Video: Hillary responds to the New York Times
posted at 8:45 am on April 23, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Matt Lauer gets first access to Hillary Clinton this morning on Today, so he gets to ask Hillary to respond to the New York Times’ editorial blaming her for the negativity. He also pressed her on the exit polls showing 67% of Pennsylvania voters think she attacked Barack Obama unfairly. She points out the obvious — 55% of Pennsylvania voters still supported her over Obama:
It’s almost a pitch-perfect response. She does sound an odd note by blaming Obama for running negative ads after the debate in almost the same breath in which she defends her own advertising as part of the normal electoral process, but her answer to the Gray Lady has the elegance of the obvious. If people keep voting for her more than they do for Obama, why should she stop?
Also, the Clintons are now going to press the “popular vote” argument, which she outlines deftly here. She has surpassed Obama, as Don Surber noted, if Michigan and Florida count — and she tells Lauer that the votes are official, even if Democrats decline to assign delegates based on the results. Team Obama, which sang the “popular vote” song themselves until just recently, may have to start arguing against the popular vote as a deciding factor, and that should be very interesting to watch.
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(Steepling fingers) Excellent.
aero on April 23, 2008 at 8:47 AM
Go Hillary!
surrounded on April 23, 2008 at 8:52 AM
It would be so much more fun to watch the Democrats cannibalizing themselves if, at the end of the day, there wasn’t about a 50% chance that they’ll end up in the White House.
anne on April 23, 2008 at 8:52 AM
I think we might be getting another Clinton in the WH.
terryannonline on April 23, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Shut up Hillary! Matt says “You Vil Lose”.
Why didn’t Lauer have fast and hard follow-up questions like this for the Clintons when they were running back in ‘92 and ‘96?
The MSM dolts are shivering in their boots, knowing a Democrat convention disaster is on the horizon.
Such fun.
fogw on April 23, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Unbelievable that I am actually feeling a bit sorry for Hillary. She ran a hell of a campaign in Pennsylvania and the media piling on is disgraceful.
rockmom on April 23, 2008 at 9:00 AM
I said it before, I’ll say it again. Crossing over for Hillary was and is a bad idea. I understood when people just wanted to create “chaos” against an inevitable Obama nomination, but I really don’t think handing her the nomination would be smart – and that may be happening. I still think Obama gets it, barely, but I am concerned. I would much rather run against Obama in the general, and the earlier Hillary is put to pasture the better.
pecan pie on April 23, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Sometimes it’s dangerous, how far an ego will carry a person. She’s pushing on, even though she has no chance. Her entire political future hinges on the assumption that she can somehow overtake Obama and then beat McCain, with no regard to how unlikeable she is.
Kerry was unlikeable; after his defeat the chorus of Dems castigating him for winning the nomination over ‘their guy’ sounded from coast to coast.
The way it is shaping up, the only way she could please the Democrats would be by getting out of the way and letting Obama win.
I wouldn’t be surprised by anything the Dems do,up to and including Howard Dean and the DNC leadership calling an end to the race by declaring Obama the nominee, then turning a deaf ear to Clinton’s complaints. The Dems REALLY want to regain the White House. Without going all biblical, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Doug on April 23, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Yeah, I’m almost voted for her here in Texas but then I thought what if she wins the primary and than general and I don’t want to that.
terryannonline on April 23, 2008 at 9:03 AM
I wish she just came out and said, “Because Matt, the NYT, like most of the media, is in the tank for Obama. It’s obvious to anyone who cares to be honest about it.”
TheBigOldDog on April 23, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Anne, I don’t think there is a 50% chance. Both of these candidates are weak. Hillary because of her constant high negatives; Obama because the mask has alway been bound to fall off sooner or later. McCain’s negs are 8 points below the pretty boy’s, and as more details on Obama’s sleazy associations flow in (and they have only begun to do so), the gap will widen. This race is McCain’s to lose, and the only way I see that happening is if the conservative base abandons him at crunch time.
argos on April 23, 2008 at 9:05 AM
Big Question: Who are these 128,188 people still voting for Ron Paul????
pecan pie on April 23, 2008 at 9:07 AM
They can’t hand Hillary the nomination without destroying the part for a generation. They Supers know that. The party elders know that. Hillary last 3 wins were because of smart Republican crossovers so Obama still has the majority of the base of the Dem party and there is no way on God’s green Earth they will allow the nomination to be stolen from Obama. Calm down.
TheBigOldDog on April 23, 2008 at 9:07 AM
Every one uses the “desperation” card…well the card is being played by the MSM, all but sweat is pouring off their brow…
right2bright on April 23, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Yeah, don’t discount McCains ability to alienate Conservatives. He’ll do it again in a major way before November…guaranteed.
pecan pie on April 23, 2008 at 9:10 AM
No one who has a 55% disapproval rating can win the WH, IMO. When they compare JM and HC, it will be like night and day in some areas.
rightside on April 23, 2008 at 9:11 AM
The MSM is sweating anf dithering like Baalam’s Ass.
Strawman Obama or Straw(woe)man Hillary?!?
Oh, the questions and quandries.
And a fun time was had by all.
profitsbeard on April 23, 2008 at 9:13 AM
NYT: “Surrender your Delegates”
Hillary Rodham Leondas Clinton: “Come And Take Them”
BohicaTwentyTwo on April 23, 2008 at 9:13 AM
THINK…If it hadn’t happened, You’d never know about Wright. He never would have made the comments in SF. Ayers would never have become a big issue.
Again, THINK. What do Obama’s supporters do if the Supers steal the nomination from him? Do you actually think they will allow that to happen without a bloody fight that could split the party for a generation? Do you actually think they will run out and support Hillary with money, time, effort and their votes in the General after their Messiah was screwed? You’ve got to be kidding…Why do you think the party elders like Dean and the MSM like the NYT are screaming for the Supers to step in now and ened this thing from Obama? They can see the train wreck coming a mile away and now that the crossover have stepped in and kept Hillary alive, they are virtually powerless to stop it.
TheBigOldDog on April 23, 2008 at 9:14 AM
I think we might be getting another Clinton in the WH.
terryannonline on April 23, 2008 at 8:53 AM
In your dreams. I visited your blog and see that you refer to Hillary as “your girl”. So dream away, this is the country for dreaming.
Reality check time:
This country has had enough of the Bush/Clinton dynasty. Nobody with either of those two names will win a general election in this country for at least 100 years!
Keemo on April 23, 2008 at 9:15 AM
What is funny about that editorial is that in another portion of the paper, Patrick healy writes “With Clear Victory, She Has Rationale to Fight On”
Pam on April 23, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Operation Chaos may have unintended consequences.
The only way Hillary wins is if she puts ObamaX in as VP.
Clinton/Obama beats McCain/whoever in a landslide.
faraway on April 23, 2008 at 9:21 AM
I’m calm :-) It’s the Dems that aren’t calm right now. Like I said in other threads, it looks plausible that she will win the popular vote and after making such a big in 2000, I think they would be very careful before giving over the nomination to someone who didn’t. And I also think the overwhelming majority of people voting for her is because they want HER in the WH, I think that Operation Chaos has had little affect.
terryannonline on April 23, 2008 at 9:22 AM
HA! I joke around in my blog. I’m a McCain supporter.
terryannonline on April 23, 2008 at 9:23 AM
I wish I could click my heels together 3 times and make these 2 candidates go away and have a real leader appear, just in case the democrats do win the election. You know, one who tells the truth? One with REAL experience? One who doesn’t cackle.
scalleywag on April 23, 2008 at 9:25 AM
The sore loser factor in the general is the most important one. If the polls hold up and 15-20% of Barry’s or Her Majesty’s supporters cross over for McCain or at worst sit on their hands in the general, McCain will win. It all depends on how long they pout, very much like the conservative purists who threaten to sit it out.
a capella on April 23, 2008 at 9:28 AM
I think we might be getting another Clinton in the WH.
terryannonline on April 23, 2008 at 8:53 AM
I consider myself an admirer of yours in a good way. I appreciate your cogent political thought, but I think you’re giving too much credence to Hill-Rod’s win last night. She won the PA by the margin she was supposed to, there is nothing more to it.
The real fun is just beginning, it’s really KOS v old school dems, either way, the loser of this bout loses a significant piece of their voters to either McCain or no vote. This is a clash of epic political thought on one side of the aisle that is unprecedented, at least in my lifetime.
And try to remember, Orville Redenbacher is your friend.
swami on April 23, 2008 at 9:29 AM
You people criticizing Operation Chaos need to wake up. My God, the candidates are destroying each other, the MSM is taking sides, and the Democrat Party is being put into the inevitable position of having to side with either the feminists or the race players IN THEIR OWN PARTY. Which identity group are they going to throw under the bus?
Rush is the only conservative/Republican in the media or punditry who has any real stones, who knows how to play to win.
BigD on April 23, 2008 at 9:29 AM
At least the NYT painted her for what she is and she’s only going to get uglier. And I’m definitely not a Michael Moore fan but HA linked to him recently and I have to say he’s absolutely right as well.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=225
scalleywag on April 23, 2008 at 9:32 AM
Clinton won’t win because the superdelegates will never risk offending their ever reliable black voting base. Dumping Obama would send that voting block away for good. It’s just a matter of time, but that’s how it’s going to pan out. It’s inevitable.
Hill will not accept the VP slot under Obambi, under pressure from Monica’s ex-boyfriend. Having Barry and Michelle in charge would really cramp Bill’s style, and severely hurt his chances for bagging another underaged fatty intern in a White House broom closet.
fogw on April 23, 2008 at 9:32 AM
But it’s still a non-issue. Florida, maybe, she could gain some traction on, but to claim Michigan is patently dishonest considering she was the only one on the ballot.
Since she signed on to not allow their delegates to count, it’s never gonna fly.
SouthernDem on April 23, 2008 at 9:32 AM
You’re probably right. I’ll get me some popcorn.
terryannonline on April 23, 2008 at 9:33 AM
In a poll in pennsylvania yesterday 17% of barry voters said they would vote for mccain if he weren’t the nominee and over 25% of hillary voters said the same. That is what Operation Chaos was intended to do. This goes down to a very nasty floor fight at the convention where it’s not just about barry and hillary but about which camps will control the future of the democrat party. It will be life and death there because political power is life and death for liberals. That’s what Operation Chaos is supposed to do and it’s doing exactly that.
peacenprosperity on April 23, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Mmmmmm, popcorn so early in the morning! Delicious!
revolutionismyname on April 23, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Do you think she cares about a little old thing like her opponent not being on the ballot? That’s her style! Lie, cheat, whatever it takes. She wants to obliterate Obama first, then move on to Iran.
scalleywag on April 23, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Rush is the only conservative/Republican in the media or punditry who has any real stones, who knows how to play to win.
BigD on April 23, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Exactly right BigD… The GOP had better watch out also, as Rush and others have just about had enough of these critters. A third party could be on the horizon.
Keemo on April 23, 2008 at 9:38 AM
You’re probably right. I’ll get me some popcorn.
terryannonline on April 23, 2008 at 9:33 AM
Good! Now kindly revert back to conveying your critical thinking skills and have a nice day.
swami on April 23, 2008 at 9:38 AM
He chose to take his name off the ballot. It was a calculated move on his part. There was no rule that mandated he take it off. Why did Dean get a pass on allowing NH to break the very same rule that FL and MI were accused of breaking..He selectively implemented the rules.
Pam on April 23, 2008 at 9:45 AM
The Dems screw over the black voting base all the time, and the ever-reliable black voters just keep coming back for more. I don’t think they’ll toss Obama for Clinton, but it won’t be because they fear losing the black vote. They’ve learned that they can do ANYTHING to the black voters after promising them the moon for decades, and the black voters always vote for them anyway. The Democratic party leadership could start lynching black people on the convention floor and they’d still get the black vote.
aero on April 23, 2008 at 9:46 AM
1. I keep hearing that on TV from black Obama supporters. It ain’t gonna happen. Where would they go? It’s ridiculous. Are they going to become Republicans? haha
2. Of course Hillary will not become VP. But ObamaX could.
Obama/Clinton will never happen.
Clinton/Obama would be our worst nightmare. 16 years of communism. After 8 years, Obama will attend a different church and gain foreign policy experience.
Obama/(anyone but Clinton) will be cause for celebration. He’s toast.
faraway on April 23, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Fools who think they see an opportunity because they refuse to deal with reality.
The latest Paulbot Big Idea is they want to have delegates at the convention go for RP instead of McCain, DESPITE the election results. They want delegates to basically say “FU” to voters, in other words, because it’s “so important” for RP to save the world. Go look at a Paultard blog–the insanity on display is jaw-dropping.
1) It’s not going to be Hillary at the top of the ticket, mark my words. The superdelegates won’t do it, and she can’t get the votes she needs to get the delegates on her own. There will be no Clinton/Obama OR Obama/Clinton. She’d never take a #2 spot–she’ll let Obama lose and she’ll run in 2012. You can be sure she’s already thinking of it.
2) Operation Chaos is for chaos, not nominating Hillary. That said, I think Rush listeners are vastly overestimating the impact of Operation Chaos. I doubt there’s much–if any–impact at all, beyond what happens in every election on either side. It’s a fun meme while this circus goes on (yay!), but I wouldn’t put too much stock in it. Call me a cynic, but it’s in Rush Limbaugh’s interests to hype it, because it’s publicity–which equals RATINGS. I’m sure it’s fun thinking Rush listeners are having a big effect on the election, but if Rush listeners were that powerful, we’d have a different nominee. (Not that I’m complaining–I’m FOR McCain, rather than just being solely against the Dems.) I LOL’d last night when Laura Ingraham said on FNC that Operation Chaos may have had a “significant” impact. Nothing against Ingraham, but I think she needs to step outside the echo chamber for air.
I want Hillary to stay in it as long as possible (so she can prep the battlefield for McCain), but she isn’t going to be the nominee this time. Obama will be, and he will lose UNLESS we’re so vastly outspent that our message is completely buried by the DNC and lib 527s. It’s all going to be about money, because Obama cannot win without the media and heavy attacks on McCain. I think this is going to be a really ugly general election, no matter how much NObama pretends he wants to rise above negative campaigning. That dude is so full of crap, his hairline recedes every time he takes a dump.
bamapachyderm on April 23, 2008 at 9:48 AM
If the super-delegates vote in Hillary, expect posters and t-shirts with images of Obama with a noose around his neck at the convention.
faraway on April 23, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Yep.
I’m sure the Obama cult is busy cursing all the “racists” in PA today, too.
bamapachyderm on April 23, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Operation Chaos is not just Rush. All the conservative blogs and pundits are blasting Obama with both barrels.
I say we declare victory.
Mission Accomplished: Operation Chaos.
Now, everyone be silent until Obama is nominated.
Then begin Operation Little Boy Barry.
faraway on April 23, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Yes, that’s highly likely. Obama’s supporters are quite thin-skinned and prone to hyperbole.
aero on April 23, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Yes, good points, but it doesn’t negate the fact that the candidates all signed the agreement not to have FL and MI count. That’s really all there is to it.
Let’s not forget the 40% uncommitted. Also, if I remember correctly, didn’t Clinton say the only reason her name was on the MI ballot was because it was too late to remove it?
I’m enjoying the implosion very much, but let’s not fool ourselves on Clinton’s real chances here. Her only function is to sow the seeds of distrust and chaos.
SouthernDem on April 23, 2008 at 9:59 AM
I was only referring to the plan to cross over to vote for Hillary. As far as blasting Obama goes, I do that on my own–it has nothing to do with Rush or O.C.
bamapachyderm on April 23, 2008 at 10:01 AM
No no, my friend. NC and IN are still coming up. Plenty of time for more chaos.
There is much work to be done!
SouthernDem on April 23, 2008 at 10:03 AM
BTW, the New York Times is a farking JOKE. They endorsed Billary and now they’re attacking her for staying in? LOL! Typical. Just like their “endorsement” of McCain!
bamapachyderm on April 23, 2008 at 10:03 AM
The only way Hillary wins is if she puts ObamaX in as VP.
Clinton/Obama beats McCain/whoever in a landslide.
Dream on. Obama isn’t going to settle for sloppy seconds. He’s got a nice little Senate gig going on, and in 4 or 8 years he could take another crack at the Presidency, and he’ll have another 4 or 8 years of seasoning and a record he can point to with pride, and an agenda that has more details than just hope and change.
I R A Darth Aggie on April 23, 2008 at 10:09 AM
aero, I have to disagree. Denyng the first black man running for president his earned right to the nomination is a gigantic leap above doing ANYTHING to the black voters, and getting away with it. Rodney King wasn’t exactly a model citizen, but rioting occured nonetheless, driven by their perception that “The Man” overstepped his authority and dished out undeserving punishment on the black victim. There are lines in the sand for the black community. IMO dumping Obama is a line they will cross, with anger, resentment and probably open rioting in the streets.
faraway, no the Obama supporters aren’t going to become Republicans. They’ll simply stay home on election day. The result will be as if they had become Republicans.
fogw on April 23, 2008 at 10:13 AM
1) They’ll stay home. They aren’t about to support the person who “stole” the election from their Messiah.
2) Obama is not going to accept a VP slot under a white woman who stole the nomination from him. If he even thought seriously about it his wife would emasculate him. It’s not going to happen. He knows she’ll lose in November and he is young and can run again in four years.
TheBigOldDog on April 23, 2008 at 10:13 AM
She neglects to mention that Obama’s name wasn’t even on the ballet in Michigan. As I recall, the “undecided” vote (or whatever it was called) was a fairly large percentage there. Do you think maybe some of those people were voting for Obama?
Yoosaion on April 23, 2008 at 10:15 AM
There is no better place to run for President than from the VP slot.
For 8 years, Little Boy Barry will:
1. Join a bowling league.
2. Give up arugula.
3. Learn to love waffles.
4. Join a new church.
5. Have the IRS lock up William Ayers
6. Give lots of speeches.
7. Learn the National Anthem.
8. Wear a flag pin every day.
faraway on April 23, 2008 at 10:15 AM
the crux is that a combination of Obama/Hillary would be tough in the general, but in order for that to happen, they would have to come together for the good of the party. That won’t happen, as mentioned above, because two very different segments are fighting for power and control of the party, with each candidate representing a segment. Blacks won’t accept anything but Obama on top, and the Clintonian entitlement mentality does the same thing on their side.
a capella on April 23, 2008 at 10:16 AM
But Obama will. This is a man that threw his poor ole granny under the bus. He has dreamed of being President since he was in grade school. He will do or say anything.
faraway on April 23, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Examples of Obama doing anything to win:
- Obama accepted help from former terrorists.
- Obama aligned himself with Rev Wright to gain political power.
- Threw granny under the bus.
- Aligned himself with Tony Rezco.
faraway on April 23, 2008 at 10:23 AM
It isn’t what Obama will do,..it is what his groupies/black voters will do. Even if he accepts the VP slot, it will be interpeted by many as being screwed once again by “The Man.” I’m not sure the hard core moonbats will think ahead to the next elections. At least, I hope not. A savage floor fight at the convention will aid things nicely.
a capella on April 23, 2008 at 10:33 AM
If Hillary closed the gap in the popular vote, the super-delegates probably wouldn’t be afraid of losing the black vote, because, as “aero” pointed out, blacks will always vote for Democrats in the general election. But the super-delegates might be afraid of losing the white-liberal-snob vote and the utopian-smarter-tnan-thou-college-student-no-real-world-experience vote, who have been swooning at Obama’s speeches, and BELIEVE Obama’s opinions about people clinging to God and guns. After Hillary made a point of appealing to blue-collar workers, and Obama made a point of insulting them, what would young, white, liberal snobs do in the general election? Hold their nose for Hillary, or thumb it at the whole process, if their “anointed one” is shot down by the super-delegates?
The super-delegates WOULD be in a quandary, because state polls have showed McCain leading Obama in OH, PA, NJ, and MI where Clinton is leading, and McCain having a huge lead over Obama in FL where Clinton is competitive. Democrats know that if McCain wins OH and FL, and either PA or MI against Obama, McCain will be President. Do they go along with Obama’s lead in pledged delegates, most of which were obtained in lightly-attended caucuses in Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states that McCain will win easily, while handing McCain FL and MI by refusing to count their votes?
Operation Chaos must continue. North Carolina, with its heavy black population and liberal universities will probably give Obama a boost, and Indiana could be a tossup, with Hillary winning downstate while Obama wins the Chicago suburbs in the northwest corner. Obama now looks like the weaker of the two Democrats, whose chickenssss are coming home to roosssst, whereas Hillary’s baggage is old news.
Let the show continue! Obama will probably win the nomination in a squeaker, but he will come out weaker.
Steve Z on April 23, 2008 at 10:36 AM
If the DNC declares Obama the nominee on top of not counting Florida and Michigan, how is that not disenfranchising those voters who cast their vote for Clinton? They are playing a dangerous game.
Blake on April 23, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Correct. I’m not sure I’d call most MDS sufferers conservatives though. Yeah, that’s the label they throw around, you know, they are the “true conservatives with principles” and all. Sure, sure. So principled that you think Obama is the same as McCain.
That’s not principled, it’s insane.
funky chicken on April 23, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Agreed. And taking the veep spot would set him up for Potus in 8 years, in demthink. He’d be stupid to not accept the offer. A month ago he slapped the offer away, and since then it’s started to look like he’s electoral poison.
I really don’t think Hillary will make the offer again. Hubris kills the “hero” every time.
funky chicken on April 23, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Ditto to both. Exactly right.
bamapachyderm on April 23, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Maybe this has already been said on this board (I didn’t read through all of them), but the Florida and Michigan votes are tainted, because Obama didn’t campaign there, and I believe wasn’t even listed on the Michigan ballot. So that’s a completing unconvincing argument, although difficult to articulate in a 5 second TV sound bit.
In general though, the more Hillary opens her mouth, the more I am repulsed by her.
asc85 on April 23, 2008 at 11:57 AM
The home page screen cap looks just like the “Carrie” satire on YouTube not long ago.
txsurveyor on April 23, 2008 at 12:45 PM
You’re talking about a group of people that thought it was a great idea to elect a president by counting ballot with multiple, conflicting votes on them in only certain select areas.
pedestrian on April 23, 2008 at 12:50 PM
The problem is that Dems now know Hillary would win both Florida and Michigan if their primaries were next week, or had been held on any other ‘legal’ date. Just look at the demographics of both states and it’s clear Hillary would win both of them. And if their Democrats are pissed off enough by having their votes thrown out, Obama won’t win either one in November and has little chance to win the election. Whoever wins two of Michigan, Ohio, and Florida wins the election. Dems constructed their whole theory of 2008 on winning Ohio, but if they lose Michigan it won’t matter.
rockmom on April 23, 2008 at 1:36 PM
operation chaos is working perfectly
Mojack420 on April 23, 2008 at 2:14 PM
No, they didn’t have an agreement not to have the delegates count, they had an agreement not to campaign in person or run ads, period, nothing more, nothing less.
Pam on April 23, 2008 at 5:42 PM
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