Does everybody play "gotcha" as Hillary said?

[RiverStone]

From last night's debate on MSNBC:

Asked whether she still agrees with New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s plan to give drivers licenses to illegal immigrants, Clinton launched into a long, complicated defense of it.

But when Chris Dodd attacked the idea a moment later, Clinton quickly said: “I did not say that it should be done.”

NBC’s Tim Russert, one of the debate moderators, jumped in and said to her: “You told (a) New Hampshire paper that it made a lot of sense. Do you support his plan?”

”You know, Tim,” Clinton replied, “this is where everybody plays ‘gotcha.’ ”

http://www.iowavotes2008.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3605&Itemid=72

From this voter perception, I felt her "gotcha" comment created a (me vs them) picture that did not come off well. Blaming it on playing gotcha did not answer the question, rather it seemed evasive.

What do you think?


Disclaimer: I'm not a Hillary fan, so assume my bias effects my read on this.

[Demeter]

1. If One Wasn't Being a Weasel, There Would Be No "Gotcha!"

[msongs]

2. chris matthews' entire career depends on gotcha low blow style no matter who he talks to nt

[0007]

16. I'll take Chris Matthews over Tucker, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity,

Wolf Blitzer, Bob Beck, Larry King, Brit Hume, Sheppard Smith, Joe Scarborough, Lou Dobb, .... Matthews ain't perfect but he's got these people beat by a long shot.

[peacebird]

3. I listened to her total answer and could not tell what her position was

It seemed she totally support the Gov's plan, and she gave lots of reasons for supporting the plan, then said she didn't believe it should be implemented...?
Which is it?

It was one of her low points in the debate.

[mikelgb]

4. it was a simple fucking question: "Do you agree with Gov. Spitzer's plan or not?"

she wanted it both ways

[swag]

5. How dare anybody see any nuance or complexity in an issue

TPM on her drivers license answer:

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/057518.php

She actually grappled with the issue and pointed to the apparent necessity of the policy. But as soon as it came to 'endorsing', which here meant embracing the logical extension of everything she just said, she pulled back.

It's almost as if her background as a serious policy person is coming back to bite her. She can't restrain herself from injecting actual policy discussions into her public presentation as an annoying teflon frontrunner.

[SteppingRazor]

6. Of course. Especially in the media. I mean, Tim Russert's made a career of it. n/t

[LakeSamish706]

7. The whole thing is simple really, there would be no Gotcha if you tell...

the same story tomorrow that you told today without change (in other words no flip flopping). If you are trying to win an election and changing up every day, there is going to be one hell of a big gotcha....

[Mojorabbit]

8. It's politics

of course they play gotcha. I don't expect anything else.

[Az]

9. You tell me

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3667671

[Whisp]

10. it's more like: 'caughtcha', Hillary.

what a spinner.

[Richard Steele]

11. In this instance, the definition of gotcha is "forcing her to answer a simple question". nm

[0007]

12. I felt the same way as you when she made the 'gotcha' comment.

I'm not a big fan of anyone candidate.

I have a strong aversion to Bill Richardson and his phoney pandering. IMHO I think Bill thinks Hillary has already won.

Dennis Kucinich is perhaps the most honest speaking person. Which I admire the most.

I thought Edwards did extremely well with Biden right behind him.

[RiverStone]

15. yes, Dennis did great and Richardson's defense of Hillary was strange...

I thought Dennis came off as the most genuine and of course, determined to nail Shrub with impeachment!

I also found Richardson's defense of Hillary (being attacked personally according to him) as rather strange. Made me wonder if he was hoping for some favor if she wins the presidency? :think:

[Forkboy]

13. Gotcha journalism has replaced honest journalism.

That doesn't make them all untrue, mind you, just that it's become a common and lazy tactic.

[mondo joe]

14. I do think there's a "gotcha" game, and I think it paints everything as either/or.

Full disclosure: I am increasingly favoring Hillary as the nominee, but I think she badly bungled that question last night. Badly.

I don't believe FOR or AGAINST are always the only options. There are other positions, but those are harder to characterize, and take more consideration.

For example: you might not fully support a proposal, but feel you can live with it because it's an improvement, or might be an improvement, or might do as a temporary solution.

In concensus decision making, as I recall, there are three positions: support, block or stand aside.

[CookCountyResident]

17. The "gotcha" thing came off as insider lingo.

For a second I wasn't sure what she meant. Then she proceeded to give a long non-answer to direct questions, which is, I guess, her response to any question she perceives as a "gotcha" (whatever the hell that means).

Is this what we have to look forward to with a Hillary Clinton presidency?!

[razorman]

18. This is a little off the subject, but one thing that has always bothered me about her

is how she uses the phrase "you know" so much. Just a pet peeve of mine, I guess. That being said, Mrs. Clinton almost never gives a straight answer to anything. I think it is good that Obama and the others press her on her positions, and do not let her off easy. I am afraid, though, that they will not go after her as hard as they will each other, being reluctant to "hit a girl". Hillary Clinton likes to be seen as strong and tough, but will play the "helpless female" card in a minute if it suits her purpose.