This is My Second Defense of Hillary's Crying. And Some Thoughts on Bill Clinton's Driving Abilities

David Zephyr

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Mon Feb-04-08 01:27 PM
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This is My Second Defense of Hillary's Crying. And Some Thoughts on Bill Clinton's Driving Abilities

On the Eve of the New Hampshire Primary, Hillary showed a rare moment of emotion as the polls showed her -- up to that point -- losing. I posted here at the DU a rather long defense of her.

I don't hold it against her that she cried again on the eve of yet another important contest. The numbers have been tidal against her now since South Carolina. It's got to take a toll. She's watched as her nearly 30 point lead here in California has completely evaporated. Obama has now pulled into a lead in state after state that were locked up for Hillary. And Hillary is no dummy and neither is her campaign staff. Their internal polls must be simply gut-wrenching to read. It is a melt down.

What happened? Any one that cares about the truth should face it: Bill Clinton's behavior once again has hurt her.

Millions of Americans were re-introduced to a red-faced, angry Bill Clinton jabbing his finger at people on television. It reminded them of things they didn't like about him And it over-shadowed Hillary.

And it didn't stop there, Bill couldn't miss an opportunity on television to make smug and gratuitous comments with racially coded terminology that had millions more shaking their heads in disbelief and disgust. And it over-shadowed Hillary.

By the time the big debate in the Kodak Theater came, Democrats who'd sat on the sidelines were jumping to Senator Obama's defense...and campaign. Thankfully, Hillary showed up at the Kodak without Bill and had Chelsea at her side. That told me everything I ever needed to know.

Maureen Dowd wrote that it was distasteful to see a woman who had championed the cause of women standing on their own having her husband "drag her across the finish line". But I don't see it that way. I think that it was Bill Clinton who couldn't stand to miss the limelight himself and jumped onto the race track with with his own racing shorts, sneakers, sash and ribbons.

On the night of Hillary's tremendous loss in South Carolina -- when she should have given her own concession speech -- Bill was there in her place to take that thankless job. And what did Bill Clinton say to all those disappointed supporters of his wife that night? He talked and talked and talked all about himself. What soothing consolation did Bill offer those supporters that night? He waxed on and on about his days when he was Governor of Arkansas. What a bore! Oh, and then he later made his lousy comment comparing Obama's great victory to Jesse Jackson.

Hillary Clinton didn't lose her lead because of anything she did. Her husband reminded millions and millions of Americans that they don't want to walk down a path for 8 more years with him in such a high profile position again.

If I were Hillary I would cry, too. If she loses on Super Tuesday, it's because of Bill Clinton. He should have taken a back seat, but no, he had to drive the car.

It's not that she couldn't drive herself, it's that he wouldn't let her. He had to be behind the steering wheel. And now he drove her ambitions right into the ditch.

Americans don't want to get into that car with Bill behind the wheel.