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Democratic Party Official: Clinton Pursuing 'The Tonya Harding Option'

March 25, 2008 3:44 PM

l just spoke with a Democratic Party official, who asked for anonymity so as to speak candidly, who said we in the media are all missing the point of this Democratic fight.

The delegate math is difficult for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, the official said. But it's not a question of CAN she achieve it. Of course she can, the official said.

The question is -- what will Clinton have to do in order to achieve it?

What will she have to do to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, in order to eke out her improbable victory?

She will have to "break his back," the official said. She will have to destroy Obama, make Obama completely unacceptable.

"Her securing the nomination is certainly possible - but it will require exercising the 'Tonya Harding option.'" the official said. "Is that really what we Democrats want?"

The Tonya Harding Option -- the first time I've heard it put that way.

It implies that Clinton is so set on ensuring that Obama doesn't get the nomination, not only is she willing to take extra-ruthless steps, but in the end neither she nor Obama win the gold.

(In this metaphor, presumably, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., would be Oksana Baiul. Does that make former President Bill Clinton Jeff Gillooly?)

- jpt

March 25, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (951)

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Most people here seem to want other than McCane to be president, and so are tossing all sorts of verbal hand grenades at either HRC or BHO. This to clear up one point that seems here to be frequently misrepresented. Obama DID NOT try to get elections in M and F canceled; he said, If the elections were held, he would abide by the vote coming therefrom. Whereupon BOTH in Michigan AND in Florida, the STATE LEGISLATURES, which would have to act to create a new election, voted not to hold such an election: neither Obama nor Clinton had anything to do with these decisions, and neither did Howard Dean. Finally, Obama has offered a compromise which was laffed out of the place by the Clinton campaign, that the delegates be seated splitting them equally between the two candidates. (In a way, this is a concession to Clinton, because Obama could have suggested that the delegates be split in proportion to those already committed.) So whilst hurling your verbal javelins, please be sure to get your facts right, and, who knows? Maybe the level of discourse here can rise above ad hominem attacks and move on into substantive issues.

Posted by: bill peppin | Mar 26, 2008 11:12:38 PM

Most people here seem to want other than McCane to be president, and so are tossing all sorts of verbal hand grenades at either HRC or BHO. This to clear up one point that seems here to be frequently misrepresented. Obama DID NOT try to get elections in M and F canceled; he said, If the elections were held, he would abide by the vote coming therefrom. Whereupon BOTH in Michigan AND in Florida, the STATE LEGISLATURES, which would have to act to create a new election, voted not to hold such an election: neither Obama nor Clinton had anything to do with these decisions, and neither did Howard Dean. Finally, Obama has offered a compromise which was laffed out of the place by the Clinton campaign, that the delegates be seated splitting them equally between the two candidates. (In a way, this is a concession to Clinton, because Obama could have suggested that the delegates be split in proportion to those already committed.) So whilst hurling your verbal javelins, please be sure to get your facts right, and, who knows? Maybe the level of discourse here can rise above ad hominem attacks and move on into substantive issues.

Posted by: bill peppin | Mar 26, 2008 11:12:23 PM

Bill Clinton turned the White House into the Cat House, and if Hillary becomes the president, will he then become the White House's Tom Cat? I hope she has him spayed before the inauguration.

Posted by: michael | Mar 26, 2008 10:44:19 PM

If Hillary wins the Democratic nomination or God forbid the election, she will inheret only the ashes of what used to be a great democracy.

Be very careful giving power to anyone who wants it that badly.

Posted by: Casual Observer | Mar 26, 2008 9:30:40 PM

Hillary and Bill have always shown that they are selfish and have very little class. I am not suprise that she would do whatever to keep Obama from getting to White House since she feels like she is ENTITLE to be in the White House. She knew she was running for President when she moved from Arkansa to New York City. She is is just upset that she spent all that time representing NY when she just wanted to be President. OH well. Regardless, she has show that she has NOOOOO character whatsovever. I will never ever VOTE for another Clinton even if it is for dog pooper scooper.

Posted by: dthutc | Mar 26, 2008 8:25:42 PM

You are all beingutterly SILLY. These games between Clinton and Obama are nothing new. These tactics are used every election. They can not win on their own standings, and obviously the morals and ethics, so they have to see who can ,ake the other look worse. It does not matter which one gets nominated, or which candidate from EITHER major pary gets elected. Out of the three, WE, the citizens, sre going to LOSE. I don't know a whole lot about Obama, but what I do hear, I don't particularlly trust him to run the country properly. Clinotn, well, it has been proven that her and Bill are both liars, cheats and crooks. I don;t see how people can actually support her so much. And McCain, he just as big of a power hungary politician ase the others. I don't see any of them really caring more abbout the country than their own power and greed.

End this stupid two party system. It has been ruined by corruption and greed. Let find a candidate that truelly cares about the country and ourr future. maverickamericans.com

Posted by: Maverick | Mar 26, 2008 8:11:27 PM

So why should she quit? Shouldn't all the people have a chance to vote and then see where things stand? Clearly more dirt ala Rev. Wright could easily surface, given the moronic nature of his underlying world view. It's ironic that a highlight CD put out by the church bookstore, their version of the best of his sermons, is the source, not some cherry-picking by Obama opponents.

Posted by: Cincinnati Rick | Mar 26, 2008 8:09:00 PM

Ok then where is the news media on this sniper fire? Does not a crowed of media follow the first lady every where she goes. What do they say? Any pictures or video of the alleged sniper fire. Many Websters dictionary needs an update. Mis-spoke is now equal to lying. I'm sure the next move by the Clinton's is to dig up more dirt on Obama. The republican must love that they don't have to waste time doing any dirty work.

Posted by: Mike | Mar 26, 2008 8:08:20 PM

How could any possibly forget being under sniper fire. Can we believe anything that comes out of the clinton machine. I guess if the public believe the first wave of lies they will swallow this. Was Sinbad a republican plant. He clearly says there was no sniper fire. People who grew up in the hood never forget the sound of gun fire. I guess Hillaries white bread back ground mistakes a cars back fire with sniper fire.

Posted by: Mike | Mar 26, 2008 8:02:23 PM

Obama wants US to tighten our wallets and sacrifice! Turns out he's a little cheap...1% to charity is like leaving a waitress a penny tip. But he gave his chruch almost $30,000. Whoooa Nelly, when I spend $30,000 I know ALL ABOUT the product I'm buying...but his HEAR NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL speech seems to be okay in never, never land...Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore- we're in Obamaland...where we are taught to do as he says, NOT as he does! I'd sooner vote for Arnold Ziffel- (no offense Arnold).

Posted by: HiHopes85 | Mar 26, 2008 7:59:09 PM

This country is going through so much that I know whoever gets nominated the Democrats will stick to their party because we can't have our economy stay as it is now. To say you will vote for the opposite party if your candidate does not win will ultimately hurt no-one but you, your family and your country. It is only in the heat of this campaign the Democrats are saying this but they know what they truly must due November 2009.
The Democrats must win. So please join me in asking the two candidates to get back to the issues, control their campaign managers, and let's get a Democrat in the Whitehouse. As fellow Democrats we must unite.

Posted by: Ann California | Mar 26, 2008 7:40:52 PM

If Hillary was going to go Arc Light on Obama the time would ahve been months ago before Super Tuesday, or maybe even just after. Now... whoa... I guess Hillary Clinton figures that by goign this far she's risked more than if she had gone out early and will go all out to win. Strange, remember how everyone said all the early primaries and cauci would mean an early finish? Whoooo..... As the lady said, hold on, it's gonna be a bumpy night!

I can just see John McCain sitting back like the aliens on the moon in that Far Side cartoon watching the fireworks.. "Ooh, ahh..."

Posted by: David Powell | Mar 26, 2008 7:30:45 PM

We could credit the Clinton's again for giving their party a bad name. She and Bill are basically admitting that they feel fine about tearing apart the Democratic party. Terrific. McCain is a shoe in if she gets the nod. The McCain camp is salivating to attack the Clinton's. It would be a lay-up for him. Remember if the Clinton's lips are moving, they are lying. I don't see how rational people could support them with their tabloid political record. Get Real!

Posted by: Chuck | Mar 26, 2008 7:23:34 PM

Hillary, smell the flowers and get out now, before you screw every thing up!

Posted by: Brad | Mar 26, 2008 6:59:49 PM

If the pundits would do a little investigative reporting they might find a story from March 25/26 of 1996 when the headlines read, "MARKOVICI, Bosnia-Herzegovina - Protected by sharpshooters, Hillary Rodham Clinton swooped into a military zone by Black Hawk helicopter Monday to deliver a personal "thank you, thank you, thank you" to U.S. troops."
Is it remotely possible that the sniper fire incident that she recalls did not take place the day she got off the big old jet but rather the day she was flown in by Black Hawk helicopter?
My guess is the pundits are trying to make her look as bad as Obama is (bad).

Posted by: Blu | Mar 26, 2008 5:45:48 PM

All is fair in love and war. Superdelegates
are up for grabs. Obama'a lead is by a gnat's a_ _,
so what's the problem? Hillary's NOT going to just give up after months of this tiresome election process. If Obama didn't quit his church after 20 years- Hillary doesn't need to step aside after ONE year of campaigning either. OBLAHMA just doesn't get Hillary. He's been doing the "Tanya Harding" on her for some time and has NO room to sit back and light up a cigar. (he's probably someplace throwing gatorade on himself).
It's refreshing
to see the candidate of "CHANGE" finally come full circle. Now, he's just an ordinary Jo, who fights dirty and is arrogant enough to think that people should just step aside for him. The voters he alienates today are the ones he might need tomorrow.

Posted by: HiHopes85 | Mar 26, 2008 5:08:53 PM

How come some many look at Obama as a black man? He is WHITE also and I would vote for the white side of him.

Posted by: Carl | Mar 26, 2008 4:31:56 PM

This is not sinking to low tactics, that was Obama's doing. Why shouldn't Hillary comment on this issue? You can bet this alone has nearly eliminated Obama's chance to win in November. Remember, he knee-capped himself with Wright by sitting in the pews for 20 years, etc. If Obama is identified as the nominee the Repulicans will immediately start their full scale assult on this issue and McCain will win in a landslide. Therefore, in my humble opinion, Hillary better do everything she can to get the nomination or, we the democrats, are doomed again in November. So MSM, if Sen. Obama isn't able to get our nomination because he continues to get an all but free pass, doesn't it behoove us all to find that out now, before it is too late? Or do some the good ole' boys in the MSM, RNC, and possibly the DNC fear a female as "Commander in Chief" so badly that your willing to concede the general election to anyone, as long as it's not Hillary? America really needs her. She is the best choice we have to restore our standing at home and abroad. I am far from alone in that opinion. Take a look at her position papers, plans, and solutions for America, then you decide. After that you will vote Hillary. I know I am. Thank you for considering America first. KY

Posted by: Mary O'Bryan | Mar 26, 2008 4:26:44 PM

It seems that the Clinton's will lie and swear to it "I did not have sex with that woman." With Hillary its the bullets were flying. I cant stand by a liar.

Posted by: Carl | Mar 26, 2008 4:12:45 PM

Here's what Hillary said about the Wright controversy, “He would not have been my pastor, you don’t choose your family, but you choose what church you want to attend.”…
“You know, I spoke out against Don Imus (who was fired from his radio and television shows after making racially insensitive remarks), saying that hate speech was unacceptable in any setting, and I believe that,” Clinton said. “I just think you have to speak out against that. You certainly have to do that, if not explicitly, then implicitly by getting up and moving.”
That doesn’t sound like an attack to me. Reporters have been pushing her to make a statement on this issue since the story broke, when she finally makes a statement then these same reporters say she’s on the attack.

Here‘s Obama‘s statement after the Imus incident, "I understand MSNBC has suspended Mr. Imus, but I would also say that there's nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. And I would hope that NBC ends up having that same attitude."
Either he lied when he made that statement or he thinks racial slurs against white Americans is OK but you need to be fired is you make a racial slur against black Americans.

As for the Monica incident, it’s my opinion that they should have told the media and the world to stay out of their personal lives from the very beginning. Chelsea had it right when she told that reporter who asked about Lewinsky, “I do not think that is any of your business…"

Posted by: Blu | Mar 26, 2008 3:29:03 PM

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