Hillary: I’m sticking around in case Obama gets shot; Update: I had Teddy on my mind, says Hillary; Update: Hillary said same thing in March; Update: No thrill up Matthews’ leg; Update: RFK Jr. defends
posted at 4:35 pm on May 23, 2008 by Allahpundit
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Reserve judgment on this one for the time being. Drudge is blaring it but he’s knee-deep in the tank for Obama. The source he links to, the New York Post, isn’t exactly Hillary-friendly. And the only video available at the Argus-Leader is a full replay of her meeting with the paper’s editors with no fast-forward function that I can see. I’m not willing to sit through the whole thing to find this snippet when someone’s bound to cut and upload it within the hour, so in the meantime let’s be prudent. I’ll update when the clip is available.
Until then, geez.
Hillary Clinton today brought up the assassination of Sen. Robert Kennedy while defending her decision to stay in the race against Barack Obama.
“My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don’t understand it,” she said, dismissing calls to drop out.
Maybe all she meant was “well, anything can happen” without meaning to imply the prospect of murder, but good lord. Exit question: Will the number of Democrats who want her out of the race still be in decline after this?
Update: Breitbart’s got a bit of the video. Doesn’t look out of context to me.
Update: The defense:
“She was simply referencing her husband in 1992 and Bobby Kennedy in 1968 as historic examples of the nominating process going well into the summer. Any reading into beyond that would be inaccurate,” responded Clinton campaign spokesperson Mo Elleithee.
Why didn’t she use Teddy’s run at Jimmy Carter in 1980 instead?
Update: The obligatory photoshop.
Update: MSNBC reminds us that she said something similar, albeit much more tactfully, after getting blown out in North Carolina. She’s trying to make the point that anything can happen but this is an exceedingly poor way to do so. Although not surprising: It’s typical of the incompetent way she’s managed her campaign that she wouldn’t have anticipated the reaction to this.
Update: So much clarification. So much weak, unconvincing clarification.
Earlier today I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Senator Kennedy waged in California in June 1992 and 1968 and I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nomination primary contests that go into June. That’s a historic fact. The Kennedys have been much on my mind the last days because of Senator Kennedy and I regret that if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation, and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that, whatsoever. My view is that we have to look to the past and to our leaders who have inspired us and give us a lot to live up to, and I’m honored to hold Senator Kennedy’s seat in the United States Senate from the state of New York and have the highest regard for the entire Kennedy family.
Update: What was that again about having Teddy on her mind?
Update (Ed): Well, this thread wouldn’t be complete without having the clip of Chris Matthews trying to explicitly take the viewpoint of — get this — an objective journalist. He’s interviewing chief Obama strategist David Axelrod, who isn’t looking much like a man whose opponents just blew trou:
Can Hillary recover from this? I don’t mean for the nomination; that’s dead. Can she salvage her career at all, or did she just kill the Clinton brand once and for all?
I know this: the Obama campaign will not, under any circumstances, put her on the ticket now. They won’t pay her campaign debt. She will finish her run in Puerto Rico, and then she will simply … go away.
Update: RFK’s son, a Hillary supporter, answers the bell:
In a statement, Kennedy Jr. said: “It is clear from the context that Hillary was invoking a familiar political circumstance in order to support her decision to stay in the race through June. I have heard her make this reference before, also citing her husband’s 1992 race, both of which were hard fought through June. I understand how highly charged the atmosphere is, but I think it is a mistake for people to take offense.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: [1] 2 3 »
lol
Darth Executor on May 23, 2008 at 4:38 PM
That’s a nice suit you’ve got there, Barack. Be a shame if anything were to happen to it..while you’re wearing it.
Pablo on May 23, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Smartest woman in the world?
Slublog on May 23, 2008 at 4:40 PM
If I were Obama, I would keep a sharp lookout for anyone resembling Bob Torricelli and I would stay in that Big Black SUV.
BigD on May 23, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Jenny you know I’d never hurt you. If it weren’t for this war and that lying son of a b**** Johnson.
lorien1973 on May 23, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Good times, pass the popcorn.
omnipotent on May 23, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Hey, The Obamassiah might decide to go pet the tigers at the National Zoo and get eaten by them (those tigers are atheists).
rbj on May 23, 2008 at 4:41 PM
WOW!!!
She out Huckabeeed Huckabee!!!
wise_man on May 23, 2008 at 4:41 PM
But what about global warming! He’ll need a bulletproof Prius!
WisCon on May 23, 2008 at 4:43 PM
“Just saying.”
geckomon on May 23, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Boy, she’s some politician alright. Let’s justify our continued campaign by reminding everyone that your opponent could get SHOT!!! I always thought that Hill would lose this all on her own, Obama was just there in time to give her a little shove.
volnation on May 23, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Meh. Sometimes you say things without thinking through how they will sound to people who want to read the worst in you.No way the Iceberg meant this in the way it’s being taken…..
Yikes.
VolMagic on May 23, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Now that womans got balls, and lots of files, researchers, manure spreaders, knee cappers, shady lawyers, and possibly assasins? on her team.
Oh that my party was one third as tough.
dhunter on May 23, 2008 at 4:44 PM
“Laying the groundwork.”
misterpeasea on May 23, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Even scarier (for Barry): the press could actually look at (and report on) his record, his assocations, his wife…
There are a lot of ways he could (and probably will) flame out. If one of them should happen before the convention she wants to be there ‘to help’.
KCSteve on May 23, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Geez.
This is what my Italian grandfather used to call a “fox paws”.
Yeah, Grandpa, a big one.
SteveMG on May 23, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Well, whatever shot, er, chance she had of being the VP is now shot, er, gone.
Man, this is really unbelievable.
SteveMG on May 23, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Hey Barry…what say we go talk about me being the Veep? Marcy Park is pretty this time of year, and, isolated…..
Dingbat63 on May 23, 2008 at 4:47 PM
The spin machine will work something like this.
Her statement before that was how her husband had not locked up the nomination until June and the same holds true for Bobby Kennedy. She will claim that was what her focus really was.
NotCoach on May 23, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Well if he’s found in a park laid out in a straight line with little blood at the scene …
wise_man on May 23, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Dayum.
baldilocks on May 23, 2008 at 4:48 PM
“…but it is a historical curiosity to me” - - Hillary
I think you are a historical curiosity, Hillary. She is right, if she would just have said “anything can yet happen”. But to go there, as a Clinton, was plain stupid.
Entelechy on May 23, 2008 at 4:49 PM
That flushing sound is her chances of any nomination, the second flush is the VP.
right2bright on May 23, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Did I say, wow?
I’ll repeat it.
Sheesh.
Shockingly stupid or stupidly shocking?
SteveMG on May 23, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Well, if she didn’t mention the part about Bill Clinton winning in June, then there might be something to it. But I think we all might be taking her out context on this one.
SoulGlo on May 23, 2008 at 4:50 PM
You know, even if something did happen, and Hillary droped out - it’s not like she wouldn’t be the nominee anyway. Why the hell say something like this??
wise_man on May 23, 2008 at 4:51 PM
She better hope nothing ever does actually happen to the guy or she might get a visit from the guys in the suits.
pecan pie on May 23, 2008 at 4:51 PM
I don’t know what she meant or what her intention was, but I think one very possible and logical explanation is that RFK didn’t wrap up the nomination until June.
He was shot the day he won California, which basically gave him the nomination. I think, especially for a woman her age, RFK wrapping up the nomination and being shot are so intertwined she just reflexively said “RFK was assassinated in June” instead of “RFK didn’t wrap up the nomination in June”.
I don’t think the comment was meant to intimate that Obama might be assassinated, but was meant to show that RFK didn’t wrap up the nomination until June.
I could be wrong, but to me that what it seems like.
Tom_Shipley on May 23, 2008 at 4:52 PM
You mean she was talking about taking another shot of bourbon?
right2bright on May 23, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Typhoon on May 23, 2008 at 4:53 PM
NotCoach on May 23, 2008 at 4:47 PM
I don’t know if it would be spin? Don’t you think that it’s possible that’s what she meant?
Tom_Shipley on May 23, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Am I the only sane person here who interpreted that as “Everybody remembers the day Bobby was assassinated and that was June”.
I don’t see this as a flub-up or a double entrende’.
On the other hand, I note that THIS is what Obama wants to talk about… The hypothetical “man” tryin’ to bring him down.
Skywise on May 23, 2008 at 4:54 PM
No, you may be right…but it is the delivery, foolish, this is what sinks a candidate.
This is like Carter muttering about being attacked by a rabbit, you just don’t say it.
right2bright on May 23, 2008 at 4:56 PM
After listening, it’s not as bad as I first imagined it to be. She may have picked that example just because it stuck in her mind that it happened in June. That doesn’t mean people won’t use it as an excuse to shame her in to quitting, but I think it probably was just a poorly chosen example–the one that came to her on the spur of the moment.
RBMN on May 23, 2008 at 4:56 PM
To add to this, Hillary isn’t the first to bring this possibility up. Allah might recall that I emailed him the other day about NBC’s Brian Williams raising the same thing (in all seriousness, not as a joke) on Conan last week. Below is the subject and body of my email:
RightWinged on May 23, 2008 at 4:57 PM
I have seen the video and as conservative as I am and as much as I do NOT like the Pant Suit, I am willing to concede the point. I think she was really only referring to who did not have the nomination locked up by June. Also, I have no idea how this is going to ultimately play in the media. I think how does play will hinge on Obamas response to it.
NotCoach on May 23, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Now that I take a step back, it’s not an unfair interpretation - and I think it’s the one she was trying to make - that she meant re the RFK reference simply that there’s a precedent that candidates have secured the nomination at a late date (i.e., June).
Still….
SteveMG on May 23, 2008 at 4:58 PM
The smartest woman in the world provided amo for the Obama camp, especially for Michelle O., for the long weekend.
Entelechy on May 23, 2008 at 4:59 PM
I agree. Her point was that the situation can still change this late, and history has examples of it changing as late as June.
As much of a lying liar as she is, I actually believe Mrs. Glacier on this one.
amerpundit on May 23, 2008 at 4:59 PM
On the other hand, the media had dropped her from coverage - this way everybody will be reminded that she’s still there. Donald Trump always says that being in the news, even with negative topics, is better than being forgotten.
Entelechy on May 23, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Hot potato, yet. . . comment I must. . so
The safest thing I can think of is this; think of the money. The Office of President means a lot of money if it’s in the hands of the right person. Not to mention the power that goes along with the office. So now, it gets serious.
rockhauler on May 23, 2008 at 5:00 PM
If Vince Foster were alive today, he’d advise Barry to wear kevlar.
GarandFan on May 23, 2008 at 5:00 PM
What will her supporters do about this? Will they be re-solidified behind her in defending her if they were drifting over to Obama?
amerpundit on May 23, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Put a microphone in front of a Democrat and they become The Onion. No further satire necessary.
Halley on May 23, 2008 at 5:01 PM
congrats to her on saying something even dumber than Huckabee’s comment.
crr6 on May 23, 2008 at 5:01 PM
True enough. I know I wouldn’t want Lady MacBeth as my VP pick, especially when she reads “is this a dagger I see before me” with such … gusto.
sulla on May 23, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Am I the only sane person here who interpreted that as “Everybody remembers the day Bobby was assassinated and that was June”.
I don’t see this as a flub-up or a double entrende’.
On the other hand, I note that THIS is what Obama wants to talk about… The hypothetical “man” tryin’ to bring him down.
Skywise on May 23, 2008 at 4:54 PM
I’m with you Skywise… she wasn’t implying anything… this nitpicking crap makes us look stupid…
max1 on May 23, 2008 at 5:01 PM
She joins the Huckster in Gaffetown.
Population growing daily.
More pastors than civilians.
And one slip-and-fall doctor, named Freud.
profitsbeard on May 23, 2008 at 5:01 PM
After watching it, I come down with the Hillary defenders. At least to the point that it was obvious to me that what she meant was simply that he was campaigning for the Dem nomination in June when he was shot.
But just because she didn’t mean it as it sounds doesn’t mean it wasn’t a dumb thing to say.
Typhoon on May 23, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Even if she drops out and Bambi does get stepped on, she would still be the nominee. She doesn’t need to stay in the race.
She is just so used to people around her dying or attempting Shuicde at times convenient to her that she has come to expect it.
pedestrian on May 23, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Something to keep in mind. At this stage of the campaign, EVERYTHING she and BO say is CAREFULLY calculated. This was 100% intentional and rehearsed, even down to the clarification. Or, they are complete morons.
javamartini on May 23, 2008 at 5:03 PM
From that quote - the “june” part was a long way behind the “got shot” part in terms of what I took away from Hillary’s comment.
Many people have observed any sort of comment associated with Obama and noose, or hung, or shot or anything else as not an ‘oopsie, I said that wrong’ but as something much more serious.
wise_man on May 23, 2008 at 5:05 PM
sounds like the end of the VP slot for Hillary to me1
Dale in Atlanta on May 23, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Those of us who questioned Vince Foster’s death look a little less crazy, don’t we?
Troika37 on May 23, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Anyone checked on the whereabouts of Sirhan Sirhan lately?
hehe
Cicero43 on May 23, 2008 at 5:09 PM
If she’s thinking of Kennedys dying then maybe she is aiming at Ted’s slot for Chelsea and this was just a Freudian slip.
BigD on May 23, 2008 at 5:09 PM
I’m with the fella’s Grandpa (above)…
fox paws…..
This is today’s conspiracy injection. Hate that crap. Everything has to be neat, clean, plannnnnnnnnnnnnnned. Nobody ever trips on the step going into the house, or dings the car door next to them by mistake. Just like those three band-aids on my finger, I knew they would make a great conversation maker.
Limerick on May 23, 2008 at 5:10 PM
If she’s VP, RNC should make “Foster/Clinton 08″
lorien1973 on May 23, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Bobby Kennedy already lost when he was killed.
Maybe teh Black Racist is trying to kill her politically as well as physically?
freevillage on May 23, 2008 at 5:12 PM
I wonder if she could use the services of a Community Organizer™.
mred on May 23, 2008 at 5:17 PM
So do I. It was still an incredibly stupid thing to say. Maybe not quite as stupid as Huckster’s lame joke, but suggesting that someone isn’t quite as dumb as Huck ain’t exactly setting the bar too high.
Hollowpoint on May 23, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Ah cummon… you know this was a myth…. everyone knows that the moon’s gravitational pull can pull blood up a hill or mountain if you happen to be standing in the right spot at the right pico-second in combination with the centrifical force of the earths rotation… Foster just happened to be amazingly at that point.
BTW… can someone catch me up and tell me… what the heck is a “meme”?
CynicalOptimist on May 23, 2008 at 5:19 PM
fox paw excuse from Hill
in Brandon, SD:
my head hurts, I’ve got the whirlies
windansea on May 23, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Hilary: Oh, shoot… I mean darn, that didn’t come out right. I will be sure to fire… I mean discharge… NO, I mean dis-employ my staffer who wrote that. My aim… I mean target (oh, crap) I mean goal was to make a reference to the time line. But I cocked… I mean messed it up and the press is going to murder… oh… I… give up… (bangs… I mean hits… no, I mean beats head against desk)
db on May 23, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Gee, that’s no fun.
Maxx on May 23, 2008 at 5:20 PM
HAHAHAHAHAAHA! I love politics. It’s only this arena people are so exceedingly stupid so often
spacekicker on May 23, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Mouth at red-line…Brain in neutral.
franksalterego on May 23, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Welcome to today’s “Gotcha politics narrative.”
On Tuesday, we will have a different “Gotcha moment” from either Hillary or McCain. Etc. Every day until President Obama declares the Constitution invalid.
indythinker on May 23, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Obviously, Hillary misspoke. I just wish Obama would be treated with the same skepticism as Hillary and McCain get from the media.
indythinker on May 23, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Is this what “ReCreate 68″ is all about?
ordi on May 23, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Man, first Huckabee steps in it, and now Hillary.
Seriously, people, Guns + Obama = shooting yourself in the foot.
(McCain, I’m looking at you. Don’t give Barack ammo by continuing this faux pas trend.)
Hawkins1701 on May 23, 2008 at 5:25 PM
you funny
windansea on May 23, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Obama Finds Horse Head Under Bedsheets
LOL
Saltysam on May 23, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Evidently, historic assasinations, like any and all references to Jesse Jackson, crazy pastors (provided they’re Obama’s), and the Weather Underground, are extremely upsetting to the Obama campaign.
Is there anything other word or subject we need to be careful about between now and November? You seem like a sensitive guy, Allah. Help us out.
Infidoll on May 23, 2008 at 5:29 PM
If analyzing something as confounded as what she said is nitpicking, then . . .
geckomon on May 23, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Enlighten me…
what is a “meme”
CynicalOptimist on May 23, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Is Hillary up at night singing Dead Kennedys or something?
lorien1973 on May 23, 2008 at 5:35 PM
I am so tired of politicians apologizing for being offensive. They just can’t help it! Politicians are by nature offensive.
ctmom on May 23, 2008 at 5:37 PM
a cultural unit (an idea or value or pattern of behavior) that is passed from one person to another by non-genetic means
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/meme
ordi on May 23, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Jeez… don’t shoot the messenger.
christophercube on May 23, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Thanks for the light….
CynicalOptimist on May 23, 2008 at 5:40 PM
No Problem
ordi on May 23, 2008 at 5:43 PM
No wonder he received Secret Service protection last year.
DCA on May 23, 2008 at 5:45 PM
lol
javamartini on May 23, 2008 at 5:45 PM
She didn’t “Think” Barack was a Muslim!
Well I don’t “THINK” she meant to say she’d have Barack wacked.
dhunter on May 23, 2008 at 5:53 PM
More or less a fad in current thinking.
Maxx on May 23, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Obamarxist might end up under the end zone at Giants Stadium, next to Jimmy Hoffa.
jgapinoy on May 23, 2008 at 5:55 PM
A certain Obama cheerleader is going to do a “Special Comment” about this tonight.
SoulGlo on May 23, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Heck, Michelle Obama talked about it herself
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/02/11/video-obamas-wife-plays-race-card-on-60-minutes/
jimboster on May 23, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Max Bialystock: [hands Franz a bunch of dollar bills] Here, Franz. Go. Go, Franz! Buy bullets! Kill the actors!
- Max (Zero Mostel) to Franz Liebkind (Kenneth Mars) in “The Producers” (1968)
Life, via Hillary Clinton, imitates Mel Brooks.
jon1979 on May 23, 2008 at 6:14 PM
This is an unfortunate reminder of just how self-centered and tasteless the Clintons can be. It also an unfortunate reminder of just sad it is that one of these clowns has to win the Democratic nomination. I prefer to think that even if my guy doesn’t win the country will be okay. Senators Clinton and Obama really worry me. Neither is a competent candidate. Sen. McCain takes some positions that I vehemently disagree with, but I respect his basic integrity and don’t fear he’ll run the country into the ground.
Jill1066 on May 23, 2008 at 6:15 PM
I’ve been trying to tell you she’s more dangerous than Obama!
But, I have changed my mind “Operation Chaos Rocks”, at least I can have a ball watching this Barnam and Baily delight.
At least until one of them kicks the old guys ass, and then, well there’s a sliver lining to that dark cloud also, at least my party won’t get the blame for higher taxes, gorebal warming shake down, freedom of speech desecration, liberal judges, gas lines do to cap and trade, illegals flooding the country and bankrupting social security, medicare, schools, hospitals, at least there’s that to look forward to.
dhunter on May 23, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Dude.
If ever there were a “Dude” post, this is it.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on May 23, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Yeah, but how is he going to blame Bush for it?
Sorry, that’s Mister Bush, sir.
SteveMG on May 23, 2008 at 6:28 PM
I liked her better when she was prim and smug and talking about her inevitability
EricPWJohnson on May 23, 2008 at 6:28 PM
The woman knows how to get the attention of the press.
Everyone was ignoring her. Not anymore.
She’s like Madonna. She knows her gig.
bridgetown on May 23, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Huck, Hillary…who will complete the assasination gaffe trifecta?
TexasDan on May 23, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Comment pages: [1] 2 3 »