Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Obama For President!! — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:36:48 GMT

This is sad. I am sure she has the support millions of Americans! Sad day for Hillary supporter.

I do wish her well. She will do well.

** For discounts on Barack Obama products $8.99 & Up. Use this coupon at this Obama Store http://www.MyObamaStore.com
Coupon - Obama-X2Y9-10 (10% OFF)

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Pat Huntington NY — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:37:41 GMT

Bill Clinton's fall from grace can be stemmed from the inevitable personality changes that follow the kind of bypass heart surgery he had. It is common.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

P, CA — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:39:31 GMT

CNN has more info on the meeting between Hillary and Obama. It was at Feinstein's Washington home, she only served them water, and then left...

I hope you all realize how really, really awesome this meeting is. It's nothing like a Clinton/Lewinsky Oval Office meeting, or an "animated discussion" on the Senate floor.

This was a sit-down chat between two responsible, emotional adults, and I feel 100% sure that positive results were obtained.

To those bloggers from BOTH camps who feel the need to trash like you never left the schoolyard: LET THIS MEETING BE A LESSON AND A SIGN.

Obama and Hillary don't need the extra crap you insert into the campaign. They are discussing things reasonably in a room together. Feinstein didn't say anything about ripped drapes or that they each had a torn-off leg of a chair, ready to beat each other senseless. They didn't sit around yelling (like you caps-lock artists), calling each other liars, racists, "loosers" or anything else.

Neither of them is a horrible person, and you know it. You just have to find some vitriol to inject so you can be sullen or triumphant.

I pose a CONDITIONAL negative statement: IF you feel the need to jump on the supporters of the other camp, THEN you are a loser, an idiot, and you need to go find a life, because the rest of us are laughing at you and we'll need to clean up after you, like a two-year old with spaghetti sauce in your hair.

So, the question is: ARE you a loser???

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Politivine (SC) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:39:48 GMT

The McCain campaign has even resorted to copying Obama's campaign slogan and graphics!

http://www.politivine.com/2008/06/06/mccain-campaign-revamps-with-a-familiar-look/

That is priceless!!

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

jerry/corpis christi tx — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:41:07 GMT

I am so upset Hillary is out of the race. I liked her. She is strong woman and would make glorious president.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Linda S., Albuquerque, NM — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:44:15 GMT

Perhaps during these endless hours with Hillary, it was noted how she intends to take responsibilty for her own debts. The "news" that Hillary wants Obama to pay off her debt was scrolling across the bottom of the screen this morning on Morning Joe. Since January, I have given my monthly "dining out" money to the Obama campaign. If he gives her a cent, I will not contribute another penny to either Obama or the DNC. She made millions last year (I make less than $45,000/year), she has multiple houses (I have one - less than 1,000 sq. ft, built in 1946). She intentionally ran a narcissistic vanity campaign the last 2 months ( I must be financially responsible). Let her rabid supporters go to HILLARYCLINTON.COM and pay it off, let Mr. Paul pay it off - or an even more appealing idea - let HER take responsibilty for the debt SHE incurred trying to satisfy the insatiable needs of her ego. She sees her supporters as a means for making her financial irresponsibility Obama's problem. As noted by Hilary Rosen in her columnm, Clinton views her supporters as bargaining chips - nothing like being objectified to make me feel I'm not "invisible." I also will not support for any ticket on which she appears.)

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

donna — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:48:51 GMT

Thanks Athena,

But geeeez, this is a book!

I'll never get caught up with reading the posts now!

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Ron Indiana — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:50:09 GMT

Interesting thoughts...There were things that happened during the campaign that were slightly overlooked, then later, with 20-20 hind-sight, we realized that that was a big deal. I'm thinking when Bill Richardson, a superdelegate supported Obama. The story should have been why wasn't Hillary picking up Superdelegates after February's super Tuesday? How deep is the resentment toward the Clintons: that a Bill Clinton insider switched to Barack. Not a turning point in the outcome but clearly a marker that was somewhat overlooked. As it turned out, there was a flood of supers that went for Barack, with Hillary actually losing supers in the end. The pundits may have missed the real significance of the Bill Richardson endorsement.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

LENI,WESTLAND,MICHIGAN — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:53:35 GMT

There are many reasons Hillary did not win the primary. One reason and maybe the biggest, is that her name is Clinton. The people are ready to go in a new direction and the Clintons did not fully grasp how deeply we want change in this country. Barack Obama represents that change,he read the signs correctly. He also ran one hell of a campaign. Well organized and everyone one the same page. His supporters are passionate, but take nothing for granted. I believe the Clinton campaign got a little arrogant and took the nomination for granted.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Yiannis, Baltimore — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:53:55 GMT

Why don't you go back to Hillaryland if you loved it so much?

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Mike, Dallas, TX — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:54:28 GMT

Dear the smart pundits at 'First Read'

Could you untangle some of the myth about Hillary's campaign to the public ?

One of the myths is "She was finally turning around her campaign and was winning primaries with significant margin". What is missing here is once Obama determined that she has no mathematical possibility of beating him(especially after NC and IN) he was not putting much resource or campaigning in the remaining states like he did before. It is analogus to a football team beating its rival soundly in the early quarters and pulling its star players so they can play healthy for the final and replacing them with the bench while the clock runs out. This race was finished long time ago (Jonathan Alter got it right at the right time) but the Clintons kept moving the goal post and the media kept complying with their wish. If it was not the Clintons running any other candidate would have been forced to withdraw long time ago.

In the same token, these past 3 days I have been hearing "She is in a shock; we need to give her enough time to absorb the reality and come into terms before she concedes...." The reality is this outcome was not a surprise.It is not like the campaign was running in full cylinders and unexpectdly collapsed on June 3. The race has been over for few months and has been artificially maintained on life support because of their stubbornness and some help from the media(Oh BTW the other myth is the media pushed her out of the race while the contrary is true)

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Rush — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:55:10 GMT

Great article Athena. I would also like to say I have enjoyed the coverage from Chuck Todd and his crew. Straightfoward without hype. T"Firstread" is where I go for updates. Now, Chuck, just tell Chris Matthews to stop interrupting you all the time.

Nice job guys and gals.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Hussein — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:56:07 GMT

All of the discussions about 'what went wrong' are premature. Insights like this and others when they emerge are going to show us a lot more. I can't wait for the scandals, maybe even the Clinton reality show.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

The Real Truth — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:56:19 GMT

I must say Hillary, Bill and media along with both reverends have given Senator Obama a true test and he has passed it!!!. I think Senator McCain is really worried because he knows that now the Democratic Party will be consolidated to remove the entire Republican Party from office….the ones that has cause this country great harm, shame, the lost and injury to American’s finest fighting force ever. The audacity of their party to use these soldiers to force their direction on the world, while these families are suffering through separation, divorce, suicide, drugs, mental and other physical concerns. I have not yet seen any of the Republican family members volunteer to defend this wonderful country. Shame on you Republican Party!!!.....P.S. November is coming and sooner than you think!!!!!

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

The Real Truth — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:00:59 GMT

Hillary's problem began when she stated that the super delegates could change sides. The little problem that was not considered was that they would leave her.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

The Don — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:03:34 GMT

Even in politics, you have to separate actionable items and politics.

What killed the HRC team was their inability to act on items on the agenda without politicizing it. Who originated the idea, or who took credit for the idea was more important and overshadowed the implementation of those ideas.....

When mistakes happened as they are bound to happen, there was more finger pointing than actions set forth to correct the issue....

Threats and not support was more prevalent. i.e. think Harold Ickes who thought all other aides were merely there to worship him. The more fresher aides had no say on the direction of the campaign. They were there to serve the senior group without any input, which crippled morale and the aura of anergy and contribution that was prevalent in Obama's camp.

For most aides in Clinton's camp, they felt more like they worked 'FOR HER' as opposed to Obama's camp where the aides felt they worked 'WITH HIM'

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Steve NewYork — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:03:42 GMT

I thought that you'd share a bit more of what you've learnt on the campaign trail with Obama .. but what you did was to list down his negatives, and compared him to a failed candidacy.
I think that you spent too much time with the Clintons.
Now go back to the trail and report some news.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Richard Reeves-Ellington, Delmar NY — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:12:05 GMT

To those bloggers from BOTH camps who feel the need to trash like you never left the schoolyard: LET THIS MEETING BE A LESSON AND A SIGN.

Great advice. Lets do it and support the platforms and positions that both want for the country. Let is have honest policy decisions and discussions about them on those for which we disagree.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Margaret, Columbus, Ohio — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:16:41 GMT

Well, caucuses are undemocratic. Claiming that in the middle of the process, however, wasn't an effective way for Clinton to argue. It probably hurt more than helped her. But it's good for people to understand why caucuses should be against the law...they violate voting rights. Participation in them is always low because they are so time restrictive. They are not a private vote as are the ones cast in the states that run primaries. Some people WANT their vote private.

Think of the people who can't attend. Shift workers, single parents who have to find night-time child care, overseas voters, military overseas voters, night class students. Perhaps some elderly who prefer absentee ballots. Some disabled people depending on where, in terms of accessibility, the events occur. Far too many of the electorate are shut out of these events. It's truly undemocratic.

Strategically, the Obama camp knew that working for these smaller groups of voters would get them huge amounts of delegates for less work vs. the Clinton strategy of going for big states and huge amounts of the popular vote. It was a clever idea. But it's not democratic and the DNC needs to do something about it. At the very least, the time restrictions must be changed so that these events cover a minimum of 72 hours so that more people can attend. And even that doesn't solve the problem.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Rose — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:16:47 GMT

HRC was a good candidate. Unfortunately, her campaign was less satisfactory. Penn did not serve her well. Whatever our disappointment, we are now in a different position.

We have choices before us. We can respond emotionally, with anger, petulance, or disaffection. We can respond logically and rationally to the issues that face us. How we respond now will determine our future.

While my candidate of first choice is not on the ballot, I am aware of one thing: I cannot vote for McCain. I treasure civil liberties and McCain embraces rendition, warrantless wiretaps, rampant and limitless executive privilege, torture, and preemptive military aggression. He favors justices that will reconfigure our highest court to prevent a woman's choice and equal protection for gays. His voting record speaks for itself and, as if that is not bad enough, he now frantically scurries to align himself as a perfect shadow of BushCo policies.

We've suffered mightily under BushCo. Our global reputation is in tatters, habeas corpus is in death throes, our economy is tanking, foreclosures are skyrocketing, our children are dying in Iraq, jobs are sent overseas leaving us with climbing unemployment, and few of us can afford health care. For the sake of my son and daughter, my grandchildren, my future, and that of my family, friends, and neighbors, I realize that we simply cannot afford to continue headlong down this same path that Bush has propelled us upon; the same path that McCain embraces with such eagerness. So I will vote against him.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Amy B Portland, ME — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:16:48 GMT

I think you are missing the story here Athena. What did those white Iowans see in Obama that caused them to vote against type? I watched all those debates, weighing my options. Why did I choose Obama? Why did thousands of my fellow Mainers come to the same choice? My older sister and her husband strongly supported Hillary, but they didn't bother to go out and vote for her. I stood in the freezing rain for an hour to vote for Obama. It's kind of a mysterious process isn't it?

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Alice — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:19:06 GMT

I AM NOT SAD FOR HILLARY CLINTON. SHE HAS LIVED IN THE WHITE HOUSE FOR 8 YEARS, TRAVELED THE WORLD AND TRAVELED TO EVERY STATE IN USA FOR FREE. SHE IS A US SENATOR FROM NY.

WHAT THE HECK IS THERE TO FEEL SORRY FOR?

I AM SORRY FOR ME! :-)

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Gail, TN — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:20:22 GMT

"Things fall apart, the center cannot hold" - great reference to the Yeats poem "The Second Coming," Athena, and so appropriate.

Here's another poem that is telling of the rise and fall of the powerful, as well. Some of us will remember this from school days...

OZYMANDIAS

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp'd on these lifeless things,
The hand that mock'd them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

We all have our day in the sun, then time marches on.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Janet Oswald Dubuque,Iowa — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:21:48 GMT

Thanks for a good look inside the Clinton bus, you have correctly stated what few in the enless talking on MSNBC have noticed. Being from Iowa and attending the JJ diner and the Harkin Steak Fry you are right the night of the caucas her team was in shock, so their lesson learned was to dicount caucases. Check her win/loss after that. Being a swing state I'm sure all of we "quaint" insiders would have rallied behind her after being trashed by her. Barack Obama remembered to thank us after every state he won. He ran a brilant campaign and will be a wonderful Pres.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

LB, Virginia — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:24:34 GMT

People keep saying what a great campaigner and candidate she became at the end. I just don't get it. So if you are able to change yourself like a chameleon at each event to suit the people there, but never really be yourself or tell the truth or make false promises, is a good thing for a politician? It's certainly not something we teach our kids about authenticity and honesty....of course, it's mostly the Republicans who are saying this, but still...

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

LB, Virginia — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:27:13 GMT

Margaret, well you can blame the Clinton team for the process, they unanimously voted to uphold it, thinking Hillary would win on Super Tuesday. It is up to each state to decide their form of election, not the DNC. I still like the proportional allocations though, that way rural and inner city people get more fair representation.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

lori Chicago — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:30:00 GMT

I really enjoy the behind the scenes of the press pool. I hope you guys keep it up and try to be fair and talk about the good and the bad.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

MI Chick — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:34:47 GMT

Wow - this was depressing. Are you sorry you were reassigned? Are you just tired from the road?

Sheesh. If you are this down already, I'm not looking forward to your future posts.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Bev, Los Angeles, California — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:35:25 GMT

While I aagree with those who claim that Clinton's strategy was bad, internal conflicts, Bill, etc and they all may have contributed to her defeat they all miss the fundamentals.......Obama was BETTER at running an organization, strategy, (and yes) speeches, internal choices of campaign folks, mobilizing support among different layers than typical of the democrats....and oh yes, raising money and using the internet! Plus, his campaign centered around what was on the mind of a whole bunch of folks. CHANGE AND THE HOPE FOR SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT IN WASHINGTON! Oh, I guess you could say he's smarter!

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

Jesse, CT — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:36:35 GMT

Athena,

this article is at least 6 paragraphs too long! good Lord. It doesn't take that much to sum up Hillary's whack campaign and why she lost. She tried and I give her credit for that. Go back to NY and write a bill or something. Enough with Hillary Clinton already!!!!

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

CKR — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:37:09 GMT

I have supported Senatory Clinton 100%. I respect her in so many ways and I believe she is the best choice to lead our country.

Having said that, I will not blindly follow her to "unite" the party. This is the same party that decided they wanted Obama and did whatever it took to get Obama as the nominee. I could never reward such behavior by "falling into line" and voting for Obama.

So, I will vote for McCain because Obama is inexperienced and I don't trust what will happen to our country with him in a leadership position. I happen to be from one of the states Obama accused of being bitter and clinging to religion and guns but that is not the only reason I cannot support him.

When Obama loses in the fall, the Democratic Party has no one to blame but themselves. Senator Clinton is a devoted party leader and she will keep her word to campaign for Obama. However, most of her supporters value their vote too much to let ANYONE tell them how to vote.

For those of you who are trying to decide whether to stay home or write in Senator Clinton or vote for McCain, I would encourage you to vote for McCain. Staying home still rewards the Democratic Party for their behavior. Writing in the vote will not even be counted in some states. The only way to tell the Democratic Party that we do not find their behavior acceptable is to vote for the other candidate, which is McCain.

Reflections on 5,400 hours with Hillary

A Charles, LA, CA — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:38:19 GMT

She's a heck of a warrior. I'm not so sure I understand why Obama should help with her debt. She should have quit if she ran out of money. Or her supporters should have donated more money.

She is worth about $50million. I believe she should pay at least $20 million of that $30 million debt.

She'll earn it back over 5 years while the rest of us are still poor by comparison.