HILLARY’S HYPOCRISY

[GaryC 7]

Published on TheHill.com on September 5, 2007.

The winner of the Hypocrite of the Year award goes to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). Even though the year is far from over and is likely to have its fair share of hypocrisy, Mrs. Clinton’s comment on the need to compromise to achieve political and social progress has to outclass any other current or future entrant.

This woman, who refused to change a comma or a word of her thousand-page-plus healthcare reform bill and, as a result of her intractable stubbornness, sent the bill down to defeat along with the Democratic Congress and almost her husband’s presidency, is daring to show herself now as the apostle of compromise.

Unbelievable.

Here’s what she recently said:

“Ultimately, to bring change, you have to know when to stand your ground, and when to find common ground. You need to know when to stick to principles and fight, and know when to make principled compromises. You can’t always demand everything your own way, or you’ll never get anything done.”

For Hillary to give a sermon on compromise in politics is a bit like the Ayatollah preaching religious tolerance. This is the same woman who:

• Refused to release the Whitewater documents, triggering the appointment of a special prosecutor;

• Wouldn’t settle the Paula Jones suit — with no apology, admission or damages required — out of simple stubbornness;

• Insisted on the secrecy of her healthcare reform task force’s deliberations until a federal court ruled her position invalid and who still won’t release her first lady healthcare reform documents until after the election;

• Insisted on the travel office firings even when they became a total political embarrassment;

• Will still not apologize for her vote for the Iraq war.

And, in the Senate, where she pretends to have developed her penchant for compromise, she still has not succeeded in passing a single major piece of legislation.

Compromise was not, to put it mildly, uppermost in her thinking in 1993 and 1994. After it was clear that her healthcare package was doomed to defeat, I suggested that she adopt a fallback position and support the bill first introduced by Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.). The Dole bill provided for portability of healthcare benefits as workers migrated from job to job. Dole had filed it in the heady days of 1993, when healthcare reform was still popular. Needing a Republican alternative to Hillary’s program, he proposed this important reform.

Knowing that Dole would have to let it pass because it was his bill, I urged Hillary to push the Dole bill, arguing that she could take the achievement to the nation in 1996 as evidence of progress on healthcare.

She rejected the idea out of hand, as she did all healthcare compromises, insisting that “unless we fix the whole system, we’ll just make things worse.” She said that “if we tinker with this change or that change, it will be like squeezing a balloon. One end will be smaller but the other will just get larger.” She worried that insurance companies would raise their rates if the bill passed.

Now she is the bearer of the torch of compromise. If we could believe her conversion was sincere, it would make her less dangerous as a possible president. But it clearly is not. Her newfound desire for compromise is driven by her need to appeal simultaneously to the Democratic base and general electorate. She has to explain to the partisans of the left why she must adopt positions tailored to win the November election on the Iraq war and other issues.

Her advocacy of compromise is just one part of her Labor Day repositioning. She has also changed her campaign slogan from “Experience” to “Change + Experience,” because she feels uncomfortable ceding the ground of change in a Democratic primary to Obama. Of course, the only change that her candidacy seems to offer is a different first name in the perennial Bush/Clinton dichotomy that has gripped the nation for the past 20 years.

In reality, Hillary’s focus on compromise and the need for change takes place against the backdrop of an increasingly successful war in Iraq. With Bush now admitting that some troop withdrawals will be necessary and the Democrats conceding that all the troops cannot be withdrawn, Hillary and the Democratic candidates face the prospect of losing their best issue — the failed war.

So, if your position is increasingly untenable, prepare your voters for compromise.

http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/?p=148

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Gary, I have a suspecting hunch that no matter what Democrat gets the nomination, you will have a long list of labels to throw at them, with the bread and butter ones such as scandal, hypocrite and flip-flopper. Do you seriously believe that labels really mean anything with regard to politicians? In other words, pick any candidate, from either party and the case could be made that those labels would fit to more or lesser a degree.

This is the old strategy that I think Karl Rove used successfully - brand your opponent with a negative label along with an anecdotal situation to support that label.

At least be intellectually honest and concede that NO candidate in the race is squeaky clean or free from any controversy.

[GaryC 7]

Gary, I have a suspecting hunch that no matter what Democrat gets the nomination, you will have a long list of labels to throw at them, with the bread and butter ones such as scandal, hypocrite and flip-flopper. Do you seriously believe that labels really mean anything with regard to politicians? In other words, pick any candidate, from either party and the case could be made that those labels would fit to more or lesser a degree.

This is the old strategy that I think Karl Rove used successfully - brand your opponent with a negative label along with an anecdotal situation to support that label.

At least be intellectually honest and concede that NO candidate in the race is squeaky clean or free from any controversy.

Sure I will admit that, everyone is human and all of them have flaws. But Mrs Scandal is the worst of the worst and I will point out every new scandal that comes up. Just doing that should get me the large hearts under my avatar in no time.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Gary, I have a suspecting hunch that no matter what Democrat gets the nomination, you will have a long list of labels to throw at them, with the bread and butter ones such as scandal, hypocrite and flip-flopper. Do you seriously believe that labels really mean anything with regard to politicians? In other words, pick any candidate, from either party and the case could be made that those labels would fit to more or lesser a degree.

This is the old strategy that I think Karl Rove used successfully - brand your opponent with a negative label along with an anecdotal situation to support that label.

At least be intellectually honest and concede that NO candidate in the race is squeaky clean or free from any controversy.

Sure I will admit that, everyone is human and all of them have flaws. But Mrs Scandal is the worst of the worst and I will point out every new scandal that comes up. Just doing that should get me the large hearts under my avatar in no time.

Do you think she is inherently flawed? For example, I think Dubbya is a sincere guy, but he's got some real personality defects that I think have led to his failure as President, aside from his policies. His insistence on loyalty to his presidency was his biggest character flaw.

So what do you think is Hillary's biggest character flaw?

[GaryC 7]

Gary, I have a suspecting hunch that no matter what Democrat gets the nomination, you will have a long list of labels to throw at them, with the bread and butter ones such as scandal, hypocrite and flip-flopper. Do you seriously believe that labels really mean anything with regard to politicians? In other words, pick any candidate, from either party and the case could be made that those labels would fit to more or lesser a degree.

This is the old strategy that I think Karl Rove used successfully - brand your opponent with a negative label along with an anecdotal situation to support that label.

At least be intellectually honest and concede that NO candidate in the race is squeaky clean or free from any controversy.

Sure I will admit that, everyone is human and all of them have flaws. But Mrs Scandal is the worst of the worst and I will point out every new scandal that comes up. Just doing that should get me the large hearts under my avatar in no time.

Do you think she is inherently flawed? For example, I think Dubya is a sincere guy, but he's got some real personality defects that I think have led to his failure as President, aside from his policies. His insistence on loyalty to his presidency was his biggest character flaw.

So what do you think is Hillary's biggest character flaw?

Oh were do I begin? I guess the biggest flaw is that she is only concerned for herself and what will advance her own goals. I don't think she has any principals at all. She is a control freak and when crossed can be very dangerous.(literally) I don't think honesty is something that she is comfortable with either. In short I trust her as far as I could throw an elephant.

[Ban Hammer 13,656]

Gary, I have a suspecting hunch that no matter what Democrat gets the nomination, you will have a long list of labels to throw at them, with the bread and butter ones such as scandal, hypocrite and flip-flopper.

after seeing all the bush bashing for as long as i've been here, that would be a welcome change of scenery.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Gary, I have a suspecting hunch that no matter what Democrat gets the nomination, you will have a long list of labels to throw at them, with the bread and butter ones such as scandal, hypocrite and flip-flopper.

after seeing all the bush bashing for as long as i've been here, that would be a welcome change of scenery.

I think there's a fine line between bringing up criticism based on substance and bashing...or do you see any criticism of a sitting President as bashing?

[Stabu 0]

I just kind of wonder the thread name. Shouldn't it be obvious that all politicians are incompetent, powerhungry, hypocritic morons, unless other vice stated? This would leave us a lot more room on the off topic area to discuss more important matters such as the latest technological developments, the greatest new products, the best new foods, the best new jokes and of course interior design.

[Ban Hammer 13,656]

Gary, I have a suspecting hunch that no matter what Democrat gets the nomination, you will have a long list of labels to throw at them, with the bread and butter ones such as scandal, hypocrite and flip-flopper.

after seeing all the bush bashing for as long as i've been here, that would be a welcome change of scenery.

I think there's a fine line between bringing up criticism based on substance and bashing...or do you see any criticism of a sitting President as bashing?

so you dismiss what gary is saying about hillary. it seems so by implication with "...criticism based on substance and bashing..."

[almaty 19]

I just kind of wonder the thread name. Shouldn't it be obvious that all politicians are incompetent, powerhungry, hypocritic morons, unless other vice stated? This would leave us a lot more room on the off topic area to discuss more important matters such as the latest technological developments, the greatest new products, the best new foods, the best new jokes and of course interior design.

damn straight.. you my finn brother are a right thinking type of man

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Gary, I have a suspecting hunch that no matter what Democrat gets the nomination, you will have a long list of labels to throw at them, with the bread and butter ones such as scandal, hypocrite and flip-flopper.

after seeing all the bush bashing for as long as i've been here, that would be a welcome change of scenery.

I think there's a fine line between bringing up criticism based on substance and bashing...or do you see any criticism of a sitting President as bashing?

so you dismiss what gary is saying about hillary. it seems so by implication with "...criticism based on substance and bashing..."

I never accused this thread as 'Hillary bashing.' If the claims have substance, then let it's all good to me.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

of course all the "bush bashing" was only after 8 years of some pretty serious "clinton derangement suyndrome"

It will be like old times!

[no name 1]

I will point out every new scandal that comes up. Just doing that should get me the large hearts under my avatar in no time.

Lay off the all caps in every title, please? kthx.

[no name 1]

Oh were do I begin? I guess the biggest flaw is that she is only concerned for herself and what will advance her own goals. I don't think she has any principals at all. She is a control freak and when crossed can be very dangerous.(literally) I don't think honesty is something that she is comfortable with either. In short I trust her as far as I could throw an elephant.

What about the mud she was dragged thru with Bill & Monica & came out stronger, more liked?

What about the that America has a chance of actually electing a woman president? That's pretty gutsy of her to try (& be the frontrunner). I know you won't appreciate a minority in office but many will. She's doing something right, Gary to have won so many fans. As a woman I am damn proud. Her husband is very likeable to many Americans as well.

Three-out-of-four Democrats (75%) believe that if Clinton wins the nomination, she is at least somewhat likely to win the White House in 2008. If nominated, Clinton is considered at least somewhat likely to win by 53% of all voters. That's OVER half!*

I realize you don't like her, but pick on her policies, call her by her name, & cite real sources, not some ####### right wing blogs you stumble onto.

She has done many things as Senator, as well.**

- After 9/11 Hillary worked with her colleagues to secure the funds New York needed to recover and rebuild. She fought to provide compensation to the families of the victims, grants for hard-hit small businesses, and health care for front line workers at Ground Zero.

- She is the first New Yorker ever to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee

- Hillary passed legislation to track the health status of our troops so that conditions like Gulf War Syndrome would no longer be misdiagnosed. She is an original sponsor of legislation that expanded health benefits to members of the National Guard and Reserves and has been a strong critic of the Administration's handling of Iraq.

- She has introduced legislation to tie Congressional salary increases to an increase in the minimum wage

- She has supported a variety of middle-class tax cuts, including marriage penalty relief, property tax relief, and reduction in the Alternative Minimum Tax, and supports fiscally responsible pay-as-you-go budget rules.

- She helped pass legislation that encouraged investment to create jobs in struggling communities through the Renewal Communities program.

- She authored legislation that has been enacted to improve quality and lower the cost of prescription drugs and to protect our food supply from bioterrorism.

- She sponsored legislation to increase America's commitment to fighting the global HIV/AIDS crisis, and is now leading the fight for expanded use of information technology in the health care system to decrease administrative costs, lower premiums, and reduce medical errors.

- Some of Hillary's proudest achievements have been her work to ensure the safety of prescription drugs for children, with legislation now included in the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, and her legislation to help schools address environmental hazards.

- She has passed legislation that will bring more qualified teachers into classrooms and more outstanding principals to lead our schools.

- Her commitment to supporting the rights guaranteed in Roe v. Wade and to reducing the number of abortions by reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies was hailed by the New York Times as "frank talk...(and) a promising path."

- Her fight with the Bush Administration ensured that Plan B, an emergency contraceptive, will be available to millions of American women and will reduce the need for abortions.

- She introduced the Count Every Vote Act of 2005 to ensure better protection of votes and to ensure that every vote is counted.

- In 2006, New Yorkers reelected Hillary to the Senate with 67 percent of the vote.

*source

**source

[Lansbury 19]

It isn't the quality of the person who becomes President that counts but the quality of the people they select as their staff and advisers.