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Assassination Remarks Update:Special Comment
By Tommy ChristopherMay 23rd 2008 8:50PM
Filed Under:eHillary Clinton, Democrats, Barack Obama, Breaking News, 2008 President
Update 5/25/08: Full text of related statements from the campaigns at the end of the story.
Update: The Clinton campaign emailed a statement from Bobby Kennedy, Jr., see the end of the story for that release.
Update: Keith Olbermann's Special Comment mirrors many of my own thoughts, minus my previous grant of the benefit of the doubt. See the video below, and brief additional commentary at the end of the story.
Also, I contacted the McCain campaign earlier, they had no statement, and have not released one yet.
Wow. The shark has been jumped so many times, by so many people, this primary season that it's hard to believe someone could top them all. Hillary Clinton has reinvented the shark-jump. From the NY Post: (click Here for video)
Hillary Clinton today brought up the assassination of Sen. Robert Kennedy while defending herI am stunned. So, apparently, is the Obama campaign, who issued a brief statement. Via email:decision to stay in the race against Barack Obama.
"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it," she said, dismissing calls to drop out.
"Senator Clinton's statement before the Argus Leader editorial board was unfortunate and has no place in this campaign," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.Brief comments after the jump.
I just read this, so the whole thing is still hitting me. Maybe I'll feel differently later, but right now, my heart is sinking.
I have long been an admirer of Hillary Clinton, as a leader, as a pioneer, as a role model for young women. I have taken frequent exception to the tactics employed by her campaign, but my personal admiration for her never wavered. I am afraid it has just been vaporized.
Before you try to defend the "pragmatism" of her statement, think for a minute about what would actually happen if she dropped out and Senator Obama was tragically cut down. She would most certainly become the nominee. This was as cynical and shameless a political act as I have ever seen, and I am heartsick over it.
Say it ain't so, Hillary. Say it ain't so.
Update: I want to say one more thing, and perhaps I will have some better-collected thoughts tonight, plus any updates. The response from the DNC and the remaining superdelegates should be swift and unmistakable. It is time to end this. It is time to send a message, that there are limits to what you can say to try to win an election.
I cannot even contemplate the possibilities if she stays in. Whether she meant to or not, she may have just drawn a bullseye on Obama, and dropping out might not even erase that. Shame on you, Hillary.
Update: David Knowles has reaction to the Clinton "apology," and I have to say, I am even more shocked to learn that this is the fourth time she has made this reference, twice omitting the word "assassination."
I don't want to belabor this. Instead, I will simply re-post my thoughts from the comments section. I do want to add one comment, to Mr. Sandy Clark, a loyal reader. You are right to say that I was upset, and right to question whether that clouded my analysis. Please, know that I weighed that possibility before writing this piece, but that it did not.
To all Hillary apologists,Update: The Clinton campain sent this tonight, via email:
this is the one and only time I will address this. If she was simply referencing late-running primaries, she could have stopped at her husband's.
I don't think she thought about what she was saying, but that's the point. She thought about this only in terms of political reality. The possibility of an assassination occurred to her as a reason not to drop out. The RFK assassination would never come to mind as an example of a benefit to his then-opponent. I have never heard anything like this.
This is part of a pattern, referencing ugly political realities as abstractions rather than evaluating them on their human merits.
Nobody thinks Hillary is hoping Barack gets shot. That she thought of an assassination at all as a reason to wait in the wings bespeaks an unhealthy obsession with winning.
Statement from Robert Kennedy Jr.Update: Appendix - Below are the full texts of related statements from the campaigns, via email.
Robert Kennedy Jr. issued the following statement this evening:
"It is clear from the context that Hillary was invoking a familiar political circumstance in order to support her decision to stay in the race through June. I have heard her make this reference before, also citing her husband's 1992 race, both of which were hard fought through June. I understand how highly charged the atmosphere is, but I think it is a mistake for people to take offense."
Statement from Hillary Clinton Friday, May 23, 2008 5:06:35 PMFrom the Argus Leader, via the Clinton Press Office:
Hillary Clinton issued the following statement today in Brandon, SD:
"Earlier today I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Senator Kennedy waged in California in June 1992 and 1968 and I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nomination primary contests that go into June. That's a historic fact. The Kennedys have been much on my mind the last days because of Senator Kennedy and I regret that if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation, and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that, whatsoever. My view is that we have to look to the past and to our leaders who have inspired us and give us a lot to live up to, and I'm honored to hold Senator Kennedy's seat in the United States Senate from the state of New York and have the highest regard for the entire Kennedy family."
Transcript from the Argus-Leader's editorial board meeting:
HRC: People have been trying to push me out of this ever since Iowa.
Q: Why?
HRC: I don't know. I don't know. I find it curious. Because it is unprecedented in history. I don't understand it. Between my opponent and his camp and some in the media there has been this urgency to end this. And historically, that makes no sense. So I find it a bit of a mystery.
Q: So you don't buy the party unity argument?
HRC: I don't because again I've been around long enough.
My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right?
We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it. There's lots of speculation about why it is.
Q: What is your speculation?
I don't know. I find it curious. And I don't want to attribute motives or strategies to people because I don't really know, but it's a historical curiosity to me.
Friday, May 23, 2008 6:59:29 PM The Argus Leader's Executive Editor Randell Beck issued the following statement today:
"The context of the question and answer with Sen. Clinton was whether her continued candidacy jeopardized party unity this close to the Democratic convention. Her reference to Mr. Kennedy's assassination appeared to focus on the timeline of his primary candidacy and not the assassination itself."
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 37)Diana4:42PMMay 23rd 2008
WTF???!!! Are you sure this NY Post's article wasn't authored by one MOJOJOJO? One can only hope that this was some kind of a misstatement or misunderstanding....I'll turn on the TV. As you so aptly put it, SAY IT AIN'T SO! I feel nauseous....sigh.
jennifer4:46PMMay 23rd 2008
I am disgusted to core.
She has become so deperate and pathetic.
AngelsInOurLives4:47PMMay 23rd 2008
Looks like Hillary is showing her true colors. Her racist chickens are coming home to roost; Her husbands racial comments and now this reference to the Bobby Kennedy assasination, her base of support being the hard working, poor white man etc. Her chance at becoming Obama's Vice Pres. are in the toilet right along with her campaign...Like I said she is LOSING IT!!!!
Jimi4:47PMMay 23rd 2008
I think Hillary would stoop to just about anything, but I'M even shocked by this. Lord, let's pray he does not pick her as his running mate!
Andrewcas4:48PMMay 23rd 2008
Is Hillary inciting one her many gay fanatics to kill Obama so that she could be the Demorcatic candidate? THIS IS A SICK, SICK, SICK WOMAN . . will do anything to win!
Leslie4:49PMMay 23rd 2008
The Super Delegates need to put an end to this ASAP. Some crazy racist Hillary supporter will think this is a license to go after Obama. Shame Hillary, Shame!!
Thomas4:50PMMay 23rd 2008
She meant that campaigns go on very long and that '68 had obviously gone into the summer since that's when the assassination took place. Sheesh! Don't jump to conclusions! She didn't say anything like that!
Diana4:50PMMay 23rd 2008
Sounds more like something Bill might say....but Hillary?! Not to state the obvious here, but if this is true, she just kissed the VP spot adios (and I'd tell her what she could do with it if I were Barack). Personally, I'm SOOO disillusioned! Is she lacking sleep/exhausted from all those nightly 3 AM phone calls? Again, WTF??!
jennifer4:51PMMay 23rd 2008
to make a statement such as that shows how classless she has become. I am a woman and she doesn't speak for me any way. I want a woman with class to be the first woman but not her. Whatever genuine good feelings I may have had for her in the beginning of this race is long gone.ABC (ANYBODY BUT CLINTON)
NotsoFast4:52PMMay 23rd 2008
I knew this was another piece of crap from TC..You have really hit bottom when you have to go to the New York Post ROFL
Perhaps there is a support group you could join TC
devilspeak4:53PMMay 23rd 2008
this article.....so what, it is your interpretation of what you read. obama could be offed, so could hillary. grow up, tommy christopher...you are as bad as knowlesssss. if you cant find excrement on hillary, you make it up or do what you are attempting to do with your stupid opinion of what was said. obama has enemies, all politicians do. and you act like nobody has ever said even worse about hillary. you belong in the propaganda business with axelrod.
Old Lady USA4:54PMMay 23rd 2008
Diana - Covering HRC justification statement (MSNBC @ 1:50PDT)... David's face said it all. I'm soooo sorry.
LARRY RICE4:55PMMay 23rd 2008
The insiders plan is unfolding as it should, pre May 23 DNC meeting. Supers are more than ready to take the plunge, they do not want a brokered convention. NO WAY! They will keep on endorsing Obama. A very few stragglers are leaning to Clinton and they can switch and they will. Once we know how many delegates will represent MI/FL, Florida only has 27 and Michigan less, then that flap is over and done. With A 50/50 split of delegates, all the DNC can do in all fairness due to ground campaigning being prohibited in MI/FA. And, also Obama's name being off the ballot in one state. Still Obama has the lead in delegates and Supers. Clinton is back to square one as she goes into every contest. Add in MI/FL count, she also is left with a large handicap; Obama has the advantage by leading prior. Thus said, all remaining contests will then be icing on Obama's cake, and leave no room for further dispute.
ifeelbeats5:03PMMay 23rd 2008
Who cares?? You schmuck's spin every word into whatever context you need for a story that day. It's pathetic and another tactic to put hillary out of the race, since obama can't close the deal himself....not even after paying off the superdelegates. Which makes him the real pond scum from day 1. So let's spew facts and not all of this bizarr fictional drama.
"CHANGE" OR "SAME OLD POLITICS"?? AMERICANS: COMMON SENSE?
In February, the Center for Responsive Politics reported that Sen. Obama's political action committee had given $694,000 to superdelegates in the previous three years. Of the 81 who had announced their support for Obama at the time, 34 had received donations totaling $228,000.
HOW'S THAT FOR "CHANGE"??
HOW'S THAT FOR "FIXING THE SAME OLD BROKEN POLITICS IN WASHINGTON"??
OBAMA'S TRANSPARENCY IS OFFENSIVELY OBVIOUS. WHICH IS WHY I'M BAFFLED AS TO WHY SO MANY AMERICANS HAVEN'T FIGURED HIM OUT YET. THE ONLY THING I CAN COME UP WITH IS THAT MAYBE THEY CONSUMED TOO MANY PAINT CHIPS AS KIDS, OR JUST DON'T GIVE A DAMN. SADLY, I THINK IT'S PROBABLY THE SECOND REASON.
EVERYBODY FEELS THREATENED BECAUSE THIS MAY GO TO THE CONVENTION AND IF IT DOES........THEN RIGHTFULLY YOU SHOULD FEAR HER. BECAUSE SHE WILL EXECUTE THE BIGGEST UPSET IN YEARS. YOU THINK THE SLAP-DOWNS IN KY AND WV WERE SEVERE......OBAMA WILL BE STUCK ON STUPID AT THE CONVENTION......SO I SUGGEST THE TROLLS LAY OFF HILLARY BEFORE THINGS GET COMPLICATED.
Rogers5:04PMMay 23rd 2008
Kennedy was assasinated in CALIFORNIA IN JUNE WHILE STILL CAMPAIGNING...duh. That's the point she was making. He was still campaigning in JUNE.
You would think she had put a "hit" out on him, the way you bots are acting.
JAN DAMMOND5:04PMMay 23rd 2008
WHAT A PITIFULL EXCUSE FOR A WOMAN. SHE LOVES TO CREATE FEAR IN VOTERS AND THE OPPOSITION. THAT IS THE KIND OF OLD ROTTEN WASHINGTON POLITICS VOTERS HAVE GROWN TO DISLIKE. THAT WOMAN IS ROTTEN TO THE VERY CORE. WILL SAY ANYTHING AND DO ANYTHING TO GET BACK IN POWER AND BILL CLINTON IS CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH< WARP AND WEAVE. SHE HAS NO SHAME. HER BRAZEN UNTACTFULLNESS AND ARROGANCE IS BEYOND PALE. ALL OF WASHINGTON KNOW WHO HER AND BILL ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE ALL ABOUT. THE SUPERS ARE FLEEING HER. DON'T MISTAKE OBAMA'S DECISION TO RUN FOR AN ACCIDENT. INSIDERS WANTED OPPOSITION FOR CLINTON WHOM MOST HAVE TO GRIN AND BEAR WORKING WITH. POLITICS ARE ALWAYS PLANNED.
DAN5:06PMMay 23rd 2008
THE BEATCH IS DESPERATE CAUSE SHE HAS LOST.
Jack Lane5:06PMMay 23rd 2008
Just another reason for Obama to use the race card. He is a racist that will misinterpret, on purpose, anything that anyone "white" says. Who knows...he could be assinated and then we would would have to have Michelle ( I hate the USA) Obama jump in.
LEE5:08PMMay 23rd 2008
THE SUPERDELEGATES WILL DENOUNCE THE BITCH ON THIS ONE. GET THE HOOK!
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Old Lady USA4:34PMMay 23rd 2008
Check David's coverage. I'm sorry for ALL the admirers... You especially.
In my view, Obama should just put it in 5th and keep on moving. There is no obligation - at all. If there is a loss in November, then at least it will not be based on dealing with behavior like this.
Again, I'm sorry too.