Moment of truth for Clinton

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial ^ | November 30, 2007 | JOAN VENNOCHI

[NCDragon]

CONCORD, N.H. -- Oprah for Obama. Susan for Hillary.

On Monday, Hillary Clinton countered news that Oprah Winfrey will be stumping for Barack Obama with endorsement news of her own. She has the backing of Susan Lynch, the wife of Gov. John Lynch, who describes herself as the first lady of New Hampshire, a pediatrician, and "most importantly" a mother. Lynch's husband is officially neutral in the race to win the New Hampshire primary.

Clinton arrived an hour late for this announcement. The candidate offered no apology to the 50 or so supporters who waited it out in a small, overheated room, designed to make a small gathering look large. Lynch sounded sincere, but her comments lacked emotion or spark. And so did Clinton's follow-up remarks, which focused on healthcare, the one topic that should stir her passions.

Write it off as one flat, 10-minute interlude on a long, winding campaign trail packed with many emotional highs and lows. Even so, the event felt oddly disconnected from shifting political realities that stand to reshape the race for the Democratic nomination.

[samtheman]

Clinton is sticking with women, as illustrated by the framing of the Lynch endorsement. Her political touchstone remains the Clinton era, as illustrated by the endorsement that followed from Barbra Streisand.

How many registered voters are there? 100 million? How many of those 100 million will say this:

I like the way Streisand thinks, so if she supports Clinton I'll support Clinton, too.

Out of 100 million voters, are there 10 people so unbelievably stupid as to be swayed by an endorsement from Streisand?

[relictele]

designed to make a small gathering look large

The Clinton method distilled to its essence.

[upchuck]

Susan who?

[deaconblues]

"Clinton arrived an hour late for this announcement. The candidate offered no apology to the 50 or so supporters who waited it out in a small, overheated room, designed to make a small gathering look large."

One thing that I despise about the Clinton's is that they stage these events and intentionally arrive late as if to show that their time is somehow much more valuable than that of those who would support them. It shows an incredible lack of respect...... yet the masses continue to lap it up.

[Bahbah]

Polling shows Clinton is having trouble connecting with male voters and is vulnerable on the trust issue.

LOL. Ya think!

[TexasRedeye]

Once, (just once is all it would take) I wish the “supporters” of Hillary would show up for one of these events, then...after 15 minutes or so of waiting around waiting for “her Highness” to show, would simply walk off and leave her with a bunch of empty chairs to address. Their votes would then go to someone who cares!

Hillary and her pervert husband are both known for showing up an hour or so late for any appointment - just o show how “important” they are!

[Joe Boucher]

Come on man, the 1st lady of New Hampshire.
Like that would persuade anyone to get off the toilet

[Joe Boucher]

Yes, but she is number one with lesbians.

[Sal]

Lynch sounded sincere, but her comments lacked emotion or spark.

It's possible she was a little perkier an hour earlier. haha.

[LucyJo]

Oh, you know, that woman - the wife of somebody - who may do more politically for Bill Clinton’s wife than even Barbra Streisand.

[flowerplough]

Clintons “intentionally arrive late as if to show that their time is somehow much more valuable than that of those who would support them. It shows an incredible lack of respect...... yet the masses continue to lap it up.”

Or, as Gun-n-Roses lead guitarist “Slash” once put it, “Without being sexist or anything, it’s (simply) amazing how much abuse girls will take.”

[norwaypinesavage]

"Her comments lacked emotion or spark. And so did her follow-up remarks, which focused on healthcare, the one topic that should stir her passions. Write it off as one flat, interlude....."

I see. When Mrs. Clinton lacks emotion, she's flat. When Fred Thompson lacks emotion, he's lazy.

[Miss Didi]

RUSH: Did you see Hillary? No sooner does Barack Obama announce that The Oprah is going to hit the campaign trail than Barbra Streisand announces she's going to go out for Hillary. Mrs. Clinton, I know you know Barbra Streisand. I know she's actually not a friend of yours. You kicked her out of the White House once when she was in there when you were gone. Remember that? Barbra Streisand was in the White House overnight in the Lincoln Bedroom when Hillary was out on some junket somewhere. But it's time to bury the hatchet on that because now Barbra Streisand is back as an endorser. Well, she may be a friend of yours, Mrs. Clinton, but she's no The Oprah. In fact, ladies and gentlemen, I have a poll here, the latest poll of Democrats since Oprah and Streisand were announced. It's an overnight flash poll. Check these numbers. Question: "Who would you rather have lunch with, Oprah or Barbra Streisand?" Answer: Oprah 80%, Streisand 20%. Next question in the poll: "Who seems friendlier and nicer to you, Oprah or Streisand?" It's Oprah 80-to-20 again. "Whose book recommendation would you read, Oprah's or Barbra Streisand?" Oprah 94%, Streisand 6%. "Whose political endorsement would you more likely follow?" Oprah, 60%, Streisand 10%. The other 30% laughed too long to offer an opinion.

BREAK TRANSCRIPT

RUSH: You know, yesterday on the Drudge Report, these two headlines consecutively listed are just a riot: "Clinton Relying on Elderly Women to Help Her Win Iowa." "Streisand Endorses." (laughter)

[MindBender26]

Women also have an electoral history of turning against a female candidate 3-4 days before an election.

[Lee'sGhost]

It occurs to me that Hillary would have a better chance getting male support if she touted her experience at enabling affairs and handling bimbo eruptions.

[Paladin2]

Clinton had a moment of truth? It must have been a mistake, oversight, one time error.

[Pistolshot]

Hillary is just going through the motions of 'running' for office. She is SO sure she will be the nominee, she thinks she doesn't have to do much.

Please continue, it will make it much, much easier for us to send you back to NY.

[hope]

Well. BS might draw some older lesbian type hippies to the Clinton camp. But, Oprah is where it’s at for the younger, new age types.

[Paladin2]

Well, there’s always the fact that Oprah made on her own (as much as anyone can)and doesn’t seem to pander much.