diehl
I have a smidgen. Just a smidgen but a smidgen nonetheless of respect for Hillary Clinton.
Who’d a thunk?
It’s politic of her if nothing else. If she becomes the attacker for Obama, she’ll either succeed at lowering the McCain/Palin stock[Obama might win, thus derailing her for up to 8 years] OR she’ll make herself look very bad trying to do that. Either way, Obama wins. Good call, Hillary.
I am not now, nor have ever been a Hillary supporter, but this I must give her: she was tenacious and determined and her long presence in the primary really allowed the American public to see ‘female’ and ‘presidential’ as not mutually exclusive. She paved the way for Palin like no other person did or could.