Said Clinton:
"It's not easy, and I couldn't do it if I just didn't passionately believe it was the right thing to do. I have so many opportunities from this country. [pause, switch to quavering voice] I just don't want to see us fall backwards." [transcribed from NPR hourly news report, 2008.01.17, 13:00 CST, Mara Liasson reporting]
Reuters offers further emotional comment from Clinton:
At a campaign event in Portsmouth, Clinton choked up and grew uncharacteristically emotional as she talked about her reasons for seeking the presidency in the November election.
"Some of us put ourselves out there and do this," she said, her voice breaking and her eyes glistening with tears, "against some pretty difficult odds and we do it each one of us because we care about our country."
"But some of us are right and some of us are wrong," she said in a hesitant, quaking voice. "Some of us are ready and some of us are not."
The incident resurrected memories of former Maine Sen. Edmund Muskie's tears during the 1972 New Hampshire campaign, credited with helping to bring down his front-running bid. [Ellen Wulfhorst, "Fading in Polls, Clinton Vows to Fight On," Yahoo News, 2008.01.07].
Tearing up, after just one third-place finish? This from the candidate who said last week after the Iowa caucuses she was ready to go the distance? Hmm....
Prediction for tomorrow: Obama 30%, Edwards 25%, Clinton and Kucinich tie for third at 20%. Clinton fires campaign staff, Kucinich gets re-invited to debates.
Update: see this Karen Breslau post to Newsweek for full text of Hillary's response to the personal question (I'm still smelling plant) and commentary on whether this moment will hurt or help the candidate.
Update 20:00 CST: The questioner, Marianne Pernold Young, is a free-lance photographer in Portsmouth and a breast cancer survivor. She also was Jimmy Carter's campaign photographer in Washington, DC.
I really don't understand the fuss about all of this. I would be shocked if Hillary Clinton wasn't highly emotional right now, wouldn't you? First she's criticized for being dry, boring, uninspirational, too focused on experience and less on some Movement For Change that everyone cares about. Now she's too emotional.
ReplyDelete(p.s. virtually every woman understands that women are caught in a catch 22 situation in this regard. Clinton is always either an evil harpie bitch or, now, an overemotional wacko.)
Maybe Clinton randomly burst into tears as part of a cynical ploy to make women sympathize with her. Maybe she genuinely believes she is best for the job and is frustrated that Democratic voters don't seem to agree with her. Maybe she is tired and worn down, and upset that things aren't going her way right now. I don't think either of us are in any position to know what's really going on there.
People express such open and unabashed sexism when they talk about her. Even on TV. Even among liberal male bloggers. It really surprises me.
(And as a disclaimer, I'll point out that I'm not particularly a supporter of hers - I'm for Kucinich, Edwards, Obama, Clinton, in that order.)
Anna, I'm probably not sexist -- at least I hope not! My anti-Clinton sentiments may just be the last vestiges of my sordid GOP-Limbaugh youth.
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest: I'm thinking it was a cynical ploy. Hillary's got too much emotional control. She's been raked over the coals a lot harder before this Democratic primary season. She weathered the health care debacle in 93-94, Bill's lying and affairing, two New York Senate campaigns. I have a hard time believing she would break down now.
But again, I'm with you -- Kucinich forever (and maybe Edwards, if he really means that anti-corporate line).
So what if Hillary was emotional? At least she’s honest and direct and passionate, not cold and phony like the rest of the people running for President. She has my support.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Obama’s emotional disdain for others, especially fellow Democrats? Have any of you noticed how far his nose is up in the air? Let’s look at that emotionality too.
He never listened to anyone while he’s been a senator here in Illinois and didn’t do anything! Nada! Frankly, I won’t vote for Obama - no experience - all talk, all flash. Listen to the debates — he has no Middle East or immigration policy. And no clear answers for keeping jobs in our country, and turning our economy and healthcare around.
The last nail in his political coffin for me? He needed help from a big-mouthed rich black woman (Oprah) to get where he’s at. I wonder if she would have helped anyone who was white? We have to ask these questions.Let’s look at that too.
Go HIllary. Go Girl!
Two words... "crocodile tears." Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteI finally saw the actual clip, and, uh, that's tearing up? Really?
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Anna -- I've read that the reporters on the scene were arguing over whether tears had actually been shed, welled up, or what.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, the reporters weren't asking Clinton why she won't go for real universal health care that would save money, as Kucinich offers....
I'm not for Clinton, actually I'm a Republican. But I honestly do not want Obama as president at this stage in his life. What experience does he have to deal with foreign policy, trade issues, immigration, economics, etc? As one poster above said, NONE. It actually scares me to think he might be the leader of the free world. Give him some experience in all the above and more, and maybe he would do okay. I agree that he sounds good and looks good, but it takes much more than that to lead our country. I have an in-law in Iowa, a die-hard Democrat BTW, who went to his rally and said he was all platitudes and no depth. I think she had it right. As I said, I'm no Hillary fan, but at this point if I had to pick between the two, I would definitely favor her over Obama. This is Nonnie but signed in as anonymous.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget, Nonnie and Anon5:46, it's not a two-person race. If you don't like Obama or Clinton, you still have lots of options. Come June 3 (and Nov 4!), I'll still be casting my vote for Kucinich, who has more electoral experience than either Clinton or Obama.
ReplyDelete