Surrogates Market Hillary's Emotion: Lots of 'Warmth' and 'Voice'
Over the course of a conference call with Howard Wolfson, Terry McAuliffe and a number of high-profile Hillary Clinton supporters, some variation of the phrase "found her voice in New Hampshire" was used at least six times.
New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez said it first, but it was repeated by McAuliffe, Wolfson and Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell. From Chuck Schumer we heard that Hillary is "in touch with what people need and want," from Cantwell that in the last two days before New Hampshire she saw the "passion" in Hillary, and that the candidate is "connecting and connecting with women."
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas noted that voters were "passionate, they were connected to the Clintons...they see her as having ideas and as being an inspiration." California Senator Dianne Feinstein added that "there is a great emotional connection between woman and Hillary."
And when asked later to elaborate on why how important "that moment" (that moment being, from now on, the moment Hillary cried), Feinstein said, "i think it showed the humanity and real warmth...[of] Hillary at her core." The Senator emphasized that it was "totally spontaneous" and added "that feeling coming out is really important, because we identify with it."
So this is the new Hillary Clinton. Forget the asbestos pantsuit, the woman who was "in it to win it."
Sure, she is still, as Cantwell said, "about the issues," but now she is talking "about the issues in her own voice," as the Senator added.
And sure, she still has huge amounts of establishment support, especially the superdelegates, as McAuliffe stressed, and the entire congressional delegation of New York, as Schumer pointed out.
But now we learn from Feinstein that she and Cantwell "know her very well...we know how she functions," before the Senator went on to make the previously mentioned comment about the "humanity and warmth" at Clinton's "core."
The Clinton "machine" is now a factory of emotion. The campaign learned something from its very brief failure, and it looks like voters will be getting lots and lots and lots of the softer side of Hillary, heretofore unknown. As McAuliffe promised shortly before the call ended, "you're going to see more of the Hillary you saw in New Hampshire."
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 47.2
- 44.3
- Obama +2.9
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 54.0
- 34.9
- +19.1
- McCain
- 52.0
- 36.1
- +15.9
Hillary is the smartest, most capable and knowledgeable candidate for president. She has the most ability and can best do the job. She is older than Barak and has more experience. He will be ready in eight more years.
The very thought of seeing "...more of the Hillary you saw in New Hampshire", fills me with distaste. I am proud to be a woman, but I will not be swayed by ersatz emotions. I have seen the real Hillary Clinton, the Hillary Clinton who is arrogant, divisive, and petulant. The Hillary Clinton who, because of her towering hubris, has mismanaged a campaign that was blessed with every advantage. The Hillary Clinton who thinks we have forgotten the scandals and embarrassments of the 1990's. The Hillary Clinton who thinks that all will be forgiven concerning her role in helping a rogue president start an unnecessary war. The Hillary Clinton who rewards cronyism, and takes no responsibility for any of her mistakes.
No.
I'm not moved. Not in the least. And please, spare me the 'anti-feminist' label. I thought that feminism was to make sure that as women, we get equal treatment. Not preferential treatment. That a person would be considered on their merits, not because of their genitalia.
And please don't tell me that 'she deserves it'. That argument won't wash. She deserves nothing. If she wants the nomination, she must work for it like everyone else. There will be no coronations here.
And don't call me a cultist, either. You are only showing your ignorance as to what a genuine cult really is.
I feel that Hillary is polarizing and dismissive, and most definitely lacking in grace. If you think that I am mistaken, then please explain her churlish behavior towards her own supporters, not to mention her decidedly un-sportsmanlike treatment of her opponent.
Anyone?
And how is it that Senator Clinton can even consider asking me for my vote when she could not find the time to show up and vote against the Telecom Immunity bill? Does she not consider my constitutional rights important? I guess not.
I am quite sure that there are plenty of people who will go on about how 'warm' and 'friendly' she is, and that 'now we are seeing the real Hillary'.
No.
We aren't seeing anything of the kind. This is a last gasp of desperation, pure and simple. You don't have to take my word for it. Let the boondoggle of the Florida and Michigan delegates be your guide. It's as easy as that.
I want a president who does not divide, who inspires people to achieve their very best. I believe that Barack Obama could be that president. Moreover, if Senator Obama should win the nomination, I think that he should consider Kathleen Sebelius for the vice-presidential slot. Barack Obama and Kathleen Sebelius are people of character that I would be proud to support.
But not Hillary.