It's a democracy for dollar bills, and every dollar bill gets one vote. Hillary is but a symptom of that.
32
Better someone like Brock than a Boy Scout running the campaign. We've had enough of nice guys trying to counteract the likes of Lee Atwater and Karl Rove with civility. This says "It's on, witches!" (I can't say it as I should on a comment on The Times).
33
This is a glaring example of why we need public financing of elections. There is no free lunch.
42
This column about Brock is the perfect example of the hypocrisy of politics. This guy can switch sides the way a chameleon changes colors - just at the right moment to protect himself and further his shelf life. He's not unique. There are many just like Brock on the right and the left. These people could give a rats about the politician or the American people. It's all about no. 1. So, why does the NY Times endorse politicians? Why doesn't it simply expose what's going on and leave it at that? For that matter, why does Mo hammer the Clintons, and most everyone on the right, but not the wunderkind Obama who has proven to be the least effective, most narcissistic, most divisive POTUS in modern times? Where was Mo when the country needed her to expose Obama and his handlers?
22
Given the tone (and metaphors and adjectives also noted by Meredith below), the title of this piece is certainly ironic.
7
Snakes again. Certainly, readers haven't forgotten Maureen's "hiss, hiss" column from years back. That was a response to a certain "W" and his crew who were truth-phobic and gave Maureen a nick-name of "snake" for revealing the truth about them. For their partisans, Maureen pierced the illusions. With Hillary Clinton too, Maureen's misgivings are toxic to illusions about her. The Brock melodrama (and an already growing cast of characters) swirling in her unannounced campaign suggests that getting an executive's grip on what's going on around her is a step she has not yet mastered.
5
Who cares about all this inside-Beltway stuff, most Americans will still take a Clinton over a Bush in the White House anyday!
39
What a most appropriate adjective, slime, to use in describing the Clintons!!
27
There is an alternative to Hillary. Jim Webb is a Democrat who can have cross over appeal as a blue-collar Southerner. He's a former senator from Virginia and a Vietnam vet. And he's running.
38
Dirty business, the economics of political ambition.
Angus King and Elizabeth Warren would change that.
Last chance to avoid the awful prospect of Cinton/Bush family return.
Angus King and Elizabeth Warren would change that.
Last chance to avoid the awful prospect of Cinton/Bush family return.
9
Yawn. Another Clinton bashing over a small internal kerfluffle that's meaningless to anyone without a political microscope. Maureen, please take a look at the front-page article regarding Jeb Bush. Then, please go after him, just once. He makes Hillary Clinton look like a saint by comparison, and that's a column I'd look forward to reading.
67
I once wore a monocle. It was a Halloween party where I went as a 1910 British army general complete with a pith helmet and knee-high boots. I was almost dashing. That doesn't make me a bad person.
10
I would like to hear from a couple of Clinton for president advocates exactly what it is about her that, in their minds, qualifies her to hold the office. It seems to me that everything she touches turns to puke. Look what she turned her husband into as well as our foreign policy and every other thing in government with which she has had anything to do with.
33
The political candidate and party without these kind of dogs are called losers.
The political candidate and party who try to pretend that they do not have any such dogs are called winners.
Corporations are people. Money is speech.
Call off Maureen Dowd.
We already know that water is wet, the sun is a star, the sky is blue, Cain did not care about his brother and that Judas was a disciple.
The political candidate and party who try to pretend that they do not have any such dogs are called winners.
Corporations are people. Money is speech.
Call off Maureen Dowd.
We already know that water is wet, the sun is a star, the sky is blue, Cain did not care about his brother and that Judas was a disciple.
28
Money is the name of the game and it corrupts everyone. Get rid of the court ruling allowing unlimited funding and all this will end. The best people will be elected on a level playing field. Everybody has to play the money game to get elected today. This brings out the worst in people and the worst people.
24
Better get used to it ... Hillary can never win. If she emerges as the Democratic nominee, we should prepare for a Republican in the White House.
17
Hillary understands that it is a tough world out there, and she needs weapons just like the right wing uses. The way Obama has been treated by the right wing attack mechanism is disgusting. Hillary needs tough operatives to meet these attacker head-on. She would be silly to think being a nice person will work. The right is hateful and well funded. Best to be prepared with equally skilled operatives on her team.
157
One can only hope that Jim Webb is our next President.
17
But I must say, the "baked in" nod to the irreplaceable David Carr was a nice touch.
4
anything to beat the GOP lying, hatin' hate machine is fine by me.
37
The Repubs and Conservatives (not necessarily one and the same group, by the way) are counting on Hillary.
5
First, it is really wonderful to see your return, Maureen, to excellent commentary. Your time off was a good thing.
Second, ABH(D)...Anybody But Hillary ( as long as he or she is a Democrat). Hillary's time is over, her political affiliations are corrupt, her qualifications are thin (being a First Lady really shouldn't count). And if Brian Williams' precipitous fall is any yardstick, then misremembering children with flowers greeting her on the tarmac as snipers should be enough to disqualify Hill from serious consideration.
I despair that I may be forced to a choice in the 2016 voting booth betw Hill and a Republican. When will my Democratic Party wake up?
Second, ABH(D)...Anybody But Hillary ( as long as he or she is a Democrat). Hillary's time is over, her political affiliations are corrupt, her qualifications are thin (being a First Lady really shouldn't count). And if Brian Williams' precipitous fall is any yardstick, then misremembering children with flowers greeting her on the tarmac as snipers should be enough to disqualify Hill from serious consideration.
I despair that I may be forced to a choice in the 2016 voting booth betw Hill and a Republican. When will my Democratic Party wake up?
22
The photo of the serpentine and slimy David Brock just about says it all. Until a majority of Americans decide to take a stand and make genuine campaign finance reform a reality, holding one's nose while voting, will be the order of the day. Until then, we are faced with the likes of HRC and the usual GOP line-up of weird and wacky male suspects in ill-fitting suits along with she of little brain but big mouth, Sarah Palin. Let the circus begin !
10
The money side of politics is Ugly, and there is nothing Hillary Clinton can do about that.
Jimmy Fallon's character in Almost Famous had a great quote, "I didn't invent the rainy day, I just have the best umbrella".
Hillary Clinton has a myriad of flaws and faults as a person and a candidate, but criticizing her because she's knows how to leverage the system to raise money is completely absurd in today's post Citizen's United free for all.
Jimmy Fallon's character in Almost Famous had a great quote, "I didn't invent the rainy day, I just have the best umbrella".
Hillary Clinton has a myriad of flaws and faults as a person and a candidate, but criticizing her because she's knows how to leverage the system to raise money is completely absurd in today's post Citizen's United free for all.
34
You gotta love how Maureen Dowd peddles this myth that slinging dirt amounts to "tactics of the right." The laughable implication is that liberals are just too decent to engage in such low brow behavior - until the Clintons came along? She even presents David Axelrod's assessment of his counterparts from the Clinton machine as "mercenary, manipulative and avaricious." Axelrod? Really?
Apparently Dowd believes that so long as one is a "true believer" as opposed to a hired gun, that it's okay to play dirty? Liberal policy ambitions apparently served as some sort of justification? Like when Axelrod dug up and publicized the divorce records of an Illinois Republican Senate candidate on behalf of Barack Obama? And being a pious liberal also absolves Axelrod of rummaging around in Mitt Romney's high school records? Or running commercials implying that Romney caused a woman to die of cancer?
Perhaps Miss Dowd would like to come to Chicago and watch how democrats run campaigns. These are olympic events in mudslinging. Records are broken. Candidates are accused of everything from racism to killing the elderly in their beds.
Let's please discard this notion that the political right invented, perfected or otherwise owns dirty campaigning. The left has more than it's share of political hit men, not the least of whom would be David Axelrod and the cadre of assassins that surrounded Barack Obama.
Apparently Dowd believes that so long as one is a "true believer" as opposed to a hired gun, that it's okay to play dirty? Liberal policy ambitions apparently served as some sort of justification? Like when Axelrod dug up and publicized the divorce records of an Illinois Republican Senate candidate on behalf of Barack Obama? And being a pious liberal also absolves Axelrod of rummaging around in Mitt Romney's high school records? Or running commercials implying that Romney caused a woman to die of cancer?
Perhaps Miss Dowd would like to come to Chicago and watch how democrats run campaigns. These are olympic events in mudslinging. Records are broken. Candidates are accused of everything from racism to killing the elderly in their beds.
Let's please discard this notion that the political right invented, perfected or otherwise owns dirty campaigning. The left has more than it's share of political hit men, not the least of whom would be David Axelrod and the cadre of assassins that surrounded Barack Obama.
33
I've had an unopened envelope on my desk for months, buried. It asks that I "Tell Hillary I am ready!" Hillary, I am ready to clean my desk of junk mail.
There's a frightening picture in The Times today of a boy scout wearing his dad's toupee.
There's a frightening picture in The Times today of a boy scout wearing his dad's toupee.
5
This column is a public service. The country seems to have forgotten what ruthless politicians the Clintons are. Everything now is warm and fuzzy. But with the Clintons, the end always justifies the means. Ms. Dowd might also have mentioned how they throw longtime friends, like Lani Guinier and Marian Wright Edelman, under the bus when they start to interfere with the Clintons' "vision." We can do better as a country than 4-8 more years of this.
23
The banks, the banks, the banks. Why must the Democrats kowtow to the banks and Wall Street and the shadow banking industry. Bill Clinton did in 1999 by repealing Glass-Steagall (New Deal legislation that separated safe commercial banking (backed by FDIC insurance) from the risky proprietary trading of investment banking). Bill was the "new Democrat" ... Wall Street's friend. Well, the world then had to live through the collapse of the financial system in September 2008. Bush and then Obama bailed out Wall Street. Nobody has yet bailed out Main Street and inequality continues to grow.
The banks, the banks, the banks ... who will save the banks.
Where's Elizabeth when we need her?
The banks, the banks, the banks ... who will save the banks.
Where's Elizabeth when we need her?
21
Ms. Dowd is always whining about how distant and ivory tower President Obama is and unwilling to get involved in political infighting. Now she calls the Clinton campaign-to-be dishonorable for doing just that. I guess I should get used to the idea that in Dowd World there are no heroes only villains du-jour.
39
Dowd's comments remind me of Ralph Nader in the 2000 election who claimed Bush and Gore were as different as Tweedlededum and Tweedeldedee. Well, he was proved wrong and if Jeb is elected, Dowd will pine for an awful Clinton.
25
What exactly has Hillary accomplished since arriving at the White House with her husband? A failed health care plan. Previous to the white House she was fired by a law firm for lying. Why would you hire another liar? Was lousy at her last job working for the Obama white house. Why would anyone vote for her for president. We really don't need to watch an over the hill woman mess us up anymore than the person running the country is now.
24
What an ironic title for this piece!
6
Too bad; how sad. How to snatch defeat once again from the jaws of victory. The only person who can defeat Hilary Clinton is Hilary Clinton. And she is just skilled, talented, and capable enough to do it.
Why does Hilary have to once again add "slime ball" to her resume! We're all trying to forget her (and Bill's) past. Why does she insist on reminding us.
Yes, we need a Democratic president to counterbalance the crazy Republicans in the Tea Party and in the Congress. Why is Hilary daring us to turn away from her?
Where's Elizabeth when the nation needs her???
Why does Hilary have to once again add "slime ball" to her resume! We're all trying to forget her (and Bill's) past. Why does she insist on reminding us.
Yes, we need a Democratic president to counterbalance the crazy Republicans in the Tea Party and in the Congress. Why is Hilary daring us to turn away from her?
Where's Elizabeth when the nation needs her???
2
I am not sure if Ms. Dowd is responsible for the description of Brock as "left wing", but please. There is no "left wing" with Hillary (or Obama for that matter).
10
Sunday Morning and I wonder why am I reading this or being provided all this information? I am weathered in, I am worried about snow caving my roof, about tomorrows's job, about advances in science, new ideas in innovation in energy and education or just plain sweet articles on movies, dramas and literature or inducing my 12 year to start reading newspaper. Instead what we get from editorial board is a journalistic version of a soap operatic never ending saga of super-rich spoiled boomerangs! I think we are intelligent enough to figure out a good candidate without all your glazy snippets of high brows. Wasn't that how we chose Obama?
5
I don't get it, Maureen. Why do people keep saying that Hillary is the most qualified candidate to be president?What has she done? We've already suffered these past 61/2 years with a "no experience" president and cannot afford another to take his place. Our
country deserves more.....and it isn't Hillary. Nor is it Bush. As much as I dislike Bloomberg maybe he should take a look at running
country deserves more.....and it isn't Hillary. Nor is it Bush. As much as I dislike Bloomberg maybe he should take a look at running
20
I believe a true Democratic issue in the next Presidential election should focus on the Supreme Court Judges that voted to allow the states to opt in or out of Obama's Medicaid Plan. Why-It is simple if one peels away the layers of protection of the SCOTUS who wears no clothes. What does this mean- Simple. When did state rights usurp the right to life. Without life there can be no pusuit of liberty and happiness. The pro-life people should be clammering all over this. As should Pastors and Priests. Where has the sense of morality gone? Our neighbors are sicker and dying from this immoral decision. Have the citizens of the United States become so numb about killing that we allow this to continue? Where does Hillary stand on this?
5
Is it a hatchet job if it's true?
For those that think HC is entitled to the job of President, and that would include Mrs. and Mr. C., a bit of background is a good thing. Thanks MD.
For those that think HC is entitled to the job of President, and that would include Mrs. and Mr. C., a bit of background is a good thing. Thanks MD.
9
If Brock were still a GOP hit man I'm sure Dowd would have no problem with him.
11
I have a nagging thought that this election can be so dirty, nasty, convoluted, depressing, outrageous, and regrettable that it leaves the winner unable to do the business of the office because there is so much hate scattered everywhere that what we are left with is a Mexican Standoff, apologies to Mexico. Nobody really wins. However, that said, the country looses since the 21st Century needs of the USA are real and forgotten in the aftermath.
3
Whenever I read stuff on Hillary Clinton I am desperately searching for a bucket to throw up in.
Hillary can be summed up very briefly: She would NOT be a winning presidential candidate or President because she has the capacity more to repel and annoy people (read voters) than to lead unity on key and important issues. She would be very divisive as President in being unable to pull consensus together and generate new ideas (read policy building) to build a stronger and better America. She was a failure as Secretary of State because she never produced solutions to significant issues nor did she undo knots of problems. Her memoir was a cobbling together of stories by editors as a thin veil disguising her presidential campaign aspirations.
Voters would have to hold their noses to vote for Hillary.
Now where is that bucket ???
Hillary can be summed up very briefly: She would NOT be a winning presidential candidate or President because she has the capacity more to repel and annoy people (read voters) than to lead unity on key and important issues. She would be very divisive as President in being unable to pull consensus together and generate new ideas (read policy building) to build a stronger and better America. She was a failure as Secretary of State because she never produced solutions to significant issues nor did she undo knots of problems. Her memoir was a cobbling together of stories by editors as a thin veil disguising her presidential campaign aspirations.
Voters would have to hold their noses to vote for Hillary.
Now where is that bucket ???
9
Money has corrupted our political system. The money, and the people who use it, are the enemy of good government. Until we get money out of politics we will only have the option to elect people who serve the interest of those with money.
9
The important thing would be to keep the Presidency as free as possible of the old school wrongheadedness that Mr. Obama has been working us out from under as best he can. After the cows are called home, his efforts and successes will be proven out and the world will be permitted to love and admire him.
In short, Mrs. Clinton has acquired a jaded patina that just can't win the election. Not only that, she hesitates, plods, and doesn't show anything we haven't already seen. She always wants to posture and adjust to the circumstances in a way that inspires contempt.
Rarely does she think outside the box.
We are at a point of no return these days. A Republican in the Whitehouse would create a Supreme Court that would be intolerable, oppressive, and invasive of privacy and other basic rights we hold dear. TOO many seats will vacate, The future of America as we once knew it be sealed against the freedoms we once enjoyed.
Hillary's attitude on defense and her reactive hawkish nature is scary. I have come to appreciate a more balanced approach that measures diplomacy and strategic sanctions that are nonviolent over saber-rattling and drawing red lines.
A choice between Bush and Clinton is like between milk toast and oatmeal. NO VOTER TURN OUT means a Republican president and taking steps backward.
Where is the great man or woman to lead us out of the wilderness we have created for ourselves.
I'd love to vote for Elizabeth Warren. Big money won't let me. Is it all out of control?
In short, Mrs. Clinton has acquired a jaded patina that just can't win the election. Not only that, she hesitates, plods, and doesn't show anything we haven't already seen. She always wants to posture and adjust to the circumstances in a way that inspires contempt.
Rarely does she think outside the box.
We are at a point of no return these days. A Republican in the Whitehouse would create a Supreme Court that would be intolerable, oppressive, and invasive of privacy and other basic rights we hold dear. TOO many seats will vacate, The future of America as we once knew it be sealed against the freedoms we once enjoyed.
Hillary's attitude on defense and her reactive hawkish nature is scary. I have come to appreciate a more balanced approach that measures diplomacy and strategic sanctions that are nonviolent over saber-rattling and drawing red lines.
A choice between Bush and Clinton is like between milk toast and oatmeal. NO VOTER TURN OUT means a Republican president and taking steps backward.
Where is the great man or woman to lead us out of the wilderness we have created for ourselves.
I'd love to vote for Elizabeth Warren. Big money won't let me. Is it all out of control?
7
Of all the candidates running, Hillary is clearly the best, and she's going to be a great President. There's a lot wrong with the way campaigns are run these days, and a lot of what's wrong can, and will, be fixed -- if and when people start remembering Lincoln's dictum of "Government -- of the people, for the people, and by the people. We are all human. Not Gods, not Angels, not Saints. We're people. Life is difficult -- even in the best of cases. When I think of Bill and Hillary Clinton, I think of two people who really care about other people and who care about America and what kind of future we want and are going to have for ourselves, for our children, and for our grandchildren.
I was trained as a scientist and an engineer.
I learned, the hard way, in life as well as in science and engineering that "systems do what systems do" -- that means that once a system is set up there is what scientists and engineers call "the emergent behavior of systems"
The supreme court needs to repeal "Citizens United" We need to get back the benefits that all the work on campaign finance reform gave America for so many years.
We need to focus on problem solving -- because problems don't solve themselves.
Compassion is key. Its what makes us "human" beings.
At their hearts, Bill and Hillary are incredibly "human" beings -- they're incredibly compassionate people.
Hillary care about us and she knows how to get things done.
That's why Hillary's the right choice for our next president.
I was trained as a scientist and an engineer.
I learned, the hard way, in life as well as in science and engineering that "systems do what systems do" -- that means that once a system is set up there is what scientists and engineers call "the emergent behavior of systems"
The supreme court needs to repeal "Citizens United" We need to get back the benefits that all the work on campaign finance reform gave America for so many years.
We need to focus on problem solving -- because problems don't solve themselves.
Compassion is key. Its what makes us "human" beings.
At their hearts, Bill and Hillary are incredibly "human" beings -- they're incredibly compassionate people.
Hillary care about us and she knows how to get things done.
That's why Hillary's the right choice for our next president.
8
A billion dollar campaign, Think about that and let it sink in.
There is no correlation to the extremely high cost of Presidential campaigns and the quality of a candidate.
Let's stop this craziness. Fundraisers are getting commissions on what they raise! We are a nation of money grabbers only interested in individual greed. Not a country unified in sacrifice. It starts at the top.
Let's end this craziness. We have a Govenor in Illinois that spent 60 million dollars, 29 million of his own money, and the local daily newspapers and political commentators couldn't explain his real agenda once elected. The guy never served a day as a public servant but wants the control of a King.
The voters deserve what they get. Unfortunately, trumped up Foundations don't put food on the table, improve the daily middle class struggles and pay for quality early child education. Nor do the eradicate violence in our cities or in our homes.
Perhaps some day we can have TV anchors, reporters and columnists actually write about this stained democracy where the will of the people is measured in the amount of money raised to prop up bloated staff and stale nothingness to get elected.
We are divided because greed is good, because divided extreme fundraisers can raise more money. Does the Bush clan remember Lee Atwater.
Money in politics corrupts and never ending fundraising corrupts absolutely.
There is no correlation to the extremely high cost of Presidential campaigns and the quality of a candidate.
Let's stop this craziness. Fundraisers are getting commissions on what they raise! We are a nation of money grabbers only interested in individual greed. Not a country unified in sacrifice. It starts at the top.
Let's end this craziness. We have a Govenor in Illinois that spent 60 million dollars, 29 million of his own money, and the local daily newspapers and political commentators couldn't explain his real agenda once elected. The guy never served a day as a public servant but wants the control of a King.
The voters deserve what they get. Unfortunately, trumped up Foundations don't put food on the table, improve the daily middle class struggles and pay for quality early child education. Nor do the eradicate violence in our cities or in our homes.
Perhaps some day we can have TV anchors, reporters and columnists actually write about this stained democracy where the will of the people is measured in the amount of money raised to prop up bloated staff and stale nothingness to get elected.
We are divided because greed is good, because divided extreme fundraisers can raise more money. Does the Bush clan remember Lee Atwater.
Money in politics corrupts and never ending fundraising corrupts absolutely.
13
Once Hillary announces her candidacy, I know my e-mail box will be inundated with alarming messages about those nasty Republicans that implore me to give "at least $3.00" today - preferably before midnight for added value. Nothing inspirational, nothing hopeful, just fear of what awaits if I don't dig into my pocket. In response, I will write to both her campaign committee and the DNC informing them that, with all the largess being bestowed on her by the hedge funds, Wall Street in general, and members of the 1 percent who attained their status by underpaying those who do the work, I'll keep my 3 bucks to myself or maybe use it to feast on a gelato at the new ma and pa startup down the block. They clearly won't need my money.
11
I can't speak to Maureen Dowd's motivation in criticizing Hillary; but the in my opinion, Hillary doesn't stand for anything except her own advancement. It is depressing that the political leaders who will vie to be president are so mean-spirited and narcissistic. If only the standards that have been applied to Brian Williams would be applied to our candidates, we might have a chance to bring integrity into the process.
7
We need a fresh start: Elizabeth Warren. No matter how bright or how left leaning or how well intentioned, longevity in the campaign business doesn't build wisdom, rather it builds cynicism, which can not be good for this country. The same could be said for the Republicans---they need a new start, not a dynasty do over. All this money coupled with all the power is like a magnet for godfather types who quickly dispense with any common good types. Of all the consequential supreme court decisions in our history, Citizens United continues to haunt our democracy.
6
Planning to read Mr. Axelrod's new book of memoirs. Enjoyed his interview with Ms. Chozick and believe there is both heart and mind in what he has to relay about President Obama going forth, while this American plans to join him.
When in Paris shortly after Mr. Clinton was elected President, I found myself listening to two distinguished French gentlemen, wondering if it would be a political statement on my part to stand up and leave the room, while they were visiting the historical graveyards of the past.
Then the man with elegant mustaches to rival a walrus, a world diplomat, turned and with a wink in his eye, looked at me and announced: 'It has been said that Americans believe that Mrs. Clinton is a lesbian', causing me to blink. Feebly, I responded 'It does seem that many American women find her a bit overwhelming'.
Mr. Clinton has been a favorite President of mine, when was overshadowed when Mr. Obama showed up, and made me sit straight in my chair. I have been standing tall ever since he was elected, and rather than the saying 'The Emperor is not wearing clothes' often quoted among both American political parties, my mind is more to the tune: 'American does not have a candidate for the President of the US of A'.
When in Paris shortly after Mr. Clinton was elected President, I found myself listening to two distinguished French gentlemen, wondering if it would be a political statement on my part to stand up and leave the room, while they were visiting the historical graveyards of the past.
Then the man with elegant mustaches to rival a walrus, a world diplomat, turned and with a wink in his eye, looked at me and announced: 'It has been said that Americans believe that Mrs. Clinton is a lesbian', causing me to blink. Feebly, I responded 'It does seem that many American women find her a bit overwhelming'.
Mr. Clinton has been a favorite President of mine, when was overshadowed when Mr. Obama showed up, and made me sit straight in my chair. I have been standing tall ever since he was elected, and rather than the saying 'The Emperor is not wearing clothes' often quoted among both American political parties, my mind is more to the tune: 'American does not have a candidate for the President of the US of A'.
I think the closest parallel to the 2016 race is 1988, where Bush drafted on Reagan's coattails. Like it or not, Hillary will run for the 3rd term of Barack Obama. She'll have money, a machine, the ability to run as another "first," and a compliant press determined to destroy any legitimate Republican candidate, already weakened by a ferocious primary, by whatever means necessary.
The only real shot the Republicans will be if 1) the economy slips back into a weak state, and 2) Obama's foreign policy chickens continue to come home to roost.
None of the above, however, says much about Hillary's morals or her competence. She is an awful candidate, and she has consistently made horrendous decisions over the past 15 years.
The only real shot the Republicans will be if 1) the economy slips back into a weak state, and 2) Obama's foreign policy chickens continue to come home to roost.
None of the above, however, says much about Hillary's morals or her competence. She is an awful candidate, and she has consistently made horrendous decisions over the past 15 years.
5
In every sport, there is always someone whois the best. Deserved or not, the Clintons seem to hold the gold medal for slime in national politics. The problem is, that even if Hillary Clinton is not on the ballot in the next Presidential election, there will still be enough money raised and spent on the contest for a new gold medalist in slime to emerge. Could a candidate actually win if his or her slime budget were re-directed into an effort to talk about real ideas for re-shaping the way in which the federal government raises and spends our tax dollars? Sorry for the cynicism, but don't count on 2016 as the year in which this hypothesis will be seriously tested.
7
Why can't we have a candidate with principles to begin the enormous task of restoring our moral base? America is losing respect around the world, is more and more dysfunctional, and needs a leader to restore a lost "government of the people." Too much to ask these days, I guess.
7
As another person said: "get real Maureen". It's easy to sit in an ivory tower and be snarky regarding the Clintons. People in the real world would rather win an election with an imperfect candidate than lose to a far right Republican (there are no longer any moderate Republicans).
29
200 advisors to help Hillary Clinton find out who she really is? Or more accurately, who she needs to be? If she is in fact the Democratic's candidate, many of us would drag ourselves to vote for her for one reason only: the Supreme Court.
This is a tough thing to suggest, but Bader Ginsburg should consider stepping down while Obama is still able to make an appointment. The importance of the Supreme Court can't be underestimated; it has already been horribly debased and weakened as an ethical institution, and it is an anti-democratic nightmare even as it exists now. If the Republicans win the Presidency, and gain an opportunity for an appointment, it will create an even greater majority of courtiers and shills for corporatists, financiers, and oligarchs.
This is a tough thing to suggest, but Bader Ginsburg should consider stepping down while Obama is still able to make an appointment. The importance of the Supreme Court can't be underestimated; it has already been horribly debased and weakened as an ethical institution, and it is an anti-democratic nightmare even as it exists now. If the Republicans win the Presidency, and gain an opportunity for an appointment, it will create an even greater majority of courtiers and shills for corporatists, financiers, and oligarchs.
10
Well said. What is more bothersome than the slime is the polling of 200 or more policy experts, as if you didn't have or need a thought of your own. The Clintons wish to farm America like a crop. In a time where just "Running for President" has become a money making endeavor, especially when combined with a book tour in which all expenses are paid by political contributions, the Clintons have much bigger ambitions and wish not to turn down the gift of possibly being the "Frist Woman President." Does Mrs. Clinton have a contribution to make that would be significant? Or will it just be more of the same? Will there be a turn over in the House and the Senate that would actually allow for something to be done, or will it just be more gridlock with a white woman, rather than a black man? Sadly, these are no longer legitimate questions. The answers are all pretty much a given. The slime is a pure reflection of what the system has become. Even if the Democrats win the trifecta, Hillary will flub it in favor of corporate America and a personal windfall. We need a candidate, who is not so hungry and is without dynastic ambitions. It will not be long before her daughter runs for something. Once the slime gloms on, it doesn't go away too quickly or easily. Unfortunately, it is America that pays for it.
5
So....when is Jeb going to get his attack dog column? I'm not a Hillary fan, but believe you me, I'd vote for Hillary in a nanosecond if Jeb is the Republican. (I'd vote against any Republican in a nanosecond, but especially one named Bush). No Bush. No Bush. No Bush. Ever Again.
Yes, Hillary is not a populist, yes she's cozy with Wall St., but she has one thing going for her - she's not a Bush. She has maybe just a fond glimmer in her eye for us poor people, but at least she pretends to care. Now, Elizabeth? I would love to vote for Elizabeth Warren but not at the chance of putting a Bush or any R in the White House. So if it has to be Hillary, I'll accept it.
Yes, Hillary is not a populist, yes she's cozy with Wall St., but she has one thing going for her - she's not a Bush. She has maybe just a fond glimmer in her eye for us poor people, but at least she pretends to care. Now, Elizabeth? I would love to vote for Elizabeth Warren but not at the chance of putting a Bush or any R in the White House. So if it has to be Hillary, I'll accept it.
26
Yet, haven't seen anyone other than Hillary who will fight for the majority of the American people and is actually running.
It's a dirty game now all around. You gotta lie down with dogs and you'll surely get up with fleas.
The NYTimes had a great article today on Jeb Bush, and looking under that history of years of acting badly comes off much worse than a few fundraisers-doing-what-fundraisers-do. See: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/us/politics/as-dynastys-son-jeb-bush-u...
It's a dirty game now all around. You gotta lie down with dogs and you'll surely get up with fleas.
The NYTimes had a great article today on Jeb Bush, and looking under that history of years of acting badly comes off much worse than a few fundraisers-doing-what-fundraisers-do. See: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/us/politics/as-dynastys-son-jeb-bush-u...
9
Wow. I'm not sure I've ever seen metaphors and similes thrown around like this in the past.
I totally love the emphasis on the cash that flows through major political campaigns. I'll have to bookmark this article the next time Dowd or another Leftist talking head decides to rant about how much money the right-wing conspirators (they're everywhere, don't ya know?) have at their beck and call. Apparently, the spending of a billion dollars to deliver The Next One into the White House is a drop in the bucket.
I totally love the emphasis on the cash that flows through major political campaigns. I'll have to bookmark this article the next time Dowd or another Leftist talking head decides to rant about how much money the right-wing conspirators (they're everywhere, don't ya know?) have at their beck and call. Apparently, the spending of a billion dollars to deliver The Next One into the White House is a drop in the bucket.
4
Why so angry and enraged already Maureen? We can almost see the smoke coming out of your ears. Good to know that you hate the Clintons as much, if not more, than President Obama, but what's your point other than a hatchet job not unlike what you are attacking the Clintons about. Same old snark every week.
28
And so what? Politics is a dirty business. Yawn. Do we want another Bush as president? I remember 10 years ago, gas prices in California were pushing $5.00 for premium. Now it is $2.70/gallon. Thank you Obama- you were painted as a wimp by Ms Dowd, now you are Super Stud. Same with Hilary. She may not be the best campaigner, and probably not the best executive. But she is not a republican. And that makes all the difference to the world.
21
Read this article carefully and you will see that Maureen does not identify what Brock did wrong. It only adverts to the Confessore and Chozik article, supposedly "chronicling" what he did wrong as head of Priorities USA. Read that article carefully and you will see that it too does not identify what Brock did wrong. All I can glean from Confessore and Chozik, is that Obama's people feel that Brock is using his power to steer Priorities in ways different from the way Obama's people would do so. That is hardly a crime. All it is a changing of the guard and the Obama people resent it. This was a hatchet job by Maureen unless she can identify what the problem with Brock is, which she has not done. The Clintons do need to be wary of Republican dirty tricks and get ready to respond to them. This is not a crime, it is political wisdom in the long dark nite of anti-democratic, anti-Democratic dirty tricks from Republicans. And if Maureen doesn't realize that Karl Rove has to be countered vigorously, then she is as naive as she constantly accused Obama of being. Try to straighten yourself out on this Maureen before you help put Jeb Bush in office. That what your looking to do? That better for the country? You want more Iraqs, more Katrina's, more financial crises like '08? Well that's what your promoting with articles like this one unless you can explain what Brock did wrong, which is a curious UFO in this article lacking concrete data and full of slime.
15
Forget the merciless chicanery of these soul-less hired-gun fundraisers, and the thousands of trough-feeders who will contribute their hundreds of millions to Hillary's blitzkrieg. It's nothing personal, folks. Hey, it's just politics du 2015.
But remember this: Hillary and whoever the GOP tosses in the ring for another tasteless round of Xtreme No-Holds-Barred-Battle-to-the-Death, Victory-at-any-cost, doesn't care a whit about us simple folk who elect them.
At long last, Ms. Dowd comes clean, removes her pink-lensed liberal cheaters, and sees this political charade for what it really is: a moral vacuum and political circus.
We have at last reached the election where "Not to Vote Is to Vote" makes sense. We need candidates who care about us and our country. We need a new party.
But remember this: Hillary and whoever the GOP tosses in the ring for another tasteless round of Xtreme No-Holds-Barred-Battle-to-the-Death, Victory-at-any-cost, doesn't care a whit about us simple folk who elect them.
At long last, Ms. Dowd comes clean, removes her pink-lensed liberal cheaters, and sees this political charade for what it really is: a moral vacuum and political circus.
We have at last reached the election where "Not to Vote Is to Vote" makes sense. We need candidates who care about us and our country. We need a new party.
11
Oh Maureen, you did your homework for this column!
Many of us were already uneasy and suspicious about the "inevitable" Democratic presidential candidacy of H. Clinton--given the enthusiastic bankrolling of her candidacy by the Wall Street crowd, the aches in our hearts for what her spouse did as President with the repeal of Glass-Steagall and implementation of NAFTA, and a deep-seated worry that she and Bill are really most devoted to their acceptance as full-fledged plutocrats.
Ms. Clinton may talk the government-for-the-people game, but I am afraid she will dance to the demands of the inner-circle corporatists & wealthy power players calling the tune
If elected POTUS, Ms. Clinton will be an executive, and what Maureen's column tells us is that Ms. Clinton shows really poor judgment in her selection of the kinds of people she chooses to run her campaign. What kind of advice do opportunistic, soulless sharks, such as those described here, give a potential POTUS? Her 2008 presidential primary run was riddled by conflict and bad judgment by her jockeying often inept campaign staff, and Ms. Clinton either didn't care or was incapable of controlling the situation. She lost to an upstart, who talked from his head and his heart.
The Democratic Party has to wake up (fat chance) and get in touch with the people & needs of this country. At least give us a choice--how about E. Warren, Jim Web, ____? H.C. needs to be tested & prove herself before she goes up against the GOP.
Many of us were already uneasy and suspicious about the "inevitable" Democratic presidential candidacy of H. Clinton--given the enthusiastic bankrolling of her candidacy by the Wall Street crowd, the aches in our hearts for what her spouse did as President with the repeal of Glass-Steagall and implementation of NAFTA, and a deep-seated worry that she and Bill are really most devoted to their acceptance as full-fledged plutocrats.
Ms. Clinton may talk the government-for-the-people game, but I am afraid she will dance to the demands of the inner-circle corporatists & wealthy power players calling the tune
If elected POTUS, Ms. Clinton will be an executive, and what Maureen's column tells us is that Ms. Clinton shows really poor judgment in her selection of the kinds of people she chooses to run her campaign. What kind of advice do opportunistic, soulless sharks, such as those described here, give a potential POTUS? Her 2008 presidential primary run was riddled by conflict and bad judgment by her jockeying often inept campaign staff, and Ms. Clinton either didn't care or was incapable of controlling the situation. She lost to an upstart, who talked from his head and his heart.
The Democratic Party has to wake up (fat chance) and get in touch with the people & needs of this country. At least give us a choice--how about E. Warren, Jim Web, ____? H.C. needs to be tested & prove herself before she goes up against the GOP.
6
Nice to read that the Clintons and their acolytes have not changed. I heard Juan Williams say that her advisers told Hillary to take time off to just be a grandmother because if she kept talking no one would listen. If this is how the (non)campaign goes, imagine the presidency.
4
OK, the guy is reprehensible, I get it. But you write endless columns expressing dismay at Obama being above the fray. So what's the right way run for, and govern as, president. Hire people like this, or take the high road?
Because you know the Republicans will have people like this Swiftboating for them endlessly.
It's not good to play the game this way, but neither is letting someone else do it again and again and again, because they are seizing control of the government.
And if you think the Clintons are in bed with bankers, just wait till you see what happens if the Demos lose this one.
Because you know the Republicans will have people like this Swiftboating for them endlessly.
It's not good to play the game this way, but neither is letting someone else do it again and again and again, because they are seizing control of the government.
And if you think the Clintons are in bed with bankers, just wait till you see what happens if the Demos lose this one.
24
Unfortunately, in the political climate of today a serious presidential candidate has to have every resource, both those deemed good and bad, available to them in running their campaign. We, certainly, are not going to see the Republican candidate(s) play nice unilaterally.
9
After reading many of the comments I believe the overall consensus is there is no greater time for a third party than now. Like others who see hope rather than greed
in Elizabeth Warren, nothing would make me happier (or register to vote) than to see her run with Bernie Sanders, Jim Webb, Brian Schweitzer and Martin O'Malley. They all "appear" to share the same vision and philosophy. In the interim, I think it's safe to say this Countries clearly gone to hell in a hand basket and will continue to do so until people start forcing candidates to EARN their vote rather than BUY it.
Cheers!
in Elizabeth Warren, nothing would make me happier (or register to vote) than to see her run with Bernie Sanders, Jim Webb, Brian Schweitzer and Martin O'Malley. They all "appear" to share the same vision and philosophy. In the interim, I think it's safe to say this Countries clearly gone to hell in a hand basket and will continue to do so until people start forcing candidates to EARN their vote rather than BUY it.
Cheers!
3
When we were at the height of the Clinton presidency we held, unwillingly, a debate over whether character matters. A quarter of a century later will we have to have the same debate again? There are many people who believe a Hilary Clinton presidency is desirable. But is it necessary? To argue it is makes the case we have to go back to a future which includes $28 million "media monitoring and oppo research organizations". The Democratic Party has shifted to the left, perhaps the public generally has as well, so why is a standard bearer out of sync with that generational shift with so much baggage being conceded the nomination by so many so early? There is a real danger to our democracy when the choices both parties present us for president are only those acceptable to, at most, about one hundred bundlers and financial supporters. The question is not who let the dogs out, or who should call them in, but why there are if not better choices for the nomination at least the possibility of allowing them to naturally emerge.
3
Yes let's play knock down Hillary rather than inform people how the Koch brothers have enslaved the Republican party with their billions and billions of dollars
34
President Obama rode under the banner of the politician who seeks the middle ground and stands above the partisan fray. Didn't work out; he left the impression of someone who is ineffectual and lacks convictions. So Hillary is taking the partisan road: do unto them what they do unto you. In a certain sense American politics is a lost cause: honest and rational debate without spin, respect for opposing opinion, the willingness to search compromise in the best interest of the nation, all those things seem lost forever.
6
It IS the same old story: Dowd is once more getting ready to torpedo whoever is the Democrat candidate for president. She's been working her particular magic since she helped get George Bush elected. She is the St. Paul of columnists, the rightist apostle to the leftish NY Times. I wish the paper would take her at her word and let her -- or whoever she is working for -- pay for her column.
17
Ms. Dowd...we already know in volumes your true feelings about our twice elected President Clinton and our current President Barack Obama.
Now you are poison penning Hillary Clinton who has not even decided to run as a Presidential Candidate.
The wrath of Maureen Dowd is getting rather rather stale.
Next...please.
Now you are poison penning Hillary Clinton who has not even decided to run as a Presidential Candidate.
The wrath of Maureen Dowd is getting rather rather stale.
Next...please.
29
As long as money controls elections, as long as money buys commercials and with them the votes of the electorate who buy so many flawed products because of the commercials they see that tout them, Ms. Dowd, if she chooses to be fair, can come up with Brock after Brock after Brock working for virtually every candidate or every PAC. I don't see how this is news to anyone, though the sickening details are, I guess, sensational sleaze. I do feel, when I read Ms. Dowd's columns (and I can't say "recently" any more as it's been going on for such a long time now), that I feel the NY Post has disguised itself as the NY Times. Oh, yes, the writing is still packed full of facts, carefully selected and culled from all the possible facts, including how this Mr. Brock is only one of so many Mr. Brocks working for various candidates and constituencies. If Mr. Brock deserts the Clintons and goes to work for some other candidate, will that improve the chances of the United States getting the best president it can? If Mr. Brock leaves the Clintons, does anyone realistically think there will be no interest by anyone else in employing him in the same way for the same purposes, and perhaps with the same likelihood of success? The only difference is that Ms. Dowd will not choose to focus on anyone but the Clintons or Pres. Obama as she has been doing, time after time after time after time after time...with seemingly zero effect, at least so far.
9
Hillary would happily take money from the Koch brothers...if they wanted to give her some.
8
as carper in chief, I think you might turn your attention to the
array of Republican candidates who are out there making fools
of themselves. Their recent trip to London showed a lot of
foot-in-the-mouth experiences for them. The quality and experience of most of them - in foreign affairs - in general
knowledge (evolution? the basis of biology, global warming?
huh? ) how can you compare the basic intelligence of these
people to the experience and brilliance of Hillary Clinton?
It's time you turned your knife-edged arrows in new directions-
there's lots of meat on those bones.
array of Republican candidates who are out there making fools
of themselves. Their recent trip to London showed a lot of
foot-in-the-mouth experiences for them. The quality and experience of most of them - in foreign affairs - in general
knowledge (evolution? the basis of biology, global warming?
huh? ) how can you compare the basic intelligence of these
people to the experience and brilliance of Hillary Clinton?
It's time you turned your knife-edged arrows in new directions-
there's lots of meat on those bones.
21
well i will admit that a female will get my presidential vote for sure. just not sure if it will be ms. warren or ms. stein. one of them for sure not the other one though no way
3
Sausage making, as they say, isn't pretty, but we might still enjoy some moments. For instance, I'm looking forward to the prospect of national televised debates between the party nominees. I envision Hillary Clinton pointing out how Chris Cristie turned Sandy restoration funds into political payback as Cristie glares and shouts "Sit down and shut up!" So, the sausage making could have its entertaining moments. We can only imagine Hillary's response.
At this point who cares if the Democrats are using Republican tactics to make sausage? I only care about keeping the presidency from falling into the hands of the Republicans--the party that celebrates ignorance. I would love to have the additional prospect of hope to deal with America's future; especially the economic inequality, but I'll settle for keeping the country out of the hands of a science denying, education trampling, gun promoting, war mongering, Koch brothers- genuflecting carnival hawker.
The bottom-line: electing a Democrat to the presidency is not enough. If we really want a better future that deals with income inequality in our country, we need to change the party in control of congress and the Supreme Court.
At this point who cares if the Democrats are using Republican tactics to make sausage? I only care about keeping the presidency from falling into the hands of the Republicans--the party that celebrates ignorance. I would love to have the additional prospect of hope to deal with America's future; especially the economic inequality, but I'll settle for keeping the country out of the hands of a science denying, education trampling, gun promoting, war mongering, Koch brothers- genuflecting carnival hawker.
The bottom-line: electing a Democrat to the presidency is not enough. If we really want a better future that deals with income inequality in our country, we need to change the party in control of congress and the Supreme Court.
21
Maureen, Thanks for reminding me how vicious you and our politics can be.
11
I'm surprised how many women I know say they would never vote for Hillary Clinton. And these are well-educated women in suburban Boston! I don't think she's the dream candidate the Democrats and the liberal media elite thinks she is.
10
I don't question Hillary Clinton's bona fides as a Democrat, particularly in domestic affairs where we desperately need them now.
I just wish she would run for president because she believes in something, not just because she wants to be president. Then she wouldn't need to rely on all these outside opinion makers.
I just wish she would run for president because she believes in something, not just because she wants to be president. Then she wouldn't need to rely on all these outside opinion makers.
8
Mo, your columns have descended into a bitter stew of cynicism and reused pop psychology. Maybe it is clinical depression, writer's block, or the lingering effects of hyper-canabanoidism. The bottom line for many of us here, and I think this is quite simple, is that we need to keep the crazies from the helm of the ship of state until the magic of demographics sweeps the latent effects of the culture wars, ultra-religiosity, and nostalgia for the comforting childhoods of the late 1950s-early 1960s into the dustbin of history. The Dems by and large do this, the GOPers are by and large the crazies. Not complicated. Teddy the Canadian Cruz vs HRC? Doubt she'd put another Sam Alito on the SCOTUS....
25
Ms. Dowd just points out what makes people such as myself wonder if we will even bother going to the polls next voting season.
I voted twice for Bill, eventually wondered why he made me and others look the fool with the Monica thing, and decided that when he left the WH that was the end of Clintons in the WH.
I'm a bone deep Democratic party member. But the more Ms. Dowd and others point out what is wrong with our party (I already know too well what is wrong with the OTHER side) the more I wonder when America lost the right to an open and free election of a presidential candidate. It is obvious that so far Ms. Clinton is my only choice, and I won't be buy it this time around.
And neither will a lot of others in both parties as we are all tired of what appears to be the rich buying the WH as they have bought congress.
I voted twice for Bill, eventually wondered why he made me and others look the fool with the Monica thing, and decided that when he left the WH that was the end of Clintons in the WH.
I'm a bone deep Democratic party member. But the more Ms. Dowd and others point out what is wrong with our party (I already know too well what is wrong with the OTHER side) the more I wonder when America lost the right to an open and free election of a presidential candidate. It is obvious that so far Ms. Clinton is my only choice, and I won't be buy it this time around.
And neither will a lot of others in both parties as we are all tired of what appears to be the rich buying the WH as they have bought congress.
6
It sure is time for a third party. I am old enough to remember some bad politicians but the people on both sides of the aisle today ( a few excepted) are so bad in so many ways.
9
I find the non-stop comments slamming Maureen's columns about Hilary very amusing these days. Just a few years back, those that were advocating for Obama didn't have an real kind of problem when she did it. Just as long as she left Obama alone. I did not and will never vote for Hilary, despite all the dire warnings about how it's absolutely necessary, even though she is still the "lesser of two evils". I voted for hope and change the first time. I had no hope the second time. But, Romney would have destroyed the US. The thought of another Clinton in the White House nauseates me. He and his politics, his turning the Democrats into "Centrists" and advocates for Wall Street is what made me leave the party. He had destroyed everything the Democrats had claimed to represent for decades. They became Repug-lite to voters like me. Sadly, Obama has just been a lighter version of Clinton. While Maureen does take it slightly over the hill sometimes, I find myself nodding more these days. She has every right to point out the hypocrisies that engulf the Democrats these days and she should. A campaign theme of the "lesser of two evils" isn't going to bring out the voters necessary to win the next Presidential election. Maybe, just maybe, Maureen's columns will make the Democrats, especially since it seems Hilary is a given, take a step back and think. They'll be making a huge mistake if they don't. Slam Mo all you want. I, for one, hope she doesn't stop.
5
This article infers that you need a billion dollars to run for President of the USA. Where on earth are you going to find a billion dollars of snake free money?
18
Maureen, as a member of "the real vast right-wing conspiracy," I appreciate some respect for allowing a uber-leftist Obama to be elected twice and granting him a stranglehold of Congress during his first six years.
2
What I believe bugs people about Hilary is that she never divorced Bill Clinton. Hilary has not followed the advice that she silently in her own mind dispensed to many others, this person to whom I am married has repeatedly betrayed me. He has brought me to levels of ridiculous insecurities, fostered by childhood pathos. For all of their fame and fortune, this family of Clinton's are out of touch with reality, like so many members of Congress, and the Supreme Court.
Hilary needs to get real, let go of the jewelery, the matching pantsuits, and act live in the truth.
Hilary needs to get real, let go of the jewelery, the matching pantsuits, and act live in the truth.
3
Poor Maureen -- getting no resect from either side. One would think that such liberates an opinion writer. Not here though.
8
I will vote for Mrs. Clinton before voting Republican anytime!
While I might prefer that the 2016 Democratic Presidential candidate be progressive, social liberal, anti-war, and an economic realist...I don't want to loose the White House to a Republican.
The only way to cleanse our dysfunctional political process is to have full public funding for all federal elections, but I don't count on that happening anytime soon.
The Republicans are now in control of the House and Senate and their top priority is an oil pipeline for Canadian oil and take healthcare away from millions of Americans. And, that's just them getting warmed up!
So, whether or not Mrs. Clinton has a few attack dogs in her campaign, we need to keep our eye on the 2016 election and be sure a Democrat wins.
While I might prefer that the 2016 Democratic Presidential candidate be progressive, social liberal, anti-war, and an economic realist...I don't want to loose the White House to a Republican.
The only way to cleanse our dysfunctional political process is to have full public funding for all federal elections, but I don't count on that happening anytime soon.
The Republicans are now in control of the House and Senate and their top priority is an oil pipeline for Canadian oil and take healthcare away from millions of Americans. And, that's just them getting warmed up!
So, whether or not Mrs. Clinton has a few attack dogs in her campaign, we need to keep our eye on the 2016 election and be sure a Democrat wins.
22
Ms Dowd says: "Bill would leave behind the sketchy hangers-on in the mold of Ron Burkle and Jeffrey Epstein."
My prediction: the stink coming off the Epstein/Dershowitz/Starr scandal is going to start sticking, and that will be the end of all things Clinton. Forever.
My prediction: the stink coming off the Epstein/Dershowitz/Starr scandal is going to start sticking, and that will be the end of all things Clinton. Forever.
4
Ms. Dowd: You remain my favorite columnist on Planet Earth - but I must say, your thing with the Clintons has me rolling my eyes and tuning out before the nut graph - It's gotten to the point that your point is lost in the resentment so I tune out so what's the point? Sad, because your bittersweet truth usually perks me up. Let go of the Clintons and move on...not that you're not right: but it's sounding tired, redundant, (yawn) and kind of "meangirl"...pick on somebody more evil - SO many options!
28
If Ms. Dowd had written this exact column about any Republican, all of you would have been in complete agreement. Mrs. Clinton is not going to get a free ride to the White House. Sorry, but that is not how it works.
10
Thank the SCTUS for the state of our democracy. President elect Clinton is just doing what any politician does and will do in the future to win. And in the end that's all that counts.
10
It is hilarious and regretful that commenters on this article attack Ms. Dowd for pointing out, quite correctly, that all modern-day politicians are huckster frauds that feed on the trough of big money, "opinion polls", and hire slickster, no-morals, campaign managers who'll work for anyone that pays them dirty money. We liberals like to think and say that Republican voters are sheep being led to the slaughter but the words kettle and black come to mind.
11
Clearly Dowd is back to her vociferous Hillary attacks, reprising her negative drumbeat from six years back. But the jealousy and anger expressed is just too palpable here, undermining her credibility. We know, because she has told us in past columns, that she once felt snubbed by the former Senator and Sec of State, and it appears she still not over it. The trouble, though, is Dowd's self-importance. She thinks she's a player rather than a commentator. Maureen, no politicos after you. You just wish they were.
28
Yes, yes, yes. The Clinton's are evil money grubbers. Hillary is gearing up for a mudslinging run in 2016. David Brock is dislikeable right from the get go. Know what else? There are 4 Supreme Court justices over 70 and two of them vote reliably liberal. The house and senate are both held by Republicans. That’s all that matters to me. Hillary could commit murder on the steps of the Washington monument and I wouldn't care. All that matters, and all that should matter to any sane person in this country, is that Democrats retain the White House in 2016.
50
I'm hoping that there are a few voters out there willing to wait to see what the potential candidates will say -- specifically -- what they intend to do, and whether their promises are credible. You know, the way people are meant to vote. At this point, unfortunately, everyone (including Ms. Dowd) is jockeying to align our hatreds and cement our prejudices in keeping with their own.
I am not excited about Hillary, not because she is lining up pinstriped thugs to match the thugs arrayed against her, but because I have yet to know what she would do as president, especially vis a vis someone like Elizabeth Warren. or even Obama (who will be missed). Same goes for Republican candidates, though they are at once both more vocal in their ideology and more transparent in their hypocrisies.
But it's unlikely that we'll hear about such things as policy in this column.
I am not excited about Hillary, not because she is lining up pinstriped thugs to match the thugs arrayed against her, but because I have yet to know what she would do as president, especially vis a vis someone like Elizabeth Warren. or even Obama (who will be missed). Same goes for Republican candidates, though they are at once both more vocal in their ideology and more transparent in their hypocrisies.
But it's unlikely that we'll hear about such things as policy in this column.
16
She's going to need to be as tough as hell to win this election, and I personally am reassured to see that she will unleash the dogs.
37
Good column Maureen. Where are the folks who will tell us about the coming liberal paradise where Mother Hillary will take care of everyone in the village including the idiots? The picture you paint is so unseemly and disgusting that only a comparison with Agrippina, Caligula's mother, seems appropriate. Even more depressing is the inevitability of it all. God help us all!!
3
If Hillary does indeed run, I suspect the GOP slime will make "a little bit nutty and a little bit slutty" sound almost quaint and as close to praise as Republicans can muster for Ms. Clinton. If President Obama is heckled with "You lie!" during his State Of The Union Address, one can only imagine what vile expletives will be reserved for the nation's first female President by those good ol' congressional GOP boys. There will no longer exist a need to pretend to court the female vote or care about female issues if Ms. Clinton is elected, so a second class citizen status amendment for women might be added to the 500 or more vote attempts to repeal Obamacare.
When I read this column, Ms. Dowd & the reference to David Brock as a "snake," I went straight to my dictionary for the "snake" definition. I couldn't find any reference to Mr. Brock but there was a full page picture of king cobra, Karl Rove, along with illustrations of his coiling around the filthy rich, constricting money out of them while deftly swallowing whole the reputations of anyone his snake eyes saw as an adversary. If politics in general is a rough and tumble sport, the pursuit of the White House is a death match without rules. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination, whether Ms. Clinton or someone else, they better have enlisted Satan himself as head campaign adviser if serious about winning.
As far as your snark about the Clintons believing our money belongs to them, have you heard about the Koch machine?
When I read this column, Ms. Dowd & the reference to David Brock as a "snake," I went straight to my dictionary for the "snake" definition. I couldn't find any reference to Mr. Brock but there was a full page picture of king cobra, Karl Rove, along with illustrations of his coiling around the filthy rich, constricting money out of them while deftly swallowing whole the reputations of anyone his snake eyes saw as an adversary. If politics in general is a rough and tumble sport, the pursuit of the White House is a death match without rules. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination, whether Ms. Clinton or someone else, they better have enlisted Satan himself as head campaign adviser if serious about winning.
As far as your snark about the Clintons believing our money belongs to them, have you heard about the Koch machine?
52
I don't follow the thread here. Brock resigned last week. Shouldn't that be the dominant fact here? (Perhaps the column was conceived before the resignation and not updated?)
I saw the Brock resignation as a sign that Hillary was breaking with the gutter-class politicians who accompanied her husband.
To be President, Hillary Clinton must define herself, not just follow Bill's wily ways. If she doesn't, she will never find her footing. More book tour-style failures will follow.
She has the vision and is very good at details. She resuscitated our foreign policy. (Sorry, Secretary Powell and Secretary Rice, you were both solid professionals and gave it your all, but foreign affairs were an awful mess at the end of your tenures.)
However, on domestic policy...Hillary Clinton's ability to lead this country out of the Russia-like oligarch mess we are in now is too compromised.... she is taken too much from the money men and has voted in favor of their interests too many times. Unless she makes a definitive break with them, she won't have my vote.
I saw the Brock resignation as a sign that Hillary was breaking with the gutter-class politicians who accompanied her husband.
To be President, Hillary Clinton must define herself, not just follow Bill's wily ways. If she doesn't, she will never find her footing. More book tour-style failures will follow.
She has the vision and is very good at details. She resuscitated our foreign policy. (Sorry, Secretary Powell and Secretary Rice, you were both solid professionals and gave it your all, but foreign affairs were an awful mess at the end of your tenures.)
However, on domestic policy...Hillary Clinton's ability to lead this country out of the Russia-like oligarch mess we are in now is too compromised.... she is taken too much from the money men and has voted in favor of their interests too many times. Unless she makes a definitive break with them, she won't have my vote.
6
Ms. Dowd:
I have never trusted the Clinton's, still don't. Bill did as much to put us where we are economically as Reagan and the Bush's.But, he balanced the budget. Nobody really cared how he did it or looked very far down the road.Rich people got richer under Bill Clinton too.
I always thought that Hillary would make a good C.I.A. chief. Her particular political talents seem to make her the perfect fit for that job. I do have to chuckle when I see them in the limelight.They are survivers of the highest order. The thought of Hillary as President scares the hell out of me.
But, a Republican winning the Presidency seems like a new, American, Dark Age.I grew up in a pretty decent country. One, not without faults but, a place that aspired for better things. That was a long time ago. I hope to see it again before I'm gone I am beginning to believe I won't..
I have never trusted the Clinton's, still don't. Bill did as much to put us where we are economically as Reagan and the Bush's.But, he balanced the budget. Nobody really cared how he did it or looked very far down the road.Rich people got richer under Bill Clinton too.
I always thought that Hillary would make a good C.I.A. chief. Her particular political talents seem to make her the perfect fit for that job. I do have to chuckle when I see them in the limelight.They are survivers of the highest order. The thought of Hillary as President scares the hell out of me.
But, a Republican winning the Presidency seems like a new, American, Dark Age.I grew up in a pretty decent country. One, not without faults but, a place that aspired for better things. That was a long time ago. I hope to see it again before I'm gone I am beginning to believe I won't..
9
Ms. Dowd -
I don't give a you know what if he's 'slimy.'
These are the Supreme Court justices chosen by Bush 41 and 43:
Samuel Alito (43)
John Roberts (43)
Clarence Thomas (41)
David Souter (41)
(I left out W.'s failed nominee Harriet Miers)
These are the justices chosen by Clinton and Obama:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Clinton)
Stephen Breyer (Clinton)
Elena Kagan (Obama)
Sonia Sotomayor (Obama)
Only a fool would want anyone in the Bush family to pick another justice.
My only concerns for the 2016 elections are:
Who gets to pick the next 3 or 4 Supreme Court Justices?
Will the Bush family and James Baker figure out a way to steal this election the same way they stole the election for George W. in 2000?
Everything else that will happen - so what?
I really don't see how we can take anymore.....
I don't give a you know what if he's 'slimy.'
These are the Supreme Court justices chosen by Bush 41 and 43:
Samuel Alito (43)
John Roberts (43)
Clarence Thomas (41)
David Souter (41)
(I left out W.'s failed nominee Harriet Miers)
These are the justices chosen by Clinton and Obama:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Clinton)
Stephen Breyer (Clinton)
Elena Kagan (Obama)
Sonia Sotomayor (Obama)
Only a fool would want anyone in the Bush family to pick another justice.
My only concerns for the 2016 elections are:
Who gets to pick the next 3 or 4 Supreme Court Justices?
Will the Bush family and James Baker figure out a way to steal this election the same way they stole the election for George W. in 2000?
Everything else that will happen - so what?
I really don't see how we can take anymore.....
71
This is a refreshing column, almost as refreshing as the columns ten years ago referring to Obama as Obambi, pointing out his unwillingness to fight for justice.
Very nasty things have happened in the US and the world recently -- we killed several million people for no good reason in Iraq and again in Afghanistan, and we ruined the livelihoods of millions of Americans in crimes for which nobody has gone to jail. We now live in a kleptocracy in which bribing legislators has become legal.
Thanks, gail, for at least mentioning these items, which seem to elude most of your colleagues. To see some solutions, go to YouTube and watch Copmedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). Then invite me to speak to your group -- you will be glad to you did.
Very nasty things have happened in the US and the world recently -- we killed several million people for no good reason in Iraq and again in Afghanistan, and we ruined the livelihoods of millions of Americans in crimes for which nobody has gone to jail. We now live in a kleptocracy in which bribing legislators has become legal.
Thanks, gail, for at least mentioning these items, which seem to elude most of your colleagues. To see some solutions, go to YouTube and watch Copmedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). Then invite me to speak to your group -- you will be glad to you did.
2
I am sad at what our country has become. At times I sit and cry. My vote no longer counts. The people we vote in office lie to us. Our government once a shining example of separation of powers, is no more. So I sit and cry for my country. I sit and cry.
17
Ms. Dowd, I feel your pain.
5
Veteran readers of the NY Times understand for how many years Dowd has been a Clinton hater. I thought she might like the idea of a woman President, but it seem you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
25
This column is too radical a criticism of Hillary Clinton. Hillary has paid her dues for this country time and time again. As First Lady she got the entire world talking about women's issues like equality, voting rights, subserviance, and equal access to education. Hillary is the closest person this nation has had to a second Eleanor Roosevelt. Courage galore. As a US Senator she repeatedly helped NY get past the horrors of 9/11. As Secretary of State she kept womens issues on the front burner and helped burnish the image of the United States in the eyes of 50% of the earth's entire population. She actively pursued policies that kept us out of 5 or so wars John MCcain said we should fight. Remember Georgia - the country, not the state, Ukraine, etc. I am saying all this because it is true,not because I am a Hillary for President supporter. Choosing a Presidential candidate is many moons away.
25
David Brock looks like a new breed. More snake-like than past snakes. It's the hair. Like Harty Jenns, (with two n's) in John Hughes' Some Kind of Wonderful, shamelessly creepy. Maybe that's why Warren won't run. She'd have to deal with handlers who love to play in the dirt. And she wants to stay clean.
7
So depressing to be a liberal Democrat these days. I became a political junkie during the Watergate scandal and have been hooked since, always believing that better days were to come and that progressive government programs would improve the lives of everyone. Instead, I have lived through too many wasteful, stupid wars, Reagan's contempt for government and the rise of a lunatic conservative ideology that will not be satisfied unless our national government's only mission is to succor the wealthy and wage war overseas. I have given up believing my generation will improve things. Like many I thought Obama was "the one". He is a good man, an intelligent man ,but he does not have "fire in his belly". He was too willing to make a deal with the right up until the Democratic defeat of 2014. I love my Senator Warren but I believe her when she says she is not a candidate. Hillary leaves me cold. She will continue our military adventures in the Middle East and be an uncritical supporter of Israel. She is too close to the Wall Street crowd . For the first time since I was old enough to vote, I can see myself not voting at all in the next presidential election.
145
When will the Clinton clan just go away?
6
Ms. Dowd's columns about Hillary Clinton always seem to serve as a siren call to those commenters who have a feverish dislike for Mrs. Clinton; or (who knows) maybe they are just Republicans.
My only reason for commenting is to say I represent one of the millions of people, described clearly in the polls, who plan to vote for Hillary Clinton. She's going to wipe the floor with everyone else.
My only reason for commenting is to say I represent one of the millions of people, described clearly in the polls, who plan to vote for Hillary Clinton. She's going to wipe the floor with everyone else.
27
I don't understand the point of this column. Why will you pay for it? Are you intimating the Clintons will go after you for it? You didn't say anything unusual.
Weird column that had the odd effect of making me want to back HRC, while actually I've been for Sanders, Webb, nearly anyone else that could step up (love Warren but we need her speaking up right where she is, she's smart enough to know that).
But none of us are unaware of the ugly game post Citizens United, and gloves will be not only off but brass knuckles on. Bring Brock on and the Rotts. There are SCOTUS justices if you can't think of any other reason to vote Dem.
I'm just not sure what your point here was. Clintons aren flawed? Which Republican do you think isn't??
Weird column that had the odd effect of making me want to back HRC, while actually I've been for Sanders, Webb, nearly anyone else that could step up (love Warren but we need her speaking up right where she is, she's smart enough to know that).
But none of us are unaware of the ugly game post Citizens United, and gloves will be not only off but brass knuckles on. Bring Brock on and the Rotts. There are SCOTUS justices if you can't think of any other reason to vote Dem.
I'm just not sure what your point here was. Clintons aren flawed? Which Republican do you think isn't??
25
What gets me is that everyone knows Clinton is running but nobody knows will she run? Six years since she lost she is still pondering will she run? She has been running for fifty years. Now they want to make us think they are sitting around the dinner table wondering can she balance granny duties, the garden club and running the free world. Guess its tough being broke with a hundred million under the pillow. Wish there was an honest person somewhere in the country willing to run for president. No longer will I hold my nose and vote. Wish a Senator from Mass. would run because I truly believe she already knows how to talk to the middle class.
2
Glad Hillary's got a pitiless hired gun, in Brock, who will back shoot and gut shoot and bushwhack the assassins the Republicans will set against her. If anyone thinks the Koch brothers are going to spend their billion on polite, Christian discourse has not been paying attention and had better not wander out onto the streets of Dodge during the upcoming campaign. There will be no high ground. There will be blood. And we don't need another candidate who wants to be liked by Republicans or their base. Time to throw down.
314
I’m not uncomfortable with egocentric, power hungry people running the government if … if there is a modicum of a benevolent attitude toward others and the country. Unfortunately, it is becoming scarier all the time that those who want to control are greedy jerks. Apparently the wealthy are never satisfied. There is no appreciation for how many Americans are being hurt and how much the fabric of the nation is being crushed by inattention. A tax on medical equipment, for example, cannot be tolerated by those who are already making huge incomes. The tax helps pay for ACA expenses, but no, the industry will not support. It is all about greedy grabbing for every dollar. The Republicans definitely will not stop the greed, but I don’t think you’re wrong, Ms. Dowd, about the Clintons either. We need new faces with genuine interest in the infrastructure and minimum wage and education and climate and banking regulation, etc.
10
It has seemed to me a number of times in the past six years that in 2008 it should have been Biden/Obama. President Obama could have learned a great deal from Senator Biden about governance, cajoling, and leadership. Sadly, the time has passed. Biden cannot win now. A Republican president able to pick the Supreme Court nominees for the next generation will be the death of us.
As for Hilary Clinton and this fellow Brock, I hang my head in sadness. He is cut from the same cloth as Dick Morris. In other words, creepy. Plain creepy.
America, we deserve so much better,
As for Hilary Clinton and this fellow Brock, I hang my head in sadness. He is cut from the same cloth as Dick Morris. In other words, creepy. Plain creepy.
America, we deserve so much better,
7
look how many good things obaam has achieved. doing so without yelling and blustering heightens the achievement. i doubt hillary or biden would have made the courageous calls to go big on healthcare or get bin laden.
1
Which presidential candidate, if any, is actually in charge or his or her campaign and overarching message? Who? Are these outstanding figures in American life merely "flesh puppets" who do what they are told to sate the bowel reeking lust for power that resides in every bodily fiber?
Mitt Romney lost, in part, because he was a confused human being, constantly mentally referencing his dad's defeat from one errant thought ("brainwashed") uttered on a syndicated Michigan television talk show. Mitt Romney killed off his humanity, perhaps even his soul, to try to get what his dad wanted, the presidency. Hilliary, I am afraid, is in the same boat with a slightly different leak in the boat.
Mrs. Clinton's 2008 campaign was a symphony of dissonance, a cacophony of verbal chaos in which she offered the nation...nothing. No vision. No plan. And, to top it off, a repeatedly screeched "30 years of experience", if only we would hire HER. 30 yrs. experience doing what? She had been in the Senate, her first elective office, only slightly longer than that guy, Barack. Only those blinded by the vision of the first woman in the White House could ignore the vaporous nature of her substance.
Okay, I get it. These people, all of them, want to be president because they want to be president. Until Mrs. Clinton has the confident self assurance to take control of her own campaign, its message and its sidebar gutter tactics, she has no chance of becoming president, except by default.
Doug Terry
Mitt Romney lost, in part, because he was a confused human being, constantly mentally referencing his dad's defeat from one errant thought ("brainwashed") uttered on a syndicated Michigan television talk show. Mitt Romney killed off his humanity, perhaps even his soul, to try to get what his dad wanted, the presidency. Hilliary, I am afraid, is in the same boat with a slightly different leak in the boat.
Mrs. Clinton's 2008 campaign was a symphony of dissonance, a cacophony of verbal chaos in which she offered the nation...nothing. No vision. No plan. And, to top it off, a repeatedly screeched "30 years of experience", if only we would hire HER. 30 yrs. experience doing what? She had been in the Senate, her first elective office, only slightly longer than that guy, Barack. Only those blinded by the vision of the first woman in the White House could ignore the vaporous nature of her substance.
Okay, I get it. These people, all of them, want to be president because they want to be president. Until Mrs. Clinton has the confident self assurance to take control of her own campaign, its message and its sidebar gutter tactics, she has no chance of becoming president, except by default.
Doug Terry
51
The New York Times should bar Maureen Dowd from writing about Hillary Clinton. She can't control her visceral hatred and jealousy of Mrs. Clinton. It's been an embarrassment for years.
48
It is disappointing that there is such a tailwind behind Hillary in 2016. She would be 69 when elected and would bring with her the same Wall Street baggage and conservative-light that her husband had. No new ideas, no backbone and nothing but campaign money and hangers-on to go into the election with. She has needed a year to recuperate from what appeared to be a bad case of severe fatigue after 4 years as Secretary of State (can she take the physicality of a presidency?). Step aside Hillary when you are at a peak. Be the senior adviser and let new blood invigorate the Democratic party.
10
Polling 200 experts on how to say she is for the middle class? Really are we so in need of royal families the we are about coronate a Bush of a Clinton again. Clinton worth around a hundred million dollars needs someone to tell her how to make the middle class think she is for them. So in six months she will know how to pump her own gas and shop at the big box stores. They rolled over Mitt about the elevator used for his cars. Guess you can't say anything about the Queen or you will drawn and quartered. Just waiting for Bill to put on his Ray Bans and the play the saxophone on 125th Street. All I can say is Run Liz please!
7
Hillary served this country with dignity and distinction as Secretary of State. But as soon as she goes into campaign mode the long knives come out. Bringing back the unsavory side of the Clinton's campaign apparatus will just refresh the memories of many of just how swarmy things could get when a Clinton had an eye focused on the White House.
8
I guess this is an announcement that Dowd's six years of Obama baiting is being replaced with Hillary trashing. Perhaps the president is coming too near the end of his term and becoming too popular for even Dowd to pursue her kneejerk nastiness toward him. For the next two years we will hear mostly vile attacks on the women for whom Dowd's hatred is immeasurable. Whatever her target, we know that Dowd's attacks will be personal and totally without fairness or historical perspective and not about policy or the frightful alternative of Republican rule.
40
Why does anyone read what this snarky teenager writes?
40
YES! She should fall in line with the rest of the mainstream media and never cast a critical eye towards Hillary! The role of the media is clearly to support the politicians that they agree with ideologically and attack those with whom they don't.
God help us all...
God help us all...
4
Maureen Down and George Will should retire and run off together. There's just something about them that fits together. One thing that have in common is that both of their column's aren't worth reading.
38
I supported Hillary over Obama until he won the primary, and then supported him because he had that "hopey-changey" thing going. (I mock Palin here, not Obama.) I always felt that Hillary would have been the better president - and a great deal of what happened to Obama (or what he allowed), especially legislatively, would likely not have happened to Hillary. I still think, for all her faults, etc., that Hillary would make an outstanding president. Yes, she pander to Wall Street - but, as others have pointed out, that is EXACTLY why Warren WOULD NOT win: because you have to pander to them at least a little. And, of course, Hillary would be leagues better than ANY Republican candidate, not least with respect to SCOTUS. (A bigger issue than is currently being discussed.)
Politics in America is not likely to change all that much just because we want it to. And since it IS ugly, you need people who have the savvy, experience, and backbone to deal with it. Hillary has these in spades.
Oh, and by the way...stop calling it a democracy, or even a democracy in which money is too great a factor. We live in an oligarchy. In fact, here is a handy-dandy equation for you to memorize: democracy + elections purchased by a small group of individuals = oligarchy.
Politics in America is not likely to change all that much just because we want it to. And since it IS ugly, you need people who have the savvy, experience, and backbone to deal with it. Hillary has these in spades.
Oh, and by the way...stop calling it a democracy, or even a democracy in which money is too great a factor. We live in an oligarchy. In fact, here is a handy-dandy equation for you to memorize: democracy + elections purchased by a small group of individuals = oligarchy.
32
"... will never believe that negative coverage results from legitimate shortcomings. Instead, it’s all personal, all false, and all a war...." Not necessarily ALL false, but otherwise it describes concisely and succinctly Maureen Dowd columns
as to the vote for the President, that's what it is - not a choice of the best person, but a choice between two flawed candidates; Hillary, as bad as she is, is not the worse one.
as to the vote for the President, that's what it is - not a choice of the best person, but a choice between two flawed candidates; Hillary, as bad as she is, is not the worse one.
13
OMG…we're about to beat the Republicans at their own game! I can't wait to see what they do to the soon to be nominated Walker/Rubio ticket!!! The only question I have is: Hillary, where do I send my check?
26
Maureen Dowd has been writing negative columns about the Clintons since the early 1990s. Nothing new here.
35
Hillary, play nice. The American people don't respond to negative attack adds. You and Bill personally know that.
Play nice. Like Al Gore. Who considered the nice thing to do was to concede the election to the nice people in the G.W. Bush campaign. And John "Swift Boat "Kerry? They may have lost the election, but they have the satisfaction of knowing they played fair.
It's not important if you win or lose. it's how you play the game. Right? So we got Roberts and Alito. And war based on misinformation. And tax cuts for the uber rich.
Hillary. Play fair. What are the consequences of losing? For starters, repeal, repeal, repeal, everything the current administration has achieved? Appointment of new Roberts and Alitos to the SCOTUS? So what. It's not worth playing in the political mud to prevent that from happening. Let the GOP play dirty. And they will. And they'll win the election. But at least you'll have your pride. Get real Maureen.
Play nice. Like Al Gore. Who considered the nice thing to do was to concede the election to the nice people in the G.W. Bush campaign. And John "Swift Boat "Kerry? They may have lost the election, but they have the satisfaction of knowing they played fair.
It's not important if you win or lose. it's how you play the game. Right? So we got Roberts and Alito. And war based on misinformation. And tax cuts for the uber rich.
Hillary. Play fair. What are the consequences of losing? For starters, repeal, repeal, repeal, everything the current administration has achieved? Appointment of new Roberts and Alitos to the SCOTUS? So what. It's not worth playing in the political mud to prevent that from happening. Let the GOP play dirty. And they will. And they'll win the election. But at least you'll have your pride. Get real Maureen.
460
There is an eternal conflict between the natural aristocracy and the strivers; the Bushes being the former and the Clintons the latter.
Victory cannot be won in a single generation except through despicable acts.
The aristocrats (arista being the Greek word for the best) will always prevail. Just compare Churchill vs. Hitler and Mussolini.
Jeb Bush, the brother of a President, the son of another, and the grandson of a prominent Senator has to do little more than enunciate policies that have been espoused by his family for nearly a century.
Hillary needs 200 counselors to formulate a plan.
The outcome is inevitable; classiness will prevail for Jeb Bush as it
did for both Roosevelts, JFK and the 41st and 43rd Presidents.
Rey Olsen
Victory cannot be won in a single generation except through despicable acts.
The aristocrats (arista being the Greek word for the best) will always prevail. Just compare Churchill vs. Hitler and Mussolini.
Jeb Bush, the brother of a President, the son of another, and the grandson of a prominent Senator has to do little more than enunciate policies that have been espoused by his family for nearly a century.
Hillary needs 200 counselors to formulate a plan.
The outcome is inevitable; classiness will prevail for Jeb Bush as it
did for both Roosevelts, JFK and the 41st and 43rd Presidents.
Rey Olsen
3
Well there is no doubt that "the Cobra" is still queen of the hit piece. Is it not clear that the right will count on almost a billion dollars from just 2 plutocrats among dozens who intend to buy the next election with a tidal wave of money, much of it dark. The stakes are so high that the ordinary citizens’ personal campaign contributions are meaningless in comparison to the flood of special interests money. A good candidate can win if he is outspent but not if he is drowned is a flood television attack ads which he cannot answer.
Thanks to conservatives our government is up for grabs to those with the most money. Our entire system has been corrupted so now although with big money you cannot compete or have any chance the Cobra as Ms. Dowd is sometimes called. finds it reprehensible and unethical to raise the cash to keep the Koch brothers, etal., out of the White House. We don't want a corporatist dictatorship because too many people think that the Bible trumps the Constitution and that government is their enemy. So when the Cobra complains of the attack dogs there is no shortage of venom when Obama or the Clintons are the subject of her poison pen. It is amazing that there people cannot do anything right when the GOP will be selecting people who have pre-sold their offices.
Thanks to conservatives our government is up for grabs to those with the most money. Our entire system has been corrupted so now although with big money you cannot compete or have any chance the Cobra as Ms. Dowd is sometimes called. finds it reprehensible and unethical to raise the cash to keep the Koch brothers, etal., out of the White House. We don't want a corporatist dictatorship because too many people think that the Bible trumps the Constitution and that government is their enemy. So when the Cobra complains of the attack dogs there is no shortage of venom when Obama or the Clintons are the subject of her poison pen. It is amazing that there people cannot do anything right when the GOP will be selecting people who have pre-sold their offices.
20
It's all show biz, in either party. No money from me this year to anyone. It doesn't make any difference. The big money people get done what they want and nobody else counts.
9
When taking on the Clintons in a effort to save our nation, past history suggests that one should be afraid -- be VERY afraid
3
Maureen, thank you for your honesty. I really enjoy your articles, especially when you speak the truth to powerfull liberals and progressives. Taking on Clinton, Inc and the Obama Junta Junta could be damaging to your career, if not worse.
As a proud member of the Log Cabin Republicans, take another look at the party, especially the longer members. This is not your father's (republican) party.
As a proud member of the Log Cabin Republicans, take another look at the party, especially the longer members. This is not your father's (republican) party.
6
Here we have David Axelrod a very close contact for years of the Clintons and of Obama writing a tell all book about both. He also seems to have a need to call out others who are on campaign staffs. He is either desperate for money or just a lousy friend. Ugh. Just hate politics and these tell all 'advisers'.
And Brock! Whew an act of desperation if you feel you need to hire him with his betrayal history.
And Brock! Whew an act of desperation if you feel you need to hire him with his betrayal history.
6
Did he (Mark Shields on the Newshour Friday) say what I think he said? In a different context he said something like, "By voting for the 2002 Iraq Senate resolution, the following Democrats (he included Hillary and Joe Biden) effectively killed their chances of being elected President."
Don't hold back Maureen. The knives are out!
I have long believed that the Clintons are the most intelligent and gifted grifters American politics has ever seen. And that takes in the fact that Ted Cruz and Scott Walker are also out and about.
Yikes.
KA
I have long believed that the Clintons are the most intelligent and gifted grifters American politics has ever seen. And that takes in the fact that Ted Cruz and Scott Walker are also out and about.
Yikes.
KA
9
Take away the Clinton name and you indeed have an avaristic, money grubbing organization. Ironic that it takes a Democratic politician to show just how disgraceful money is in politcs. I, and others I know, will not give one red cent to ANY candidates in 2016. You want my vote? You won't buy it from me, you're going to have to EARN it. And so far Hillary, you ain't done Jack to get it.
10
Hillary is probably the only candidate who can take the slime that the Republicans dish out.
27
After wallowing in her own slime for so many years it's understandable.
2
I was a Clinton fan until I read "No One Left To Lie To" by Christopher Hitchens. Please, if you admire the Clintons, read this book. It will change your mind.
10
Can't tell whether this is a hit piece or a legit piece. Sounds like it's just a (a just?) description of the sausage makers who make the political sausage that we don't want to see being made way in the back of the sausage-making rooms. BTW, I always did enjoy seeing James Carville in the days of BIll. He had style. Bill did too. Hill, not too sure.
7
Dowd wrote it, didn't she? It's a hit piece.
6
If it comes down to Hillary vs a Republican I'm sure I would hold my nose and vote for her.BUT she lost me years ago with her VOTE for Iraq......I've always said that if I knew the real reasons for invading Iraq Hillary knew. Her vote was just a political chess move for the future which actually hurt her more than a no vote would have. Maybe even cost her the nomination in 2008.
9
Thank you for this, Maureen Dowd. Someone has to speak the truth about the Clintons.
9
Apparently Maurine Dowd hasn't noticed that the Kochs, who just finished electing the most reactionary Congress in a century, have announced they will be spending close to 1 billion dollars on the 2016 election. Most of that billion, if past performance is any guide, will be directed to smearing Democrats, specifically HRC, should she be nominated. I guess in Dowd-world, the Clintons are supposed to just stand there, and let the Willy Horton/Swiftboat attack ads win another election, so we can have more extremists appointed to the Supreme Court. More justices who believe corporations are people, that money is speech, that owners of corporations can force their religious views down the throats of their employees. More Citizens United decisions, a decision rejected by every Clinton appointee to the Supreme Court.
The Clinton's did not create American sleaze-ball money-driven politics- their enemies did, because that is how the Right wins elections. Mr. Brock's main fault, in Dowd-world, appears to be that he turned against the Right's hatchet men, and may be useful in what will undoubtedly be the dirtiest election ever. It's called getting ready to fight back.
The Clinton's did not create American sleaze-ball money-driven politics- their enemies did, because that is how the Right wins elections. Mr. Brock's main fault, in Dowd-world, appears to be that he turned against the Right's hatchet men, and may be useful in what will undoubtedly be the dirtiest election ever. It's called getting ready to fight back.
37
You wrote what I was gonna write better than I was gonna write what you wrote. Great job Reality Based.
1
Here are a few high rollers investing in Democrat candidates and in the party:
1. Fred Eychaner; Total contributions: $12.9 million
2. James H. Simons; Total contributions: $7.8 million
3. Amy Goldman; Total contributions: $4 million
4. Jeffrey & Marilyn Katzenberg; Total contributions: $3.5 million
5. Steve Mostyn & Amber Anderson; Total contributions: $3.4 million
6. George Soros; Total contributions: $2.6 million
7. Jon Stryker; Total contributions: $2.4 million
8. Irwin & Joan Jacobs;Total contributions: $2.4 million
9. Anne Cox Chambers; Total contributions: $2.2 million
10. Franklin Haney; Total contributions: $2.1 million
Purchasing politicians isn't only a Republican problem. It happens on both sides of the aisle. However the Koch brothers donate to both Republicans and Democrats unlike the liberal robber barons.
1. Fred Eychaner; Total contributions: $12.9 million
2. James H. Simons; Total contributions: $7.8 million
3. Amy Goldman; Total contributions: $4 million
4. Jeffrey & Marilyn Katzenberg; Total contributions: $3.5 million
5. Steve Mostyn & Amber Anderson; Total contributions: $3.4 million
6. George Soros; Total contributions: $2.6 million
7. Jon Stryker; Total contributions: $2.4 million
8. Irwin & Joan Jacobs;Total contributions: $2.4 million
9. Anne Cox Chambers; Total contributions: $2.2 million
10. Franklin Haney; Total contributions: $2.1 million
Purchasing politicians isn't only a Republican problem. It happens on both sides of the aisle. However the Koch brothers donate to both Republicans and Democrats unlike the liberal robber barons.
2
“I’LL pay for this column.”
Ms. Dowd’s description of the Clinton’s “Slime Room,” her words about “James Carville, fondly known as ‘serpent head,’ and her words about “the slippery David Brock,” may indeed trigger a smear campaign and retaliatory words from the Clinton camp against Ms. Dowd which is bound to diminish both. The nation should be spared such a spectacle.
Instead, the nation should perhaps be educated about the danger of having to choose between Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush.
The nation should first be reminded that the Clinton administration initiated the banking deregulations, which eventually led to the financial crisis of 2008. Mrs. Clinton’s current courting of banks is inauspicious.
The nation should also be reminded that the Clinton administration expanded NATO to Russia’s border after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, against the advice of both former President Clinton’s own Secretary of Defense, William Perry, and that of the highly respected George F. Kennan, the famed Soviet and Russian expert, both of whom warned that such expansion would inevitably lead to a dangerous confrontation with Russia, as we are witnessing today over Ukraine.
The nation should also be reminded that it was former Florida Governor Jeb Bush who corrupted the Florida vote count that led to the disastrous presidency of George W. Bush.
Perhaps Ms. Dowd should be warning that neither Hillary Clinton nor Jeb Bush is fit to be president.
Ms. Dowd’s description of the Clinton’s “Slime Room,” her words about “James Carville, fondly known as ‘serpent head,’ and her words about “the slippery David Brock,” may indeed trigger a smear campaign and retaliatory words from the Clinton camp against Ms. Dowd which is bound to diminish both. The nation should be spared such a spectacle.
Instead, the nation should perhaps be educated about the danger of having to choose between Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush.
The nation should first be reminded that the Clinton administration initiated the banking deregulations, which eventually led to the financial crisis of 2008. Mrs. Clinton’s current courting of banks is inauspicious.
The nation should also be reminded that the Clinton administration expanded NATO to Russia’s border after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, against the advice of both former President Clinton’s own Secretary of Defense, William Perry, and that of the highly respected George F. Kennan, the famed Soviet and Russian expert, both of whom warned that such expansion would inevitably lead to a dangerous confrontation with Russia, as we are witnessing today over Ukraine.
The nation should also be reminded that it was former Florida Governor Jeb Bush who corrupted the Florida vote count that led to the disastrous presidency of George W. Bush.
Perhaps Ms. Dowd should be warning that neither Hillary Clinton nor Jeb Bush is fit to be president.
25
Anyone who wants to call out the GOP for their tactics ought to read this column.The DEM's are as bad or worse. Both parties and most of the candidates are morally bankrupt-- Hillary Clinton included, If she /they use these people and tactics to get elected. Everyday i read about presidential politics, i wish more and more for a parliamentary system like the UK. I don't know if the candidates or their parties are more "honest" but the election cycles are shorter and they do not have to wait 4 years to throw a Government out.
10
It is easy to look across the fence, WAL, and say, "Your cows are uglier than mine". A comforting thought. Politics is a contact sport and a zero sum game. The fundamental problem is that people reward those who play dirty. Look how, or remember how, G.W. Bush's forces took apart John McCain before the South Carolina primary in 2000, spreading wild rumors that helped McCain to lose and Bush to win. Or, four years later, the forces aligned with Bush worked assiduously to destroy the Vietnam war record of John Kerry, implying that he did not deserve the medals he won and questioning his valor. How can you get any dirtier than that? Well, it happened to Senator Max Cleland in Georgia, a man in a wheelchair from injuries in Vietnam who was brought down by charges that he wasn't supporting the military and the "war on terror" sufficiently.
People who realistically have a chance at getting a presidential nomination these days are those who can survive hand to hand combat. The "winner" gets the greatest honor America has to offer, but everyone wants to take down or destroy that person in the process. Even now, the potential impeachment of President Obama is being planned and has not been completely ruled out by top Republicans.
Doug Terry
People who realistically have a chance at getting a presidential nomination these days are those who can survive hand to hand combat. The "winner" gets the greatest honor America has to offer, but everyone wants to take down or destroy that person in the process. Even now, the potential impeachment of President Obama is being planned and has not been completely ruled out by top Republicans.
Doug Terry
3
Joe Biden and Jeb Bush, likely the party choices. Would be a quiet run, with middle-class America deciding. The Clinton machine scares the wits out of most middle and right voters. Walker is too green for the Repubs, and that leaves Jeb with the reins. Joe Biden is smooth (and pleasant), and enjoys a wide swath of voters. Most likely a split government, Dem president, Repub Congress.
3
Barack was WAY too green but got put in the White House anyway. Of course, it was a wasted effort because he had no preparation, even as a Senator.
Compared to the 2008 Barack, Scott Walker is Winston Churchill.
Compared to the 2008 Barack, Scott Walker is Winston Churchill.
3
Joe Biden and Jeb Bush are dolts. Empty headed special interest puppets who have no idea what they are talking about.
1
Another of many, many reasons to oppose the ascension of Hillary: She surrounds herself with hideous opportunists like herself.
11
I actually can't think of anyone I want to vote for....
11
try bernie
6
I am so discouraged by our politics-public policy in general. The prospect of Hillary v. Jeb takes me further down.
Have we no new candidates or new ideas? Why only the retreads? We are a country founded upon, built upon new ideas, fresh approaches and innovation.
Hillary -- Jeb? Business as usual. Lesser of evils. I can't conceive of a best-case scenario.
I'm afraid we have lost our idealism, our courage, our vision and our future. Please tell me I'm wrong.
Have we no new candidates or new ideas? Why only the retreads? We are a country founded upon, built upon new ideas, fresh approaches and innovation.
Hillary -- Jeb? Business as usual. Lesser of evils. I can't conceive of a best-case scenario.
I'm afraid we have lost our idealism, our courage, our vision and our future. Please tell me I'm wrong.
7
"Have we no new candidates or new ideas?"
Elizabeth Warren.
Elizabeth Warren.
3
Why are you assuming that Hillary had anything to do with this spat ? These are grown adults that have minds of their own and are accountable for their own actions. Maybe Ms. Dowd, haven't you considered that perhaps folks like Mr. Brock are acting this way because they might be seeing the writing on the wall which is Mrs. Clinton is hiring competent/ no drama folks this time around ? But of course not, you were one of Obamas biggest pushers in the NYT Editorial and have totally taken a dump on the guy in your columns for that past several years. If that's how you treat your friends....what can Hillary expect from you?
9
Kind of tells you everything about the Neo-Democratic party: full of neo-liberals and people who were Republicans 20 years ago. Pro-corporations/pro-Wall Street and ready to punch the working classes and small busineses in the gut!
Yep, this life-long Democrat has had enough. Since I'd rather gouge my eyes out than vote for a Republican, and this party doesn't represent me anymore, I'm looking for a third-party next time around.
And yes, if enough people like me do this, the Democrats will lose and the Republicans will take over and continue their rein of terror. Maybe if enough Conservocrats get booted from the party, they will see the error of their ways.
And maybe if enough of the middle class see their own bottom line affected, they will *finally* wake up to the reality that there's a third party running this county -- the One-Percent -- and stop scapegoating "those people" for America's problems.
WE are "those" people now. And the Clintons are the One-Percent. Voting another Clinton (or Bush) into the Whitehouse is the very definition of insanity.
Yep, this life-long Democrat has had enough. Since I'd rather gouge my eyes out than vote for a Republican, and this party doesn't represent me anymore, I'm looking for a third-party next time around.
And yes, if enough people like me do this, the Democrats will lose and the Republicans will take over and continue their rein of terror. Maybe if enough Conservocrats get booted from the party, they will see the error of their ways.
And maybe if enough of the middle class see their own bottom line affected, they will *finally* wake up to the reality that there's a third party running this county -- the One-Percent -- and stop scapegoating "those people" for America's problems.
WE are "those" people now. And the Clintons are the One-Percent. Voting another Clinton (or Bush) into the Whitehouse is the very definition of insanity.
13
What a viper, Miss Dowd. Hiss!
26
It's Valentines Day, for crying out loud and Ms. Dowd has armed herself with more than an arrow to shoot down Hillary.
Yes, it would be great to call off the dogs.
But, at least Hillary let's her dogs run free.
I don't know of one instance where- unlike one Repub- Hillary has strapped a dog to a roof.
Yes, it would be great to call off the dogs.
But, at least Hillary let's her dogs run free.
I don't know of one instance where- unlike one Repub- Hillary has strapped a dog to a roof.
8
Give me and the rest of the country a break. Call off the dogs, indeed. What is it, Ms. Dowd? Your obsession with the Clintons is pathological. It hurts to read and it hurts to think that one can be so biased can still be considered an unbiased source on political matters. You have opened the flood gates for every misogynist to have his say. As the saying goes every dog will have his day - and you have allowed this to happen.
28
"...it hurts to think that one can be so biased can still be considered an unbiased source on political matters"
Hey! Columnists are biased. They're not reporters. The formers' job is to convince you that they've analyzed stuff correctly. Apparently, according to you and a bunch of others, she failed.
Hey! Columnists are biased. They're not reporters. The formers' job is to convince you that they've analyzed stuff correctly. Apparently, according to you and a bunch of others, she failed.
1
Sorry, i simply cannot read through any more Hillary stories, she is, plain and
simple, a vile and disgusting mercenary diversion from anything remotely
resembling reform.
simple, a vile and disgusting mercenary diversion from anything remotely
resembling reform.
11
I can't read any more Maureen Dowd commentaries on Hillary. Where does this hatred and vitriol come from? This is beyond political analysis. Enough already.
6
Let's not forget that winning the presidency is all about who raises/has the most money. Neither Clinton comes from money, so that means raising lots of it in whatever way they can. And I think its unfair to bash Hillary for raising lots of money, and doing whatever she can to win. Its what the men do! (is just not lady-like enough for you, Maureen?)
244
@Winifred - Thanks for this comment, after all "what's good for the goose is good for the gander." I think we're going to see alot of these thinly disguised, one-sided and misogynistic pit bull brawls against Hillary Clinton's campaign in the days and weeks to come leading up to the primary and beyond.
3
Sorry, but half of Maureen Dowd's dubious career as a journalist has been spent complaining about the moral rot in Casablanca while she gambles every night at Rick's Café Americain. The other half has been in repeating the plots of old movies.
She'll love that reference.
She'll love that reference.
20
Perfectly stated.
2
Not only money and power but beauty and brains as well.
Yeah, Mo Dowd for Prez!
Yeah, Mo Dowd for Prez!
5
I just enjoy Ms. Dowd's pen dipped in acid even when I disagree with her. Here tho, she's got a point. Hilary was always best at uniting one party--the Republican party. You can take the girl out of the Goldwater Girls but you can't take etc. I will never vote for HRC because of her authorization for the Iraq war without reading the 90 page NIE. The woman simply has blood on her hands. And that was her political opportunism at its worst.
7
Maureen hates Hillary -- repeat 25 times and you've got Mo's column, this time, last time and next time. Seems to me it's about time to get some psycho-babble going about Maureen Dowd. There's a vast, passed conspiracy sliding along the NYT highway. Somewhat in the order of a snow job but sharper: more like a polar vortex. Well, it may be familiar but we probably can use the heat these Sunday mornings.
15
for good reason.
2
If Maureen Dowd is going to write about tin cups, she also needs to write about silver spoons: Unlike the Bushes, Obama and the Clintons have actually had to work for their money, both for campaigns and in their personal lives. They have a connection with the middle class that the dynastic Bushes do not. The Bush boys could just call Poppy whenever they needed business connections or a way out of risking their lives in Vietnam. I remember in the run up to the 2000 election when columnists like Dowd had tired of democrats in the White House. They harped on how boring "Prince" Albert Gore was, while giving W. a free pass. Yes, the 90s, full of peace and prosperity and silly sex scandals, sure were boring for the pundit and armchair general class. Their complacency brought us the wars and economic misery of the 2000s. It's time for a new, more discerning, generation of pundits.
54
I should be the target voter for Hillary. Why does she depress me so? She should inspire me. She's crazy smart, has all kinds of experience and yet continues to do things like take $250,000 speaking fees from banks like Goldman Sachs.
That one bank has done more harm to the world (they were behind lending/manipulating to Greece, for instance), except for all the other to big to fail banks.
She has Larry Summers as her economic advisor. She has people like Brock raising money for her.
Please Elizabeth Warren, run. Please.
That one bank has done more harm to the world (they were behind lending/manipulating to Greece, for instance), except for all the other to big to fail banks.
She has Larry Summers as her economic advisor. She has people like Brock raising money for her.
Please Elizabeth Warren, run. Please.
13
I love Elizabeth Warren too, but I also want to keep her voice in the Senate where it is more effective than being president right now. I think she knows that, which is why she won't run.
9
Thanks for chumming the waters, Ms. M. We'll watch to see how it goes with you. "Trouble, that starts with T and rhymes with C . . . . Oh, we got trouble!"
Great. Ms. Dowd is back to sliming the Clintons. Now maybe she'll leave Obama alone, with her sophomoric attacks on his on his personality, manhood, you name it. She can vote for Scott Walker and rest easy.
30
Hillary's ruthless ambition cannot be a meaningful point of contention in a profession where ruthless ambition is the first criterion for admission.
I am not even interested in my own opinion of which personality I 'like' best between the two final contenders for the presidency. Instead, for guidance I go straight to my well-worn check list: 1) Which candidate is more likely to stumble into WW III and take down the entire planet? 2) Which candidate will deem entire segments of the American population to be expendable? 3) Which candidate appears to more delusional, or an outright sociopath?
These are remarkably low bars to jump over, you will agree, but it is amazing how many politicians trip over all three. I am not a Hillary fan, but there are definitely more sinister politicians on the scene who would cheerfully send our country down the drain in the name of Jesus, or Ayn Rand, or next quarter's short-term profits.
I am not even interested in my own opinion of which personality I 'like' best between the two final contenders for the presidency. Instead, for guidance I go straight to my well-worn check list: 1) Which candidate is more likely to stumble into WW III and take down the entire planet? 2) Which candidate will deem entire segments of the American population to be expendable? 3) Which candidate appears to more delusional, or an outright sociopath?
These are remarkably low bars to jump over, you will agree, but it is amazing how many politicians trip over all three. I am not a Hillary fan, but there are definitely more sinister politicians on the scene who would cheerfully send our country down the drain in the name of Jesus, or Ayn Rand, or next quarter's short-term profits.
31
The American people know authenticity Hillary. If you fake it, you won't make it.
3
What? Authenticity like GW Bush? The American people buy snake oil every day of the week from politicians who dont even peddle it well.
2
Tell that to George W. Bush.
1
We need a real Democratic party, abandoned by Bill Clinton with his triangulation and "party of growth". He sure felt other peoples' "pain" - and took in $2.1 Billion!
Now Obama has suddenly started making the noises he was making in 2007, while doing none of the things he promised and abandoning the people who voted for him, just in time to set the table for Hillary in 2016 - another pretend Democrat!
(Obamacare, i.e. giving people who could not afford insurance coverage with other peoples money, while mostly helping the medical-financial-industrial complex, is hardly a success and an open question five years out. And all those wars he was going to bring to an end - drone on!)
Now Obama has suddenly started making the noises he was making in 2007, while doing none of the things he promised and abandoning the people who voted for him, just in time to set the table for Hillary in 2016 - another pretend Democrat!
(Obamacare, i.e. giving people who could not afford insurance coverage with other peoples money, while mostly helping the medical-financial-industrial complex, is hardly a success and an open question five years out. And all those wars he was going to bring to an end - drone on!)
3
I'm with you, Maureen. Gosh I hate Hillary Clinton. Now I do love progressive ideas on what to do about climate change, bringing resilience to the middle and working classes, guarding our social safety net, reversing the decline of our infrastructure, strengthening and encouraging open, plural society, reconsidering aspects of the decades-old, woeful War on Drugs. Etcetera.
However like so many other self righteous liberal Hillary haters, yourself included; and given that my blinding hatred of Ms. Clinton supersedes all other considerations, I shall withhold my support for the Democratic nominee should that person be Hillary Clinton: What's that you say? No, I do not understand how voting Green or staying at bed on Election Day is the same as balloting for Bush III or Smarmy Walker. 2000 Election you say? Never heard of it!
However like so many other self righteous liberal Hillary haters, yourself included; and given that my blinding hatred of Ms. Clinton supersedes all other considerations, I shall withhold my support for the Democratic nominee should that person be Hillary Clinton: What's that you say? No, I do not understand how voting Green or staying at bed on Election Day is the same as balloting for Bush III or Smarmy Walker. 2000 Election you say? Never heard of it!
106
Gerald,
When I was 19 years old, I voted for Pat Paulson, probably the best choice, but that gave us Reagan...
When I was 19 years old, I voted for Pat Paulson, probably the best choice, but that gave us Reagan...
1
Ha!
As a Conservative I'm use to the political donnybrook that happens every time an uncontested office opens-up. The GOP is about to have a huge internal fight this cycle.
Maureen--Whom I'm not inclined to gush-over; pens an opinion piece who's focus is on Hillary inc's fundraising; not as much on Her, and "Kaboom!" She catches hell & damnation from the Clintonista faction.
The pressures of falling in line at such an early stage IMHO does a disservice to the process. Both the Left & Right require Sunshine to keep the dry-rot special intrerest in check.
In some ways the animas of the Media towards Conservatism gives us more vigorous office seekers, they can still campaign even when the Media winds are blowing into their faces.
This obsession with the Left-Media forming political greenhouses, to protect Democrat orchids therein, represents an abandonment of it's role in our Republic.
The fact that Maureen has from time to time sought to toughen-up a Democrat office seeker tells me she's aware of this pickle for the left, and in her own small way tries to remedy it.
LOL Maureen! Just chalk this hostile response to your Op-Ed under: "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished...
As a Conservative I'm use to the political donnybrook that happens every time an uncontested office opens-up. The GOP is about to have a huge internal fight this cycle.
Maureen--Whom I'm not inclined to gush-over; pens an opinion piece who's focus is on Hillary inc's fundraising; not as much on Her, and "Kaboom!" She catches hell & damnation from the Clintonista faction.
The pressures of falling in line at such an early stage IMHO does a disservice to the process. Both the Left & Right require Sunshine to keep the dry-rot special intrerest in check.
In some ways the animas of the Media towards Conservatism gives us more vigorous office seekers, they can still campaign even when the Media winds are blowing into their faces.
This obsession with the Left-Media forming political greenhouses, to protect Democrat orchids therein, represents an abandonment of it's role in our Republic.
The fact that Maureen has from time to time sought to toughen-up a Democrat office seeker tells me she's aware of this pickle for the left, and in her own small way tries to remedy it.
LOL Maureen! Just chalk this hostile response to your Op-Ed under: "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished...
3
I'm disappointed that Hillary doesn't have more faith in her record and her vision of where she will lead our country, because I see great potential in her candidacy for real gains by the poor and struggling middle class: paid seek leave, paid family leave, affordable day care, universal kindergarten.
All to the benefit of more women taking leadership positions in government and business. Something that will give much needed vitality to this country.
I'm not concerned with Hillary's relationships with Wall Street. I've always thought that while she's tough and aggressive, her priorities are to protect and support our children. She should lose the entourage and hang with the people of Iowa and reinforce the notion that it does take a village.
But she'll probably be tempted to play it safe with the attack dogs, thinking it will add feisty passion in answering the Koch Brothers' ad onslaught.
It's easy to get caught up in the vitriol, as was the case when I unfairly attacked Ms. Dowd's motives in last week's column, for which I apologize. Like Ms. Dowd, Hillary's motives are benevolent, accompanied by a good track record.
Pack a single bag, Hillary, find a nice Iowan family to stay with, and become reacquainted with service in a community. How naive I am!
All to the benefit of more women taking leadership positions in government and business. Something that will give much needed vitality to this country.
I'm not concerned with Hillary's relationships with Wall Street. I've always thought that while she's tough and aggressive, her priorities are to protect and support our children. She should lose the entourage and hang with the people of Iowa and reinforce the notion that it does take a village.
But she'll probably be tempted to play it safe with the attack dogs, thinking it will add feisty passion in answering the Koch Brothers' ad onslaught.
It's easy to get caught up in the vitriol, as was the case when I unfairly attacked Ms. Dowd's motives in last week's column, for which I apologize. Like Ms. Dowd, Hillary's motives are benevolent, accompanied by a good track record.
Pack a single bag, Hillary, find a nice Iowan family to stay with, and become reacquainted with service in a community. How naive I am!
3
@Grandpa - sure we should expect Hillary Clinton to act like a good little woman who always takes care of the village and stays pure as the snow. This reminds me of another Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale in which the wolf is always waiting to pretend he's kindly grandmother when all the while he's planning on how he's going to eat the nice little girl in the forest. Hillary Clinton is no fool and if she seeks to be the first female president of the U.S. under the current dirty tricks atmosphere, she's got to roll up her sleeves and get just as dirty as the next Koch backed candidate in order to win the election. Let's face it, politics isn't a noble sport.
4
She does not have a "...vision of where she will lead this country..." because she has no such vision. She is simply a product of Wall Street money, Bill's tired political savvy, poll-tasted ideas, and quasi-reluctant support of the mainstream media who are holding their nose in supporting her.
But at least she will not be as bad as Obama if she wins.
But at least she will not be as bad as Obama if she wins.
1
Hillary in the oval office is really a joke, women might as well go for the devil in drag. Too many problems trying to mask this one, What's next, the religious right? She went over like a lead balloon in China as Secretary of State. Not much to pick from between Obama and her. No wonder Mitt is trying again. The field is bankrupt and democracy has done it's work. Putin in Russia, Ukraine in ruins and Hillary as savior. Extraterrestrials don't want anything to do with us. Eventually a big asteroid will reset evolution here.
2
HC is absolutely insecure. She comes to it honestly.
She carries baggage that is going to be attacked: an impossible husband to manage, their relentless need to build up wealth after chasing it all their lives (remember the Clinton's stealing items in the White House on the way out), her failed 2008 DNC inevitable strategy, her embellishing of her record as Secretary Of State (from her Brian Williams-like fabrications, to her measuring success by miles flown to Benghazi) and her age.
She knows such fodder is coming her way. And she can't run from her past. The only strategy she has at her disposal is to go on the offensive. Money and hiring mudslinging advisors, regardless of their politics, is her only option.
But alas, people vote on the more likable candidate. Obama was wrong - although tongue-in-cheek - that she is likeable. She is rather the opposite. Thus she has to decide between taking a long chance to win the nomination and general presidential in 2016. Or rationally deciding she will lose and stepping back.
The latter is unlikely. That's not how the Clinton's think. And her only hope - by being not popular - is all that money and buying an attack staff, so she can make her opponents JUST less popular than she is.
She carries baggage that is going to be attacked: an impossible husband to manage, their relentless need to build up wealth after chasing it all their lives (remember the Clinton's stealing items in the White House on the way out), her failed 2008 DNC inevitable strategy, her embellishing of her record as Secretary Of State (from her Brian Williams-like fabrications, to her measuring success by miles flown to Benghazi) and her age.
She knows such fodder is coming her way. And she can't run from her past. The only strategy she has at her disposal is to go on the offensive. Money and hiring mudslinging advisors, regardless of their politics, is her only option.
But alas, people vote on the more likable candidate. Obama was wrong - although tongue-in-cheek - that she is likeable. She is rather the opposite. Thus she has to decide between taking a long chance to win the nomination and general presidential in 2016. Or rationally deciding she will lose and stepping back.
The latter is unlikely. That's not how the Clinton's think. And her only hope - by being not popular - is all that money and buying an attack staff, so she can make her opponents JUST less popular than she is.
2
Maureen Dowd may get her paycheck from the New York Times but she gets her column material from Fox News.
52
Ms. Dowd,
Call off the silliness, already.
Our "mondo cane" election system was created by the five supremes in Citizens United v. FEC.
Don't blame the dingos for god's creation.
Call off the silliness, already.
Our "mondo cane" election system was created by the five supremes in Citizens United v. FEC.
Don't blame the dingos for god's creation.
21
There is Senator Jim Webb and he actually has an uplifting and inspiring platform and is not in bed with such persons as Brooks.
5
I'll vote for Hillary Clinton any day of the week versus whatever the Republicans nominate simply because Clinton will appoint Supreme Court justices who aren't clown car acts like Thomas and Scalia. Plus Clinton believes in science -- vaccinations, climate change, evolution etc. as opposed to the Republicans who don't. Clinton also believes in affordable healthcare and I doubt she'll be in the pocket of the NRA and their wish to have everyone armed to the teeth.
I do hope Clinton is prepared to throw slime because that's precisely what the Republicans have done to her in the past and will do in the future -- just as they have slimed President Obama -- just the way that Maureen Dowd has slimed the Clintons and Obama through the years.
I do hope Clinton is prepared to throw slime because that's precisely what the Republicans have done to her in the past and will do in the future -- just as they have slimed President Obama -- just the way that Maureen Dowd has slimed the Clintons and Obama through the years.
56
Republican politicians know that vaccinations, climate change and evolution are real. They're just too cowardly to be straightforward with their fundamentalist Christian base, So they lie and pander to the fundamentalists, who have already proven to be not very critical of anyone who mirrors their beliefs, no matter how unrealistic and bigoted those beliefs may be. And that's how Republicans lose elections.
2
With cynicism all the rage, one hopes (and prays?) that only an informed electorate will save the day.
It would, for instance, challenge the Tea Party loyals who believe that obstructionism is "democracy".
It would ask the "right" questions during any Q/A in the next campaign.
Wouldn't it be cool to have faith in the system again?
It would, for instance, challenge the Tea Party loyals who believe that obstructionism is "democracy".
It would ask the "right" questions during any Q/A in the next campaign.
Wouldn't it be cool to have faith in the system again?
4
Dear Mo, when I had finished reading your insightfull column I thought to myself "It takes one to know one". It will also take a hell hound to go up against all the lying, conniving, cheating down low dirty fighting that will be thrown at the Democratic candidate. Forget about calling off the dogs, instead release the dogs .
21
I am not sure how money for a philanthropy is considered as "devoured" by the organizer of the philanthropy. The charities I give to use my money for good; they don't "devour" it. I thought Bill Clinton's foundation was doing good.
10
I don''t know which is funnier, the tone of martydom the well paid and highly connected Dowd starts off with - she'll "pay" for this column, like she's some blogger in Saudi Arabia - or the idea that a woman whose entire career is based on her amateur psychoanalysis of powerful D.C..-ers is now horrified that the Clinton's are going to use ad hominem attacks in their campaign. What terrible people! In fact, as polls consistently show, Hilary Clinton is walking all over Dowd's preferred candidate, Another Bush. It is a shame that the nation can't do better than re-running patrician families, but we do live in a plutocracy, and that is what happens when inequality corrodes the democratic spirit until it is a joke.
33
If Hillary was running against Eisenhower, I would agree with Ms. Dowd.
But things have changed a bit since Ike was in politics.
This country can't afford the risk of any of the potential Republican candidates winning.
But things have changed a bit since Ike was in politics.
This country can't afford the risk of any of the potential Republican candidates winning.
32
If there is one thing that is as sure as taxes, it's that Maureen Dowd can be relied on to bash the Clintons.
46
i deliberately did not vote for Bill either time: the man struck me did the wife, as money-grubbing yuppies. I cheered for Obama's kicking their collectives.
And, I look forward to voting for Hillary this time around. Among other concerns. Maureen Dord's shameful articles have convinced me.
And, I look forward to voting for Hillary this time around. Among other concerns. Maureen Dord's shameful articles have convinced me.
22
How depressing that this 2016 election won't be any more a referendum on anything that really matters to ordinary people than our recent farcical Florida gubernatorial race, which featured Republicans running on the tickets of both major parties!
This one's shaping up to be a dubious choice between Republican harsh/hard right, featuring one or another of the Tea Party wing nuts Cruz, Paul, Rubio, Ryan, Walker, et. al.; Republican establishment/middle-of-the-road/preserve the status quo, but still considerably right of center, featuring [Jeb] Bush doing his best impersonation of a moderate; and Republican Lite, featuring [Hillary] Clinton, whose biggest challenge won't be to convince the base that she isn't in the pockets of Wall Street, the banks, and big energy, but that she has ever really been a real Democrat.
Not that it will discourage voter turn-out, mind you -- Everyone should be able to find a candidate unpalatable enough to invite a protest vote against him or her. But we can expect more of the same lackluster results, as some of our most fundamental, real, and urgent problems will likely go uncorrected and, more disturbingly, unmentioned.
I recognize the importance to liberals and progressives of not going backwards. But who among this motley crew of misfits and wannabes can move us forward?
This one's shaping up to be a dubious choice between Republican harsh/hard right, featuring one or another of the Tea Party wing nuts Cruz, Paul, Rubio, Ryan, Walker, et. al.; Republican establishment/middle-of-the-road/preserve the status quo, but still considerably right of center, featuring [Jeb] Bush doing his best impersonation of a moderate; and Republican Lite, featuring [Hillary] Clinton, whose biggest challenge won't be to convince the base that she isn't in the pockets of Wall Street, the banks, and big energy, but that she has ever really been a real Democrat.
Not that it will discourage voter turn-out, mind you -- Everyone should be able to find a candidate unpalatable enough to invite a protest vote against him or her. But we can expect more of the same lackluster results, as some of our most fundamental, real, and urgent problems will likely go uncorrected and, more disturbingly, unmentioned.
I recognize the importance to liberals and progressives of not going backwards. But who among this motley crew of misfits and wannabes can move us forward?
6
Ms Dowd's colums always leave me with an unsettling feeling bordering on nausea. Her palpable and uncontrollable hatred for Mr Obama and for the Clintons leave me wondering why. Is she bothered by the President's race, President Clinton's humble origins, Mrs Clinton's achievements. Her columns do not amuse, inform or even irritate, they are marked by a viciousness that leaves one feeling soiled. These columns are unbecoming of a N T Times columnist.
76
That's why they call it "dirty" politics....unfortunately those tactics are almost a requirement to win.
4
This is comical. The leader of their party is bill clinton ( obama is a puppet). He was disbarred and impeached for being a liar. So where can they really go from there if anyone with half a brain stops to look at the candidates and not just pull the lever because there is a D next to the name. Slime and sleaze do not begin to tell the story of the clintons, the trial of dead bodies, lies, backstabbing, is enough for a hollyweird movie.
2
And then there's Bush and Cheney, and maybe now Jeb and whoever, Jeb's sock puppet... Ah Winston Churchill, I am sometimes consoled by your aphorism to the effect that "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the rest." Does that still work if the adjective "fake" precedes Democracy? I already miss Barack Obama. I think I started missing him in 2010...
2
Unfortunately you are long on vague negative references to the Clintons and short on facts. O fcourse there are negatives, but when put like this,
your comments reads like a Tabloid Headline.
your comments reads like a Tabloid Headline.
1
Maybe a fictional comedy. Tell us more about the dead bodies.
1
Oily people, crazy money, exhausting and not even spring
Elizabeth Warren please
Elizabeth Warren please
13
@Kat - Until Americans demand the overturn of Citizens United there will be more and more discomforting stories like these exposed by the free press. Hillary Clinton is merely attempting to compete with the big money machine of the Republican party. Elizabeth Warren, as inspiring as she is, wouldn't stand a chance against the attack dogs on all sides of the political spectrum.
3
Many years ago, I was "clean for Gene." I remember being unwilling to support a very decent man and presidential candidate, Hubert Humphrey. Now there is a possibility that strikes me as a way to bring back such an alternative - Joe Biden.
4
Maureen only you could despair of pit bull tactics while casually rattling off a string of derisive pit bull attacks of your own.
I guess you want Senator and Secretary of State Clinton to agree to unilaterally disarm against the rabid ring wing.
They have already attacked her age, her looks, and her health and her sanity.
Sorry, unilateral disarmament is neither wise nor warranted.
I guess you want Senator and Secretary of State Clinton to agree to unilaterally disarm against the rabid ring wing.
They have already attacked her age, her looks, and her health and her sanity.
Sorry, unilateral disarmament is neither wise nor warranted.
70
Along with the unprecedented amassing of wealth by the upper 0.1 percent -- most by hedge funds and private equity investors, rather than authentic innovation-- the apparent consolidation of political power in the US, to the Bushes and the Clintons, all in the past 2 decades, makes me despair that we have now fallen down into an inexorable hole of a caste-based culture.
Was the promise of government "of the people, by the people, for the people" a mirage?
Was Jefferson's ideal that "all people are created equal" a cynical hoax?
Was there any real point in the Civil War? -- perhaps the South should have been left alone, stewing in their own juice of hatred; they certainly haven't provided the country much innovation these past 150 years.
And what was the point of our uncles dying on Normandy beach, just so our sacred country could be desecrated by cynical power mongering as we see exhibited by the persons Ms Dowd writes about today?
Was the promise of government "of the people, by the people, for the people" a mirage?
Was Jefferson's ideal that "all people are created equal" a cynical hoax?
Was there any real point in the Civil War? -- perhaps the South should have been left alone, stewing in their own juice of hatred; they certainly haven't provided the country much innovation these past 150 years.
And what was the point of our uncles dying on Normandy beach, just so our sacred country could be desecrated by cynical power mongering as we see exhibited by the persons Ms Dowd writes about today?
20
America is a giant carcass waiting to be eviscerated by the end users of Capitalism. To think otherwise is pointless. The system grinds on slowly as a water buffalo sipping on a vast savanna watering hole on a dry & endless hot day in the outback. This is not the land of the "noble savage" that indigenous people protected for the next 7 generations.
Instead, modern America is the place to either sink your teeth into her still ample flesh while the hyenas wait in the silhouettes for their turn to gnaw on the bones. Politicians make friends w/ the obscenely wealthy in order to ensure that they take their turn as the powerful leader of the wastelands. Presidents are mere figureheads for a land that sells its soul to the highest bidding Corporations. People are the ones groveling at the gates of the kingdom, continually complaining about the unfairness of it all.
Meanwhile, the elephant bones are telling stories of the America they would like to imagine they live in. The fair & just society in which their leaders believe in the plight of the little guys, who are ready to riot if the government doesn't attend to their every beckon & call. Heaven forbid that a child becomes sick because the government didn't protect the community. Why isn't the government feeding every man, woman and child whose stomach grumbles? Why aren't the leaders as noble as the "savages" that once roamed the land that we degrade & consume like locusts instead of careful guardians of our shared sacred land?
Instead, modern America is the place to either sink your teeth into her still ample flesh while the hyenas wait in the silhouettes for their turn to gnaw on the bones. Politicians make friends w/ the obscenely wealthy in order to ensure that they take their turn as the powerful leader of the wastelands. Presidents are mere figureheads for a land that sells its soul to the highest bidding Corporations. People are the ones groveling at the gates of the kingdom, continually complaining about the unfairness of it all.
Meanwhile, the elephant bones are telling stories of the America they would like to imagine they live in. The fair & just society in which their leaders believe in the plight of the little guys, who are ready to riot if the government doesn't attend to their every beckon & call. Heaven forbid that a child becomes sick because the government didn't protect the community. Why isn't the government feeding every man, woman and child whose stomach grumbles? Why aren't the leaders as noble as the "savages" that once roamed the land that we degrade & consume like locusts instead of careful guardians of our shared sacred land?
13
Would providing care and treatment to 750,000 people in the world afflicted with HIV/AIDS through the Clinton Foundation be considered "money grubbing" - I mean what is the point here?
Forget the Smithsonian. There are already enough donors for that.
I wouldn't mind seeing my money going to treat people with HIV/AIDS and/or assisting some of the other worthy charities the Clinton Foundation supports. But that is speaking for myself.
It just seems a little weird this article ignores the foundation. But you know, so much for politics...bits and pieces....here and there. It's up to the public to put the pieces together - if they're interested enough. Unfortunately many people are led by articles like this and don't go any further.
Forget the Smithsonian. There are already enough donors for that.
I wouldn't mind seeing my money going to treat people with HIV/AIDS and/or assisting some of the other worthy charities the Clinton Foundation supports. But that is speaking for myself.
It just seems a little weird this article ignores the foundation. But you know, so much for politics...bits and pieces....here and there. It's up to the public to put the pieces together - if they're interested enough. Unfortunately many people are led by articles like this and don't go any further.
18
Why do you hate the Clintons so much?
55
What level of disdain is appropriate?
Some, a little, a lot, More, None?
Some, a little, a lot, More, None?
2
Ann Livingston,
Whether it is the Clintons or President Obama, Ms. Dowd does seem to have it in for them big time. It might help instead if she were to suggest who and why, among the candidates running for the elections is a viable choice as our next Head of State; far more challenging than these perpetual fireworks of hers, and in the spirit of love for Valentine's Day.
Whether it is the Clintons or President Obama, Ms. Dowd does seem to have it in for them big time. It might help instead if she were to suggest who and why, among the candidates running for the elections is a viable choice as our next Head of State; far more challenging than these perpetual fireworks of hers, and in the spirit of love for Valentine's Day.
4
Excellent question.
1
What a dispiriting spectacle this presidential election promises to be. Campaigns corrupted by lust -- for power at the top of the ticket, for money all the way down from there, into the slime where operatives like amoral critters Brock and Bonner thrive.
8
I fear it's too late, but the Democratic Party needs to tap its deep leadership pool with the integrity, much of it feminine, to find a viable candidate for the presidency who did not leave the last White House occupancy "dead broke" after "dodging bullets" on a Sarajevo tarmac.
The Clinton crowd is so thoroughly and execrably self-serving that voters who would never, ever dream of voting GOP will be sorely tempted in 2016. What a decades-long disaster that would create.
Kristin Gillibrand, Deval Patrick, Deborah Stabenow, Amy Klobuchar and Antonio Villaraigosa, please consult the Help Wanted classifieds under "Presidents - National." There's a miserable job waiting for y'all.
Tim Kaine and Bernie Sanders need some robust competition. So, for that matter, do the rest of us.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
The Clinton crowd is so thoroughly and execrably self-serving that voters who would never, ever dream of voting GOP will be sorely tempted in 2016. What a decades-long disaster that would create.
Kristin Gillibrand, Deval Patrick, Deborah Stabenow, Amy Klobuchar and Antonio Villaraigosa, please consult the Help Wanted classifieds under "Presidents - National." There's a miserable job waiting for y'all.
Tim Kaine and Bernie Sanders need some robust competition. So, for that matter, do the rest of us.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
9
"What difference does it make" who runs Hillary's campaign....it all comes down to who the GOP nominee is.
The real problem she has is that when the "red phone" rang, she didn't answer...and worse, she set up that phone call...sent an Ambassador to Terrorist Central with a couple of bodyguards and UNARMED "security" at the front door.
What exactly was Chris Stevens doing? Who told him to go do it....and didn't protect him. Was the Arab Spring - Fall of Gaddafi taken for granted?
The real problem she has is that when the "red phone" rang, she didn't answer...and worse, she set up that phone call...sent an Ambassador to Terrorist Central with a couple of bodyguards and UNARMED "security" at the front door.
What exactly was Chris Stevens doing? Who told him to go do it....and didn't protect him. Was the Arab Spring - Fall of Gaddafi taken for granted?
3
I'm not a big Hillary fan but, as a democrat, this column provides me with a bit of optimism about 2016. Poor MoDo! She attacks Barry as soft and weak and now she seems absolutely petrified at the strength of the Hillary machine.
53
Gosh Maureen, those Clintons surely get up your nose, don't they? I don't believe another columnist of note has provided us with such a long running, maniacal public obsession. It seems almost, well, "jackal" like. But maybe you should take a deep breath and reconsider including the Clintons' philanthropic work as an example of their "money-grubbing."
51
No one, NO ONE, fights dirtier than the Bush family. Go back and check out the old Frontline profile of Poppy Bush's attack snake Lee Atwater. Maureen conveniently ignores this history every time she writes about the Clinton's. Watch the Frontline program, and make up your own mind.
60
I will take any Democrat over any Republican any day. I guess that sums it up...
70
And therein lies the problem. That is the thinking that put the Time in Cuomo's corner in NY and put a true corruption enabler in office.
1
Alabama Chief Justice Moore represents governmental hatred against gays, just as Bull Connor and his counterparts around that state represented its hatred of blacks in the days of Selma. Now, we have Ms. Dowd representing hatred of the Clintons, perhaps the only barrier left against the anti-gay, anti-black, anti-Obamacare, anti-safety net crowd on the right made up of the Kochs, Boehners and McConnells. Sure, Ms. Dowd, pretend to be a progressive while you push the cause of the most regressive. Sad, very sad.
50
The Kochs are not anti gay nor many of your other ad homs.
The Clinton's are a "barrier" only as long as it advances their cause.
That is the truth that Maureen gets.
The Clinton's are a "barrier" only as long as it advances their cause.
That is the truth that Maureen gets.
1
I really wonder if anything has changed since the Borgias or even the Roman Empire. Perhaps we should bring back the old coliseum, pop the pop corn and let the blood flow. Will it matter who is left standing?
4
The Rottweiler is being unleashed by Ms. Dowd from her very own slime room today.
Although I voted for Obama in the primaries, it is my strong opinion that only Hillary with her name recognition, the ultimate political animal as a husband, and a war chest that might equal the one of the Koch's, can save us from another devastating presidency of yet another Bush, and / or - god forbid - one of the rest of the clown car.
After Citizens' United it would be outright criminal to let a Republican even come close the the WH and turn the court into a wing of their party for decades to come.
I guess Ms. Dowd's brother has finally turned her into a Republican after all.
Although I voted for Obama in the primaries, it is my strong opinion that only Hillary with her name recognition, the ultimate political animal as a husband, and a war chest that might equal the one of the Koch's, can save us from another devastating presidency of yet another Bush, and / or - god forbid - one of the rest of the clown car.
After Citizens' United it would be outright criminal to let a Republican even come close the the WH and turn the court into a wing of their party for decades to come.
I guess Ms. Dowd's brother has finally turned her into a Republican after all.
90
You can thank a Supreme Court majority of slaves to their corporate masters who have made a mockery out of the First Amendment by defining the use of cash on the barrel head as an equivalent of free speech,
Accordingly , the Brothers Koch of John Birch fame , the promotion of Alec legislation , the deniers of global warming , the destroyers of worker's rights and the middle class , are now the face of a republican party that caters exclusively to this miniscule portion of an electorate that can afford to purchase politicians and elections while the remaining , vast majority of voters must be content with one vote. Voters living in red states are not even assured of that right since the same Supreme Court majority has declared racism to be long dead. Within days of that disastrous decision, every red state in sight enacted restrictive voting legislation aimed directly at the typical blue voter.
The deck is stacked , yet Ms. Dowd attacks a viable democratic candidate for seeking the finances necessary to compete, within the new and ridiculous boundaries imposed by a rogue court, with two men who are earmarking at least a billion dollars....one eightieth of their wealth...to buy themselves the entire United States.
Ms. Dowd has drunk deep from that chalice of hypocrisy which has been forced down our throats by five clowns in robes. Free $peech , indeed !
Accordingly , the Brothers Koch of John Birch fame , the promotion of Alec legislation , the deniers of global warming , the destroyers of worker's rights and the middle class , are now the face of a republican party that caters exclusively to this miniscule portion of an electorate that can afford to purchase politicians and elections while the remaining , vast majority of voters must be content with one vote. Voters living in red states are not even assured of that right since the same Supreme Court majority has declared racism to be long dead. Within days of that disastrous decision, every red state in sight enacted restrictive voting legislation aimed directly at the typical blue voter.
The deck is stacked , yet Ms. Dowd attacks a viable democratic candidate for seeking the finances necessary to compete, within the new and ridiculous boundaries imposed by a rogue court, with two men who are earmarking at least a billion dollars....one eightieth of their wealth...to buy themselves the entire United States.
Ms. Dowd has drunk deep from that chalice of hypocrisy which has been forced down our throats by five clowns in robes. Free $peech , indeed !
66
I don't think ANYTHING in this article is historically new or qualitatively worse than earlier historical examples of power and money. I don't like that fact, but virtuous rule and virtuous campaigning .. when did we ever see that more than once every other generation?
As Churchill said democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others. There are a few nice and admirable GOPers out there, but none of them are going to get anywhere near the nomination. Hillary's Henchmen may harm a few individual operatives, but they will never, as Lee Atwater did and as Rove still does, perpetrate harm against entire groups of people on account of race or having a low income.
Politics has always been a nasty business. HRC may be the only thing that stands between us and the apocalypse.
As Churchill said democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others. There are a few nice and admirable GOPers out there, but none of them are going to get anywhere near the nomination. Hillary's Henchmen may harm a few individual operatives, but they will never, as Lee Atwater did and as Rove still does, perpetrate harm against entire groups of people on account of race or having a low income.
Politics has always been a nasty business. HRC may be the only thing that stands between us and the apocalypse.
22
Thank you for a classic liberal post.
a) democracy does not equate with dirty political tricks, sorry. You can leave Churchill out of the equation
b) Democrats do little bad things, Republicans do really bad things? Well sure. I'll spare you the corrective on that because it would take a VERY long time. Instead, can I get you to think that if you are right, "everyone in politics does bad things," then perhaps the solution is to reduce the influence of government in our lives? If we both agree on your premise, then I think you might consider my solution.
a) democracy does not equate with dirty political tricks, sorry. You can leave Churchill out of the equation
b) Democrats do little bad things, Republicans do really bad things? Well sure. I'll spare you the corrective on that because it would take a VERY long time. Instead, can I get you to think that if you are right, "everyone in politics does bad things," then perhaps the solution is to reduce the influence of government in our lives? If we both agree on your premise, then I think you might consider my solution.
1
I don't feel like a Rottweiler, but this column is simply another example of the propensity of Ms. Dowd - once (a long time ago) a decent writer - to mail it in and relive old fights.
Since the 1940's American politics has been a form of asymmetrical warfare. Democrats accuse Republicans of being heartless and tools of big business; many Republicans take these not as criticisms, but plaudits. Republicans accuse Democrats of being traitors, murders (remember the Mena "cover up"), sexual deviants, Muslim fanatics and the like.
Words have power. Unanswered accusations are taken as true; witness how John Kerry saw his campaign run aground because he thought the Swift Boat attacks were so absurd that. The Clintons, perhaps because they were vulnerable on so many fronts, learned long ago that the best defense is a good offence.
We live in the thrall of Citizens United. The Koch brothers will spend a billion dollars. What's wrong with Hillary doing the same. I haven't decided if I will contribute; I supported Obama in 2008 - a simple "I was wrong" would have won me over. But if I do, it won't be at gunpoint, so what's wrong about that.
I shudder at the thought of twenty-one more months of Ms. Dowd's coverage of this race. I'm sure her columns will be festooned with snarky nicknames and the resurrection of long-held, petty animosities between a tiresome candidate and an over-the-hill columnist. Spare me.
Since the 1940's American politics has been a form of asymmetrical warfare. Democrats accuse Republicans of being heartless and tools of big business; many Republicans take these not as criticisms, but plaudits. Republicans accuse Democrats of being traitors, murders (remember the Mena "cover up"), sexual deviants, Muslim fanatics and the like.
Words have power. Unanswered accusations are taken as true; witness how John Kerry saw his campaign run aground because he thought the Swift Boat attacks were so absurd that. The Clintons, perhaps because they were vulnerable on so many fronts, learned long ago that the best defense is a good offence.
We live in the thrall of Citizens United. The Koch brothers will spend a billion dollars. What's wrong with Hillary doing the same. I haven't decided if I will contribute; I supported Obama in 2008 - a simple "I was wrong" would have won me over. But if I do, it won't be at gunpoint, so what's wrong about that.
I shudder at the thought of twenty-one more months of Ms. Dowd's coverage of this race. I'm sure her columns will be festooned with snarky nicknames and the resurrection of long-held, petty animosities between a tiresome candidate and an over-the-hill columnist. Spare me.
75
Spare me? How about save your own self?
It is easy to not read this column.
Trust me, I know.
It is easy to not read this column.
Trust me, I know.
The fix's already in, Jeb will be next President
3
Why do you act surprised, or seem confused that Bill's wife hasn't changed? These have always been the slimiest people in politics. In 2016, as one national nightmare comes to a merciful close, pray another doesn't take its place
4
Well then Hillary and Jeb will be evenly matched, each trying to swiftboat the other.
13
Next time don't hold back your true feelings. Now you must produce a photo of him in a monocle!
8
"The Rottweilers will be unleashed."
Seems like you are projecting your own intentions.
Settle Maureen
Seems like you are projecting your own intentions.
Settle Maureen
42
Evil lives among us. It comes all political strips and it uses our prejudices, our ignorance, our fears, our basest feelings to get our votes. Evil thrives on money. But we can't starve evil because The Supreme Court in its supreme partisanship has renamed the money that nourishes evil, free speech.
18
Tough love here, and spread to a number of well-deserved suspects, cognizant in Machiavelli's teachings, as the end justify the means, and if you can't love her, then fear her. so that politicking can go on unimpeded by 'false' morals.
2
Sorry Mo. David Axelrod exposed you as the thin skinned, "dish it out but can't take it" woman you are. Your Clinton and Obama animus has gotten tiresome. Oh so tiresome. Move on to another tune.
88
Hillary has now disqualified herself for office as a representative of any but corporate and wealthy interests. The six figure speaking fees are outright bribery. It's sad, but she has no place representing the American people anymore. Like so many politicians she is consumed by her narcissism and greed.
6
What pray tell, is the difference between Hillary 's 6 figure speeches and Jeb's or any other non-elected (eg, sitting official) candidate in today's sorry political landscape of survival of the richest?
4
We're headed for Jeb and Hillary long before a single vote is cast in a primary or caucus simply because of the shadowy dealings going on in back rooms to lock up early money. The "shadow primary" has always been important, but it now seems as though it eclipses what is supposed to be the real thing.
It wasn't always this way; Bill Clinton was far from a cinch in 1992 and even as recently as 2008, an upset of sorts was still possible, though Obama had a formidable cash machine. Walter Mondale nearly lost in 1984 to a young and quite broke Senator named Gary Hart.
But that was then and this is now and cash is king. Ideas, character and simple decency of a candidate are all a distant second to whomever can Hoover up the most cash from moneyed interests. Calling this "democracy" is a cruel joke.
I pledge allegiance to the corporations of the United States of America.
And to the profits for which they stand,
One nation, under surveillance for endless war,
With liberty and justice for none but the wealthy.
American democracy has had a great run for over 200 years. I'm sad to say this might be the end of the run, though events 15 years ago had a lot to do with where we are now. Hillary and her minions aren't the problem, they're a symptom of a rot so deep and pervasive that one must wonder what all went so horribly wrong.
It wasn't always this way; Bill Clinton was far from a cinch in 1992 and even as recently as 2008, an upset of sorts was still possible, though Obama had a formidable cash machine. Walter Mondale nearly lost in 1984 to a young and quite broke Senator named Gary Hart.
But that was then and this is now and cash is king. Ideas, character and simple decency of a candidate are all a distant second to whomever can Hoover up the most cash from moneyed interests. Calling this "democracy" is a cruel joke.
I pledge allegiance to the corporations of the United States of America.
And to the profits for which they stand,
One nation, under surveillance for endless war,
With liberty and justice for none but the wealthy.
American democracy has had a great run for over 200 years. I'm sad to say this might be the end of the run, though events 15 years ago had a lot to do with where we are now. Hillary and her minions aren't the problem, they're a symptom of a rot so deep and pervasive that one must wonder what all went so horribly wrong.
467
Congratulations! Matt, you have iterated the TRUTH; it's what I have thought for years. A democracy, a real democracy, cannot co-exist with capitalism. Their ends are antithetical. And so it goes.
2
Matt I agree with just about everything you said. I guess i'm still a bit of a Romantic and feel that there is someone out there that will articulate a progressive agenda that resonates with us "common folk" and when accused of being a liberal will actually explain what that means.....and now Mr. Bush explain why that would make me a bad president.
I'm also naive enough to think that a COMPLETELY positive campaign could win. At some point the stark contrast of the negative vs the positive would turn people off.....I would hope!
I'm also naive enough to think that a COMPLETELY positive campaign could win. At some point the stark contrast of the negative vs the positive would turn people off.....I would hope!
1
It is not all about money, and there are still some dedicated public servants among the political class unfailingly devoted to the commonweal. I recommend to all cynics of the political process and politicians that they see my latest video, "Senator Krueger and my dog" which will give them some insight into the actions of one public official who truly goes to bat on behalf of her constituents, and does so without fanfare. The video will be available late this evening on Youtube.com.
I'm grateful to have lived long enough to have known the time of the
likes of.....McGovern, Humphry, and Dole:
Elected Servants who made Government Role.
They Served different Parties....
Not being just Rich Smarties.
It was a Joy to Vote at the Poll.
Now it's All about Money
And not a bit of it Funny.
To the Moderate of Us, it's taken its Toll.
The Kochs are a Joke
To the Average Bloke.....
It's like our Country has just lost its Soul.
It was one of my favorite Senators, Hubert Humphry Minnesta, who said,
"It's sad..how many rotten things we have to do...to do get elected
so we can do Good things." (Paraphrased)
likes of.....McGovern, Humphry, and Dole:
Elected Servants who made Government Role.
They Served different Parties....
Not being just Rich Smarties.
It was a Joy to Vote at the Poll.
Now it's All about Money
And not a bit of it Funny.
To the Moderate of Us, it's taken its Toll.
The Kochs are a Joke
To the Average Bloke.....
It's like our Country has just lost its Soul.
It was one of my favorite Senators, Hubert Humphry Minnesta, who said,
"It's sad..how many rotten things we have to do...to do get elected
so we can do Good things." (Paraphrased)
15
I'm sorry I read this. it's the sort of thing that leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. But since I did, all I can do is cite this one long sentence:
"Money-grubbing is always the ugly place with the Clintons, who have devoured $2.1 billion in contributions since 1992 to their political campaigns, family foundation and philanthropies, according to The Old (Good) New Republic."
What, pray tell, is the difference between the Clinton's tin cup and that held out to the likes of Adelson, the Kochs, and all the other kingmakers whose largesse spells yeah or neah on potential Republican candidates.
At least the Clinton's don't have to travel to Vegas, or to Kansas, for smarmy vetting sessions where candidates get to prance like show horses in order to win a check or two. Somebody does it for them, apparently.
Give it a rest, Maureen. You can't call out the Clintons alone for practices that now entrenched in our body politic by Citizens United.
"Money-grubbing is always the ugly place with the Clintons, who have devoured $2.1 billion in contributions since 1992 to their political campaigns, family foundation and philanthropies, according to The Old (Good) New Republic."
What, pray tell, is the difference between the Clinton's tin cup and that held out to the likes of Adelson, the Kochs, and all the other kingmakers whose largesse spells yeah or neah on potential Republican candidates.
At least the Clinton's don't have to travel to Vegas, or to Kansas, for smarmy vetting sessions where candidates get to prance like show horses in order to win a check or two. Somebody does it for them, apparently.
Give it a rest, Maureen. You can't call out the Clintons alone for practices that now entrenched in our body politic by Citizens United.
251
The problem with these billion dollar presidential campaigns is that at the end of the day they make for pretty lousy entertainment. Which is their only value for the more than 85% of Americans who don't live in "swing-states". I vote in Texas and just like every New York voter my vote has absolutely zero impact on the election. My vote and your vote don't matter. Only the votes cast in states like Ohio, Florida or New Mexico count.
Hillary? Jeb? Rand? Has no more relevance to Texans or New Yorkers than which team wins the Super Bowl. None of us are players; all but 10% are just spectators.
Hillary? Jeb? Rand? Has no more relevance to Texans or New Yorkers than which team wins the Super Bowl. None of us are players; all but 10% are just spectators.
182
One of the challenges Hillary will be facing if she decides to run for president is definitely not any primary challenger, certainly not any Republican opponent, but Maureen Dowd. And that's for sure.
46
I voted for Obama (once), Kerry (many times living in Mass) and Ralph Nader (twice). The Nader votes are the only ones I am proud of. He, like Edward Snowden, is a true public servant, concerned about the welfare and well being of all citizens, and about the Constitution. After the smear campaigns against Nader by Dems, and Snowden by Kerry, HRC and Obama, I will NEVER vote for a Democrat for national or high office again. They have shown themselves to care only about prestige, power and perks. I can not imagine voting for Hillary Clinton, the woman who "cares about women and children". I'd like to hear comments about her caring from Iraqis, widows and orphans, as well as the widows, wideowers and orphans of US service personnel who died in an illegal war of aggression that Hillary Clinton voted for.
11
You mean the war started by the Neocons? The one where nearly everyone fell in line to support the troops so that Saddam would not drop a bomb on the US like Condi Rice said he would?
3
I suppose it's better to pay him than to have the opposition pay him.
4
Hillary has proven she knows how to lose the Democratic nomination. She's on her way towards proving she can lose another one.
Elizabeth Warren should announce she is boycotting Netanyahu's speech. On the day after he gives it she should announce she's running for President. She should make the announcement in Harlem and run hard after the Peace Wing of the Democratic Party and African Americans.
There's a deep well of resentment amongst African Americans and the Peace Community about the Dermer-Netanyahu-Boehner caper. It reeks of the Neo Con "let's attack Iraq" crowd. This time they want Iran. Enough.
Warren could take the country by storm and leave the Clintons in the starting blocks.
Elizabeth Warren should announce she is boycotting Netanyahu's speech. On the day after he gives it she should announce she's running for President. She should make the announcement in Harlem and run hard after the Peace Wing of the Democratic Party and African Americans.
There's a deep well of resentment amongst African Americans and the Peace Community about the Dermer-Netanyahu-Boehner caper. It reeks of the Neo Con "let's attack Iraq" crowd. This time they want Iran. Enough.
Warren could take the country by storm and leave the Clintons in the starting blocks.
18
"Warren could take the country by storm and leave the Clintons in the starting blocks."
Not quite. Warren, with her war-paint on and all, might take the Democrat Party by storm, but the country? I think not.
Not quite. Warren, with her war-paint on and all, might take the Democrat Party by storm, but the country? I think not.
1
"accusing the political action committee of “an orchestrated political hit job” and “the kind of dirty trick I’ve witnessed in the right-wing and would not tolerate then.”
This piece is about "progressive" attack dogs and somehow the right wing is the only side that uses dirty tricks? Are you kidding me? Obama's entire 2012 campaign was one big attack using dirty tricks. The "progressive" hypocrisy is stunning!
This piece is about "progressive" attack dogs and somehow the right wing is the only side that uses dirty tricks? Are you kidding me? Obama's entire 2012 campaign was one big attack using dirty tricks. The "progressive" hypocrisy is stunning!
5
Exactly. Dowd needs to spend a little time in Chicago watching the democrats sling mud on a scale that would make Karl Rove blush. And a little research reveals that it was Al Gore's presidential campaign that dug up the WIllie Horton story, before Lee Atwater picked it up. Selective memory, selective outrage and situational ethics are the the hallmarks of the left.
Necessary to fight the Republican war machine, as seen lately in Jeb Bush's fundraising? Yes, until something, like major campaign finance reform, happens. It'll take a whole lot more anger from the American public to make this happen. We're nowhere close to that. Like the military-industrial complex, the political-corruption complex is self-perpetuating. We need enemies in order to make money.
15
Wow, that photo of Mr Brock! Discombobulated is not the half of it!
Not sure where the OP-Ed is going - seems a bit pointless, largely ad hominem.
Should Washington be defined by his slaves and floggings, Jefferson by slaves and possibly worse, Lincoln by his ambiguities about slavery for much of his adult life, sanctioning mass executions of Native Americans...or should the measure be the larger view: has Hillary's life been generally about bending the arc towards justice, for children, for human rights, for women, for health care for all, for economic fairness......
This pogrom of psychologizing by this columnist over the past 20 years has frankly become very tedious.
Not sure where the OP-Ed is going - seems a bit pointless, largely ad hominem.
Should Washington be defined by his slaves and floggings, Jefferson by slaves and possibly worse, Lincoln by his ambiguities about slavery for much of his adult life, sanctioning mass executions of Native Americans...or should the measure be the larger view: has Hillary's life been generally about bending the arc towards justice, for children, for human rights, for women, for health care for all, for economic fairness......
This pogrom of psychologizing by this columnist over the past 20 years has frankly become very tedious.
75
Well,I think everybody should vote for "Rerun" Rodham in 2016...after all,it's her turn....and she really is "inevitable" this time
1
Maureen Dowd writes...
"Money-grubbing is always the ugly place with the Clintons, who have devoured $2.1 billion in contributions since 1992 to their political campaigns"
And now we all know, why every Liberal worth his or her salt, arises each morning, gazes into the mirror, wags an accusatory finger--and utters the words, "Citizens United, The Koch Brothers, tisk, tisk, tisk".
Now we understand their fear--that Republicans might have a chance to stand on even footing with the Clintons in the fund-raising racket.
"Money-grubbing is always the ugly place with the Clintons, who have devoured $2.1 billion in contributions since 1992 to their political campaigns"
And now we all know, why every Liberal worth his or her salt, arises each morning, gazes into the mirror, wags an accusatory finger--and utters the words, "Citizens United, The Koch Brothers, tisk, tisk, tisk".
Now we understand their fear--that Republicans might have a chance to stand on even footing with the Clintons in the fund-raising racket.
8
Actually, Hillary isn't doing nearly as well fund-raising, but George Soros and Tom Steyer tbemselves can fund her whole campaign if they want to waste a billion dollars. I find it interesting that Brian Williams' fairy tales are getting so much oress while the State Controlled Media is silent regardibg Hillary's takes about getting fired upon in Bosnia, and her ibfamous "vast, right wing cconspiracy" to make her saintly husband look like a sex addict, like he really needs the help.
1
My prediction? You read it here... Hillary won't run for President.
11
I concur.
1
The sad thing is that Republicans won't have any trouble slinging mud or dreaming up dirty tricks for Hillary. She's given them plenty to sling and dream up. A guy like David Brock on her team is a sad testament to her vulnerability.
HIllary has only been able to convince her skeptics that she's driven by personal ambition, unlike Elizabeth Warren who seems driven by a passion for truth and the things Democrats need to be shouting from the rooftops.
Thanks to Citizens United, Ms. Warren may not have the stomach to do the things necessary to win. Hillary does.
If it comes down to Hillary and any Republican I'll have to vote for her and hope for the best.
HIllary has only been able to convince her skeptics that she's driven by personal ambition, unlike Elizabeth Warren who seems driven by a passion for truth and the things Democrats need to be shouting from the rooftops.
Thanks to Citizens United, Ms. Warren may not have the stomach to do the things necessary to win. Hillary does.
If it comes down to Hillary and any Republican I'll have to vote for her and hope for the best.
11
The bragging rights for hiring the meanest, ugliest dog will most likely hurt Democrats in the general election, especially if Hillary Clinton wins the primary. She has 25 years of scar tissue from being mauled. She lost the primary in 2008 because Democrats were looking for someone fresh with new ideas. On policy and economics Clinton is more like the extinct moderate Republican.
As unlikely as it seems another Bush could occupy the White House, in a general election with Clinton and Bush, many Democrats are likely to become apathetic and stay home on election day.
For the Democratic Party to win the White House, they need some fresh blood instead of choosing candidates based on seniority or entitlement.
Elizabeth Warren, are you listening? It is your time and the window is closing, quickly.
As unlikely as it seems another Bush could occupy the White House, in a general election with Clinton and Bush, many Democrats are likely to become apathetic and stay home on election day.
For the Democratic Party to win the White House, they need some fresh blood instead of choosing candidates based on seniority or entitlement.
Elizabeth Warren, are you listening? It is your time and the window is closing, quickly.
204
sigh - a rancid dowd bonbon for valentine's day. it seems to me that that the lineup on the republican side would provide richer and fresher material.
51
After reading this article, I feel the need for a long hot shower. As a lifelong Dem I dread the approaching and ultimately doomed dance with HRC. Where is our new generation Barak Obama? We need him or her to pop up sometime soon. Please.
14
KB
I would vote for and work for Elizabeth Warren for President.
I would vote for and work for Elizabeth Warren for President.
13
Sorry, we do not need another Obama. We need someone competent. Progressives who want a "feel good" candidate need to find someone who can actually govern and/or who has a track record legislating. Please.
10
All this political discussion is a sideshow that is irrelevant. The American people have a great nose for authenticity. They will smoke out Hillary regardless whether she spends a billion or nothing. She doesn't need a billion to get coverage. Only needs funds to mobilize the ground game. Any other money spent is just in security on her part. Be yourself girl...if you can.
3
Great column. The sort of truth-telling that probably won't go unpunished.
However...
You've spent most of Obama's presidency glibly castigating him for not having this sort of political temperament. Something to think about.
However...
You've spent most of Obama's presidency glibly castigating him for not having this sort of political temperament. Something to think about.
52
I was struck by the extremist tone of this by the 3rd para, and I can’t resist compiling the vocabulary that stuffs this column.....
Rottweilers, serpenthead, snake, knife fighters, brawled, attack dogs, shark fight, hit job, dirty tricks, nutty/slutty, (poor Anita Hill, she catches it again-- in 2015!, Thanks Mo), zealot, ferociously, take no prisoners, jackal, call off wild dogs, brass-knuckle, fanatical acolytes, insecure streak, Borgia-like blind loyalty, and last but not least-- mercenary, manipulative and avaricious!
Dowd has reached the peak of her special talent here. You have to develop a tolerance for this kind of thing.
After reading it I feel like downing a mental pepto bismal, taking a shower, and going for a long jog to my favorite music.
Dowd talons were made for shredding and she’s always on the lookout with her eagle eye to swoop down on targets. They may/may not be deserved. No one escapes. She spreads her nastiness so promiscuously, it ceases to have much meaning.
As bad as our politics are, Dowd amplifies the negative to vicious cartoon like melodrama. What TV shows does she watch?
Rottweilers, serpenthead, snake, knife fighters, brawled, attack dogs, shark fight, hit job, dirty tricks, nutty/slutty, (poor Anita Hill, she catches it again-- in 2015!, Thanks Mo), zealot, ferociously, take no prisoners, jackal, call off wild dogs, brass-knuckle, fanatical acolytes, insecure streak, Borgia-like blind loyalty, and last but not least-- mercenary, manipulative and avaricious!
Dowd has reached the peak of her special talent here. You have to develop a tolerance for this kind of thing.
After reading it I feel like downing a mental pepto bismal, taking a shower, and going for a long jog to my favorite music.
Dowd talons were made for shredding and she’s always on the lookout with her eagle eye to swoop down on targets. They may/may not be deserved. No one escapes. She spreads her nastiness so promiscuously, it ceases to have much meaning.
As bad as our politics are, Dowd amplifies the negative to vicious cartoon like melodrama. What TV shows does she watch?
91
As a life-long Democrat who's definitely NOT "Ready for Hillary," Ms. Dowd's latest misanthropic barbs aimed at Hillary Clinton do hit the mark. If Hillary Clinton cannot once again even manage her campaign, she's not qualified to manage the country. Beyond the money and the sleaze and the mud-slinging, including that of Ms. Dowd, there's the old Clinton spectacle of "putting your finger up" to see which way the political wind is blowing that speaks of a lack of core values. Does it really take hundreds of advisers to figure out your economic policy? That's why I'd prefer someone like Elizabeth Warren who knows in her heart what her economic beliefs are and is forceful and effective in pursuing policies to achieve them. It's imperative to have "believers" at the top who can lead and not someone trying to "triangulate" the needs of their big money backers with those of Democrat primary voters.
17
I would probably vote for Hillary if she runs. But if that happens, I would have to ignore Maureen Dowd for the next 6-10 years: I am so sick of the way in which she writes about the Clintons. It's so knee-jerk and unpleasant and predictable that I don't even have the patience to figure out if she actually has a point.
161
Ms. Dowd's column was exactly on target. Like Christopher Hitchens, who wrote "No One Left to Lie To: The Triangulations of William Jefferson Clinton", she understands who the Clintons are and how they do business. You may find it unpleasant, but the truth about those two needs to be exposed, the more often the better.
1
David Brock's The Republican Noise Making Machine is by far the best history of movement conservatism I've read. Their history as told from the inside. Including much that's never before been told, at least to me.
That said, it's too bad he's (reportedly) turned snake.
That said, it's too bad he's (reportedly) turned snake.
3
Don't take Dowd's word for it.
2
Presidential Election Campaigns (PECs) are a sliver of the U.S. service economy offering a product (a candidate) with a brand, usually whatever the latest concern happens to be (e.g., faltering middle class, aggregation of wealth by the 1%); a natural market; widespread and varied marketing options; ample revenues whenever a candidate says "I'm ready".
Buyers (contributors) purchase billions of product, persuaded by vultures who promise influence or appointment as promotions to sell product. Advertising firms implement marketing strategies. Sincere but worried administrators and acolytes who give orders and repair damage throughout the working day staff executive suites while support staffs conduct polls and draft pithy talking points that the disciplined "worker bees" disseminate without amplification or variation.
PECs are the organizational enterprise of our post industrial economy that, like M&A firms make a few very rich but have little concern about decent wages and benefits for the many. PECs do, however, employ well-educated people, lobbyists and others who wouldn't last more than a month in most workplaces, whose idea of a good fight is an argument over dinner at a fancy Washington, D.C. restaurant earwigged by someone with good connections to a political gossip blog that will quote them and make them prominent in the morning.
PECs are not unlike the structure of the modern business enterprise studied at Wharton or HBS, except they produce little of value.
Buyers (contributors) purchase billions of product, persuaded by vultures who promise influence or appointment as promotions to sell product. Advertising firms implement marketing strategies. Sincere but worried administrators and acolytes who give orders and repair damage throughout the working day staff executive suites while support staffs conduct polls and draft pithy talking points that the disciplined "worker bees" disseminate without amplification or variation.
PECs are the organizational enterprise of our post industrial economy that, like M&A firms make a few very rich but have little concern about decent wages and benefits for the many. PECs do, however, employ well-educated people, lobbyists and others who wouldn't last more than a month in most workplaces, whose idea of a good fight is an argument over dinner at a fancy Washington, D.C. restaurant earwigged by someone with good connections to a political gossip blog that will quote them and make them prominent in the morning.
PECs are not unlike the structure of the modern business enterprise studied at Wharton or HBS, except they produce little of value.
2
John McDonald comment is so good, so accurate in describing what is actually a business model not a political movement.
IMO, Hillary and her GOP counterpart will spend $2.5B. At some point the $ collected will leave the checking accounts of political organizations and land in the checking account of a television station, media buyer, caterer, transportation company, film-maker, printer, or paid consultant. The thing that people don't seem to understand is that the candidates (Hillary, Jeb, etc) do not matter in this business model except in how well they can create revenue. No one who makes money on this enterprise really cares who wins the election, because it is not about politics - it is about revenue.
Oh, also elections sell newspaper ads.
IMO, Hillary and her GOP counterpart will spend $2.5B. At some point the $ collected will leave the checking accounts of political organizations and land in the checking account of a television station, media buyer, caterer, transportation company, film-maker, printer, or paid consultant. The thing that people don't seem to understand is that the candidates (Hillary, Jeb, etc) do not matter in this business model except in how well they can create revenue. No one who makes money on this enterprise really cares who wins the election, because it is not about politics - it is about revenue.
Oh, also elections sell newspaper ads.
3
How about a new constitutional convention?
5
Reply to Judy Creecy about a new Constitutional Convention. I agree and I think it should debate a new amendment to form a structure of having a national reforendom to be able to throw a gevernment out and have new national elections as many parlimentary systems have in place.
No one should delude themselves about the Clintons. What you will get is the same dirty money and politics along with the same special interests that Democrats like to portray as those that Republican's tap into that we know will contribute to all sides knowing that to play the game intelligently you don't picks sides. On top of all the money and super PACs there will be the advantage of the liberal media protecting the Democrat whoever it turns out to be.
7
Obama didn't shine, then sometimes a ray peeks through
I think he wants better for the people, but is overwhelmed
Hillary on the other hand inspires nothing, in this old man
I think he wants better for the people, but is overwhelmed
Hillary on the other hand inspires nothing, in this old man
8
Oh what a surprise, another hatchet job on Hillary Clinton by Maureen Dowdy. Politics is a blood sport as apparently is opinionated columnists. I suppose Hillary should lay down and be swift boated as Kerry was. Or refrain from the battle as Al Gore did. Sure we all deplore the money and lies in politics but that is what campaigning for President is. Lyndon Johnson did not get to the Presidency by knowing what finger to elevate when having a dish of tea. This columnist does not like the Clinton s fine but one would hope for some balance now and then. I hope that Hillary wins if she runs as the thought of a party that voted 57 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act is beyond worrying...
45
Sadly, HRC is not going to win the next election no matter how much money she spends. She is too out of touch with the psyche of America. One small example is Her promotion of her privileged daughter Chelsea working for the family charity. It is just glaring blind elitism. I doubt if the youth of America can connect to that kind of elitism.
13
We are a long was away from 2016 and much can happen.. Instead of a snarky piece on someone that had enough gumption to get out of the party of No, why didn't you write about all the dishonest shenanigans of the right?
All politicians are compromised. I favor Warren who isn't running. But I would rather have a Clinton in the White House than any Republican I can think of at the moment. Who do you want to nominate the Supremes, Maureen? This is the real question now that the S.C. has made so many bad decisions. We need jurists that will correct the errors and rule for the people instead of the corporations.
All politicians are compromised. I favor Warren who isn't running. But I would rather have a Clinton in the White House than any Republican I can think of at the moment. Who do you want to nominate the Supremes, Maureen? This is the real question now that the S.C. has made so many bad decisions. We need jurists that will correct the errors and rule for the people instead of the corporations.
52
Does Ms. Dowd never tire of foaming at the mouth and stomping on Hillary? We have the extraordinary chance of voting for the first woman president of the USA who also happens to be the most qualified person to ever run for the office.
It is incredible how the voting public has continued to vote for amateurs like George W. and Obama. Now the left wants another newcomer in Elizabeth Warren. I like her very much but she is not ready to be president right now. Maybe she will be next after Hillary.
It is incredible how the voting public has continued to vote for amateurs like George W. and Obama. Now the left wants another newcomer in Elizabeth Warren. I like her very much but she is not ready to be president right now. Maybe she will be next after Hillary.
14
Ms. Dowd repeatedly accuses Mr. Brock of continuing slander & dirty tricks (in his post-Republican phase), but aside from the description of his apparel & eyeware, she gives no examples. I'm no Clinton supporter, and I don't know much about Mr. Brock's practices, but if I were a Times columnist writing this kind of attack I hope I would mention some specifics.
41
There are no such examples. Brock runs the website Media Matters which does a great job of exposing righ-wing lies and media bias.
3
I know that many NYT readers detest Maureen as someone who is always full of snark, especially about "Barry" and the Clintons.
But she is 100% correct about this jackal Brock. He will eventually do something to make Mrs. Clinton look really, really bad, and I'm sure he is already plotting against Mo.
Ugh. It's a long time until November 2016.
But she is 100% correct about this jackal Brock. He will eventually do something to make Mrs. Clinton look really, really bad, and I'm sure he is already plotting against Mo.
Ugh. It's a long time until November 2016.
11
Nasty has been perfected by the right-wingers, Rove, Norquist, Cheney et al. Let's not forget Willie Horton and Reagan's "Welfare Queen." Buckle up people.....
23
"She’s busy polling more than 200 policy experts on how to show that she really cares about the poor while courting the banks."
!
200+ advisers to feed her: how come up with a bait for us- the Dems- to swallow? She never lived from paycheck-to-paycheck.She needs an army of experts to coach her how to say/act like she knows “I feel your pain”.
The woman who wants to be president since 2000 still can't come up with her very own coherent, persuasive, and compelling message as why she wants to be president?
The crony capitalist who sat on WalMart board for 6 years while Wal Mart was denying basic minimum benefits to store employees.
The war monger who hired the neo-cons as advisers during her photo-op stint @ DoS.
The Wall Street darling who turned 1k cattle trade into100k in 3 weeks, then later cashed on her celebrity collecting 700k for 1 hr speech @ Goldman Sachs.
Where exactly in her history did she ever live or know the struggles/hardship of working men/women?
The Clinton attack machine is out to keep Sen Warren from running. That’s their urgent goal. They knew if Sen Warren run, madam neo-con will be done before super Tuesday 2016.
!
200+ advisers to feed her: how come up with a bait for us- the Dems- to swallow? She never lived from paycheck-to-paycheck.She needs an army of experts to coach her how to say/act like she knows “I feel your pain”.
The woman who wants to be president since 2000 still can't come up with her very own coherent, persuasive, and compelling message as why she wants to be president?
The crony capitalist who sat on WalMart board for 6 years while Wal Mart was denying basic minimum benefits to store employees.
The war monger who hired the neo-cons as advisers during her photo-op stint @ DoS.
The Wall Street darling who turned 1k cattle trade into100k in 3 weeks, then later cashed on her celebrity collecting 700k for 1 hr speech @ Goldman Sachs.
Where exactly in her history did she ever live or know the struggles/hardship of working men/women?
The Clinton attack machine is out to keep Sen Warren from running. That’s their urgent goal. They knew if Sen Warren run, madam neo-con will be done before super Tuesday 2016.
18
Dear Mrs. Dowd, I have news for you. Politics are dirty. They've always been. Yet, you can find examples of leaders with great achievements, especially in the history of the US. Bill Clinton was one. Was he flawed? Could he done better? Sure. Yet nobody on the left would argue he was the best president after LBJ before Mr. Obama. Many of the flaws you see with Mrs. Clinton are shared with him. But I would be happy if she becomes as good as president as he was.
Elections should be a matter of comparing people and choosing the best one, even if we don't agree in some issues, nott about voting for somebody I don't know because I dislike the other. Your articles are not helping. You spend too much time criticizing the candidate you don't like. You can do better. Help us to know all of them.
Elections should be a matter of comparing people and choosing the best one, even if we don't agree in some issues, nott about voting for somebody I don't know because I dislike the other. Your articles are not helping. You spend too much time criticizing the candidate you don't like. You can do better. Help us to know all of them.
45
Dowd should just stop talking about the Clintons.
She hates them so much ,you can never ever ever trust that what she says has even a grain of truth in it
She hates them so much , she would rather see Perry and Palin elected.
She hates them so much ,you can never ever ever trust that what she says has even a grain of truth in it
She hates them so much , she would rather see Perry and Palin elected.
70
I don't understand Maureen's hate. It seems intensely personal, as if they had thrown their dinner plates at her at some event. It's hard to discern Dowd's politics, but I suspect she's Republican.
Oh sure, she dutifully skewers that side too, toughest of all on the one most deserving, W. However, her critiques on Democrats are getting to be over the top and almost unbecoming for a Times columnist.
Oh sure, she dutifully skewers that side too, toughest of all on the one most deserving, W. However, her critiques on Democrats are getting to be over the top and almost unbecoming for a Times columnist.
9
linda5,
Dowd is losing her credibility fast because she is not able to contain her loathing for the Clinton.
Dowd is losing her credibility fast because she is not able to contain her loathing for the Clinton.
10
Brock's most serious problem appears to be his timing. Clearly, the man blows with whatever ideological wind is prepared to keep him in monocles and hair gel, but just as clearly he moves over to the side most likely to start flailing just as the other side is getting its act together.
So, he was with the right when it was barely keeping a grip, right up until it's about to take over the whole game, and THAT'S the moment he chooses to drop unsubtle hints that Hillary could have him: I'm sure he's not cheap, but he can be had.
And as he's doing it, the entire country is shifting right again. I mean, with an undivided Republican Congress, it's not like this shift wasn't telegraphed. It's like he insists on being the bad boy who makes messes all over whoever is winning. There ought to be a psychological category for that kind of condition.
As to Maureen's very realistic take on the combine Clinton, I have this theory. After so many years disappointing a very worthy conservative family, their blandishments have finally had an impact on her. She's becoming a Republican. I can see possibilities here, as what we really lack is a talented redhead with an acid pen.
So, he was with the right when it was barely keeping a grip, right up until it's about to take over the whole game, and THAT'S the moment he chooses to drop unsubtle hints that Hillary could have him: I'm sure he's not cheap, but he can be had.
And as he's doing it, the entire country is shifting right again. I mean, with an undivided Republican Congress, it's not like this shift wasn't telegraphed. It's like he insists on being the bad boy who makes messes all over whoever is winning. There ought to be a psychological category for that kind of condition.
As to Maureen's very realistic take on the combine Clinton, I have this theory. After so many years disappointing a very worthy conservative family, their blandishments have finally had an impact on her. She's becoming a Republican. I can see possibilities here, as what we really lack is a talented redhead with an acid pen.
4
Or maybe she just doesn't wear partisan blinders, which tend to heavily obfuscate. We're now at the point where it almost takes someone in the opposing party to assess a politician's actions objectively.
Give her one term with a republican president (hopefully, the next one) and then see if you still feel this way. It might just be eight years of Obama AND those Clintons. That's enough to chase many people away.
Give her one term with a republican president (hopefully, the next one) and then see if you still feel this way. It might just be eight years of Obama AND those Clintons. That's enough to chase many people away.
3
I think in her early days she was a Goldwater Republican, and I don't think she ever really changed.
4
Would that we could work our way through the Hillary Ambition/Entitlement circus before the real election business begins. And I see only one way that might happen. Let me suggest that Ruth Bader Ginsburg resign (I love her, but age is Ruthless) and President Obama name Hillary to her position. We could all delight in that lifetime appointment to being the bur under Scalia and Company's saddle, and I can see Hillary thriving there, with no need to constantly chat up the Donor list.
Then the REAL advocate for change, and the most qualified candidate out there, can become our first woman President. Run Elizabeth, run. Otherwise I can barely stand to watch what I know is coming.
Then the REAL advocate for change, and the most qualified candidate out there, can become our first woman President. Run Elizabeth, run. Otherwise I can barely stand to watch what I know is coming.
13
Dear Maureen
We have a fundamental problem that Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush are only symptomatic of, and that is a complete loss of vision (defined as sense of purpose) by both parties for the nation.
Both parties talk politics and not policy. The republicans and democrat politicians have abandoned the people in their insane flight for power over each other.
Our problems are solvable, but not by the status quo of politics. We need new candidates on both sides of the aisle for 2016, ones that go beyond the failed politics of the past.
We have a fundamental problem that Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush are only symptomatic of, and that is a complete loss of vision (defined as sense of purpose) by both parties for the nation.
Both parties talk politics and not policy. The republicans and democrat politicians have abandoned the people in their insane flight for power over each other.
Our problems are solvable, but not by the status quo of politics. We need new candidates on both sides of the aisle for 2016, ones that go beyond the failed politics of the past.
27
Ms. Dowd accurately pegs Team Hillary, unlike how The Times did in its recent article title when it hilariously used the term, "disquiet*", to describe Team Hillary's internecine fighting. As if Rottweilers' fighting could ever be described that way.
Guess The Times wasn't as brave as Ms. Dowd, who may be in for some more signs of disquiet.
*****
*"Emerging Hillary Clinton Team Shows Signs of Disquiet",
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/us/politics/emerging-clinton-team-show...
Guess The Times wasn't as brave as Ms. Dowd, who may be in for some more signs of disquiet.
*****
*"Emerging Hillary Clinton Team Shows Signs of Disquiet",
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/us/politics/emerging-clinton-team-show...
4
Money-grubbing is always the ugly place with the Clintons, who have devoured $2.1 billion in contributions since 1992 to their political campaigns, family foundation and philanthropies, according to The Old (Good) New Republic.
--------------------------------------
Clinton family foundation and philanthropies seem like Potemkin village to me. Bubba and Hillary know full well that the way to the riches is through the portals of White House.
I wonder which would be a worse fate for America: Hillary Clinton as president or a Republican one.
I would wager on the former scenario.
--------------------------------------
Clinton family foundation and philanthropies seem like Potemkin village to me. Bubba and Hillary know full well that the way to the riches is through the portals of White House.
I wonder which would be a worse fate for America: Hillary Clinton as president or a Republican one.
I would wager on the former scenario.
7
When did philanthropy become a dirty word? Assuming it is true giving and not just a form of manipulation.
And how much slime have you thrown around over the years. I think you personally fit right in there with the knife-fighters.
And how much slime have you thrown around over the years. I think you personally fit right in there with the knife-fighters.
35
I already dread the coming campaign. The Republicans so far seem to be moving, once again, in the direction of a slate of willfully ignorant vanity candidates who love publicity more than the public good. And the Democrats are all waiting for Clinton to make a move. Waiting, I should say, with trepidation, because she is a brilliant woman who doesn't seem clever enough to realize how her oh-so-obvious need for money and for power turns off such a large fraction of what should be her natural constituency. And all of the pretenders to the throne, Republican and Democrat alike, surround themselves with the sort of people you prefer not to let into your home. I guess you could say that I'm Not Hopeful.
12
Bravo, Maureen, Bravo!
I am waiting for your column: " Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Hillary vs the Repub Maniacs (What's a Gal or Guy to Do?)"
I am waiting for your column: " Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Hillary vs the Repub Maniacs (What's a Gal or Guy to Do?)"
12
The company they keep is merely more expensively educated and dressed than their distant counterparts that made the Taliban and Sharia a popular option. But they do a greater disservice to the rest of us by hijacking a world power who may be the last hope to make a difference among players like Pakistan, Iran, Russia, China etc.
6
Not to worry Ms. Dowd, Hillary Clinton will never be President for the simple reason she is insincere and unlikable.
14
This is a bit rich, coming from someone who has been vilifying President Obama for six years running. To paraphrase Obama, Ms Doud is, I suppose, holding out for the President from an Aaron Sorkin liberal fantasy.
12
Ugh.
I have a dream. No, it is a fantasy, that we, the people of the United States, you know, the ordinary Joes and Josephines, the working stiffs, will get a real choice between high-quality Presidential candidates some year in the future. Maybe this will happen, but it won't be in 2016, or in 2020, when a now ancient Hillary Clinton will likely win a second term as our first female President. if she or Bill don't have fatal heart attacks, or too much cancer by then.
By then, we will have been reminded of just how power-mad and sleazy the Clintons are, and just how many near-scandals they ave ducked and dodged with the help of their many wealthy, powerful operatives/friends. And the vitriolic, phobic Republican reactions to the Clinton dynasty by then will have risen to new heights of rabid gridlock in Congress, and by the Koch Brothers, if they are still alive.
Meanwhile, our military-industrial/Pentagon-controlled foreign policy will be sucking up even more of our tax dollars while returning squat in terms of results, or the world's good will. And our schools, and road and bridges will still be underfunded. and poor people will still be working 2 or 3 dead-end, service jobs just to give their kids any sort of chance to get out of poverty.
David Axelrod is still a believer. I wish I could drink whatever Kool Aid he drinks. If he bottled the stuff and sold it, he would become a billionaire. He could call it Grape-White Hope for good measure.
11
Can we trust any of them including Dowd?
9
As far as I can tell, the only thing Ms Clinton has going for her is that she's Not Republican. Sure, have a team of opfor researchers to monitor and respond to the Republican smears. But in the mean time, stand _for_ something beyond "It's my turn." And get a better class of friends.
10
So much of this piece seems to center on hoping one thing or another will, or would happen. Instead of gossiping about how Ms. Clinton will convince voters of something she doesn't believe in but needs to in order to win, try taking her at face value: she has no convictions, no conscience, and remember, she's never been elected to any office, given her reputation, noone in Congress will work with her.
The voters seem to be in "check-off" mode: we've had a black president, now we have to have a woman president, then an hispanic president.
How about a competent president. An inside-the-belt politician who holds lots of IOUs and knows where the skeletons are hidden. That's the way to get things done.
The voters seem to be in "check-off" mode: we've had a black president, now we have to have a woman president, then an hispanic president.
How about a competent president. An inside-the-belt politician who holds lots of IOUs and knows where the skeletons are hidden. That's the way to get things done.
8
LBJ has been dead for over 40 years. I don't think he is coming back.
1
Not ever been elected to any office. Are you speaking of and criticizing Ms. Dowd? Ms. Clinton was Senator Clinton of New York in the not-too-distant past. In that election she garnered over 3 million votes, about the same number as Sen. Schumer in 2010. Indeed, I would have been very happy had she replaced Sen. Reid as the Democratic leader of the Senate in 2009, instead of taking on the State Dept. job. She would have been better in that position than Sen. Reid, and the voters would have had a chance to see her leadership qualities and persuasiveness. As it was, she was in an important job, but one that voters notice, oh, once a year.
1
Whats left after Hillary? Warren - no way. Biden - maybe on the resume - but he won't turn on the Clintons. Bernie? We could wish...
My vote: Draft Deval Patrick. Brains. experience, common sense.
His only problem? 'Living while Black" - which our current President has certainly not helped dissipate ...
My vote: Draft Deval Patrick. Brains. experience, common sense.
His only problem? 'Living while Black" - which our current President has certainly not helped dissipate ...
6
Hey. Don't libel the jackals., they clean up the carrion.
8
Too much carrion is why the buzzards weren't allowed to fly Southwest...
1
Any person or organization that has become famous for, either accidentally or intentionally, stating misinformation as fact does not make for the best media "attack dog", "watch dog", or "junk yard dog". There is little use for a thing as a dog that has two tails.
Obviously, I'm being hypothetical and not referencing Mr. Brock in any direct way whatsoever - and couldn't possibly have anything to do with his character assassinations and fabrications of the truth while he was in the Conservative movement.
How do people become “saved” and “born again” Liberals? Well, certainly not by works of self-righteousness and squabbling.
Obviously, I'm being hypothetical and not referencing Mr. Brock in any direct way whatsoever - and couldn't possibly have anything to do with his character assassinations and fabrications of the truth while he was in the Conservative movement.
How do people become “saved” and “born again” Liberals? Well, certainly not by works of self-righteousness and squabbling.
It is increasingly apparent that neither party is in touch with, or cares for any Americans that aren't rich.
While the Republicans cater to the 1%, Democrats cater to the 5%, the rest of us 95% are on our own.
Hillary, like Bill, is Republican lite. Bill Clinton, more than anyone else cause the Great Financial Crisis through repealing Glass-Steagall. His vaunted 'welfare reform' impoverished millions and contribute to inequality to this day.
As the column points out, Hillary is a money grubber enthralled by Wall Street.
America must look for inspiration from overseas where Greece and Spain are showing that the 'same old' isn't the only way. Even today in India the Prime Minister's party was just swept out in local Delhi elections by a previously unknown 'Common Man' party.
The recent congressional elections had record low turnouts as voters saw both parties as pointless. Of course that gave the committed, crazy as they may be, a huge advantage.
The mega donors have anointed Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush as our "Choices". This is our Democracy, at least as long as we let them.
Both political parties in the US, while incredibly rich, are morally bankrupt. Things finally got bad enough in Greece, Spain and India that the people got sick of the "choices" that ran down their standard of living, their security and their hopes for the future. How long will it take for America?
While the Republicans cater to the 1%, Democrats cater to the 5%, the rest of us 95% are on our own.
Hillary, like Bill, is Republican lite. Bill Clinton, more than anyone else cause the Great Financial Crisis through repealing Glass-Steagall. His vaunted 'welfare reform' impoverished millions and contribute to inequality to this day.
As the column points out, Hillary is a money grubber enthralled by Wall Street.
America must look for inspiration from overseas where Greece and Spain are showing that the 'same old' isn't the only way. Even today in India the Prime Minister's party was just swept out in local Delhi elections by a previously unknown 'Common Man' party.
The recent congressional elections had record low turnouts as voters saw both parties as pointless. Of course that gave the committed, crazy as they may be, a huge advantage.
The mega donors have anointed Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush as our "Choices". This is our Democracy, at least as long as we let them.
Both political parties in the US, while incredibly rich, are morally bankrupt. Things finally got bad enough in Greece, Spain and India that the people got sick of the "choices" that ran down their standard of living, their security and their hopes for the future. How long will it take for America?
14
Hey!, Mo, Podesta's position is best understood when his name is pronounced properly politically: "Po-des-TA."
Dowd is on the attack again. What a pleasure it must be for her to have Hillary Clinton to kick around again! It must be a source of regret that her column doesn't run every day.
53
It would be too hard to write every day.
1
Ms. Dowd, You attempt to write like you are an insider with secrets to spill, but it is clear that you have nothing important to reveal here. Surely you can do better than to simply point out that Hillary has finally put together a team with deep connections and skills that are as fierce as every other politician who has ever won the presidency. I say, "Bravo Hillary!" Bring out the big guns early and use them at will. It's about time. Oh, and tell Bill to get out of the way.
74
I especially like your last sentence. Mr. Clinton, tend to your foundation. And besides that, cultivate gladiolas or something if you have spare time. You were a very good president but will be, based on your performance in 2008, a less than stellar First Gentleman, or whatever the White House publicity people will dub you.
Maureen Dowd doesn't like the Clintons. Got it. While Hillary Clinton would likely be a tough, bare knuckles candidate, she hasn't done or said a darn thing to date. Dowd writes this article as if Sec. Clinton is already lobbing bombs. I'm not thrilled about Hillary Clinton being the nominee but she seems to be playing it pretty smart and quiet so far. Maureen Dowd seems like she's gunning for a Newsmax column or a Doug shown position at Fox.
71
I don't like them, either.
The choice boils down to the lesser of evils; as always.
The choice boils down to the lesser of evils; as always.
3
Quiet candidate. Hmmm. No opinions needed. Vote for her and find out later what she thinks. Didn't we just do that with Obama? That's working out great.
1
I think it is time to get real. Everyone throwing money around has plenty of money to throw...so just follow the money starting Jan 2016. I talk with my friends and relatives and nobody is excited by the prospect of Hillary. Most of my circle is are over 50, educated, and financially comfortable. We are religious and atheists. We believe in evolution, climate change, and choice. Some are hawkish. If the Democrats run Hillary and the Republicans actually have a candidate of merit I will vote Republican for the first time since Gerald Ford. No worries, I know that won't happen. I love President Obama. I loath George W. Bush. I enjoy listening to former President Clinton, but I just don't like Hillary, enough..nor Jeb. They are phoney. How can Jeb say with a straight face that he is proud of his brother. For what? Going on vacation? Allowing torture? Letting his VP make the important decisions? I promise you now I will vote for someone (even male) that runs in the primary against her. If she wins and Jeb wins I will write in a name or not vote at all. I think the Democrats are capable of fielding a number of good candidates. Hillary just isn't one of them.
369
Okay, like who??? Warren, unfortunately, has as much chance as I do.
2
I'm an Obama guy, but for 2016 we need somebody more like Hillary than an Elizabeth Warren, as much as I like her message and what she stands for.
She can practice Realpolitik and has command of geopolitics, which to be kind is not Mrs. Warren's strength.
I've been very resistant to the idea of a Hillary nomination, but I think there is a real chance that an Elizabeth Warren could get steamrolled in a general, and that is a risk the democrats cannot afford to take.
The inevitability tour starts soon at a theater near you.
She can practice Realpolitik and has command of geopolitics, which to be kind is not Mrs. Warren's strength.
I've been very resistant to the idea of a Hillary nomination, but I think there is a real chance that an Elizabeth Warren could get steamrolled in a general, and that is a risk the democrats cannot afford to take.
The inevitability tour starts soon at a theater near you.
5
Then you'll share the blame if we get another Scalia or two on the supreme court.
Overlook personal pique and take the long view, people.
Overlook personal pique and take the long view, people.
10
>
Just the chance that Hillary could become POTUS and change the SCOTUS is going to make the GOP go nuts and past elections look like child's play. The GOP will be the ones that will be conducting the "take-no-prisoners" campaign. So the Democrats better toughen up because this election is going to be like nothing you've ever seen before. The last thing I'm worried about is the Democrats being to tough.
Just the chance that Hillary could become POTUS and change the SCOTUS is going to make the GOP go nuts and past elections look like child's play. The GOP will be the ones that will be conducting the "take-no-prisoners" campaign. So the Democrats better toughen up because this election is going to be like nothing you've ever seen before. The last thing I'm worried about is the Democrats being to tough.
105
Slime? Snake? I am hardly a fan of David Brock, but he certainly does not deserve this venomous treatment in the usually pristine pages of the NYTimes. This is ghastly. Brock's track record is well-known and simple reporting without the personal and crass attacks would have been more than enough. He is not my friend; we are not even acquaintances. Yet I feel compelled to ask for an apology on his behalf.
44
It seems that the Hilary brand is old school but not wise, well rehearsed but not well run, well known but not well understood, big but not expansive, dominant but not captivating. The Hilary brand seems stale, finally. Why would we need terrorists to destroy us, just let loose the political operators.
7
When it comes to presidential politics, it doesn't seem to much matter who runs, We the People just keep losing.
27
I wish you'd lay off the Clintons, Maureen. Do you really want another Republican President, or is the bloody slaughter and ongoing war in the Middle East (started by our last Republican president) not enough for you? Hillary is the best and the brightest we have. Give her a break.
113
I haven't read anything by Ms Dowd in quite a while; but I remember her as having a sense of humor. What happened?
10
It seems the Clintons are willing to do anything if it means more money in their pockets. I was shocked that they were able to cozy up to Richard Mellon Scaife.
5
The attacks on the Clintons, and on Hillary, have been nonrelenting, and the continuum with the more racist attacks on Obama have created a non-stop campaign of demonizing Democratic candidates. It would be naive to not fight fire with fire. While these tactics are despicable, Ms. Dowd herself has been a participant for years -- When has she not called the current president Barry? And written of him with constant snark? Now she begins Round 2 or 3 with HRC.
When FDR announced his Second New Deal, he remarked about his enemies: "No amount of misrepresentation or statistical contortion can conceal or blur or smear that record. Neither the attacks of unscrupulous enemies nor the exaggerations of over-zealous friends will serve to mislead the American people..." Republicans back in FDR's day was much as they are now, they disparaged those on relief, they fought against Social Security, they fought against financial regulations and insurance for the unemployed.
What is missing in this screed by Ms. Dowd is any recognition that the next Democratic candidate will be fighting not just a Republican nominee but close to a billion dollars from the two Koch brothers, more fortunes from Adelson, and all the other dark money unleashed by Citizens United. Pres. Clinton left a record surplus behind; Pres. Obama will leave a continuous recovery from Bush's feckless administration and the Great Recession.
This is about far more than personalities and tactics.
When FDR announced his Second New Deal, he remarked about his enemies: "No amount of misrepresentation or statistical contortion can conceal or blur or smear that record. Neither the attacks of unscrupulous enemies nor the exaggerations of over-zealous friends will serve to mislead the American people..." Republicans back in FDR's day was much as they are now, they disparaged those on relief, they fought against Social Security, they fought against financial regulations and insurance for the unemployed.
What is missing in this screed by Ms. Dowd is any recognition that the next Democratic candidate will be fighting not just a Republican nominee but close to a billion dollars from the two Koch brothers, more fortunes from Adelson, and all the other dark money unleashed by Citizens United. Pres. Clinton left a record surplus behind; Pres. Obama will leave a continuous recovery from Bush's feckless administration and the Great Recession.
This is about far more than personalities and tactics.
140
It's Valentine's Day and I can honestly say that politics has been the biggest heartbreak of my life.
It would be wonderful to see someone clean and fresh as Elizabeth Warren take the nomination--especially since around these parts (SW Pennsylvania) no one believes Hillary can win. (Which is another way of saying they hope they don't have to vote for her.)
Meanwhile, it's always been my impression that the Democrats/Progressive Liberals had no backbone when the fighting got nasty--they assumed everyone would be as civilized and reasonable as they are. Remember Bush Sr. and the Willy Horton ads? The bullies will always have their way until someone pushes back and, frankly, I'd rather see someone rolling up their cuffs for a change. Then maybe the serious dialogue can begin.
It would be wonderful to see someone clean and fresh as Elizabeth Warren take the nomination--especially since around these parts (SW Pennsylvania) no one believes Hillary can win. (Which is another way of saying they hope they don't have to vote for her.)
Meanwhile, it's always been my impression that the Democrats/Progressive Liberals had no backbone when the fighting got nasty--they assumed everyone would be as civilized and reasonable as they are. Remember Bush Sr. and the Willy Horton ads? The bullies will always have their way until someone pushes back and, frankly, I'd rather see someone rolling up their cuffs for a change. Then maybe the serious dialogue can begin.
410
What we have in our politics is a war between two parties that live in different ideological universes, and all is fair in war. So the question is whether Hillary can carry off a coordinated campaign or whether it loses coherence, not whether it contains dirty tricks or not. The other side will use dirty tricks; how Hillary uses them is a tactical question, not a strategic or moral one.
We will probably not have a decent candidate in 2016, and the American public is not ready to support one in any case. Our question must be which of the candidates will be easier to push in proper directions. If Hillary is prepared to betray her monied supporters, she cannot say so clearly enough to drive them away. She should be supported as the lesser of two evils, but someone who can be pushed in good directions.
We will probably not have a decent candidate in 2016, and the American public is not ready to support one in any case. Our question must be which of the candidates will be easier to push in proper directions. If Hillary is prepared to betray her monied supporters, she cannot say so clearly enough to drive them away. She should be supported as the lesser of two evils, but someone who can be pushed in good directions.
11
To run against a perceived liberal in the primaries was like threatening a needle with a tremor and poor eyesight. The ideology was similar. It was a personality contest.
In contrast she will utterly destroy whoever is the Republican candidate for issues will be the focus.
I will be writing in the name of Bernie Sanders.
In contrast she will utterly destroy whoever is the Republican candidate for issues will be the focus.
I will be writing in the name of Bernie Sanders.
1
'16 is going to be ugly. The media is going to get its heavyweight battle but we should all get used to Jeb. We still vote for who we'd rather have lunch with. No matter how much money is raised and dirt is flailed, Hillary is not that person. I wish she was.
6
You criticized Pres. Obama so much that I considered not getting your Op-Eds
anymore -- I thought you were very biased.
Now you sound possibly very biased against Hilary Clinton.
I am a Democrat who has voted Republican a few times -- not for President. Now I would be afraid to vote GOP for President and probably Congress due to all the tactics and obstructionism I have been seeing.
Still. perhaps there is a problem that you are warning about.
anymore -- I thought you were very biased.
Now you sound possibly very biased against Hilary Clinton.
I am a Democrat who has voted Republican a few times -- not for President. Now I would be afraid to vote GOP for President and probably Congress due to all the tactics and obstructionism I have been seeing.
Still. perhaps there is a problem that you are warning about.
3
We have become a sorry country when our alternatives are limited to dynasties (you note the word ends in 'nasties?'). None of the above is a choice in my state, I may check it. I'm tired of voting for office holders, dynasties, monied candidates with staffs that are strategic, not visionaries. Based on his work in Massachusetts, Romney was a candidate worth considering until he threw it all away in order to win.
I can vote for Biden, Warren, to name two Dems; so far I can't think of a Repub that I would consider.
I've thought about running for the House for almost a decade now. If you don't, one of these years I just might.
I can vote for Biden, Warren, to name two Dems; so far I can't think of a Repub that I would consider.
I've thought about running for the House for almost a decade now. If you don't, one of these years I just might.
13
Why does this not surprise me?
For all the various persona the Clintons try on for public consumption, they will forever remain the same: money hungry, power obsessed sociopaths.
For all the various persona the Clintons try on for public consumption, they will forever remain the same: money hungry, power obsessed sociopaths.
12
Q: why don't people vote? A: read this column. Would that there was a Eugene McCarthy out here somewhere to rock Clinton's world and shake up this whole mess.
7
Isn't that the role Warren is supposed to play?
2
Are you suggesting that the Washington establishment is such a "closed" circle and no "fresh air" can breath besides Clinton and Bush? Out of three hundred million Americans, I'm sure there are plenty of potential candidates around.
2
There may be but the plutocracy is not supportive.
1
Who by now doesn't know that the Clintons are grifters more obsessed with their personal advancement and enrichment with the welfare of the American people? Enough with Hillary and that man, Mr. Clinton.
12
Sad to say there is merit in your observations.
Hillary is a sort of nonentity to me -- someone who is in the middle of a swirl of people with opinions. Not that she doesn't have some opinions, she does, of course, but I think a lot of women, for example, as following her just because she's a woman (when they could have a real woman like Elizabeth Warren). Mainly the campaign would be deadly because she's so terribly boring.
11
Maureen I must admit this is the best column you have written in a long time. So natural and unforced. Almost like you are in your element. Sleazy politicians seem to be your strength. Why is that?? Oh of course. Right at home.
11
I did not vote for ANY candidate from either party in the last presidential election. I might change that to vote against Hillary though. Clintons have no ethics and no loyalty to anything but their own self interest.
8
You have a narrative about Bill Clinton(wrong) and the same about Hillary Clinton( not even close) and for you, it's like the red meat of a political campaign extended into the two terms of President Obama.
The rules of the game have been written by the GOP and the Supreme Court in Citizens United. Political operatives for Mrs Clinton must be tougher than Sheldon Adelson and the Koch Brothers. If Mrs Clinton can defeat the sorry lot of republicans in 2016, it will be $1B well spent.
The rules of the game have been written by the GOP and the Supreme Court in Citizens United. Political operatives for Mrs Clinton must be tougher than Sheldon Adelson and the Koch Brothers. If Mrs Clinton can defeat the sorry lot of republicans in 2016, it will be $1B well spent.
107
"Squabbling competing factions helped Hillary squander a quarter-of-a-billion dollars in 2008."
"Money-grubbing is always the ugly place with the Clintons, who have devoured $2.1 billion in contributions since 1992 to their political campaigns, family foundation and philanthropies"
It appears that the Clintons are happy to sell out taxpayers to the 1% rich, given how much their rich friends (e.g., Jeffrey Epstein) "invest" in them. But it appears the 1% rich are having second thoughts about whether Hillary will or can follow thru on doling out favors and spending to the 1%. So far, it doesn't appear to be a very good investment.
"Money-grubbing is always the ugly place with the Clintons, who have devoured $2.1 billion in contributions since 1992 to their political campaigns, family foundation and philanthropies"
It appears that the Clintons are happy to sell out taxpayers to the 1% rich, given how much their rich friends (e.g., Jeffrey Epstein) "invest" in them. But it appears the 1% rich are having second thoughts about whether Hillary will or can follow thru on doling out favors and spending to the 1%. So far, it doesn't appear to be a very good investment.
3
Okay, it's Dowd being Dowd (absolutely rubbing her hands together with glee over the prospect of a Clinton/Bush rematch). But it's also Hillary and Bill being Hillary and Bill. Yeah, I'll have to hold my nose when I vote for her but at least I'd be getting a President who lives in the current millennium.
64
I will never vote for her, even if it means another GOP Decider gets in!
I know there are millions lib/dems like myself who will either set out the election, or vote for The Greens, as a protest.
Of course, unless Sen Warren runs...then all bets are off
I know there are millions lib/dems like myself who will either set out the election, or vote for The Greens, as a protest.
Of course, unless Sen Warren runs...then all bets are off
2
This is the post Citizens United world. If you don't like it, perhaps you can explain that to Justice Kennedy. In the meantime, unilateral disarmament looks like a bad strategy.
40
So Ms. Dowd silkies Hillary as much as she dislikes "Barry". After all, they raise money. After all, they promise more than they deliver. After all, they like tough employees. And, after all, they close ranks with people they've fought.
She's right. These 2 Democrats are... they look and act like....all the successful politicians in this era. Why can't they be as poor as Jefferson or FDR or... oops. Politics is the art of the possible. If you need tons of rice or cabbage to get into office, what's a pol to do but glean and pick, glean and pick? Warren doesn't do that.
That's one. Name another, Ms. Dowd, or re-examine this waste of energy. Yours, not Obama's or Hillary's.
She's right. These 2 Democrats are... they look and act like....all the successful politicians in this era. Why can't they be as poor as Jefferson or FDR or... oops. Politics is the art of the possible. If you need tons of rice or cabbage to get into office, what's a pol to do but glean and pick, glean and pick? Warren doesn't do that.
That's one. Name another, Ms. Dowd, or re-examine this waste of energy. Yours, not Obama's or Hillary's.
32
Heh, the joke's on Dowd. Jackals don't even HAVE ethical compasses.
Heck, they don't even have, like the regular kind.
Which is why, I guess, they're still stuck over in Africa, or whatever.
On a side note: it's kind of weird to characterize Brock's reporting on Billy C as revealing some bad deeds by state troopers.... the point was the guv was using them as pimps and beards, kind of like Van Halen used roadies to select groupies during concerts.
I predict MoDo will end up Hillary's press secretary. This is all foreplay.
Heck, they don't even have, like the regular kind.
Which is why, I guess, they're still stuck over in Africa, or whatever.
On a side note: it's kind of weird to characterize Brock's reporting on Billy C as revealing some bad deeds by state troopers.... the point was the guv was using them as pimps and beards, kind of like Van Halen used roadies to select groupies during concerts.
I predict MoDo will end up Hillary's press secretary. This is all foreplay.
4
Politics and politicking are a dirty business. This is often difficult for some high-minded progressives to accept. But it takes grit and mud and, yes, killer instinct, to win power in ANY country of worth. The United States is no exception.
Democrats need to keep the presidency in 2016. High-minded morality won't cut it against the Republican rottweilers.
Democrats need to keep the presidency in 2016. High-minded morality won't cut it against the Republican rottweilers.
11
Any way the wind blows and the money flows.
Fealty for a price, not a principle or platform in sight. The unabashed spectacle of obscene amounts of cash is nauseating and depressing—all before an official announcement is even made. Somebody, give us a real Democratic candidate in the next presidential election, not one so cozy with Republican interests, Wall Street and Walmart. We need substance, not slogans.
Fealty for a price, not a principle or platform in sight. The unabashed spectacle of obscene amounts of cash is nauseating and depressing—all before an official announcement is even made. Somebody, give us a real Democratic candidate in the next presidential election, not one so cozy with Republican interests, Wall Street and Walmart. We need substance, not slogans.
6
She's off to a bad start. She's surrounded by thin-skinned, huge ego people who are already sniping at one another, she's being coy about even running, and the idea that the country or party is in need of an inspiring, populist leader isn't even on her radar. She's too busy gathering money. Geez Louise, we can kiss 2016 goodbye.
10
I don't know Maureen, but I kind of liked when the Clinton Machine took down Gingrich and Livingston in the wake of the Lewinsky scandal/ impeachment. This is the first column of yours that I have read in years, primarily because of your bashing of Hilary during the 2008 primaries. You criticize Obama for being cerebral and not having a spine (as I recall) and you bash Hilary for playing hardball, as if her potential opponents aren't planning the same thing. I am not sure what you want, and I really don't care so much anymore.
263
Finally, an accredited East Coast liberal admits what the Right has known for decades: David Brock is a professional hater.
Of COURSE he works for the Soros blog industry now. The class struggle continues....
(Jealous about all that hair, however!
Of COURSE he works for the Soros blog industry now. The class struggle continues....
(Jealous about all that hair, however!
5
I think you may mean "envious" Steve. As I learned from my friend, and college professor RB, jealousy and envy have not the same meaning. Jealousy takes three; envy two. You envy something someone else has. You jealously guard something or someone you have or think you have from another.
3
If you want to know who David Brock really is, Google the photo of him wearing a dog collar, leaning against Barney Frank. And if Brock and his kind try to play the 'war on women card' in response to any attack on Hillary, remind him that the Clintons had to pay nearly a million dollars to Paula Jones because Bill Clinton subjected her to indecent exposure, and Hillary responded not by comforting her husband's sex crime victim but by launching a campaign to call her and the many other sex crime victims of her husband, nuts, sluts, bimbos and trailer trash. Sex crime victims, not consensual affairs. That is a real 'war on women', rendering Hillary less a 'real' woman than a 'Woman in Name Only' (WINO).
13
Hillary makes a mockery of her proclaimed disdain for "blaming the victim" with her own vicious discrediting of Bill's sexual assault victims.
The Clintons are "champions of women" who also condone sexually assaulting them when it suits them.
The Clintons are "champions of women" who also condone sexually assaulting them when it suits them.
4
Good luck with that meme especially when Jebster takes the stage.
2
My first reaction as I began reading Maureen Dowd’s column was, “she’s baaack” with her Clinton phobia. But upon reading the whole thing, Maureen does have a point. Campaign discipline is going to be key – once bitten, twice shy Hillary better ensure that infighting is not going to derail her campaign all over again.
Also, it’s Hillary’s last chance at the presidency, so campaign chairman Podesta better crack the whip and let people know who is in charge? More importantly, whether it was Al Pacino in “Godfather Part II” or Sun Tzu in “The Art of War,” their advice, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” is something that the Clinton campaign needs to follow like white on rice.
Also, it’s Hillary’s last chance at the presidency, so campaign chairman Podesta better crack the whip and let people know who is in charge? More importantly, whether it was Al Pacino in “Godfather Part II” or Sun Tzu in “The Art of War,” their advice, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” is something that the Clinton campaign needs to follow like white on rice.
10
Great work, Maureen. You will, in fact, be attacked for this both by the Clinton team but by their supplicants as well. When will we wake up to the corruption of our political system, and be willing to recognize the bad apples on both sides--not just on the right as the NY Times readers believe...
11
This poseur looks more like a neutered weasel than a snake. If he walked into my office wearing a monocle, a designer suit, and that coif he’s sporting, I’d be inclined to send the Rottweilers after him, not you Ms. Dowd. Keep calling out these weasels for us Ms. Dowd. No worries. We’ve got your back.
7
How about writing something good about other democratic potential presidential candidates and let us leave Hillary Clinton in the forgotten pile. You are giving her free publicity. Hopefully
she will not run and if she does, hopefully lose in the primary. If she should win in the primary, unless there is a good republican candidate for whom to vote, people will either not vote or,vote for an independent or write in a name.
she will not run and if she does, hopefully lose in the primary. If she should win in the primary, unless there is a good republican candidate for whom to vote, people will either not vote or,vote for an independent or write in a name.
3
And wouldn't it be wonderful if a majority of voters wrote-in the same person's name? I would love that!
No discussion of the Clintons's "opportunistic knife-fighters" would be complete without mentioning character assassin extraordinaire Sidney Blumenthal, aka Sid Vicious, whose hit list for search-and-destroy missions included high-value targets such as Monica Lewinsky, Paula Jones and members of the special prosecutor's office.
This fallen-away journalist's specialty? Portraying the Clintons as (constant) victims.
As for authentic and enduring journalists, one of the best remains Michael Powell, now with The Times and back then with The Washington Post, who wrote amid the ceaseless scandals of Clinton 42:
"When the White House is backpedaling – a familiar move as the president's libido made a hostage of his administration – Blumenthal is the first to urge aides to man the ramparts, a fire-breathing role taken by Patrick Buchanan in the Reagan administration."
The Clintons are indeed awash in cash -- a daunting amount by any standard -- through their various slush funds and deep-pocketed enablers, but they remain morally bankrupt. Which raises the inevitable question for 2016: Do we again want to give the most powerful position on earth to a couple like this?
When it comes to the health and vibrancy of American democracy, a choice between Clinton 45 and Bush 45 is about as bad as it gets.
This fallen-away journalist's specialty? Portraying the Clintons as (constant) victims.
As for authentic and enduring journalists, one of the best remains Michael Powell, now with The Times and back then with The Washington Post, who wrote amid the ceaseless scandals of Clinton 42:
"When the White House is backpedaling – a familiar move as the president's libido made a hostage of his administration – Blumenthal is the first to urge aides to man the ramparts, a fire-breathing role taken by Patrick Buchanan in the Reagan administration."
The Clintons are indeed awash in cash -- a daunting amount by any standard -- through their various slush funds and deep-pocketed enablers, but they remain morally bankrupt. Which raises the inevitable question for 2016: Do we again want to give the most powerful position on earth to a couple like this?
When it comes to the health and vibrancy of American democracy, a choice between Clinton 45 and Bush 45 is about as bad as it gets.
18
I'd still prefer a Clinton 45 though.
6
To suggest that Hillary Clinton should adhere to some no -extant ideal of political practice, while her enemies will stop at nothing to defeat her, is irresponsibly silly. I hope she hires as many Brocks as necessary to gunk up the GOP lie and nonsense machine.
73
Hillary's capital may take Capitol Hill.
3
Ms. Dowd: Please continue to be the memory and exposer of the "woman behind the curtain" for these "Hillary Zealots." The Clintons and their "Family Foundation" are too slick for words. My dear father used to say "Do you know they've always lived in public housing" He was not a fan, either. I am female, and a Democrat, but Jeb keeps looking better and better when I think I would otherwise have to press that VOTE button for Ms. "Victim" and her crowd.
10
Despite the advantages it would bring the Clintons to change, I just don't think it is realistic. They are who they are, even if they always seem to leave us wanting more. Every attack, however legitimate and/or constructive, must be repelled with a ferocity exceeding the initial assault. Nearly every potential donor, irrespective of the source, must be tapped in order to keep Clinton, Inc. running. Accordingly, it does not even matter whether Bill Clinton really forgave Brock or Scaife or however many others; if there was a way for both parties to benefit then the Big Dog was all for it. The Clintons have been scarred by political near-death experiences and persuaded that their enemies have tried and will try to destroy them. They're right, of course, but to view the press as an enemy (because it published certain things a while ago and a very long time ago) is counter-productive. The Clintons have promoted and doggedly pursued policies that have helped or would help millions more people than they have hurt, unlike nearly all modern GOP politicians. The money-grubbing is truly unseemly, though; they did not have to do it this way... unless they wanted to fund (and keep funding) a political empire. And it's worked well for them; not one Dem presidential candidate for 2016 has criticized Hillary Clinton or her policies or asked why she should be the next president. The Clinton lockdown failed in 2007, but it won't fail this time. Liberals are left hoping for the best. Sigh.
6
I would hope that the various PACs and fundraising organizations supporting Hillary Clinton could get their acts together and present a united front. Should Mrs. Clinton decide not to run for president, the same goes for the campaigns of other Democratic candidates. Dissent and jockeying for power within the ranks of the campaign staff only serve to weaken the candidate. The danger to Mrs. Clinton is especially grave, in light of the dissent that marred her 2008 campaign.
I do think that David Brock is an asset to the eventual Democratic nominee, given his understanding of the tactics used by the conservative right.
I do think that David Brock is an asset to the eventual Democratic nominee, given his understanding of the tactics used by the conservative right.
12
Hillary is a power mad example of what's wrong with our country. When she ran for president in 2008, she was led to defeat by Mark Penn, a man so virulent, so utterly without principle, that the question you ask yourself is: how can she talk to this man without becoming physically ill?
Now, she has David Brock, who takes it to another level. Don't believe me? Study the photo. He appears to be "serious" in the same way as a speechwriter for a TV preacher. Why not go all the way, David, and pose with a powdered wig and silk breeches?
The content is irrelevant. All that matters is pushing the buttons of dumber Americans, while collecting cash from corporate sectors such as pharmaceuticals, fossil fuels, armaments, and banks.
For now, it looks like Hillary verses a Koch vetted Republican, likely to be a choice among Cruz, Walker, or Rubio. It's not governing, it's a grovelathon- whoever promises more tax breaks to the rich, more drilling, and more curtailing of public health and education will have won the right to lead this country.
The outcome is preordained: more wars, runaway global warming, and yachts the size of battleships.
Let's point the finger where it belongs: our corporate media. Actual reporters would have devoted full time to humiliating the frauds who are trying to take our money and our future. If we fail again, consider going to the nearest consulate, and applying for citizenship in New Zealand or Sweden.
Now, she has David Brock, who takes it to another level. Don't believe me? Study the photo. He appears to be "serious" in the same way as a speechwriter for a TV preacher. Why not go all the way, David, and pose with a powdered wig and silk breeches?
The content is irrelevant. All that matters is pushing the buttons of dumber Americans, while collecting cash from corporate sectors such as pharmaceuticals, fossil fuels, armaments, and banks.
For now, it looks like Hillary verses a Koch vetted Republican, likely to be a choice among Cruz, Walker, or Rubio. It's not governing, it's a grovelathon- whoever promises more tax breaks to the rich, more drilling, and more curtailing of public health and education will have won the right to lead this country.
The outcome is preordained: more wars, runaway global warming, and yachts the size of battleships.
Let's point the finger where it belongs: our corporate media. Actual reporters would have devoted full time to humiliating the frauds who are trying to take our money and our future. If we fail again, consider going to the nearest consulate, and applying for citizenship in New Zealand or Sweden.
151
The problem with the media is that they turn a blind eye to all the slime and trash because, in their twisted minds, they are witnesses to history. First a black president. Who could resist being there? Next a woman president? They are salivating like starving wolfs on a bone. Jackpot!! So far, the media hasn't suffered with the misery and poverty the dems have hoisted upon the backs of the "stupid" people as they see us. History will not be written by the survivors, not these media who call themselves news reporters. The story will not be what happened but that we stood and watched it happen and did nothing. God help us.
1
Get off Hillary, she has a job to do to overcome the kochs and adelson who have been pummeling her since she was first lady. This is the atmosphere that she did not create. It started with ronnie raygun and has gotten worse with the evil consdervative put in by republicans on the supreme court, making corporation people and the oligarchs supreme.
7
It's funny how you talk like somehow the Clinton's are principled people while republican candidates are horrible monsters. The fact is both Bill and Hillary have to be the most soulless, ruthless, sociopathic, power hungry monsters in modern politics. To their credit, they ARE highly successful at it.
But if you're looking for principles amongst leftist candidates, you're really looking in the wrong place.
But if you're looking for principles amongst leftist candidates, you're really looking in the wrong place.
3
Call yourself off Dowd.
I am not a Clinton fan. But reading the lead attack dog in the Clinton's always makes me reconsider. Nasty mean.
I am not a Clinton fan. But reading the lead attack dog in the Clinton's always makes me reconsider. Nasty mean.
161
Now that a Hillary candidacy is coming, Maureen is waiting with great anticipation. Ready to sharpen the knife and do the thing she does best and with great satisfaction. But you're no different from the attack dogs you're writing about except they are political operatives that are a necessary evil. Bar for you should be higher because you're not a hired hand but an objective observer. Perhaps that too much to expect from you because your hatred for the Clintons are so ingrained so that you are incapable of ever writing a fair commentary about them. Welcome back to the 90's, Maureen, happy days are here again!
5
The question isn't whether it is mean, but whether it is accurate. It is like Harry Truman: just tell the truth and they'll think it's hell.
4
It almost sounds as though a committee will be running for president, rather than a candidate -- and I think that's a little like when something reads as if it was written by a committee because it doesn't quite hang together.
24
Committee? Ridiculous. Politburo? Now that's more like it.
5
Yes, that committee is called the One-Percent.
6
Brock may be a jackal (albeit with an "Eraserhead" haircut) but to the displeasure of all, it takes that kind of animal to win these days. I believe that Elizabeth Warren might be a better choice, but I once believed that about John Edwards. After eight years of Obama, I WANT a bit bull! Go HIllary!
139
You seem to have missed the '08/'12 Presidential elections.
It doesn't take that kind of animal. However disappointed you may be in Obama's presidency, his two electoral victories required no Brocks, Morrises or Penns.
Your pitbull will give the oligarchy everything it has ever dreamed of.
It doesn't take that kind of animal. However disappointed you may be in Obama's presidency, his two electoral victories required no Brocks, Morrises or Penns.
Your pitbull will give the oligarchy everything it has ever dreamed of.
2
It's a bit too easy to get yourself off the hook for betraying progressive values by cynically implying that Warren might be another slime ball like Edwards, when there's no evidence of that whatsoever. Dems who actually have the gall to choose Hillary, the puppet of both Wall St. and the Israel Lobby, just like all the Republicans except maybe Paul, over the first real progressive we've had in years, Warren, are driving as many nails into the coffin of what Dems once stood for as Fox, Rush, and the Kochs so successfully do every day. Such Dems make me sick, since they've totally given up the political battle for justice for the poor at home, and peace abroad.
2
Uh, except Clinton is more conservative than Obama. The only biting the Clintons have ever done has been to bite liberals and the working classes. Unless that's who you want our next president "fighting," of course. I don't.
3
Jeb Bush may wind up being the Republican candidate and meanwhile Hillary appears to be the only one considering a run for the Presidency.
The Obama Presidency has given me the peace I have looked for my entire life. He is the one President that I felt really cared about me and my family. History will show that gay marriage blossomed during the Obama years. Hillary may try to take credit for it but it was her husband who passed DOMA and Obama who ended it.
Joe Biden should be our next President.
The Obama Presidency has given me the peace I have looked for my entire life. He is the one President that I felt really cared about me and my family. History will show that gay marriage blossomed during the Obama years. Hillary may try to take credit for it but it was her husband who passed DOMA and Obama who ended it.
Joe Biden should be our next President.
177
Agreed on Biden.
20
Thanks to Joe Biden, we have Clarence Thomas, so we'll NEVER have my vote for Joe Biden.
4
thank you, debra. obama has been an admirable president. he has brought so any fine qualities to the office and conducted himself in an honorable way from start to finish. no snakes or rottweilers among his advisors or staff. pity dowd can't appreciate the qualities she rightly blames the clintons for lacking.
10
I have not seen a rule book for these campaigns that says you can't fight dirty.
If that is what Brock is good at, then let him at them. It's time Rove and his cadre of skunks got what they have been dishing out, with apologies to the society for the protection of skunks.
Maybe Maureen, you forgot how the GOP treated Hillary when she tried to get universal health care started. And, as far as the Clintons go, their economy was sure good to me. A candidate that does not have some good will from Wall Street, is going to lose. You, Maureen are beginning to look like a GOP hit man yourself.
The coming campaign is going to be as dirty as it can get. The GOP is messing their pants contemplating Hilary running, and worse yet elected. She will not be so bipartisan as Obama. She wont have a Democratic congress, and even the senate will be hard to take back, and will be subject to unending attacks just like Obama has been. He does not like this part of politics, but she does, and I am waiting to see it.
By the time the campaign is over, you will think a child molester is better than Boehner and McConnell. Despite the negatives, I think Hillary is a far better choice than what the GOP is going to offer. Can you imagine Scott Walker running the country, now that make me nauseous.
If that is what Brock is good at, then let him at them. It's time Rove and his cadre of skunks got what they have been dishing out, with apologies to the society for the protection of skunks.
Maybe Maureen, you forgot how the GOP treated Hillary when she tried to get universal health care started. And, as far as the Clintons go, their economy was sure good to me. A candidate that does not have some good will from Wall Street, is going to lose. You, Maureen are beginning to look like a GOP hit man yourself.
The coming campaign is going to be as dirty as it can get. The GOP is messing their pants contemplating Hilary running, and worse yet elected. She will not be so bipartisan as Obama. She wont have a Democratic congress, and even the senate will be hard to take back, and will be subject to unending attacks just like Obama has been. He does not like this part of politics, but she does, and I am waiting to see it.
By the time the campaign is over, you will think a child molester is better than Boehner and McConnell. Despite the negatives, I think Hillary is a far better choice than what the GOP is going to offer. Can you imagine Scott Walker running the country, now that make me nauseous.
578
Dear Mr. Underwood,
You have earned another photo op with William Jefferson Clinton. Thank you for selecting a generous financial contribution to Hillary's campaign in the only box below and then print your personalized invitation to Monica's Photo Shop.
See ya soon!
You have earned another photo op with William Jefferson Clinton. Thank you for selecting a generous financial contribution to Hillary's campaign in the only box below and then print your personalized invitation to Monica's Photo Shop.
See ya soon!
2
As a Republican, we are hoping Hillary will be the candidate. It will be a shoo-in for our side and for many reasons too long and involved for me to go into here. I think you know them. Elizabeth Warren? She is the competition.
Scott Walker? He has proven himself to be an effective leader in Wisconsin. If he can do for this country what he has improved upon in Wisconsin, he has my vote.
Scott Walker? He has proven himself to be an effective leader in Wisconsin. If he can do for this country what he has improved upon in Wisconsin, he has my vote.
3
Evidently you want a puppet of both Wall St. and the war-mongering Israel lobby running America. Why not just honestly vote for a Republican, instead of hypocritically associating yourself with the progressive tradition the Democrats once stood for, and which you and Hillary will be destroying.
1
What a photo heads rhe story! Ugh.
21
Yeah sure, but take a look at a pic of Charles and David Koch if you really want to go "ugh".
Dowd swats at a fly, and misses the really enemies of the body politic. Sad. And disgusting.
Dowd swats at a fly, and misses the really enemies of the body politic. Sad. And disgusting.
10
He looks small in the big chair.
1
The side show of personalities deserves its own red carpet. Who thinks these people think about the national interest? But, really, it's never too early to stir the smear.
Trouble's brewing in the romper room--make that the counting room where the looking glass reflects selfies piles of cash, Except in money, zeroes are place holders, and it's amazing how many zeroes make a difference in fund-raising. An axiom of campaigns: the bigger the zero the bigger the cash flow.
In the meantime, Hillary's economic experts received some sound advice; it's really not to soon. An article published on Medium's daily digest is 20 minutes of stimulus and advocacy: insights and examples of models, markets, and wages; details of successes, failures, and ideas ranging across the globe.
To wit: "The heavy patina of the past covers the shine Hillary Clinton wants on her economic policy. In the reports of meetings and discussions with leading advisers are the dust tracks of the past, the well-worn routes of conventional paths:Committed Democrats should advise Hillary Clinton and her team to break with the constrictions of traditional fights over taxes and debt."
For the challenges after the "break," see: “Hillary Clinton: Will Her Economic Policy Follow Global Best Practices?” [http://bit.ly/1FMJTJM].
Are we raising money for a losing bet on the middle class, no matter who wins?
Trouble's brewing in the romper room--make that the counting room where the looking glass reflects selfies piles of cash, Except in money, zeroes are place holders, and it's amazing how many zeroes make a difference in fund-raising. An axiom of campaigns: the bigger the zero the bigger the cash flow.
In the meantime, Hillary's economic experts received some sound advice; it's really not to soon. An article published on Medium's daily digest is 20 minutes of stimulus and advocacy: insights and examples of models, markets, and wages; details of successes, failures, and ideas ranging across the globe.
To wit: "The heavy patina of the past covers the shine Hillary Clinton wants on her economic policy. In the reports of meetings and discussions with leading advisers are the dust tracks of the past, the well-worn routes of conventional paths:Committed Democrats should advise Hillary Clinton and her team to break with the constrictions of traditional fights over taxes and debt."
For the challenges after the "break," see: “Hillary Clinton: Will Her Economic Policy Follow Global Best Practices?” [http://bit.ly/1FMJTJM].
Are we raising money for a losing bet on the middle class, no matter who wins?
31
Walt,
Even, a broken clock is right twice a day!
One inadvertent success in four or eight years, by either party results in an a lifetime of spin, of political self adulation.
Even, a broken clock is right twice a day!
One inadvertent success in four or eight years, by either party results in an a lifetime of spin, of political self adulation.
2
The pickings mayhap are now lean,
For we're now back to mean Maureen,
Long time Clinton hater
And character baiter,
Her contempt for Clintons is keen.
In today's candidate constellation
Is there one worthy of an ovation?
Bush,, Walker & Paul
Really do appall,
In contrast, Hillary's a sensation!
For we're now back to mean Maureen,
Long time Clinton hater
And character baiter,
Her contempt for Clintons is keen.
In today's candidate constellation
Is there one worthy of an ovation?
Bush,, Walker & Paul
Really do appall,
In contrast, Hillary's a sensation!
468
What low standard you have, grandpa!
Mr. Eisenberg this may be your most spot on poem yet.
7
One of my New Year's resolutions for the New York Times: Maureen Dowd stops contorting to print such Clinton-bashing, hateful columns. At least, if she must continue with them as her subject, then she eases up on the insulting language.
4
When I think of what comes out of a political "Slime Room" I think of suppressing the vote of minorities, students and city dwellers, stand your ground laws, open carry laws, unlimited campaign donations, tax policies that subsidize millionaires and billionaires, keeping the minimum wage so low that working a grueling service industry job produces a poverty level income and cutting the social safety so severely that millions, a majority of whom are children, plunge through those gaping holes.
Politics is a dirty game, made filthy by Citizens United and all the dark money it's created that destroys democracy. As Ms. Dowd dings the Clintons for setting their sights on raising a billion dollars, I can't help but wonder what she makes of those two brothers who've promised to hand over at least $900 million to the Republican they choose for president and why she's not writing about them.
I've haven't been a fan of the Clintons for years but if Hillary is the Democratic nominee, she'll get my vote. I care about the Supreme Court, federal judgeships, voting rights, raising the minimum wage, maintaining a social safety net and climate change far more than campaign in-fighting. Politics has become one big "Slime Room" where honest politicians like Warren and Sanders get little attention from the MSM and no money from those who buy elections. Only an FDR or a TR could call off the dogs that are running this show and we don't seem able to find such leaders anymore.
Politics is a dirty game, made filthy by Citizens United and all the dark money it's created that destroys democracy. As Ms. Dowd dings the Clintons for setting their sights on raising a billion dollars, I can't help but wonder what she makes of those two brothers who've promised to hand over at least $900 million to the Republican they choose for president and why she's not writing about them.
I've haven't been a fan of the Clintons for years but if Hillary is the Democratic nominee, she'll get my vote. I care about the Supreme Court, federal judgeships, voting rights, raising the minimum wage, maintaining a social safety net and climate change far more than campaign in-fighting. Politics has become one big "Slime Room" where honest politicians like Warren and Sanders get little attention from the MSM and no money from those who buy elections. Only an FDR or a TR could call off the dogs that are running this show and we don't seem able to find such leaders anymore.
862
Great post but let's get real...Mo Do is stabbing not dinging here.
5
you are mistaken. the Koch "network" announced it would spend nearly a billion dollars independently of the GOP—as in not turn it over to the GOP's various operatives to decide how and on who it is spent.
the Koch "network" is cutting out the middle man—the Brocks, Roves, Boehners., McConnells and Preibuses of the political food chain—and creating a political force funded by a secret network of billionaires.
fascism on the march in the USA
the Koch "network" is cutting out the middle man—the Brocks, Roves, Boehners., McConnells and Preibuses of the political food chain—and creating a political force funded by a secret network of billionaires.
fascism on the march in the USA
23
"unlimited campaign donations, tax policies that subsidize millionaires and billionaires, keeping the minimum wage so low that working a grueling service industry job produces a poverty level income and cutting the social safety so severely that millions, a majority of whom are children, plunge through those gaping holes."
This applies to the Democrats and especially to their super-rich, cynical, elitist backers - They use and abuse the poor to suit their own ends - Just look how the poverty levels have INCREASED since the Democrats started the "War on Poverty"
republicans, Democrats... 95% or more are just in it to increase their power and make their masters richer.
This applies to the Democrats and especially to their super-rich, cynical, elitist backers - They use and abuse the poor to suit their own ends - Just look how the poverty levels have INCREASED since the Democrats started the "War on Poverty"
republicans, Democrats... 95% or more are just in it to increase their power and make their masters richer.
1
It's all about the nasty. Would it be possible to consider the future of humanity through a lens of compassion? No, I thought so ...
58
Well, Ms Dowd, I'll see your Brock and raise you a Rove! The ego-driven shakers and movers continue their verminous activity, shilling just about anything and anybody. Everything is negotiable, or more accurately for sale. It's not clear how we can get candidates that will breathe new air into a dangerously tired animal. The stultifying image of a Bush vs Clinton campaign evokes dread. Just to have a Democrat that sounds and acts like one running against a Republican who accepts the science and facts of the 21st century, and is not on the outer wings of reality. Just think what it would be like not have panderers and spinners in 2016. Now that's change I'd like to believe in.
243
HRC is an over-hyped baggage laden potential candidate. Media can offer her up as much as they wish, but if there is any sort of alternative candidate people will gravitate towards him or her. She's simply the type of politician most people do not want anymore. Her willingness to stand in the shadows waiting for the "all clear" from the her pundits and polling reiterates the disingenuousness of her interest in leading the nation to a better place in a bi-partisan wave. Her resume lacks the same executive experience our current President's does. That has not served him well and it won't HRC either despite having the philanderer in chief Bill at her side. Regardless of party affiliation, let's elect someone who can actually lead, instead of throwing their talking points and dogma around. We have serious problems that need fixing.
I'll accept your raise of a Rove.... at least he will speak candidly about his positions and activities. You may not like his politics but Rove will at least crow his stand when asked. Don't hold your breath on politics without panders or spinners. Until folks are willing to be honest, they will still find the traction they seek.
I'll accept your raise of a Rove.... at least he will speak candidly about his positions and activities. You may not like his politics but Rove will at least crow his stand when asked. Don't hold your breath on politics without panders or spinners. Until folks are willing to be honest, they will still find the traction they seek.
7
Democrats do not understand the scientific method any more than they understand fiduary responsibility.
2
Jack Chicago is a trusted commenter Chicago 1 hour ago
wow jack, 39 Recommends already for a comment that ends with fantasy wish says more about Times readers than it does about your not-half-bad comment.
wow jack, 39 Recommends already for a comment that ends with fantasy wish says more about Times readers than it does about your not-half-bad comment.
2
Ding ding ding - we have a new entry for the golden annals of wordsmithing; Mo's phrase " the ethical compass of a jackal " will go alongside Gail Collins's description of Congressional GOP'ers as " rabid ferrets ".
The question is whether HRC will grasp the winds of populism sweeping the political arena, realizing she must harness them to get the Democratic/Independent voter turn-out needed in 2016 to overcome the cynicism and sliming tactics GOP'ers will use to try and keep voters from caring to vote.
If HRC indicates by her demeanor and staffing that she understands middle-class economics is here and now, with reducing wealth/income inequality as the touchstone, she'll do well on Dems natural turf.
Nick Hanauer can help her frame things, and Warren Buffett obviously understands, since he's been saying:
“ If you stick me down in the middle of Bangladesh or Peru, you’ll find out how much this talent is going to produce in the wrong kind of soil. "
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2011/09/22/why-the-wealthy-don%E2%...
and other supporters should be found in the group Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength.
Many billionaires and millionaires - especially the self made ones - lean Dem instead of GOP'er; they're libs not cons.
Besides, since CapGemini/RBC tells us there are about 100,000 Americans worth $30 million$ or more, new potential HRC donors are out there just waiting for contact.
The question is whether HRC will grasp the winds of populism sweeping the political arena, realizing she must harness them to get the Democratic/Independent voter turn-out needed in 2016 to overcome the cynicism and sliming tactics GOP'ers will use to try and keep voters from caring to vote.
If HRC indicates by her demeanor and staffing that she understands middle-class economics is here and now, with reducing wealth/income inequality as the touchstone, she'll do well on Dems natural turf.
Nick Hanauer can help her frame things, and Warren Buffett obviously understands, since he's been saying:
“ If you stick me down in the middle of Bangladesh or Peru, you’ll find out how much this talent is going to produce in the wrong kind of soil. "
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2011/09/22/why-the-wealthy-don%E2%...
and other supporters should be found in the group Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength.
Many billionaires and millionaires - especially the self made ones - lean Dem instead of GOP'er; they're libs not cons.
Besides, since CapGemini/RBC tells us there are about 100,000 Americans worth $30 million$ or more, new potential HRC donors are out there just waiting for contact.
73
In fact, seems this story about the game Monopoly could be put to good use by HRC in discussing remedies to inequality:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/business/behind-monopoly-an-inventor-w...
and why de-regulation has failed us.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/business/behind-monopoly-an-inventor-w...
and why de-regulation has failed us.
34
She voted for the Iraq War. She was a keep player in using the military in Libya. The results speak for themselves.
4
Jackals, unlike Coyotes, Buzzards and Goats, will not eat garbage.
2
"Baked in the tactics of the right, Brock will never believe that negative coverage results from legitimate shortcomings. Instead, it’s all personal, all false, and all a war."
"Coverage " is one thing. But it's pretty naive to think that the coming right-wing attacks on Hillary Clinton will take place on the high ground of legitimate policy differences. Honestly, where has Maureen Dowd been for the past 20 years? I'm no supporter of HC, but I completely understand the Clintons' inclination to bring someone into the fold who knows how the right thinks. If past is prologue, they're going to come after her with everything they have. It's already started.
"Coverage " is one thing. But it's pretty naive to think that the coming right-wing attacks on Hillary Clinton will take place on the high ground of legitimate policy differences. Honestly, where has Maureen Dowd been for the past 20 years? I'm no supporter of HC, but I completely understand the Clintons' inclination to bring someone into the fold who knows how the right thinks. If past is prologue, they're going to come after her with everything they have. It's already started.
365
That's right - fight fire with fire, lies with lies. and so on. Works every time.
Tom Benghauser
Denver Home for the Chronically Bewildered
Tom Benghauser
Denver Home for the Chronically Bewildered
2
And you don't think Hillary will do the same to the Republican candidate??? As to the Clintons taking the high ground, excuse me while I go laugh my ass off.
Democrats are already slamming Walker (for whom I will not vote) because he lacks a college degree. Odd, I don't remember that as a qualification for the presidency when Truman was running in 1948.
Democrats are already slamming Walker (for whom I will not vote) because he lacks a college degree. Odd, I don't remember that as a qualification for the presidency when Truman was running in 1948.
7
..."they're going to come after her with everything they have." Says NA.
Then the Democrats will have to do the same against Jeb. And the dems have more ammo, if that is the case.
Then the Democrats will have to do the same against Jeb. And the dems have more ammo, if that is the case.
1
I can't imagine the horror of a Republican winning the White House, but neither can I stand the thought of a Hillary candidacy. It wears me out just thinking about it. I could swallow the dirty tricks, and I understand that politics is a vicious, ruthless game of hardball. I could deal with the dynastic implications of another Clinton presidency. (Can Chelsea be in our future?) But I don't want to watch the former failed Democratic candidate trying to sound populist while pandering to big bankers. I'm still waiting for hope and change, and unlike Neo in the Matrix, I'm not sure she's The One.
That's why I'm holding out a small hope that Elizabeth Warren will run. No, it's not impossible for a one-term Senator without a lot of foreign policy experience to win. She doesn't need more money than God to run her campaign. She only requires a message that can unite the Democrats, ignite their passion, and bid good night to the Republican oligarchs. Unite, Ignite, Good Night. She can have that campaign slogan if she wants it.
I'm getting older by the minute. I want to enjoy the 2016 election, and I want to wake up the next morning and feel like I did in 2008, with a sense of hope, and maybe a little change.
That's why I'm holding out a small hope that Elizabeth Warren will run. No, it's not impossible for a one-term Senator without a lot of foreign policy experience to win. She doesn't need more money than God to run her campaign. She only requires a message that can unite the Democrats, ignite their passion, and bid good night to the Republican oligarchs. Unite, Ignite, Good Night. She can have that campaign slogan if she wants it.
I'm getting older by the minute. I want to enjoy the 2016 election, and I want to wake up the next morning and feel like I did in 2008, with a sense of hope, and maybe a little change.
764
re "sound populist"=
in March 2008, I remember Hillary Clinton warning of what was about to happen to the middle class and that something had to be done as a matter of emergency to deal with mortgage debt. At the time, Maureen Dowd was more interested in personal attacks than following up this warning. To choose between Dowd and Clinton is easy--- I may not be a personal fan but Clinton has taken a serious interest in policy for decade, and will appoint decent Supreme Court Justices, and make policy decisions based upon evidence,. In contrast Dowd column after Dowd column is a bitter attack on individuals rather than any discussion of policy.
in March 2008, I remember Hillary Clinton warning of what was about to happen to the middle class and that something had to be done as a matter of emergency to deal with mortgage debt. At the time, Maureen Dowd was more interested in personal attacks than following up this warning. To choose between Dowd and Clinton is easy--- I may not be a personal fan but Clinton has taken a serious interest in policy for decade, and will appoint decent Supreme Court Justices, and make policy decisions based upon evidence,. In contrast Dowd column after Dowd column is a bitter attack on individuals rather than any discussion of policy.
470
I voted for Sen Warren but I hope she is keeping her words by not running for the presidency. Besides it is a long shot - foreign policy does matter - I am disappointed that she has becoming too extremist to my taste. Why, even she herself did some work for corporate America, so her effort to undermine Antonio Weiss because he was a finance veteran simply makes no sense except for opposing for opposition's sake. So she is adopting her Republican counterparts' behavior when they rejected her to be the then newly formed consumer protection agency head. There can only be two reasons an extremist, either you are born as one or you have greater ambition. While I had no regret voting for her to the Senate - what choice did I have really? - I certainly hope she means it when she said she is not interested in running
11
Republican Ronald Reagan won in 1980, and from 15 to 30 million people had jobs as a direct result. Horrors indeed, if you're Stalin.
The hope and real change this time is not in your party, G. What is a central-state collectivist to do? A poll this week had 70% of the country saying, in effect, Obama = failure.
The hope and real change this time is not in your party, G. What is a central-state collectivist to do? A poll this week had 70% of the country saying, in effect, Obama = failure.
3
What a fine example we set for the rest of the World about how to run a democracy. We live in the "free world" in which nothing is free. Everyone in politics, as well as their cronies, are bought and paid for to the evil core of their pathetic existences.
We might as well legalize bags of cash being dropped on the legislators' and President's desks for political favors because that is what is actually happening in a more round about fashion. I call my Legislator and am lucky to speak with an aid. Financiers donate hundreds of thousands to the Clinton foundation and Hillary is all ears. Of course, Jeb and Co. operate the same way. Politicians are not revered for the policies they enact, but the cash they raise.
The average citizen is a pawn in this democracy. We are merely window dressing, giving cover to a political system that is corrupt to its bloody core. So long as a sufficient number of people vote in elections, the system is declared legitimate as billions are sprinkled amongst the politicians and their patrons. Vote and then shut up.
Someone starting a system of government would never replicate the money grab we have created. But it is perfectly American in which money rules all and personal wealth is more important than ethics.
Why not just do away with voting and declare the person who raises the most money the winner? That is essentially how it turns out anyway.
We might as well legalize bags of cash being dropped on the legislators' and President's desks for political favors because that is what is actually happening in a more round about fashion. I call my Legislator and am lucky to speak with an aid. Financiers donate hundreds of thousands to the Clinton foundation and Hillary is all ears. Of course, Jeb and Co. operate the same way. Politicians are not revered for the policies they enact, but the cash they raise.
The average citizen is a pawn in this democracy. We are merely window dressing, giving cover to a political system that is corrupt to its bloody core. So long as a sufficient number of people vote in elections, the system is declared legitimate as billions are sprinkled amongst the politicians and their patrons. Vote and then shut up.
Someone starting a system of government would never replicate the money grab we have created. But it is perfectly American in which money rules all and personal wealth is more important than ethics.
Why not just do away with voting and declare the person who raises the most money the winner? That is essentially how it turns out anyway.
439
Well written. Which is exactly why most people don't bother to vote.
2
Our entire political system is just so rotten to the core that it is a wonder anyone bothers to vote at all.
Once again, I will have to hold my nose and vote for the lesser of two evils; unless, that is, I continue to reside in a true blue state in 2016. Then, at least, I can cast a protest vote for the Green candidate.
And even if the Senate goes back to the Democrats, and, by a small miracle, the House does as well, we will still be faced with the filibuster, and the need to get 60 votes in the Senate to do anything.
Meanwhile, we drift along, with record income inequality, a crumbling infrastructure, a declining middle-class and man-made global climate change
We may soon, however, be able to bring our guns anywhere we choose.
Once again, I will have to hold my nose and vote for the lesser of two evils; unless, that is, I continue to reside in a true blue state in 2016. Then, at least, I can cast a protest vote for the Green candidate.
And even if the Senate goes back to the Democrats, and, by a small miracle, the House does as well, we will still be faced with the filibuster, and the need to get 60 votes in the Senate to do anything.
Meanwhile, we drift along, with record income inequality, a crumbling infrastructure, a declining middle-class and man-made global climate change
We may soon, however, be able to bring our guns anywhere we choose.
678
Hi kevin,
I want to comment on one thing you said: "it is a wonder anyone bothers to vote at all". I would not just encourage you and others, but tell you, never, never, never, not exercise your right to vote. I have felt as you many times, and have seen others sort of slip out of the habit because they don't see anyone they wish to vote for. But vote,please! We all under estimate the extraordinary power of the vote that every citizen has!
I want to comment on one thing you said: "it is a wonder anyone bothers to vote at all". I would not just encourage you and others, but tell you, never, never, never, not exercise your right to vote. I have felt as you many times, and have seen others sort of slip out of the habit because they don't see anyone they wish to vote for. But vote,please! We all under estimate the extraordinary power of the vote that every citizen has!
25
We as a nation have suffered due to the collasal incompetence of a Democratic controlled congress supported in misdeed and malicious lying and chicanery of Obama's Reign of Errors.
6
Interesting that these calamities you describe seem to have burst upon the American psyche at the same time Obama began his Reign of Errors.
4