Hillary Clinton is having to explain remarks she made at her speech on Iraq last Monday. During the event she described the trip in 1996 like this: "I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base." It appears as though that's not quite the case — according to videos of the event, and of all people, Sinbad the comedian who accompanied her.
Clinton launched into full explaining mode yesterday, saying that she "misspoke" and that,
"I went to 80 countries, you know. I gave contemporaneous accounts, I wrote about a lot of this in my book. You know, I think that, a minor blip, you know, if I said something that, you know, I say a lot of things—millions of words a day—so if I misspoke, that was just a misstatement,"
The official account of the event in her books says there were "reports of snipers in the hills around the airstrip, we were forced to cut short an event on the tarmac with local children." Same tune, just a little softer than the one she played on Monday. It almost breaks my heart. While I don't agree with all of the candidates' positions, deep down I want them all to do well. To run impeccable and discourse-elevating campaigns. To make us embarrassed by the wealth of choices we have.
It gets a little worse. To see how, with video, read more. In response to the Obama campaign posting a video of the actual event, a Clinton spokesman said, "This is something that the Obama campaign wants to push 'cause they have nothing positive to say about their candidate."
Are you as troubled by this snafu as I am? What troubles you the most? That she embellished the event, or that her campaign is just not what it could and should be?
Vanessa Bruno
Yet another reason I don't care for this woman. She lies about being under sniper fire for what? To make her look tough? To make it look like she has more experience in foreign affairs? There are American soldiers under sniper fire every day and to me she trivialized that fact to make her point.
1What bothers me is that the people I've been hearing push this story the most weren't Obama supporters, they were Clinton supporters who were pretty disappointed, but also trying to defend her.
And yet the minute something bad comes out about her, her campaign insists that it's Obama's camp running bad press to take the attention off them.
Frankly, I am really disappointed in Hillary on general principal. When I was a child, I thought the world of this woman. My mother literally used to tell me to grow up to be a woman like Hillary Rodham Clinton.
As I grew older, I learned more and more about her and became increasingly distraught with her actions. And during this campaign, I've been so unbelievably saddened to see just how far she has sunk into the "shady politician" category.
She will constantly say one thing and do another. She constantly "embellishes" or even straight up lies. Not to mention the fact that she is constantly throwing mud at Obama, and yet he's been very civil about this. Yes, he's had his fair share of comments about her, but frankly hers have been far more petty, far fetched, and downright mean.
So at the end of the day, it's not that she embellished this event, or that she's trying to blame her screw up on Obama's campaign, but frankly that she had so much potential and she's basically blown it all to hell by acting just like every other politician to run for President in the last 30 years. Sure, her platform isn't godawful, but when she's become as much of a hypocrite as the rest, with as many lies and distortions, she is, frankly, no better than all of the others, in my opinion.
2sounds like a case of verbal diarrhea. I will take a rare moment to defend her here, because she's been a lot of places and truly, billions of words have flown out of her mouth. It's hard for me to keep my own BS straight.
3This is why I don't support her, because I've always felt that she's not completely truthful, she never says she was wrong, or that she's sorry. She always spins things her way.
4
5These kinds of incidents are so frustrating. In the beginning, I couldn't decide between Obama and Hilary. I was leaning more towards Obama ONLY based on his speaking abilities...but if he lost...I wouldn't be upset because I would be just as happy for Hilary and I had to vote for one.
Now, I am totally on the Obama wagon, and really sad about the way this campaign is going.
6I can understand if she honestly made a mistake. But I find it hard to believe that someone who is not use to taking sniper fire would be in a situation like that and not remember details. I mean if I were ducking and running from a sniper's bullet I would remember stopping to hear a poem from a kid while bullets flew over my head. She's a liar.
7Alright Clinton bashers, cool it. Hillary made a mistake. A mistake she didn't need right now. I wish it hadn't happened but it does seem, like a case of over lapping, what happened actually and how the event clearly took place. I read her book and I remember the part about sniper shootings reported. I mean if you think Hillary Clinton went to places like Bosnia and was completely safe well that's BS. I mean I am not sure why she said that. However my feelings on Hillary aren't going to change. Hillary is an excellent candidate. A great woman, who made a slight snafu with that statement. Not good, I'll admit that. Hillary can bounce back from this. It was a mistake. People make mistakes. It does seem like a case of verbal diarrhea. I still trust Hillary. Hillary is intelligent and she will recover from this.
8"Clinton bashers"? They are just speaking their opinions. No one needs to "cool it".
She also made mention to this in Iowa, and it was the same exaggerated story. You "misspoke" one time, I could understand. But when you do it repeatedly, that looks intentional.
And it isn't just this.
*It is claiming to opening borders in Macedonia (happened the day before she got there),
*saying she didn't support NAFTA (she promoted it),
*saying she brought peace to Ireland (Lord Trimble says she accompanied Bill around),
*lies to Jewish organizations (on conference call, they lied about Obama's foreign policy staff to scare Jewish voters)
This is just one more thing.
9". I mean if you think Hillary Clinton went to places like Bosnia and was completely safe well that's BS"
It WAS safe enough for Sinabad, Sheryl Crow, and Chelsea to go with her. Her "misstatment" was proceeded by a claim that "if it is too dangerous for the President to go", you send the First Lady.
10My feelings for Hills is obvious but for the Obama supporters out there that are listing all of her vices and down right lies, how are you guys going to still vote for this woman if the supers go against the popular vote and screw Obama out of this election? She's...ugh, just not someone I would go stand in line to vote for so I find it hard to understand how someone could knowingly vote for someone as unethical as she is.
11Piper, I am in the same boat. I have been doing research on the democratic candidates for years now, and in the beginning of the race I really liked Hillary, but still preferred Obama. I would have voted for her with out any hesitation. I cringed when she planted questions in Iowa, because I was rooting for her campaign to do well, and she would have been my #2. I had hoped that she would do very well.
However, when she started quoting Obama inaccurately, and putting things in her flyers that I KNEW was a misrepresentation of the facts, my trust in her sank. This is really scary for me, because I certainly lean left. However, it would be very hard for me to vote for someone who outright lies to ME. When she lies like this, it isn't to other politicians or to Obama or McCain...she is lying to the voters. Very disappointing.
12I'm with Matdredalia on this - very well said! I'm disappointed that she's made her campaign so negative.
13She lied, end of story. If Clinton will lie repeatedly about a trip she took in 1996, what else will she lie about? Her position on NAFTA? Bringing peace to Ireland? Her 35 years of experience?
14She didn't "misspeak." She flat-out lied.
She's actually starting to creep me out, because she seems to be a pathological liar. Out of the "millions of words" that come out of her mouth every day, how many others were and are "misspeaking"?
And it was perfectly legitimate of the Obama campaign to point out this instance of her dishonesty.
15Ouch. That's a relatively big 'misspeak.' Doesn't she pay people to fact check? I just wonder if those who defend this as 'verbal diarrhea' feel the same when others from Obama's camp 'misspeak.'
Imho, in response to the question posed by Piper, if the superdelegates go against the popular vote (in the event it still favors Obama) and Hillary gets the bid, I will have no problem voting for Ralph Nader. I can't support someone who flip-flops, 'misspeaks,' spins all of her misdeeds and runs such a negative and divisive campaign. Plus, I heard Nader speak on Meet the Press and actually agree with his politics; I just don't think he stands an ice cube's chance in h-ell of winning.
16Misspoke my ass. Watch this:
http://wonkette.com/371154/sinbad-has-officially-ruined-hillary-clinton
The gall this woman has astound me. One has to suspend their intellect and ignore their intergrity to believe a word that comes out of her mouth.
And I love how she took a potshot at Sinbad trying to redeem herself.
17Piper23 preach on!
Oh, and cold day in hell before I ever vote for Hillary Clinton.
18I also think it was in bad taste for her to take credit for personally killing Terry Schiavo.
19I think that Obama has run a good campaign. Its outside forces that have hurt him. But Hills, I can in no way say that for her. I read on one of these posts that the person felt like Hillary feels she is entitled to the nomination and I have to agree with that. They thought they had it in the bag. Now in her desperation, her true colors are showing.
20Piper: Yes. I don't think she will get the nomination, but if she did I don't think I would vote for her for the; and believe me that is not a easy decision. But it would be an informed one. I believe she would be the Democratic equivalent of George W. Bush. And I'm not going to vote simply on party affiliation, as so many did when they voted for him.
Lula: I agree 100%.
Rac: Ahaha. Funny.
21"don't think I would vote for her for the General Election;"
22i was watching morning joe this morning and chris matthews was on saying that the media was giving hillary a free ride with this one. he also said that if obama had 'misspoke' that the media would be all over him. another thing hasnt she said this very story other times before? it makes me so mad that she can get away with lying by saying that she 'misspoke'. whatever, she can say that she is getting negative media attention all she wants but really she isnt. i have barely heard one word about this at all with the exception of last night and this morning. the fact that obama will get dragged through the mudd for a whole week about something he didnt even say is mind blowing.....
23I don't see what the issue is.
I remember just this morning I was being attacked from all angles by koopa troopas and goombas, almost fell off a couple platforms from high heights, had to fight off Wario all while trying to rescue Princess Zelda.
Extraordinary times calls for extraordinary measures.
24Oh, wait, I misspoke.
I was playing Super Smash Brothers Brawl on my Wii this morning.
25
26I was looking forward to this clearly momentous Democratic nomination, with two amazing candidates bringing different strengths, experiences, and voices to the table. I confess I was initially on the fence, thinking I had plenty of time to consider the candidates and their positions while I enjoyed watching this historic race unfold. I truly felt that either candidate would be an excellent nominee that any Democrat (or Independent, or hell, even a Republican!) could get behind.
Now I honestly just want it to be over with. For dozens of reasons Obama won me over long ago, and the longer this drags out the less confidence I have that I could ever vote for Clinton if that scenario indeed came to pass. It's a sad state of affairs.
27"For dozens of reasons Obama won me over long ago, and the longer this drags out the less confidence I have that I could ever vote for Clinton if that scenario indeed came to pass. It's a sad state of affairs."
I feel the exact same way.
M3, you gotta watch those koopa troopas! Hysterical!
28One more thing that makes things so scary from my perspective, is that she has been lying to her supporters for so long, they are filled with inaccurate information about Obama.
I know that she has said in flyers and speeches that he voted to decrease taxes for big oil companies. The bill he voted for (that she voted against) actually RAISED taxes for oil companies.
Because her campaign repeatedly uses strategies like this, millions of democratic voters think lies about Obama are true. Can that damage ever be repaired? How could she damage her own party like that?
29Those Koopa Troopas are crazy.
I fought against Bowser today and he is pretty bad-*ss in this new Super Smash Bros.
I put down the controllers a couple hours ago, but I'm antsy to get back at it!
30One thing that I find I am insulted by when it comes to politicians across the board not just Hillary. Is this ingrained perception that they must play on our ignorance rather than our intelligence. The only presidential candidate in my life time to genuinely try to rise above this line and enlighten us rather than have a field day with what we don't know is Sen. Obama. Now there have been some issues with him as well but I find in his case it's more a power struggle between him and a campaign staff that's used to doing it another way.
We really need to send a message to our elected officials that we want to be informed not manipulated.
31I couldn't agree more, hypno.
32she also didnt write her book, a ghost writer did, in fact three ghostwriters did, so it must be hard for her to keep up with whatever they wrote about her....
33
3M
34Here is a picture of the landing in Bosnia, where Chelsea is by her side:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/25/clinton-says-she-misspok...
35you know? no i dont know hil.
she should have just said "i exaggerated". she still did an impressive thing touring all 80 countries but now it really doesn't matter. i mispoke..who does she expect to beelvie that.
when hilary peppers her speech with 'you knows' it means she is trying to make a lie something else.
36hypnotic - Amen.
Jillness - RIGHT ON!! I completely agree with everything that you've said.
MMM - I almost fell out of my chair laughing at that one. Nice way to "misspeak".
37Every politician lies. We all know that. I just hate that people step all over Clinton's words because she is a woman. What about John McCain pretending that Iraq was all safe on his visit there... surrounded by Marines in flak jackets and staging a "safe haven"? What haven't we jumped all over that? Because John McCain is an old white man. He is the ESTABLISHMENT. At least Clinton had some basis in what she said, she did *hear* sniper fire. And who hasn't exaggerated a story for better play for an audience.
As long as she's not lying about WMD and how many Iraqis have died in a pointless war, she can tell me any story she likes.
38No one's picking on Clinton because she's a woman. She's a liar. I've heard plenty about McCain's staged visit-and if Clinton was just exaggerating for the audience, can't the same be said of McCain. Neither lie is acceptable. And don't convince yourself that someone who'll lie to you about facing danger in Bosnia wouldn't lie to you about WMDs in Iraq as well. Apparently she wasn't smart or experienced enough in Washington b.s. to recognize that lie when Bush told it.
39"I just hate that people step all over Clinton's words because she is a woman."
Where did you get this from??? Please support such a insulting statement, please.
"she can tell me any story she likes"
It is sad how low expectations have come for our elected officials. How can you expect to make an educated decision about what policies or candidates you support if you can't trust what they are saying?
Do you have any thoughts about her pattern of lies, or is this the first one that you have noticed?
40"I just hate that people step all over Clinton's words because she is a woman." - She's not just a woman, she's a vindicative, lying woman.
"What about John McCain pretending that Iraq was all safe on his visit there... surrounded by Marines in flak jackets and staging a "safe haven"?" - At least he's been to Iraq lately. I'm sure the troops appreciated a visit (staged or not staged) from a candidate who hopes to be their Commander and Chief. It gives the impression that the candidate actually gives a damn about them.
41I don't step all over Clinton because she is a woman, and this type of statement stupefies any attempt at a constructive discussion. You want a politician that lies? Fine. I don't. If you think it will help the cause of equal rights between men and women I can tell you right now that it will do quite the opposite.
42i dont like hillary because she is a general run of the mill Tool, whatever gender she is.
43"...it would be very hard for me to vote for someone who outright lies to ME."
"For dozens of reasons Obama won me over long ago, and the longer this drags out the less confidence I have that I could ever vote for Clinton if that scenario indeed came to pass. It's a sad state of affairs."
"We really need to send a message to our elected officials that we want to be informed not manipulated."
I feel the exact same way.
At the beginning of this primary season, I made the toughest decision I've ever had to make in a presidential election, and that was the ultimate decision to support Obama. I have all my own reasons, but the decision was so difficult because I have been a raging woman-supporter my whole life, and nothing about this election excited me like a viable female candidate. A viable female candidate who wasn't playing the gender card - but then she did. And she is showing again and again why I'm not. There are the pragmatic reasons (I don't think she'd win) and the personal reasons (I don't want her to win). I also can't say I'm ever going to support anyone simply based on gender, otherwise it would be missing the point of promoting EQUALITY. I'm supporting the candidate I trust - to come forward boldly and honestly and make our country face our issues.
I am fearful of her. Of what she is willing to do for this nomination, what parts of her soul and her future decisionmaking she is willing to sell and what parts of the story she is willing to spin to make this happen.
I am considering the possibility that she gets the nomination, and while I won't say now I'd vote for McCain, at least I feel like I know my senator and what he is looking to do. I can't say the same for her. I also feel that McCain's entire career has been promoting transparency and accountability in government, worthy qualities that Senator Clinton has not shown.
If for no other reason, I hope this election is historic in its election of a president who can honestly address the citizens, and promote our needs. Not that this hasn't happened before, but when was the last time we were proud of our leader? As a country? It has been a while....
44I'm sorry, I keep writing too long. I just... have a lot to say after all those comments.
45No need to apologize, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts! This part struck a chord with me, especially:
"I am fearful of her. Of what she is willing to do for this nomination, what parts of her soul and her future decisionmaking she is willing to sell and what parts of the story she is willing to spin to make this happen."
46Oh give me a break. It was a mistake and she didn't repeatedly tell this story.
She misspoke. It happens. It was a mistake.
47Was her lie about NAFTA a mistake too?
48People seem to want to hold Obama accountable for his preacher's statements, why shouldn't we hold Clinton accountable for her own gaffes? The weird sliding standards in this process baffle me.
"I am fearful of her. Of what she is willing to do for this nomination, what parts of her soul and her future decisionmaking she is willing to sell and what parts of the story she is willing to spin to make this happen."
Very well put, megmccoy.
49Well, this isn't the first time she embellished her stories but this one is a bit wrong. I don't know if I trust someone who seems to be a habitual liar.
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