A thought on Senator Clinton

[Nordmadr]

I was sitting here doing what I always do, even when I don't really seem to want to, reading through the political news. I stumbled across this article over at the CNN Blogs talking about Edwards suggesting Hillary was pretty much out of the race.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/04/clinton-out-of-it-edwards-suggests/

Now in my opinion, that is not really what he is doing, but I nitpick. The reason I AM posting about this article though is this quote from Hillary regarding the Iowa results and the primary in New Hampshire:

"Iowa does not have best track record in determining who the parties nominate, everybody knows that," she said at an event in Manchester. "You know, New Hampshire is famously independent, it is a place where people want to make up their own minds — they're not interested in what anybody else has decided.

"They want to look us up and down, make that judgment, and I welcome that," She added. "I think that's exactly what the New Hampshire process should be about."

Now, I KNOW there is tons of stuff around critical of candidates and so forth on this site, but in all fairness, that is sort of what this is all about. By examining our candidates closely we expose their various flaws and allow ourselves to make the best informed decisions we can about them. Now, the problem comes in to play when people start taking it all personal. What I am about to say is not a personal attack on any Clinton supporter, so please, calm your political anxieties. It is however a critique that highlights one of the reasons she is not my third choice (neither my first choice or second choice are even running). At this point in time, I am leaning towards John Edwards but I mention it only for full disclosure purposes. I'm critical of him too.

Ok, finally, here is my point. This quote strikes me as particularly critical of the people of Iowa. Perhaps I read too much into it, but by attempting to diminish the importance of her loss, she comes across as insulting to Iowans. She insinuates that they aren't good at picking the winner (stupid?) and that, you know, in OTHER places like New Hampshire, people are independent and make up their own minds (NOT lemmings like those folks in Iowa?)

Now, this all strikes me in the following ways (again, admitting I'm looking through my olafvikingr thought process filter):

1) Elitist - I don't need you Iowa people anyway. I am so tired of elitism. Well, I'm tired of a lot of things, but this one is big.

2) Petty - Why don't you stick your tongue out at them too?

3) Undignified - For someone that wants to be POTUS, I'd not make a habit of talking down an entire state of people. Ones that you want to represent, and you know, ones that have a right to make up their own mind. I'm sure I've read that somewhere.

Additionally, it is such clear sucking up to New Hampshire that it makes me slightly queasy. Being the best suck up does not make one the best President.

Her inevitability is chinked, and I think that has gotten to her, rattled her even.

Thoughts?

Olafr

[saracat]

1. I agree.This was not a well thought out response from her.It seemed

amateur. I don't think the Clinton Camp "gets" it yet.They simply "can't" admit they played it wrong.If I lived in NH and heard that sound byte, I would really be turned off.If she dissed my neighbor, why would I trust her? I am beginning to wonder if Hillary is capable of changing her strategy to win. It may be she would rather continue to consider herself "right" than win.I dunno.
She does appear a bit rattled and that might actually be good for her,She might even get some sympathy.And that has always worked for her in the past.We will see.

I am still rooting for Edwards who I think it the most authentic of the candidates.Time will tell for everyone.

[bellasgrams]

2. Does anyone know how many times they have picked the nominee?

Also as I watched last night it was hard to believe we were living in the same century. I wonder if they had true elections how that would affect the outcome. I'm glad we have we have the one person one vote here.

[K Gardner]

3. I wrote something earlier about that remark, especially the part

about making up their own minds. I don't live in Iowa and *I* was insulted. It was another very, very bad choice of words. She really cannot be without her script writer.. no wonder she doesn't take questions often.

[Nordmadr]

4. The funny thing is, they seemed to be theming it almost, like it was on purpose.

I just read another article that had Bill Clinton using the same 'you can think for yourselves here' theme today. Perhaps they are simply trying to get New Hampshire voters not to take the Iowa results into account, but if I can think of better ways to make that point, they sure should be able to.

Olafr

[Catherine Vincent]

5. Nah, it's just politics. nt

[calteacherguy]

6. When she was in Iowa, she told Iowans what they want to hear

Now she is in NH, and telling voters in that state what they want to hear.

And so it goes