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Clinton Rips Media's 'Double Standard'

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April 08, 2008 6:47 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis Reports: Asked about press accusations that the only way she can win is if she's "willing to win ugly," Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., told NPR's "All Things Considered" on Tuesday that she has faced "something of a double standard" throughout her presidential bid.

"Senator, I want you to react to something that I keep hearing among voters, and increasingly among people who cover the campaign -- both those who are reporters and those who speak about the campaign on television, on radio -- the statement that the only way that Hillary Clinton can win is if she’s willing to win ugly," NPR's Michele Norris told Clinton.

"When you hear that," Norris continued, "what does that mean to you? How do you react to that?"

"Well, I don't know what it means because there is no way for Senator Obama to win unless he also obtains a significant number of superdelegates," said Clinton. "I understand that there has been, throughout this campaign, something of a double standard. I accept it; I live with it."

Asked what the double standard is, Clinton at first demurred.

"Well, I think that it's pretty obvious to anybody who has followed it," said Clinton.

When Norris followed-up again, saying, "Just in case it's not clear to someone, I don’t want to assume. I just want you to tell me what you think the double standard is because I don't want to assume," Clinton unloaded.

"No, but you know – for example, why is the question directed at me?" she said. "I mean, neither of us has the number of delegates to win. It is a problem for both of us. And Senator Obama's supporters refuse to support a revote in Michigan, which I thought was rather odd for the Democratic Party to be against another vote. Senator Obama's supporters wanted to end this contest and short circuit it so that the votes of the people in the next upcoming contest wouldn't count because he has a slight lead. And it's by no means definitive. It would have been like calling the championship game last night with two minutes left to go because somebody was ahead. And that’s not how it turned out."

Audio of Clinton's interview is available on NPR's website.

April 8, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (469)

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Clinton keeps touting double standards because it allows her to rewrite the rules constantly change her strategy. She will win at all cost regardless what it will do to the Democratic party.
On one hand she states the people should decide by voting, but then switches to acknowlege that the super delegats will decide, and that the delegates should decide whom they think will be the best candidate regardless os what the popular vote will be.
If they way she runs her campaign is a sign of how she would run the country that is something the US does not need.

Posted by: michelle | Apr 8, 2008 6:59:01 PM

How is the following, then, not a double standard... HRC told all who would listen that the nominee would be chosen after Super Duper Tsunami Tuesday of 5th Feb. What about disenfranchising all the voters who were going to vote after that??? Typical Clinton doublespeak.

Posted by: Martin | Apr 8, 2008 6:59:44 PM

I think the title of this is misleading. Senator Clinton did not "rip" anyone, but boy could she if she wanted to.

She happens to be right about this. Neither one of them has enough votes to win and can't without supers. Sen. Obama's lead is very small, why doesn't the media ask him how he can win?

Sen. Obama is playing VERY UGLY politics and has been for sometime. Witness another surrogates comments about Senator McCain today. This stuff happens week after week but the media gives him a free pass.

Maybe the voters are getting ahead of the media - look at the new SurveyUSA poll out today in PA - Clinton up by 18. Survey USA poll in NC - Clinton down by 10 when she has been down by 22 or 23. I am NOT cherry picking polls. If anyone who reads this knows anything about polls SUSA has been the most accurate this election save Missouri.

Posted by: Kris | Apr 8, 2008 7:00:52 PM

What is she talking about? She is not making any sense anymore. She's ranting and raving and whining about everything now. Oh, no, she's gonna start crying soon... Poor, poor commander-in-chief wannabe.

Posted by: Adi | Apr 8, 2008 7:03:16 PM

Hillary is not getting it, again. People are telling her to get out of the race because she is behind in popular votes, delegates, and number of states won and there is no way in hell she'll be able to make up for it in the remaining races. Come on, Hillary, this is not a double standard; it's the reality. I know, the Clintons have issues with reality but some people are really good at seeing things for what they are and they just won't stop.

Posted by: mabs | Apr 8, 2008 7:07:29 PM

Hillabeans: Do you want some cheese with that whine?!

And, Kris, you are certainly cherry picking polls! Polls continue to trend single digits for Clinton in PA and high teens to low twenties for Obama in NC. And PA polls are generally trending downward. Who knows where things will be at the end of next week, after the PA Debate. Could easily be an Obama win -- nail in the coffin, that!

Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!

Posted by: Jackt51 | Apr 8, 2008 7:12:29 PM

Well when 30million of us vote for MCcain you will get it what the double standard is.

Posted by: Bishop | Apr 8, 2008 7:12:36 PM

Obama gets constantly bashed by Hannity and Combes, Karl Rove, and other jerks - He's not complaining!

Posted by: Sherrie | Apr 8, 2008 7:12:55 PM

I detest Bill and Hillary Clinton. But, I do have to admit, she is getting the short straw in media coverage. So much is out there about Obama that isn't being reported. So very much.

But at least Hillary is staying in and, in so doing, is shredding the party. Good news for people who care about issues rather than assertions.

Posted by: Surelock Homes | Apr 8, 2008 7:15:55 PM

To bad must of her supporters not just think but know there is a double standard new susa poll clinton up by double digits over Obama.

Posted by: Bishop | Apr 8, 2008 7:16:31 PM

Whether Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Hillary or Obama in 2008, I don't see the difference in any of these three presidential candidates. If we elect a Dem in 2008 we'll be in the same mess in 2012 as we were in 1980. I still remember 20% interest rates, the 400 some American hostages in Iran, and America the laughing stalk of two-bit dictators all around the world.

Posted by: Jeff Jorgensen | Apr 8, 2008 7:19:07 PM

Hillary,
Please continue to stand up for all the voters. Obama has not lifted a finger for Michigan or Florida voters. We know that you care about all Democrats.
========================================
Obama needs to apologize for Rockefeller's statements!
=========================================

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 8, 2008 7:19:08 PM

The double standard is if Obama had lost 11 straight contests EVERYONE would be yelling for him to get out. Instead everyone gave Hillary the benefit of the doubt and said it was ok for her to continue.

Posted by: Rob, Indianapolis, IN | Apr 8, 2008 7:19:34 PM

See like Gorgon said, Hill and Bill need an enemy to run against. This way you can decry the unfairness, generate sympathy AND avoid talking about what you believe in.

And it is all important to avoid talking about who you are and what you stand for.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | Apr 8, 2008 7:22:34 PM


I just saw Obama questioning General Petraeus. His stance on Iraq sure has changed. He's sounding more and more like McCain. I wonder why his followers aren't noticing that he's abandoning them.

Meanwhile, Hillary looks like she'd been rode hard and put away wet.

Posted by: S | Apr 8, 2008 7:22:49 PM

Actually, the multiple standards are with Hillary. She changes her math formula weekly and moves the goal posts several times each quarter.

Posted by: Sara | Apr 8, 2008 7:23:30 PM

This race is to close for any one to be trying to force some one out.

Posted by: Bishop | Apr 8, 2008 7:24:50 PM

don't talk about Obama. You folks ruled us for hundreds of years, now its our time to rule you. Don't hate, appreciate.

Posted by: power | Apr 8, 2008 7:24:50 PM

Obama or his surrogates tried to short-circuit the race....

Everyone knew neither candidates will gain enough delegates before convention....

It is undeniable fact...

So let the whole process go thru itself, and let all arguements be put on the table...

Based on all the results and arguments, people will judge who will be the best candidate for Dems.....

Please do not break the RULE and do not steal...

If you earn the title in the end, it will be yours.....That's it!!

Posted by: True Truth | Apr 8, 2008 7:25:26 PM

It makes me laugh when I hear Obama's people talking about following the rules. I do not know if they remember but Al Gore won the popular vote in the election of 2000, and he did not become Preident of the United States due to "The Rules", the electoral college, instead we got George W. Bush and look how that turned out!!

When all is said and done, and everyone has voted Hillary will have more popular votes but Obama will have more pledged delegates. Obama will end up being the Democratic Nominee because Americans are "obsessed" with rules, and the next President of the United States will be John McCain, sad, sad, sad.

Posted by: Gabriel | Apr 8, 2008 7:27:16 PM

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