Hillary’s Achilles’ Heel

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  • Posted By: Josephpalla @ 11/14/2007 1:12:36 PM

    Nice try, Howard. But I must ask: what are you smoking and may I have some please?

    Clinton isn't allowed to make mistakes. Nor laugh. Nor raise the pitch of her voice. Nor show her cleavage. Nor clap. Nor make a joke about "evil men". Nor take her marriage vows seriously. Nor find a more suitable home for a family pet. Nor advocate federalism where national laws fail. Nor speak at her alma mater. Nor have her spouse defend her publicly as all other candidate's spouses do.

    If you think that the MSM affords Clinton the same slack as the other candidates in the race, then you probably have your head buried too far up Chris Matthew's backside to recognize reality.

    • Posted By: Taratrue @ 11/14/2007 7:21:55 PM

      I am so happy to hear I am not the only one who feels this way. Something should be done about Chris Matthews. He keeps punching her over and over. For Chris, its OBAMA good, HILLARY bad. I have also had enough.

      • Posted By: StyroPhome @ 11/14/2007 8:47:26 PM

        Let me see now, Hillary says she didn't know those questions were planted and yet she called on the woman to ask the question. What are the odds that Hillary picked just the right person out of the crowd?

  • Posted By: Esli @ 11/14/2007 7:22:26 PM

    I think this article is too in depth about a person that can be summed up in one word: CROOKED. I seriously believe that Hillary cannot tell a truth from a lie when it comes out of her own mouth. She will say anything to get someone to like her (and hopefully vote against Bush). Maybe there is a reason that she is tied to so many scandals- if you step in ***, people are going to smell it on you.

    • Posted By: mistermcfrugal @ 11/14/2007 8:04:05 PM

      I thought something smelled funny in Iowa!

  • Posted By: dotshock @ 11/14/2007 1:36:53 PM

    Where do you come up with this crap Fineman? You jusst joined the ranks of all the other BS'ers out there who pull crap out of their behinds in an attempt to shoot down Hillary. This Iowa Farmer thinks you and your types are afeared of women and will take any opportunity to keep one from getting the Presidency. Hillary, like a lot of us down to earth folks, believes this country can be a hell of a lot better than its been and some of the issues are as old as the boomers. To label this woman as being a control freak because she wants our country to live up to the vision we were taught in school while growing up, is akin to saying that a Priest is a control freak for wanting to convert sinners. The reason why I support Hillary is because she is a fighter and I believe she shares the same sense of fairness that I do. So what about the other candidates, which happen to all be men? They have no faults that you can see? Hillary is such an easy target because the MSM has made her to be that way. The MSM does not like strong women, that's as apparent as it is on how its reporting stereotypes blacks. Me thinks you good 'ole boys in the MSM are scared to death of a strong woman which makes you unworthy to be listened to. The woman has to appear twice as good as the man she's compared with to be considered half as good. Who the hell is Howard Fineman to put a spin on someone like Hillary? What is it with you so-called journalists putting yourselves above candidates for public office? Tim Russert is the worst, several reporters at CNN and FOX come in 2nd. Then there are the Rush Limbaughs and Ann Coulters out there that should have a gag order placed on them. Its a sin that we allow people like them air time. Why is it the news has turned to pure crap. No checks and balances, no footnotes, no credits, simply take them for their word because they are self proclaimed prophets, or rather, give them enough publication or airtime for name recognition, then let them go spread propaganda. I tell you I'm sick of it. You better hope someone like me does not end up with power as the first thing I'd do is put rules on the media. I'm not saying take away freedom of speech, but if you can't show data to support what you say, you don't say it. Because you can afford airtime does not mean you will be given it. News reporting, back when it was unbiased reporting, used to have my respect. As far as I'm concerned the media outlets are spawning Pat Robertsons left and right, and shame on us as a Nation for allowing it. Me thinks you speak untruths about Hillary and I disrespectfully request that you cease this line of B.S.

    • Posted By: mistermcfrugal @ 11/14/2007 5:12:20 PM

      Yeah, I love it when this guy calls Hillary "down to earth!" Isn't that what everyone thinks?

      • Posted By: Taratrue @ 11/14/2007 7:36:50 PM

        Dear Dotshock, I completely agree with you. Every thing you said. You know MSNBC (Chris Matthews etc.) is bad when I start turning Fox back on.Enter Your Comment

  • Posted By: gorilla46 @ 11/14/2007 2:06:57 PM

    What is said in this article is very true. The reason that I am afraid to vote for Hillary is that controlling dominance that she shows. She also seems completely intolerant of those who have opinions that are different than hers. She takes this so far as too come off as aggresive and angry when everything doesn't fall into her veiws. This is scary, and the reason I hope that she is not elected as President, not her gender.

    • Posted By: Taratrue @ 11/14/2007 7:33:58 PM

      She is none of those things. You must watch too much FOX or MSNBC.Enter Your Comment

  • Posted By: gorilla46 @ 11/14/2007 2:19:47 PM

    I feel that this article is right on the money. The reason that I am scared to have Hillary in the Whitehouse is due to her aggresive, controlling and angry demeanor. She displays these traits when she is challenged or when someone shows that they do not agree with her opinions. Differences in opinions and beleifs are provided for in the constitution, and should be encouraged. We are all entitled to express our opinions without being bullied, insulted, or generally treated with contempt. This applies to Ms. Clinton, Mr. Fineman, or anyone who posts a comment. Perhaps if Hillary would show the side of herself that is said to be warm and calm, I would give her more consideration. After years of being in the public eye, she still shows herslf to be intolerant of others who have opinions and veiws that differ from hers. This does not suit someone who is to be leader of this country. In short.....it will be her attitude and behavior, not her gender, that will keep her from the position she seeks.

    • Posted By: Taratrue @ 11/14/2007 7:32:01 PM

      Her attitude? You prefer a weak sissy candidate? You are saying that ONLY because she is a woman.Enter Your Comment

  • Posted By: dobied @ 11/14/2007 4:50:07 PM

    Obviously you and your NBC cohorts are for Obama. It's ridiculous how you beat on Hillary constantly. Where is the fair coverage. Let's talk about Obama's lack of a record or Edwards, Rudy, and Romney conversions. I don't think its fair what NBC is doing. Especially Matthews and Russert. People see through it. I used to like and respect you. But after seeing your biased coverage. I think you all are hacks.

    • Posted By: Kardasia @ 11/14/2007 7:30:51 PM

      MSNBC is not fairly covering all the canidates the same way. More than once Michelle Obama has said that her husband should get the black votes and that black people will come out to support her husband, no one ever says that team Obama is trying to play the race card, but let Hillary or Bill say something like "those boys" or "an all boys club" and everyones shouting the gender card from the nearest tree. Nothing Hillary does or says MSNBC is going to have anything good to say especially Matthews and Russert but Obama can't do anything wrong.

  • Posted By: greenbug @ 11/14/2007 7:10:48 PM

    excellent article. I am wondering if maybe her campaign is being injected with too much Bill. She almost seems to have abandoned the cold blooded Bush model she is reported to have admired so much and is running on, and injecting some of Bill's wild and untamed tendencies with some of the stunts, the too cute by half ideas and as you said, the planting questions simply because she could.

  • Posted By: donny0877 @ 11/14/2007 6:25:42 PM

    such...nastiness. Why are we wasting all this time attacking the character of a candidate? IT doesn't matter, bushie is crooked as they come and he won right? Where were all the "character values" then? The sad truth is most of you really don't care and won't vote anyways. Last two elections were what? 22% or so? Most of you won't vote for hillary NO MATTER WHAT her political stances are, so quit pretending you actually care about them Of the rest of you, half of you would die before voting for a BLACK president. That leaves edwards...anyone care to comment as to why he's lagging a distant third place?...anyone? Oh yeah, the media axe job. Yeah right. No wonder our politicians are such lousy brain-dead screw-ups...they are just like us.

  • Posted By: mordy @ 11/14/2007 6:25:06 PM

    The psychology is solid- the best reporters are able to analyze politicians, size them up, and give insight into their personalities. Fineman is one of the best.

  • Posted By: MDelano @ 11/14/2007 6:24:39 PM

    Sorry, Nesweek is losing readers as quickly as TIME because all these magazines are sadly one and the same...

  • Posted By: MDelano @ 11/14/2007 6:21:19 PM

    TIME is losing more readers every day and that's because of reporters like "Fine"man. They keep repeating urban legends as the gospel of truth without EVER EVER checking facts. Do you have any proof that President Bush "waterboarded" Sen McCain or was it all a terrible misunderstanding. Knowing what I know about President Bush today I am certain it's a big lie but why check when I can just say whatever I want without consequences? Well there are consequences and the most important one is how irrelevant you're becoming.

  • Posted By: kenkm @ 11/14/2007 3:46:26 PM

    I agree with you. A simpler way to put it though, whatever her personality flaws, Clinton is not a leader. And for those of us who believe we need a leader who can effect change, Clinton is not our candidate. She is an establishment candidate, put forward by the dynastic Clinton power network, just as GW Bush was put forward by the Bush dynastic network. Have we become an oligarchy? She will serve her power network first, "the people" second. As a result, I am a Democrat who does not believe she has any chance to win except perhaps through a third party on the right just as Bill Clinton won with the assistance of Ross Perot. Similarly, her base of voters will never exceed 45% in the general electorate. I want leadership, new ideas, and so I will vote for Obama, or, if Clinton is nominated, I will go Green.

    • Posted By: mistermcfrugal @ 11/14/2007 5:43:35 PM

      I'm loving this. This is what all Dems should think! Time for Rudy to check out paint colors!

      Yeah, go Green!!!!!!!!

  • Posted By: nmine @ 11/14/2007 5:36:20 PM

    Mr. Fineman, you don't know half as much as you think you know. This is not good reporting, or good opinion work, this is bad amateur psychology. And it is crappy work like this that makes all candidates jumpy over time.

  • Posted By: johnkilby @ 11/14/2007 5:34:53 PM

    The mention of "George W. Bush's cold-blooded machine", is telling. I'm no longer a voter naive enough to think the important thing about a candidate is issues..it's character, and Hillary-Bush comparisons abound - ambition, dissembling, control. It scares me.

  • Posted By: johnkilby @ 11/14/2007 5:33:29 PM

    The mention of "George W. Bush's cold-blooded machine", is telling. I'm no longer a voter naive enough to think the important thing about a candidate is issues..it's character, and Hillary-Bush comparisons abound - ambition, dissembling, control. It scares me.

  • Posted By: akhinaten @ 11/14/2007 4:34:58 PM

    Acting tough and the wisdom of fear.

    If you are not troubled by Hillary???s reaction to the unveiling of her double nature then you are deluding yourself.
    Ok! We would all like to vote for Obama but are scared of BIG Daddy republican.

    But there are other alternatives, don???t be fooled in to a false choice. Edward is a good choice, if your conscience cannot allow you to vote for Hillary and your fear of republican reaction cannot allow you to vote for Obama.
    Are we an alternative to them, if we are so frighten by their behaviour that we rather vote for someone like them instead of someone who champion our ideals.
    We tried to vote for the tough idiot who thinks and acts like Binladin, what did it get us?
    If we are going to lose which we will, if we vote for Hillary. Lets us lose being who we are, instead of charlatans trying to out-hawking the hawks.
    Just as Hillary cannot be more black then Obama, even if she (patronisingly) tries to muddle here grammar in front of black audience (massage Ebonics is OK).
    We cannot be an alternative, if we are the other-republican party and indeed it is not a democracy if you are afraid to stand for your ideals for fear of loosing votes.

    Please stop settling for what the cynics say that we have to settle to win, because, her name only, would galvanize the republicans that she so desperately emulates.
    Mark my words Hillary will starts wars she will not end them, this is a little girl acting tough.
    And the people who act what they are not tend to exaggerate their performance.

  • Posted By: Sandy from Iowa @ 11/14/2007 4:32:02 PM

    Your character assessment may explain the Democratic "poll" I received in my email. As a female, never-miss-a-caucus Iowa Democrat, I get my share of contacts with all the candidates. Despite the assertion that the poll was about the Democratic candidateS, this particular "poll" turned out to be nothing more than a series of videos. One explained that women should caucus for Hillary Clinton (simply BECAUSE we are women). Another was a video of one woman explaining the caucus process and how she could help Hillary by attending and standing up for her. All they wanted was to know how persuasive I found the videos...Not very. The notion that a woman would support anyone for arguably the most important job in the world merely on the basis of gender is insulting. All things being equal, I believe a woman would be an outstanding President. But all things are NOT equal and I do not wish to live through another Clinton vs. the Republicans debacle. I support John Edwards as he has spent his time since the last election working to help people by raising the minimum wage, helping Katrina victims, starting a College for Everyone program in NC, his poverty work, and others. Talk about leading by example! People who decided in advance not to support Edwards simply because he didn't win in 2004 are short-sighted. I want a true leader...one who tells the truth and has enough grace to know he didn't know everything there was to know, but also the smarts to learn from others and to put what he's learned to work for the American people.

  • Posted By: jeanruss @ 11/14/2007 4:29:26 PM

    I think it was how Kerry handled his campaign, that has changed Edwards-He wanted to challenge the Ohio vote and Kerry reneged when it was time to fight-He performed BRILLIANTLY at the last debate and he "gets" where the average American is-Fineman is a product of corporate media, whose instructions are to defams and ignore Edwards-everyone I know is watching it happen and now sees how controlled our media really is-the ratings will continue to bleed as the propaganda grows stronger.

  • Posted By: RJGOAS @ 11/14/2007 4:28:42 PM

    So she controls every aspect of her campaign, but claims not to have known that questions were beign planted. Give me a break!!

  • Posted By: RJGOAS @ 11/14/2007 4:27:17 PM

    So she controls every last detail in her campaign, but she was not aware of the planted questions. Give me a brea!!!!

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