Molly Ivins: Jan, 2006: I will not support Hillary Clinton for President

[antigop]

http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/1/2006/1304

I'd like to make it clear to the people who run the Democratic Party that I will not support Hillary Clinton for president.

Enough. Enough triangulation, calculation and equivocation. Enough clever straddling, enough not offending anyone This is not a Dick Morris election. Sen. Clinton is apparently incapable of taking a clear stand on the war in Iraq, and that alone is enough to disqualify her. Her failure to speak out on Terri Schiavo, not to mention that gross pandering on flag-burning, are just contemptible little dodges.

The recent death of Gene McCarthy reminded me of a lesson I spent a long, long time unlearning, so now I have to re-learn it. It's about political courage and heroes, and when a country is desperate for leadership. There are times when regular politics will not do, and this is one of those times. There are times a country is so tired of bull that only the truth can provide relief.

[Patchuli]

1. God Bless You Molly!

We miss you! :loveya:

[Windy]

2. a good reminder to all those who need one. Molly is 100% correct in her assessment.

She is sorely missed for her wit and intelligence.

[Diane R]

3. Listen to Molly.

[peacetalksforall]

4. Molly preceded Willie and now Susan S and Tim R make it four -

for people I respect (and in the case of Susan S and Tim R - people who I have forgiven for supporting Nader even though we learn more every day about what I call Republican lites). Molly knew and called it.

[madeline_con]

5. "...only the truth can provide relief." 'Nuff said.

[Laelth]

6. I can only hope ...

... that one day in the future, when I'm gone, someone will treasure my words as much as I treasure those of the late, great Molly Ivins.

:patriot: (with a tear)

-Laelth

[ursi]

7. this made me cry ....

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. i got a bit misty myself....

Molly & Ann Richards are both sorely missed, although Ann probably would have endorsed Clinton, but in time I probably would have forgiven her for it.

Thanks to the OP for posting this.

[DemCam]

9. I love and miss Molly but not her candidate picks

[bvar22]

10. Good Golly Miss Molly!

Molly Ivins, a patriot, a hero, and a Liberal Democrat.
I love progressive Texas Democrats.
Sharp tounged and outspoken.

[AnneD]

14. Being a progressive Texas Dem leaves you with 2 choices.....

You get tough or you die.

You get crap from your fellow Texans because you have remained true to your roots and you're a little to blunt for the National Party.

Case in point LBJ-the last truly progressive Democratic President. Right after the hurricane (Betsy I think) blew threw New Orleans, he was on the phone asking the La. Senators what they needed. He went down there himself within 24 hours, at night, with a flashlight. He went into the 9th ward (predominately black) and announced to some amazed folks, "This is your President and I'm here to help." That is a far cry from kissing ass at a birthday party of on opponent you stabbed in the back, or having folks beg for food and water after a week of neglect.

And I have to keep reminding folks...George is not EVEN a real Texas. The fact he presents himself as on is treasonous. That alone is reason to wedge you Tony Lama where the sun don't shine. The only GOP president that hailed from Texas was Eisenhower.

I miss Molly, Ann, Lady Bird, and Nelly.....we had a rough year.

[anitar1]

11. I miss Molly so much. n/t

[Laurab]

12. I miss her, too and I remember reading this when she wrote it.

I agreed with her then and I agree with her now.

[MissDeeds]

13. Ditto

Molly has been in my thoughts a lot lately. I miss her insight and wisdom, especially now.

[Cha]

17. I remember too...and thought how

much I agreed and agree with Molly Ivins on just about everything.

[antigop]

15. Thanks for all the recs! n/t

[UpInArms]

16. oh, Molly, did you have to leave us so very soon?

The majority (77 percent) thinks we should do "whatever it takes" to protect the environment. The majority (87 percent) thinks big oil companies are gouging consumers and would support a windfall profits tax. That is the center, you fools. WHO ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

:cry:

[CranialRectaLoopbak]

18. Triangulation ... The right-wing word for compromise

Haven't you all had enough of "my way or the highway" politics?

[antigop]

19. Hey, thanks for the kick! n/t

[antigop]

20. Buzzflash has link and commentary....

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/editorblog/031

[antigop]

21. kick n/t

[winston61]

22. Molly was right on the money about this

war mongering, corporate lackey. Billary is just Cheney in a pant suit.

[Fresh_Start]

23. she excluded Obama as well

I can’t see a damn soul in D.C. except Russ Feingold who is even worth considering for President. The rest of them seem to me so poisonously in hock to this system of legalized bribery they can’t even see straight.

Look at their reaction to this Abramoff scandal. They’re talking about “a lobby reform package.” We don’t need a lobby reform package, you dimwits, we need full public financing of campaigns, and every single one of you who spends half your time whoring after special interest contributions knows it. The Abramoff scandal is a once in a lifetime gift—a perfect lesson on what’s wrong with the system being laid out for people to see. Run with it, don’t mess around with little patches, and fix the system.

As usual, the Democrats have forty good issues on their side and want to run on thirty-nine of them. Here are three they should stick to:

1) Iraq is making terrorism worse; it’s a breeding ground. We need to extricate ourselves as soon as possible. We are not helping the Iraqis by staying.

2) Full public financing of campaigns so as to drive the moneylenders from the halls of Washington.

3) Single-payer health insurance.

Every Democrat I talk to is appalled at the sheer gutlessness and spinelessness of the Democratic performance. The party is still cringing at the thought of being called, ooh-ooh, “unpatriotic” by a bunch of rightwingers.