Former "inevitable nominee" Hillary Clinton lost to Barack Obama by 28 points Saturday in South Carolina.
"One of the worst nights of Hillary Clinton's life," summed up Clinton observer Carl Bernstein.
And then it only got worse.
Ted Kennedy and his niece, JFK daughter Caroline Kennedy, announced they're enthusiastically endorsing Obama -- as is Toni Morrison, the Nobel prize-winning author who once crowned Bill Clinton the nation's "first black president."
Political endorsements are a dime a dozen -- normally. But for Ted Kennedy, the godfather of both the liberal establishment and the Democratic Party, to reject Hillary and Bill Clinton, when they are as establishment as it gets, is astounding.
She's still the front runner, but this rebuke is not good for Hillary Clinton.
Yet it may be good for the Democratic Party -- and the nation.
Consider: If the Clintons can alienate African-American Democratic voters, as all evidence indicates they did in South Carolina, just whom can't they alienate?
Truth is, what Bill Clinton's finger-wagging anti-Obama tantrums have done is merely remind people how divisive the Clintons are. Folks want a new day in Washington; they want statesmen who reach across the aisle to work with each other to solve America's daunting fiscal and national security crises.
Does anyone believe the rabidly partisan Clintons are the ones to do that? Remember, Hillary Clinton once famously blamed her husband's bimbo eruptions on a "vast, right-wing conspiracy." Now look at what they've done to a fellow Democrat. Elect her, and what you'll get is more political infighting in Washington, not less.
Republicans and conservatives have long known this. Now it appears Democrats and liberals are waking up to just how divisive this power-hungry duo really is.
Perhaps they've also seen a glimpse or two of the arrogance that leads the Clintons to believe they know better than anyone else what must be done -- to the point that they believe they know how to spend your money better than you do.
She wants, for instance, a Washington already $9 trillion in debt and saddled with $80 trillion in unfunded entitlement promises to take on universal health care and universal preschool.
Moreover, she wants the government to freeze adjustable mortgage rates because a fraction of consumers have overextended themselves. She also wants to appropriate oil company profits for her own use. Whatever you think of those ideas, ask yourself: Aren't they reminiscent of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela? And where in the Constitution does the federal government have any control over such things?
The Clintons are trotting out a kinder, gentler Bill Clinton this week. They know what an albatross he's become around his wife's neck. Bernstein said his Democratic friends were put out by the former president's behavior. Democratic strategist Donna Brazile reported suffering through a 30-minute phone "tirade" from Bill Clinton.
But even if Mr. Clinton magically changes his tune overnight, that's public relations. When it comes to public policy, we've seen the unvarnished truth.
As a conservative editorial page, we're torn between wanting the truth to come out now, in time for Clinton to lose the nomination, and wanting it to come out in the general election.
Fate may be deciding that for us.
Comments
While the vast majority of the MSM still worship at the Clinton alter, enough information is available for everyone, except those that will not see. The only Black allowed power in the Clinton reign was accidentally Vince Fostered. They did have a lot of Black servants though. Obama has revealed this attitude to even the most subservient Clinton worshiper. (many will still continue to know their place, though)
Oh how funny. Yes, this present administration has brought this country together in that we all agree on one point: "This administration is the most incompetent in the last 100 years." And patricithomas, your attitude that any succesful African-American has received his/her success by being subservient says a lot about your failed party. It's a great time to be liberal and democrat, especially when the rest of the country has awoken from the failure of the right-wing conservatives. I can't quit laughing.
I can't quit laughing at both parties, shivas. The approval ratings of both Bush and the Democratic Congress are at record lows. Like I've said before, I'm a Democrat before I'm a Republican, but anyone who doesn't see that both parties are almost completely full of crap just isn't paying attention.
shivas, when you stop laughing, start thinking. You've made assumptions about my post that weren't implied. Twisting the truth seems to be the only way you can make a point lately.
Pointing out republican failures is not much of a twist, nor is it a twist to infer your comments about subservience to contain a racist tone. Of course you'll deny it, cleverly trying to say your point is about the Clinton's, but the other underlying message is all those that served Clinton don't know any better, and have a slave mentality. If you don't see the problem with that type of thinking, then I am assuming that this is the attitude from most other fringe right-wingers. You actually believe this to be the truth. I guess that's the disappointing part, and the part that keeps dividing people.
Patricia, your post was cogent and clear. Shivas is trying to smear the messenger to prevent others from getting your message. Thanks for your insights.
Illegal immigrants, social security, welfare programs growing daily, health care system, terrorists, Iran, gas prices and the economy are the major issues facing the USA today. I am concerned that neither party has a candidate that can lead this country through these many problems and the problems we will face in the future.
The smearing is right from the Democrat playbook. When you can't make a point,come up with an insult...go with biggot that always works. With that said, it was a failed administration in many ways but not the ones shivas is thinking of. The great failure of Bush is caring too much about the people who never voted for him and will never like him. Had he only followed the wishes of the people who voted for him shivas would still be upset but at least I could passionately defend him rather than giving him the half hearted backup that I give out of loyaty to the party and respect for the way he defended our country.
getalife, I share your concern. Those are all tough issues and it will take a truely dynamic thinker,great comunicator and sound decision maker to solve them. I tend to doubt such a candidate is still in the race and there may be none in politics today. I like Romney but I've been fooled before. Just do your research,go with your gut and hope for the best.
You know the old saw 'the truth will out'. That has now happened in a way that even the least informed can see.
What scares me is the most is having an uber-left wing liberal elected. It's as scary as the current twit acting as president.
PT that was sick. To imply that the President had anything to do with Ron Brown's death is even a low blow for you. It is one thing to disagree with a person but to slander them is another. But then again the so call Moral Christian Right are well known for slanting the truth to fit their agenda.
Slanting!!! Bill Clinton slanted the meaning of the word "is" to fit his agenda!!
The most divisive president in history is the current one. The fact that The Chronicle gloats at any setback of the Clintons is evidence that they are mightily afraid of her...either that or it's easier to preach to choir than write a real editorial about real issues like the murderous war in Iraq. Romney and McCain are lying about each other in Florida, but you wouldn't know it by the Chronicle's editorial page...
HE WHO MUST BE A JOKE, what did she mean about " Accidently VinceFostered" and that they had a lot of " Black servants". The sad part about is all is that you will write this B.S. and as soon as you are called on it, your booster club members will chrime in and attack any objectors. VERY SAD.
So we've reached the point that not only are folks listening to Ted Kennedy but no one even mentions that smart folks don't take any advice from alcoholics or murderers much less one in the same?
The Kennedy name no longer holds the cachet it once did. I'm not clear why an endorsement from Ted Kennedy is headline news or why some pundits are acting like it's the coup of the century for Obama. To me, it's a reason not to vote for him.
Obama is charming--but a charming personality does not qualify for the presidency. He has not been in political office long enough to acquire the experience necessary nor does he have business acumen to balance the national budget. Everytime Obama is asked to share his "plans" on how he will follow thrugh with his political promises, Obama skirts the issue and never answers the question. He does not get my vote.
As I stated before, a lot of people on here are H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E-S. I am willing to bet if they made any comments about the Kennedys in the past, the majority if not all were negative. But since they came out against the Clintons, now all of a sudden they are singing their praises. The same people who would wipe their feet on Al Sharpton dead body and now quoting him about the Clintons. " Politic makes strange bed partners, or words to that effect. LOL
Hypocrites2008, I don't need a booster club but then neither do most republicans. We can stand on the strength our our arguments whereas you wait for one of us to make a point and then you just say "oh that's a low blow even for you" and then take a cheap shot at Christians and think that makes you smart. If you're happy with that then...good for you. To me it's a little weak. But then you don't care what I think and I don't believe you do think so there.
he who must not be named.are you going away anytime soon?please stop trying to defend your punk,corrupt,useless president.just watching everyones reactions at the speech (the most boring one yet)last night said it all.people clap they always do at those speeches.but when they were sitting many looked miserable,and disgusted.is this the same caring prez who flew over new orleans during katrina,went to arizona to eat birthday cake with mccain,then went to ca to watch a baseball game while the 9th ward flooded?the same bum who said he didn't have time to talk to cindy sheehan,but had time to ride bikes with lance armstrong?sat in a classroom for 45 minutes while the twin towers were burning?yeah, he's a real caring person,that's why millions of us can't wait to see that sob leave.
The Clintons alienating black voters? Give me a break! South Carolina simply illustrated what we have known in Augusta for a long time... that black voters will vote along racial lines if a black candidate is in the race. If black voters were simply mad at The Clintons, then why did fewer of them vote for John Edwards.. who is a South Carolina native?
These poor right-wingers accusing democrats of smearing, and whining about tough politics. When patriciathomas can say what she sais it her post, and these right-wing posters see no problem with it, then that tells you they have no credibility when saying they are getting smeared. They seem to want to say whatever they want without being challenged. It must be eye-opening to see the American electorate tuning out the right-wing.
Shivas, the predicate adjective normally used is "eye-popping," not "eye-opening."
He who must, I would advise not trying to converse with Hypo. She/he simply isn't able to follow a logical train of thought. And then her insecurities take over and the name calling starts. Watch.
Lord, Shivas. Have you seen Cindy Sheehan. I bet Bill wouldn't have met with her either.
Sorry, I meant Charlie. My bad.
Hillguy,how many blacks have you voted for?Saying black vote along the color line, is like the pot calling the kettle black.People in this area, has to find a way to disqualify those they don't want in office, because when it comes to blacks you are on deaf ears..The most empowering way to veiw this election is to worry about your own vote.Thats the only one you can control.Pat, talking about worshiping the Clintons. You are the only fanatic on this site. Constantly acting as if the conservatives have all the answers.Here we are seven years later and we see what kind of answers you gave.You worship the disaster called the Republican party.
I would agree with a lot of folks in that neither party have any brains for this country! Being backed by another senator means that this candidate will have more support from Congress once elected. This is called a delegate supporter. In this, it just means we have more government and less freedoms for which are still going unbalanced. Our Constitution was made so that the President, Congress and Judicial system would keep their checks and balances to avoid true democracy, but with our current government the way it is, we are under Marshal Law, not the constitutional laws that uphold our freedoms from a "King". Thus, his name is King George.
Oh, and I wouldn't start crying for Hillary anytime soon either, she won't make it past this election because this family is OLD NEWS! Clinton had his day in the White House, and bringing back the past won't change our future.
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