Another N.H. moment for Clinton?
February 22nd, 2008 – 7:20 AM by Dennis J. McGrathOn the eve of the New Hampshire primary, Hillary Rodham Clinton turned emotional when she was asked a question about how she was holding up. Her response may have been a big factor in her victory in that state.
Afterwards, she said that the people of New Hampshire helped her find her voice.
She found it again in the final minutes of Thursday night’s debate with Barack Obama, when they were asked to describe a time when they were personally tested.
While Obama said it was the whole trajectory of his life, Clinton answered first with humor — “I think everyone here knows I’ve lived through some crises and some challenging moments in my life” — and then with passion.
Here’s the video of both of their responses.
Will this be another turning point for Clinton as she faces critical primaries on March 4?
Ironically, Clinton now is being accused of plagiarising part of her comments from John Edwards.
And here’s a moment that didn’t work so well for Clinton, when she and Obama were asked about Clinton’s assertion that Obama plagiarised a speech of a supporter. Listen to the boos and catcalls at the end.
7 Responses to "Another N.H. moment for Clinton?"
The last phoney acts of a desperate candidate. I’ve said before, she is not very likeable, and it shows.
I’m not thrilled with any choices regardless of party.
Maybe I’ll skip this upcoming election, and begin planning for our joint trip to hell.
I think Clinton realizes this can’t continue to the convention. Obama’s campaign were the underdogs, but they out-organized her, out-fund-raised her, and have expanded the appeal of the party. Her closing speach felt like a graceful concession that will keep her political future alive.
The Clinton plagarism is just too funny.
Obama has turned a lot of cheeks. I thought he came off as really classy, and a lot more respectful of the debate rules than Clinton.
Maybe I’m a sexist, but Clinton’s attacks on Obama just seemed mean, especially when he pulled her chair out for her and refused to hit back.
Also, I was struck by the absence of God from the debate (some prayers discussion when Clinton alluded to her marriage, that was about it), These two candidates were trying to win Texas, right?
Also, maybe I’m being unfair to Texans, but how much different can it be now than it was in LBJ’s day? Is it really a question of winning hearts and minds, or does some glitz and some well placed patronage really do the trick, like in the old days?
I doubt that you’ll skip this election, Robert, but a lot of people will.
I think that either Democratic candidate will win the election because of the changed (more honest, less institutionally racist) dynamic in Florida under the Crist government there,
However, with Clinton on the ticket, I think that Sen. Coleman can win re-election while I think that Sen. Obama at the top of the ticket would have extremely long coat-tails.
Upper-middle class people who say: “let me keep mine and to hell with you” (usually citing other’s “laziness” in the process) will stay home finding no candidate who shares their values. I’m not saying that this is the majority of the conservative movement or anything, but 5% of conservatives is 2% of voters, and that can be a decisive margin.
Also, I think that, if Obama does get the nomination, African Americans will participate to a much greater extent than they have, really ever. Easily another 2% of the general election vote.
Which brings me to a point on a tangent - Robert, Michelle Obama’s comment was definitely not the most disgusting thing you’ve ever heard because you read this blog, and there have been some very ugly comments regarding class, race and religion here.
Clearly Michelle wasn’t saying that she has never been proud of the country before. A letter to the editor today said it very well. The word “really” is used to show an increase in pride.
However, the CNN analysis which said that upper-middle class “let me keep mine” types would be turned off while african americans would identify seems apt.
I don’t understand why you think this is disgusting, though.
I think the undercurrent of shame about America’s historical legacy towards African Americans, particularly regarding the professional and political ceilings which have been placed before them, not to mention the whole slavery thing, is to be expected, and that the history is disgusting.
I think that in a way, you and others who comment that Michelle’s remarks were in some way unbecoming would like to deny a part of the African-American identity. I think that she has every right and in fact was brave to choose the words she did.
She exposed herself to attacks, but did so in order to connect with a key constituency which has often felt excluded, like their cultural heritage was not relevant to the political discussion, and I don’t think that there is anything wrong with that at all.
Race relations still exist. We should pretend that we’re not voting for our first black president or first woman president, but rather just for a president, like the uninterrupted string of rich white men was an unremarkable coincidence, so the end of the string is not of importance?
The comment was even made during Black History Month. It seems like critics are being culturally insensitive.
I try not to write more words than the story, but then I get going. Sigh.
Clearly Michelle wasn’t saying that she has never been proud of the country before. A letter to the editor today said it very well. The word “really” is used to show an increase in pride.
Adams,
You are too long winded. Until Ms. Obama makes this claim, you can’t speak for her……period. Nor can anyone submitting a letter to an editor.
Justin Adams writes
“Upper-middle class people who say: “let me keep mine and to hell with you” (usually citing other’s “laziness” in the process) will stay home finding no candidate who shares their values.”
I don’t think that demographic is without representation - McCain has come around on Bush’s tax cuts, which are tailored to this group. Its the hard-core religious conservatives that are without an option among the major-party candidates.
Good morning bsimon,
I’ve cut and pasted the question you have yet to answer.
So, bsimon,
If you decided to endorse a white candidate, (let’s not even mention political ties), and the church he was married in, and still belonged to had a mission statement saying they are “unashamedely white etc…, you would be fine with that?
Please just yes or no.
If you choose to ramble on, you will solidify my point.
I am sure Michelle OBama is proud that so many people are becoming involved in the election process. As for Hillary, didn’t I hear her say she is the agent for change (talk about plagiarizing). I hope Obama reminds her in the next debate that she is part of the problem. Congress has the lowest rating ever from the PEOPLE!