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Hillary and Mississippi, part deux
October 25, 2007 11:53 AM
After Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, had some less-than-flattering things to say about the state of Mississippi earlier in the week, (READ MORE ABOUT THAT HERE), she called Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., to apologize.
Lott was about to rip her for her comments when his phone rang, the Washington Post reports.
"'To her credit, she called me and apologized,'" Lott said, noting that the last two lieutenant governors of Mississippi have been women. "Having lived in Arkansas, which is something of a whipping boy, too, she knows better than that."
Interestingly, there's a passage in Sally Bedell Smith's new book on the Clintons' marriage, "For Love of Politics: Bill and Hillary Clinton: The White House Years," that may be relevant to this all.
Smith tells of the Clintons attending a 1995 retreat called the "Camp David Seminar on the Future of Democracy," where a dozen scholars -- half liberals, half centrist "New Democrats" -- were there to "replicate the stresses and strains inside the Democratic party."
Hillary Clinton seemed to play the role of liberal conscience to Bill Clinton's master conciliator.
"I think we can do both," Bill Clinton would say.
Writes Smith: "Somewhat surprisingly, Hillary also attacked working-class white southerners who had forsaken the Democratic party, and in an oblique way she took on her husband as well. 'Screw 'em,' she said, 'you don't owe them a thing, Bill, they're doing nothing for you.' Bill rose to their defense, 'as if rehearsing an old but honorable debate he had been having with his wife for decades,'" as one attendee recalled.
"'I know these boys,' Bill said. 'I grew up with them. Hardworking poor white boys who feel left out.' He pointed out that liberal reforms had often 'come at their expense' and that the Democrats had to 'find a way to include these boys in our programs.' Hillary had no rejoinder, but during cocktails after the seminar she stood apart, 'opaque and unsmiling.'"
Today's discussion point: When one runs for president, one runs for president of all 50 states. Not just the ones that one can win electorally.
Thoughts?
- jpt
October 25, 2007 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (27)
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But let's not be dense about it. While the President is certainly the President of all 50 States, how much time will the Democratic nominee spend campaigning in Utah? The Republican candidate campaigning in New York?
Posted by: DKNY | Oct 25, 2007 1:46:36 PM
Yes, anyone seeking the presidency is asking voters to bestow them with an opportunity to serve all Americans. Mississippi deserved an apology. To her credit, she offered one without being asked. And good for Trent Lott for acknowledging the apology.
Posted by: LESD | Oct 25, 2007 1:46:29 PM
This seems to be exactly the point John Edwards as been making. He's the only candidate, talking about a fifty state campaign, not a Blue States plus Ohio strategy.
Posted by: AJ | Oct 25, 2007 1:44:12 PM
Good grief! We don't need a Democratic nominee who will insult voters in red states or purple states.
We need a Democratic nominee who can run and compete in ALL 50 states! If we do that, we will have a Democratic president and John Edwards is the guy who can do it.
Posted by: Laura | Oct 25, 2007 1:37:41 PM
Cute exercise, flyover, but like President Bush, you seem to think that simply saying something makes it true ("Heckuva a job, flyover!").
Posted by: DKNY | Oct 25, 2007 1:30:13 PM
With apoligies to Chuck
Absolutely! The President is elected to govern all people, not just those who elected him, and should make efforts to reconcile after the election. Among the greatest failings of (PAST) officeholder(S)are THEIR) continued pandering to (THEIR) base and utter disregard of those outside it; (THEIR) steadfast refusal to reach out to those not of (THEIR) party (other than to berate, blame, or hector them); and (THEIR) constant arrogant demeanor toward those who did not vote for (THEM) as if they are beneath consideration, as witnessed by many speeches to pre-screened crowds of political favorites. It is apparent that (PRESIDENT BUSH) understands the principle here, but that Sen. Clinton is having trouble with it, and Pesident (CLINTON, JOHNSON, CARTER)--who values loyalty over all--never will understand it.
"He or She is not my President" is the most devisive and destructive of all comments. Rodney King said it best.
Posted by: flyover | Oct 25, 2007 12:39:29 PM
Absolutely! The President is elected to govern all people, not just those who elected him, and should make efforts to reconcile after the election. Among the greatest failings of the current officeholder are his continued pandering to his base and utter disregard of those outside it; his steadfast refusal to reach out to those not of his party (other than to berate, blame, or hector them); and his constant arrogant demeanor toward those who did not vote for him as if they are beneath his consideration, as witnessed by his many speeches to pre-screened crowds of political favorites. It is apparent that Pesident Clinton understands the principle here, but that Sen. Clinton is having trouble with it, and Pesident Bush--who values loyalty over all--never will understand it.
Posted by: chuck | Oct 25, 2007 12:15:01 PM
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