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The Mystery of "The War Room" Clip
May 02, 2008 1:43 PM
Mickey Kantor -- Bill Clinton's Trade Representative, a supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, and an informal adviser to her campaign -- once seemed to have some not-so-nice things to say about the Hoosiers his chosen candidate is working so hard to pursue.
As seen in The War Room, watching election returns come in, Kantor seems to say in hushed tones to James Carville, “Look at Indiana, wait, wait – look at Indiana. 42-40. It doesn’t matter if we win. Those people are s---. Excuse me."
You can watch it HERE; the moment comes about 4:45 into the clip.
I posted the above yesterday but had the post taken down amidst some debate over its authenticity. I'm traveling and the Clinton campaign said that the clip had been doctored.
(If I'm traveling and a credible person tells me something on the blog is wrong, I will -- very rarely -- take down the blog post until I'm in front of a computer and can verify it. In this instance, I had watched the clip and read contemporaneous accounts that Kantor was referring to Indianans, plus I had spoken to the Clinton campaign which never denied the authenticity of the clip. In retrospect, I shouldn't have taken it down, but I was running through an airport at the time.)
Kantor today denied to the Huffington Post that he had called Hoosiers "s---." "I was talking about the polling and not the people," Kantor said.
(He also denied the legitimacy of another clip, which certainly seems doctored, in which he uses a horrible racial slur. I'd seen that clip -- not sent to me by anyone affiliated with the Obama campaign, I hasten to add -- but I had not posted it.)
Ben Smith of Politico today talked to D.A. Pennebaker, director of "The War Room," agreed that the racial slur was not Kantor's, that someone had doctored the video in that other clip.
As for the "Those people are s---" line, Pennebaker told Smith that Kantor had said, "he says they must be s---ing in the White House."
Watch the clip, what do you think he said? When "The War Room" came out other folks interpreted Kantor to be impugning Indiana residents.
In The Washington Post's review of the film in 1993, critic Desson Howe referred to "a Mickey Kantor comment about the people of Indiana (when it looks as though Clinton's ahead in Dan Quayle's state)."
And a 1995 story in the Sydney Morning Herald said that "As for the good folk of Indiana, they are still recovering from the 1993 documentary War Room, which revealed the grim truth behind the Clinton election campaign. It showed Mr Kantor bursting in on election night to tell other campaign staffers that incredibly, Mr Clinton was doing well even in Republican Indiana. 'And those people are s---!' he declared breathlessly."
Were I not currently eating a chicken sandwich at Liberty East Restaurant in Charlotte, NC, while working on a World News piece about the economy and the candidates, I would go to Blockbuster, rent a copy of The War Room and settle this matter as much as possible.
As it is, all I can do is post this to explain why I took down the original blog entry, and re-post it with all the added context above. Not good enough, but the best I can do from Liberty East Restaurant.
- jpt
UPDATE: Let me make this clearer: I NEVER posted the doctored video with Kantor using the N-word.
UPDATE: Please see THIS POST for the official transcript that shows Kantor was not impugning Hoosiers.May 2, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (164)
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Here is some high road for you. Its called freedom of speech You can continue to delete my posts, but the truth will come out. It does your publication no favors to keep behaving like George Bush and subverting constitutional values. Sooner or later you folks will get the totalitarian state you keep trying to advance.
An advocate of free trade, Kantor, as Trade Representative, lead U.S. negotiations that created the World Trade Organization (WTO), such as the Uruguay Round, and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He also engaged in organizating the Miami Summit of the Americas and three meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, including the U.S.-hosted First Leaders' Meeting. With the European Commission of the newly formed European Union, he expanded the trans-Atlantic market.
Posted by: Henry | May 5, 2008 3:19:28 PM
Bob,
Most of us have more faith in Ed Schultz's progressive credentials than we do in Hillary's. Isn't she pretty good buds with old Jump Ship Joe Lieberman?
Posted by: Dave | May 3, 2008 6:51:43 AM
You guys hear the whole Rev. Wright thing was an edit job? That sounds plausible, wright?
Posted by: hank | May 3, 2008 1:14:22 AM
GO BIG EDDY!
Posted by: dave | May 3, 2008 1:04:13 AM
Thanks Bob T for your comments about Ed Schultz - I couldn't have said it better. I heard him today blasting his big mouth about this lie! He had some poor guy so upset, the guy was almost crying. Ed kept saying, well it doesn't look doctored to me!! Is he somehow an expert on editing these days? He's sure no expert on politics. He never does his homework on any topic - he has this huge ego and thinks he can say whatever he wants because its HIS show - well without listeners, he's nothing. He's a sportscaster AND a republican who found a niche in "progressive" radio because the right wing slots were filled! I have quit listening to him for the most part! He's no progressive. I hope this one comes back to bite him in the butt!
GL
Posted by: Gay Lynn | May 3, 2008 12:49:22 AM
Here we go again.
I heard Ed Schultz this morning on the radio and he made me sick for him to hack away at Hillary for three hours today and for the past 6 months.
I wonder if he is really a Democrat?
I along with many of the e-mailers here go along with them and say if you are a Democrat then for pet’s sake act like one.
We are falling into the enemy’s best weapon. "Fighting Among Ourselves"
I don’t care who wins, as long as it is Hillary or Obama.
And to you Ed Schultz I say just “SHUT UP”. You are becoming a big pain in the a-s. What kind of a man are you anyway?
If you are a Democrat act like one or go join the Republicans, and stop this phony acting. As a combat veteran, I have never in my life seen we as a Army of Democrats
give so much to the enemy.
Ed, if you have any education at all, then act like it, instead of some little kid running around with crap in your pants.
That's all for now.
It is our choice.
Posted by: Bob T. | May 2, 2008 11:09:42 PM
Well, Tapper, you've done it again.
Are you sure that was a chicken salad sandwich you were eating, and not egg salad?
You've got egg all over your face.
Jeez, I guess anybody can grow up to be a big time media Journalist.
No heavy lifting, no fact checking... just easy bucks, especially when McCain is the Republican nominee.
Posted by: fjschmi | May 2, 2008 10:39:52 PM
I'm still trying to figure out how this Obama's fault???? It is what it is; clinton's is known for lying and game playing. What's done in the dark will come to light. I will never vote for her...THE CLINTON'S ARE LIARS
Posted by: Vivian | May 2, 2008 8:05:24 PM
Keep pounding the Clintons, both of them.
They can take anything thrown at them! They are tough, intelligent, capable, confident, and the only Democrats capable of beating the Republican attack machines.
That is why Bill clinton is the only two term elected Democratic President since FDR. That is why after being impeached by a Republican congress, he still governed excellently and left office with a 65% approval rating from the American people.
It is also why Hillary Clinton is the only real choice for the Democratic Party to win with now. She, like Bill, has taken an undeserved beating for more than 16 years; never folded, never quit!
So, to one and all, I say go for it. Hammer away! you only reinforce them and we who support them. We are also inured to the attacks upon them.
Posted by: MC | May 2, 2008 7:58:32 PM
I learned a great deal by working on the Clinton/Gore Campaign in 1992, going door to door in New Hampshire and making phone calls. But my real education came in the years following 1992 when I observed how good people were thrown under a bus, continual moral lapses resulting in scandals were rationalized and in the end the Clinton's sold the Whitehouse to raise funds. The Clintons became very proficient at getting powerful people to part with their money--In fact Clinton is quoted in a Bill Moyer's PBS special where he is telling fat cats that their money buys influence certainly but not total control.
excerpted transcript:
BILL MOYERS: In 1996, a "For Sale" sign was hung on the White House.
Pres. BILL CLINTON: [to contributors] And I think it's okay if your investment gets you influence, but your investment shouldn't get you control.
Hearing this verbage alone is all you need to know. Since that time the LIES, DECEIT, VOTER FRAUD & MANIPULATION have grown increasingly similar to that of the Neocons, as their wealth derived largely from foreign sources hassky rocketed. So this begs the question, who owns the Clintons? Make no mistake, once you stop drinking the kool-aid it is rather easy to see that if ever there were "ELITISTS" in the Democratic Party, they are the Clintons. The politics of "TRIANGULATION" which they mastered is the art of appealing to and manipulating to the uninformed, the intellectually undernourished, the lower middle class and whatever ethnic minorities that they need as part of winning coalition while winking to the powerful that they have the little people under control. Hillary Clinton's Campaign has made aggressive, racist appeals to frighten those on the left side of the bell curve, the working class etc. This is at the heart of CLINTON FRAUD...they think all the little people are Dumb sh_ts that can be easily duped. The Clintons are financed heavily by foreign elements who paid for the Clinton Presidential Library, donated to the Clinton Global Initiative, pumped funds into Hillary''s Senate run and this presidential race where they are trying to buy the next Clinton Administration. The essential fraud of the Clintons is that they are the furthest thing from middle class warriors. The CLINTONS ARE WORKING CLASS PREDATORS. The people most easily fooled by their rhetoric are too consumed with their own economic survival to verify the accuracy of what they are told. BOTOX, BLUE CONTACT LENSES, BLONDE HAIR DYE are part of Hillary''s carefully crafted All American persona to manipulate voters into thinking that she is "one of you"---the last white lady standing running against the black man, with a crazy minister, not sure if he is a muslim etc. This is CLINTONISM. CLINTONISM MUST BE REPUDIATED.
Posted by: Christopher London | May 2, 2008 7:35:31 PM
"The vote not casted for Obama doesn't mean your uneducated, racist, stupid, poor or any other de-humanizing label you want to make up and apply to someone." -Craig
I never said votes not casted for Obama all come from people who are "uneducated, racist, stupid, poor." I was talking about the polls in Pennsylvania how it was reported that more people who are uneducated vote for Hillary instead of Obama. Then I followed with how being uneducated is related to fears and how Hillary and McCain play on those fears. I never attacked those people as racist nor de-humanized them. You might want to read that again.
Posted by: blogr214 | May 2, 2008 7:25:06 PM
How about having professionals come in and examine the Tape? The FBI..someone they could all trust.
The feelings of the people on that Radio Talk Show...were so impassioned, so angry, and they were truth telling..I honestly think NONE Of them thought that tape had been touched. That it had NOT been tampered with..and after Hillary and all of her Mewing about Rev. Wright......explain Kantor's remarks. And James Carville was there too or so they said on the radio show today and they were getting calls hot and heavy.n Plenty of witnesses to come clean. Fess up. Disown him.
Do what Obama has had to do all week long.
Posted by: Teka | May 2, 2008 6:53:19 PM
Typical Axelrod tactics.
Is anyone really surprised?
Posted by: Jayhawk | May 2, 2008 6:49:31 PM
What about her dealings with Peter Paul? What about Bills involvement with the Iran Contra affair. Allowing drugs to be flown into Arkansas while he was Governor. Bosnia...goodness...I'm a combat Veteran...I will never forget being shot at nor would I lie about it. Go to the website for the Library of Congress and see for yourself how she has just been wasting time and money playing Senator. Only a small number of her bills and the bills that she co-sponsored were of substance. Compare that to Senator Obama. Of the 3 Senator Obama is the likely choice. If you want the New World Order to be in effect then vote for her. If you want more screwing then vote for McCain. If you want someone that will make a change and restore credability to this country then Vote For Obama.
Posted by: neno | May 2, 2008 6:43:57 PM
This is so much fun! Both of these candidates are useless! I don't know which one is going to be the slimiest! I am not crazy about McCain but I didn't think anyone could make him look good! Maybe Hillary and Obama can mud rassle for the nomination!
Posted by: Grady | May 2, 2008 6:43:26 PM
D.A. Pennebaker has said it was doctored. He is a very serious filmmaker and wouldn't make that up.
Posted by: Jay | May 2, 2008 6:37:45 PM
"Way to go Obamanations. Sinking lower and lower, against a fellow democrat." -rs
I don't think Hillary supporters are in a position to say that since she was the one who was running a negative campaign as well as trying to link Obama to muslims, Osama bin laden, and Saddam Hussein just to 'scare' voters.
Hillary was supposed to drop out, but shes still in there and is now killing the democratic party by running negative ads.
Posted by: blogr214 | May 2, 2008 6:22:18 PM
I don't have a dog in this race. (I hope they both lose) But what "People" is he talking about? The congressmen from Indiana, the democratic leaders in Indiana or all the people of Indiana?
Of the three, the latter choice is probably the least likely. I doubt he even knew very many people of the state other than the elected official in DC and possible the election officials and dem. leaders.
Posted by: Polly A | May 2, 2008 6:16:08 PM
Neocons go on the Rush Limbaugh show and pimp themselves out to Operation Chaos Republicans for Hillary votes. Bill Clinton will tell you so.
Posted by: Beth | May 2, 2008 6:15:12 PM
Statistically, Obama is set to win and Hillary will have to pull a miracle just to make it to the convention.
As for comments saying "most people who are uneducated tend to vote for Hillary" that was from Pennsylvania only? Or other states as well? I just want to know for a fact.
In sociology, generally people who are uneducated are more likely to have many fears. Because of this, it is easier to manipulate them. If I know what you're scared of then I can use that against you. When you are in a state of fear, all rational thought is gone. This is to say, people who are fearful are also irrational. Being irrational means you are incapable of reason.
The only way to overcome your fears is to learn about them. In other words educate yourself about what scares you. This is to say knowledge will overcome fear.
Hillary and McCain both use scare tactics to manipulate people. Those who are educated are immune to it while those who are uneducated yield to it.
Posted by: blogr214 | May 2, 2008 6:03:55 PM
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