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Jarheads
March 25, 2008 12:55 PM
In light of Tuzla-gate (catchy, no?), reporters are going over past statements by Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, (and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois) to see if others don't stand more rigorous examination.
One that may get renewed scrutiny is a story she told “Women in Military Service” in 1994 -- that shortly after the end of the Vietnam war, she looked into joining the Marines.
In June 1994, Clinton told an organization trying to build a memorial for women who had served in the armed forces, that while living in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 1975, “I decided that I was very interested in having some experience in serving in some capacity in the military. So I walked into our local recruiting office...”
Clinton recalled that she didn’t know if she wanted to be active duty, reserves, or National Guard. She was already a lawyer; surely there was a role she could perform. The Marine recruiter looked at her, she recalled, and asked how old she was. Twenty-seven, she said.
“He looked at me, and in those days that was before I learned how to wear contact lenses," Clinton said. "I had these really thick glasses on. He said, ‘How bad's your eyesight?' I said, ‘It's pretty bad.' …Finally said to me, he said, 'You're too old. You can't see. And you're a woman.…But maybe the dogs would take you.'”
("Dogs” would be a pejorative reference to the Army.)
Clinton continued, “I said, ‘This is not a very encouraging conversation, so maybe I'll look for another way to serve my country.’”
That seems an odd pronouncement for the recruiter to have made, considering that at the time, according to A History of the Women Marines, female Marines who became pregnant were permitted to remain on active service, as this photograph attests. And I believe the military had a few recruiting problems back in the 1970s -- hence their abject rejection of a brainy lawyer wouldn't make much sense. (Then again, ask a soldier how often Pentagon rules "make sense.")
At the time Clinton told the story, the New York Times’ Maureen Dowd seemed to wonder about it, pointing out that Hillary and Bill Clinton were married on Oct. 11, 1975 in Fayetteville.
“So, if she was talking to a Marine recruiter in 1975 before the marriage, was she briefly considering joining the few, the proud and the brave of the corps as an alternative to life with Mr. Clinton, who was already being widely touted as a sure thing for Arkansas Attorney General?
“Neal Lattimore, Mrs. Clinton's spokesman, said her visit to the recruiter had to be seen in the context of her dedication to public service. ‘I'm never surprised when Mrs. Clinton is doing something service oriented,’ he said. ‘She was just taking in all her options, saying “This is where I am in my life, this is what fits into my life right now.”’”
The Washington Post looked into the story at the time as well. No one could find any records or anything other than vague memories. "All I can remember is that she looked into it," Clinton’s late friend Diane Blair told the newspaper.
Another Arkansas friend, Ann Henry said she "vaguely" recalled the episode “in the context of frequent discussions they used to have about women's access to supposedly open career paths. Frequently, the equal opportunity that was promised was not a reality - and sometimes female faculty members went out to conduct ‘tests,’ Henry said. 'If Hillary Rodham had asked about the Marines as a way of testing whether the corps actually welcomed women, ‘it would have been consistent with what was going on with us at the time,’ Henry said. ’Is it possible she was testing?’ Blair asked. ‘I don't remember if she was seriously exploring a career, or was moved by curiosity, or patriotism or feminism. I wish I had kept notes.’”
It’s a story that I don't believe Clinton has repeated since 1994. Why not?
- jpt
March 25, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (61)
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I do not understand how come Clinton supporters are being so negative towards Obama. What did he do to deserve such negativity? He has ran a very very positive campaign. Think about how negative he could have gone. Compare his campaign to that of Clinton's. The negativity level isn't even close. So why can't Clinton supporters just accept that Obama has ran a fair campaign and realize that he has won this contest. We need everyone to pull together to beat John McCain. That is what is important. This is not just a "game." This is the future of our country at stake. John McCain is a warmonger who represents 4 more years of George W. Bush's failed policies in foreign policy, education, health care, and the economy. Isn't stopping 4 more years of Bush policy a bit more important than this petty political bickering? Let's look at the big picture. Clinton needs to do some real service for her country and drop out of this race. She cannot win.
Posted by: The Presidential Candidates | Mar 26, 2008 1:07:17 AM
Hillary's sniper fire is paled in comparison to Barack's racial divide problem now. He will never get past Rev. Wright not just because of what he said but because it did not come out until after the primaries. Two reverends on St. Louis's KMOX radio station just now not only defended the statements, but took them further. I hope a transcript will be available. He has huge problems with Florida and Michigan with "every should count." ABC's article(3/19) on the press conference in Chicago shows a continuous changing of the Rezko story. There is a transcript. The entire campaign has been built on him being above all this. His very core has been "Change."
Posted by: RL in Illinois | Mar 25, 2008 6:02:49 PM
To the Clinton blatthers on here...TRY to be truthful. I know it's hard when your leader lies like a rug but if your going to trhow things at Obama then try, for the sake of the adults in here looking for debate, to be truthful.
Oh and by the way? Obama's drug use was anything BUT extensive LOL as evidenced by the "facts:..(remember those pesky things that get in the way of the Clinton machine) and he was honest about it.
Posted by: Sam | Mar 25, 2008 5:55:30 PM
BOTH Clintons lie. Proven fact. NO ONE can trust anything they say. Great atricles out there on the net from people much better at expressing their views but one of the things I read today sticks with me. She lied when she did not have too, she lied to make herself look better and when caught, she extended the lie. That goes beyound a lie of omisssion and beyound "a little tired" or even jet lagged. She lied to the American people about her experience and answering that phone at 3 a.m
Posted by: Sam | Mar 25, 2008 5:53:25 PM
I don't know what is or isn't true when it comes to this story, or any of the other recent pieces on Hillary, and, in most cases, there is no way we'll ever know.
But, I'm curious, why is it all you guys in the media are just now starting to look in to stories that were first uncovered either during the 1992 election or the 8 years of the Clinton administration? Why weren't the stories relevant when she ran for the Senate?
I know it's hard for a lot of readers of this blog to believe, but these stories have been out there, and well documented , for 15 years or more. But all that had to be said when a question was raised is that it's part of a "vast right wing conspiracy". Guess what. It's not vast. It's not entirely right wing. And it's not a conspiracy. What it is is an honest review of this woman's record.
Every day a "new" story comes out, and yet none of it is new. Sorry ABC, but your staff has known about these things for years, but chose not to report it. If you want to look at political motives for the information coming out now, maybe you need to look inside your own house.
Posted by: John Mc | Mar 25, 2008 5:19:42 PM
Ok, Obama said that he had heard some controversial statements at the church, but he was not present on the day of those EXTREMELY controversial comments. That equals no lie. He listed EVERYTHING about Rezko - nothing really to find. The people who are wanting to dig into his past teenage drug use are pathetic. Why don't you just admit you don't want to vote for him and be done - do you really feel the need to have a person ripped apart for everything to feel better about your decision? Imagine your personal life on display in every detail...probably wouldn't be so pretty, would it? Also, it seems the only dirt they can dig up on him is about people who surround him (NOT OBAMA HIMSELF) - and don't think for a minute people haven't been looking!
Now, my problem with Hillary and the Clintons in general is that they evade, manipulate and twist the truth when it suits their needs - too many examples to count... "it depends on what your version of "it" is".
I don't expect politicians to be honest, but they are so flagrant in their lies, their abuse of power and their sense of entitlement that I just want to barf. There is no substance there at all - just an opportunist who has ridden her husband's coat tails as far as she could. I feel like I need to take a shower every time I hear either of them speak any more - and I didn't feel this way about Bill in the beginning. I will admit that Hillary is a brilliant woman with incredible ideas and plans, that sadly would never get passed because she is missing the interpersonal skills necessary to make these ideas a reality. She knows the power of "I" very well, she must have been sleeping when they taught about the power of "we".
Posted by: biscuit | Mar 25, 2008 4:27:19 PM
BlogMoses: in regard to your perception of Obama as being a saint - a quote from Cynthia Canary, an Illinois activist against political corruption: "...Yet she also thinks America is being done a disservice by those who portray Obama as somehow above the uglier wheeler-dealing of politics. “He’s a pragmatic politician, and in the end if you think that he’s superman, your heart is going to get broken.”
Posted by: cappamore | Mar 25, 2008 4:21:58 PM
I suppose it's difficult to scrutinize Obama's "record" when little has been released.
What else can the press do to dig up supposed dirt on Hillary while Obama sunbathes.
Posted by: catherine in nm | Mar 25, 2008 3:49:56 PM
Do republicans embellish war zone and military experience or just democrats?
Seared Cambodia memory, Sniper fire in Bosnia, the tall tales seem to go on and on.
Posted by: flyover | Mar 25, 2008 3:27:28 PM
Jake you ask "why not?"
Because it is an outright LIE. That's why. She has hated the Marines since a run in she had with some as a college protester. She even vowed that she would one day be in a position to abolish the Marine Corps. She is still trying to look tough. Pathetic.
-Former Marine SGT H.
Posted by: ROB | Mar 25, 2008 3:14:05 PM
The real story is that Hillary made those remarks for months. She really dresses the Bosnia remarks up on March 17th. Perhaps, the media was distracted by the gosh awful green scarf. The media did not pick up this story until the vid was put on online and went viral.
Does the truth matter to the media?
Does the truth matter to the American people?
Bush lied about Iraq. 4,000 dead soldiers.
Hillary lies. How many will die?
Posted by: JB | Mar 25, 2008 2:46:23 PM
The Bosnia story is also laughable. Sinbad, I believe, is also a military veteran. I think he would remember a landing in a hot LZ with snipers. Are we to believe that the little girl with the poem is such a hardened combat veteran that she wasn't scared while Hillary ran for cover? Well, let me think, maybe Hillary was scared and the others were not. Not exactly the one you want answering that 3 am phone call now is she?
Posted by: Jim in Houston | Mar 25, 2008 2:31:36 PM
What a bunch of BS. I was in my 4th year in the USAF in 1975. At that time with the end of the Vietnam war they would have taken anybody. If she couldn't get in the Marines, she could have easily joined the AF or the National Guard. Another pol lying that they couldn't get in to soothe their conscience because they didn't do the right thing back then, now that they are in political races. Don't insult our intelligence Senator!
Posted by: Jim in Houston | Mar 25, 2008 2:21:24 PM
The problem is that she embellishes and tells so many fake stories, that her credibility is just shot. Of course, you people on here who rant and rave about what stories SHOULD be followed, are missing the bigger point about Senator Clinton's tall tales...
Posted by: LB | Mar 25, 2008 2:20:51 PM
I KEEP ASKING MYSELF....."WHY IS IT NEWS THAT HILARY WILL SAY ANYTHING... ANYTHING, ANYTHING, ANYTHING... TO GET ELECTED.
AND YES... THAT MEANS SHE HAS LIED... A LOT. AND... SHE WILL LIE AGAIN.
THE PART THAT I CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND IS: WHY IS THAT PERMITTED BY HER SUPPORTERS?
ARE THEY FINE WITH THE FACT THAT SHE LIES A LOT?
OR ... ARE THE LIERS TOO... AND IT MAKES IT EASY FOR THEM TO EXCUSE IT BECAUSE HRC LIES...
A LOT!
Posted by: drzoon | Mar 25, 2008 2:16:31 PM
If she didn't have to exaggerate, then why did she? Force of habit?
Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!
Posted by: Jackt51 | Mar 25, 2008 2:15:16 PM
DWC Said:
"I'm so tired of everything being put under a microscope that isn't important, and things that should be scrutinized are not."
Exactly my feelings about the Rev. Wright controversy, though I wouldn't so much describe it as being put under a microscope as endlessly beating to death a few snippets and ignoring 30+ years of ministry.
You can't have it both ways, though. Expecting the Obama campaign to "get to the issues" while the Clinton camp continues to "kitchen sink" the campaign. Let's see both campaigns get to the issues!
I can't wait for the next round of debates -- oh, wait, the candidate who said she wanted more debates is hedging on the North Carolina debate!!!!
Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!
Posted by: Jackt51 | Mar 25, 2008 2:13:29 PM
Why media does not try to look into Obama's past? for example his pastor, relationship with Rezno. Media is try to paint senator Clinton.
Posted by: stephanie | Mar 25, 2008 2:00:22 PM
Clinton really did not have to exagerate because she really does have more Foreign relations experience than Obama - what with longer experience in the senate and foregin services committee. On the other hand, you have Obama, who downplayed his association with Wright. In my book, no one got hurt with Clinton's "mis-statements", while we'll never know the consequences of the hate-filled sermons of Wright imparted to the youth of his church and the aftermath of so-called real conversation about race issue.
Posted by: Haha | Mar 25, 2008 1:58:39 PM
The Clinton campaign attacked Obama today for not releasing past tax returns...
At the exact moment, Obama released his past tax return.
Where are yours Hillary???
Where are your earmarks???
Where are the records of funders to the Clinton library???
Why the lies of Bosnia and North Ireland???
Why lie about your position on NAFTA???
Why can't you admit your mistake on voting for the Iraqi War???
Hillar WILL NEVER get my VOTE
Posted by: Yes We Can PA | Mar 25, 2008 1:51:26 PM
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