First Hillary, now Liz Trotta: Will it soon be OK to discuss assassination possibilities in the MSM?

[sfam]

First Hillary possibly inadvertently raised the possibility that she is staying in this race in case Obama gets assassinated (she has since strongly rejected the idea that she intended anything of the sort).

Then yesterday, Faux commentator Liz Trotta gives us this little gem on Fox:

- Trotta: "And now we have what some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama, uh Obama. Well, both, if we could."

This morning, Trotta also got out an apology but without the word "if" in it:

- Trotta: "Yes, I am so sorry about what happened yesterday and the lame attempt at humor. I fell all over myself, making it appear that I wished Barack Obama harm or any other candidate, for that matter, and I sincerely regret it and apologize to anybody I have offended. It is a very colorful political season, and many of us are making mistakes and saying things we wish we had not said."

But the cow has left the barn now. People ARE discussing a potential Obama assassination, although currently its in the context of outrage over the comments. Still, we have heard time and time again recently that Obama had to get secret service details earlier than ever before based on viable death threats. We've heard about the security concerns at his rallies, including folks in Puerto Rico, as relayed in the WaPo "The Trail" blog, complaining that we were treating them as terrorists for the level of security:

- ..."A caminata in Puerto Rico goes everywhere," she said. "There's too much security here. What do they think we are, terrorists?"

My question is this - if a third person comes out and makes a statement saying something to the effect the discussion of a potential assassination is fair play for the MSM to discuss, is this going to be something we have to deal with for the rest of the GE? Do we really see this issue as staying off the table in a week or so?

EDIT: I left out the Huckabee joke about Obama ducking a gunshot as well. I guess that makes three.

[Kahuna]

1. Obama is being dehumanized. When people hear that it is acceptable

to speak about his demise, he becomes less human to them. When he becomes less human he becomes a real target to some wacko. They are all truly dispicable.

[rurallib]

2. Continue the RW meme of confusion with Osama

helps make it acceptable.

[sfam]

6. Great point - what better way to dehumanize Obama...

Makes me think of the video of the Hillary supporter in WV who, in stating why she won't vote for Obama says, "I've had enough of that Hussein stuff..."

[helderheid]

8. You're absolutely right on the money there.

[sfam]

3. This is an important question - does discussing possible assassinations lead to...

more viable assassination attempts?

I agree with you - I think it does.

[MonkeyFunk]

4. When has it NOT been OK to discuss

possibilities? I've seen people here discuss assassination possibilities - and long before Clinton or Trotta said anything.

[sfam]

9. Are you saying this was a regular discussion point in the MSM prior to Friday?

Personally, I cannot remember anyone using the assassination word. They did mention security detail, but never did we see the types of discussions we've seen in the last few days.

[MonkeyFunk]

11. No, it wasn't a regular discussion in the MSM

but that wasn't the question.

"Assassination" isn't a taboo word.

[sfam]

15. Actually, I think it has been. I don't think anyone has raised the possibility of Obama...

getting assassinated, using that specific word. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I certainly haven't run across it. It "is" taboo in the sense that whenever the hint of the issue is raised, they all dance around it, without ever coming out and saying, "What are the chances that Obama gets assassinated in the nomination process?" In fact they never discuss that at all.

Again, all I've ever heard them comment on is the level of his security detail, and the importance for security at his huge rallies.

That said, I absolutely agree with you that in common conversation, this comes up a lot. Especially with African Americans. I have three friends at work who prior to Iowa swore there was no chance white folk would vote for him, and then for the next month, were just waiting for him to get offed. Only more recently have they given to possibility that he might just live through this thing and win it.

[sellitman]

24. It's not the word.

It's the context that is the problem.

Stop with your faux outrage.

[MonkeyFunk]

46. LOL

My "faux outrage"?

No, the biggest fake outrage is you guys pretending she was talking about Obama. It's a lie, and you all KNOW it's a lie, but it hurts Clinton for you to pretend otherwise, so you do.

[sellitman]

47. She hurt herself

Making her out to be the victim in this is beyond reason. I don't believe she wants Obama dead but there was no reason to add the assasination comment to her time line. It was meant to sow doubt in the voters mind.

I understand you are one of her 28% ers but her comment was at best careless and callous. She has run an awful campaign full of fear mongering and lies and now she gets to go home empty handed. She also has lost whatever respect most of her party once had of her. It is ashame.

[onehandle]

14. Assassination is only ok to talk about in "crazy" online forums.

The MSM must only talk about what they are approved to talk about.

Wait... Didn't we just have about eight years of that?

[ClassWarrior]

25. It's often not OK to discuss violence and murder in public when the danger is real.

If you don't believe me, try shouting the words "bombs away!" in an airport.

NGU.

[yardwork]

40. Has any news commentator ever said that they wished that somebody would bump off George W. Bush?

Can you cite a single instance where that has ever happened?

I know that the secret service has visited Skinner for vaguer references than that by anonymous posters on this message board. Can you imagine the response if somebody on, say, CNN, said exactly what Liz Trotta said yesterday about any other candidate or politician than Obama?

Try it:

"....somebody to bump off George Herbert Walker, I mean George Walker Bush - well, both, if we could. lol!"

[yardwork]

44. No response, I notice.

Anyone? Example of any commentator ever saying what Liz Trotta said about any other politician?

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. Clinton did NO SUCH THING. What the hell is wrong with you?

God, you DU thugs need to get a life! I wonder if you actually believe the crap you make up?

[sfam]

7. She didn't inadvertently raise the possibility? Bullshit...

Whether she intended it or not, she clearly inadvertently raised the possibility. Take offense if you like, but this has taken over the last 3 days of MSM coverage for a reason - she inadvertently raised the possibility.

[Evergreen Emerald]

13. Ohmygod. Do you have any sense of reasonableness left ?

It has taken over the last three days of coverage: because that is what Obama wanted, because the media HATES the female CAndidate and is doing everything in their power to attack her over everything and nothing.

and the Obama supporters. who also LOVE TO HATE Clinton, jumped at the chance to spin and vomit their faux outrage all over the internet.

And the media got the story from...wait for it....Obama. Who pretends to be reasonable in front of the camera while attacking and spinning and lying in e-mails to the media hoping they will pick up his torch (which of course they are more than happy to do.)

[sfam]

17. Please tell me you don't actually believe 'That' nonsense...

So its all Obama's fault, ey? Nope, no outrage from the MSM almost immediately ey? It was ALL Obama's supporters that stoked this? And you're calling us delusional???

Come. On.

So you believe all those who have been discussing it are all secretly working for the Obama campaign? OK, but that's WAY too "conspiracy theory" for me...especially with the exact same crew was playing Reverend Wright videos 24/7. Or was that all stoked by the Obama campaign as well?

I'm sure this is all sexist somehow...

[DemVet]

50. She just said what everyone was thinking,

[Hugabear]

12. She didn't have to say it - the implication was very clear

By saying that Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June, and that "anything could happen", she is definitely raising the possibility that Obama could be assassinated. I don't believe for one second that she was actually advocating that, or that she is wishing for that to happen. I'm not a big Hillary fan, but I'm not going to go that far. However, technically she is correct - there is always the possibility of a political candidate being assassinated, or undergoing some serious tragedy that would force them to drop out.

However you want to look at it, it was a horrible mistake for her to say it the way she did. She's been in politics long enough to know that EVERY word that you say is going to be analyzed to death.

[RaleighNCDUer]

20. "Anything could happen"

including abduction by aliens, but I don't think that's what Hillary had in mind.

"Anything could happen" was clearly meant as "this could happen", and while it may be true it is NOT something to base a campaign on.

[Evergreen Emerald]

33. bullshit.

I am so tired of you bizarre crazies who have taken over DU actually suggesting that Clinton was talking about Obama being assassinated.

You are all so far gone, I wonder about your judgment. We have had crazies picking our president for the last 8 years. I thought we were done with that...but here we go again.

Those who actually think she was not talking about Rezko, or Obama's behaivor in Chicago, or another Wright type event, or his cousin is simply delusional.

I have posted this before: just when I think DU cannot sink any lower, a new low is reached.

It is so disappointing. I used to love DU as a wonderful place to come and discuss issues with like-minded people. It is now a cesspool of ignorant ideologues who rival Bush's supporters in their ability to ignore reality and nod in lemming-like fashion at the latest talking point. Any independent thought or attempt at individuality and the stepford-thugs come out and attack.

[sfam]

34. Clinton Supporter Charles Rangel - "It was one of the dumbest remarks I've ever heard"

Again, I stress that I used the word "inadvertently" not intentionally.

But to say this was all from Obama is just not representing anything close to reality. Clearly many, including Clinton supporters like Rangel found this statement by Hillary problematic. This is DIFFERENT from saying she was intentionally stating she was waiting around for Obama to get shot.

Whether the post above your response agrees with that or not though, I cannot say. I certainly think it was inadvertent though.

[Evergreen Emerald]

35. Please. Obama used it as a political tactic to put Clinton in a bad light

It was twisted and distorted until the meaning was changed. When Obama sent the video to the media, he coupled it with a story about Obama needing security detail.

It was a designed attack, akin to his designed "Racist!" charges in SC.

He is an underhanded politician. So much for "change."

[sfam]

38. So you're telling me you honestly believe that nobody other than Obama found...

those comments problematic? You honestly believe that??? That everyone who has commented on the problems with this statement - even those on Friday were ALL prompted by Obama?

So Hillary has nothing to do with the firestorm, ey? Nothing at all in her comments need examining, so her apology to the Kennedy family was a waste of time? This is all just more sexism rearing its ugly head?

Amazing. And lemme guess, you probably thought it was perfectly fine for Hillary and McCain to berate Obama constantly and without end for his Bitterness comments, right?

I'm still waiting for Hillary to come out with a similar comment that Obama said twice over the weekend that people who campaign this much are bound to make poorly worded statements on occaision. For all your outrage, I wonder if you notice the difference to how Obama has handled this instance to how Hillary handled the bitterness comment.

[Hugabear]

51. Oh please - WHY DID SHE EVEN BRING IT UP THEN?

Some of you will defend ANYTHING that Hillary says or does. What ELSE could she have meant by bringing up RFK's assassination in June, and saying that "anything could happen"? What do YOU think that the average person is going to read into that?

[ClassWarrior]

19. No, Axelrod put his hand up Hilly's back and made her say that vile word...

...ventriloquist-like.

:eyes:

NGU.

[OzarkDem]

29. Ignore them

Obama has run out of ideas to "close the deal" and he's getting desperate.

[sfam]

32. Um, the deal was closed a while ago...I think we all know that.

This race is not in doubt. Unless of course something catastrophic happens. But that's the case when any candidate, including McCain clinches. Whether Hillary drops out or not, if Obama flubs up in some way, he could still get removed. But he has closed the deal with the voters, the pledged delegate totals and the Supes.

[SoCalDem]

49. Words MATTER.. have you ever known an insurance investigator?

The FIRST thing they do when investigating a suspicious fire, is to question friends & neighbors...looking for oblique references to things the people may have said...things that lead to arson..

People actually DO say things they mean..and in HER case, she personally referred to the assassination THREE DIFFERENT TIMES..almost as if she kept trying to get people to talk about it (to magnify the effect??)..and McAuliffe grins from ear to ear every time he says (almost daily) "some catastrophe"...

[barack the house]

10. Strange Puerto rico take offense he has had to have security everywhere.

The security makes me feel comfortable personally.

[frogcycle]

16. bullshit bullshit bullshit

"raised the possibility that she is staying in this race in case Obama gets assassinated"

[sfam]

18. I see you left out the word "inadvertently" from my quote. Did you inadvertently leave it out or...

Were you just trying to make a point where there was none to be made?

[frogcycle]

26. I left it out intentionally

because she did not raise that possibility, inadvertently or advertently(?). People jumping at the chance to hang something on her nose raised it.

Likening the crack by the idiot on fox to HRC's in any way is spurious.

And please note my sig line. I have little tolerance for HRC, so I am not just making knee-jerk excuses for her. She has said and done plenty of things to complain about. Skinner had it right on this one.

Continuing to belabor it is bullshit.

But to your question:

I think it will be belabored by attention-seeking talking heads, at the risk of emboldening some sick fuck.

[sfam]

27. This isn't a question about Hillary's intention. I'm asking whether the MSM will now find it OK...

to discuss assassination as a regular talking point. Was that unclear in the OP?

Suffice to say we disagree about whether a comment by Hillary which started an MSM orgy on whether Obama gets assassinated or not has any bearing on what Hillary said. You obviously don't, but clearly, others read the text directly and see something very different (or watch or hear, you get the point). Your point that EVERYONE who does sees it that was has nasty intentions or that this is a faulty linkage is going a bit to far I think.

[frogcycle]

28. and I responded to that above

I just got pissed off at the casual reference to HRC's flub lumping her with Trotta. I guess we can't have any public acknowledgement on June 6 - the 40th anniversary - without someone saying it is code for what Trotta said.

[sfam]

30. Coding really isn't necessary. The question was "why are you staying in the race?"

Her response included a direct reference to someone getting assassinated in June as a response. Again, I think its an inadvertent statement in that she didn't mean, "I'm waiting around for Obama to get assassinated", but its hardly a leap for people to look at that and say, "Wow, did she just say that???"

[Johnny__Motown]

21. Well..... she is staying in the race in case something bad happens to him or his campaign.

You can't deny that.


Assassination is only one possibility, but she is clearly desperate. She voted for the Iraq war, back when it was politically popular, what is one more death to her? Just to long as she gets what she wants.


Hillary has become a political vulture, waiting to feed on a political corpse. Unfortunately for her the only possible meal for her isn't dieing. Obama and his campaign is alive and kicking.

[AspenRose]

22. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rCWHjnf29E

[Swamp Rat]

23. Trotta should be fired, and Murdoch and FOX News Corp heavily fined.

And if any Clear Channel shitheads make one peep, they should be dragged before Congress.

[yardwork]

37. It's not happening. The fix is in.

[Swamp Rat]

41. We'll see.

I have faith Olbermann will raise a stink on Tuesday. ;)

[sfam]

42. She'll make "Worse person in the world" but most faux folks wear this like a badge of courage

If Keith looks at them as bad, they probably get a raise or something.

[Swamp Rat]

43. And as the threats pour in, the Secret Service and Congress maye step in.

I would not want to be in the same company as Trotta right now.

[Forkboy]

31. "The cost of one bullet is substantially less than the cost of war"

Don't blame me Agent Mike...blame Ari.

[yardwork]

36. Note that Liz Trotta said that "Hillary is sticking by her guns" this morning.

The mere fact that Liz Trotta was back on the air again today, with no repercussions for what she said yesterday, shows that the fix is in.

A highly respected journalist was suspended for suggesting that the Clinton's are pimping Chelsea. A not-so-respected journalist gets not so much as a slap on the wrist for saying that she would pleased to see "Osama, I mean Obama" bumped off.

[sfam]

39. That is TRULY amazing...then again its Fox...And they wonder why Obama...

doesn't really want to go on the air with them...Well, at least Hillary finds them to be a fair and balanced news source.

[gregjones]

45. See what Hillary's so-called meaningless insinuation has started ?

Black Americans, and many of all races are EXTREMELY disturbed by Hillary's insinuation of a possible assassination of Barack Obama. To imply that her reason for staying in the race is because anything can happen, then nonchalantly say that even Robert Kennedy was assassinated in June, meaning therefore she should stay in, is not only pitifully diobolical but incredibly dangerous.

As I read some of the comments, I sense that some do not understand the true impact of her deadly insinuation. Keep in mind, when it was first announced that Obama was running for President, the initial concern in Black America was his safety. "Would some nut sniper him"? Obama had to hire secret service security right out of the gate.....why? Because of the true possibilty of some nut doing harm to him or his family.

Also, during the last 50 years, the people who have been assassinated have ALL been leaders who were working toward equality for ALL. John F., Robert and of course Dr. King. So just the WORD assassination brings to us not only an extreme fear but is a reminder of the incredibly sad loss to America, particularly Blacks, at the hands of the sick and wicked. For Hillary Clinton, a so-called leader, to insinuate, for WHATEVER reason assassination....is beyond disgusting. It subliminally sparks the hatred, bigotry and destruction that most Americans have worked so hard to overcome.

Greg Jones
www.Blacks4Barack.org
A Multi-Racial Org...Dedicated To Truth !

[SoCalDem]

48. and Shuster was suspended for using a word that's in TV Guide

and Randi Rhodes was viciously attacked too...but joking about assassination is somehow "OK"? :eyes: