I don't know if the Clinton's have a death wish, but they seem to want to live on the edge of disaster. That makes Hilary a dangerous candidate. She's capable of entirely blowing an election as she did in 2008, and her intoxicated supporters should consider than more carefully.
14
It's telling that the two top Democrats in the nation act as if laws are meant for others - but certainly not for them. I guess the only salient question is: are Americans paying any attention to that?
20
I still have Clinton fatigue from the last go-around. I don't want a crazy far-right Republican in the White House, but I also don't want the worst pair of grifters in the last 100 years in there, again, either. What a lousy system.
41
I'll admit, I don't like this problem.
But, on balance, it wouldn't make me support ANY Republican.
And I doubt Joe Biden will run
I'd be happy to take a look at Ms. Warren, Julián or Joaquín Castro and others eight years from now when they are more seasoned by the political reality of our system.
My vote will be for what's possible and not for what's ideal.
There is apparently no *perfect* candidate and Hillary is still closest to my preferences in terms of legislative goals.
But, on balance, it wouldn't make me support ANY Republican.
And I doubt Joe Biden will run
I'd be happy to take a look at Ms. Warren, Julián or Joaquín Castro and others eight years from now when they are more seasoned by the political reality of our system.
My vote will be for what's possible and not for what's ideal.
There is apparently no *perfect* candidate and Hillary is still closest to my preferences in terms of legislative goals.
17
Why do we put up with the the Clintons? I liked Bill, but they are well past their "Best By" date. Time for someone new, fresh, and without all the baggage. Someone who does not have to hire a corporate branding firm to re-packagae and re-launch the "product."
How did President Obama put it? A candidate with that "new car smell."
How did President Obama put it? A candidate with that "new car smell."
34
The Republicans should just be quiet and wait for the general election. If they keep "throwing mud" on the Clintons at this point, someone such as Gov. O'Malley who could actually win the election will be forced to step forward and will happily be received by the Party as a savior, similar to what happened with Obama in 2008. O'Malley is smart and attractive, and certainly he has fewer skeletons, none of which could never be as gruesome as those in MRC's closet.
Mr. Bruni made a statement that eerily reminds me of the Obamas: "It’s as if they decided at a certain point that they’d never get a fair shake and should cut the corners that they could and behave as they wished. Their foes would storm the gates regardless." Their apparent attitude toward getting what they can while they can is as egregious as that of the Clintons. The American public can stand just so much of this, and Mrs. Clinton's candidacy may prove that the majority cannot swallow it one more time.
Mr. Bruni made a statement that eerily reminds me of the Obamas: "It’s as if they decided at a certain point that they’d never get a fair shake and should cut the corners that they could and behave as they wished. Their foes would storm the gates regardless." Their apparent attitude toward getting what they can while they can is as egregious as that of the Clintons. The American public can stand just so much of this, and Mrs. Clinton's candidacy may prove that the majority cannot swallow it one more time.
10
A non-issue, a distraction. What about the hundreds of thousands of folks killed in Iraq...I'm not a big Hilary fan but this is ridiculous.
17
"But that assessment shortchanged the couple’s ability to make new messes." That is the problem. Their greed also makes many uncomfortable.
25
I've voted democratic for my entire adult life, but if Hillary Clinton is the democratic candidate in 2016, I won't vote. I can never forgive her "yes" vote on the Iraq war -- either she was negligent by not reading the report clarifying that Iraq had no WMDs, or she was deliberately siding with economic interests and against human interests (support Halliburton and US military $$ versus avoid killing 100,000+ Iraqis and destabilizing an entire region -- tough decision). She just represents the usual business-first, money-first status quo.
PLEASE Elisabeth Warren, PLEASE Bernie Sanders -- give us another option.
PLEASE Elisabeth Warren, PLEASE Bernie Sanders -- give us another option.
39
In their push to get a Democrat elected, by this time next year the NYT, the WAPO, and much of the media will be saying, "This is old news, and besides at this point in time, what difference does it make? Now what kind of teenage prank can we dig from the forty plus years ago on the leading Republican candidate in order to make him/her look unqualified to President?"
21
Surly the NSA must have an archive of the email account in question. Lets have them open it up. I wonder if Snowden was able to get any?
1
Bruni, we all know you are 'in the tank' for Hillary', whether it be the foreign contributions or e-mail's, and any thing else. Hillary and Bill are just plain old criminals, always one step ahead of the law. Give it up. Find some one else to suck up to.
9
Very weak and disappointing piece from Mr. Bruni. No mention that John Kerry is the first secretary of state NOT to use his personal email address - a huge omission. The Clintons have a LOT of baggage - this is news??
And then to use a quote from toxic Ted Cruz to make your point? I'm having a hard time understanding how a very gifted voice for gay rights is seemingly working for the far right.
And then to use a quote from toxic Ted Cruz to make your point? I'm having a hard time understanding how a very gifted voice for gay rights is seemingly working for the far right.
16
I would love to be a fly on the wall observing Jeb Bush and his team's reaction to this latest revelation about Hillary.
Jeb needs Hillary to get the Democratic nomination. It's fascinating to realize that the only path to a third Bush presidency is to have Hillary as his general election opponent. Jeb would have virtually no chance in the general election, assuming a halfway decent Democratic candidate, if Hillary is not his opponent.
The only way America will tolerate a third Bush presidency is if the alternative is a second Clinton presidency. No Hillary equals no Jeb.
In contrast, Hillary needs Jeb too but not to the same degree.
After a second Bush presidency, which many of us would call a disaster, Americans will be hesitant to go for a second Clunton in the Oval. We very scary notion of a third Bush will certainly mitigate voter reticence. Besides, other then Jeb who else do the Republicans have that could seriously take Mrs. Clinton on.
If Bush and Clinton are both the nominees we will have the ultimate political mud fight. Yesterday stir will be thrown thrown and thrown.
Jeb needs Hillary to get the Democratic nomination. It's fascinating to realize that the only path to a third Bush presidency is to have Hillary as his general election opponent. Jeb would have virtually no chance in the general election, assuming a halfway decent Democratic candidate, if Hillary is not his opponent.
The only way America will tolerate a third Bush presidency is if the alternative is a second Clinton presidency. No Hillary equals no Jeb.
In contrast, Hillary needs Jeb too but not to the same degree.
After a second Bush presidency, which many of us would call a disaster, Americans will be hesitant to go for a second Clunton in the Oval. We very scary notion of a third Bush will certainly mitigate voter reticence. Besides, other then Jeb who else do the Republicans have that could seriously take Mrs. Clinton on.
If Bush and Clinton are both the nominees we will have the ultimate political mud fight. Yesterday stir will be thrown thrown and thrown.
Hillary haters are just trying to swift boat her. Hillary must have sent thousands of emails out from her private account, its not like it was a big sercret. No one cared for all those years before, and no one cared when Powell did it, but now ever one is acting like she robbed a bank or planning something nefarious. Puhleaze.
16
The Clintons' worst enemy is not just themselves, but the ideals of the party they allegedly represent. During his term, Bill triangulated away any semblance of an ideology, or for that matter, a soul. Hillary, meanwhile has proven herself to be on the wrong side of history ever since she took center stage from Bill at the beginning of the 21st century. Not only has she distinguished herself as a willful enabler of Bush's war, but also in the aftermath of the Great Recession, she has proven herself to be a willing benefactor of the banks and financial criminals who got us there. In an America before Bill Clinton corporatized the Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton would have been easily recognized as a moderate Republican. Looks like it's time for another dye job, her roots as a Goldwater Girl are showing.
11
The Clinton email cloaking reminds me of that old expression "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you". Sorry, but HRC is just not presidential material; the antithesis of transparency. We've suffered through enough mental misfits in the White House (Nixon and Cheney leap to mind) and don't need another such person, even a woman.
9
i'd love the sugar rush of getting outraged over this. oh, how i enjoyed it in the 1990's when the nyt rushed to blow up any hint of clinton scandal on their front pages, yet somehow never managed to prominenly report the denoument, that there was nothing much to it after all. hillary was dumb here, agreed. but i refuse to use up a crumb of disgust - i'm saving it for those who want to deprive us of healthcare, lead us into war, and disenfranchise and impoverish anyone not white and rich. i'll let them scream about this. i've ougrown the clinton petty crimes titillatio habit. i simply cannot afford to indulge it.
21
"Messy Habits" were not responsible for failing to detect and prevent the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Nor were "messy habits" behind the imaginative ignorant lying that proclaimed that there were Iraqi WMD's and an Iraqi connection to 9/11/01.
"Messy habits" did not bring the American economy to the brink of depression and extinction.
These "messy habits" of Hillary Clinton are more akin to a man failing to lift the toilet seat or leaving it up.
While I am not a fan of the Clinton's lazy personal habits, I am absolutely appalled and against their corrupt cynical hypocritical practices and policies as contrasted with their lyrical compassionate pseudo- liberal rhetoric.
The NYT has a habit of focusing on the trivial when it comes to the Clintons that sometimes borders on the ad hominem screeds of Fox News.
Nor were "messy habits" behind the imaginative ignorant lying that proclaimed that there were Iraqi WMD's and an Iraqi connection to 9/11/01.
"Messy habits" did not bring the American economy to the brink of depression and extinction.
These "messy habits" of Hillary Clinton are more akin to a man failing to lift the toilet seat or leaving it up.
While I am not a fan of the Clinton's lazy personal habits, I am absolutely appalled and against their corrupt cynical hypocritical practices and policies as contrasted with their lyrical compassionate pseudo- liberal rhetoric.
The NYT has a habit of focusing on the trivial when it comes to the Clintons that sometimes borders on the ad hominem screeds of Fox News.
8
Hillary Clinton. She has been well defined by her record -- the emails, and so much that has preceded her moment of indecision. The pundits are forecasting Clinton vs. Bush. We haven't had such an uninspiring matchup since Humphrey vs. Nixon. Just as in 1968, I can't persuadel myself that either candidate will act in the best interests of the nation.
If Hillary Clinton gains the Democratic nomination, I'll have a few options:
(1) vote for the Republican -- not likely;
(2) vote for a minor party candidate;
(3) vote for Clinton; and
(4) stay home, at least for the presidential line on the ballot.
None seem promising. I'll probably just hold my nose and vote for Hilliary. (Full disclosure -- in 1968, while serving as a regular officer, I voted for a minor party candidate, Eldridge Cleaver, if memory serves and that was the only time I failed to vote for the Democratic presidential candidate).
If Hillary Clinton gains the Democratic nomination, I'll have a few options:
(1) vote for the Republican -- not likely;
(2) vote for a minor party candidate;
(3) vote for Clinton; and
(4) stay home, at least for the presidential line on the ballot.
None seem promising. I'll probably just hold my nose and vote for Hilliary. (Full disclosure -- in 1968, while serving as a regular officer, I voted for a minor party candidate, Eldridge Cleaver, if memory serves and that was the only time I failed to vote for the Democratic presidential candidate).
2
I would wager $1 million that Jeb Bush hopes Hillary survives this latest wrinkle. Jeb's only chance to become the third Bush President is if our only alternative is a second Clinton.
It's quite fascinating how badly he needs her. However, the thought of Bush v Clinton 2 becoming reality is depressing and makes me shudder. I truly hope America is better than this.
Please please please will a very very rich and very very good third-party candidate jump into the ring?
It's quite fascinating how badly he needs her. However, the thought of Bush v Clinton 2 becoming reality is depressing and makes me shudder. I truly hope America is better than this.
Please please please will a very very rich and very very good third-party candidate jump into the ring?
4
HRC.....today's Dem Leaders......doing what they do best! Playing `hide' while counting on the MSM NOT to seek!
7
This what happens when these high-end politicos think they are better than everyone they are supposed to serve. There is another one (who is even worse) in the White House as we speak. The Democrat Party always seems to approve of the 'end justifies the means' motto.
11
Stop hating on Hillary. She's by far the most qualified candidate to serve as President.
The Republicans push through Citizen's United then the Koch brothers pay to get them in office - that's business as usual. But Hillary is held to a completely different standard and that is wrong. If she raises money she's demonized. If she tears up as she once did in New Hampshire, she's destroyed (notwithstanding Boehner's regular crying...) Stop the double standard and stop hating on Hillary.
By the way to the blind haters - getting a Republican president will mean an even more right wing Supreme Court, warmongering and probably more wars. It does matter.
The Republicans push through Citizen's United then the Koch brothers pay to get them in office - that's business as usual. But Hillary is held to a completely different standard and that is wrong. If she raises money she's demonized. If she tears up as she once did in New Hampshire, she's destroyed (notwithstanding Boehner's regular crying...) Stop the double standard and stop hating on Hillary.
By the way to the blind haters - getting a Republican president will mean an even more right wing Supreme Court, warmongering and probably more wars. It does matter.
25
It's so interesting ot me that opinion here is so much against Hillary and yet she is so high in every poll, beating every Democratic challenger, every Republican. On here, six people want Warren to one Hilary supporters in polls, Hillary leads Warren by fifty points in every poll on RealClearPolitics. Is it that the media and people very interested in politics dislike her more than more casual observers? But it is the casual observers who have the more votes....
8
I am "Ready for Hillary" but I do not think Hillary is ready! It is indeed so sad to see her commit political suicide!
Citizens of totalitarian countries fantasize and tell stories about the rich an famous. These citizens are helpless. Prisoners tell stories of the free; prisoners can only dream. They have no real choice.
We may go through another election where our choices are Bush and Clinton. Who's fault is it? The country's founders put freedom above all else. Have we failed them? Let us act like free people and choose candidates that reflect our needs, our desires, and our interests. Let this be the government of, by, and for, the people. Why do we need a vicarious government of peeking into the emails of a Bush or a Clinton. This is our country! Forget this week's scandal and get some real candidates!
We may go through another election where our choices are Bush and Clinton. Who's fault is it? The country's founders put freedom above all else. Have we failed them? Let us act like free people and choose candidates that reflect our needs, our desires, and our interests. Let this be the government of, by, and for, the people. Why do we need a vicarious government of peeking into the emails of a Bush or a Clinton. This is our country! Forget this week's scandal and get some real candidates!
5
The Clintons have never felt bound by the rules. The rules are for everyone else to follow. If the Clintons are to bestow greatness on this country they can't be fettered by the rules that are supposed to protect the people from its government. Rose law firm docs missing for 2+ years after being subpeonaed and then magically being found on a nightstand. Bill prejuring himself in the civil trial (the definition of 'is'). Hillary soliciting donations for her foundation from foreign sovereign governments while she was Secretary of State.
There is no ambiguity here. Government employees are required to use government email. In rare cases private email can be used so long as those emails are submitted to the government.
There is no ambiguity here. Government employees are required to use government email. In rare cases private email can be used so long as those emails are submitted to the government.
7
Like many in the Clinton's social, political and economic status, they think they are above it all; and they continue to prove it. And society continues to enable them.
6
I have to say, reluctantly, that I agree with Frank Bruni. "They'd rather seek forgiveness than permission" sounds right to me. Did Bruni ask Stephanopoulos? Sounds like something that George might say.
I think that the Clintons believe that they live in a world in which they are either the hunters or the hunted. I think that they see themselves as servants of the people in a political culture in which the Constitution and laws are mere tokens in a snake pit. Surely, they've hunted by the right. Yet there is something truly amiss in their attitudes and behavior. Washington may be a snake pit, but the way to solve that problem is not by becoming a snake. It's wrong morally, and politically stupid.
I'm worried. I'll still support Hillary Clinton, but I really believed that she'd learned something from her past experience. I now fear that what she thinks she learned was how to be better at being bad.
I think that the Clintons believe that they live in a world in which they are either the hunters or the hunted. I think that they see themselves as servants of the people in a political culture in which the Constitution and laws are mere tokens in a snake pit. Surely, they've hunted by the right. Yet there is something truly amiss in their attitudes and behavior. Washington may be a snake pit, but the way to solve that problem is not by becoming a snake. It's wrong morally, and politically stupid.
I'm worried. I'll still support Hillary Clinton, but I really believed that she'd learned something from her past experience. I now fear that what she thinks she learned was how to be better at being bad.
2
Why would Hillary worry about this blip? The Clinton's have gotten a
pass on everything from lying about dodging bullets in Bosnia to "fun" in
the White House to rape and are still the darlings of the media. I'm
sure she's isn't losing any sleep over this because the very same media
that outed her on this including Frank Bruni will do all it can to extricate her from it. In
fact, it would not surprise me one bit that this entire issue was
instigated by the Clinton machine precisely to get it out now, let it
have it's couple of minutes in on the news cycle and then begin the work
of spinning this into a Republican attack on her proving their
contention of a "war on women". I fully expect a "tearful" Hillary to
soon show up on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN and MSNBC bemoaning these partisan and
sexist attacks on her. In fact, It's already stared with a Clinton minion named David Brock on Morning Joe this AM spouting the incredible
lie that Hillary in fact didn't break any rules. We can expect a barrage
of this. Mika Brzezinski who this morning was deriding Hillary will by
next week be defending her, mark my words.
pass on everything from lying about dodging bullets in Bosnia to "fun" in
the White House to rape and are still the darlings of the media. I'm
sure she's isn't losing any sleep over this because the very same media
that outed her on this including Frank Bruni will do all it can to extricate her from it. In
fact, it would not surprise me one bit that this entire issue was
instigated by the Clinton machine precisely to get it out now, let it
have it's couple of minutes in on the news cycle and then begin the work
of spinning this into a Republican attack on her proving their
contention of a "war on women". I fully expect a "tearful" Hillary to
soon show up on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN and MSNBC bemoaning these partisan and
sexist attacks on her. In fact, It's already stared with a Clinton minion named David Brock on Morning Joe this AM spouting the incredible
lie that Hillary in fact didn't break any rules. We can expect a barrage
of this. Mika Brzezinski who this morning was deriding Hillary will by
next week be defending her, mark my words.
4
She has tremendous political talent, but her weakness has always been concern for her priorities. Is it ambition over her passion? She fuels suspicion of the former with these revelations. You can only dip into that "forgiveness" well so often.
2
No matter who the candidates are from the current list of contenders, 2016 will be the nastiest, most corrupt campaign in history. And it's all our fault. We raised this group of misanthropes, we elected them, we paid them, fed them, clothed them and paid no attention to what they were doing when they outside "playing".
Republicans are frothing at the mouth hoping Hillary is the candidate, they may even contribute money to her campaign. Imagine a resurrection of Benghazi, Lewinsky, Whitewater and now emails. As much as we have hopes to see a female President, I'm afraid Hillary is not that person.
Republicans are frothing at the mouth hoping Hillary is the candidate, they may even contribute money to her campaign. Imagine a resurrection of Benghazi, Lewinsky, Whitewater and now emails. As much as we have hopes to see a female President, I'm afraid Hillary is not that person.
5
We're being served one flavor of ice-cream, vanilla. And it's colored red and blue. I have given up on both parties as wholes. From now on, I vote issues--only issues. The problem I have with a Clinton candidacy is that--even though they know how bland, fake, and empty it is--most voters will still eat the blue ice cream just because its blue.
5
To answer many of your questions, the best bet, though possibly a long shot, would be Jim Webb, a pragmatist with experience and the right temperament.
Electable? I think he would appeal to many independents, maybe even most. And he has some qualities that would appeal to "honest" libertarians, meaning those who are not rabid fanatics.
Electable? I think he would appeal to many independents, maybe even most. And he has some qualities that would appeal to "honest" libertarians, meaning those who are not rabid fanatics.
6
Unbelievably poor judgment should be enough to send her back to AK.
6
There should be no surprise here. The Clinton's have always demonstrated that the rules only apply to "Little People" not to them. Get ready, if you elect her you will see what an "Imperial Presidency" really means.
7
Power corrupts. Clinton has had too much power for too long. She is arrogant and aggressive and god knows what she'll do if she gets hold of the presidency.
5
If anything shows the split between left and right in the press, it is the Clinton's and how they are portrayed. Scott Walker is asked a "gotcha" question which he refuses to answer simply because it is a "gotcha" question and the MSM flays him like nobody's business.
>
On the other side of the coin, we have Hillary blatantly lying to the parents of those who died in Benghazi just to keep Obama's election on track. you have the Clinton foundation with its appearance of selling influence, you have these secret e-mails, and that doesn't even begin to cover older events such as Whitewater.
>
No Republican would have survived even one of these scandals let alone all three. Yes, you can claim that no wrong doing was "really proven", but then again Chris Christie was exonerated in Bridgegate and yet he still suffers from those accusations. If you want to understand why modern day journalism gets little respect, why so few trust the MSM anymore, and so forth, all one needs to do is view all the one way streets that seem to surround the Clintons as well as other Democrats.
>
On the other side of the coin, we have Hillary blatantly lying to the parents of those who died in Benghazi just to keep Obama's election on track. you have the Clinton foundation with its appearance of selling influence, you have these secret e-mails, and that doesn't even begin to cover older events such as Whitewater.
>
No Republican would have survived even one of these scandals let alone all three. Yes, you can claim that no wrong doing was "really proven", but then again Chris Christie was exonerated in Bridgegate and yet he still suffers from those accusations. If you want to understand why modern day journalism gets little respect, why so few trust the MSM anymore, and so forth, all one needs to do is view all the one way streets that seem to surround the Clintons as well as other Democrats.
4
"...their permanent address is on the fault line where defiance meets self-destruction."
"Does she have a political death wish?"
One really has to wonder. I am a staunch Democrat--in no small part because the only other major party seems to have as its singular goal the torpedoing of any measures that might help those less well off than their own benefactors.
But, really, what on Earth was she thinking? To not use a government email, as the Secretary of State? For the entirety of her tenure? Why? And even if every possible explanation for this (of which I can think of exactly, oh, not a single one) were benign, how could she not have known that this would become a political liability?
This might not be a deal-breaker for myself in the primaries, but then again it may. And while personally I can't imagine not supporting anyone running in the general against any of today's Republicans, others will not be so forgiving, and I will be hard pressed to rally to her defense. But more than any matters of political viability, this is a real concern to me about her character, unlike the fabricated Benghazi non-issue the Republicans now won't need to keep beating to death.
Seriously--why? What on Earth were you thinking, Hillary? You're not stupid.
"Does she have a political death wish?"
One really has to wonder. I am a staunch Democrat--in no small part because the only other major party seems to have as its singular goal the torpedoing of any measures that might help those less well off than their own benefactors.
But, really, what on Earth was she thinking? To not use a government email, as the Secretary of State? For the entirety of her tenure? Why? And even if every possible explanation for this (of which I can think of exactly, oh, not a single one) were benign, how could she not have known that this would become a political liability?
This might not be a deal-breaker for myself in the primaries, but then again it may. And while personally I can't imagine not supporting anyone running in the general against any of today's Republicans, others will not be so forgiving, and I will be hard pressed to rally to her defense. But more than any matters of political viability, this is a real concern to me about her character, unlike the fabricated Benghazi non-issue the Republicans now won't need to keep beating to death.
Seriously--why? What on Earth were you thinking, Hillary? You're not stupid.
2
I believe the best service Obama has ever rendered was his keeping Hillary Clinton out of the White House.
5
Hillary Clinton needs to get a team of lawyers,.
Clinton provided reams of classified information to an unsecured private company which is not cleared to receive it. Each email with secured information provided to that company is a felony crime under 18 U.S.C. §1924.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1924
Individual hackers have already broken into Clinton's email account.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-03/hdr22clintonemailcom-how-romani...
You can be sure that Russia, China and Iran have.
The Benghazi Committee will be calling Clinton to the stand under oath over the next several months. Is the assumed Democrat nominee for president going to take the fifth?
Clinton provided reams of classified information to an unsecured private company which is not cleared to receive it. Each email with secured information provided to that company is a felony crime under 18 U.S.C. §1924.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1924
Individual hackers have already broken into Clinton's email account.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-03/hdr22clintonemailcom-how-romani...
You can be sure that Russia, China and Iran have.
The Benghazi Committee will be calling Clinton to the stand under oath over the next several months. Is the assumed Democrat nominee for president going to take the fifth?
4
"That gibe was over the top." (Like most of what Priebus does, by the way.) But you repeated it nonetheless.
2
There if a big difference between conflating the scion with the bush from which it sprouts and confusing a woman with her husband. Every time a comment on Hillary associates itself with extravagant reminders of the Clinton's voluptuous past, I stop reading. That the Clintons still inspire fear and loathing on the right is... just marvelous. I hope it continues unabated for another decade.
6
Who in their right minds will believe Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when she says that she will fight for the middle class? She hasn't even answered any policy questions yet and she's already damaged goods. Does shes support Obama executive actions and overreach on immigration? Does she support his attempt to backdoor gun rights by banning certain ammunition? Does she support his war on coal? Does she support his (and her) foriegn policy strategy in Libya, Russia, Iran, and with ISIS? Does she believe that "violent extremism" is an existential threat or just work place violence? Does she want to introduce a VAT tax as she suggested back when her "husband" (or whatever he is) was President? Does she feel that we need more laws, above and beyond what is already on the books, to ensure equal pay for women? Does she feel that the NLRB acted appropriately when they sued Boeing for moving to South Carolina? Does she think that Obamacare is "a success" and if not EXACTLY how would she "fix it" instead of replace it? and many more questions. Answer one way and she'll alienate her base, answer another and she'll lose a majority of independent voters. She's toast already.
4
Not to be outdone, Rick Perry is demanding that Jimmy Carter release all the emails from his presidency. And text messages.
2
If the Democrats nominate Hillary (Billary, really) - - then we justly deserve the trouncing that we will get and the 4-8 years, subsequently, of Repugnant rule.
The country has too many serious challenges, too many serious problems and is grossly off-track and losing its global competitive edge. The last thing we need in the White House are the Clintons, again...
Jim Webb in 2016, a true Democrat!!
The country has too many serious challenges, too many serious problems and is grossly off-track and losing its global competitive edge. The last thing we need in the White House are the Clintons, again...
Jim Webb in 2016, a true Democrat!!
3
Maybe Obama should declare himself the 2016 winner by executive action.
With Hillary, we'll get less of the same. Perhaps better than four years of another Bush, but only marginally so. We need Elizabeth Warren. Our present circumstances are such that we cannot afford another watchdog for the 1%. I'll vote for Hillary if I have to, but I"ll plant a lawn sign in my front yard for Warren.
Since it's just been exposed that Hillary set up a private email server in her NY house under a pseudonym through which all her emails were routed, it is clear that she is disqualified from running for President, and that Dems must look elsewhere for their standard bearer. Like it or not, she is now officially unelectable. Her own private server? Under a pseudonym? 'Ready for Hillary'? Not!
4
Would you let either Bill or Hillary babysit your children? I didn't think so. Nothing else needs saying.
5
The Clintons are so tedious.
7
The sad question remains. Is Hillary the best that the Democrats can do?
She is old, she has been around forever, she is outdated.
She is also cold, calculating and unlikable. None of which is disqualifying, just boring.
Enough of the Clinton circus already.
We deserve better.
I am not a member of an organized political party. I'm a Democrat.
She is old, she has been around forever, she is outdated.
She is also cold, calculating and unlikable. None of which is disqualifying, just boring.
Enough of the Clinton circus already.
We deserve better.
I am not a member of an organized political party. I'm a Democrat.
6
There are several problems with Hillary's use of personal e-mail for official business. First, she did not comply with directives about using government e-mails -- which is another Clintonian example of me-firstism. Second, using personal e-mail allowed her to control the flow of information and to decide what she wanted to share with the public. Third, it is also likely that her private e-mail was less secure than the government's, thus she may have potentially compromised state secrets.
All of this from some other politician and you might give a second chance, but how many chances do we give the Clintons? Two troubling revelations in the space of a few days and this from a supposedly thoroughly vetted candidate.
And I also wonder if Hillary didn't occasionally e-mail Obama or higher ups in his admin. Did no one notice that she wasn't using a government e-mail address? That also boggles the mind.
While this event is merely more icing on the cake, I implore Dems to come up with a better candidate. Is Hillary really the best you can offer? She has skimpy credentials at best (forgiving Bill and riding on his coattails aren't enough) and there is a lot of smoke in her background. It doesn't matter whether she thinks it is her turn or not. She has shown herself to be a grasping, greedy, me-first pol with no vision. There was a reason Obama ousted her in 2008, she didn't have much of a platform, other than, "Me,Me,Me"
Enough with her.
All of this from some other politician and you might give a second chance, but how many chances do we give the Clintons? Two troubling revelations in the space of a few days and this from a supposedly thoroughly vetted candidate.
And I also wonder if Hillary didn't occasionally e-mail Obama or higher ups in his admin. Did no one notice that she wasn't using a government e-mail address? That also boggles the mind.
While this event is merely more icing on the cake, I implore Dems to come up with a better candidate. Is Hillary really the best you can offer? She has skimpy credentials at best (forgiving Bill and riding on his coattails aren't enough) and there is a lot of smoke in her background. It doesn't matter whether she thinks it is her turn or not. She has shown herself to be a grasping, greedy, me-first pol with no vision. There was a reason Obama ousted her in 2008, she didn't have much of a platform, other than, "Me,Me,Me"
Enough with her.
6
There is only one action that Hillary Clinton can take to correct this deliberate dodge: give complete access to all her email correspondence while she was Secretary of State. Let a government panel decide what to save and share with the public. This is a costly solution to a problem that Hillary caused and she alone should pay for the cost of conducting the review.
I use to like Hillary Clinton. I gave to her campaign in 2008. She grew up in a Chicago suburb. Now, I don't like Hillary so much. She seems to have lost her ethical standards.
Remember Aristotle: actions speak louder than words. Oh, one other piece of advice to Mrs. Clinton: Keep reading and re-reading Aristotle's Ethics, until the text sinks into her character and conduct.
I use to like Hillary Clinton. I gave to her campaign in 2008. She grew up in a Chicago suburb. Now, I don't like Hillary so much. She seems to have lost her ethical standards.
Remember Aristotle: actions speak louder than words. Oh, one other piece of advice to Mrs. Clinton: Keep reading and re-reading Aristotle's Ethics, until the text sinks into her character and conduct.
4
John Kerry is the first SoS to use the state department email account since the technology has been implemented into the workings of the federal government. Mrs. Clinton merely followed the path left by her predecessors. However, what this did was leave open the door of perception that she's possibly hiding something (Benghazi?) I think this will be a much easier perception to dispell than the one Jeb Bush will face of bringing another four years of Cheney/Bush foreign policy (i.e., more American boots on middle eastern ground).
34
I disagree that Ms. Clinton's use of private e-mail was a matter only of bad judgment. I am sure that it was a deliberate decision to put her e-mails out of the reach of government or public scrutiny, giving her time to screen and clean whatever is in the record. I believe she has the same moral compass as Richard Nixon, who thought he could put a record of his presidency beyond public scrutiny. Ms. Clinton knew exactly what she was doing and has bet - probably correctly - that her opponents will not be able to show that her attitude toward keeping a public and reviewable and unvarnished record disqualifies her for the presidency. America would survive a Hillary Clinton presidency, as we survived the Nixon presidency, but we will be further weakened in our ability to hold our elected leaders accountable. What Hillary learned from Watergate is that if there is no record, you can deny, deny, deny, and probably succeed in getting away with your misdeeds.
And just to be clear - I am a life-long Democrat; the only Republican presidential candidate I voted for was Bob Dole.
And just to be clear - I am a life-long Democrat; the only Republican presidential candidate I voted for was Bob Dole.
63
Now the e-mail "scandal" ?
To quote the late Maynard G. Krebs "Oh come now".
Get ready for Madame President folks.
Like her husband Bill, I've got a feeling Hillary will do quite well for us.
To quote the late Maynard G. Krebs "Oh come now".
Get ready for Madame President folks.
Like her husband Bill, I've got a feeling Hillary will do quite well for us.
3
Who to run against her in a primary? Is Al Gore busy? Maybe if he was trotted out, buffed up and given a nice job....? He probably already won once, he's got some libreal street cred. (haha) and he seems pretty clean still, so why not?
2
My question: Why it is "inevitable" that Hillary Clinton will be the next 2016 Democratic presidential candidate? More to the point, why does it appear that the Democratic Party has already committed itself to Hilliary Clinton for 2016 and has no interest in showcasing some other impressive candidates without Hillary's cumbersome and well-know baggage?
Don't the Democratic Party leaders know that they are only making it way too easy for the Republicans to trash and disparage H. Clinton as a presidential contender in order to beat her? The Republicans don't even need to dig for more dirt--they have a ready-made arsenal at hand and they will use it at every opportunity and at the lowest level.
Look at all the negative comments to NYT articles about Hillary Clinton's latest "mess up" in how she approached and handled her emailing as Secretary of State. There may be a few comments from GOPers or tea partiers, but most of the truly worrisome ones against Hillary are coming from the left side of the political fence. Lots of negative comments also proliferate in response to articles about her campaign funding, needing the advice of over 200 consultants from various special interest groups, and her presumptuous attitude that she IS the 2016 Democratic candidate--being coy, of course, not to actually say so. So why are we all thinking she is??
We can't take another Republican president in 2016. The 2016 election is crucial. Will be it be the Democratic Party's to lose (again)?
Don't the Democratic Party leaders know that they are only making it way too easy for the Republicans to trash and disparage H. Clinton as a presidential contender in order to beat her? The Republicans don't even need to dig for more dirt--they have a ready-made arsenal at hand and they will use it at every opportunity and at the lowest level.
Look at all the negative comments to NYT articles about Hillary Clinton's latest "mess up" in how she approached and handled her emailing as Secretary of State. There may be a few comments from GOPers or tea partiers, but most of the truly worrisome ones against Hillary are coming from the left side of the political fence. Lots of negative comments also proliferate in response to articles about her campaign funding, needing the advice of over 200 consultants from various special interest groups, and her presumptuous attitude that she IS the 2016 Democratic candidate--being coy, of course, not to actually say so. So why are we all thinking she is??
We can't take another Republican president in 2016. The 2016 election is crucial. Will be it be the Democratic Party's to lose (again)?
3
I hate the thought of another four years of this. Hillary will do what she wants and then "Deny, deny, deny"- or in her case, lie, lie lie. From Whitewater forward, It's been constant. Do whatever you want, forget law or propriety and when caught, lie about it. What a great and noble presidency this is going to be.
8
Oh but this is really like raising a tempest in a teapot Mr. Bruni.
Please take a note.
President Barack Obama signed a bill last year that bans the use of private email accounts by government officials unless they retain copies of messages in their official account or forward copies to their government accounts within 20 days.
The bill did not become law until more than one year after Clinton left the State Department.
Please take a note.
President Barack Obama signed a bill last year that bans the use of private email accounts by government officials unless they retain copies of messages in their official account or forward copies to their government accounts within 20 days.
The bill did not become law until more than one year after Clinton left the State Department.
6
The only legitimate alternative to Hillary with a chance of winning the general election the Democrats can offer is Joe Biden.
The country already elected a uber-liberal, inexperienced, 1st term US Senator. The country won't make that mistake again. Run Liz Run -- not.
And those yearning for Bernie Sanders, Martin O'Malley and the usual list of those loved by the Left. You're kidding, right?
As a conservative, I can at least point to Biden as honest -- a trait he never learned from his boss. And there would be no gay marriage breakout without Biden. You don't really think Obama cares about gays, or unions do you?
The country already elected a uber-liberal, inexperienced, 1st term US Senator. The country won't make that mistake again. Run Liz Run -- not.
And those yearning for Bernie Sanders, Martin O'Malley and the usual list of those loved by the Left. You're kidding, right?
As a conservative, I can at least point to Biden as honest -- a trait he never learned from his boss. And there would be no gay marriage breakout without Biden. You don't really think Obama cares about gays, or unions do you?
2
Hillary's motto, like Bill's, has always been the great narcissistic, entitled Boomer mantra of the Clinton Nineties, the one that should be the epitaph for this destructive generation: "Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's ALL small stuff."
3
Eyes on the ball Mr Bruni , please. Let's talk about Hilary's policies or lack thereof. Otherwise we will end up with another W, remember the one we were talking about his service in Vietnam or his grades at Yale or his drunk driving etc.
6
She is an exhausting and I believed exhausted power mad omnivore. Ditto her husband. Whatever your stripe, the national debate does not need any more of these people. She may be the party's worst nightmare.
If they weren't so powerful and weren't so wealthy and weren't so rapaciously persistent, we'd be referring to the Clintons and their behavior as trash.
If they weren't so powerful and weren't so wealthy and weren't so rapaciously persistent, we'd be referring to the Clintons and their behavior as trash.
12
What more do we need to know what we know: The Clintons are deceitful.
But we will go ahead and vote for Hillary, because she's the "front runner," the only one who can beat the opposition. Did that become so because the media marketed her with constant attention? Is that so because of she has the most money supporting her? She, like just every candidate, is "bought," but when we vote for the bought candidate it says that we, the voters, have been bought. Why do we let our choice be aligned with the candidate who has raised the most money?
But we will go ahead and vote for Hillary, because she's the "front runner," the only one who can beat the opposition. Did that become so because the media marketed her with constant attention? Is that so because of she has the most money supporting her? She, like just every candidate, is "bought," but when we vote for the bought candidate it says that we, the voters, have been bought. Why do we let our choice be aligned with the candidate who has raised the most money?
3
I'd love to see a woman become President of the United States - but not Hillary Clinton! Why aren't there other viable female candidates in all our land? The only name that ever comes up is Elizabeth Warren. There should be viable female candidates in both parties. This is outrageous. My only explanation is that most women see what a cesspool our politics is and decline to enter the fray. But there are effective female leaders of other countries. Why not here?
As for The Clintons back in the White House: been there, done that! Time for new fresh blood.
As for The Clintons back in the White House: been there, done that! Time for new fresh blood.
7
Before giving into our disconcerting national habit of throwing stones; distracting ourselves gobbling up someone else's imperfections; and unfairly focusing only on a few puzzle pieces that are just a part of someone's full life political or otherwise--even someone running for president--let's practice the Golden Rule and hear what Hillary has to say.
3
I think Bill is a brilliant rascal who did pretty well as President. Hillary does not have the gift of gab that Bill used to charm people despite his inappropriate behavior. I can't forget how two graduates of Yale law school deducted not just loan interest but the principal too from their taxes.
5
It's not just that Ms Clinton had the arrogance, or stupidity, to disregard a government regulation (bad enough!). It's that she did so to control the record of her official activities. She can, and has, controlled that record at will.
What amazes me, however, is that no one in government called her to task over this. That she intimidated her staff into not mentioning it when they received communications from her from a private, unauthorized domain, is lamentable, but what is really inexplicable is why Mr. Obama, who must also have received emails through the unauthorized domain from Ms Clinton, never called her to task over it. I don't really understand this.
What amazes me, however, is that no one in government called her to task over this. That she intimidated her staff into not mentioning it when they received communications from her from a private, unauthorized domain, is lamentable, but what is really inexplicable is why Mr. Obama, who must also have received emails through the unauthorized domain from Ms Clinton, never called her to task over it. I don't really understand this.
80
This probably isn't all that big on the political Richter scale, but hearing about it just reminds me of why I'm so weary of the Clintons (and I have separate reasons to be weary of the Bush clan). I'm a Democrat and despite my weariness, was willing to sigh and re-up one more time for the Clinton franchise. But this kind of thing really makes me wish someone with a clear ethical lens would be running for this high office. Elizabeth Warren, please reconsider!
6
When I think about how the majority of Republicans have had such a good time flaunting their disrespect and disdain for Pres. Obama, I truly believe they would behave much worse if the Clintons occupied the White House again. I cannot endure 4 or 8 more years of incessant vitriol and I definitely do not want a Republican and/or Tea Party Administration.
The Clintons willingly carry too much baggage that, as much as it needs to get lost, always shows up wherever they are-- every last piece of it. In comparison, Pres. Obama wisely limits his load to two carry-ons.
Jim Webb, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders... somebody please step up to the plate, play fair, be competitive and win.
The Clintons willingly carry too much baggage that, as much as it needs to get lost, always shows up wherever they are-- every last piece of it. In comparison, Pres. Obama wisely limits his load to two carry-ons.
Jim Webb, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders... somebody please step up to the plate, play fair, be competitive and win.
6
How about getting the Democrats to put Larry Summers forward as a challenger for the Democratic Presidential nomination. That would separate the wheat from the chafe!
2
Bill and Hillary live in a house--or two--without any mirrors I guess. Otherwise how could they continue to operate as they do. Democrats need to wake up before it's too late. 2016 is just around the corner and Hillary isn't the answer.
5
Oh, let's bash her for something that wasn't even a law when she was Secretary of State.
Throw enough mud and eventually something will stick. Anything. Doesn't even have to be related mud. It can be mud by association.
Right now this is nothing more than a mindless diversionary tactic from dealing with the reality the GOP has yet to produce an intelligent candidate who actually lives in the 21st century.
Really, people. Grow up and pay attention to reality for a change. Our nation is at stake here.
http://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/
Throw enough mud and eventually something will stick. Anything. Doesn't even have to be related mud. It can be mud by association.
Right now this is nothing more than a mindless diversionary tactic from dealing with the reality the GOP has yet to produce an intelligent candidate who actually lives in the 21st century.
Really, people. Grow up and pay attention to reality for a change. Our nation is at stake here.
http://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/
12
The defense by many of this indefensible act, clearly reveals the strident political bias on the left. What she purposely did as SOS is bad enough, but what it reveals of her thought and possible similar actions she would brazenly take as President is alarming.
1
As with her lies about being shot at, this will be swept under the rug by the liberal press. The fact is she was attempting to hide information and has no concern of the law much like our current Fuhrer. This will not stop until the ignorant citizens of our country wake up and demand our leaders be bound by their oaths and the laws of the land.
Fat chance.
Fat chance.
Unlike Bill, Hillary has neither passion or talent for politics----so she cannot be as careless as Bill was. This latest revelation should be a wake up call for democrats. This is only the beginning bell in the coming election brawl. Hillary, as we saw in the last election cycle, does not do well when she goes toe to toe with an opponent armed with a long list of careless habits.
2
Run, Elizabeth, Run!...Please!!?!
No one enunciates and fights for the values that make America great llike you do. Your dedication and strength of purpose flow right from the pages of the Declaration of Independance and the Constitution. Your effectiveness as a senator has demonstrated your ability as a leader and a champion of the the values of the American people.
If you build a campaign, people will come.
Let's talk about that, and rise above the adolescent obsession with entitlement and faux nobility that pervades today's political scene.
No one enunciates and fights for the values that make America great llike you do. Your dedication and strength of purpose flow right from the pages of the Declaration of Independance and the Constitution. Your effectiveness as a senator has demonstrated your ability as a leader and a champion of the the values of the American people.
If you build a campaign, people will come.
Let's talk about that, and rise above the adolescent obsession with entitlement and faux nobility that pervades today's political scene.
3
How can Hillary even be considered for president when she still hasn't responded to the House Select Committee regarding the lapses in the Benghazi, terrorist attack after her "unfortunate fall"? Nor, can she defend the State Department's assessment regarding the request to attack Libya because of impending genocide, which was contrary to intelligence and Pentagon assessments, and presumably fabricated. Then we can mention lost Whitewater records and her stunning returns on cattle futures that would make Warren Buffet blush. No, there are too many unanswered questions with Hillary, and far too many passes given to her.
4
When have the republicans and conservative pundits not had a "field day" with the Clinton's? This is red meat for Fox News and I predict your colleague, Maureen Dowd is salivating to do another of her Sunday columns attacking both Bill and Hillary.
Like the Benghazi incident, critics tend to ascribe to Mrs. Clinton suspicions that "she must have something to hide" because it fits their narrative about how they think she operates without regard for the facts.
You are right, it was sloppy on her part but probably not a violation of the law.
Like the Benghazi incident, critics tend to ascribe to Mrs. Clinton suspicions that "she must have something to hide" because it fits their narrative about how they think she operates without regard for the facts.
You are right, it was sloppy on her part but probably not a violation of the law.
1
How wonderful to have watched the rise of Hillary and Bill Clinton from their early days (at Wellesley and Yale), Chicago and Arkansas up to today when 67 year old Hillary and 68 year old Bill are living messy lives (whose life isn't messy, Frank?)! Are they gearing up for a run for the White HouseDon't bed the farm on it. Though Hillary hasn't thrown her First Lady, Senatorial and Secretary of State Fascinators into the ring yet, she's still defiant and a little messy.The Republicans at their CPAC made light of Hillary, slinging verbal mudpatties at Hillary, whether or not she runs for the Presidency. The GOP/Tea Party has some serious house-cleaning to do, which could start with new brooms to sweep out all the old politicos (like Newt etc.) and a search for a truly viable candidate (as none of the present bananas are worthy of the job). Tea Party/Conservative Republican banner only pray, wish for and hope to retake the White House. Meanwhile, there is still time to repeal The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution setting two terms only for POTUS - in response to FDR's 4 terms that triggered that amendment in 1947. Amendments are made to be repealed. The possibility of President Barack Obama running for a third term? S'wonderful, s' marvelous, a kick! as for Hillary's using her personal email for matters of state - the cyber cloud is so full of gazillions of ephemeral emails waiting to be examined here on earth that her messages are undoubtedly gone with the wind.
Did anyone mention Christie and his "friends" at this convention?
I only met Bill Clinton once, when he was governor of Arkansas. He asked me what I thought about the Mississippi Delta; I told him.
He repeated it somewhere, and it made naitonal news via Rodger Mudd. I was flattered -- I felt like a speechwriter :-)
The Clintons have a charm about them couched in confidence. If that is distrubing to their distractors, so be it. We (Democrats) do what we do; they do what they do. We're not electing pansies: we electing representatives for the middle class.
He repeated it somewhere, and it made naitonal news via Rodger Mudd. I was flattered -- I felt like a speechwriter :-)
The Clintons have a charm about them couched in confidence. If that is distrubing to their distractors, so be it. We (Democrats) do what we do; they do what they do. We're not electing pansies: we electing representatives for the middle class.
1
It not a Style problem, it's the monumental corruption of the Clintons that is the problem. I always have to go with the lesser of two evils for president but Bush and Hillary are so close
2
"Can Hillary, of all Democrats, persuasively style herself as a champion of the struggling middle class?"
No politician can style themselves as a champion of the middle class. Accepting Hillary Clinton - or anyone else - as a champion of the middle class is delusional.
No politician can style themselves as a champion of the middle class. Accepting Hillary Clinton - or anyone else - as a champion of the middle class is delusional.
For some time now, we progressives have sneered at the Teapublican wannabes:"is this the best they can do?" Cue the laugh track. Madame Secretary, many no-thanks-to-you, we're now saying that about you.
1
The revelation that Hillary set up her private e-mail account at the very outset of her appointment as Secretary of State indicates a premeditated desire to avoid any scrutiny of her motives or actions. How she ever thought that this would go unnoticed, particularly since she has been positioning herself for a Presidential run for the past 20 years, is perplexing to say the least.
While the usual defense..."everybody does it".....is conveniently rolled out, the truth is that not everyone shields their entire portfolio from scrutiny, nor is everyone running for president, nor is everyone running a multi-million dollar private foundation that is soliciting funds from foreign governments while doing the work of the people.
The audacity of this latest blunder only rekindles in the minds of the electorate the slyness and slickness of the Clinton machine. Could the Nation possibly endure another 8 years of the Clinton dynamic duo in the White House?
I'm exhausted already.
While the usual defense..."everybody does it".....is conveniently rolled out, the truth is that not everyone shields their entire portfolio from scrutiny, nor is everyone running for president, nor is everyone running a multi-million dollar private foundation that is soliciting funds from foreign governments while doing the work of the people.
The audacity of this latest blunder only rekindles in the minds of the electorate the slyness and slickness of the Clinton machine. Could the Nation possibly endure another 8 years of the Clinton dynamic duo in the White House?
I'm exhausted already.
9
Shortly before this revelation, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul held a joint press conference to say that they had only kudos for the former Secretary of State.
"She's really been a paragon of patriotism," gushed the always alliterative Cruz.
"She almost has my vote," joked the curiously-credentialed Dr. Paul.
Seriously, though, folks, imagine how confusing it will be for Breitbart readers if an actual fact contaminates the commentary.
Bush invaded the wrong country, leading to ten years of mayhem, many grieving families here and there, and now ISIS. His pin-headed economic guru, Alan Greenspan, watched the formation of perhaps the biggest bubble in history while intoning to the masses, "Nothing to see here!" Bush authorized torture.
In case that last sentence was unclear: He authorized torture.
Hillary used the wrong email account.
It might be time to enroll the entire Republican leadership in a perspective class. "See, we make the dead Iraqis tiny because they're far away."
"She's really been a paragon of patriotism," gushed the always alliterative Cruz.
"She almost has my vote," joked the curiously-credentialed Dr. Paul.
Seriously, though, folks, imagine how confusing it will be for Breitbart readers if an actual fact contaminates the commentary.
Bush invaded the wrong country, leading to ten years of mayhem, many grieving families here and there, and now ISIS. His pin-headed economic guru, Alan Greenspan, watched the formation of perhaps the biggest bubble in history while intoning to the masses, "Nothing to see here!" Bush authorized torture.
In case that last sentence was unclear: He authorized torture.
Hillary used the wrong email account.
It might be time to enroll the entire Republican leadership in a perspective class. "See, we make the dead Iraqis tiny because they're far away."
5
It turns out that John Kerry is the first Sec. of State to NOT use a personal email.
This is a bum rap. Get your facts straight before you demonize. And, yes: this is the first time I've defended HRC. You've had a good time, Frank, repeating all the smears - oh, sorry.....jokes......... from the right wing wackjobs. It is you having a field day, and frankly, Frank, I have come to expect better from you.
Now go do your job and get the facts first: Why is Kerry the first one to NOT use a personal email? And where are the emails of Colin Powell? Bush? Rummy? Cheney? Where are Jeb Bush's personal emails that he used to do business? Scott Walker's?
This is a bum rap, Frank. Let's hope you are as sneering to those on the right when they do the same thing.
This is a bum rap. Get your facts straight before you demonize. And, yes: this is the first time I've defended HRC. You've had a good time, Frank, repeating all the smears - oh, sorry.....jokes......... from the right wing wackjobs. It is you having a field day, and frankly, Frank, I have come to expect better from you.
Now go do your job and get the facts first: Why is Kerry the first one to NOT use a personal email? And where are the emails of Colin Powell? Bush? Rummy? Cheney? Where are Jeb Bush's personal emails that he used to do business? Scott Walker's?
This is a bum rap, Frank. Let's hope you are as sneering to those on the right when they do the same thing.
5
Now for a lighter moment.
Let’s not go off the deep end with Hillary Clinton’s decisions about email. I understand it completely. I’m someone who has left a purchase in the trunk of my car, brought it into the house when Dave wasn’t looking and put it in my closet. Three weeks later, when I put it on to go out, he said, Oh, when did you get that? I said I had it for a while. Then he said, “It’s nice, I like it.”
Hillary and I are not cheats. We are strategists. We have healthy instincts.
The only, and it's big, difference between me and Hillary, the Republicans are a vast right-wing conspiracy to contend with and she has to watch her back. Dave, on the other hand, is a sweetheart with a vast sense of humor and he always has my back.
I repeat, let's not go off the deep end. Hillary hasn't got a "death wish." See how far out you go when you don't understand and get all Freudian on us?
Let’s not go off the deep end with Hillary Clinton’s decisions about email. I understand it completely. I’m someone who has left a purchase in the trunk of my car, brought it into the house when Dave wasn’t looking and put it in my closet. Three weeks later, when I put it on to go out, he said, Oh, when did you get that? I said I had it for a while. Then he said, “It’s nice, I like it.”
Hillary and I are not cheats. We are strategists. We have healthy instincts.
The only, and it's big, difference between me and Hillary, the Republicans are a vast right-wing conspiracy to contend with and she has to watch her back. Dave, on the other hand, is a sweetheart with a vast sense of humor and he always has my back.
I repeat, let's not go off the deep end. Hillary hasn't got a "death wish." See how far out you go when you don't understand and get all Freudian on us?
2
Hillary Clinton's use of a private email account may have revealed classified information to unauthorized third parties. Email sent between a government account and a private account travels over the internet. Unencrypted email has the same amount of privacy as a post card. I'm less concerned about the information that may have been concealed than the information that may have been revealed. If Hillary Clinton was sending and receiving classified data it's safe to say that some of her messages have been read by foreign intelligence agencies.
1
Hillary Clinton can do whatever she wants and get away with anything And everything, even compromising the security of this nation. It's because she's a Clinton, the darling of the liberal Democrats.
Well said, but where is that Democrat who can challenge Hillary for the nomination? Elizabeth Warren? Jim Webb?
It's time for challengers to the "inevitable" coronation.
2
Both of them have this right that they make their own rules!
1
Is it time we seriously consider a qualified woman to be president? Of course. Is that woman Hillary Clinton? Absolutely not.
3
Frank you are giving in to the DC habit of believing all this internal debate among the perceived ruling class of America's Rome determines the vox populi. The Clintons have a record of performance to be judged on that makes all this GOP sniping meaningless outside the beltway. It fuels the lazy pseudo-journalism of Fox News, but I think more highly of you. Let's stick to substance on this front. The GOP remains a party with no purpose or direction, clinging to a Southern Strategy that continues to look more and more anemic. Right now, the legacy of the Boehner/McConnell years continues to read like a modern version of Senator Bilbo of Mississippi. They have led a party that did all it could to block and obstruct America's first black president, not because his policies were bad, but because he represented a movement of the country in a direction that undermined the foundation of the modern GOP politics. In the long run, Obama heads for Rushmore; these GOP leaders stand with Bilbo.
3
If you've enjoyed almost total governmental dysfunction for the last two or three decades, by all means fellow Democrats, push Hillary up there front and center.
She may control a lot of ground, but it certainly isn't the high ground - and the clock is winding down.
She may control a lot of ground, but it certainly isn't the high ground - and the clock is winding down.
2
I still don't get it:
Like any other employee anywhere in the world, she must has gotten an e-mail from her employer on her first day at work. How could she not use this? How could anybody in the State Department not use this mail for any routine communication to her? How could she not answer using this mail?
If she really only used her personal e-mail, then this must have been noticed by literally thousands of people during her tenure. How did she communicate with journalists over the years? How could this not have become an issue years ago.....?
Having said all that, barring any other explanation, this act of recklessness (stupidity) leaves me dumbfounded.
Like any other employee anywhere in the world, she must has gotten an e-mail from her employer on her first day at work. How could she not use this? How could anybody in the State Department not use this mail for any routine communication to her? How could she not answer using this mail?
If she really only used her personal e-mail, then this must have been noticed by literally thousands of people during her tenure. How did she communicate with journalists over the years? How could this not have become an issue years ago.....?
Having said all that, barring any other explanation, this act of recklessness (stupidity) leaves me dumbfounded.
4
Oh, Hillary! How could you be so arrogantly stupid? How could you create such a mess for yourself?
Calling Elizabeth Warren. Calling Elizabeth Warren.
But Elizabeth would most likely lose big and Democrats cannot lose the White House in 2016. I am truly disgusted with Hillary for putting Americans at risk with this nonsense because if Republicans win, all of us but the .01% will suffer. But yet who will step up and say, "Yes, I'll run".?
So incredibly stupid and dangerous for America. Unfortunately, I think we need her to beat Jeb. The thought of another Bush in the White House makes me even sicker than Hillary being there.
Calling Elizabeth Warren. Calling Elizabeth Warren.
But Elizabeth would most likely lose big and Democrats cannot lose the White House in 2016. I am truly disgusted with Hillary for putting Americans at risk with this nonsense because if Republicans win, all of us but the .01% will suffer. But yet who will step up and say, "Yes, I'll run".?
So incredibly stupid and dangerous for America. Unfortunately, I think we need her to beat Jeb. The thought of another Bush in the White House makes me even sicker than Hillary being there.
2
So Hillary takes money from foreign governments in the name of charity and funnels part of it to her daughter who gets a huge lavish salary at the Clinton Foundation. So correct me if I'm wrong, why can't other government officials collect money and give it to their children?
Also whenever, any of her friends or aides needed money (getting pregnant etc ) for doing no work, Hillary parked them at the Clinton foundation and paid them hundreds of thousands of $ for "for working from home".
Huma Abedin is just one example. The Clinton foundation operated as a private slush fund, enabling the Clintons to reward their friends and allies with large sums of money collected for "charity". True, 90% may have been spent for charity. But the remaining 10% of billions and billions was a piggy bank for the Clintons.
If she becomes the dem nominee, Republicans will ask for the foundations payrolls (which will no doubt burn down or become "lost")
Also whenever, any of her friends or aides needed money (getting pregnant etc ) for doing no work, Hillary parked them at the Clinton foundation and paid them hundreds of thousands of $ for "for working from home".
Huma Abedin is just one example. The Clinton foundation operated as a private slush fund, enabling the Clintons to reward their friends and allies with large sums of money collected for "charity". True, 90% may have been spent for charity. But the remaining 10% of billions and billions was a piggy bank for the Clintons.
If she becomes the dem nominee, Republicans will ask for the foundations payrolls (which will no doubt burn down or become "lost")
8
Hillary and Bill are always starring in their own real-life version of Netflix's "House of Cards" and everybody has got to be sick of their drama and see through them. But no other democrat is going to be able to raise more money to win the nomination. I am predicting a win for the Republicans in 2016, because independents decide the election and they are going to want a fresh face. Out of the Republican contenders, Jeb is the only realistic possibility, even with his dunce of a brother.
2
Something doesn't add up here.
Where were the State Department lawyers telling the Secretary she was violating rules by using a private email account?
Where were the recipients of those emails (foreign ambassadors, diplomats, heads of states) showing concern when they received official State Department emails from "[email protected]?
And where were the Republicans in all this who surely knew what was going on given their fetish for investigating Benghazi?
Why are we only hearing of this now?
Where were the State Department lawyers telling the Secretary she was violating rules by using a private email account?
Where were the recipients of those emails (foreign ambassadors, diplomats, heads of states) showing concern when they received official State Department emails from "[email protected]?
And where were the Republicans in all this who surely knew what was going on given their fetish for investigating Benghazi?
Why are we only hearing of this now?
6
We have all been programmed to have a death wish... after all, evolution cannot proceed unless we are replaced by a succeeding generation. However, to the degree that we have suffered psychological trauma during our development, we all also harbor varying degrees of self hatred and act on this unconsciously to our detriment. Those who've suffered effective parental abandonment are especially prone to this behavioral defect, although they often try to mask it with fraudulently grandiose self images. Ultimately, however, all narcissists suffer the same fate as the mythological character for which their particular psychological impairment is named. Worse yet, those who manage to claw their way to political leadership tend to be exactly those who fit this profile. We just have to pray that they don't take down the whole country
2
No more Clintons or Bushes. If a country with a hundred million people can't come up with a President who doesn't have either of those last names then God help us all.
6
Please Senator Warren read this article!
4
General Petreus was charged with a crime for sharing secret info with one person who also had security clearance. Did Hillary commit a similar crime? Almost certainly via her private accounts secreted from public view. She must be mandated to release every email from her private accounts so independent forces can get to the bottom of what her nefarious behavior was hiding. Since she used these accounts for all State Dept. business, ALL her emails are government property, not hers. Free Hillary's Email! Power to the people, or something.
2
The Clintons are the classic "Do as I say not what I do" elitist. They are both self serving, social climbers that should be banished from public office forever. I have no doubts that she raised donations for the Clinton Foundation by using her Secretary of State title. They will always think that they are Arkansas poor when the truth is, is that they'll never run out of money.
Couple of con artists..
Couple of con artists..
5
Dear Mr. Bruni,
Ms. Clinton is running for something?
Let her declare her candidacy and have done with it.
Until such a time as the "Clinton Dynasty" decides to enter the race officially, why not stop reporting on her candidacy/non candidacy/raising money anyway?
Once more, it seems the "lesser of two evils" is not only slightly less "evil" than potential opponents but equally "incompetent" as potential rivals, Scott Walker excluded as he throws the whole GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE "curve of stupidity" completely out of whack.
Do you think she'll run in 2020? Maybe her grandchild will be ready or maybe another Democratic Dynasty, the Kennedys, will have a shining, new electable face by then.
Or maybe, just maybe, some 3rd party will give us a "real" candidate. Not a chance; I might just as well believe in the "Easter Bunny".
The game's rigged, the rich own the country and both parties pander to the wealthy.
And endless speculation by the media on non declared candidates just reinforces this whole charade.
Ms. Clinton is running for something?
Let her declare her candidacy and have done with it.
Until such a time as the "Clinton Dynasty" decides to enter the race officially, why not stop reporting on her candidacy/non candidacy/raising money anyway?
Once more, it seems the "lesser of two evils" is not only slightly less "evil" than potential opponents but equally "incompetent" as potential rivals, Scott Walker excluded as he throws the whole GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE "curve of stupidity" completely out of whack.
Do you think she'll run in 2020? Maybe her grandchild will be ready or maybe another Democratic Dynasty, the Kennedys, will have a shining, new electable face by then.
Or maybe, just maybe, some 3rd party will give us a "real" candidate. Not a chance; I might just as well believe in the "Easter Bunny".
The game's rigged, the rich own the country and both parties pander to the wealthy.
And endless speculation by the media on non declared candidates just reinforces this whole charade.
2
Hillary’s Achilles Heel has always been Hillary.
2
The irony is that the only apparent Democratic candidate for President in 2016 is Hillary Clinton who appears to be running against herself and is losing! Email-gate is just the latest in the seemingly endless line of Clinton missteps and messy psychodrama. Do we really want a campaign focused on the Benghazi "smoking gun" email rather than the important issues still facing the nation? The question we must ask is Hillary really "Ready for Hillary"? Right now, the answer is "no."
2
"Is that entitlement? Or hubris?
An inability to change? Or a refusal to?"
All of the above, hence the imperial demands, the imperious demeanor. The law requiring archiving of govt emails went into effect in 2009. HRC knowingly violated the law from the get-go. All of the nation's top diplomat's e-mails were run through a privately owned service, on servers far less secure than the State Dept's. This exposed an immense amount of e-comms from & to the Secretary of State to hacking by … Russia, China, N.Korea and other nations that have corps of excellent hackers (as does the US). Exposing US national security to so much risk should disqualify HRC from ever holding govt office again. The greatest favor she could do the nation is not announce her candidacy, but retire quietly, and allow other Dems to seek the nomination, others who have not endangered the national security … nor devoted so much energy to personal enrichment cashing in on access, or the promise thereof.
An inability to change? Or a refusal to?"
All of the above, hence the imperial demands, the imperious demeanor. The law requiring archiving of govt emails went into effect in 2009. HRC knowingly violated the law from the get-go. All of the nation's top diplomat's e-mails were run through a privately owned service, on servers far less secure than the State Dept's. This exposed an immense amount of e-comms from & to the Secretary of State to hacking by … Russia, China, N.Korea and other nations that have corps of excellent hackers (as does the US). Exposing US national security to so much risk should disqualify HRC from ever holding govt office again. The greatest favor she could do the nation is not announce her candidacy, but retire quietly, and allow other Dems to seek the nomination, others who have not endangered the national security … nor devoted so much energy to personal enrichment cashing in on access, or the promise thereof.
3
Now that Hillary is toast, the Democrats better find a candidate in a hurry.
1
Please someone name one just one accomplishment Hillary made as first lady?, or one piece of important legislation that has her name on it while senator?, and flying millions of miles is not an accomplishment as everything she touched as sec. of state has left the world in fine condition.
So what are her qualifications?
Progressives would do well to choose someone else!
So what are her qualifications?
Progressives would do well to choose someone else!
5
Wouldn't HRC's use of personal email make all of it subject to subpoena, even those that were deleted (which would be available on the email provider's server)?
1
Fascist attacks on HIllary Clinton?
How remarkable.
Can it be true?
Have we found a new star in our solar system?
Does vodka run from water faucets?
What new miracles of political science may occur?
Let's get real. Whoever represents all the people...and that is only the President....will be attacked viciously and relentlessly.
And that is because the Koch Brothers are two blind men followed by legions of knuckle dragging sloths.
The Democrats, who oppose these wannabe Mussolinis, are now ten to twenty million in number stronger than the number the Bircher boys have in their entourage.
Even with gerrymandering, vote-repressing maneuvers and paid election officials, they can't win a Presidential election.
Whomever they see as the Democratic candidate or the President will not only be attacked but will be ridiculed for being a different skin color or a different gender.
The history of the reaction to oppression is very clear. If I were the Koch Brothers, I would end it now...take my huge earnings and go back to the oil field.
Otherwise the next time will be no different from 1789 or 1917. Trust me, if the Czars couldn't protect themselves, the Kochs and their allies don't have a prayer.
A Republican President, steered into office, could create a reaction that would make ISIS look like a bachelor party.
HIllary is a walking time bomb to the Kochs.
You don't let an atom bomb walk around without trying to diffuse it.
8
If Clinton, then Bush.
The one and only path for Jeb Bush, or probably any other Republican, to get to the presidency is if Hillary Clinton gets the Democratic nomination. This is why you see so many GOP hats in the ring.
These will not be the mid-terms. They never are. Voter turnout favors Democrats in presidential years.
Unfortunately for the Democrat Party no competition will be allowed, or rather, tolerated. By now, barring the unforeseen, the first part is nearly written in the stars.
Other than the realistically unelectable Warren, is there no one else? Is there no one who is unafraid of the consequences of mounting a challenge?
The one and only path for Jeb Bush, or probably any other Republican, to get to the presidency is if Hillary Clinton gets the Democratic nomination. This is why you see so many GOP hats in the ring.
These will not be the mid-terms. They never are. Voter turnout favors Democrats in presidential years.
Unfortunately for the Democrat Party no competition will be allowed, or rather, tolerated. By now, barring the unforeseen, the first part is nearly written in the stars.
Other than the realistically unelectable Warren, is there no one else? Is there no one who is unafraid of the consequences of mounting a challenge?
3
"There’s pushback from her defenders over how rare this really was. There are explanations and information still to come."
How about noting that the regulations requiring the use of a government email address went into effect in late November 2014 when President Obama signed H.R. 1233, modernizing the Federal Records Act of 1950 to include electronic communications? It was signed two years after Clinton stepped down.
Please tell us how former Secretary of State Colin Powell's use of a private email address was any different from Hillary Clinton's.
Look, I am not a big Hillary Clinton fan. But the Times should not be shooting from the hip with a supposed "news" story about an important political figure. Ascertain all the relevant facts before reporting. Of course Republicans are having a field day with an irresponsible New York Times headline.
How about noting that the regulations requiring the use of a government email address went into effect in late November 2014 when President Obama signed H.R. 1233, modernizing the Federal Records Act of 1950 to include electronic communications? It was signed two years after Clinton stepped down.
Please tell us how former Secretary of State Colin Powell's use of a private email address was any different from Hillary Clinton's.
Look, I am not a big Hillary Clinton fan. But the Times should not be shooting from the hip with a supposed "news" story about an important political figure. Ascertain all the relevant facts before reporting. Of course Republicans are having a field day with an irresponsible New York Times headline.
6
The rules explicitly requiring the all emails relating to work by the SS be on government servers be on government accounts went into place after Clinton left according tomUSS Today. St. Colin Powell did not used governenrt email either. (Condi did not use email.)
As for the fund raising - it is the Clinton Global Initiative, not the Clinton US Initiative. Its mission is to get leaders from around the world to use their influence and money to make the world a better place which the CGI definitely does. I guess the East Coast wags would have preferred the Clintons use their influence to take money for promoting the Reverene Sun Myong Moon like Poppy and Bar did. Or donate funds for a reading program with the requirement that the schools buy their kid's readinf program the way Bar did. Or maybe you would have preferred it Bill had just stayed home and painted himself in the bathtub and give speeches to businesses for big money for his own benefit?
As for the fund raising - it is the Clinton Global Initiative, not the Clinton US Initiative. Its mission is to get leaders from around the world to use their influence and money to make the world a better place which the CGI definitely does. I guess the East Coast wags would have preferred the Clintons use their influence to take money for promoting the Reverene Sun Myong Moon like Poppy and Bar did. Or donate funds for a reading program with the requirement that the schools buy their kid's readinf program the way Bar did. Or maybe you would have preferred it Bill had just stayed home and painted himself in the bathtub and give speeches to businesses for big money for his own benefit?
7
Picture Bill as the First Man of the White House. I think it would be a first. It is going to be a relief when the primarys begin so that the electorate can view the candidates positions on both sides. Interesting article.
Maybe it's just a propensity for shooting themselves in the foot.
1
Do you really have to analyze this? Is this really that important? I have two emails maybe even three. It saves me from a lot of hassles and diverts a lot of unnecessary emails. It also protects my identity at times. Makes me feel good that Hilary seems to be doing the same thing. I would bet even money that "every" politician is doing this!!
2
This article is exactly why I read the times. Great analogy, excellent logic, witty ending. btw, its all four. They're just that crazy.
Let's compare the Bush family wealth against the Clintons' or how about Mitt Romney's wealth.
I'd say it must be about new money versus old. Give me a break.
I'd say it must be about new money versus old. Give me a break.
1
This reads like award show runway dish!
What was the clue that she wasn't using .gov email; the fact that she didn't get caught out in the wikileaks exposures?
What was the clue that she wasn't using .gov email; the fact that she didn't get caught out in the wikileaks exposures?
1
Here we go again. The conservative spin machine on double overdrive whenever the name Clinton comes up. Hillary did nothing arrogant OR illegal. The e-mails are or should be on State Department servers. Hillary is the most qualified candidate and the Republicans have no one close to comparable. They will toss dirt and innuendo at her just as they have done with Presidents Clinton and Obama.
8
Unfortunately, this is but a mere taste of what the country is in store should Ms. Clinton run for--and become--president. Regardless of her appropriateness for the position, and even if she were to win the nomination by a thorough and challenging nomination process, it will not make one bit of difference to a conservative echo chamber that lives in its own hateful reality.
If you think the last eight years of relentless, thinly cloaked racism was tiring, wait until we have to deal with four or eight years of relentless, thinly cloaked sexism. In a better world, Ms. Clinton would be able to stand on and be judged by her many amazing accomplishments. But if the last eight years have demonstrated anything, it is that we don't live in that world.
If you think the last eight years of relentless, thinly cloaked racism was tiring, wait until we have to deal with four or eight years of relentless, thinly cloaked sexism. In a better world, Ms. Clinton would be able to stand on and be judged by her many amazing accomplishments. But if the last eight years have demonstrated anything, it is that we don't live in that world.
3
This is hard to fathom. She kept this up as the Benghazi witch hunt played to a receptive Republican audience. She new she'd be running for president once more. Why would she do it?
1
HRC deserves unrestrained criticism for her handling of State Department emails, but the Clintons' speaking fees and the "coddling" Bruni references are de rigeur for many major officials of both political parties after they leave office, and her contract varies little in its requirements from what other individuals of her stature (from a variety of fields) request.
29
I find this whole mess so disheartening. At this point, we should be hearing a lot more about Hillarys plans and agenda for America. Unless she plans not to run.
Because this coy game shes playing about something pretty serious --a run for the presidency and a chance to make history--is getting old fast. The "will I or Won't I" candidate is facing a huge scandal even before she declares. Come on Hillary: you're teasing your supporters.
She should make her decision and get rid of this imbroglio in person. She should speak out and maintain her dignity as she does it. She should take responsibility for managing political expectations she herself has created. She should decide what kind of candidate she wants to be and start acting as such.
Or bow out and let others step up to the plate. We are tired of Clinton messes that detract from the Democratic vision for America. There are problems to be solved out here and we need a scandal free leader to deal with them.
Because this coy game shes playing about something pretty serious --a run for the presidency and a chance to make history--is getting old fast. The "will I or Won't I" candidate is facing a huge scandal even before she declares. Come on Hillary: you're teasing your supporters.
She should make her decision and get rid of this imbroglio in person. She should speak out and maintain her dignity as she does it. She should take responsibility for managing political expectations she herself has created. She should decide what kind of candidate she wants to be and start acting as such.
Or bow out and let others step up to the plate. We are tired of Clinton messes that detract from the Democratic vision for America. There are problems to be solved out here and we need a scandal free leader to deal with them.
144
What rubbish. The Schmidt piece ignored the fact the law
changed AFTER she left office. The Clinton Rules [no rules]
are baaack, big time.
The head of archives says she complied with the law.
What's messy is Bruni's argument. Ah, Times doing the dirty
work for Republicans. Back to the nineties.
it never ends
changed AFTER she left office. The Clinton Rules [no rules]
are baaack, big time.
The head of archives says she complied with the law.
What's messy is Bruni's argument. Ah, Times doing the dirty
work for Republicans. Back to the nineties.
it never ends
9
On top of using personal email exclusively in violation of existing regulations she apparently compounded them by failing to turn those emails over to the State Department as things went along; and that apparently has continued long after leaving office until under great pressure she turned at least some over. Not good. Not good. Not clear if she even segregated her official email in a file in her personal account.
2
"Can Hillary, of all Democrats, persuasively style herself as a champion of the struggling middle class?"
No she can't as she isn't a champion of the struggling middle class. Currently she shills for Wall Street and for Big Oil: http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/09/hillary-clinton-fracking-... .
If I wanted someone with Hillary's values I could have voted for Romney. The Democrats have a rich field of potential candidates -- Warren, Sanders, Brown -- who will actually stand up for the middle class but the DNC, lacking both the vision and backbone, looks only at the Republican-lite Hillary. Very sad.
No she can't as she isn't a champion of the struggling middle class. Currently she shills for Wall Street and for Big Oil: http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/09/hillary-clinton-fracking-... .
If I wanted someone with Hillary's values I could have voted for Romney. The Democrats have a rich field of potential candidates -- Warren, Sanders, Brown -- who will actually stand up for the middle class but the DNC, lacking both the vision and backbone, looks only at the Republican-lite Hillary. Very sad.
5
What about Bills messy habits of signing bills and acts that further Republican agendas like the Defense of Marriage Act or repealing the Glass Steagal resuolution that set the stage for the biggest recession since the Great Depression"
6
Didin't Powell just say that he used his personal e-mail account while Secretary of State? And didn't I just read somewhere that this was routine among secretaries of state since e-mail became routine and that it was forbidden only recently, while Kerry was Secretary, and that it wasn't illegal while Clinton was using it?
Most of her predecessors equally messy?
Most of her predecessors equally messy?
11
Its unacceptable that the Obama Administration and the Clintons are so enamored with soliciting big donors and then wrapping that and much more in a veil of secrecy. However the W. Bush crowd and the Koch brothers have operated in the same manner on a far grander - and more dangerous - scale. There is a tsunami of Koch cash coming in 2016 that will make Hillary's warchest seem like a Mason jar of pennies.
6
Just another day in the (unethical and self serving) life of the Clintons! How convenient - another way to shield government affairs from prying eyes. The press should be outraged and ashamed at the same time!
But instead, it will be: Nothing here folks, just move along.
But instead, it will be: Nothing here folks, just move along.
7
Frank, would you rather have Rand Paul and the Koch brothers residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?
Even if the Clintons only smiled and said to have a nice day, they would be criticized for doing something nefarious.
Even if the Clintons only smiled and said to have a nice day, they would be criticized for doing something nefarious.
11
Hillary needs to commit. Say yes or no. Let the Democratic Party get on with electioneering. This email debacle is exactly what the Republicans need to put wedges in her candidacy.
Her remoteness has turned me off. At this time, candidates are few because she has tied the process in a knot, The nation needs to hear from her.
Hillary, what are you planning to do?
Her remoteness has turned me off. At this time, candidates are few because she has tied the process in a knot, The nation needs to hear from her.
Hillary, what are you planning to do?
6
Hillary has said,
“Why do I have to keep proving to
people that I'm not a liar?!"
Hillary Congenital Clinton Lies:
She “removed” a boatload of stuff from the White
House and called it a clerical error, returning everything.
She didn’t know that her staff would fire the travel
staff….after she told them to do so.
She lied about her missing billing records which
“showed up” on their own.
She was “always” a Yankees Ball team fan when she was
running for NY senator.
She lied as a member of the house judiciary
committee.
She lied about flying into Bosnia under sniper fire
but admitted to the falsehood later on.
She misrepresented her record opposing the Iraq
war—when she actually voted for it.
She lied about being named after Sir Edmund Hillary.
She lied about her role in passing Family and Medical
Leave Act.
She lied about the “uninsured” woman who died after
childbirth.
Like we asked of Nixon;
Would you buy a used car from her?"
“Why do I have to keep proving to
people that I'm not a liar?!"
Hillary Congenital Clinton Lies:
She “removed” a boatload of stuff from the White
House and called it a clerical error, returning everything.
She didn’t know that her staff would fire the travel
staff….after she told them to do so.
She lied about her missing billing records which
“showed up” on their own.
She was “always” a Yankees Ball team fan when she was
running for NY senator.
She lied as a member of the house judiciary
committee.
She lied about flying into Bosnia under sniper fire
but admitted to the falsehood later on.
She misrepresented her record opposing the Iraq
war—when she actually voted for it.
She lied about being named after Sir Edmund Hillary.
She lied about her role in passing Family and Medical
Leave Act.
She lied about the “uninsured” woman who died after
childbirth.
Like we asked of Nixon;
Would you buy a used car from her?"
11
Hillary is just one of the candidates who demonstrate the current political paradigm prevalent in both parties—well funded politicians beholden to the corporations and PACs that fund them. A symptom many in the aristocracy demonstrate—the rules do not apply to them. Rules only apply to the plebeian society. For the aristocracy it is not about rules or representing a constituency, it is about maintaining/increasing the income stream to maintain (really gain) power.
The new twist I had not heard until reading Mr. Bruni’s article is the ostensible qualification for political office—being “vetted like nobody’s ever been vetted, with no surprises left.” I imagine Mr. Bruni is being partially facetious, but has he actually touched on the new litmus test—candidacy based on huge cash flow and having “All the skeletons…tugged from the Clintons’ labyrinthine closets?” All I can say is YIKES.
To answer your questions Mr. Bruni—Is that entitlement? Or hubris? It is both, but power and privilege make it impossible for the nobility to understand these concepts or care about the answer.
An inability to change? Or a refusal to? Silly journalist, it is not up to her to change—it is up to all of us!
The new twist I had not heard until reading Mr. Bruni’s article is the ostensible qualification for political office—being “vetted like nobody’s ever been vetted, with no surprises left.” I imagine Mr. Bruni is being partially facetious, but has he actually touched on the new litmus test—candidacy based on huge cash flow and having “All the skeletons…tugged from the Clintons’ labyrinthine closets?” All I can say is YIKES.
To answer your questions Mr. Bruni—Is that entitlement? Or hubris? It is both, but power and privilege make it impossible for the nobility to understand these concepts or care about the answer.
An inability to change? Or a refusal to? Silly journalist, it is not up to her to change—it is up to all of us!
1
I appreciate this critique of Hillary Clinon. My only criticism is that if Clinton were are a Republican, you would have flat-out stated that she had disqualified herself from being president.
5
The R's were all over Hillary Clinton for using a personal email account while she was Secy of State. I agree that she and Bill have endured some "messy" habits over the years, but why is it alright for former Secy of State Colin Powell to have used a personal email account and not Hillary? Oh, I get it - she's a Democrat running for president in 2016. It may become one of the "messiest" campaign cycles we've seen in our history.
17
How many times must it be stated that the law requiring use of government email accounts did not become effective until two years after she left office.
30
In 2009, the National Archives issued regulations that said agencies allowing employees to do official business on nonofficial email accounts had to ensure that any records sent on private email systems are preserved “in the appropriate agency recordkeeping system.”
An AOL or Yahoo! server is not an appropriate record keeping system.
An AOL or Yahoo! server is not an appropriate record keeping system.
1
Don't be so sure that this will turn out to be such a big deal.
Yes, it's certainly against good rules that mean to preserve official documents; and because these emails appear to be accessible, where they were preserved, only at the pleasure of Clinton vetters or the Clintons themselves, Hillary will enjoy an advantage of protection that perhaps no other cabinet secretary ever has -- protection against discovery that she said something dumb, or promised one thing and failed to deliver it, or even colluded with others to do something decidedly un-nice.
Great to have such protection, but it appears that she's the only one who gets to enjoy it: even the president is very careful about obeying these rules -- if you want to have a private communication, you invite the other party to the White House and take a stroll in the Rose Garden (covering your mouths as you speak).
However, this could be a tactic to get the controversy out there so that it burns itself out before the fun and games begin in 2016. The problem is that every few months something ELSE turns up with the Clintons. We STILL haven't really gotten to the bottom of that mess with the Haiti aid operation. The grist for an attack ad in 2016 that just goes on interminably with all the scandals is inexhaustible.
But the point Frank brings up in suggesting finding another electable candidate that could cause the Clintons to finally grow up is a good one: certainly not Elizabeth Warren ... but perhaps Andrew Cuomo?
Yes, it's certainly against good rules that mean to preserve official documents; and because these emails appear to be accessible, where they were preserved, only at the pleasure of Clinton vetters or the Clintons themselves, Hillary will enjoy an advantage of protection that perhaps no other cabinet secretary ever has -- protection against discovery that she said something dumb, or promised one thing and failed to deliver it, or even colluded with others to do something decidedly un-nice.
Great to have such protection, but it appears that she's the only one who gets to enjoy it: even the president is very careful about obeying these rules -- if you want to have a private communication, you invite the other party to the White House and take a stroll in the Rose Garden (covering your mouths as you speak).
However, this could be a tactic to get the controversy out there so that it burns itself out before the fun and games begin in 2016. The problem is that every few months something ELSE turns up with the Clintons. We STILL haven't really gotten to the bottom of that mess with the Haiti aid operation. The grist for an attack ad in 2016 that just goes on interminably with all the scandals is inexhaustible.
But the point Frank brings up in suggesting finding another electable candidate that could cause the Clintons to finally grow up is a good one: certainly not Elizabeth Warren ... but perhaps Andrew Cuomo?
10
Mr. Bruni seems to be talking about Secretary Clinton's electability. Her speaking fees, her terms for engagements, her requirements for how she will be transported and housed say every bit as much about those who pay as she who sells. And I don't have a problem with it. Sure, I'm always intrigued by a public personality who eschews luxury and high compensation. But it's not on my list of requirements for a President. I'm not disabled, yet I have compassion for disabled persons and try to understand how their lives are affected. I'm not poor, yet I have compassion for the poor and support efforts to help them. As long as Secretary Clinton is compassionate, intelligent, puts "country" ahead of "self" in dealings with others, and respects what makes our country great as she tries to reduce our failings, I will be delighted to give her my vote and defend her against personal attacks from the fringes of either party. It took President Obama's two-and-one-half terms to crystalize in my mind how essential "country before self" is for governing. If he had been less about "I" and "me", not constantly curling his lip in a dogfights with adversaries -- in short, if he had been the President of the whole U.S. and not mostly just of the Democratic Party in an unending campaign -- I think that sadly, the outcome would have been much the same. That's how crazy the kamikaze Tea Party is and how paralyzed the Republican moderates have been. But it wouldn't have been as polarizing.
37
The lowest-level government functionary knows that no government business should be transacted from anything except a government-issued email address. These rules aren’t new. Given how obvious this is, it means either Clinton was oblivious (bad) or made a calculated decision to violate this rule (worse).
90
Don't we have more important things to be concerned about than this nonsense.
I would like to know more about Mrs. Clinton's [as well as the other presidential contenders in each party] views on foreign policy and domestic economic policy.
We still have an intolerably high unemployment rate. [see Applebaum's column]
Wall Street is ripping off savers [see Eduardo Porter's column].
Will the candidates support needed financial regulations.
Will the candidates support the fiscal policy needed to revive the economy.
Which regulations will they support.
Which fiscal policies will they support.
I would like to know more about Mrs. Clinton's [as well as the other presidential contenders in each party] views on foreign policy and domestic economic policy.
We still have an intolerably high unemployment rate. [see Applebaum's column]
Wall Street is ripping off savers [see Eduardo Porter's column].
Will the candidates support needed financial regulations.
Will the candidates support the fiscal policy needed to revive the economy.
Which regulations will they support.
Which fiscal policies will they support.
11
Perhaps we all just came to accept a Hillary Clinton candidacy for 2016. This use of a private email account in her role at State seems puzzling, but it may have had its purposes. I wonder now if she still intends to run or act as king / queen maker instead. When I read the NYT story yesterday, I thought about how Fox would treat the same story. Never the ones to disappoint, Fox was ruthless and insulting. It made me want Hillary as president .
4
It just may be that raising tons of money well in advance of 2016 will not create inevitability for either Jeb Bush or Hillary Clinton. That being the case, viable Democratic alternatives (and there are several) should get in the game while there is still some oxygen in the room.
1
The gold standard for the venal, the queen of entitlement. Time for another choice that at least isn't an embarrassment.
5
We need NEITHER another Clinton nor Bush in the White House. There are entirely too many better candidates to consider
19
Mr. Bruni wrote an amazing opinion about Hillary and how she operate a la Clinton mode - right on the line. This continues with the email revelations and I suspect this was full deliberate especially since she suspected she would take a breather from government to prepare for her Presidential run. It's quite sad that Hillary is perceived to be the only woman who could attain the Presidency and as such gets attacked relentlessly, especially by her political opponents. But much of what Mr. Bruni addresses - the Clinton modus operandi is what Hillary bashers target - it the Clinton practice of living on the line and never asking for permission and falling back on asking for our forgiveness. It's not Hillary the woman I detest, it's the Hillary Clinton snake-oil I detest. There are plenty of worthy women who are Presidential material - I hope several are able to toss their hat into the big ring!
9
You'd think Hillary would do and would have done everything possible to distance herself from scandal. It's the last thing any of the Clintons need and it's the last thing any supporters want.
8
"The dominant figure at the Conservative Political Action Conference ... was Hillary Clinton in absentia" I know this article was about the Clinton proclivity to flout rules and established norms, but what I took away from it was how much conservatives just hate Hillary. They hate her almost as much as they hate Barak Obama, who they hate just a little more than they hate Bill. Conservatives don't just disagree with them on issues and policies, they hate them.
It reminds me of a time I went to a baseball game in Boston. The Red Sox were playing the Detroit Tigers but the fans were chanting "Yankees suck, Yankees suck". Winning the game against the team they were plauing easn't enough for them. They had a need to chant a vulgarism about the team they hate.
Some teams, some politicians just seem to get in the other side's head. Some heads are a lot easier to get inside than others.
It reminds me of a time I went to a baseball game in Boston. The Red Sox were playing the Detroit Tigers but the fans were chanting "Yankees suck, Yankees suck". Winning the game against the team they were plauing easn't enough for them. They had a need to chant a vulgarism about the team they hate.
Some teams, some politicians just seem to get in the other side's head. Some heads are a lot easier to get inside than others.
7
A liberal writer in a liberal newspaper criticizes Hillary Clinton, and your takeaway is "how much conservatives just hate Hillary"? Perhaps you should re-read the article and then read the accompanying comments.
1
Is Hillary really the best that the Democrats can field? Is a Democratic victory really worth her being in office? Really? Can all of the grubby behaviors really be overlooked against the goal of not having a Republican in the White House?
Sad. So terribly sad.
Sad. So terribly sad.
23
Anything is better than a Republican in office, presiding over the odious GOP congress. Anything.
1
Well said. Whether it's arrogance or ignorance, disqualification gets closer and closer. I used to be a Hillary fan (of sorts). I only hope the GOP can float a candidate that provides an election where I don't have to vote for the lesser of two evils.
Ironic that Hillary generates so much animosity from conservatives when her positions are consistently right of center. Obviously Republicans despise her - that doesn't matter - it's a question of whether liberals decide that we deserve better.
14
Amen! The Clintons have cultivated diligently that aura of being persecuted by Republicans for a long time. The hide behind it all their Republicans leanings or their lack of real Democratic policies. They are both masters at political distraction.
1
Brilliant today Bruni: "... their permanent address is on the fault line where defiance meets self destruction.” The question is, whom do the Dems have as alternates?
As much as I respect Elizabeth Warren, her brand needs centering and patina to be ready for prime time. Joe B's foot will never stay clear of his mouth long enough to cut it.
There's an anxious feeling in my solar plexus going by the name of Bush. Please. Not again.
As much as I respect Elizabeth Warren, her brand needs centering and patina to be ready for prime time. Joe B's foot will never stay clear of his mouth long enough to cut it.
There's an anxious feeling in my solar plexus going by the name of Bush. Please. Not again.
16
Mr Bruni
Remember when the Rose Law Firm files showed up in the private residence 2 1/2 years after they were reported missing? What was their explaination. There really wasn't any at all
What concerns me is how many of these emails that she sent to companies doing business with rhe State Department resulted in these companies making donations to the Clinton Foundation. GE donated over $900,000. One hand washes the other apparently
Not only did she personally profit from business but she ignored Obama's mandate that foundation stop taking donations from foreign governments. They took over $500,000 from Algeria
Also, does anyone actually believe that the Clinton team will turn over all the emails? If they do I would be shocked. They are going to purge them just do like Obama did with Fast and Furious The fact is Hillary thinks she is above the law and always has. And for those who think she is a seasoned politician can answer me this. Why does she keep making rookie mistakes? (1)being dead broke when they left the White House (2) businesses and corporations do not create jobs
The fact is the Foundation had already accepted the money even before her comfermation hearing started
Remember when the Rose Law Firm files showed up in the private residence 2 1/2 years after they were reported missing? What was their explaination. There really wasn't any at all
What concerns me is how many of these emails that she sent to companies doing business with rhe State Department resulted in these companies making donations to the Clinton Foundation. GE donated over $900,000. One hand washes the other apparently
Not only did she personally profit from business but she ignored Obama's mandate that foundation stop taking donations from foreign governments. They took over $500,000 from Algeria
Also, does anyone actually believe that the Clinton team will turn over all the emails? If they do I would be shocked. They are going to purge them just do like Obama did with Fast and Furious The fact is Hillary thinks she is above the law and always has. And for those who think she is a seasoned politician can answer me this. Why does she keep making rookie mistakes? (1)being dead broke when they left the White House (2) businesses and corporations do not create jobs
The fact is the Foundation had already accepted the money even before her comfermation hearing started
9
There needs to be a Democratic challenger for the presidential run. Hillary Clinton has all the baggage of Bill Clinton but lacks the common touch and charm. The arrogance and lack of transparency is not going to play well with the independent voters and she will lose the election.
208
The Clintons are never easy to defend. As Mr. Bruni aptly notes, they are their worst enemies.
However, it is anywhere between amusing and infuriating to read Senator Cruz's comment. Does he not recall St. Reagan, his and the GOP's anointed one, getting $2 million as speaking fee from Japan? How soon they forget.
However, it is anywhere between amusing and infuriating to read Senator Cruz's comment. Does he not recall St. Reagan, his and the GOP's anointed one, getting $2 million as speaking fee from Japan? How soon they forget.
201
Don't worry. She'll claim that all the bad press about her is a "vast right-wing conspiracy". And the Clinton machine will kick in with its usual savagery. I'm begging the Democratic Party -- please find another candidate...Hillary is profoundly flawed.
24
A couple of points, Frank. First, the emails she sent to government officials/agencies are stored on their servers so not all correspondence is lost. There have been so many republican investigations into Benghazi I'm a bit surprised this hasn't come up before. So how much of a problem is this?
Second. I'm pretty sure none of us would ever get to read them no matter where they're saved. I recently watched CitizenFour about Edward Snowden and the NSA. One of the main points was, we have become a system of rulers and the ruled, not of the elected and electors, a consequence of the fact that 'they' can read our emails but we will never see theirs.
This situation got out of hand a long time ago and it may be impossible to put the Genie back in the bottle. Excoriate Hillary if you must but don't try to convince me that she's the only one.
Second. I'm pretty sure none of us would ever get to read them no matter where they're saved. I recently watched CitizenFour about Edward Snowden and the NSA. One of the main points was, we have become a system of rulers and the ruled, not of the elected and electors, a consequence of the fact that 'they' can read our emails but we will never see theirs.
This situation got out of hand a long time ago and it may be impossible to put the Genie back in the bottle. Excoriate Hillary if you must but don't try to convince me that she's the only one.
5
The story is creeping forward. As to the notion that her emails to recipients at State were captured at the other end, Gawker (yeah, who do we trust these days?) had this:
"But according to a knowledgeable source, at least two other top Clinton aides also used private email accounts to conduct government business—placing their official communications outside the scope of federal record-keeping regulations.
...
The source named two staffers in particular, Philippe Reines and Huma Abedin, who are said to have used private email addresses in the course of their agency duties. Reines served as deputy assistant secretary of state, and Abedin as Clinton’s deputy chief of staff."
And in a new story, the Times reports that:
Using Private Email, Hillary Clinton Thwarted Record Requests
"WASHINGTON — In 2012, congressional investigators asked the State Department for a wide range of documents related to the attack on the United States diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. The department eventually responded, furnishing House committees with thousands of documents.
But it turns out that that was not everything.
The State Department had not searched the email account of former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton because she had maintained a private account, which shielded it from such searches, department officials acknowledged on Tuesday."
"But according to a knowledgeable source, at least two other top Clinton aides also used private email accounts to conduct government business—placing their official communications outside the scope of federal record-keeping regulations.
...
The source named two staffers in particular, Philippe Reines and Huma Abedin, who are said to have used private email addresses in the course of their agency duties. Reines served as deputy assistant secretary of state, and Abedin as Clinton’s deputy chief of staff."
And in a new story, the Times reports that:
Using Private Email, Hillary Clinton Thwarted Record Requests
"WASHINGTON — In 2012, congressional investigators asked the State Department for a wide range of documents related to the attack on the United States diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. The department eventually responded, furnishing House committees with thousands of documents.
But it turns out that that was not everything.
The State Department had not searched the email account of former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton because she had maintained a private account, which shielded it from such searches, department officials acknowledged on Tuesday."
Thank you, Mr. Bruni. If there ever was a teachable moment connected with this recurring Groundhog Day, this is it. And not just for Bill and Hill, but for their enablers, like the head of IT and General Counsel at State, who I guess were so smitten with Madame's stunning pant-suits that they abetted her evasion of federal law, violation of administrative code and departure from security protocol ever day of her career. I'm guessing they will soon pay a price for unbridled loyalty and dereliction of legal duty.
As for Madame S, the lady is simply toast. Rejoice or mourn, you don't do stuff like that and expect it not to stick like Velcro, flypaper and super glue combined. I can write the Republican attack ads in my sleep and I'm not even a Republican. ('Yes, she's that arrogant' is my favorite so far, with 'Leona and I agree - laws are for little people' a close second).
Time for Democrats to take a very deep breath, bite hard on the lemon, and get busy finding some other standard-bearer. This one ain't it.
As for Madame S, the lady is simply toast. Rejoice or mourn, you don't do stuff like that and expect it not to stick like Velcro, flypaper and super glue combined. I can write the Republican attack ads in my sleep and I'm not even a Republican. ('Yes, she's that arrogant' is my favorite so far, with 'Leona and I agree - laws are for little people' a close second).
Time for Democrats to take a very deep breath, bite hard on the lemon, and get busy finding some other standard-bearer. This one ain't it.
35
Hillary's "messy habits" may have cost her the 2008 nomination, and with it, the presidency. Her campaign was famous for its inept inner workings and waste of campaign money, with lots of infighting among the top campaign honchos. By contrast, Obama's was a smooth-running fighting machine, everybody marching in lockstep.
7
This latest taint on Hillary Clinton may well assure a Republican presidential victory, if as expected she is the candidate of her party.
She has no respect for the government or the people she would lead.
There has to be a better choice for Democrats.
She has no respect for the government or the people she would lead.
There has to be a better choice for Democrats.
11
Ready for Hillary to Retire - from a progressive Democrat
15
Mrs. Clinton should not be the Democratic nominee for President. She would never win. The United States often votes for the nominee of the Party which did not hold the office for the past eight years. We do not tend to vote for politicians who have a sense of entitlement. We have a strong disdain for hypocrisy. We are suspicious of those with close ties to Wall Street.
For sure, we also do not want another Bush as President, but that is an issue for another day.
This is the moment when we can nip Mrs. Clinton's doomed candidacy in the bud.
Senator Warren, your time has come. We need you. Ignore the "experts" and elites who tried so feverishly to ordain Mrs. Clinton. Please step up.
For sure, we also do not want another Bush as President, but that is an issue for another day.
This is the moment when we can nip Mrs. Clinton's doomed candidacy in the bud.
Senator Warren, your time has come. We need you. Ignore the "experts" and elites who tried so feverishly to ordain Mrs. Clinton. Please step up.
17
All you say is true, but it begs the question---why? What advantage did she gain by using her personal email for *all* her dealings at State? If she'd used it for some but not others, then we could infer nefarious dealings. If security weren't an issue, we might, if we were kind, assume a kind of "so what?" attitude. But there's no reason for this, and I just don't get it.
8
I was over the Clinton's "talents" after observing their tactics leading up to the SC primary in 2007.
14
"Is that entitlement? Or hubris?"
Will this nation ever see a good person run for president? Where is the person that puts the needs of the people first rather than a lust for money and power? Where is the person with a kind soul, humility with strength, and empathy for those most in need? Are we forever lost as a nation?
Will this nation ever see a good person run for president? Where is the person that puts the needs of the people first rather than a lust for money and power? Where is the person with a kind soul, humility with strength, and empathy for those most in need? Are we forever lost as a nation?
13
Sadly, I doubt we'll ever get such a candidate. They'd be savaged by the moneyed interests and would themselves have no funds to run for office.
YES WE ARE LOST AS A NATION AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS. FACE IT AND LIVE WITH IT or join some progressive, local groups that are organized and struggling and at times, succeeding in their efforts. Read Hightower's Lowdown, a small monthly newsletter embolden to no one but ordinary working Americans.
2
As a lifelong Democrat, I wish the Clintons would just go away.
16
"Reince Priebus added: Hillary barely comes out in public these days. If there's not a private luxury jet and a quarter-million-dollar speaking fee waiting for her you can forget it."
Remember that "infamous" quote by super model Linda Evangelista in 1990 when she said she "wouldn't get out of bed for less than $10,000 dollars."? Well Bill and Hillary have taken that attitude to a whole new level and they're not asking for "permission" or "forgiveness"- at least not yet.
Remember that "infamous" quote by super model Linda Evangelista in 1990 when she said she "wouldn't get out of bed for less than $10,000 dollars."? Well Bill and Hillary have taken that attitude to a whole new level and they're not asking for "permission" or "forgiveness"- at least not yet.
2
Please, Hillary, go away.
28
John Kerry is the first SOS to exclusively use a government email for his role as SOS. Every preceding holder of that office has used personal email. The fact that she never used a government email to my mind actually gives her less ability to hide anything, as she could never pretend that all her communication was through the department. This is a storm in a teacup, but will be inflated by the usual crowd to make it appear important.
183
Here is an interesting article:
http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_289563/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Fwk8oDHY
Hilary ran her own personal email server, although it is not certain if it was actually located in her house in Chappaqua. No matter where it was located, it appears that she had full control over the server. Everyone will probably believe that this was for nefarious purposes, given the reputation of the Clintons.
I suspected that reporters would start to dig into this.
http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_289563/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Fwk8oDHY
Hilary ran her own personal email server, although it is not certain if it was actually located in her house in Chappaqua. No matter where it was located, it appears that she had full control over the server. Everyone will probably believe that this was for nefarious purposes, given the reputation of the Clintons.
I suspected that reporters would start to dig into this.
4
The .com is telling.
Thanks for the link.
Thanks for the link.
Hillary will play the partisan card to try and save her candidacy. She will point out that critics of her using a private email account are out to get her politically and have no real interest in preserving the public record or increasing government accountability. She may be able to show she broke no laws and merely did what some others did in the past. She will eventually paint herself as the victim of Clinton-haters, who for over 3 decades have gone after her and Bill. Another scandal will be turned into another opportunity for victimization. Brilliant.
Lost will be the fact the public has an absolute right to the public record which includes all of the email correspondence Clinton generated and received as Secretary of State. Had this been before email, would anyone excuse Clinton taking home the only copy of every written correspondence she sent and received, filing it in her home filing cabinet? I seriously doubt it.
Every politician craves secrecy, most excusing this anti-democratic characteristic as a means of surviving those out to slander them. Clinton will excuse her behavior by lining up with those before her who hated transparency, demanded control of information and gave no thought to the fact public records belong to us, not them.
Whether she broke the letter of the law or not, Clinton's creation of a private email account shortly before becoming Secretary of State shows us a lot about her lack of character and disdain for democracy.
Lost will be the fact the public has an absolute right to the public record which includes all of the email correspondence Clinton generated and received as Secretary of State. Had this been before email, would anyone excuse Clinton taking home the only copy of every written correspondence she sent and received, filing it in her home filing cabinet? I seriously doubt it.
Every politician craves secrecy, most excusing this anti-democratic characteristic as a means of surviving those out to slander them. Clinton will excuse her behavior by lining up with those before her who hated transparency, demanded control of information and gave no thought to the fact public records belong to us, not them.
Whether she broke the letter of the law or not, Clinton's creation of a private email account shortly before becoming Secretary of State shows us a lot about her lack of character and disdain for democracy.
57
Over the years, I have come to dislike Hillary: she is hyper-ambitious to a fault, and deceptive to her inner core.
That said, people like her, coming from no real money growing up, might need to play it rougher than the Bushes - to the manor born. The B's don't need to grasp for big paydays and thus appear more honest, perhaps.
So, we all agree she is Nixonian. Fine. But to what ends? If she uses her power for the greater good, perhaps we need her weasel-like abilities after all. Governing is messy and difficult: let's grow up and give her a break. Sometimes.
That said, people like her, coming from no real money growing up, might need to play it rougher than the Bushes - to the manor born. The B's don't need to grasp for big paydays and thus appear more honest, perhaps.
So, we all agree she is Nixonian. Fine. But to what ends? If she uses her power for the greater good, perhaps we need her weasel-like abilities after all. Governing is messy and difficult: let's grow up and give her a break. Sometimes.
Both Clintons have made their reputations indelibly. Ms. Clinton simply cannot undo what "Clinton Enterprises" have done. She cannot get away her history and reputation no more than Mitt was able to run away from his reputation as a wealthy executive who made his money in private equity -- and all of the baggage that comes along with that.
At best, Ms. Clinton needs to anticipate and counter the (negative) Republican message. For example, "How can the party that wants to celebrate personal success besmirch my own success?" She needs to play herself up as the culmination of the American Dream. It's show time, folks!
At best, Ms. Clinton needs to anticipate and counter the (negative) Republican message. For example, "How can the party that wants to celebrate personal success besmirch my own success?" She needs to play herself up as the culmination of the American Dream. It's show time, folks!
3
The problem is, that the Democrats do not have any other credible candidates. Where are the young stars, governors in their 40s and 50s, senators who have sponsored major legislation? Everyone they can name is over 60, and most of them are over 70. They are all obsessed with Vietnam and civil rights in the South, which is going to be quite confusing to voters born during Bill Clinton's administration.
30
Warren. If we actually ranked politicians like athletes, measured their production and relative value in comparison to their peers the way we do in fantasy football and baseball, Warren would be my number 1 overall pick. Youth is overrated.
An advantage that Republicans have is that we have a number of new faces showing up. Not all are of course viable but we do have a conversation about them going on. Most are governors and many of us are seeing that that may be the right profession for the Presidency not Senators.
I'm already a bit burned out on Hillary, and the race hasn't even begun. This e-mail gambit is not a killer, but it's red meat to the rabid Republican rottweilers, and an unnecessary distraction in a race that is likely to be marked by constant bellicose posturing and accusations. The ability to govern is not something that's even on their list.
Hillary may feel that this is her year, but when Democrats seem to be conflicted about her candidacy the last thing she needs is for these transgressions to surface. What others might there be?
Democrats need good options more than we need Hillary. She's welcome to fight the good fight, but the stakes are far too high to let a Jeb Bush or a Scott Walker gain traction. I can imagine dispirited Democrats failing to turn out the vote, while Republican zealots storm the booths. It would be the Senate "sweep" all over again.
I personally wish Elizabeth Warren would run. Her populist message seems a lot more resonant than Hillary's, and I think she can generate excitement among the Democrats, rather than a sense of obligation to elect a foregone conclusion.
Hillary may feel that this is her year, but when Democrats seem to be conflicted about her candidacy the last thing she needs is for these transgressions to surface. What others might there be?
Democrats need good options more than we need Hillary. She's welcome to fight the good fight, but the stakes are far too high to let a Jeb Bush or a Scott Walker gain traction. I can imagine dispirited Democrats failing to turn out the vote, while Republican zealots storm the booths. It would be the Senate "sweep" all over again.
I personally wish Elizabeth Warren would run. Her populist message seems a lot more resonant than Hillary's, and I think she can generate excitement among the Democrats, rather than a sense of obligation to elect a foregone conclusion.
210
So if this issue gives you pause for concern you're "rabid"?
More important than the forgiveness that comes to the Clintons is the way they have managed to successfully maneuver through every single compromise of principles like this.
No one survives a scandal like the Clintons.
Before you know it, this, too, will be spun to their advantage: It's just more rightwing media attacks. Everyone else did it too (already started here). She was actually brilliant to have done what she did. She had no choice (hey, it worked for Obama).
Partisanship may just take care of the rest.
No one survives a scandal like the Clintons.
Before you know it, this, too, will be spun to their advantage: It's just more rightwing media attacks. Everyone else did it too (already started here). She was actually brilliant to have done what she did. She had no choice (hey, it worked for Obama).
Partisanship may just take care of the rest.
15
She'll just claim it's another attack from the "right wing conspiracy".
1
yes, I would take Ted Cruz and Reince Priebus as impartial authorities on Hillary Clinton.
51
Irrelevant and biased comment. You can't see the wood for the forest. The issue is Hilary Clinton's corruption not the impartiality of Ted Cruz. By the way, how is what they said wrong?
1
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Basically then, you'd vote for Stalin if he ran as a Democrat. Pot, meet (impartial) kettle.
In my personal life, I find people who prefer to seek forgiveness rather than permission tiresome at best, and, as this column indicates, repeat offenders. What does forgiveness mean in that context? It feels to me like enabling.
I am trying to keep an open mind about what the explanation may be for why Hillary Clinton thought she should be using a private email address. What has bothered me so far is the claim that retention of her emails would occur through their recipients' use of government email accounts -- that sort of claim and thinking raises red flags for me. Piecing together a sent folder from scattered inboxes? Assuming others will toe the line and use government accounts when oneself is not? If the response had been that an independent government office had been archiving all Clinton's work emails as they had been being being sent, I would have had a different reaction. The reaction to an exposure of questionable behavior can sometimes be easier to parse than the original behavior.
I am trying to keep an open mind about what the explanation may be for why Hillary Clinton thought she should be using a private email address. What has bothered me so far is the claim that retention of her emails would occur through their recipients' use of government email accounts -- that sort of claim and thinking raises red flags for me. Piecing together a sent folder from scattered inboxes? Assuming others will toe the line and use government accounts when oneself is not? If the response had been that an independent government office had been archiving all Clinton's work emails as they had been being being sent, I would have had a different reaction. The reaction to an exposure of questionable behavior can sometimes be easier to parse than the original behavior.
19
And to be quite honest, my first reaction to the "other people have them" argument from Clinton's camp was that it sounded like trying to get off on a technicality.
15
It's good that you are keeping an open mind. I am more skeptical because I don't believe the media will actually get to the bottom of it.
Considering how difficult it is to get information from both the Clintons AND this Administration, which is considered the most secretive, it is unlikely that a full investigation will ever actually take place.
Republicans will try but they will be accused of all kinds of things and become the bad guys. A lot gets buried in these partisan battles. Many people get a pass.
Considering how difficult it is to get information from both the Clintons AND this Administration, which is considered the most secretive, it is unlikely that a full investigation will ever actually take place.
Republicans will try but they will be accused of all kinds of things and become the bad guys. A lot gets buried in these partisan battles. Many people get a pass.
13
I admire your loyalty but no need to keep an open mind. This is clear cut willful corruption and breaking of the law. Remember, Clinton is protecting her reputation for the presidential run and is taking a calculated risk. She doesn't deserve to be President because she contributed to the death of 4 Americans in Benghazi and is trying to cover it up.
2
"They’d rather seek forgiveness than permission.” Or to put it another way, when it comes to the Clintons "Rules R not Us."
12
Mr. Bruni says: "one of the arguments I frequently heard in favor of her presumed candidacy for the presidency was that she’d been vetted like nobody’s ever been vetted, with no surprises left."
I beg to differ. The Bill Clinton/Epstein/Dershowitz scandal - and it is horrific - is percolating away, ready to hit the headlines ...
I beg to differ. The Bill Clinton/Epstein/Dershowitz scandal - and it is horrific - is percolating away, ready to hit the headlines ...
9
It wouldn't surprise me in the least to learn that Mossad orchestrated the revelation of Hillary's email fail. The story was released on the very day the Israeli Prime Minister appeared before Congress in a clear attempt to undercut the president on a supremely serious matter; a matter on which 63 percent of Americans agree with the president. Witness the result: there's a lot more bluster on today's opinion page about Hillary than Bibi. As the Church Lady would say, "how conveeeeenient".
And yet, in the words of the Editorial Board, "At this point, it is not clear what damage, if any, might have resulted from her decision...". As likely as it may seem, we don't even know yet if she will run.
Now, I'm no great fan of Hillary. The details may yet prove damaging, and if this revelation will spur on other candidates to oppose her (Senator Warren, I'm talking to you), great.
I find it disturbing, though, that the media can be so easily distracted by hypotheticals and tea leaves while truly serious matters abound - for example, craven attempts to provoke war with Iran made by warmongers and foreign leaders.
"We may wish certain snags were roadblocks and certain missteps collapses, because we think they should be or they’re sexier that way... Sometimes a dodge is just a dodge and a gaffe not much of a gaffe". Those are you own words, Mr. Bruni, from your mea-culpish about media distraction from just three days ago. The A.D.D. is stunning.
And yet, in the words of the Editorial Board, "At this point, it is not clear what damage, if any, might have resulted from her decision...". As likely as it may seem, we don't even know yet if she will run.
Now, I'm no great fan of Hillary. The details may yet prove damaging, and if this revelation will spur on other candidates to oppose her (Senator Warren, I'm talking to you), great.
I find it disturbing, though, that the media can be so easily distracted by hypotheticals and tea leaves while truly serious matters abound - for example, craven attempts to provoke war with Iran made by warmongers and foreign leaders.
"We may wish certain snags were roadblocks and certain missteps collapses, because we think they should be or they’re sexier that way... Sometimes a dodge is just a dodge and a gaffe not much of a gaffe". Those are you own words, Mr. Bruni, from your mea-culpish about media distraction from just three days ago. The A.D.D. is stunning.
15
I think the Clintons, based on their experience, have concluded that they *cannot* make an irredeemable misstep. They survived a gubernatorial election loss in '80, a widely panned convention speech in '88, New Hampshire in '92, countless poorly handled issues and infrequent scandals in the White House, Monica, Bill's departing pardons, etc. They may still think they lost in 2008 only because of their lack of familiarity with the Iowa caucuses, Hillary's refusal to apologize for her AUMF Iraq vote, Bill's rustiness on the trail, which led him to make several poorly-chosen comments about Barack Obama's candidacy, and subtle misogyny present in the Democratic Party at that time. They likely don't think Obama was a better candidate with a better campaign strategy; they think he won because his relative youth and mixed race gave his otherwise naïve platitudes real gravitas that inspired his supporters to abandon them for the next big thing. Hillary Clinton hardly ever avoids giving the impression that since she does so much good for us we do not deserve to question her on how she does it or all the money often associated with it. This won't keep her from the White House again, but it might make having a successful presidency more difficult.
8
Hillary's mess? It isn't a mess. If you hear the analysis of both sides, it seems it really isn't about much of significance vs Sound and Fury. It's a media binge and Bruni doesn't want to be left behind. It gives columnists a chance to psychoanalyze and again refer back to Bill and his scandal--don't miss a chance to rake that up. Next the 2 lady columnists on the op ed page will also chime in with cute barbs.
Bruni and the voracious media look for the chance that Clintons on their 'fault line' will commit "an irredeemable misstep". Then plunge from the heights, like circus trapeze artists with no net. Lick your chops!
Bruni and the voracious media look for the chance that Clintons on their 'fault line' will commit "an irredeemable misstep". Then plunge from the heights, like circus trapeze artists with no net. Lick your chops!
11
Can't wait to get out the popcorn. It'll be fun for us over on the right watching Hilary "shred" Elizabeth Warren--if Pocahontas dares "step up"!
9
I don't share your politics, but I do share you sense of amusement. The Clintons are the rollicking play that never ends.
Is there really much outcry in the public over this issue, Frank?
Or is the thought in many minds: better to use a personal email account for government/business work, than to use a government/business-provided email address to take care of personal issues, which would potentially become "discoverable" ? Most people think the latter is worse. That's a bigger risk to take. She'll survive this one too.
Can we be honest?
This is another hyped-up issue from a columnist with a space to fill, who don't want to tackle the harder subjects of how the economy is doing for the working Americans, how many American workers really are out-of-work and not counted in the unemployment statistics, and whether or not Americans have been convinced by Israel to attack another country to allegedly protect the world from mass weapons of destruction. (We've got to keep killing civilians to do it, go figure.)
Stop the second-hand feeding off the wire. Go find some real stories to report on, and use your column space to uncover or bring to light issues that really concern working people. Then, you'll be part of the solution, and not part of the growing problem in Washington. You'll probably feel healthier about your work too, fwiw.
Or is the thought in many minds: better to use a personal email account for government/business work, than to use a government/business-provided email address to take care of personal issues, which would potentially become "discoverable" ? Most people think the latter is worse. That's a bigger risk to take. She'll survive this one too.
Can we be honest?
This is another hyped-up issue from a columnist with a space to fill, who don't want to tackle the harder subjects of how the economy is doing for the working Americans, how many American workers really are out-of-work and not counted in the unemployment statistics, and whether or not Americans have been convinced by Israel to attack another country to allegedly protect the world from mass weapons of destruction. (We've got to keep killing civilians to do it, go figure.)
Stop the second-hand feeding off the wire. Go find some real stories to report on, and use your column space to uncover or bring to light issues that really concern working people. Then, you'll be part of the solution, and not part of the growing problem in Washington. You'll probably feel healthier about your work too, fwiw.
43
Hillary cut her teeth in politics investigating Nixon and Watergate. She and Bill are much more deceptive and secretive than Nixon ever thought of being. Bill is a "likeable" guy and got away with it. Hillary isn't and she won't be elected.
25
Frank Bruni has it right. The Clintons continually abide in the neighborhood of deceit and avoidance of propriety. Bartering for Lincoln room stays has evolved into influence peddling with foreign entities. It seems to me very disheartening that the Democrats cannot find a better candidate than Mrs. Clinton who lacks management experience and exudes the image of greed. It is certain that if Hilary manages to become president articles like this will be the menu of the day. We can and must do better for the sake of our country and our children.
25
Those who adore Hillary and Bill will apparently excuse and explain everything they do or don't do; it is the definition of a cult of personality. I saw her tonight on Lawrence O'Donnell/MSNBC giving a speech to "Emily's List" and she opened with the glib polished and practiced schtick about basking in the glow of being a grandmother that is "better than a spa treatment" and I wondered: why does the Democratic Party seem hellbent on getting her elected President when there ARE other great possible candidates who could run a great race were they not buffaloed by the "inevitability" of another Clinton, or - more accurately - the return of the Clintons. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Ron Wyden, Sherrod Brown, Samantha Powers, Russ Feingold, et al and so on, somebody with principles, integrity, moxie and some sense of what being a Democrat means versus being a very wealthy oligarch at taxpayers' and donors' expense.
108
All of that is of course true. But are any of them, for any number of reasons, electable?
2
Answer: money.
Don't forget Jim Webb a former Senator from Virginia and a veteran.
2
In the big scheme of things, this is petty. You could say that she did the job, did it well, and leave it at that. Or, you could point out that it's indicative of who she has become, and what we might expect in a Presidency. I think both are true -- she did the job alright, and she will most definitely operate this way as our President. That's why I want Elizabeth Warren. Not because Warren is a saint, but because Hillary does not inspire me, there's too much of this, too much of that, too little concern for Americans I care about.
25
Could you point out some of those jobs done well by the former Secretary of State?
Russia?
Libya (or anywhere in the Middle East)
Anything?
Russia?
Libya (or anywhere in the Middle East)
Anything?
2
Interesting except that Colin Powell, when he was Secretary of State, ALSO used a private email account; Hillary followed his precedent. The law regarding private emails and government emails for officials changed after she left office.
So what is the real problem here? She has already released tons of emails for Congressional oversight into Benghazi, she can release more as needed for specific and legitimate purposes to appropriate Congressional committees.
So what is the real problem here? She has already released tons of emails for Congressional oversight into Benghazi, she can release more as needed for specific and legitimate purposes to appropriate Congressional committees.
48
So she personally owns the business of the state department? She may however choose to release items as needed to various peons, if and when they can demonstrate the need to her.
1
Isn't the Justice Department supposed to indict and convict those who break federal laws? Hillary plainly did. Why is there no noise about a criminal investigation of the issue?
15
Because these laws did not take effect until after Hillary left State. I'm all for prosecuting Powell and Bush, though.
3
Considering Ms. Clinton's past practice and policy of ignoring open government statues and regulations, her deliberate, long-running, and unlawful use of private emails passes neither the oops nor laugh tests.
Her actions have implications beyond hiding her email activities. Not the least of these relate to communications, information, and operational security and to the quality of security and audit management at the Department of State.
Ample grounds, pursuant to 28 CFR 600.1, exist for the appointment of independent counsel, and the President should direct the Attorney General to do so.
Her actions have implications beyond hiding her email activities. Not the least of these relate to communications, information, and operational security and to the quality of security and audit management at the Department of State.
Ample grounds, pursuant to 28 CFR 600.1, exist for the appointment of independent counsel, and the President should direct the Attorney General to do so.
15
Calm yourself, Mr. Bruni. Colin Powell did the same thing, the Bush administration (or some of its people) did the same thing. And you know what? Nobody cared.
73
Nobody cared, because they're not running for the nomination in 2016.
27
Actually, many people did care. But I do notice the absence of Republican voices defending Hillary because their guys did it, too.
1
This is the classic Clintonian defense: associate the issue that "someone else also did it" which hardly justifies anything. So after years of Hilary bashing the Bush Administration on ethics she now wants to associate with it?
1
I am a life-long Democrat. The spokeswoman for Correct the Record says this is a "manufactured crisis". It is a crisis that Hilary Clinton manufactured by failing to follow government regulations in force since 2009.
I really, really hope that some other Democratic candidates for President arise. I think Clinton has shot herself in the foot with this mess. And she shot herself in the other foot by the Clinton Foundation's acceptance of donations from foreign governments which were not cleared with the appropriate government agency - I think that agency is the Dept. of State.
I really, really hope that some other Democratic candidates for President arise. I think Clinton has shot herself in the foot with this mess. And she shot herself in the other foot by the Clinton Foundation's acceptance of donations from foreign governments which were not cleared with the appropriate government agency - I think that agency is the Dept. of State.
87
Sorry, those regulations regarding e-mails came into effect after she left office. All prior Secretaries of State, save Rice, used their personal e-mail.
3
Hillary Clinton's time has come and gone. Hopefully, the Democrats find a strong candidate to lead the Party in 2016.
106
So far, the most apt post in the list. Yes, Hillary may have been a great candidate in the past, though I'm more than a little skeptical of that. Now she's a relic of a bygone age.
2
And on top of all this, the Clintons killed Vince Foster and Janet Reno and Hillary were an item, as has been reported at any number or reliable blog sites Frank Bruni could have cited but mercifully did not.
The Clintons have clearly been derelict in their duty to be above suspicion in relation to reliable news sources.
As for example Frank Bruni?
The Clintons have clearly been derelict in their duty to be above suspicion in relation to reliable news sources.
As for example Frank Bruni?
7
I've had about enough Clinton bashing. I'll see that blue dress and raise you one bridgegate. Or how about the sheer ignorance of promising to completely eliminate three government agencies: commerce, education and ummm uhhh. Or Romney's refusal to release his 2009 taxes (the year the IRS forgave taxes on foreign bank accounts, USBS among them).
The change in the law concerning emails for official business happened 18 months AFTER she left the post of Secretary of defense. Until John Kerry, it sounds like the practice of private emails by public officials was the rule rather than the exception.
I haven't been able to find a complete list of all Secretaries of State who did NOT use a government email account for all their official correspondents: thank you CNN for your stellar research on the topic /sarcasm off.
The change in the law concerning emails for official business happened 18 months AFTER she left the post of Secretary of defense. Until John Kerry, it sounds like the practice of private emails by public officials was the rule rather than the exception.
I haven't been able to find a complete list of all Secretaries of State who did NOT use a government email account for all their official correspondents: thank you CNN for your stellar research on the topic /sarcasm off.
140
Sue,
You defend Hillary.
What both sides should be doing is turning up the heat on ALL in Washington who behave poorly and force anyone there doing our work to behave at a much higher level of professionalism and do the right thing, not do what it takes to continue to live there and be a player.
They have the horse before the cart.
You defend Hillary.
What both sides should be doing is turning up the heat on ALL in Washington who behave poorly and force anyone there doing our work to behave at a much higher level of professionalism and do the right thing, not do what it takes to continue to live there and be a player.
They have the horse before the cart.
1
Ditto and Amen! Yes the public information from her e-mails can certainly be gathered easily and will be, and her business dealings were being done in the way business was being done properly.
On the bright side, neither of the Clinton's made torture USG policy or subcontracted torture to, among others, Bashar al Assad of Syria.
Nor have either, as Governor, corrupted an election so their brother could be appointed President and go on to be the worst one in US history.
E-mails, puh-leez.
Nor have either, as Governor, corrupted an election so their brother could be appointed President and go on to be the worst one in US history.
E-mails, puh-leez.
167
Hypocrisy and bias. Both examples are corrupt including Hillary is what you are saying. If she is hiding her emails and scandals then how is that any better then the Bush's scandals? Oh I get it. You don't even want to know what Hilary did.
That argument is an attempt to deflect what is happening now, in today's environment.
But what is still persistent is her method of doing business. Circumvention 'R Us should be the Clinton's motto.
And no one seems to have mentioned that to even conceive of such chicanery is beyond the straight and honest thinking that most of us do and we citizens should expect more of our elected officials and leaders. Is someone who skates so close to the edge or sometimes over the edge of the law trustworthy to do the right thing, or will CYA be foremost for her?
Are we to put such connivers back into the White House again?
But what is still persistent is her method of doing business. Circumvention 'R Us should be the Clinton's motto.
And no one seems to have mentioned that to even conceive of such chicanery is beyond the straight and honest thinking that most of us do and we citizens should expect more of our elected officials and leaders. Is someone who skates so close to the edge or sometimes over the edge of the law trustworthy to do the right thing, or will CYA be foremost for her?
Are we to put such connivers back into the White House again?
That's right. When the argument fails, blame Bush. Nice job. That ought to work in 2016.
3
Ready for Hillary? Not hardly.
Clinton showed her true colors by continuing to run vicious anti-Obama attack ads long after the 2008 nomination was out of her reach. It's all about her.
Clinton showed her true colors by continuing to run vicious anti-Obama attack ads long after the 2008 nomination was out of her reach. It's all about her.
51
How can anyone, while representing the United States, maintain complete personal control of all email communications? It is way beyond hubris and goes toward casually-assumed monarchial power.
90
That has not yet been proven. It would be interesting if she had control of the email server she was using. She is just the sort of politician who might find it useful to alter emails that had already been sent.
10
Monarchial power seems to be the latest manifestation of Democrat presidencies. Never have we seen so much power grabbing as we have seen with LBJ and Barack Obama.
1
"Can Hillary, of all Democrats, persuasively style herself as a champion of the struggling middle class?"
Gee, I don't know. Could FDR or JFK persuasively style themselves as champions of the working class? We have elected presidents who emerged from modest backgrounds (Bill and Hillary both fit that description, by the way), but we have as cheerfully elected those who were born in privilege. I don't think any reasonable person imagines that they are 'one of us,' when casting our ballots.
FDR and JFK also had affairs. At least some of the press were aware of those at the time and never publicized them, presumably because they were perceived as irrelevant to the issues. We're not marrying these people, we want them to do stuff for us. There was, believe it or not, a time when campaigns were largely focused on the issues and the candidates positions on those. I suspect that younger voters would be baffled at the mild rhetoric and tone of respect in the two Stevenson / Eisenhower races.
George H.W. always seemed like a really nice guy and a good family man. I liked him a lot better than I ever liked Bill. I voted for Bill.
Gee, I don't know. Could FDR or JFK persuasively style themselves as champions of the working class? We have elected presidents who emerged from modest backgrounds (Bill and Hillary both fit that description, by the way), but we have as cheerfully elected those who were born in privilege. I don't think any reasonable person imagines that they are 'one of us,' when casting our ballots.
FDR and JFK also had affairs. At least some of the press were aware of those at the time and never publicized them, presumably because they were perceived as irrelevant to the issues. We're not marrying these people, we want them to do stuff for us. There was, believe it or not, a time when campaigns were largely focused on the issues and the candidates positions on those. I suspect that younger voters would be baffled at the mild rhetoric and tone of respect in the two Stevenson / Eisenhower races.
George H.W. always seemed like a really nice guy and a good family man. I liked him a lot better than I ever liked Bill. I voted for Bill.
82
An interesting post. However, I'd just point out that FDR and JFK had affairs, but the fact that the public was unaware of this and it was not reported isn't entirely a positive refection of a media only concerned with what was relevant. I believe that in those days the media was more of a privileged coterie who decided (arrogantly) what was appropriate for the public to know. What has happened today is that in the more open and intensive news cycle, driven by entertainment (i.e. $$) concerns, and run by so-called journalists who are revered in a celebrity-driven society, the good (that holy cows are fewer in number) is balanced by the bad with is the strident lack of concern with privacy, perspective, objectivity or even accuracy.
6
How much did FDR and JFK charge to speak in front of Goldman Sachs?
How many foreign nations contributed to FDR and JFK's foundation?
How many foreign nations contributed to FDR and JFK's foundation?
2
And you got Hill. But we don't all want her.
1
Joan of Arc Ms Hillary ain't,
She's tough minded, in no way quaint,
And outstrips easily
The Repub coterie,
Far better, though hardly a Saint.
She's tough minded, in no way quaint,
And outstrips easily
The Repub coterie,
Far better, though hardly a Saint.
65
The Clinton's have always armed their opponents.
That is their lifestyle, from Whitewater to Monica to ...
That is their lifestyle, from Whitewater to Monica to ...
16
they don't arm their opponents, there opponents make mountains out of nothing.
5
We need to bring back the days of FDR and give President Obama a chance to remain our President.
This is ridiculous. I was already on the fence about Hillary because it seems like no one else "wants to come out and play," meaning to challenge her. Everyone on the Dem side is afraid of running against Hillary. WE NEED OTHER CANDIDATES! Why does everyone think that this is a done deal? And Hillary has not even declared her candidacy yet.
Obama '16
This is ridiculous. I was already on the fence about Hillary because it seems like no one else "wants to come out and play," meaning to challenge her. Everyone on the Dem side is afraid of running against Hillary. WE NEED OTHER CANDIDATES! Why does everyone think that this is a done deal? And Hillary has not even declared her candidacy yet.
Obama '16
230
I hope you're kidding. It's pathetic that neither party can dig up an attractive candidate for the White House.
Mike Pence '16!!!!!
Mike Pence '16!!!!!
1
Michael Douglass' character in an American President said, "It's all about character." George W was a character, or a caricature. Bill, Hillary have character, and flaws.
But "President Shepherd" in Aaron Sorkin's film is not entirely correct. It is about character, but it's also about policy and vision.
But "President Shepherd" in Aaron Sorkin's film is not entirely correct. It is about character, but it's also about policy and vision.
2
Debra,
Without President Obama at the helm of our Country, we are going to be in trouble during this historical turmoil on a global-basis and adverse times. Joining you in saying that he is our only Hope for a better future for our younger generation, for you, for me, for all of us.
He is the only one who can safeguard National Security, keep us going in the right direction, rebuild our Nation and brings to mind the days of FDR because we are at War, whether the People of America are aware of this, or not. My Country, right or wrong, it is only for Mr. Obama that I shall cast my vote, if elected for a Third Term with confidence and trust.
Without President Obama at the helm of our Country, we are going to be in trouble during this historical turmoil on a global-basis and adverse times. Joining you in saying that he is our only Hope for a better future for our younger generation, for you, for me, for all of us.
He is the only one who can safeguard National Security, keep us going in the right direction, rebuild our Nation and brings to mind the days of FDR because we are at War, whether the People of America are aware of this, or not. My Country, right or wrong, it is only for Mr. Obama that I shall cast my vote, if elected for a Third Term with confidence and trust.
1
When the Bush White House's millions upon millions upon millions of missing Emails are pursued:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/13/white.house.email/index.html?eref...
we'll believe HC's use of a private account is an issue. After all, it has been reported Colin Powell used a private Email account during his SecState days:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/03/colin-powell-emails-hillary-cli...
Whatever happened to the Bush White House emails ?
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/13/white.house.email/index.html?eref...
we'll believe HC's use of a private account is an issue. After all, it has been reported Colin Powell used a private Email account during his SecState days:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/03/colin-powell-emails-hillary-cli...
Whatever happened to the Bush White House emails ?
211
You may have a valid point, bu that is not the issue here.
We are talking about what kind of a person has a strong chance of becoming the next president of the United States.
We are talking about what kind of a person has a strong chance of becoming the next president of the United States.
19
Except Hillary isn't president yet. Democrats have to weigh in whether they believe it's right or wrong BEFORE she takes office. Big difference.
9
What Bush did 8+ years ago has nothing to do with what Hilary did. Two wrongs don't make a right as my mother (and I'd guess yours) said long ago.
1
When you are being accusing of anything and everything under the sun long enough, the psychology is that you stop worrying about others. Had the Clintons worried about anything, starting with Whitewater, they would have not arrived to this stage. And some of their supporters would be their faithful because of - and not in spite of - the relentless persecution, fair or not
58
I think this conflates worrying about what others say with worrying about what you're doing. Even if "you stop worrying about others" you could be following inner guidance that would help you serve the greater good and your own greater good more effectively.
5
They were and have been accused of anything and everything under the sun, because they have committed every sin involving anything and everything!
1
Hilary has sooo much baggage that the Dems will be out of office for the next 16 yrs if they don't get their act together.