Hillary Clinton in Concord today yesterday:
"It's a horrible prospect to ask yourself 'What if? What if?' But if certain things happen between now and the election, particularly with respect to terrorism, that will automatically give the Republicans an advantage again, no matter how badly they have mishandled it, no matter how much more dangerous they have made the world. So I think I'm the best of the Democrats to deal with that as well."
Believe it or not, Senator Clinton, some of us up heaah in the sticks have actually heard of Manhattan. In fact, long before you moved to New York to run for Senator, I grew up just outside of the city, with the view of the twin towers often in my skyline. My brother worked in one of them right after the 1993 bombing, and I lived in NYC during the mid to late 90's. Several communities that I called home were devastated by the terrorist attacks, and I knew people who were killed.
When Republicans use 9/11 for political gain, I feel like I am being kicked in the stomach.
I've got three words for Democrats who would emulate that despicable tactic: don't go there.
I find it especially galling to hear it coming from a Democratic Senator who voted for war in Iraq, a war having nothing to do with 9/11, but who, unlike just about all the other Democrats who voted thus, refuses to say that it was a mistake.
Chris Dodd isn't amused either: "Frankly, I find it tasteless to discuss political implications when talking about a potential terrorist attack on the United States."
[Evening Update:] A reader alerted me to this response to Dodd from Team Hillary: Asked for a response to Dodd's charge, Clinton spokesman Isaac Baker tells First Read, "Sen Clinton was making clear that she has the strength and experience to keep the country safe." I don't get it. It doesn't clarify the earlier statement, or even relate to it, imho. The fact, however, that there is a response is interesting. [End Update]
[Evening Update #2] More reaction from the candidates: Edwards Camp: Hillary's Terror Remarks "Deeply Troubling"
John Edwards spokesman Chris Kofinis also blasted Hillary: "Senator Clinton?s remarks are deeply troubling. After nearly seven years of George Bush and the politics of fear, the American people deserve a President who will focus first on keeping America safe, rather than calculating the political consequences. Unfortunately, Senator Clinton is seemingly taking a page straight from the GOP playbook that got us into this mess ? using fear of another terror attack as a political tactic to bolster her candidacy, and that is just wrong."
Richardson: Hillary "Seems To Think" Bush Has Made Us Safer
Bill Richardson had a statement, as well. "We shouldn't be thinking about terrorism in terms of its domestic political consequences, we should be protecting the country from terrorists," said Richardson. "Senator Clinton seems to think that President Bush has made this country safer. I disagree with her. Our failed policy in Iraq is making us less safe."
Obama Camp: Hillary Obsessed With Republican Attack Machine
Barack Obama advisor David Axelrod said that Hillary Clinton has been obsessed "with what she calls the Republican attack machine." Instead, Axelrod said, "I think we need a candidate who is obsessed with unifying this country again."
[End Update]
Oh, and then there's the fact that Clinton's statement completely reinforces a bogus right wing frame that America is just now climbing out of. By stating it as a Democrat she reinforces the validity of the lie that Republicans own the security issue.
Absolutely unacceptable. If we want people to fall out of politics or look toward a third party, going down this road is how to do it. I do hope there is a clarification forthcoming. |
