Tags
feminism, Hillary Clinton, politics, scandal, the Presidency, women, world affairs, yellow journalism
Archive of ‘closest friend’ paints portrait of ‘ruthless’ first lady
I fail to see what, in the blooming garden of the devil, the above headline from Alana Goodman and published by Fox News, The Washington Free Beacon, and a host of other news media, has to do with anything at all.
This article mimics similar reports that have ricocheted through the media since February 9th. Someone has mined a treasure chest of previously private memos and correspondence shared between Hillary and her best friend, and dating back to before her husband’s entry into the White House some thirty years ago.
Random quotes have been published that, according to Ms. Goodman, “shed new light on Clinton’s three decades in public life. The records paint a complex portrait of Hillary Clinton, revealing her to be a loyal friend, devoted mother, and a cutthroat strategist who relished revenge against her adversaries and complained in private that nobody in the White House was ‘tough and mean enough.’”
- Hillary is a complex person. This is news?
- Hillary is a loyal friend and devoted mother. This is shocking news?
- Hillary is a cutthroat strategist. Isn’t that what we expect of politicians? Don’t we expect them to lead us, strategically through all sorts of complex, unexpected, and never yet encountered crises?
- Hillary relishes revenge? She certainly isn’t alone in this failing, as we see over and over in the political theater.
- Hillary is tough and mean? Is there any other way to survive the mud baths, personal attacks, vicious rumors, and sensationalized reporting that now goes hand in hand with any political campaign? If Hillary had balls, she’d be a leader. But instead she has breasts, so she’s a bitch. Pardon me.
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p>What Hillary may have confided to her closest confidante while she endured intense personal and marital pain under the spotlight of 24/7 national media attention has absolutely nothing to do with her qualifications or her ability to get the job done, whatever job she embarks upon. Whatever sophomoric pranks her husband has pulled in his life, have absolutely no bearing on his wife’s ability to do her job.
Does this rash of yellow headlines indicate that our nation must endure, yet again, the utter humiliation and stupification of the Monica Lewinski affair? Who the fuck cares where the former President’s peter has been?
We should be caring about how our current and future leaders will anticipate market upheavals, world political entanglements, national health pandemics, and a contrary Congress that has become so constipated it no longer functions.
The world doesn’t care about Monica. Nor should we. I don’t even know if I would support Hillary for President. What I do know is that what’s masquerading as headline news is nothing but yellow journalism.
Rangewriter 
Linda, you are seeing the beginning of the slam. The truth the GOP knows, if she runs she will win. So, they have to slam her before she decides to run. By the way, the Benghazi issue was put to bed fifteen months ago in a report by Admiral Mullens and Ambassador Pickering (both trusted by both parties), who did not testify until ten months later. The reason the GOP wants to have it still festering to use against her.
If she runs, she will be the US’ first female president. And, she has earned the right. That is my two cents. BTG
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Well, I never thought I’d live to see America’s first black president, so I’m making no predictions. How cool would it be to have back to back gate crashers!
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Linda, you attract some good readers who offer thoughtful comments. That is a credit to you.
Couple additional comments – I just watched “42” last night about Jackie Robinson. He was ridiculed like no other via racist name calling and treatment. That showed the character of the name callers, as the those with the worst argument resort to name calling. Same thing happened with Geraldine Ferraro, Harvey Milk, Barack Obama and any other person trying to make change. Hillary is imminently qualified. As for her husband, while a philanderer, he has only been called one of the most effective presidents we have ever had balancing the budget and creating more jobs than any president except FDR.
So, if someone faults her for being married to someone who strayed, they need to look at the whole picture. By the way, it did not seem to impact those who liked Newt Gingrich who has had multiple affairs, one while indicting Bill Clinton for his. Again, great post and good comments. BTG
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You know, I feel really blessed by the caliber of readers who take the time to weigh in on my posts. I know not all blogs bask in thoughtful commentary.
Thanks for adding to the discussion…and doing so without name calling or changing the subject.
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Why is being “cutthroat” admirable in men but despised in women ? I don’t really think it’s a great attribute for either, but do not like the way we judge strong women differently from strong men.
I also agree that we are easily distracted from the “real” issues by what amounts to gossip.
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You got my point, exactly, Sybil. I see I’m preaching to the choir, as usual. Thanks for being my choir.
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Hilary will live the rest of her live haunted by Monica and BenGhazi.
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If that is true about HILLARY, we are a sorry nation, for sure.
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“Who the fuck cares where the former President’s peter has been?”
I think this should be just a matter between Bill and Hilary.
We recently watched a Danish TV series about a fictional Danish leader who happened to be a married woman with two children. She was extremely good at her job. However her marriage suffered. Her husband left her for another woman since she had hardly any time for her husband and very little time for the children. To be the leader of a country is an extremely demanding job, isn’t it?
However, Hilary had already a very demanding job as foreign secretary. As far as I can see, she was supported by her husband all the way. As leader of the nation, I am sure, she would also be supported by him. Her political enemies, and maybe some of the media, well, this is a different matter. But she is tough, isn’t she? Her daughter is a grown-up by now, meaning she has no motherly duties that might hold her back.
If you like her politics, why not vote for her, if you get the chance to do so?
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Sorry, just noticed I did get my spelling wrong: Missed out on one L in HILLARY.. Stupid mistake!
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Auntyuta, that you even know who she is places you in a higher category than too many Americans, who not only don’t know how to spell her name, but don’t know anything about her beyond her husband’s infidelity. Not stupid, my friend. I confess that I don’t even know the name of the leader of your country, so you are way ahead of me! Stupid Americans!
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Hillary is, indeed, a strong candidate. It is way too early to decide who I would vote for in two years. (Another problem with our electoral process.) I am not saying I wouldn’t vote for her. My point is that she must be judged on her merits, not on the reckless behavior of her husband. If any pertinent conclusions can be drawn from that period of her life, it is that her marriage has been through fire and has survived. Were she to become the leader of our country, we could at least rest assured, that she will not be emotional undone by marital problems while she is dealing with world affairs. Of course, no one would even bother to question how a man would respond to marital difficulties while in office, so even that is a moot point.
I do wish more Americans were as well informed about our politics as people like you from the other side of the globe.
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Marital difficulties can arise at any time in any marriage. If there is no separation the media should stay out of it. If there is a separation, report it and leave it at that. This is what I think. But our present day media just goes out for sensationalism.which people in general love to hear about. What about Kennedy? Wasn’t he a philanderer? Still, he’s regarded as one of your best presidents.
Our present prime minister has been in office for a few months only. Seems like he isn’t very well known yet on the world stage.
What do you think of Angela Merkel? She’s a very powerful woman, isn’t she?
I think to us Australians it matters a lot who is president of the USA.
We had not so long ago a prime minister who was voted in with a tremendous majority. His name? Kevin Rudd! He caused a lot of controversy in his own party. Over night they got rid of him. Strangely enough they gave him the highly important office of foreign minister at the time. But he has resigned from parliament after our last election a few months ago. Have you heard of him? I think as foreign minister he was quite well known in America.
I don’t know whether you are aware that we had a woman prime minister for a while when they got rid of Rudd as prime minister.? She was our first woman prime minister.
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Aunt Yuta, I have been following your comments with Linda. I think a great deal of Angela Merkel and wish she could run for office here after her tenure ends in Germany. Being a physicist, she knows the impact climate change is having and is embracing an aggressive move to solar and wind, e.g. The world needs leaders like Merkel. If Hillary Clinton runs and wins, both she and Merkel can demonstrate by example the need to improve the rights of women worldwide. Linda, I hope you don’t mind this old fart throwing in his two cents. BTG
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BTG, I LOVE that you participate! Thank you for expanding the dialogue.
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You are so right about keeping media out of the bedroom. There’s that old adage, “people who live in glass houses shouldn’t….”
Angela Merkel? I don’t have to live with her politics and I’m not as well-informed as I should be. I know my relatives/friends in Germany were skeptical of her and don’t like all of her policies, but that is to be expected. On the whole, she seems to be steering her country at least evenly through the stormy international waters.
Kevin Rudd? I have heard of him! Shock. But probably the name only registered because I have close friends with the same last name. You see, I am just another ignorant American. I can barely keep myself informed about my own country’s issues, much less stay abreast of the rest of the world as I should.
Thanks for broadening my perspectives a bit. And congrats to Australia for daring to select a female head of state!
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I remember going to the polls when Geraldine Ferraro was the Vice-Presidential candidate. It was my first time voting. I was thrilled.
As I stood in line amongst a bevy of male voters – (had their wives come earlier?) – I got an education. They talked loudly about keeping ‘that damned woman’ out of the White House.
From that day to this, I carefully dissect any criticism about women whether they are running for the school board or the nation’s highest office. I feel a need to balance, unless they are way off course – (we’ve seen one of those too!)
Mary Todd Lincoln wasn’t an ideal spouse nor First Lady. But her behavior leaves no taint on the great Abe Lincoln. Why should Hillary be judged by Bill’s mistakes?
I’m sure she wasn’t the one who sent Monica into the Oval office. BenGazi might need a little more explanation though.
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As a side note, can somebody get her a better hairdresser? She needs a little height on top to balance her face and keep her from appearing to be utterly tired.
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Your sarcasm is lethal, Renee! 😉
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I agree completely, Renee. Women leaders in other countries have proven that gender has nothing to do with astute minds or decisive decison-making. Maggie Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, Benzir Bhutto, and Angela Merkel, come to mind. We may not like their decisions or policies but that has absolutely nothing to do with their gender…or race.
Nice to have you back, Renee.
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Thanks Linda! Good to be back with friends.
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Hopefully getting back to work and interacting with friends will help to slowly fill the gaping hole in your heart. I’m sure it would please your mom to see you re-entering the world. 😉 Hugs.
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I’m one of a few people that do believe and still do that what a President does IN THE WHITE HOUSE is of public concern. For God’s sake, in THE WHITE HOUSE, not in some cheesy hotel room.
That said, I’m over it. This revolting, blatant sexist treatment of Hillary is reprehensible. And Bill’s mistakes are not her own. She has proved herself to be a tough negotiator who knows how to maneuver her way through difficult situations. See these headlines for what they are: People who oppose Hillary are really, really scared that she might win. Good.
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These tactics infuriate me because they pander to the knee-jerk reactions of people who do not know (or want) to examine the important issues, the reasons we should or should not back a particular candidate. These headlines pander to politics as drama rather than politics as thoughts, solutions, measured discourse.
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When I read the vitriol that is unleashed toward Amb. Clinton I am reminded of a couple of instances when I saw her with colleagues – the other presidential candidates gathered before one of the many debates in Iowa.
To be sure the assembled, all sitting or former senators were a collegial bunch, but as she entered their circle she was greeted with genuine affection and a deferential warmth reserved for not only the smartest girl in the room, but the toughest. They knew, as do her enemies, she is not only capable, but strong and tested. Few politicians have with stood the public hostility that she has, and none for as long as she has. She has taken the best shots the right wing can deliver for a long time and all that is left is the warmed over musings of low rent weasels from the darkened sidelines. None of her detractors can boast much stature even in the dank environ of the loony right.
The fact is the GOP has pretty much conceded the 2016 election to her. As my right wing brother-in-law remarked to me on a chair lift recently, “I could live with Hillary as president”. I told him that had the makings of a good bumper sticker.
The remark, though, underscores the circumstances in which the GOP finds itself. It has few serious candidates of broad support or even name recognition. Save for voter suppression in the states of the new confederacy, the party cannot articulate coherent public policies. And demographically its numbers are in decline as Hispanic voters increase in states like Texas and Colorado. These folks could have been republicans, but the GOP has largely driven these voters into the arms of the opposition. Look for a Clinton-Castro ticket in 2016 (pick a brother, they’re twins).
Unfortunately, I don’t expect the discourse to rise much above the invective hurled out Amb. Clinton. It is simply the times. Rolling Stone’s Matt Taibi may have said it best:
” The presidential election is a drama that we Americans have learned to wholly consume as entertainment, divorced completely from any expectations about concrete changes in our own lives. For the vast majority of people who follow national elections in the country, the payoff they’re looking for when the campaign for this or that political figure is that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when the home team wins the big game. Or, more important when a hated rival loses. Their state in the electoral game isn’t a citizen’s interest, but a rooting interest.” Matt Taibbi on political climate
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Oh Sid, I so wish you’d dip your fingers into the blogosphere with a site of your own. Your real-world experience and years of working behind the scenes of policy making give you such magnificent insight. And you’re so well read! Yah, I know, you don’t want blogging to interfere with skiing. (“But it’s America, you can do both!”)
Seriously, your observation about how Hillary was received by her colleagues speaks volumes. No matter what they may say publicly to fan the flames of discontent and further their personal political goals, these are the people who recognize the difference between the fluff and the fabric.
Whaddya mean, the GOP has no one to offer up against Hillary’s power? They have Ms. Palin, remember? Let’s pit one woman against another. Then we could at least hide the gender argument under the carpet.
Do you suppose this country will ever return to careful analysis of issues and honest debate?
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I think it might if we were to adopt an open primary system — one in which candidates of all parties are on the same primary ballot and the top two go onto a general election ballot. I believe California has gone to this approach and the result has been a more moderate bunch of lawmakers, more concerned with policy than ideology. In some cases you might find two republicans or two democrats on the general election ballot,, but they would be more moderate, and less dogmatic. Chances are this would not change the party composition of the Idaho legislature, it would still be dominated by republicans, but it would be different republicans. As for Gov. Pailn she can enjoy a higher and more lucrative profile by remaining on the sidelines. So far, no one at Fox has asked — “What is it you do for all we pay you?” There are some capable GOP women, Susan Martinez of New Mexico comes to mind, she is a practical and seemingly moderate governor — one who saw the benefits of Obamacare for her state.
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The totally open primary and top 2 to the ballot sounds like a logical possibility. Probably not a probability, though.
Well, Fox…it pays for extravagance and mean-spirited insults, so she at least fits the extravagance model.
And there you go again, Sid, expecting capable to succeed in the info-politico world. 😉
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Unfortunately this is only what is to be expected by Fox. But even worse it’s becoming more and more like this in all mainstream media. Journalism has become more and more pure entertainment – and not very interesting so.
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Yes. Whatever Fox and its counterparts says, ripples through all aspects of the media. This issue first came to my attention via NPR news. Yellow journalism is like a virus.
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you asked about reblogging my homeless article – please do. I agree I think many feel that it is a choice. I promise I never did and always assumed with my college degree and expertise that I would not be,
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I don’t know, Linda, whether you or any of your commentators read TIME magazine. Peter reminded me that they recently published the magazine with this front page question: “CAN ANYONE STOP HILLARY?”
Peter thought you might perhaps have read what they wrote about Hillary.
For instance they write about eight campaign themes Hillary Clinton is test-driving, which I may perhaps publish in one of my next posts.
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I haven’t read the article Peter is referring to. November 2016 is so far away that all sorts of things could happen in the political arena. The only thing we can be sure of is that there will be more dirty politics, replete with character assassinations, financial fiascoes, misinformation and disinformation, launched from both sides.
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I think she’s going to get enough support and will be able to do an excellent job for as long as she can stay in reasonably good health despite her advanced age and serious health problems a while ago.
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Time will tell. The election is still 2 years off and Hillary has yet to officially throw her hat in the ring.
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I don’t know, Linda, whether you or any of your commentators read TIME magazine. Peter reminded me that they recently published on their front page this question: “CAN ANYONE STOP HILLARY?”
Peter thought you might perhaps have read what they wrote about Hillary.
For instance they write about eight campaign themes Hillary Clinton is test-driving, which I may perhaps publish in one of my next posts.
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6 years ago I lost my bet (with my husband) that the US would elect a female president before you had a black president. I think the world over women have proved that they are just as able to steer their respective countries as their male colleagues are. I concur with Jean, hurling dirt (old and non-pertinent at that) at her is just a way for her adversaries to say: Yikes, if we don’t make her stumble she might just walk into the White House in the next elections. I’d welcome the change.
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Yes, I guess the positive take-away is that at least women are now taken seriously in the political arena. As if anything in the political arena was serious….:-/
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The sad reality is that when a guy leads, he’s the boss. But when a woman leads, she’s just bossy. I learned this the hard way and often, I find myself having to play that game. But we have to continue to play, regardless of gray areas and unspoken rules.
I’ve learned that I can be called a bit** but I’d like to be known as being brilliant at what I do – even if I were a bit**.
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Yes, Nel, regrettably, this is still the case. Assumed male dominance. No matter how many times the theory is proven outrageously bogus, women find themselves fighting the battle over and over again. I’ve known my share of bitches, both male and female. I would consider non of them leaders. Keep on bitching, my dear. Perhaps your daughter or grand daughter will have less of a hill to climb.
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