To read this piece you would think that Ms. Clinton's only claimed qualification for office is that she is a woman. What nonsense! Like her or hate her, she has a long record as one of our nation's leaders, and she asks to be judged for her efforts to date.. Ms. Dowd, you completely missed the boat on this one.
188
So what was Hillary supposed to do with the rest of her
life after Monica? Kill Bill? Sit in a corner and pout and waste her
considerable talents because her husband had played around?
In view of what the nation would be stuck with if we didn't have her
as a realistic option for President, that would be a tragic waste,
for her, for us and for the world.
life after Monica? Kill Bill? Sit in a corner and pout and waste her
considerable talents because her husband had played around?
In view of what the nation would be stuck with if we didn't have her
as a realistic option for President, that would be a tragic waste,
for her, for us and for the world.
160
Excellent piece. Hopefully, the next Hillary column will deal with her post-political life. The recent revelation that she instructed an assistant to delete markings and forward classified information via her server ought to mean prosecution. 'I never sent or received classified info' can join 'I never had sex with that woman' as part of the family's legacy.
63
Yes, Hillary is a flawed candidate and Bill may prove more of an albatross around her neck than a phoenix carrying her from the ashes of her 2008 campaign. But, the unfortunate truth is that if she doesn't win the election this nation will have empowered the loony tunes who have made our Congress a joke and the fascists who are using hate as a vehicle to gain the Republican nomination. Trump/Cruz and the Republican Congress will de-fund Planned Parenthood, foster an atmosphere of fear and religious intolerance, rush American soldiers into more ill advised wars in the Middle East, gut a government policy that provides health care to millions, attack the social safety net, all while slashing taxes for the wealthiest and reducing regulations designed to keep us safe from environmental and economic disasters. On balance, I'll take hypocrisy on feminism in exchange for avoiding all those things and hope for another more honorable choice for the Democratic nomination in 2024.
117
Politicians and hypocrisy aren't those synonymous? Maureen points it out well and she is, after all, commenting on current events much as we would all love to forget the aging Clinton's, their marital woes, and their mistreatment of women. It takes a bully to know one and Hillary needs to be careful about her "revisionist" interpretation of history which she and Bill muddled through while we have the unapologetic Trump ready to bite anyone in the rear who dares to call him out on his outlandish pronouncements. If anything, this is truly one entertaining presidential ( excuse the oxymoron) election.
25
Ms. Dowd, lacking anything better to write about, keeps attacking the Clintons for having the gall and the backbone to have survived decades of political triumphs and failures -- and, yes, some serious errors of judgment. But what else can one reasonably expect of anyone who is determined to survive in the shark tank that is American politics? Go back on vacation, Ms. Dowd. Perhaps till after the election? You've nothing new to contribute.
156
Interesting, that the "heads buried in the sand" attitude by those who wrote the most recent criticisms of your article, essentially that Hillary is the lesser of two evils and/or should be supported "even is she grows horns," seem to be missing your point. We shouldn't have to compromise our values when electing a president of this great country and, equally or even more importantly, we should be able to find a leader who doesn't feel a need to exhibit a misogynistic attitude when it's to his OR HER benefit to do so.
47
How long ago was it when Bill Clinton was out President ? More than fifteen years and we have been there and done that and still Ms. Dowd`s obsession with him remained the same.
Yawn...
Yawn...
187
I guess Trump has got your vote, Mo.
89
Thank you, Ms. Dowd. We should all be grateful for your intellectual honesty and wit. No other non-Republican writer in the liberal news media seems willing, or is possibly allowed, to write anything negative about Hillary. That has become hard to take.
I am a self-described Social Democrat. I am no fan of Trump, to say the least, but Hillary is a liar and a hypocrite who calls the Bible her favorite book. She is also a faux-feminist. I don't know what to think about Huma Abedin. There is also zero daylight between Hillary and every Republican running for President, other than the billionaire braggart bear, Trump, when it comes to transparent corruption. It boggles my mind that any progressive would support Clinton.
Bill's serial transgressions are in no way irrelevant. It is entirely possible that his decision to allow Republicans to unleash Wall Street was driven by his desire to avoid impeachment. Regardless, look at the shenanigans Bill and Anthony Weiner found time to engage in when they had important jobs and a lot on their plates. With a fantastic, trustworthy alternative available in Sanders, should we really choose to endure the salacious and embarrassing spectacle of Weiner and Clinton roaming the back rooms of the halls of power with nothing to do but sniff out "troubled" young women to get feedback from on their new stretch boxers or to "not have sex with". Do we really want our President to be cheated on while meeting with foreign leaders?
I am a self-described Social Democrat. I am no fan of Trump, to say the least, but Hillary is a liar and a hypocrite who calls the Bible her favorite book. She is also a faux-feminist. I don't know what to think about Huma Abedin. There is also zero daylight between Hillary and every Republican running for President, other than the billionaire braggart bear, Trump, when it comes to transparent corruption. It boggles my mind that any progressive would support Clinton.
Bill's serial transgressions are in no way irrelevant. It is entirely possible that his decision to allow Republicans to unleash Wall Street was driven by his desire to avoid impeachment. Regardless, look at the shenanigans Bill and Anthony Weiner found time to engage in when they had important jobs and a lot on their plates. With a fantastic, trustworthy alternative available in Sanders, should we really choose to endure the salacious and embarrassing spectacle of Weiner and Clinton roaming the back rooms of the halls of power with nothing to do but sniff out "troubled" young women to get feedback from on their new stretch boxers or to "not have sex with". Do we really want our President to be cheated on while meeting with foreign leaders?
54
Did a Clinton run over your puppy? This is tiresome. Give it a rest until you have something to write about. There are plenty of reasons to complain about Hillary Clinton but what her husband did and whether (or not, we really don't know) she forgave him are beyond useless for calculating if she's worthy of the presidency. Placing Trump in a relative situation to Clinton is simply unforgivable. Clinton may triangulate too much for your taste but she doesn't troll for the racists and sexists like Trump does.
180
In the bowels of Dante Alighieri's Inferno, Count Ugolino, the traitor, gnaws upon the skull of the corpse of his former political ally Ruggieri. Isn't this an apt metaphor for both today's Democratic and Republican parties currying the favor of high finance to impose brutal austerity to collect debt. But which party is the better at it? Of course, "debts must be paid by someone," intones the devil. Who will perform the best as his beloved minion? He or she will have the honor to reside there in the pit of hell next to Satan. Gnawing away for eternity...
PLEASE INSERT TRUMP AND HILLARY FOR UGOLINO AND RUGGIERI
http://thingumbobesquire.blogspot.com/2010/02/political-skullduggery.html
PLEASE INSERT TRUMP AND HILLARY FOR UGOLINO AND RUGGIERI
http://thingumbobesquire.blogspot.com/2010/02/political-skullduggery.html
1
Oh, Maureen, we hardly know ye, but we love ye!
11
I hesitate to reply as Maureen could have discussed an issue of substance. Hillary will save Social Security from the GOP's axe. She will also not appoint to the Supreme Court the likes of those wreaking havoc on our electoral process, with "Corporations Are People" and "Citizens United" jurists. She will hold back and try to improve the conditions of women who are forbidden from abortion by cost and distance. She will push for equality of pay. (Trump believes wages are "too high"). Bill is not running. Hillary did not lie down in self pity over a horrendous humiliating scandal, but stood up, ran hard, visiting every part of NY State and won a Senate seat. She is a role model for "pulling oneself up by her "bootstraps'" (a common GOP complaint of the poor who have no boots, even). There is factual evidence on congress people walking into lobbying jobs from their govt. positions, and only the jealous would deny her the right to charge what the market could bear for her speeches. She is brilliant, deep and experienced, and all the republican candidate combined aren't "equal" to her. Who is perfect, and "perfect is the enemy of the good"?
80
Oh heck, give the girl a break, after all she can tell a good story, even though it was a magnificent lie -
"I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base," she said.
However, reporters and others accompanying Clinton recalled the landing at Tuzla as being routine. And on Monday night, after days of argument, CBS settled the matter, unearthing film confirming there had been no sniper fire."
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/mar/25/hillaryclinton.uselections2008
I do so love the Hillarys on the planet; think about the boredom if we didn't have them.
Her sojourn to the White House reminds me a bit of Hamlets' act 3, wherein one finds,
"Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles..."
Come November, as Bernies' supporters carry him to the swearing in, in January, she will set sail on that sea of troubles, for parts unknown, blessings be upon her.
"I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base," she said.
However, reporters and others accompanying Clinton recalled the landing at Tuzla as being routine. And on Monday night, after days of argument, CBS settled the matter, unearthing film confirming there had been no sniper fire."
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/mar/25/hillaryclinton.uselections2008
I do so love the Hillarys on the planet; think about the boredom if we didn't have them.
Her sojourn to the White House reminds me a bit of Hamlets' act 3, wherein one finds,
"Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles..."
Come November, as Bernies' supporters carry him to the swearing in, in January, she will set sail on that sea of troubles, for parts unknown, blessings be upon her.
26
Does Dowd have an insta-column app? Insert current movie title to start, choose a 90's event to rehash, add one sentence containing new information provided by David Geffen, choose level of underlying disgust, hit "Generate/Publish".
60
Borrowing a couple of phrases elsewhere in today's Times, Maureen is "unreservedly smug, an unabashedly mean". Unbelievably obsessed with painting a negative image of Hillary Clinton!
58
Old news made new news by Trump.
The real news is that Cruz is going to win Iowa. Then what?
Monica who?
The real news is that Cruz is going to win Iowa. Then what?
Monica who?
24
Detached, aren't we? Dowd, queen of female opinion sharers, has no personal reaction to Hillary's misogynist history? ...just some bland odservstions about the Donald and his campaign?
5
I think the responses to this column demonstrates a failure on the part of presumably left leaning readers, one a radical leftie like myself finds disheartening. Obviously and clearly Trump is an embarrassment and lacks any and all of the skills and intelligence Hilary possesses. And, sure, Miss Dowd has a track record of going after Hilary. But so what? The point of the article is that Hilary's past, tied to her womanizing husband, is awkward at best and damning at worst. Bill was a great president and his wife might be even better. But they have trampled and besmirched people, including and especially women who turned out to be telling the truth about Mr Clinton's appetites.
is this a hatchet job? Maybe. But a bit truth too.
The right in America is currently a disgrace of obnoxiousness (as Frank Bruni says today) and ignorance and racism and the rest. And when you read the comments to articles that point this out in this newspaper, right leaning readers often miss the point, crying that the NYT is liberal or (as with Mr. Bruni's article), that only a liberal would see Mr Trump's behavior as poor, as if someone could not be a small government conservative and still understand that not all brown people are rapists.
Let's not make the same mistake. It is as important, if not more so, to criticize ones friends as ones enemies. Trump, Cruz, etc seem to be incapable of self-reflection. Too often true of their followers too. Let's be better than that.
is this a hatchet job? Maybe. But a bit truth too.
The right in America is currently a disgrace of obnoxiousness (as Frank Bruni says today) and ignorance and racism and the rest. And when you read the comments to articles that point this out in this newspaper, right leaning readers often miss the point, crying that the NYT is liberal or (as with Mr. Bruni's article), that only a liberal would see Mr Trump's behavior as poor, as if someone could not be a small government conservative and still understand that not all brown people are rapists.
Let's not make the same mistake. It is as important, if not more so, to criticize ones friends as ones enemies. Trump, Cruz, etc seem to be incapable of self-reflection. Too often true of their followers too. Let's be better than that.
29
good for Maureen.
someone has to expose the farce that are the Clintons and their machinery. Look at how they have 'leveraged' D. Wasserman S. Only 4 debates and on weekends!
Disgraceful Thanks for calling her/them out for what they are: AMBItiOUS TO THE CORE.
someone has to expose the farce that are the Clintons and their machinery. Look at how they have 'leveraged' D. Wasserman S. Only 4 debates and on weekends!
Disgraceful Thanks for calling her/them out for what they are: AMBItiOUS TO THE CORE.
24
Welcome back Ms. Dawd, over the past several months I am anxiously waiting your columns. Glad you are back hoping you please us with your rational comments.
10
An insightful and excellent article that hits the hypocrisy of HRC squarely on the head. Hence the moans of protest in the Comments section. Great work Ms. Dowd - glad to have you back!
17
Maureen, let's face it. You can't stand Hillary. Never have and never will. In that vein, you will never have a good word to say about her.
Too bad because she is the poster child for women of a certain age trying to make it or get ahead in a male dominated world.
Too bad because she is the poster child for women of a certain age trying to make it or get ahead in a male dominated world.
36
Reading Maureen Dowd attacking Hillary Clinton's character is the ultimate NYT Groundhog Day experience. I am SO over reading the same opinion piece by Dowd on Clinton, year after year after year. SImply exhausting. We get your point! Next time you write about Hillary, please have something new to say. Thank you.
47
Maureen.
You know exactly how readers will perceive this trash, and you write it anyway. I'm impressed.
You know exactly how readers will perceive this trash, and you write it anyway. I'm impressed.
18
Kudos Maureen despite all the criticism you are receiving do not waiver in your attempt to expose the Clintons for what they are.
32
Does this mean Maureen will not vote for Hillary? Nah, she bite her tongue (or pen) and do it anyway.
2
The Hugh Glass/Hillary analogy is quite a stretch. Ms. Dowd's vendetta for the Clinton's has become detrimental to her craft. Too bad. I used to like her columns.
52
There will be a great number of votes heading Hillary's way solely because of her biological sex, regardless if people think she herself is "untrustworthy" and a "liar." Bill's contribution to perceptions about Hillary being de minimus at the voting booth.
2
The inhabitants of Hillaryland will not be happy with this column. I think it's great, however. Go Bernie!
13
Um...actually, a Shakespearean saw, Maureen. Winter's Tale Act III: scene 3. And funny how you elide the fact that you were part of the anti-Lewinsky pile-on. Exit, pursued by a bear, indeed.
13
Will somebody please explain to me why NOBODY mentions that Donald Trump cheated on HIS wife?
For the record, Donald is running for president, Bill isn't.
For the record, Donald is running for president, Bill isn't.
61
Marriage is the most complicated negotiation on earth. Then again how would you know never having been married even once yourself? You are way out of your depth here.
Just as you cannot be a citizen of the world living in a cave, or have any clue what it is like to give birth or raise children if you haven't had the actual experience, you have zero idea what goes into a marriage. Even if you did, the intricacies that go on between husband and wife are unknown to anyone but the two in that marriage.
Hilary, no matter what you think of her, does not deserve this. You have been given valuable space in the NYT to write about the Clinton's marriage (again) -- a relationship, if you think about it for half a second -- you truly know nothing about.
Just as you cannot be a citizen of the world living in a cave, or have any clue what it is like to give birth or raise children if you haven't had the actual experience, you have zero idea what goes into a marriage. Even if you did, the intricacies that go on between husband and wife are unknown to anyone but the two in that marriage.
Hilary, no matter what you think of her, does not deserve this. You have been given valuable space in the NYT to write about the Clinton's marriage (again) -- a relationship, if you think about it for half a second -- you truly know nothing about.
59
Dowd comeback with an yawn .
So boring with same old same old obsession with the Clintons.
Move on girl and let us be.
So boring with same old same old obsession with the Clintons.
Move on girl and let us be.
34
I am not a fan of Hill & Bill, but what is the point of this column except--in case we missed it--to repeat Trump's boorish, crude verbal assaults on Hillary? And why would any civilized writer/person want to do that???
28
Congratulations, Ms. Dowd, on pricking the soft underbelly of Hillary support: her unconditional defense of her husband, despite his philandering, as politically expedient. She covets the White House so much that she simply compartmentalizes his infidelity as a footnote to his political achievements (something most women find abhorrent). Her need to dismiss legitimate objections to his violation of the fidelity pact implicit in most American marriages is akin to the spouse of a domestic abuser who professes love despite her bruises. I am a brother to eight sisters, all of whom (Democrat and Republican alike) shudder at the hypocrisy of Hillary's stance. Their reluctance to embrace Hillary as a truly feminist candidate who stands for the rights of women is based on her enabling behavior toward her husband, who ultimately cost her votes. In the parlance of social media, she needs to "own" her husband's extramarital affairs and state unequivocally that they hurt her marriage. Hillary's inability (or reluctance) to address this issue will likely cost her women's vote in Midwestn states.
13
Maureen: you have in the past demonstrated the ability to write thoughtfully and beautifully, even breathtakingly so about important things.
Your Achilles' heel is anything to do with the Clintons, a topic that seems to mess with your talent and lead you to indulge in pointless drivel t does you a disservice.
Yes, Bill Clinton behaved badly on occasion. Yes, Hillary Clinton "stood by her man." It's over. There's nothing useful left to be said on this topic.
Why not avoid it and write about something substantive? There is no shortage of substantive topics right now.
Come on, girl, I know, you can do it.
Your Achilles' heel is anything to do with the Clintons, a topic that seems to mess with your talent and lead you to indulge in pointless drivel t does you a disservice.
Yes, Bill Clinton behaved badly on occasion. Yes, Hillary Clinton "stood by her man." It's over. There's nothing useful left to be said on this topic.
Why not avoid it and write about something substantive? There is no shortage of substantive topics right now.
Come on, girl, I know, you can do it.
34
Maureen,
You do realize that this is 2016? We have all moved on from Bill's imperfections & short comings. We all know also that you have never liked the Clinton's. What I don't think you realize yet is the most all of us simply Yawn when this comes up. Time to move on girl.
You do realize that this is 2016? We have all moved on from Bill's imperfections & short comings. We all know also that you have never liked the Clinton's. What I don't think you realize yet is the most all of us simply Yawn when this comes up. Time to move on girl.
39
No, Hillary is more like a Chevy vega. Seriously flawed and rusting. Poor quality by design and everyone knows that if you buy in she still won't get over the finish line.
13
Dowd is back after a while and back with her obsession with Bill Clinton.
Let me guess who she will be voting for. It ain`t Madame Hillary.
Give it up Dowd you are wasting our time and money with your going back to the time of Bill Clinton. Do I need to remind you the Country was in much better shape when Mr. Clinton was the President ?
Let me guess who she will be voting for. It ain`t Madame Hillary.
Give it up Dowd you are wasting our time and money with your going back to the time of Bill Clinton. Do I need to remind you the Country was in much better shape when Mr. Clinton was the President ?
36
Is Maureen Dowd ever going to write an original column again? This vendetta of hers against the Clintons was old in 1999.
121
I cannot fathom, these two, disgusting reprobates, back in our White House. God hear my plea.
24
While you are trashing the Clintons, Maureen, you might want to remind you readers that the Lewinski business came to light only after a years long Republican effort to discredit Bill Clinton on completely specious grounds. By any standard, he had a successful Presidency. Given your position, you ought to do better tha recycling twenty year old gossip. You are as bad as Trump. Neither of you can take on Hillary on policy grounds. We know Trump doesn't know anything about policy, what's your excuse?
118
Anyone who finds a CGI-style amusement park spectacle in a politician who spews hatred and anti-democratic propaganda while likening a mature and policy-driven campaigner to an extreme, vengeful, "foaming at the mouth" film character.....
Anyone who would portray Hillary Clinton as the candidate who will do or say anything to win at exactly the point when the Republican primary field is winnowing to a winner-take-all position....
Anyone who slips right past the fact that Trump's misogynistic language is capitalizing on the angry, white, male POV to heap scorn on the possibility that Hillary might capitalize her gender by simply talking about some of the challenges women face......
has a blind side as big as that imaginary fence between Mexico and the US.
Anyone who would portray Hillary Clinton as the candidate who will do or say anything to win at exactly the point when the Republican primary field is winnowing to a winner-take-all position....
Anyone who slips right past the fact that Trump's misogynistic language is capitalizing on the angry, white, male POV to heap scorn on the possibility that Hillary might capitalize her gender by simply talking about some of the challenges women face......
has a blind side as big as that imaginary fence between Mexico and the US.
88
Again as always a woman that pulls no punches, takes care of business and does what it takes to maneuver ahead is somehow unlike a man that does the same; it's just not lady-like I guess. But please, PLEASE, just stand back for one moment and ask why it is that a woman doing what a man would do without one second thought becomes an object of ridicule.
67
Ms Dowd, Why do you have such animosity for Hilary? Even I, a complete Bernie supporter, know she is more supportive of women's rights than ANY Republican. So much bile isn't good for you.
159
Maureen, never to soon to trash Hillary. When she's elected President and serves for 8 years, you may run out of material. Seriously, what is it with you and the Cintons? Some of the best people dislike you, including President Obama, who ignored your efforts to chat with him during your White House visit.
138
A wife is cheated on by her husband, wronged by a younger woman, attacked by an angry man for it, and whom does Maureen Dowd blame?
The wife.
Nice misogynistic column Maureen Dowd.
The wife.
Nice misogynistic column Maureen Dowd.
214
Here’s what I’m concerned about:
1. I’m concerned about Obamacare coming to an end. I’m in my 60s and was deemed to have a preexisting condition, so could not get health insurance. Now I have it, and it is a wonderful thing. I don’t have to ignore ailments and hope they go away. I don’t have to come up with suicide plans so my loved ones aren’t bankrupted if I get cancer. I can take care of problems early. I no longer feel my life somehow has less value than other lives.
2. I’m concerned about racism. I’m not white and like many non-whites can tell you we live with a sense of otherness, if not exclusion. We are often defined by cliches about our race rather than being seen first as an individual. Now Donald Trump is stoking racist sentiments and giving them legitimacy, which will persist whether he wins the nomination or not. There are many parts of the country I will not travel to because of racism. I’m a third-generation American. This should not be.
3. I’m concerned about the shrinking value of my fixed income. Have you seen the price of beef lately? I live modestly. I don’t have the latest smartphone; I don’t have a smartphone at all. I realize I’m more fortunate than many. But I would like to take my wife on a nice vacation somewhere, and see the world, and meet people from other cultures, while I can.
Here’s what I don’t care about: Anything in this column. Please care. Please try harder.
1. I’m concerned about Obamacare coming to an end. I’m in my 60s and was deemed to have a preexisting condition, so could not get health insurance. Now I have it, and it is a wonderful thing. I don’t have to ignore ailments and hope they go away. I don’t have to come up with suicide plans so my loved ones aren’t bankrupted if I get cancer. I can take care of problems early. I no longer feel my life somehow has less value than other lives.
2. I’m concerned about racism. I’m not white and like many non-whites can tell you we live with a sense of otherness, if not exclusion. We are often defined by cliches about our race rather than being seen first as an individual. Now Donald Trump is stoking racist sentiments and giving them legitimacy, which will persist whether he wins the nomination or not. There are many parts of the country I will not travel to because of racism. I’m a third-generation American. This should not be.
3. I’m concerned about the shrinking value of my fixed income. Have you seen the price of beef lately? I live modestly. I don’t have the latest smartphone; I don’t have a smartphone at all. I realize I’m more fortunate than many. But I would like to take my wife on a nice vacation somewhere, and see the world, and meet people from other cultures, while I can.
Here’s what I don’t care about: Anything in this column. Please care. Please try harder.
578
This may come across as an apology for Mrs. Clinton:
1. She was the wife--whipsawed between an unhappy relationship and being a very public figure. She WAS an abused woman; how easy to judge.
2. When Mrs. Clinton is quoted, ““I would say that everybody should be believed at first until they are disbelieved based on evidence,” as responding “lamely,” why ‘lame’, Ms. Dowd? Fairness based on evidence is pretty much right on isn’t it?
3. Haven’t we come far enough in this age of information and human rights to not judge people on their non-abusive, consensual sexuality? Has forthrightness about personal, private relationships—sexual or otherwise—become proper fodder for political correctness?
Dragging out old laundry is not addressing healthcare, social security, or any other issues of import facing the American civilization. Hillary Clinton and a working congress will be the best chance for moving in the right direction.
1. She was the wife--whipsawed between an unhappy relationship and being a very public figure. She WAS an abused woman; how easy to judge.
2. When Mrs. Clinton is quoted, ““I would say that everybody should be believed at first until they are disbelieved based on evidence,” as responding “lamely,” why ‘lame’, Ms. Dowd? Fairness based on evidence is pretty much right on isn’t it?
3. Haven’t we come far enough in this age of information and human rights to not judge people on their non-abusive, consensual sexuality? Has forthrightness about personal, private relationships—sexual or otherwise—become proper fodder for political correctness?
Dragging out old laundry is not addressing healthcare, social security, or any other issues of import facing the American civilization. Hillary Clinton and a working congress will be the best chance for moving in the right direction.
83
google 'enabler' and you'll find that it describes Hillary perfectly. can one be BOTH an enabler and a victim simultaneously? of course. it''s not at all inconsistent. it's characterisitic of learned helplessness behavior.
16
What's Leo got to do with it? Actually, what's Hillary got to do with it? Polls show that it's Bernie who would defeat Trump handily, not Hillary. Why is that so hard for the Times and Ms. Dowd to accept?
37
Ms. Dowd picked the wrong metaphors. Trump is not a wild bear (noble, larger than life, peace-loving omnivore), but rather a squinty-eyed wolverine (small, bad-tempered, aggressive predator). Hillary is not a wounded trapper dragging herself though the wilderness seeking revenge, rather more like a harpooned whale struggling to reach the dubious sanctuary of the polluted beach known as the White House…an air-breathing, ocean-dwelling mammal swimming with sharks and dull-witted fishes known as politicians. Continuing on, Bill is an aging weasel; Bernie is a wise,old Galapagos tortoise; Jeb is an orangutan; Ben is a wombat; Chris is a boar; Ted is a prairie dog; Carly is an ostrich; Paul is a fox; and Marco is an iguana. The menagerie of this year’s candidates should all be placed into a local animal shelter for their and our protection against rabid beasts on the loose.
54
Dowd says it like it is. The Clintons should apologize, go away, and apologize, and go away, and just go away. After apologizing to voters and Monica Lewinsky.
29
"Her impulse was to blame the woman" Maureen says. As a feminist, I say women GET THE BLAME when they pursue married men. And if you think Monica and the rest didn't pursue, why was she bragging about her "Congressional knee pads" long before she worked in the Oval Office? Everytime there is a revelation of an extramarital affair involving politicians in the US, it seems the female half of the beast with two backs is portrayed as a creature of pity and sympathy. as if she were powerless in the situation. Women in Maureen's world are either a Victorian lady on a fainting couch (Monica et al) or a vicious harpie (Hillary). Boring.
68
Wow.
Just like Obama in 2008, the press is already in "coronation" mode!
This time it's the "tough woman" meme.
The liberal "Margaret Thatcher", the "Iron Lady".
Never mind that Margaret Thatcher didn't have to ride her husband's coat tails.
Never mind that Margaret Thatcher didn't have to do that old country-western tune, "Stand by Your Man".
Never mind that Margaret Thatcher didn't need to be rewarded for the above by becoming a carpet bagger Senator in a blue state in which she never lived until residency requirements.
Never mind that Margaret Thatcher didn't need to be rewarded for losing the primary to another image only icon getting a job as Secretary of State, setting her up for the next presidency.
Nope, the press has now deemed upon her, "she's tough, she'll make a great President!"
And all the Democrat mice will follow behind the pied Piper, this time, playing the flute of course; Maureen Dowd!
"Hey liberal voters, look over here, not over there...she's being chased by a grizzly!!! This election isn't about 'it's her turn now', it's about how tough she is and the bear that's after her... Look this way, not that way we command you!!!"
The coronation has begun!!!
Just like Obama in 2008, the press is already in "coronation" mode!
This time it's the "tough woman" meme.
The liberal "Margaret Thatcher", the "Iron Lady".
Never mind that Margaret Thatcher didn't have to ride her husband's coat tails.
Never mind that Margaret Thatcher didn't have to do that old country-western tune, "Stand by Your Man".
Never mind that Margaret Thatcher didn't need to be rewarded for the above by becoming a carpet bagger Senator in a blue state in which she never lived until residency requirements.
Never mind that Margaret Thatcher didn't need to be rewarded for losing the primary to another image only icon getting a job as Secretary of State, setting her up for the next presidency.
Nope, the press has now deemed upon her, "she's tough, she'll make a great President!"
And all the Democrat mice will follow behind the pied Piper, this time, playing the flute of course; Maureen Dowd!
"Hey liberal voters, look over here, not over there...she's being chased by a grizzly!!! This election isn't about 'it's her turn now', it's about how tough she is and the bear that's after her... Look this way, not that way we command you!!!"
The coronation has begun!!!
26
This is being portrayed as a hit piece against Hillary.
Dear Lord does everyone live on the surface details?
It's an inoculation!!!!
Dear Lord does everyone live on the surface details?
It's an inoculation!!!!
6
"Manic bear." Great phrase. And the NYT obliges with that photo...
6
Ready for Hillary! (and all her scandals, corruption and crime...)
19
It's just amazing this constant harping on Hillary's marriage to Bill or Bill Clinton's peccadilloes. Who knows, may be they have a non-traditional marriage, or just got over it, or, or or...it doesn't matter and is non- of our business.
92
In Reagan's famous words, 'There you go again'. How can you even compare Trump with the Clintons when it comes to 'sexism'? While it is true that Bill couldn't keep it in his pants and lied about that, and while there is no question that Hillary 'defended her man', Trump's behavior is at a totally different level. I can't even wrap my head around his comments regarding her 'disgusting' bathroom break. His views rise above (sink below?) sexism, they are truly misogynistic. The fact that you, Maureen, can use the word 'charming' to describe Trump, is most troubling. And the fact that you keep beating up an incontrovertibly accomplished woman such as Hillary, one who would do much for women, is even more troubling. You, like Nero, are fiddling while Rome burns.
144
There she goes again. Keep hitting Hillary below her husband's belt, Ms. Dowd, and you will energize the many of us who are tired of having her blamed for disliking Lewinsky, and being human. When will you stop this obsession with her? I guess by now you are doing her a favor, and just plain annoying a growing bunch of us who vote.
144
Weak tea, even for Maureen Dowd. Seems like she couldn't finish her column about Leonardo DiCaprio, so she dug up some old Hilary bashing that somehow hadn't made it into a column. Or had it?
101
Maureen, your years-long hatred of all things Clinton is as old and tiresome as Trump's egotism and bad hair. Aren't you tired of it? I think most of the rest of us are...
146
I guess i am patting myself on the back Maureen, but all the years that i have loved you is because usually when i read your columns we are in agreement.
Hillary gets under my skin, she inspires me like, zero.
Keep pounding away, because better an ugly truth, than a pretty lie.
Hillary gets under my skin, she inspires me like, zero.
Keep pounding away, because better an ugly truth, than a pretty lie.
34
Ms. Dowd,
I can't help but wonder why you needed to take us down the Hillary Path once again when Ted Cruz is just so out-there.
You could have, probably should have, mentioned how peculiar it was when Mr. Cruz decided to stop being call 'Felito', his childhood nickname, because it sounded like "Dorito', but instead chose to be called 'Ted.' Isn't that a little peculiar Maureen? After all, he's so proud of his Latino heritage he could have just preferred to be called his real first name 'Rafael' or a take on it, you know, something a little more Latino.
And then there's the red meat to discuss.
How about his belief there has been no significant warming of the planet in the past seventeen years. Or how he has stated that the overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats. Or the reason Democrats are so soft on crime is because most felons vote Democrat. Huh??????
A simple Google of Wiki Ted Cruz lays it all out.
I can't help but wonder why you needed to take us down the Hillary Path once again when Ted Cruz is just so out-there.
You could have, probably should have, mentioned how peculiar it was when Mr. Cruz decided to stop being call 'Felito', his childhood nickname, because it sounded like "Dorito', but instead chose to be called 'Ted.' Isn't that a little peculiar Maureen? After all, he's so proud of his Latino heritage he could have just preferred to be called his real first name 'Rafael' or a take on it, you know, something a little more Latino.
And then there's the red meat to discuss.
How about his belief there has been no significant warming of the planet in the past seventeen years. Or how he has stated that the overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats. Or the reason Democrats are so soft on crime is because most felons vote Democrat. Huh??????
A simple Google of Wiki Ted Cruz lays it all out.
84
Donald Trump is like Ronald Reagan, a major form with minor substance. The difference is, Trump is not glued to the Republican Establishment. HRC is the Democratic Establishment; she is despicable.
Essay; Blizzard of Lies
By WILLIAM SAFIRE
Published: January 8, 1996
Americans of all political persuasions are coming to the sad realization that our First Lady — a woman of undoubted talents who was a role model for many in her generation — is a congenital liar.
www.nytimes.com/1996/01/08/opinion/essay-blizzard-of-lies.html
Essay; Blizzard of Lies
By WILLIAM SAFIRE
Published: January 8, 1996
Americans of all political persuasions are coming to the sad realization that our First Lady — a woman of undoubted talents who was a role model for many in her generation — is a congenital liar.
www.nytimes.com/1996/01/08/opinion/essay-blizzard-of-lies.html
20
As soon as Donald Trump attacked the Clintons regarding Bill Clinton`s sex life I knew that Maureen Dowd would write a column attacking the Clintons, as she has done around 150 times in the last 24 years. She is so predictable.
Dowd may think Trump`s ad linking Hillary wioth Bill Cosby and Anthony Weiner brilliant but Jimmy Kimmel who is apolitical and nonpartisan thought it was stupid and showed it to his audience who laughed hysterically because it is such nonsense.
Contrary what Dowd writes Hillary Clinton is a feminist icon who has been endorsed by Now, Emily`s List and Planned Parenthood.
It is Dowd who over the years has trashed women and is a self hating woman.
Hillary never publicly trashed Lewinsky but Dowd has. That is why Lewinsky went over to Dowd at restaurant they were both at and yelled at Dowd for all the abuse had gotten from her.
As for the simplistic comparison between Bill Cosby and Bill Clinton -none of Cosby`s accusers had hidden agendas and none are allied with well financed organizations trying to destroy him. You cannot say the same thing about Bill Clinton.
Also contrary to what Dowd writes Monica Lewinsky never referred to Hillary Clinton as a bully in her Vanity Fair article. The women she loathes are Dowd and Linda Tripp who set her up for a FBI sting operation.
Dowd may think Trump`s ad linking Hillary wioth Bill Cosby and Anthony Weiner brilliant but Jimmy Kimmel who is apolitical and nonpartisan thought it was stupid and showed it to his audience who laughed hysterically because it is such nonsense.
Contrary what Dowd writes Hillary Clinton is a feminist icon who has been endorsed by Now, Emily`s List and Planned Parenthood.
It is Dowd who over the years has trashed women and is a self hating woman.
Hillary never publicly trashed Lewinsky but Dowd has. That is why Lewinsky went over to Dowd at restaurant they were both at and yelled at Dowd for all the abuse had gotten from her.
As for the simplistic comparison between Bill Cosby and Bill Clinton -none of Cosby`s accusers had hidden agendas and none are allied with well financed organizations trying to destroy him. You cannot say the same thing about Bill Clinton.
Also contrary to what Dowd writes Monica Lewinsky never referred to Hillary Clinton as a bully in her Vanity Fair article. The women she loathes are Dowd and Linda Tripp who set her up for a FBI sting operation.
70
Quoting your own interview from 1999? Seriously? You're still talking about the same things for 20 years?
74
If Hillary thinks that all the bimbo eruptions she blamed on her husband's troubles with women in Arkansas are part of banal history, she is wrong. That's exactly what Bill Cosby (the other Bill) thought to: all those allegations of rape after Benadryl party were old news, and would not hurt him.
If her credo is that all women crying rape need to be believed except the 'troubled' ones accusing her husband of indiscretions and transgressions, she could not be more two-faced.
Note to Sanders supporters: stop being silly with your kool-aid party. Sanders has his own Israeli citizenship problem too, assuming he becomes the nominee. We do not want our president to be the citizen of Israel too just as we did not want our president to be a citizen of Canada too.
If her credo is that all women crying rape need to be believed except the 'troubled' ones accusing her husband of indiscretions and transgressions, she could not be more two-faced.
Note to Sanders supporters: stop being silly with your kool-aid party. Sanders has his own Israeli citizenship problem too, assuming he becomes the nominee. We do not want our president to be the citizen of Israel too just as we did not want our president to be a citizen of Canada too.
14
For those, especially the Republicans on here, please just shush already. How many on the right with their holier than thou attitude have been elected INSPITE of their extra marital affairs, etc? But oh wait - they have asked for forgiveness and God has forgiven them.
Please can we move on?
Please can we move on?
28
Ms. Dowd is back for sure. Conencting "The Revenant" with Hillary Clinton shows you that her pen will know no bounds in her attempt to trash Hillary.
45
Welcome back, Maureen. It seemed you were gone too long. Your columns are one of the things that keep me subscribing to the Times. Raw and honest. Keep it coming.
10
Maureen, can't you find some new topic other than beat up on Hillary? It seems like you are working for Faux news instead of NYT?
97
Another great column by Maureen Dowd. She's at her best when she knocks Hillary off her high horse. HRC was happy to denigrate the women that Bill molested (or raped), but now she's suddenly a voice for justice? She can dish it out, but she sure can't take it. Let her meet with Kathleen Willey or Juanita Broderick and I'll believe she's changed her stripes. Feel the Trump!
15
Maureen,
I wanted to welcome you back but do not enjoy this drivel about Hillary anymore. When you get around to going after Trump and his unbaked proposals, show me how he will make chumps of us all.
I wanted to welcome you back but do not enjoy this drivel about Hillary anymore. When you get around to going after Trump and his unbaked proposals, show me how he will make chumps of us all.
70
MD does have chords she plays about the Clintons and the Buses, as a person who learned to play guitar in ten lessons. Is she telling the truth here about Mrs. Clinton's treatment of women who threatened the family hegemony? Look and listen to her on the stump. She practically rants as Gov. Dean did -- well not quite, but the point is this candidate's rhetoric is no better than she was in 2008. I believe that enough young democrats, with whom I disagree, will vote in Iowa and NH to give both states to Bernard Sanders. Sanders offers democrats a direct line from Jefferson, Jackson, Wlm J. Bryant, Wilson, and Norman Thomas. Perhaps some of MD's siblings or cousins at times sound like Trump at Thanksgiving Dinner, but I don't think she likes him.
6
Great column. Hillary doesn't have a leg to stand on with feminists. And check out the opinion piece on the sexual assaults in Cologne in the NYT. It's all shrugged off as hysteria when it interferes with the liberal agenda.
19
With each new column of tiresome anti-Clinton snark, Ms. Dowd edges ever closer to total irrelevance.
227
I look to the NYTimes columnists to provide insights and viewpoints that might otherwise have escaped me. I learned nothing, absolutely nothing, of interest or value by reading this column. There was not one word about policy; about how any candidate claims he or she will guide the USA.
Maureen, you used to be able to do better. Please show us that you still can.
Maureen, you used to be able to do better. Please show us that you still can.
120
Welcome back Maureen. Have not seen "The Revenant", probably won't, maybe on TV eventually, but your analogy with Hillary was a bit unclear.
Trump has been an equal opportunity humbler. He has taken on the Establishment in way unforeseen. Criticize his populism all you want, but it is a good dose of antivenin for our democracy.
He has put an end to the crowning of Jeb Bush. Then he put an end to the President Scott Walker, brought to you by the Koch Brothers, show. Think back to all the hand wringing and belly-aching comments the last couple of years on the NYT editorial pages and comments sections. "Oh, what are we going to do about Citizens United? Oh, what about all that unlimited money? Waaah!" Well, waaah indeed, Trump did it without any of the bellyaching. He gives Baloney answers to the questions asked with so much self-importance by the journalists, but Baloney or not, he gets the job done, doesn't he?
Now he is taking on the crowning of Hillary. Good. This is America, no kings or queens. Earn it.
By the way,is this where we put up a card saying *No Mexicans or Muslims were hurt during the making of this movie*? At least it will spare us from the former "Citizens United Waaah!" brigade's latest project.
Anyway, I have no idea what Trump's aims are. Maybe he is just a rich narcissist enjoying his money and power. He has managed to expose our inner bigots, even taking on Fox News, and to make America a little safer for democracy, hasn't he? What're we doing???
Trump has been an equal opportunity humbler. He has taken on the Establishment in way unforeseen. Criticize his populism all you want, but it is a good dose of antivenin for our democracy.
He has put an end to the crowning of Jeb Bush. Then he put an end to the President Scott Walker, brought to you by the Koch Brothers, show. Think back to all the hand wringing and belly-aching comments the last couple of years on the NYT editorial pages and comments sections. "Oh, what are we going to do about Citizens United? Oh, what about all that unlimited money? Waaah!" Well, waaah indeed, Trump did it without any of the bellyaching. He gives Baloney answers to the questions asked with so much self-importance by the journalists, but Baloney or not, he gets the job done, doesn't he?
Now he is taking on the crowning of Hillary. Good. This is America, no kings or queens. Earn it.
By the way,is this where we put up a card saying *No Mexicans or Muslims were hurt during the making of this movie*? At least it will spare us from the former "Citizens United Waaah!" brigade's latest project.
Anyway, I have no idea what Trump's aims are. Maybe he is just a rich narcissist enjoying his money and power. He has managed to expose our inner bigots, even taking on Fox News, and to make America a little safer for democracy, hasn't he? What're we doing???
7
I ususally like your colums Maureen.....and this one is no exception. Thank the Good Lord that not every journalist has been bought by the DNC (Via HRC Wall Street and Monsanto contributions). Better than the GOP? Same old same old. A vote for HRC is like a vote for anybody the GOP throws up (no pun intended) as a candidate. Go Bernie Go. Honesty will beat Goliath.
10
I see Ms. Dowd eagerly took Trump's bait.
32
Maureen Dowd is clearly Donald Trump's biggest supporter among national columnists, so what would you expect from her? She's spent her career fighting feminism, so why stop now?
33
Maureen,
Der Spiegel has a piece last month on how madam neo-con was the only candidate (GOP or Dem) invited to John McCain birthday party last year. They detailed how Hillary felt right at home in the company of the war cabal: Wolfowitz, Lieberman, Pearle, the Kagan Brothers, Murdoch, and Tailor Schumer. They also revealed the Kagans are her advisers on “national security” and if Jeb flames out, Wolfie will join her campaign.
The neo-con/Wall Street darling is now positioning herself to be a war belligerent president. On the campaign stump however, she is pulling a masterful act promising peace and prosperity.
The real tragedy is: 75% of Dems women are committed to vote for her.
PS: Tailor refers to how Schumer custom-tailor laws in Congress for the Wall Street mafia.
Der Spiegel has a piece last month on how madam neo-con was the only candidate (GOP or Dem) invited to John McCain birthday party last year. They detailed how Hillary felt right at home in the company of the war cabal: Wolfowitz, Lieberman, Pearle, the Kagan Brothers, Murdoch, and Tailor Schumer. They also revealed the Kagans are her advisers on “national security” and if Jeb flames out, Wolfie will join her campaign.
The neo-con/Wall Street darling is now positioning herself to be a war belligerent president. On the campaign stump however, she is pulling a masterful act promising peace and prosperity.
The real tragedy is: 75% of Dems women are committed to vote for her.
PS: Tailor refers to how Schumer custom-tailor laws in Congress for the Wall Street mafia.
17
Lousy column. Oldest trick in the book, tying a column to whatever is current in movies.
33
Maureen - you are spot on - The Woman is a hypocrite - she will use women to get elected and trash them when it is convenient
21
Plain and simple Maureen hates Hillary and loves Trump.
46
Oh, well. At least Mo didn't twist herself into pretzel to take a gratuitous jab at "Barry."
18
I usually find Ms Dowd entertaining, but her Clinton mania sounds like she has a bad crush on Bill, and is mad he won't dump his hated girlfriend for her in time for the prom.
23
Mean spirited and unnecessary, Maureen. Actually, downright cruel. What is between Hill and Bill and their marriage is between them. His many affairs may be the frisson that keeps them together. Who is to know.
Why not tale a look at the Trumpster's. many marriages? And, pray, give us your thoughts.
Why not tale a look at the Trumpster's. many marriages? And, pray, give us your thoughts.
23
Sometimes columnists and pundits get lucky.
Just when they have managed to alienate their audience by pushing too hard and too often in skewering some public figure they detest, someone or something comes along with fresh (actually, re-heated) fodder for their cherished mission of character assassination.
Donald Trump, of all people, has ridden to Maureen Dowd’s rescue.
Are we expected to applaud the Trump-Dowd alliance?
Just when they have managed to alienate their audience by pushing too hard and too often in skewering some public figure they detest, someone or something comes along with fresh (actually, re-heated) fodder for their cherished mission of character assassination.
Donald Trump, of all people, has ridden to Maureen Dowd’s rescue.
Are we expected to applaud the Trump-Dowd alliance?
10
Yeah, who cares? Somebody at the NY Times had better figure out what's important in leadership, in governing and ideas. Or else we end up w a clownish Trump or a mean-spirited crackpot Cruz. Hillary has the education, the experience and the drive to move the country forward. Anybody really up for another failed presidency like Bush's? I don't think so.
25
Ah, Mo, it seems you have been gone forever, but, no, you have just been off somewhere, polishing your talons for yet another run of off beat psuedo cultural riffs leading inexorably and so predictably to the continued bashing of the Clintons. But then, what does a one trick pony do? Of course, we know the answer there, but, my goodness, how creative the lead ins are. One can almost imagine for a minute or two that you had something new or different to say. When Gail managed to creatively work Romney's dog into every column, we laughed because it was clever and funny, but you constantly manage to show us how such obsessions can end up being charmless and sad.
37
Wow. What a surprise. Maureen is back attacking Hillary and Bill while making light of trump's bigotry, racism, and demagoguery. Rehashing the same old spiteful stuff about the Clintons while mildly describing trump as "politically incorrect" is just wrong. Trump is a dangerous man who is inciting bigotry, rage and fear wherever he goes with no respect for anyone. He is more than an embarrassment and is not amusing. You can not compare anything the Clintons may or may not have done with his Hitler like behavior. Stop bashing the Clintons. It's way past old.
36
I love the excuses and double standards of the commentors. Bill Clinton was accused of rape on multiple occasions and the left all just find excuses for why it is not true, Trump is worse, or there are other more important things to worry about. The war on woman couldn't from the Clintons. Say it isn't so.
7
Making a correlation between DiCaprio and Hillary is quite a stretch. If that's the best Dowd can come up with after several months away I don't hold much hope for future columns.
That said, Boastful Trump, Obnoxious Cruz, Crazy Sanders, and Slimy Clinton will all provide plenty of fodder in the months ahead. Dowd should widen her field of aim.
That said, Boastful Trump, Obnoxious Cruz, Crazy Sanders, and Slimy Clinton will all provide plenty of fodder in the months ahead. Dowd should widen her field of aim.
8
I would say Dowd accurately describes the atmosphere in which this race is run.
it's a win win for some and a real lose for women anyway you cut it.
it's a win win for some and a real lose for women anyway you cut it.
3
Sorry Maureen. When I saw that this was simply your latest character assassination I stopped reading. If you can't write thoughtfully & simply phone in your far fetched analogies, I ain't interested.
22
The moment Ms Dowd has been waiting for for at least a dozen years has come at last.
5
Yes, I am also beginning to wonder about Maureen's lovefest for Trump!
15
Dowd's columns are getting thinner and thinner. Are there any attributed sources here? If not, then everything she asserts about Hillary is pure conjecture. Not good enough for Dowd who loves to rag on Democrats in general and Hillary specifically.
16
Even if it is true that "Hillary told friends that Monica was a 'troubled young person' getting ministered to by Bill and a 'narcissistic loony toon,'" by what stretch of Ms. Dowd's fevered imagination is that evidence that Hillary Clinton was part of "political operations that smeared women who told the truth about Bill’s transgressions"? What would Ms. Dowd expect a cuckolded wife to say?
Maureen should avoid dispensing relationship guidelines, an area in which she is clearly no expert. Whenever she does, her perspective becomes so monomaniacal and blinkered that she winds up taking the wrong side (remember when she preferred W. over Al Gore?) In this instance, she winds up sounding more boorish even than Trump himself, an achievement not to be proud of.
Maureen should avoid dispensing relationship guidelines, an area in which she is clearly no expert. Whenever she does, her perspective becomes so monomaniacal and blinkered that she winds up taking the wrong side (remember when she preferred W. over Al Gore?) In this instance, she winds up sounding more boorish even than Trump himself, an achievement not to be proud of.
25
In what way is Bill Clinton's behavior and Hillary Cldinton's comments some 18 years ago comparable to Trump's behavior today?
Dowd, with her relentless campaign against the Clintons and her barely-hidden fascination with Trump, diminishes herself (and by extension, the New York Times) with these columns.
We get it, Maureen. Your views are much closer to your brother's than you pretend. And, as Gail Collins teaches you repeatedly, vitriol is a poor substitute for a point well-made.
Dowd, with her relentless campaign against the Clintons and her barely-hidden fascination with Trump, diminishes herself (and by extension, the New York Times) with these columns.
We get it, Maureen. Your views are much closer to your brother's than you pretend. And, as Gail Collins teaches you repeatedly, vitriol is a poor substitute for a point well-made.
37
Easily the most dangerous, subversive article this day in NY Times.
Maureen Dowd's breezy, vacuous writings are paving the way for a reality in which the notion of moral and intellectual equivalence are foreign, and the following occurs:
Person X enters Person Y's property, destroys it, sets it on fire. Person Y - barely escaping with intact limbs - complains to the authorities.
The authorities investigate; they find: "one the one hand you were robbed, on the other hand you complained. Same things." Then they require Person X and Y to get into counseling and come to agreement that they were both at equal fault. If they don't, the authorities threaten to throw both Persons X and Y into prison.
During negotiation overseen by a panel of government experts, Person Y catches cold. For this, Person Y is fined heavily.
Netflix does a documentary on Person X. A million Americans sign a petition about the wrongs done to Person X. The government pays Person X restitution.
Critics write thoughtful tomes. "What did we really know about Person Y anyway?" The tome argues that Person Y was of questionable character; he had a cousin who went to jail for carjacking, and he lived in the same zip code as a pusher, and (oh golly) turns out that he had failed 7th grade arithmetic.
Huh? Sorry, I mis-spoke. Dowd is not paving the way to this dystopia. We are already there. Move aside now for the Trump/Cruz dynasty.
Kalidan
Maureen Dowd's breezy, vacuous writings are paving the way for a reality in which the notion of moral and intellectual equivalence are foreign, and the following occurs:
Person X enters Person Y's property, destroys it, sets it on fire. Person Y - barely escaping with intact limbs - complains to the authorities.
The authorities investigate; they find: "one the one hand you were robbed, on the other hand you complained. Same things." Then they require Person X and Y to get into counseling and come to agreement that they were both at equal fault. If they don't, the authorities threaten to throw both Persons X and Y into prison.
During negotiation overseen by a panel of government experts, Person Y catches cold. For this, Person Y is fined heavily.
Netflix does a documentary on Person X. A million Americans sign a petition about the wrongs done to Person X. The government pays Person X restitution.
Critics write thoughtful tomes. "What did we really know about Person Y anyway?" The tome argues that Person Y was of questionable character; he had a cousin who went to jail for carjacking, and he lived in the same zip code as a pusher, and (oh golly) turns out that he had failed 7th grade arithmetic.
Huh? Sorry, I mis-spoke. Dowd is not paving the way to this dystopia. We are already there. Move aside now for the Trump/Cruz dynasty.
Kalidan
4
Tell me this Maureen: If a politician's sex life is relevant to their job performance, wouldn't a columnists sex life be relevant to their job performance as well? I think to be fair, we should know exactly where you're coming from, since you seem overly obsessed with sex, not to mention daddy issues, in column after column.
31
Although I am for Bernie Sanders, I really do not get why Maureen Dowd is focusing on an prurient issue that Donald Trump brought up instead of an issue of substance. Does anyone think that unfortunate events over 15 years ago in an enduring marriage matter? Why not bring up Trump-Marla Maples chaos? Ms. Dowd just does does not like Hillary or Bill.
29
With so much fodder to focus on, Dowd turns to Bill Clinton's dalliance as some kind of comment on Hillary. No one cared then and no one cares now.
It continues to baffle me why Dowd has so much animus for Hillary Clinton but her continued finding of ways to knock her down leaves me concluding it is SHE who is waging a war on women. Just like the Republicans.
It continues to baffle me why Dowd has so much animus for Hillary Clinton but her continued finding of ways to knock her down leaves me concluding it is SHE who is waging a war on women. Just like the Republicans.
31
So if Clinton had stepped outside his marriage vows with a classy, good-looking tramp, that would have been acceptable to Donald Trump (a la JFK and Marilyn)? His real criticism of Clinton is about taste, not behavior?
Donald Trump dallied with Marla Maples while he was married to Ivana; men in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Donald Trump dallied with Marla Maples while he was married to Ivana; men in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
32
Such a waste of your talent and the forum you're given, Ms. Dowd. This column could be displayed at the check out line at any Walmart. Your obsession with the private peccadilloes of celebrities should embarrass you.
I might have enjoyed this romp through the bedrooms and toilets of the Clintons another time, but the stakes are too high. Get to work, Ms. Dowd, or get to Cosmo or some other tabloid.
I might have enjoyed this romp through the bedrooms and toilets of the Clintons another time, but the stakes are too high. Get to work, Ms. Dowd, or get to Cosmo or some other tabloid.
32
Maureen Dowd has issued another screed against Hillary Clinton. Now she claims that Hillary was a bully in the way she dealt with her husbands paramours, quoting Monica Lewinsky that her impulse was to blame the woman. Maybe Monica Lewinsky feels completely innocent, but if Hillary had felt kindly to her I would vote for Hillary for sainthood. Suffice to say, I do notthink that Hillary is responsible for her husband's philandering nor should she be punished for not leaving him. None of this is relevant to her campaign or her qualifications. Whatever her reasons for staying in the marriage - whether love or political ambition - we will never know the truth and it really is not any of our business.
44
I can give 4 simple totally compelling reasons why Hillary Clinton is infinitely preferable to ANY Republican for President:
There are 4 SCOTUS Justices that may well not survive the next 4 years, either through death or retirement:
Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Steven Breyer
Anthony Kennedy
Antonin Scalia
Two more reasons are the two appointments George W. Bush made:
John Roberts
Samuel Alito
That's six iron-clad compelling reasons why any even moderately sane American would vote for Clinton or any Democratic nominee.
There are 4 SCOTUS Justices that may well not survive the next 4 years, either through death or retirement:
Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Steven Breyer
Anthony Kennedy
Antonin Scalia
Two more reasons are the two appointments George W. Bush made:
John Roberts
Samuel Alito
That's six iron-clad compelling reasons why any even moderately sane American would vote for Clinton or any Democratic nominee.
51
I understand your tactical objectives, however, if you step back a bit, your overall strategy is shotsighted and dangerous. Is it not unwise to install a deeply conflicted and flawed individual in the position of Leader of the Free World? Do you wish to draw our already struggling nation into what inevitably would be four years of never ending scandal.....at a time when enlightened leadership is required?
3
Yes, Hillary has slogged through quite a bit of sordid ground, but she's still standing, and advancing. Personally, I see it as a sign of strength. Since when is perseverance in the face of withering public criticism a fault? I'm not a big fan of Hill and Bill, but I do give them both quite a bit of grudging respect for what they've accomplished as well as blame for the harm they've done. They're only human, after all. I'm not sure Trump is praiseworthy at all, other than for inadvertently exposing the rest of the republican field for the charlatans they all obviously are.
20
The Democratic party is in dire straits. The best candidate it has is Hillary, and she will lose to any Republican nominee. Bernie has no chance with his socialist rhetoric. After he 'breaks up wall street' he will call his revolution over and then what? Being president is not about obsession with a single issue of war on wall street. Besides, when is he going to give up his Israeli citizenship?
7
Lets face the facts MD has lost all credibility when writing about Hillary. One column is about the same as the others, a template of snarky attacks that attempt to pass as commentary. Its sad really to see a reporter who at one time had relevancy and has now passed into a boring writer whose typewriter ribbon is stuck in neutral. Perhaps the Times Editors can reset the Dowd. Although I guess its comforting to know when you see the byline what you are going to read. Reminds me of my Grandmothers Victrola you had to give it a nudge when it got stuck on a crack in the old 78...
24
We wouldn't expect anything less than this junk-as-usual fuzzy anti-Hillary screed from La Dowd, but what troubles is that the Times would allow her to portray Bill Clinton, even obliquely, as a sexual harasser under the guise (I guess) of "opinion"). Clinton is a sexual predator and Trump has charm? Only in the Dowdiverse.
20
Why the knock on Sinatra? His first wife was the girl next door. His second wife, Ava Gardner, was ,indeed, the most beautiful woman of her time, but certainly not a bimbo. His next wife, Mia Farrow, was a child, but hardly "hot" in any conventional sense. His final wife was (is) beautiful, but a mature women. In between he had short lived engagements to Lauren Bacall and Juliet Prowse, one an accomplished actress, the other a talented dancer. Doesn't compare to the Trump.
7
I'm no fan of Trump, and pray that he never gets near the White House. That being said, he does us a great service by exposing Hillary's arrogant hypocrisy on feminism, and by attacking political correctness, the Left's effort to control speech, and. by extension, political dialogue itself. The mainstream GOP candidates have been too meek to challenge Hillary on either issue. Perhaps this will shift the conversation.
9
Is it me, or is Maureen getting a little tired in her relentless criticisms of Hillary? None of it is new, or particularly interesting, let alone witty or insightful. And while she goes after Hillary for these minor and off-point sins--as if she could control her husband's behavior--she is missing the larger political context. Frank Bruni has aced it today with his column. I'm sorry, Maureen, aside from ruining the plot of The Revenant and giving us Hollywood gossip I'm not the least interested in, there is nothing here worth reading.
30
Hillary's current strategy of refusing to talk about Bill's escapades isn't working. Just as in the case of her emails, she needs to admit that her complicity in her husband's denials was wrong. Not that she was acting based on the information then available to her -- presumably all from Bill. Just that she was wrong.
7
Im more than a little disappointed by this chosen topic. No one things Hilary is unblemished and without a fair amount of baggage, but really, this is old, irrelevant. Something that should have remained between the Clintons and the Bimbos- didn't. Hilary is no saint, but a life spent in the public spotlight, in and out of public service has a sharp edge to it. The Trumpster a bear? How ridiculous, to give such an idiot a subtle pseudo compliment. Your distaste for the Clintons knows no bounds.
27
Trump can be a bully? How about the new grand wizard, seeing as he is supported by several white supremacy Pacs? Stop it with the Hillary venom. Please.
16
Without noting the writer, I read the article and 1/2 way through it was obvious: Maureen Dowd was on a nasty anti-Hillary tear again. Enough already. It's boring, exaggerated and repetitive.
28
The financial powers behind the Republican Party are delighted with the mauling of earnest Hillary by buffoon bear Trump. And that financial power is pretty much all of the top 1% of wealthy Americans.
Why are they happy? Because focusing on the tabloid stories about the bear and the heroine distract us from the fact that they are robbing the rest of us blind. Nobody talks about Trump's plan to END taxes on the rich when they are parsing his latest comment on somebody's sex life.
So, yeah, NY Times. Enough with the Trumpery. Let's see clear explanations of what Bernie, Donald and Hillary want to do with our great and exceptional America.
To see what should be done, go to YouTube and watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). Then send a buck to Bernie, and invite me to speak to your group. Thanks! And Ms Dowd, your comments about Donald and Hillary, like your earlier references to Obama as Obambi, are accurate and pointed. Thank you for a great column. Now, what about Bernie's ideas?
Why are they happy? Because focusing on the tabloid stories about the bear and the heroine distract us from the fact that they are robbing the rest of us blind. Nobody talks about Trump's plan to END taxes on the rich when they are parsing his latest comment on somebody's sex life.
So, yeah, NY Times. Enough with the Trumpery. Let's see clear explanations of what Bernie, Donald and Hillary want to do with our great and exceptional America.
To see what should be done, go to YouTube and watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). Then send a buck to Bernie, and invite me to speak to your group. Thanks! And Ms Dowd, your comments about Donald and Hillary, like your earlier references to Obama as Obambi, are accurate and pointed. Thank you for a great column. Now, what about Bernie's ideas?
5
The day that Ms. Dowd criticizes Secretary Clinton based on her record in the Senate and as Secretary of State will be the day that LL Bean has to send a shipment of parkas to Hell.
21
"The Revenant" is the 2016 gore treatment/re-make of a classic from the early 70's titled "Man in the Wilderness". Very strange how writers from the biggest media sources are focusing on Leo being 'sexually assaulted' by a 900 pound grizzly bear. This featured comment makes me NOT want to see this film. Tarentino already grossed me out with his overrated gore fest "The Hateful 8" Leo would have been better off remaking something like "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" to get that coveted OSCAR. In this movie there is a great line that sums up modern day American politics. "...print the legend, not the facts..."
4
Let's take a moment to remember Tammy Wynette's country song "Stand By Your Man". It's a woman's choice. At least he wasn't drugging young women for sexual pleasure, a la the creepy Crosby. When I was Monic's age I knew what I was doing and I'm sure she did too. Could we please move on.
24
"Obnoxiousness is the new charisma." That being the case, the lead Democratic candidate for 2016 is extremely well qualified. Aside from being unable to keep family members in check, and a checkered past in record keeping and running the State Department, we are now expected to 'crown' her queen! Obnoxious indeed.
11
Last time I looked, peddler832, Hillary Clinton, is a candidate in an election process which has not excluded other interested contenders. She went through the same process in 2008. One strong opponent is seeking the nomination. There's still time for others to jump into the race, and maybe some will. Your Texas take on the situation does not square up with the facts.
4
I am sure that the "top women" that Mr Trump has spent time with and/or married are only attracted to his immense personal charm and looks and not money and power. Not every woman in every situation is a victim. i do not think that Ms Lewinsky has portrayed herself as a victim, except perhaps of Ken Starr, which is admirable. Everybody already lived through the 90s.
23
The Middle East is on fire. Poor people in 20 states still don't have access to Medicaid. Goldman Sachs is re-introducting bespoke CDO's. Republicans are threatening to carpet bomb. There were 352 mass shootings in 2015. And Maureen Dowd is fixated on politicians' indiscretions, which are part of their genetic make up.
57
This opinion piece should have been posted in the NY Post instead of the NYT. Kind of disheartening to read on opinion of yours lately, after I once, way back when, looked forward to reading your columns.
Suggestion; you do have a steely pen, maybe after the Trump is gone, focus on the the followers of this bombastic, egocentric, bigoted and hateful person. It's obvious, we still will have to contend with this following, who will keep their bigotry, misguided anger coupled with ignorance. The ones who state "Trump tells it like it is". All Trump does is sanctify their inner most beliefs. Can they be reeducated, probably not, so just forget the suggestion.
Suggestion; you do have a steely pen, maybe after the Trump is gone, focus on the the followers of this bombastic, egocentric, bigoted and hateful person. It's obvious, we still will have to contend with this following, who will keep their bigotry, misguided anger coupled with ignorance. The ones who state "Trump tells it like it is". All Trump does is sanctify their inner most beliefs. Can they be reeducated, probably not, so just forget the suggestion.
11
Tried of Maureen's mad on against Hillary. Will give up reading her column for the duration of the campaigne.
24
For all who, like me, are tired of Maureen and her trashing of liberals, I have a suggestion. Don't feed the troll.
26
Would it have made a difference if Mrs.Clinton had said "penchant for boorishness (or vulgarity, crudeness, etc.)" instead of "penchant for sexism"?
6
It is a great blessing that few people in America bother to read the nastiness of Dowd's jealousy of Ms. Clinton.
25
I can't fathom why anyone would lie about their namesake, and then say "my Mommy told me". Nor can I fathom why anyone would vote for anyone who would lie about something so trivial. The people to feel sorry for, are all the girls named Hillary, named after HRC.
3
I suspect that Ms. Dowd was deeply wounded at some point, probably by an errant male. It would seem to explain her otherwise inexplicable hateful obsession with the Clintons. Do I detect a note of wistfulness as she describes the monster Trump?
28
Mo, Now that O's legacy is almost secured, and looks pretty good in spite of all your efforts to denigrate, you turn your sights back to Hillary. Way back. Come on. I'm no fan of Hillary the person, but compared to the crowd of Neanderthal's she will be facing, is there really a choice to be made here? No one in the public eye for so long is going to be without blemishes, but let's get sane in our options. Hillary represents the democratic party values, if not the practices I want in my government. I would vote for her even if she suddenly sprouted horns for one reason. She is the best chance to head off a historically bad outcome. Period. Find something new and important to write about the Clinton's or get off it.
39
How can Dowd attack Hillary Clinton and in doing so, make Donald's sexism seem not so bad. Trump is the worst type of sexist - one who demeans women's proper role in society. He does to women figuratively what Bill only wanted to do literally. Dowd misses the point that for the long-term, the former is much, much worse.
30
Bill Clinton's past will play well with those who, like you, already dislike Hillary Clinton--but not so much with most women, including Republican women.
Most married women know that any long-term marriage is complicated, and that most of us have said and done things we wouldn't want in the public domain. Many, if not most, feminists know that ours hasn't been a perfect feminism--that we've made compromises, said things, veered from the straight feminist path more often than we'd like to acknowledge.
This won't go away--not in a world where Trump is revered--but don't be so sure that the repercussions will hurt Hillary.
Most married women know that any long-term marriage is complicated, and that most of us have said and done things we wouldn't want in the public domain. Many, if not most, feminists know that ours hasn't been a perfect feminism--that we've made compromises, said things, veered from the straight feminist path more often than we'd like to acknowledge.
This won't go away--not in a world where Trump is revered--but don't be so sure that the repercussions will hurt Hillary.
21
Dowdy column. Par for the course.
20
Maureen, much has happened at home and abroad in the month-and-a-half since your last column. Yet, your topic is another of your hackneyed anti-Clinton diatribes. How about something current and consequential - let's say President Obama's steps to finally go where Congress won't and approach the third rail of gun control? Or would that contradict your longstanding portrayal of President Obama as effete and hapless? Or is it just more fun to write articles more appropriate for UsWeekly?
29
As soon as Obama disarms the Secret Service, then I will take his tears seriously. Until he takes away the armed guards at his daughters elite private school, etc., etc.
1
Ms. Dowd has spent 8 years straining to demean President Obama and she will spend the next 9 years demeaning candidate and then President Hillary Clinton. Today's "crime": defending her husband. The shame of protecting her husband, the President, from partisan attacks. Ms. Dowd is the greatest waste of space in The Times and should be replaced by the up and coming Linda Greenhouse.
35
Bill isn't running, so who cares; and as much as Ms. Dowd hates the Clintons, like Trump and the rest of the GOP field, get used to it, Hillary will be our next president. Trump isn't winning anything.
11
It's very obvious that Dowd has an axe to grind with the Clintons. Would she really want the racist Trump in the White House?
21
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
In nine words, Ms. Dowd’s perfectly appropriate column referencing the todo between the scourge of the planet, Donald Trump, and the consummate lying hypocrite, Hillary Clinton, whose campaign to be the next president gives new meaning to the title coined by Eve Ensler.
In nine words, Ms. Dowd’s perfectly appropriate column referencing the todo between the scourge of the planet, Donald Trump, and the consummate lying hypocrite, Hillary Clinton, whose campaign to be the next president gives new meaning to the title coined by Eve Ensler.
3
An interesting column. So Hillary "stood by her man" and that is bad. Trump has been divorced, slandered women and that is good?
Here is my take on recent Presidents Clinton tried to"prove" his manhood by chasing women. George Bush tried to "prove" his manhood by invading Iraq. Hilary defended him. Laura sat in the background and smiled.
Now which man would you rather have as President?
Here is my take on recent Presidents Clinton tried to"prove" his manhood by chasing women. George Bush tried to "prove" his manhood by invading Iraq. Hilary defended him. Laura sat in the background and smiled.
Now which man would you rather have as President?
15
Gee Maureen are there no important problems we face as a nation? Where do Clinton and Trump stand on the issues? Why the same, tired, empty rhetoric about Hillary Clinton? We all get it. You don't like the Clintons.
I could care less about their marriage, and things that happened many years ago. What I do care about is the direction this country will be heading if one of the odious Republicans wins the Presidency. This election is too important for tittle-tattle about the Clintons. Please write something of substance about the candidates views. We who are avid readers of the New York Times deserve better than this.
I used to love your columns. What happened to your fine insightful writing style?
I could care less about their marriage, and things that happened many years ago. What I do care about is the direction this country will be heading if one of the odious Republicans wins the Presidency. This election is too important for tittle-tattle about the Clintons. Please write something of substance about the candidates views. We who are avid readers of the New York Times deserve better than this.
I used to love your columns. What happened to your fine insightful writing style?
35
I'm not sure Ms Dowd is aware of this: She is turning into a serial apologist for Trump and a relentless tormentor of the tormented Mrs Clinton. One can view the choices Mrs Clinton made when it came to her philandering husband and all his "other women" in many conflicting ways, but it is none of Ms Dowd's business if the former First Lady failed to be a feminist ideologue and, instead, opted to accept the relentless humiliation and to stick with a man who had critical responsibilities to the whole world in addition to his personal duties as a husband and father. At any rate, Mrs Clinton chose to honor the vow she made when she was young and foolish -- to be with her husband till death did them part. What, on the other hand, is Mr. Trump's excuse? He has already added "Never Mind!" as postscripts to his marital pledges twice.
"Trump can be a bully," Ms Dowd allows. "Can be"? She cannot bring herself to utter the simple truth that Mr. Trump is a bully 100% of the time, not just now and then. Can be?
"Trump may be a politically incorrect Frank Sinatra . . ." Again, "may be." When it comes to her hero, the usually acid-tongued Ms Dowd is full of understanding and generosity.
"Trump can be a bully," Ms Dowd allows. "Can be"? She cannot bring herself to utter the simple truth that Mr. Trump is a bully 100% of the time, not just now and then. Can be?
"Trump may be a politically incorrect Frank Sinatra . . ." Again, "may be." When it comes to her hero, the usually acid-tongued Ms Dowd is full of understanding and generosity.
37
Still waiting for Ms Dowd to castigate DeWitt Clinton -the only Clinton she seems to have missed. (After all, he died leaving his widow flat broke and was a Freemason to boot.)
11
Honestly, Ms. Dowd, would you rather see any of Ms. Clinton's GOP rivals (a collection of clowns if ever there was one) in the White House over her? Personally, I much prefer Bernie Sanders, though I'm not optimistic about his chances. So if it comes down to Hillary, that's how I'll pull the lever. Who do you want appointing the next justice of the Supreme Court?
27
Can't Ms. Dowd take a page from Lena Dunham (a good deal younger than Ms. Dowd no less) who is supporting Hillary for president on the basis of merit.
Ms. Dowd has given Donald Trump a pass every time she mentions him in relation to the primary run and never goes near his vulgar diatribes. Bringing up Trump's comments about Bill Clinton's extramarital affair with an intern is a joke. JFK had numerous affairs besides Marilyn Monroe. Some with interns, and then let's not forget the mafia moll, but the press never reported on any of this and it wasn't made public until years later - well after his death.
Anyway, all this is ancient history to most voters, few really care. As for Ms. Dowd, she is quite boring or was throwing in her thoughts on Leonardo DiCaprio's role as Hugh Glass suppose to add some spice to a tired subject?
But then readers have been complaining about Ms. Dowd's hang up about the Clintons for ages yet she keeps writing essentially the same article time and time again. Are the editors listening to its readers?
Ms. Dowd has given Donald Trump a pass every time she mentions him in relation to the primary run and never goes near his vulgar diatribes. Bringing up Trump's comments about Bill Clinton's extramarital affair with an intern is a joke. JFK had numerous affairs besides Marilyn Monroe. Some with interns, and then let's not forget the mafia moll, but the press never reported on any of this and it wasn't made public until years later - well after his death.
Anyway, all this is ancient history to most voters, few really care. As for Ms. Dowd, she is quite boring or was throwing in her thoughts on Leonardo DiCaprio's role as Hugh Glass suppose to add some spice to a tired subject?
But then readers have been complaining about Ms. Dowd's hang up about the Clintons for ages yet she keeps writing essentially the same article time and time again. Are the editors listening to its readers?
22
Snark, when wielded with skill and aplomb is a delight to read. A guilty pleasure if you will.
However, the cardinal rule of snark is it only works when directed at the powerful.
Surely, you may say, Hillary Clinton is well placed among the powerful and ripe for satire and criticism.
.Mrs. Clinton is firmly placed among the elites with the exception of her role pertaining to the philandering Bill. In this regard she has no power. She is merely the humiliated victim done wrong.
For Ms.Dowd to assault Hillary over again in the matter of her husband's high profile infidelity is not witty or clever. It's cruel and petty.
However, the cardinal rule of snark is it only works when directed at the powerful.
Surely, you may say, Hillary Clinton is well placed among the powerful and ripe for satire and criticism.
.Mrs. Clinton is firmly placed among the elites with the exception of her role pertaining to the philandering Bill. In this regard she has no power. She is merely the humiliated victim done wrong.
For Ms.Dowd to assault Hillary over again in the matter of her husband's high profile infidelity is not witty or clever. It's cruel and petty.
17
Partisans always dismiss delving into their own candidates sordid past. But are gleeful when their opponents historic misdeeds are exposed. Remember Romneys 40 year old dog on the car roof story or whether his past company laid people off ? All apparently relevant then.
I'm all for focusing on the issues. But it's also important to know if a candidate is merely an opportunistic, scorched earth, power hungry, do anything, untrustworthy type of person. An objective look at Hillarys life & career reveals much.
I'm all for focusing on the issues. But it's also important to know if a candidate is merely an opportunistic, scorched earth, power hungry, do anything, untrustworthy type of person. An objective look at Hillarys life & career reveals much.
5
There was a time, in 1992, when Hillary snapped at the media: "What am I supposed to do--bake cookies?" And what is Bill Clinton supposed to do as First Dude? He's used to making up to $750,000 per speech and living his own life. Hillary bullied the newly elected President Clinton into making her head of his healthcare reform bill; what is he going to ask of her?
3
Trump & Dowd united against Hillary using Bill's ancient womanizing as an issue today doesn't resonate.
We're bored by those old tales and are much more interested in security both domestic and economic.
We're bored by those old tales and are much more interested in security both domestic and economic.
14
"Exit, pursued by a bear" is a quote, or rather a stage direction, from Shakespeare, I believe in 'The Winter's Tale'; I guess that makes it a 'show business saw', but I never heard Shakespeare referred to that way before.
But if Shakespeare is show business, and Trump is a bear, then Hillary is ...the next President of the U.S.A.?
Because making her out to be a bully because she didn't warmly embrace the woman who set out to seduce her husband (as Monica has repeatedly said she did) is really, really stretching it.
Monica Lewinsky as victim!
Give us a break.
But if Shakespeare is show business, and Trump is a bear, then Hillary is ...the next President of the U.S.A.?
Because making her out to be a bully because she didn't warmly embrace the woman who set out to seduce her husband (as Monica has repeatedly said she did) is really, really stretching it.
Monica Lewinsky as victim!
Give us a break.
17
"...the Clintons' tangled conjugal life."
"...the Clintons' seraglio imroglios."
"..."friends" who have been ensnared in seamy scandals..."
This article almost touches on reality, but still tries very hard to avoid discussing the real subject - which is the numerous women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. Juanita Broaddrick is not even named, and she is the most important one.
The media's ability to cover up for Bill Clinton's actions is gone. If it continues to dance around the subject, refusing to deal with it head on to protect the Clintons, it will completely discredit itself, not just with conservatives, but with the left.
"...the Clintons' seraglio imroglios."
"..."friends" who have been ensnared in seamy scandals..."
This article almost touches on reality, but still tries very hard to avoid discussing the real subject - which is the numerous women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. Juanita Broaddrick is not even named, and she is the most important one.
The media's ability to cover up for Bill Clinton's actions is gone. If it continues to dance around the subject, refusing to deal with it head on to protect the Clintons, it will completely discredit itself, not just with conservatives, but with the left.
8
Maureen has done a wonderful job of describing the obvious hypocrisy embedded within the campaign of the first probable female President. The problem for Democrats is that they have already made a deal with the Devil. The Democratic primaries and debates have been setup as a coronation for Hillary. If Democratic voters look at Hillary's track record with Bill in regard to charges of sexual abuse, rape and sexual embarrassment - who do they turn to? Sanders? O'Malley? There is no "plan B." Instead groups like NOW and Planned Parenthood have already doubled down by endorsing Hillary. So they ironically have the female historical privilege of joining her in a stirring rendition of "Stand by Your Man."
7
After all is said and done we have to make a choice, Hillary or any of the GOP candidates. The GOP agenda is a repeat of the W agenda....more tax cuts for the wealthiest, bellicose saber rattling foreign policy and "boots on the ground"; a Supreme Court beholden to corporate interests. Maureen will have us back in the arms of the neocons who tried to give us Sara Palin. The choice is clear and its Hillary to get the Supreme Court back to reality and to maintain a steady course of progressive , practical solutions for governing.
13
I was hesitant to open another Dowd spew. Too bad I didn't follow my hesitancy. I fail to understand why Maureen isn't writing for a rag instead of the paper of record.
21
Dowd is writing for the NYT because you and at least 347 others, as of this point (9:48 a.m. EST), have clicked on this column and cared enough to respond to it. If she went four or five columns with no comments, the NYT might encourage her to take a long book leave or something. But looking over the comments, it seems her appeal is roughly the same as that of Trump - however much we claim to disdain her, we're all having too much fun trashing her, and the "two minutes' hate" is a bonding experience.
2
Not a word about Hillary's policies. Not a word about Trump's policies (if he has any).
Just gossip.
Enough already.
Just gossip.
Enough already.
16
Gossip is stuff people say that may -- or may not -- be true.
We know what Bill Clinton did factually. We also know what Hillary did factually as a result.
I do not want Hillary as my president and I most assuredly do not want Bill as my First Lord (as that is the opposite of Lady, right?).
We know what Bill Clinton did factually. We also know what Hillary did factually as a result.
I do not want Hillary as my president and I most assuredly do not want Bill as my First Lord (as that is the opposite of Lady, right?).
4
The most valuable thing I got from this column is that I now know I absolutely do not want to see 'The Revenant'.[*] The rest is just a rehash of what I already knew about Trump and Rodham Clinton.
All right, so they're both jerks (deliberately tactful choice of words). Many, many of our most effective politicians have been real nether orifices. A full list would be too long. But just exploring the obnoxiousness of which, say, JFK was capable has filed whole libraries. It could be argued that effectiveness in an elected official requires a large measure of jerkiness - again, a lengthy discussion.
[*]Raw bison liver? Really? The ghost of Lord Olivier whispers that famous, apocryphal dry mocke to Marathon Man co-star Dustin Hoffman, who had allegedly prepared to portray sleeplessness in a scene by staying awake for 24 hours: 'Have you ever tried acting, dear boy?'
(That's the legend. But as to whether Larry actually said it: http://msgboard.snopes.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=32;t=0.... Some quips, though, are so on target that one must, as another movie has it, 'print the legend'.)
All right, so they're both jerks (deliberately tactful choice of words). Many, many of our most effective politicians have been real nether orifices. A full list would be too long. But just exploring the obnoxiousness of which, say, JFK was capable has filed whole libraries. It could be argued that effectiveness in an elected official requires a large measure of jerkiness - again, a lengthy discussion.
[*]Raw bison liver? Really? The ghost of Lord Olivier whispers that famous, apocryphal dry mocke to Marathon Man co-star Dustin Hoffman, who had allegedly prepared to portray sleeplessness in a scene by staying awake for 24 hours: 'Have you ever tried acting, dear boy?'
(That's the legend. But as to whether Larry actually said it: http://msgboard.snopes.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=32;t=0.... Some quips, though, are so on target that one must, as another movie has it, 'print the legend'.)
The bear is not a problem to Hillary.
The bear is a problem to the Republican Party.
Politically, the bear is Hillary friend.
The bear is a problem to the Republican Party.
Politically, the bear is Hillary friend.
6
Two things you can always count on with Maureen Dowd: She's vicious, and she hates Hillary Clinton. But when Dowd writes of Donald Trump's "charm, humor, zest" while she has her foot on Clinton's neck because her husband couldn't keep his pants zipped, we realize Dowd's hatred has passed into the realm of pure obsession. "Monomaniacal"? Dowd should know.
You'd think Dowd might appreciate someone like Clinton, a woman with enough vinegar to humiliate the Republican misogyny machine and finally shut down the Benghazi and email server witch hunts. But no, Dowd holds even Trump in higher esteem than she does Clinton, knifing the Democratic presidential candidate for being "part of political operations that smeared women who told the truth" about Bill Clinton's dalliances 20 years ago. That's Dowd's opinion, at best.
Then Dowd turns to the man who calls women pigs on national TV, who suggests they're captive to their menstrual cycles, and serves up this quote from her 1999 interview of Trump: "He handled the Monica Lewinsky situation disgracefully." Certainly Trump, the lowest political scum ever to climb out of the primordial ooze and walk on two legs, is an expert on all things disgraceful.
Clinton could have divorced a sitting president and Dowd wouldn't have been satisfied. She has a blind spot so huge that anyone in America can see it, except, apparently, Dowd herself. When she trots out Trump to lecture Clinton, we realize her obsession is truly pathological.
You'd think Dowd might appreciate someone like Clinton, a woman with enough vinegar to humiliate the Republican misogyny machine and finally shut down the Benghazi and email server witch hunts. But no, Dowd holds even Trump in higher esteem than she does Clinton, knifing the Democratic presidential candidate for being "part of political operations that smeared women who told the truth" about Bill Clinton's dalliances 20 years ago. That's Dowd's opinion, at best.
Then Dowd turns to the man who calls women pigs on national TV, who suggests they're captive to their menstrual cycles, and serves up this quote from her 1999 interview of Trump: "He handled the Monica Lewinsky situation disgracefully." Certainly Trump, the lowest political scum ever to climb out of the primordial ooze and walk on two legs, is an expert on all things disgraceful.
Clinton could have divorced a sitting president and Dowd wouldn't have been satisfied. She has a blind spot so huge that anyone in America can see it, except, apparently, Dowd herself. When she trots out Trump to lecture Clinton, we realize her obsession is truly pathological.
17
Hillary is going to jail, I would bail and get Warren or Biden Really Quick! Trump is going to tear her to shreds during the general election, if she can wiggle out of a Federal Indictment.
3
Why does Dowd reveal in a personal vindictive attack wallowing in the unsavory past that has little interest or impact to all but the most lost.
Trump is a bully that is threatening America. Down defends her. Hillary has been publically defending and helping those that need defenders. Dowd attacks her.
What is Dowd's problem??
Trump is a bully that is threatening America. Down defends her. Hillary has been publically defending and helping those that need defenders. Dowd attacks her.
What is Dowd's problem??
12
Dowd received her Pulitzer some 20 years ago for her coverage of the Clinton White House. This is the only string on her lute. She's the Norma Desmond of the op-ed page, reliving her glory days, or a rock star on the oldies circuit.
8
You know what really matters? Policies. Not the politics of personal destruction.
Here's a thought experiment: Assume that the worst personal attributes of every single candidate are all true. All of it. You'll find that they're all flawed human beings.
Now, throw away all consideration of personal foibles. And focus on policies. Whose policies do you support?
This exercise will help you climb past the muckraking, Maureen Dowd's included.
Here's a thought experiment: Assume that the worst personal attributes of every single candidate are all true. All of it. You'll find that they're all flawed human beings.
Now, throw away all consideration of personal foibles. And focus on policies. Whose policies do you support?
This exercise will help you climb past the muckraking, Maureen Dowd's included.
8
The elephant in November's room is the likelihood that a not insignificant number of registered democrats would vote for the Donald over Hillary.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2016/01/10/the_dems_not_the_go...
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2016/01/10/the_dems_not_the_go...
3
You may see an elephant, but many elephants see a RAT in Mr. Trump...
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucu...
Don't mistake your own wishful thinking for anything more than that.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucu...
Don't mistake your own wishful thinking for anything more than that.
2
Only those who carry irrational hatred of the Clintons, Obama or Schumer—those with the educational and social savvy to veil their bigotries with the gauze of self-righteous platitudes—could have a positive response to this curmudgeonly authored analysis and its politically skewed conclusions. Even the basic metaphor here is stretched to the point that it loses intellectual integrity, serving no more than a flimsy agenda.
Up to today, I have always looked forward to Dowd’s columns because of her insight and courage. It’s disturbing to see those admirable traits lacquered with enough virtriol to corrupt them with a world-weariness that degrades cyncism.
Up to today, I have always looked forward to Dowd’s columns because of her insight and courage. It’s disturbing to see those admirable traits lacquered with enough virtriol to corrupt them with a world-weariness that degrades cyncism.
13
A win at all costs for progressives, your dignity and ethics are rendered meaningless as long as your agenda is pushed forward. Both sides need to take a deep breath and look at what we have become, soulless, ruthless and pathetic.
2
There are no perfect candidates, none without flaws, hidden agendas or something specious they may not want the public to know. Why anyone would want to run is beyond me. However I do want to know as much about these candidates as possible. It is not Maureen Dowd's job (I don't think) to annoint a candidate but to point out feet of clay and I appreciate her for doing this especially for a candidate that is fairly popular with the mainstream readers of the New York Times. From the responses here- it seems a fairly thankless task.
I am going to vote for Bernie, notwithstanding his seemingly quixotic quest and Hillary's "inevitability". I have always thought the Clintons have been disigenous about Bill's sexual proclivities as well as their sources of immense wealth. It is no surprise that their daughter Chelsea is living in a ten million dollar condo in New York.
I am not voting for her because of the consensus that only she can defeat a Republican. I am voting for the best candidate.
I am going to vote for Bernie, notwithstanding his seemingly quixotic quest and Hillary's "inevitability". I have always thought the Clintons have been disigenous about Bill's sexual proclivities as well as their sources of immense wealth. It is no surprise that their daughter Chelsea is living in a ten million dollar condo in New York.
I am not voting for her because of the consensus that only she can defeat a Republican. I am voting for the best candidate.
4
I'm supporting Bernie and I am going to hope like heck he gets the nomination, because it would be really hard to defend Hillary.
3
Why is Maureen Dowd so protective of Donald Trump? Is she afraid of losing access to him? Afraid he might tweet something mean about her? Hillary Clinton has clearly made mistakes, and maybe she has been aggressive and disdainful at times -- but no one would describe her as a "bully" if she were a man. Trump, on the other hand, is not only uninformed, self-aggrandizing and self-deluding, sophomoric and despicably bigoted, but I can't figure out why no one also points out that he's fat and old and unattractive.
11
Ms. Dowd is being her usual bitter self. Yes, you may call Bill Clinton a scamp, and yes he couldn't keep his pants zipped, so that makes him not so different than many other men of power. The accusations of rape and force being used by him, are just that - accusations, no proof. The right-wing hate machine really came into existence during his presidency. They dogged him relentlessly, and when they couldn't nail him for Whitewater, Ken Starr looked for another way to ruin him.Bill didn't see the danger so he foolishly dallied with Monica playing in to Ms. Goldberg's and Ms. Tripp's hands. He was very foolish and a putz for putting 10 minutes with Monica ahead of the country. I for one cannot forgive him for wasting the last year of his otherwise successful two terms fighting this scandal, not to mention the fact that he inflicted G. W. Bush on the country, who would probably never have been elected except for this. Now with all that said, just how the hell is Mrs. Clinton part of the problem. She handled herself well, she did not let her anger destroy her life. She's proven to be a strong, intelligent woman who can handle whatever life throws at her, and Ms. Dowd she's not bitter like some people. She will make a fine President and Bill will make a fine presidential spouse.
15
Trump says stunningly offensive things about women.
Hillary says Trump makes sexist remarks.
Trump immediately replies that if Hillary is going "To Play The Woman Card" that he is going to revive stories about Bill's antics 20 years ago.
As if on cue Ms. Dowd takes up the cause.
Exit, pursued by a boor.
Hillary says Trump makes sexist remarks.
Trump immediately replies that if Hillary is going "To Play The Woman Card" that he is going to revive stories about Bill's antics 20 years ago.
As if on cue Ms. Dowd takes up the cause.
Exit, pursued by a boor.
12
Whether Hillary enters or exits she will pursued by a bore, for that is what the repetitious Ms. Dowd has become on the topic of the Clintons.
8
Yikes, Maureen, what are you in high school? You're acting like a mean spirited high school queen bee. Hillary know exactly who her man is and she chooses to remain with him. That's her business. You're not under a microscope 27/7 with reporters trying to get under your bed sheets. She may not have acted to your specifications under the pressure she was under at the time when the country was having a scandal orgy at her expense, but please, have some compassion. You may not like her, fine, but there are more adult ways to express your dislike.
You quote Shakespeare (Exit, pursued by a bear), here's another one, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
You quote Shakespeare (Exit, pursued by a bear), here's another one, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
12
'You quote Shakespeare (Exit, pursued by a bear), here's another one, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."'
In Shakespeare's day, 'protest' didn't mean 'object to'. Gertrude was using it in the sense of 'strong avowal' - that the player queen was vowing too vehemently about her fidelity to her husband, specifically that she would never remarry if he died. 'O, but she'll keep her word,' Hamlet says - implicitly reminding his mother that she made the same vow and broke it almost before his father's body was cold. I, too, think Dowd needs to move on from the Monica sideshow, as does Trump. But she is trying to catch the conscience of the queen, and - admittedly less energetically - of the pretender. (Trump 'can be' a bully?! Does a bear defecate in the woods?)
In Shakespeare's day, 'protest' didn't mean 'object to'. Gertrude was using it in the sense of 'strong avowal' - that the player queen was vowing too vehemently about her fidelity to her husband, specifically that she would never remarry if he died. 'O, but she'll keep her word,' Hamlet says - implicitly reminding his mother that she made the same vow and broke it almost before his father's body was cold. I, too, think Dowd needs to move on from the Monica sideshow, as does Trump. But she is trying to catch the conscience of the queen, and - admittedly less energetically - of the pretender. (Trump 'can be' a bully?! Does a bear defecate in the woods?)
1
I am so, utterly, sick of Dowd's hatred of the Clintons. I get it: she hates them. But, she never seems to have anything positive to offer. Whom would she like to see become the next President - Trump?
12
Yes. Get ready for President Trump. So sorry for your loss.
You do not get it.
The majority want jobs, family, home, opportunity for
children, grand children and all they have gotten from Republicans
and Democrats is talk as they cling to their power.
Not this time.
The majority want jobs, family, home, opportunity for
children, grand children and all they have gotten from Republicans
and Democrats is talk as they cling to their power.
Not this time.
2
I can "bear" neither contender.
Exit, stage right.
Exit, stage right.
2
Why are Bill Clinton's sexual assault accusers any different from Bill Cosby's?
Apparently, if a man is reliable liberal he gets a pass from his fellow progressives, feminists especially. Trump shines the glaring light on this hypocrisy, which honest liberals such as Dowd are being forced to acknowledge.
Apparently, if a man is reliable liberal he gets a pass from his fellow progressives, feminists especially. Trump shines the glaring light on this hypocrisy, which honest liberals such as Dowd are being forced to acknowledge.
4
It took so long for Maureen to set the scene in this piece that I stopped reading long before she got down to the business of disemboweling Hillary Clinton. Besides, having read my share of these vitriolic pieces over the years, I already knew what was coming, and didn't want to hear it.
After reading the Comments section I wonder if Times readers wouldn't be better served by having an Op-Ed Columnist with a more thoughtful and constructive approach, like Timothy Egan.
After reading the Comments section I wonder if Times readers wouldn't be better served by having an Op-Ed Columnist with a more thoughtful and constructive approach, like Timothy Egan.
12
Exactly
There's always a snake bite in a dowd colum about clinton
There's always a snake bite in a dowd colum about clinton
3
"People would have been more forgiving if he’d had an affair with a really beautiful woman of sophistication."
There are people who want the person who said this to become President of the United States?
There are people who want the person who said this to become President of the United States?
8
This all demonstrates why courts impose a statute of limitations for cases. Trump wants to resurrect accusations that are now 20+ years old. At what point do these move from the arena of politics to the study of history. It is fundamentally depressing that we debate ancient history instead of the future direction of the nation.
As for the Lewinsky affair, the fundamental problem was Republican overreach. Everyone agrees that the president should not have had an affair with her, but most do not believe that the affair rose to such a level that the president should be impeached.
As for the Lewinsky affair, the fundamental problem was Republican overreach. Everyone agrees that the president should not have had an affair with her, but most do not believe that the affair rose to such a level that the president should be impeached.
8
Talk about historical revisionism! You really believe that?? Clinton was impeached and lost his law license because he chose to lie under oath instead of just admitting to the affair with a subordinate. His base obviously would have had no problem with that as evidenced by these posts.
1
Donald Trump was waiting for this opportunity to drag the country back to the 1990s in aggressive pursuit of his goal at the same time that he drags us through the mud with degrading comments about bathroom behavior and Yiddish penile references to Hillary. He controls the play. Ms. Dowd appears to think that this narcissist is a bear to be admired in some perverse way. On the contrary, it tears apart the thin fabric of decency that still remains.
5
Maureen Dowd is an excellent writer and knows how to play with and use words and entertaining to read. But why does she have such visceral hatred of Clintons and Obamas, the most successful Democratic leaders in living memory? Why such consistent animus? Ms. Dowd doesn't believe in redemption of souls?
19
Dowd has been attacking Hillary Clinton from a shallow well of insults, routinely portraying the former secretary of state and first lady as an unlikeable, power-hungry phony.
Media Matters analyzed 195 columns by Dowd since November 1993 containing significant mentions of Clinton for whether they included any of 16 negative tropes in five categories (listed in the below methodology). 72 percent (141 columns) were negative towards Clinton -- only 8 percent (15 columns) were positive. The remaining 20 percent (39 columns) were neutral.
Media Matters analyzed 195 columns by Dowd since November 1993 containing significant mentions of Clinton for whether they included any of 16 negative tropes in five categories (listed in the below methodology). 72 percent (141 columns) were negative towards Clinton -- only 8 percent (15 columns) were positive. The remaining 20 percent (39 columns) were neutral.
3
Gosh, Don....maybe Dowd actually tries to deliver both sides of the story, so to speak. There's visceral hatred on both sides of the aisle. Ever read her stuff when W was President?
1
Another Hillary diatribe from Dowd who has fashioned an entire career from attacking Clinton. Can she actually write about anything else?
33
Attacking President Obama?
5
To my fellow commenters who bristle at Maureen Dowd's snarky criticisms of Hillary, I would ask, which other columnist at the NYT is willing to do anything but lavish her with praise? Compare this to Bernie Sanders, who has had a tough time even getting noticed by the mainstream media, including the NYT.
Throughout this entire campaign season, we've been hearing from Hillary and her campaign that she is such a "fighter," but after decades of observing her, it appears that the only matter for which she fights tenaciously is her own raw ambition to be president. Otherwise, she shifts with the prevailing political winds, then lies about Bernie being a sexist, weak on gun control, and not tough enough on Wall Street. I've kind of had it with the Clintons and their shtick, and I appreciate Maureen's candid - and deliciously snarky - observations.
Go Bernie!
Throughout this entire campaign season, we've been hearing from Hillary and her campaign that she is such a "fighter," but after decades of observing her, it appears that the only matter for which she fights tenaciously is her own raw ambition to be president. Otherwise, she shifts with the prevailing political winds, then lies about Bernie being a sexist, weak on gun control, and not tough enough on Wall Street. I've kind of had it with the Clintons and their shtick, and I appreciate Maureen's candid - and deliciously snarky - observations.
Go Bernie!
14
Senator Sanders has magnificently refused to rake in the much, preferring to take on Secretary Clinton and the Republicans on substance. This "article" does nothing that he would condone.
3
My thoughts exactly. Very well said!
4
Ms. R: Please start reading regular columnists Russ Douthat and Thomas Edsall, both Conservatives, both here at the NYT. Both have been highly critical of Democrats.
1
What's with the opinion section of the NY Times? With another Dowd diatribe against the only person standing between Trump and the presidency, and Friedman's infrequent and repetitive columns, this section has deteriorated to the worst it's ever been in the last fifty years. At least we have Krugman and David Brooks to keep it interesting.
14
It's amazing how breathtakingly ignorant most posters are regarding the sexual issues concerning the Clintons. It has nothing to do with cheating or internals of their marriage. The fact is, more than 20 young females have claimed that Bill Clinton sexually assaulted them, ranging from accusations of rape to indecent exposure. But that's only half the story. Clinton acolytes squeal that even if true, Bill's crimes have nothing to do with Hillary. But they do, because Hillary stepped in, in each case, to denigrate and destroy these sex crime victims in the most tawdry cruel manners. Funny how Democrats used an incident involving Romney from high school to label him 'homophobic', and obsessively attacked G.W. Bush over whether or not he missed some National Guard meetings in 1972, decades before his running for President. And where were the Dems and the NYT when Anita Hill made unproved accusations that Clarence Thomas engaged in a little dirty talk. To this day, Dems shriek that they believe Anita, with zero proof. But Bill raping Juanita Broderick and Hillary engaging in Accessory After the Fact intimidation of Broderick, warning her to keep her mouth shu? it's all 'lies, old news'. Same with the Clintons paying Paula Jones 850,000 for Bill's indecent exposure. Remember when Hillary's thuggish viper, James Carville, called Jones trailer trash and worse. Hillary a supporter of women? LOL. She's dead in the water, but Democratif bobble-heads are too dim witted to see it.
9
Does Maureen even realize she is creating a backlash? I live overseas, and it's a big deal to get to the consulate to cast a vote. I'll do it for Bernie, but was doubting I would bother for Hillary if she is the candidate in the general election. After all, I'm from New York, and surely she can win there without me. But when I see the garbage that Maureen writes about her, I've decided I'm going to have to. With fellow women like Maureen, who needs enemies like Trump? And sorry, maybe I'm a bit obtuse, but I'm not getting the bear thing at all.
18
Gee, negative comments about the woman with whom her husband had an affair? How unusual.
I hope my flawed life will never be so scrutinized.
I hope my flawed life will never be so scrutinized.
6
Mo, honey, I have no problem with you being a republican. We all bear a cross of some kind or another in our lives. However, trying to make some kind of political hay from the story of a 'mountain man' Hugh Glass, must have kept you up at night. I fail to see the connection. And then dragging Leonardo into the mix is sort of name dropping isn't it? I mean what has he to do with any of this.
If your going to beat the drum for Trump at lest make it a bit more interesting and relative to the current situation. Not something that happened about 200 years ago.
If your going to beat the drum for Trump at lest make it a bit more interesting and relative to the current situation. Not something that happened about 200 years ago.
13
MD, ever thought of changing your name to Peggy Noonan? It would so much easier for us to ignore your endless and increasingly irrelevant criticism of Hillary. And you profess to be a centrist, at least as compared with brother Kevin.
I have always believed that who we are as young people is who we are much later in life, but with a harder shell built up from the blows absorbed over decades. I very much believe that to be the case with Hillary.
As a young activist, she exhibited admirable qualities in trying to improve education in Alabama. She vigorously opposed the immoral Vietnam War as many of us did. She was an idealist, what one would expect from a well-educated Wellesley and Yale Law grad.
I believe she is that same person, but with a wall built up after 35 years of the most intense vilification I have ever witnessed in my life. Have we forgotten the insanity of the '90s with Whitewater and Vince Foster, the beating she took for presuming to lead a health care task force, the additional abuse she took for deciding to try to keep her marriage and family together and on and on? And yet she pressed on, remaining in public life, becoming a Senator, running for President, losing to an upstart and serving as Secretary of State. Please provide the name of a single man who could have withstood these pressures to be today on the brink of the presidency?
Is she perfect? Of course not. Who is? I'm not and you certainly are not. She's just the best candidate.
I have always believed that who we are as young people is who we are much later in life, but with a harder shell built up from the blows absorbed over decades. I very much believe that to be the case with Hillary.
As a young activist, she exhibited admirable qualities in trying to improve education in Alabama. She vigorously opposed the immoral Vietnam War as many of us did. She was an idealist, what one would expect from a well-educated Wellesley and Yale Law grad.
I believe she is that same person, but with a wall built up after 35 years of the most intense vilification I have ever witnessed in my life. Have we forgotten the insanity of the '90s with Whitewater and Vince Foster, the beating she took for presuming to lead a health care task force, the additional abuse she took for deciding to try to keep her marriage and family together and on and on? And yet she pressed on, remaining in public life, becoming a Senator, running for President, losing to an upstart and serving as Secretary of State. Please provide the name of a single man who could have withstood these pressures to be today on the brink of the presidency?
Is she perfect? Of course not. Who is? I'm not and you certainly are not. She's just the best candidate.
25
I still see no signs that Bernie has coat-tails. If he can't get supporters elected to Congress he won't change anything as president.
11
I think it would be possible to make this point, which may be fair, without also making it a grudging paean to Trump, which is how it reads. Even if Trump is right about this, it is a relatively small point, he is using it to fire what can only be said to be the worst and most fascistic tendencies in an angry and ignorant part of the populace purely for the gratification of his own ego. Ms. Dowd may know him, and find him personally amusing, but she should be able to hold her own ego in check enough to see this and avoid advancing his agenda. Speak the truth and shame the devil is fine, but don't turn it into what reads like a de facto endorsement of Trump, unless, that's what you mean. In which case, speak the truth and shame the devil. I'm a Bernie fan, by the way, and no big fan of Hillary's.
9
It seems perhaps I'm not alone in thinking I could probably survive the weekend without Maureen Dowd. Also her maybe fictional brother.
10
And yet, here you are, reading it and commenting. I stopped reading Krugman and commenting because I'd had enough.
Dear Maureen,
What exactly is your goal in writing these vitriolic pieces of monumentally, monomaniacal grueling nonsense that add nothing to the political debate in yet another grueling American presidential election season?
What exactly are you contributing to the debate? Your snappy, sassy alliteration is a bore. It is yet another mauling by a merciless, manic pundit. The already uninformed voter learns nothing from reading this nonsense from a nattering nabob of negativity. It's just more of the same old same--steamy sex, sarcasm, cynicism, and a cascading ring-a-ding of clever words that make me root for Hillary, who I will vote for if I must but my primary vote belongs to Bernie.
I once found you funny, feisty, and fearless but that was a long time ago before you became yet another wag who uses innuendo, intimations, and a hint of irreverence to keep the American political debate in the trash. First it was Barry bashing, now it's Hillary hating.
I think it is high time, or maybe you'd prefer a movie reference like High Noon at the OK Corral, for you take your own advice and deal with that old show business saw. Exit stage right, or is it left? Or are you too smart by half to even know?
What exactly is your goal in writing these vitriolic pieces of monumentally, monomaniacal grueling nonsense that add nothing to the political debate in yet another grueling American presidential election season?
What exactly are you contributing to the debate? Your snappy, sassy alliteration is a bore. It is yet another mauling by a merciless, manic pundit. The already uninformed voter learns nothing from reading this nonsense from a nattering nabob of negativity. It's just more of the same old same--steamy sex, sarcasm, cynicism, and a cascading ring-a-ding of clever words that make me root for Hillary, who I will vote for if I must but my primary vote belongs to Bernie.
I once found you funny, feisty, and fearless but that was a long time ago before you became yet another wag who uses innuendo, intimations, and a hint of irreverence to keep the American political debate in the trash. First it was Barry bashing, now it's Hillary hating.
I think it is high time, or maybe you'd prefer a movie reference like High Noon at the OK Corral, for you take your own advice and deal with that old show business saw. Exit stage right, or is it left? Or are you too smart by half to even know?
18
Why, why, why why why are we still hearing about Lewinsky? There are plenty of issues to question Hillary about, but her behavior after she was betrayed and humiliated by her husband almost twenty years ago is beyond irrelevant.
Get over your obsession, please.
Get over your obsession, please.
8
A second comment after reading 31 readers comments: Character matters. Probably more than what campaigners say along the way to gain votes. The media historically has given a pass to candidates on character (and ability) issues. How has that worked out? Nixon, Reagan, the Bushes? Maureen Dowd gets to the heart of the matter, and your agreement with her assessments, or disagreement, based on whether she is saying good or bad about your favored candidate, is not important.
4
Perhaps Trump's greatest strength as a neophyte politician is that he relishes dishing out humiliation, but it's apparently impossible for him to feel it himself, or at least to show it. This despite his ridiculously comical orange comb-over (only "loser" guys are balding), and his literally towering, self-labeled edifice complex, which screams not so much success as massive insecurity (if I don't remind all of you of me every minute of every day, you'll forget about me in a New York minute).
As for Hillary reacting with scorn and derision toward the women who had affairs with Bill, I would say: That's a pretty human reaction to a very public series of humiliations and what must have been deeply hurtful events. As perceptive as you can be, Ms. Dowd, can't you give that even passing acknowledgement?
As for Hillary reacting with scorn and derision toward the women who had affairs with Bill, I would say: That's a pretty human reaction to a very public series of humiliations and what must have been deeply hurtful events. As perceptive as you can be, Ms. Dowd, can't you give that even passing acknowledgement?
10
Maureen,
Multiple women on multiple continents truly wish that Bill Clinton had only been ''fooling around.''
That infers that you only interacted with consenting partners.
But Bill raped and assaulted women for decades - to the point that women in D.C. missed meetings that Clinton attended simply because they had already done high school and didn't need to be felt up by a creepy masher any more.
Multiple women on multiple continents truly wish that Bill Clinton had only been ''fooling around.''
That infers that you only interacted with consenting partners.
But Bill raped and assaulted women for decades - to the point that women in D.C. missed meetings that Clinton attended simply because they had already done high school and didn't need to be felt up by a creepy masher any more.
8
This is your usual "look at the shiny bauble, pay no mind to the issues column about the Clintons.
The only thing that should matter to women is what either one of them would do as president.
And you and everyone reading this column know every well how stark the differences would be. Just start with the effects of Supreme Court appointments.
Hillary's far from perfect, but just once how about thinking about what's important to this country before you write a column on the presidential race.
The negative issues Hillary poses for women are orders of magnitude from Trump's. It's inane to compare them.
The only thing that should matter to women is what either one of them would do as president.
And you and everyone reading this column know every well how stark the differences would be. Just start with the effects of Supreme Court appointments.
Hillary's far from perfect, but just once how about thinking about what's important to this country before you write a column on the presidential race.
The negative issues Hillary poses for women are orders of magnitude from Trump's. It's inane to compare them.
15
Maureen, isn't there an opening at US Weekly, The National Enquirer or The Weekly Standard where your talents could be better employed? Your ceaseless diatribes against the Clintons are tiresome and predictable.
24
When will Maureen Dowd give up the crusade against the Clintons? The NYT has been printing her screeds for 20+ years now. Its tiresome. The Clintons are not perfect people; we all get that. But please don't compare Hilary to Trump's bigoted, sexist bullying. Trump is in a league by himself and with each hateful word out of his mouth becomes less qualified to be President.
28
It's time for Maureen Dowd to retire and it is long past time for the NY Times to stop wasting money and editorial space on her columns. She has long since ceased casting light on political situations. Her hatred of the Clintons has reached pathological proportions. The never-married Ms Dowd's judgment of the marriage of others betrays an outsider's lack of understanding and compassion. Whatever her past accomplishments, Maureen Dowd is now embarrassing herself and destroying her own reputation.
21
Maybe if Maureen paid more attention to policies and less to personalities her writing talents would be put to better use. I'm always left asking myself what the politician in question; be it Hillary or Barack or whomever; has said to her to draw out her venom. And there is nothing admirable about attacking someone from a platform from which they cannot defend themselves.
16
We should simply leave the 90's. Bill's infidelities are old news. The past is the past. The essential question: Who can lead this country forward in a period of global and domestic turmoil: A narcissistic, racist bigot or a former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State?
15
These letters are astounding. The issue is serial sexual harassment and rape. Yes, alleged rape, but allegations that "should be believed" in Hillery's own words. She actively attacked Bill's victims, and those actions are relevant to today, especially since she is demanding that we use standards she conspicuously did not use when her husband was the perp. No one made her run for president.
4
Really, Ms. Dowd? You are comparing Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton to a trapper in a movie? She doesn't appear to be "bloodied and battered" to me. She looks great. She is the MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE to be the next President of the United States of America and she has my vote.
14
How is she the most qualified candidate?? Bernie Sanders has served in public office as Mayor of Burlington, Vermont and as a member of the U.S. legislature since 1996. That's a total of at least 27 years. And Hillary Clinton has served one term as a U.S. Senator and one term as a Secretary of State for a total of 10 years. And unless you count her two terms as the wife of a President, which would be very foolish because then you would be saying that every president's wife has an edge in becoming president, then how does that stack up to his experience????
5
Stephanie, I'm still waiting to see a list of Sanders' actual accomplishments, e.g. legislation he authored that was enacted. Visiting his website I saw the usual glittering generalities.
.
.
Ms. Dowd,
You are the professional writer, so if you think the word "bully" is applicable to Hillary Clinton's treatment of the women known (or alleged) to have caught the eye of her husband, so be it.
What I saw then -- and see now -- is that there was a teenage girl (or a bit younger, or older, than teenage) whose father's extramarital affairs or groping or other unpleasant behavior were very much in the news. Also in TV monologues. Later, thanks to Kenneth Starr, they were on C-SPAN.
Hillary Clinton was the mother to that girl. She behaved exactly the way a mother in that situation needed to behave. Her concern, it seems to me, was with the psychological well-being of that girl rather than the possible hurt feelings of her husband's exes. If only for that reason, Mrs. Clinton earned some respect.
But of course, that was waaaay in the past. Contemporize, OK?
.
Ms. Dowd,
You are the professional writer, so if you think the word "bully" is applicable to Hillary Clinton's treatment of the women known (or alleged) to have caught the eye of her husband, so be it.
What I saw then -- and see now -- is that there was a teenage girl (or a bit younger, or older, than teenage) whose father's extramarital affairs or groping or other unpleasant behavior were very much in the news. Also in TV monologues. Later, thanks to Kenneth Starr, they were on C-SPAN.
Hillary Clinton was the mother to that girl. She behaved exactly the way a mother in that situation needed to behave. Her concern, it seems to me, was with the psychological well-being of that girl rather than the possible hurt feelings of her husband's exes. If only for that reason, Mrs. Clinton earned some respect.
But of course, that was waaaay in the past. Contemporize, OK?
13
At the risk of sounding like a chauvinist, don't we have more pressing things to worry about, like massive income inequality and the fleecing of this country by Wall Street? (I'd throw in climate change too) I really don't care AT ALL about Bill Clinton's indiscretions (or, more appropriately, imperfections as a man). Thanks Maureen, for playing the same game all the other pundits are playing. I'm wondering if the establishment - republican and democrat - is bipartisan in their efforts to maintain the status quo?
6
Drag us back to Monica and into tabloid territory---I guess it's the only place a Trump admirer can take us and it's clear you admire him---but it's a shame and waste of Opinion space.
This is an important election on many levels, and reducing it to this trivializes the issues.
Feel the Bern, but no need to pretend who's really for women's rights in this election --any Democrat is preferable to any of the GOPers.
This is an important election on many levels, and reducing it to this trivializes the issues.
Feel the Bern, but no need to pretend who's really for women's rights in this election --any Democrat is preferable to any of the GOPers.
8
Ms. Dowd is just phoning it in. By now we all know the formula: select a currently popular movie or television show and construct a strained, implausible analogy that allows her to sneer at a Clinton, a Bush, or, less often, Obama, for petty, personal reasons that have nothing to do with their performance in public office. She's getting close to retirement age; surely the Times can start easing her out the door.
29
A fine reminder of why Democrats should support Bernie Sanders for the nomination.
But if Hillary gets the nomination I will support her and hope that other Sanders supporters will too.
But if Hillary gets the nomination I will support her and hope that other Sanders supporters will too.
6
Maureen is back with more of the same-old. The only surprise is that she continues to treat Trump with kid gloves while piling on her favorite target, the Clintons. Why?
16
I will be happy to vote for either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders (I am a dual U.S, Canadian citizen). I cannot understand why Dowd endlessly trashes decent politicians (Obama and Clinton), usually about personal, politically irrelevant stuff. I only care about how these candidates will govern. It is embarrassing to see such low quality, boring and repetitive writing in the NY Times.
15
The bully was Bill Clinton. He took advantage of an intern, "that woman", Miss Lewinsky. Hillary should apologize to Monica if she wants this to go away. The hypocrisy is palatable because it hits home. That's when true colors are revealed. You can't be pro-woman, the real-deal feminist, then throw a 20-something under the bus for engaging in relations with The President of the United States. If Hillary wants to get past this, invite Monica over, apologize. Defend the HER, for once. Maureen Dowd makes a valid point.
7
Much as I hate to return to the Lewinsky matter, I must take issue with 'He took advantage of an intern.' For two reasons.
1. It's pretty well established she set about seducing him. His behavior has all the earmarks not of a bully but of a weak man.
2. Relationships such as Clinton-Lewinsky, or professor-student or boss-subordinate or adult-minor, are often portrayed as one in which the former has all the power and the latter is helpless victim or exploited infant. I think it would be more accurate to say such relationships are inherently volatile. The adult - say, a teacher - can indeed flunk a student if she refuses his advances. OTOH, the student has but to accuse (even baselessly) and the teacher's life is ruined, while the student gets sympathy and probably a book deal. The volatility is what rightly puts the relationship out of bounds - the participants are basically poised with knives at each other's throats, and nothing good can come from that.
Lewinsky, the supposedly powerless, almost brought down Clinton; whereas she's now doing pretty well.
1. It's pretty well established she set about seducing him. His behavior has all the earmarks not of a bully but of a weak man.
2. Relationships such as Clinton-Lewinsky, or professor-student or boss-subordinate or adult-minor, are often portrayed as one in which the former has all the power and the latter is helpless victim or exploited infant. I think it would be more accurate to say such relationships are inherently volatile. The adult - say, a teacher - can indeed flunk a student if she refuses his advances. OTOH, the student has but to accuse (even baselessly) and the teacher's life is ruined, while the student gets sympathy and probably a book deal. The volatility is what rightly puts the relationship out of bounds - the participants are basically poised with knives at each other's throats, and nothing good can come from that.
Lewinsky, the supposedly powerless, almost brought down Clinton; whereas she's now doing pretty well.
2
It's true that Hillary is unbearably pc sometimes and scripted. For the general - if he gets there - I'd predict that the following line of attack will be devastating: "Richie Rich Richens buys a couple of wives, and shtoops or at least buys/imports one from the East as young as his daughter, has a nice prenup set up so he can dump her anytime, when she's not a perfect 10 anymore". Together with his obviously disrespecting Megyn Kelly and finding Fiorina a "nice face", I'd take Bill's BJ over his story anytime. If Hillary delivers this line well (i.e. blunt and brutal), she'll pick up most of his female supporters to boot. Also, get Larry Flint, the Hustler guy, to put out a call for escorts and his performance reports (true of fake) and he's back in the entertainment section, where he belongs and the Republican party in shambles. Oh I wouldn't go there, Donald, or at least tread lightly.
5
Yes yes, we all like Bernie more and all and are still annoyed that Maureen's cross with the Hill for a reason we don't know... In the end, there's about 45% anti-Democrats and 45% anti-Republicans and we (not 1%, taxpayers) need someone who gets the majority of the other 10%, produces a few reasonable justices (the Senate will go Dem this year), doesn't kill Obamacare, the Iran and Cuba etc. treaties and gets the Democrats a chance of better redestricting to maybe finally get the Sanders priorities done. And that will be Clinton. With the House firmly Republican this decade there will be no new taxes to fund Bernie's ideas and he's blocked on his core issues. 2020 is redistricting time. Do you want to go into that election with a President who was blocked on all his issues for 4 years? That will mean that the House will be in Republican hands until 2032 at the very least - again! Bernie does the Hill a big favour so her centrism/hawkism will shine, and win her Cuyahoga county and the geezers in Florida and he does the country a big favour by getting her elected. We'll hold our noses but the country could fare far worse. There's every reason to think she'll do o.k., she must have made pretty much every mistake by now. Never felt about an election like this. It is a very important one and I don't want my favorite to win this time. For this support of mine, take Maureen's attacks on the chin, Hill.
5
I should know better than to read any column by Maureen Dowd about Hillary Clinton. They have become so predictable that they have lost any informational value.
Here she is talking about events that took place two decades ago. In case you hadn't noticed Ms. Dowd, an entire generation of Americans have reached adulthood since then. My daughter is 24 and might recognize the name Monica Lewinsky only because she heard her father mention it once or twice. She certainly won't be deciding on who to support for President in 2016 because of stories about what transpired under some other President's desk over twenty years ago.
Me neither.
Here she is talking about events that took place two decades ago. In case you hadn't noticed Ms. Dowd, an entire generation of Americans have reached adulthood since then. My daughter is 24 and might recognize the name Monica Lewinsky only because she heard her father mention it once or twice. She certainly won't be deciding on who to support for President in 2016 because of stories about what transpired under some other President's desk over twenty years ago.
Me neither.
16
I know the Times will never print this column but I should at least try.
Maureen Dowd has never been married. She has no idea what it is like to navigate a life committed to another person because she has never done it.
Especially when that marriage is in full glare of the spotlight that is national politics. No one knows what happened between Bill and all those women. He was certainly unfaithful to Hillary.
Without ever being married, having children and building a life with another person, given that all of us are flawed, her take on why Hillary responded the way she did is irrelevant.
I reread a column she wrote in 1998 about marriage where the conclusion was that it is impossible to have a successful one. Unless one is committed to making it work. Ms. Dowd would have no idea since she has never been able to commit to anyone.
Maureen Dowd has never been married. She has no idea what it is like to navigate a life committed to another person because she has never done it.
Especially when that marriage is in full glare of the spotlight that is national politics. No one knows what happened between Bill and all those women. He was certainly unfaithful to Hillary.
Without ever being married, having children and building a life with another person, given that all of us are flawed, her take on why Hillary responded the way she did is irrelevant.
I reread a column she wrote in 1998 about marriage where the conclusion was that it is impossible to have a successful one. Unless one is committed to making it work. Ms. Dowd would have no idea since she has never been able to commit to anyone.
519
What keeps us reading Maureen Dowd is that, like Trump, she is obsessional and almost always politically incorrect.
3
I didn't realize the Mo-wer thought no marriage could be successful. Perhaps she's right, after a fashion--every marriage ends painfully, either in divorce or death. My parents' ended after 56 years with my dad's death. My wife's parents' ended after 60 years with her dad's death. And both of us expect ours will end when one of us passes, hopefully, many, many years from now.
Maureen Dowd will never, ever be Molly Ivins. Maybe Fox Noise has a place for her, next to Geraldo Rivera?
Maureen Dowd will never, ever be Molly Ivins. Maybe Fox Noise has a place for her, next to Geraldo Rivera?
3
For decades Dowd has been attacking Hillary Clinton from a shallow well of insults.
Media Matters analyzed 195 columns by Dowd since November 1993 containing significant mentions of Clinton for whether they included any of 16 negative tropes in five categories (listed in the below methodology). 72 percent (141 columns) were negative towards Clinton -- only 8 percent (15 columns) were positive. The remaining 20 percent (39 columns) were neutral.
Media Matters analyzed 195 columns by Dowd since November 1993 containing significant mentions of Clinton for whether they included any of 16 negative tropes in five categories (listed in the below methodology). 72 percent (141 columns) were negative towards Clinton -- only 8 percent (15 columns) were positive. The remaining 20 percent (39 columns) were neutral.
5
I'm having a really hard time believing Maureen is actually making equivalencies of the "bully-ness" of Hillary and Donald. Seems a bit of a stretch.
To be fair, I always got a good laugh when Republicans complained whenever Maureen savaged W.
They never complained when she was ripping into Bill and Hill.
To be fair, I always got a good laugh when Republicans complained whenever Maureen savaged W.
They never complained when she was ripping into Bill and Hill.
3
Hillary was doing damage control; she was trying to save her entire life, the life of her daughter, the presidency of Bill. Sure, were she Antigone or some admirable absolutist, she might have altruistically come out against her philandering husband, supportive of Monica Lewinsky -- her comments and Rangel's about Monica were not without merit, however sympathetic she was/is. And gotten a divorce, ruined her future, destroyed her husband's legacy and decimated his entire persona and all his good works. And then she would have been a real feminist heroine. Is that what you're saying? She did what any woman who loved her problematic husband, loved her life, had a burning ambition, and wanted to save it all -- would do. She defended him. How human!
15
Both Clintons have law degrees. They had many options rather then the one they took to attack Bill's victims. My sister is school teacher and always used to newspaper for current event. She called me one day to say her 3rd graders were asking is "oral sex" was part of being president.
2
Hillary mouthing off about "believing women" is beyond ludicrous. What level of denial or bizarre compartmentalization must be going on in her mind to accuse Trump of sexism after her behavior with the decades of women who Bill Clinton used and abused? Incredible.
7
That was a circuitous route to get to a Hillary/Bill Clinton column. Honestly if Leo has to go to a redux Western/Grizzly Adams Mountain movie to get an Oscar the awards silliness has just gone to far. There are enough good flicks out there without have to rely upon imported ants to get the correct feeling. As far as the election is concerned me thinks we focus way to much on the media selected opponents. What are the NY Times writers gonna do if Bernie wins? What happens if Trump flops? Guess we'll just have to wait to find out. As for M. Dowd, enough with the big build ups.
5
What is it with Dowd and Hillary? I can't help wondering how Maureen would fare had she faced the challenges Hillary has faced. Does Maureen even have children? Has she done anything more than wield her pen while comfortably sheltered in her Manhattan apartment? I've enjoyed much of Dowd's writing but it is clear she has a bias against Hillary Clinton. Yes the Clinton's are politicians but they do seem to know how to govern. The USA needs people who can do that. What is wrong about changing one's opinion if polls and the zeitgeist indicate that is where the people are going? It seems to me that is exactly what government should do.
19
It would seem to me that being on one's knees under the desk in the Oval office would qualify as "troubled young person." That's a true statement, and nothing Monica Lewinsky ever says is going to remove that common-sense judgment.
Now as to Bill Clinton, the man sitting at that desk, that seems to qualify for exceptionally bad judgment. Of course there is also Ken Starr, the out-of-control special prosecutor, upon which insufficient scorn has been poured. And the impeachment proceedings themselves...a journey to the sick side of the Republican party.
Once you get into this tangle, the only path for a reasonable and fair person is to judge the Clintons on their public records.
I thought I was on the editorial page of the New York Times and instead I wondered onto a junior high school playground.
Now as to Bill Clinton, the man sitting at that desk, that seems to qualify for exceptionally bad judgment. Of course there is also Ken Starr, the out-of-control special prosecutor, upon which insufficient scorn has been poured. And the impeachment proceedings themselves...a journey to the sick side of the Republican party.
Once you get into this tangle, the only path for a reasonable and fair person is to judge the Clintons on their public records.
I thought I was on the editorial page of the New York Times and instead I wondered onto a junior high school playground.
13
"It would seem to me that being on one's knees under the desk in the Oval office would qualify as "troubled young person." That's a true statement, and nothing Monica Lewinsky ever says is going to remove that common-sense judgment."
You are the one who wrote that sentence, and yet you are complaining that you thought you had "wondered" onto the playground instead of into a place of class and dignity?
You are the one who wrote that sentence, and yet you are complaining that you thought you had "wondered" onto the playground instead of into a place of class and dignity?
2
@paul. Your post drips with the typical elite condescension towards any standards held by the underclass. "The man sitting at the desk" had to have his pants around his ankles in order for his subordinate to service him.
I thought the upper class in this country were all about equal rights for women. Think that include bosses not preying on underlings.
I thought the upper class in this country were all about equal rights for women. Think that include bosses not preying on underlings.
2
Maureen's obsession with Hillary is so obvious and so sad. I'm no Hillary fan and wonder what it would be like if Maureen could use her pen to craft a piece about Bernie and his progressive bona fides. His crowds are as numerous as Trump's, his speeches laden with substance, yet Maureen want to re-litigate the 90s. Give it a rest. The republic is at stake.
7
I'd like to say a word on behalf of the bear. I understand that Mr. DiCaprio's character gets between a mother and the cubs, and she was defending them when she mauled that human. Mr. Trump has displayed no such sense of concern for others in his attacks -- only for himself.
8
re "her hypocrisy in running as a feminist icon when she was part of political operations that smeared women who told the truth about Bill’s transgressions":
The word "part" is gentle, since there's considerable evidence that Mrs. Clinton, in both Little Rock and Washington, actually headed the character assassination squads to counteract persistent revelations about her husband's serial philandering, as well as sexual harassment and assault. In fact, it was her confidant Sidney Blumenthal, aka "Sid Vicious," who, at her behest, coordinated the whisper campaign against Monica Lewinsky as being "disturbed," a "stalker" and "a little bit nutty and a little bit slutty" during the cover-up and perjury that led to impeachment.
It's fitting that Mrs. Clinton's campaign logo for Inevitability 2016, not to be confused with Inevitability 2008, is a big blue block "H" with scarlet arrow, since Hypocrisy writ large is so much a part of her modus operandi. Now that we're less than a month away from the first votes being cast in the nominating process, it's worth asking once again, though, whether that's one of the ingrained traits we want in the next president.
The Clintons, the Cosbys and their enablers are adept at blaming the victim, characterizing patterns of reprehensible behavior as "old news" and having the audacity to say, "We don't talk about that." But shouldn't self-styled icons be held to the simple standard of telling the truth?
The word "part" is gentle, since there's considerable evidence that Mrs. Clinton, in both Little Rock and Washington, actually headed the character assassination squads to counteract persistent revelations about her husband's serial philandering, as well as sexual harassment and assault. In fact, it was her confidant Sidney Blumenthal, aka "Sid Vicious," who, at her behest, coordinated the whisper campaign against Monica Lewinsky as being "disturbed," a "stalker" and "a little bit nutty and a little bit slutty" during the cover-up and perjury that led to impeachment.
It's fitting that Mrs. Clinton's campaign logo for Inevitability 2016, not to be confused with Inevitability 2008, is a big blue block "H" with scarlet arrow, since Hypocrisy writ large is so much a part of her modus operandi. Now that we're less than a month away from the first votes being cast in the nominating process, it's worth asking once again, though, whether that's one of the ingrained traits we want in the next president.
The Clintons, the Cosbys and their enablers are adept at blaming the victim, characterizing patterns of reprehensible behavior as "old news" and having the audacity to say, "We don't talk about that." But shouldn't self-styled icons be held to the simple standard of telling the truth?
10
I had wondered when Maureen would return, fangs bared, to eviscerate her favorite unfavorite. It is comforting to know that we'll have Hillary served up again a couple of times a week until the election. Could I suggest that Maureen might find Senator Cruz an amiable co-writer. He also is deep righteous and equally caustic.
19
I was on the fence between Sanders and Clinton but thanks to Ms. Dowd, I have now made up my mind to vote for Hillary. I'd like to call it an empathy vote for all of us who can't please anybody and are criticized no matter what. The thing is if Hillary were a man she would be lauded instead of shamed.
26
It took Maureen Dowd to decide your vote! I hope other citizens will examine their own needs, the country's situation, the candidate's voting records, character and positions as they determine who to vote for.
1
And Trump hasn't gotten to the *really* bad stuff on the Clinton's yet. The MSM has been covering up for the Clintons for decades but, much to the Clinton's horror, Trump is not playing by establishment rules. When it all comes out the American people will be the beneficiaries.
10
In this election I think that the Democrat and Republican establishments fear the unwashed masses will not vote according to establishment dictates. And that is a big problem. When the common man arises above his station in life and rejects his master our country will certainly fall.
2
There is not one person, not even the President of the United States, who is a threat to the established, corrupt order and the faceless power brokers who really run things. If only it were possible.
Seems to me that the solution is simple: vote for Bernie Sanders. Clean out all the smut and get on with the business of bringing about a more humane economy and social structure to our country.
10
Still not entirely sure how Hillary's break being called "disgusting" is, therefore, "sexist".
She took a long time to get back to stage. That was confirmed as the distance to the bathroom, her advancing age (same as Reagan in 1980, something she noted), or the fact that she had a more involved "break" (referring to a bowel movement).
From this, a juvenile Trump goes to "disgusting".
I find his reference to be on the level of an 8th grader. But it is more fun to make it "sexist". I find it hard to believe she is menstruating at her age, so let's be grown-ups and call Trump's comment what it is: childish, not sexist.
She took a long time to get back to stage. That was confirmed as the distance to the bathroom, her advancing age (same as Reagan in 1980, something she noted), or the fact that she had a more involved "break" (referring to a bowel movement).
From this, a juvenile Trump goes to "disgusting".
I find his reference to be on the level of an 8th grader. But it is more fun to make it "sexist". I find it hard to believe she is menstruating at her age, so let's be grown-ups and call Trump's comment what it is: childish, not sexist.
9
If a candidate has any personal failings, true or simply fabricated, Maureen will point them out. Hillary is definitely an ambitious person but that by itself is no crime, or even considered a failing. The criticisms against Hillary are focused on her gender, "how dare she take a potty break". How dare a woman be ambitious! Bill beat the Republican congress at their own game. Hillary, with her experience, intelligence, and her charm/toughness will make a great president. I could not finish Dowd's column but find many of the comments on the mark. The field is narrowing and she will be the only one with any standing left. Give her a break!
17
Ummm Bill "triangulated " with the Republicans if memory serves after suffering heavy losses in the midterms and agreed to Republican demands to reform welfare..
1
I enjoy reading the various contortions nytimes readers go through to defend HRC, to minimize her deceit and hypocrisy or to find some excuse or justification for her morally suspect behavior. In my view, if a candidate has a series of episodes in which she is deceitful to the public or cruel to others in order to advance herself politically--both of which are true about HRC--then she doesn't deserve to be voted into high office. I may be wrong, but I hope and believe that there are qualified people out there who are not liars. HRC's character is obviously important in passing on her desire to elevate her own power. Thank you for keeping these issues alive. NY democrats may not like to hear them but they can't honestly deny their relevance.
9
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are each conducting their respective war on women; Trump with his crude and borrish comments and Hillary with her unleashing of private detectives and viscous political thugs to silence and discredit the women who were preyed upon by her predator husband Bill. Total hypocrisy on the part of their supporters not to acknowledge these facts. I feel the Berne.
6
Rand Paul brought up Bill's indiscretions months ago. The issue was irrelevant than and it's irrelevant now. But that's what Trump does. If he gets the nomination, it will be by insults and character assassination. If he had to discuss policy, he'd be planning his next golf course or writing a how-to book on running for president ("The Art of the Campaign") - but he wouldn't be leading in the polls.
If Trump is the nominee, he will have to double-down on the insults. He can't compete with Hillary or Bernie on policy. This will not play well in the debates, when the rest of the country wants to know what the next president will do, not who he's going to insult next.
If Trump is the nominee, he will have to double-down on the insults. He can't compete with Hillary or Bernie on policy. This will not play well in the debates, when the rest of the country wants to know what the next president will do, not who he's going to insult next.
3
With all the important happenings in the past week, this is the best this writer to could do? I'm beginning to believe she needs to a long, very long, conversation - lasting several years - with an analyst to discuss her deep seated vitriol and anger that she keeps on spewing towards Sec Clinton. By ignoring the racist, sexist and meaness of Trump's daily stump speeches, she is ratifying him and his positions. But then, in her eyes, anyone who defames the Clintons, is a friend of hers. The only "bully" in this column was the author.
14
Maureen, thank you for letting us know that the real Hillary. As a life-long Democrat and feminist, I can tell you no one in my extended family will vote for a Clinton. We're told all this is in the past, so move on. Hillary is known as a tough brawler. There is no excuse for trying to ruin women's reputations for challenging Bill and using surrogates to take them down. For Hillary, It's always about power and money. Why take money through the Clinton Foundation from the Saudi government that treats women as mere property and cuts off their heads for getting out of line? "All women must be heard and believed" unless they say something against you or your philandering spokesperson/spouse. I noticed how Elizabeth Warren quickly backed off an endorsement of Bernie Sanders when the Clinton machine let it be known she might end up on the famous Clinton's enemies list.
The Clinton supporters are out here attacking you for suggesting you are holding Hillary accountable for the sins of her husband. I, for one, am not. I hold Hillary responsible for her actions attacking women, taking money from the most anti-women governments in the world, her unending greed and parsing of the truth. I'm ready for a strong President, whether a woman or not, but not the entrenchment of crony corporate welfare in DC. I can't wait for the massive pandering to every group on the planet that will erupt from the Clinton campaign over the next few months. Some will be fooled, but not this household.
The Clinton supporters are out here attacking you for suggesting you are holding Hillary accountable for the sins of her husband. I, for one, am not. I hold Hillary responsible for her actions attacking women, taking money from the most anti-women governments in the world, her unending greed and parsing of the truth. I'm ready for a strong President, whether a woman or not, but not the entrenchment of crony corporate welfare in DC. I can't wait for the massive pandering to every group on the planet that will erupt from the Clinton campaign over the next few months. Some will be fooled, but not this household.
11
The Clintons are a tornado who leave nothing but a path of destruction behind them. Friends go to prison, long-term acts meant to protect us from predatory banks get repealed, interns get destroyed. Whatever it takes to get them what they want. But between Cosby (as you rightly compare) and the e-mails, I think their days are numbered.
9
Well, the tone of this column was no surprise since Dowd has despised the Clintons forever. She quotes Trump from a 90's interview in which he decries, not the idea of adultery, but Clinton's choice of partner. If Hillary does the nomination, she won't be doing the dirty work but it won't be difficult for the DNC troops to dig up this Trump quote and dozens of others, not to mention the fact that he was dallying with soon to be Mrs. Trump #2 while still married to Mrs. Trump #1, and Mrs. Trump #3 has all those porn pictures floating around the internet from her pre-marital career as a model/actress (wink, wink). This election is dangerously close to becoming a side show.
15
What a gross double standard Maureen. Hilary is not an ideal feminist because she is conflicted about her husband's philandering.
The Donald gets a pass on his explicit misogyny because I guess boorish insecure billionaires will be boorish insecure billionaires and can't be held accountable for their behavior.
Can we compare records instead of rhetoric to see who the real fighter for women's rights will be?
The Donald gets a pass on his explicit misogyny because I guess boorish insecure billionaires will be boorish insecure billionaires and can't be held accountable for their behavior.
Can we compare records instead of rhetoric to see who the real fighter for women's rights will be?
17
I guess I don't really see any difference between Maureen O'Dowd's obsession with Lewinsky & the Clinton marriage and the behavior of the GOP, 20 years ago, when they illegally taped Lewinsky's private conversations, published them in the Congressional record, and suddently decided that they could impeach Clinton for adultery instead of for the insignificant lapses of Whitewater that they'd been wasting our money for years trying to prove. And I don't really see that much difference between O'Dowd & Trump. Both exploit the public's legitimate interest in politics & government for their own self-absorbed ego-trips & sexist mud-slinging. I'm no Clinton supporter, but Ms. Dowd makes me want to be, for all the wrong reasons.
12
Donald and Hillary are a perfect match for our political circus. The Donald won't stop at Hillary's nasty swipes at her husband's lovers; he'll take us back to Bosnia where she was under a sniper's attack and it will be Hilarious. There are many examples of her character's slippage and what better narrator of that than The Donald. For the first time, I am grateful to Dowd for creating a scenario that was highly entertaining. Now if only there was someone to have fun at The Donald's expense.
5
Maureen, President Clinton's dalliances will not affect the next President Clinton. Those who support HRC aren't interested in who slept with whom. We care about the state of the world, immigration, universal healthcare, education, the economy and employment, our infrastructure, taxes, we care. It's time for you to focus on the bread and circuses crowd, expose them for the power hungry megalomaniacs they are, stop tipping right, you're better than that.
17
I suppose one can say the sex stuff won't affect Hillary because the emails and security breaches will sink her for sure. And when it comes to infrastructure, do you really think Hillary is as credible as Trump, who actually did build that?
4
I really like bears
In fact, some of my my best friends are bears.
If a bear was running for president I would certainly vote for her.
In fact, some of my my best friends are bears.
If a bear was running for president I would certainly vote for her.
2
Yes. But a crazed, wild, careening, vicious and dangerous bear should be avoided at all costs.
I think you missed Dowd's point. Hillary is the one running from the bear. No bear is she but has several after her, FBI among them.
1
I am very worried about Hillary's fragility as a candidate. I am concerned that some previously unknown transgression will surface (prediction: it will come from the Clinton Foundation), explode her campaign, and allow the Republicans to claim the White House. And the shockwaves could ripple down the ticket, ensuring total Republican control of the government. Arrrgh.
Only a Bernie nomination can save us at this point. He is a proven campaigner. We've seen that already. Bernie is not only the best Democratic candidate – he's the only candidate who can save us from a government of madmen.
Only a Bernie nomination can save us at this point. He is a proven campaigner. We've seen that already. Bernie is not only the best Democratic candidate – he's the only candidate who can save us from a government of madmen.
7
Ms. Dowd's point seems to be that Hillary blamed the women who had sex with her husband, which is anti-woman. I understand the power dynamic involved having been considered sexual prey by a couple of married men more powerful than I, however, all the women who willingly had sex with Bill (or who pursued him) had sex with a famously married man and are therefore complicit, in my opinion. I admire the women who were able to resist his power and charm -- because not to resist was anti-woman, i.e., his wife. Hillary was appropriately mad at everyone.
11
At one time I enjoyed Ms. Dowd's column and always turned to it first. No more. Her screeds about the Clintons are tiresome and injurious. If people like Ms. Dowd keep up their harping about the 90's and President Clinton's sex life while ignoring the eight years of bush-cheney, they are guilty of a crime far worse than sexual misconduct. They are aiding and abetting men like Trump, et. al., who are dragging our country down to the level of the lowest common denominators of thought and principle.
Hillary Clinton is our best hope for the next eight years, quite possibly for our entire future. Given the level of damage from the years 2001-2009, we cannot afford to spend this critical campaign season debating a marital affair from 20 years ago.
Hillary Clinton is our best hope for the next eight years, quite possibly for our entire future. Given the level of damage from the years 2001-2009, we cannot afford to spend this critical campaign season debating a marital affair from 20 years ago.
61
Eleanor Roosevelt - discuss. Get a life people. We aren't electing saints or even those who perform public acts of contrition. There is no Samuel to tell us who god has found favor with. We have to decide ourselves which candidate makes sound judgments and proposes sound policy. Passing our own moral judgment on their character is not a substitute.
4
The bear in the Revenant was protecting her cubs. It was not stalking Leo. Trump on the other hand mauls his opponents for shear sadistic pleasure. Clinton may had not behaved entirely honorably during the bimbo eruptions but the true out of control bear was Bill who was unable to control his sexual urges.
2
Clinton's last minute attempt to win the sympathy of all woman, and the presidency, would be to announce three months prior to election day, that she and Bill have amicably separated. She would get the respect and admiration of the women she is so desperately trying to win over. After the election and if she wins the presidency, she can then announce that she and Bill are back together again and everything is wonderful in Lala land
2
The comments in this thread are pretty disheartening. The insistence on making it about adultery just really bums me out.
Every victim of sexual assault and sexual harassment deserves to be treated like the victim of a crime and treated with respect and dignity. There are no exceptions to this rule. Ever. Even if the accused is a feminist icon like Bill Clinton.
Please don't make exceptions because of Bill and Hillary's attractive rhetoric. For decades they've both been allowed to avoid being called to account for their treatment of women who have come forward with very serious allegations.
Sad to say it's being left to someone like Donald Trump to cut through the denial and expose them for what they are: hypocrites at best. At the worst? Abuser and his accessory.
Every victim of sexual assault and sexual harassment deserves to be treated like the victim of a crime and treated with respect and dignity. There are no exceptions to this rule. Ever. Even if the accused is a feminist icon like Bill Clinton.
Please don't make exceptions because of Bill and Hillary's attractive rhetoric. For decades they've both been allowed to avoid being called to account for their treatment of women who have come forward with very serious allegations.
Sad to say it's being left to someone like Donald Trump to cut through the denial and expose them for what they are: hypocrites at best. At the worst? Abuser and his accessory.
3
We don't need to revisit the Clinton's personal life on these pages. We are threatened by much more serious consequences if we allow this retrospective about Bill to enable a Republican, especially Trump and Cruz but also the other wannabes, to win the election. In many ways, Bernie is preferable. He wouldn't have these peccadilloes to contend with, but he's a tougher sell to the average voter, at least at this point. Hillary has enough of her own personal baggage to deal with without adding her husband's. So, let's give the policies the center stage and expose the naked truth about the Republican candidates' lack of substance.
2
I'm not a big Hillary fan as a progressive Democrat, but I'm sure she'll just "grin and bear it" as she has with Bill and his "bimbo problem," Foster-gate, White Water-gate, chicken-gate, Benghazi-gate and more recently email-gate. It's all such old news. If anyone still wants turn turn her from victim into calculating witch (or something that rhymes with it), it seems at this point a "fool's errand" to go back to events in the last century. I'm much more concerned with the issues facing this country today and who best can deal with them and not the mud-slinging by Donald Trump, who has never really stood by his woman, and the jeer-leading here by Ms. Dowd who seems like most Republicans to confuse events based in the 19-century with their own misogynistic reality. If Secretary Clinton does have one issue that she's been consistently very strong on, it's been women's rights. And women today are still under-paid, under-promoted, and under the patriarchal thumb of white male, Republicans who seek to keep them in reproductive bondage.
3
Folks decide, and if we think that voting for the actress is better/worse
than voting for the actor, we duly reap.
Their smearing is inter-dynamic reality and our gratuitous
public spectacle.
Apparently the election is currently & probably forever
much about this really terrific subject.
There are many complex issues with which to worry--so what.
Eventually, most probably Maureen shall decide the
appropriate compromise if not zappy punditry to take.
We'll have to too.
than voting for the actor, we duly reap.
Their smearing is inter-dynamic reality and our gratuitous
public spectacle.
Apparently the election is currently & probably forever
much about this really terrific subject.
There are many complex issues with which to worry--so what.
Eventually, most probably Maureen shall decide the
appropriate compromise if not zappy punditry to take.
We'll have to too.
An important consideration is the enormous power differential between the President of the United States and a 22 year old intern. The Clintons exploited Monica Lewinsky and then hung her out to dry. That says something about their character that is relevant in this election. And it has nothing to do with Donald Trump.
2
Bill Clinton escapades are in the past, and they were thoroughly dealt with at the time when Clinton had to suffer impeachment proceedings. More recently we also had a closure of sorts when Monica Lewinsky published her book. Maybe it is time to move on?
Yes, Hilary's conduct was perhaps less than admirable, but it was not an easy situation. This was essentially a politically inspired scandal with republicans hoping to win political advantage; she had to deal with feelings of personal humiliation and betrayal; she was the first lady in addition to a woman who has learned of her husband's latest infidelity. So, to all these factors, you are asking her to play the role of a feminist. Yes, she could have done better, and with that said can we move on?
Yes, Hilary's conduct was perhaps less than admirable, but it was not an easy situation. This was essentially a politically inspired scandal with republicans hoping to win political advantage; she had to deal with feelings of personal humiliation and betrayal; she was the first lady in addition to a woman who has learned of her husband's latest infidelity. So, to all these factors, you are asking her to play the role of a feminist. Yes, she could have done better, and with that said can we move on?
1
I don't doubt that Bill Clinton did much if not all of what he's been accused of doing; but that was decades ago. The Lewinsky episode occurred 20 years ago. A member of Dowd's generation, I well remember what life was like in the 70s and 80s. Nothing that Bill is accused of doing was regarded in those days as unusual behavior for a powerful man. I wish that it had been; but it wasn't.
Some of the professors at my ivy league graduate school routinely hit on the graduate students. We all knew who these guys were, and most of us kept our distance. One of my fellow Ph.D. students related how, on her first day in graduate school, she noticed a young woman standing at the library checkout, wearing hot pants and a halter top, and was told that she was "the head of the [X] department's paramour." She was; he was married; and she wasn't the first - or last.
I worked part-time as an assistant for a senior professor in another department. One day, asked to bring papers to his apartment, I found him home alone, lying on a couch, wearing only a t-shirt and pair of briefs. I got out of there- fast Yet I didn't complain; there was, in those days, no one to whom to complain.
None of this was fair or admirable. Yet to blame someone today for what he did when values were different, seems to me to be unfair. As for Hillary; she made the best of a bad situation by not allowing Bill's political enemies - because that's what they were - to win. I get that, and I'm voting for her.
Some of the professors at my ivy league graduate school routinely hit on the graduate students. We all knew who these guys were, and most of us kept our distance. One of my fellow Ph.D. students related how, on her first day in graduate school, she noticed a young woman standing at the library checkout, wearing hot pants and a halter top, and was told that she was "the head of the [X] department's paramour." She was; he was married; and she wasn't the first - or last.
I worked part-time as an assistant for a senior professor in another department. One day, asked to bring papers to his apartment, I found him home alone, lying on a couch, wearing only a t-shirt and pair of briefs. I got out of there- fast Yet I didn't complain; there was, in those days, no one to whom to complain.
None of this was fair or admirable. Yet to blame someone today for what he did when values were different, seems to me to be unfair. As for Hillary; she made the best of a bad situation by not allowing Bill's political enemies - because that's what they were - to win. I get that, and I'm voting for her.
4
The real reason to attach President Clinton's infidelities to candidate and Mrs. Clinton is to remind the voters that the only reason she is today a serious candidate for the Presidency is because she was married to a President, and has availed herself of his reflected fame, political skills and political network to propel herself forward. Many have used associations such as this to garner political success for themselves, of course, but it always allows one to put the question of authenticity into play about the object of the attention. Even Senator Sanders, just by mentioning the former President, his abilities, and that he's not going to get personal, is in effect subliminally putting the question of authenticity into voter's minds.
3
I'm dismayed by the number of Democrats commenting who staunchly defend the Clintons' treatment of Bill's victims. We are amazingly yet to become better than Republicans when it comes to the hostility shown to women who speak inconvenient truths. Maybe the party needs to suffer losing more votes before it feels the need to examine the iceberg of misogynistic contempt that lurks beneath its surface commitment to "women's rights."
3
This psychobabble about Hillary, Bill, and Donald has nothing to do with real issues such as:
1) the threat for catastrophic global climate change;
2) the war that all Republican candidates are waging against science spreading falsehoods about vaccinations and professing that we should not teach the theory of evolution in schools;
3) the Republican assault on human rights and human dignity by being against
a) a living wage for all;
b) the right of women to have an abortion or contraception based on their religious beliefs;
c) equal pay for equal work for women;
d) the right for homosexuals to marry.
4) Republican treachery in unleashing Wall Street and the banks too big to fail to criminally prey on the workers whose hands create all the wealth;
5) The failure to exert moral leadership to stop the endless raging wars.
So I yawn with boredom and lament the wasted space.
1) the threat for catastrophic global climate change;
2) the war that all Republican candidates are waging against science spreading falsehoods about vaccinations and professing that we should not teach the theory of evolution in schools;
3) the Republican assault on human rights and human dignity by being against
a) a living wage for all;
b) the right of women to have an abortion or contraception based on their religious beliefs;
c) equal pay for equal work for women;
d) the right for homosexuals to marry.
4) Republican treachery in unleashing Wall Street and the banks too big to fail to criminally prey on the workers whose hands create all the wealth;
5) The failure to exert moral leadership to stop the endless raging wars.
So I yawn with boredom and lament the wasted space.
9
The instincts of Maureen's bear may be honed to a keen edge by the "survival of the fittest" mentality in the top echelons of business and finance. Donald Trump has a preternatural aptitude for finding his opponents greatest vulnerability and exploiting it. Raised in a patrician world of surface manners and decorum, Jeb Bush was completely unnerved by Trumps crude and boorish personal attacks. References to Ted Cruz's "Cuban Evangelical"roots and raising the "Birther"issue about his Canadian birth were clear attempts to depict him as the"other"in an anti-immigration party. Hillary Clinton has experience and is a master of facts and rational debate so he attacked her on the emotional level of her husbands serial infidelities.It clearly makes her uncomfortable and to an extent limits Bill Clinton's effectiveness. Marco Rubio hasn't been heavily targeted, but his tangled financial history is a target rich enviroment. Trump takes his opponents out of their comfort zone, ironically by engaging in those kinds of tactics he runs the real risk of taking the American public out of theirs.
These pajama games and nattering gotchas were boring and irrelevant more than a decade ago. It is time to move on. Tiny details like economic policies, China, the mid-East, education, health care - the stand out in such bold relief, and not who played naughty twenty years ago and I'm going to tell Mommy on you.
Trump is an egomaniacal showman in love with himself to a degree that redefines narcissism. For him, the United States and its 300 million residents are merely a captive audience to witness his Ascension.
Hillary is a knowledgeable policy wonk of questionable executive ability who is the safer bet by far. Uninspiring, but at least stable.
I never vote for politicians I "like". That would be immature. I vote for the candidate least likely to start World War III.
Trump is an egomaniacal showman in love with himself to a degree that redefines narcissism. For him, the United States and its 300 million residents are merely a captive audience to witness his Ascension.
Hillary is a knowledgeable policy wonk of questionable executive ability who is the safer bet by far. Uninspiring, but at least stable.
I never vote for politicians I "like". That would be immature. I vote for the candidate least likely to start World War III.
4
Transparently, Hillary seeks power to such a relentless, unprincipled extent that, politically, she is of no use to anyone except the powerful -- who eagerly engineer the coronation of a reliable, manageable supplicant.
Bernie challenges power.
That has always been what the electorate needs. But finally, far more than the mainstream has yet fully grasped, it is also what they want.
Bernie challenges power.
That has always been what the electorate needs. But finally, far more than the mainstream has yet fully grasped, it is also what they want.
3
We all know that many presidents, and good presidents, such as FDR and JFK, to name a couple, were incorrigible philanderers. The truth is that narcissistic personalities often make energetic, charismatic, and effective leaders. Holding the office of President is a personal sacrifice that few are willing to make, and marital infidelity is a personal and family issue, not a political issue.
By the way, how do we take seriously someone who professes: "I'm going to the White House to get my presidential kneepads."?
By the way, how do we take seriously someone who professes: "I'm going to the White House to get my presidential kneepads."?
2
The whole Clinton/Lewinsky mess was created not just by Bill's inability to exercise personal control, but also by the Republican party's effort to assassinate a president by other means. Does anyone care how the Clintons were put in that place? Of course, Bill Clinton, not unlike Nixon, worked to bring it on himself, having grown up in politics at a time when most powerful male "indiscretions" were tolerated, but holding office in a time, full stop, when they were not.
The Republicans were outraged, dumbfounded that ANY Democrat could be in the White House after 12 yrs. of Republicans. (In fact, a Dem had only been in the top job once, for 4 yrs., in the previous 24 yrs. before Clinton.) So, the Republicans vowed to take him down by any means available, following the well worn script of Newt Gingrich to attack, attack, attack and then feast on the carcass. This was, after all, how Gingrich became Speaker of the House in the first place, taking down the existing Speaker.
The Special Persecutor, Kenny Starr, was sent to investigate a bad land deal and turned his mandate into one of salacious digging for Clinton's transgressions against presumed erotic morality. So, go over this stuff as you will, Ms. Dowd, but Bill and Hillary were in a fight for their lives against a crowd that was playing dirty at all turns. They fought and they won. Anyone who wants to base their 2016 vote on that old record is welcomed to it, but they should know the full record, not just one side.
The Republicans were outraged, dumbfounded that ANY Democrat could be in the White House after 12 yrs. of Republicans. (In fact, a Dem had only been in the top job once, for 4 yrs., in the previous 24 yrs. before Clinton.) So, the Republicans vowed to take him down by any means available, following the well worn script of Newt Gingrich to attack, attack, attack and then feast on the carcass. This was, after all, how Gingrich became Speaker of the House in the first place, taking down the existing Speaker.
The Special Persecutor, Kenny Starr, was sent to investigate a bad land deal and turned his mandate into one of salacious digging for Clinton's transgressions against presumed erotic morality. So, go over this stuff as you will, Ms. Dowd, but Bill and Hillary were in a fight for their lives against a crowd that was playing dirty at all turns. They fought and they won. Anyone who wants to base their 2016 vote on that old record is welcomed to it, but they should know the full record, not just one side.
10
Interesting column, but it distracts the voters from the real issues. Turn-outs have been low, especially, in red states so to attract people to the voting booth we are obligated to inform the voters the truth and sincerity of the candidates that are relevant to their interests which for most is the financial security of their families.
The evidence shows that for nearly 40 years most Americans have not received a fair shake. Incomes have continued to concentrate and the income gap is growing larger and the distribution of incomes and jobs has been unfair. There are lots of public policy actions over the last 40 years that need to be changed. In general public policy has favored donors and our system of election finance needs reform. We know it and many retiring politicians are saying that. So the press and the media should try to sort this out and as much as possible stick with these issues and not the polarizing issues that distract people from their self-interests.
The evidence shows that for nearly 40 years most Americans have not received a fair shake. Incomes have continued to concentrate and the income gap is growing larger and the distribution of incomes and jobs has been unfair. There are lots of public policy actions over the last 40 years that need to be changed. In general public policy has favored donors and our system of election finance needs reform. We know it and many retiring politicians are saying that. So the press and the media should try to sort this out and as much as possible stick with these issues and not the polarizing issues that distract people from their self-interests.
1
Oh, for heaven's sake! She's running for president, not for women's counseling service provider. Nor does Mr. Clinton claim to be a moral arbiter for married men, like Bill Cosby. What actions did the Clintons take that was so bad for the 140 million or so American women who were around then? I'm not talking about what they did to four or five women whom they personally knew, which may have been egregious sins. Can we expect policies on the part of Mr. Trump that would benefit the 160 million American women now? That is the question to ask of a presidential candidate. Given the choice of a jerk in managing his private life vs a jerk in his public duties (Mr. Trump may show us how it is possible to be both), I'll take the former, thank you. As for the way they managed the fallout from Mr. Clinton's stupidity, his private life should never have been brought up. Republicans and the media gave Mr. and Mrs. Clinton two choices: voluntarily participate in the GOP plot to humiliate you publicly for private indiscretions or attempt a cover up. Which would Maureen Dowd have chosen? We got through FDR, Ike, JFK administrations without knowing if they were jerks or not in their private lives. If the Republicans had only let us complete the Clinton term the same way. Then, as now, Republicans know they do not have a policy leg to stand on vs Democrats, so they rely on personal smear campaigns. The amusing thing this year is that they are smearing each other too.
11
Anyone who knows animals knows that a she bear -- a sow, to be precise...I'll let that word just hang there -- is far more unpredictable and therefore more dangerous than any boar bear (or a bore of a bear, in Trump's case). Especially when the sow is protecting her family. That old, grizzled boar bear may do a lot of dramatic posturing, but the sow will eviscerate quietly and efficiently, and go back to eating salmon berries.
They are both unbearable, really. And for some reason I now have in my head the image of those silly cartoon bears from the Charmin toilet paper commercials. The one where the bears are (yes, Virginia, they do!) pooing in the woods, and one of the young cubs tells another bear that this tissue gets you so clean you can wear your underwear two days in a row. Must be the mention of Trump commenting on Hillary's bathroom break.
How did we get to this point?
They are both unbearable, really. And for some reason I now have in my head the image of those silly cartoon bears from the Charmin toilet paper commercials. The one where the bears are (yes, Virginia, they do!) pooing in the woods, and one of the young cubs tells another bear that this tissue gets you so clean you can wear your underwear two days in a row. Must be the mention of Trump commenting on Hillary's bathroom break.
How did we get to this point?
1
I know I have enjoyed many of Maureen Dowd's columns in the past. But seriously???? Back to Monica, who was no victim, but an adult who willingly committed adultery with a man she knew was married??? Clearly what Bill did was worse, but Monica was no innocent. As a feminist and a woman, I believe women are responsible for their actions.
But more important, this is entirely beside the point.
I supported Obama in 08 with everything I had. His performance at the gun violence town hall reminded me, after numerous disappointments, exactly why I did. After many years I again saw the man I voted for.
But now the choices are Sanders, Hillary and O'Malley, unless you are ready to deliver the death blow to this country. I started out a supporter of Sanders, I've sent him money. Then I watched the two debates. Good lord that woman knows her stuff. As a Harvard lawyer, I appreciate someone who has done their homework. I agree with Bernie on Glass Steagall and any number of issues, I love his guts and that filibuster, but I am beginning to wonder if Hillary is not more prepared to be president in a difficult time than anyone else running.
It's the Supreme Court, stupid. Whether Hillary has lied or will lie, (Obama told us whoppers -- anyone else remember FISA? all meetings with the medical insurance industry to be public?), her nominations to that body will be responsible.
Sans a progressive Dem president win, our country is finished.
But more important, this is entirely beside the point.
I supported Obama in 08 with everything I had. His performance at the gun violence town hall reminded me, after numerous disappointments, exactly why I did. After many years I again saw the man I voted for.
But now the choices are Sanders, Hillary and O'Malley, unless you are ready to deliver the death blow to this country. I started out a supporter of Sanders, I've sent him money. Then I watched the two debates. Good lord that woman knows her stuff. As a Harvard lawyer, I appreciate someone who has done their homework. I agree with Bernie on Glass Steagall and any number of issues, I love his guts and that filibuster, but I am beginning to wonder if Hillary is not more prepared to be president in a difficult time than anyone else running.
It's the Supreme Court, stupid. Whether Hillary has lied or will lie, (Obama told us whoppers -- anyone else remember FISA? all meetings with the medical insurance industry to be public?), her nominations to that body will be responsible.
Sans a progressive Dem president win, our country is finished.
35
Hilary Clinton was betrayed by her husband in the most public and humiliating way and is certainly as guilty as women down the centuries, of unfairly "blaming the victim." Despite her flaws however, I believe she cares deeply about womens rights , while her Republican opponents actively seek to send women's rights back a couple of hundred years, in a way unthinkable in any other Western Democracy but ours. I truly admire Bernie Sanders, but until I'm convinced he's electable against Republican candidates who are quoted as saying they would not allow an abortion even if a woman' life was in danger, I consider Hilary Clinton the best hope for defending American women, and no amount of vitriol from Maureen will make me forget it.
21
It boggles this American mind that we are even discussing the possibility of Donald Trump being U.S. President. It also boggles the mind that there is the possibility, even the likelihood, of the Clintons being back in the White House, even while observing the coronation activities for the past year-plus. In the 21st century, America knows some history and has some experience: can't we do better? Is this really going to be the choice? I have been disappointed that Bernie has not seen fit to stand up to Hillary, and instead has enabled her advance, and now it is seeming to be too late to regain momentum. It is unconscionable to even imagine Trump as President and he makes other candidates, most especially Hillary, seem civilized, educated, decent and sane in contrast. Was that always the strategy? Has even the Republican "front-runner" been enlisted to clear the path for the Clintons' return to the castle? Nothing seems sane in this campaign, in a time when extraordinary leadership and wisdom seem needed more than any time since WWII.
7
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt had problems in their marriage- problems with fidelity- problems with depression- problems with personal health. Nonetheless they accomplished so much that was so positive for so many. I think we need to refocus on politicians' policy positions and governance skills and less on their personal lives.
25
So we should just ignore women when they speak out against assaults such as Juanita Brodderick even though Hillary's policy position is that the victims should be heard and believed ? It seems as though this is another policy position in which Hillary takes both sides.
If Hillary cannot take the correct stand on assault victims how can she be trusted to take the correct stand on anything ?
If Hillary cannot take the correct stand on assault victims how can she be trusted to take the correct stand on anything ?
6
FDR was not sexual molester and rapist like Bill Clinton. Hillary does even belong in the same sentence as Eleanor. She was all about helping others not herself.
2
Why is the focus always on Trump and Clinton as if they are the only ones running? Sanders is now ahead of Clinton in the early states or nearly there. Isn't that noteworthy?
5
Frankly, Carolyn Egeli, the expectation that every columnist should be writing something good about Bernie Sanders has become almost as tiresome as Maureen Dowd's fascination with Donald Trump and her crusade against Hillary Clinton.
2
sdw..you may have a point. But I make a point of it frequently, because it is the ignored truth. When only a couple of candidates are being addressed continuously, with little attention paid to an obvious force like Sanders, it makes one wonder.
3
Such a waste of writing talent, and such a tragic waste of column space in the nation's leading newspaper - both by Dowd and Bruni. How about some coverage of policy positions and what's at stake in this election? For a change.
225
Well, there's no accounting for taste, is there? I don't find Ms. Dowd wasting a single space but focusing instead with laser-like sharpness on the underlying human dynamics of this unusual presidential campaign. It is no accident that we speak of political "animals" -- it is what animates people that counts, ultimately, in politics; policy is the icing on the cake. So, back to bears.
1
Are character and hypocrisy not important in the person who will occupy the White House? Or will any craven human being do just fine, as long as they promote the progressive check list?
3
Policy positions?Unfortunately Ms.Dowd cannot resist the opportunity to air her sick hatred of the Clintons to waste time and space writing about Policy Positions I doubt the poor thing even knows the meaning of Policy Positions.
2
Apart from the Dowdy vitriol, a correction: "Exit, pursued by a bear" is not an old show business saw, it's Shakespeare, "A Winter's Tale", act III, scene iii. The play has a happy ending and the bear, after its audience-shocking run across the stage, is heard of no more.
56
"and the bear, after its audience-shocking run across the stage, is heard of no more."
Are you suggesting that Maureen Dowd made a bad casting decision by having Donald Trump play the bear? It certainly looks like his run has a lot longer to go and that we will be hearing a lot more from him.
Are you suggesting that Maureen Dowd made a bad casting decision by having Donald Trump play the bear? It certainly looks like his run has a lot longer to go and that we will be hearing a lot more from him.
I've learned over the years that the candidates who Maureen dislikes (Barack Obama) actually turn out to be quite good, and those that Maureen likes (George W. Bush) turn out to be quite awful. I wasn't sure who I was going to support prior to reading this column but I now see that Hillary, disdained as she apparently is by Madam Dowd, will turn out to be a quite effective President.
240
All the discussion regarding how difficult it is to face up to a cheating, or maybe even predator, spouse is correct, but in this instance we have heard what has always been a very consistent mantra from Mrs. Clinton. That is, Everything I say and avow to firmly believe in doesn't apply to me or my situations. It pains me the Democrats can't do better.
6
They have done better. He's called Bernie.
Problem is he is not as inflammatory or as entertaining as many of the characters running for president.
And he gets little to no press from the media. Sad.
Problem is he is not as inflammatory or as entertaining as many of the characters running for president.
And he gets little to no press from the media. Sad.
3
There have been many stories about Hillary's disgraceful bullying and intimidation of her husband's accusers, but the full extent of her use of private investigators, thugs and threats has only been told in the book "No One Left To Lie To," by the late Christopher Hitchens. We have seen quite enough of the press pulling its punches. The truth was written by one of our finest journalists, and it should be unearthed and disseminated. There is not much time left.
17
And this relates to running the country in what way?
At this point, except for Bernie, who can't win, the alternatives are nightmarish.
At this point, except for Bernie, who can't win, the alternatives are nightmarish.
I have often thought during this already long campaign year how very much Christopher Hitchens is missed and longed to know what he would be writing and saying about these candidates. Yes, you are correct about his book about the Clintons, more about Bill than Hillary, but "two for one" and all that.
Maureen, I'm glad your back. Excellent piece, and I believe most will agree with you that reality can be much stranger than fiction.
It's still difficult to believe that the growling man of many bankruptcies, little charm and senseless insults has his dysfunctional hairdo ubiquitously plastered all over the media. He even expects to win the Presidency.
If he wins, and his followers break out the champagne, perhaps the rest of us should break out the LSD, and then try to make sense of this phenomenon.
It's still difficult to believe that the growling man of many bankruptcies, little charm and senseless insults has his dysfunctional hairdo ubiquitously plastered all over the media. He even expects to win the Presidency.
If he wins, and his followers break out the champagne, perhaps the rest of us should break out the LSD, and then try to make sense of this phenomenon.
16
"If he wins, and his followers break out the champagne, perhaps the rest of us should break out the LSD, and then try to make sense of this phenomenon."
I think you and your kind are already on LSD and have been since height Ashbury says a lot. Need to take of the glasses fools. Just look at the country as a whöle idiots abound, even in Journalism. Most are biased talking heads with a slant. The under class is making a move and some of you just do not get it period. The imbeciles in DC says it all. So some are going to vote because this time it may count, if not revolt. My point is it better count this time or else bank on it!
And High MS. Society BAG Clinton if not prosecuted will bring a revolt in the streets and in many Intel agencies who will be howling for her blood. But I do not think she has blood in her veins but Bovine Scat.
I think you and your kind are already on LSD and have been since height Ashbury says a lot. Need to take of the glasses fools. Just look at the country as a whöle idiots abound, even in Journalism. Most are biased talking heads with a slant. The under class is making a move and some of you just do not get it period. The imbeciles in DC says it all. So some are going to vote because this time it may count, if not revolt. My point is it better count this time or else bank on it!
And High MS. Society BAG Clinton if not prosecuted will bring a revolt in the streets and in many Intel agencies who will be howling for her blood. But I do not think she has blood in her veins but Bovine Scat.
Your 1999 interview with Trump is revealing in that he admits that on policy, Bill Clinton was a great president if it hadn't been for his affairs. Personally, I could care less about his affairs as long as he was a great president.
I would much rather President Clinton is advising Hillary Clinton than to trust Trump with his vagueness/lack of knowledge about issues, particularly those involving women because this man has no respect for women.
I would much rather President Clinton is advising Hillary Clinton than to trust Trump with his vagueness/lack of knowledge about issues, particularly those involving women because this man has no respect for women.
78
Maureen has said it best, and would best leave it at that:
"Trump is like a CGI Rathtar or Indominus Rex, a larger-than-life, fight-to-the-death animated creature who improbably pops up in the ordinarily staid presidential campaign and stomps around, devouring attention and sinking his Twitter teeth into rivals. With his muddle of charm, humor, zest, vulgarity, bigotry, opportunistic flexibility, brutal candor, breathtaking boorishness and outrageous opening bids on volatile issues......"
"Trump is like a CGI Rathtar or Indominus Rex, a larger-than-life, fight-to-the-death animated creature who improbably pops up in the ordinarily staid presidential campaign and stomps around, devouring attention and sinking his Twitter teeth into rivals. With his muddle of charm, humor, zest, vulgarity, bigotry, opportunistic flexibility, brutal candor, breathtaking boorishness and outrageous opening bids on volatile issues......"
Come on Trump is hardly an example of marital fidelity. Look at his paparazzi filled personal life, affair and divorce with Marla Maples, divorces, affairs. Its an example of the pot calling the kettle black, and another example of Republican hypocrisy. both his and Melania's exhibitionism. I guess her nude portrait with her baby belly will go fine on the White house walls.
45
Comparing what to what? The POTUS using the Oval Office for quickies to a private citizen's indiscretions? And like a couple of rabid full-swap swingers, the FLOTUS and her cohorts go full court press on hubby's dissatisfied swingees? Sounds more like apples and oranges than the pot calling the kettle black.
It's not about Trump at this point. It's about victimizing women twice. Once as an alleged assaulter, and even IF untrue, there's no doubt Hilary was a rogue first responder. Trump is just a bit player in this tragedy. We had eight years to choose a candidate. We stuck with the draw-first-blood crew. Let's deal with our own mess.
It's not about Trump at this point. It's about victimizing women twice. Once as an alleged assaulter, and even IF untrue, there's no doubt Hilary was a rogue first responder. Trump is just a bit player in this tragedy. We had eight years to choose a candidate. We stuck with the draw-first-blood crew. Let's deal with our own mess.
2
Your pal Donald Trump has called women all kinds of vile names. When your colleague Gail Collins mildly criticized him, he said she "had the face of a dog."
You buddy also said Hillary having to go to the bathroom was "disgusting."
And of course, Megyn Kelly challenging Trump on his sickening name calling had him sneering that she must have been "bleeding from her...wherever."
Sorry Maureen, your friend is not "a politically incorrect Frank Sinatra ring-a-ding type." He's a creepy, woman hating sleaze who marries arm candy and made sickening remarks about dating his daughter.
Yet you go easy on Trump and bash Hillary. Talk about misogynists.
www.newyorkgritty.net
You buddy also said Hillary having to go to the bathroom was "disgusting."
And of course, Megyn Kelly challenging Trump on his sickening name calling had him sneering that she must have been "bleeding from her...wherever."
Sorry Maureen, your friend is not "a politically incorrect Frank Sinatra ring-a-ding type." He's a creepy, woman hating sleaze who marries arm candy and made sickening remarks about dating his daughter.
Yet you go easy on Trump and bash Hillary. Talk about misogynists.
www.newyorkgritty.net
602
Maureen Dowd has made an entire career out of bashing Hillary Clinton. She's part of the reason Barack Obama is the 44th president. Maureen Dowd was so consumed with her own personal editorial war against Hillary Clinton that when the relatively unknown Barack Obama announced his bid for the presidency she just couldn't stop writing those shameless fawning columns. Maureen Dowd didn't bother to do any research into Obama's background--he was young, handsome, articulate and, best of all,his name wasn't Clinton. That was good enough for Maureen Dowd. She penned Obama right into the Oval Office.
1
Just a bit over the top, don't you think? What else would you demand of a politically ambitious woman who is stuck with a philandering spouse? None of this has any relevance to her ability or qualifications to be our President.
207
Deception, lying, cover ups, vendettas; sending out henchmen to personally smear and attack to hoist her own visual; allowing for sexual abuse and public humiliation of women, yet claim she's a feminist? Ignore federal law, sell access to cash and power while Secretary of State? That is the short list, and only touches on her full lack of ability and qualifications" to be our President. Forget President. She should go to jail instead.
6
Mikee, no she disqualified herself by her lack of judgement as SOS using a private server exposing US National Security secrets or worse to cover her unethical behavior. That is the real measure of her abilities.
2
And how many times did Trump get married? Didn't he cheat on his wives while having an affair with his future wife? And he has the gall to drag Bill through the muck, all over again? What a despicable guy, Trump. How on earth any of those immigrant wives of his chose him, if not for his money, definitely not for love. And his son wants to go deer hunting in Iowa to suddenly show their fondness of guns?
42
The Trump Bear is just functioning as any grizzly would: protecting its territory from predators and feeding on the weak. But don't sell Hillary short: she, too, shows signs of being a grizzly.
Their debates are going to be interesting.
Their debates are going to be interesting.
2
Right on the mark. Dowd has always been on the mark about Hillary Clinton's hypocrisy and Shakespearean "vaulting ambition."
7
She's not exactly Lady Macbeth.
1
Bill Clinton and Bill Cosby are similar. Both used positions of power and trust to extort sexual favors. Both were liberal icons. Both have wives who facilitate the preservation of marital power and money by trashing the victims.
15
Do not forget the differences as well. Bill Cosby used drugs to disable his victims.
2
No more Bushes, no more Clintons. Just say NO.
This doesn't mean yes to Trump, it means NO to dynastic crony politics.
This doesn't mean yes to Trump, it means NO to dynastic crony politics.
15
Whew.
I hope I win the Powerball tonite. Not sure I can make it thru 10 more months of Maureen's scathing takedowns of Hillary-possibly followed by 4-8 years of the same. This Welsh-Irish battle will be one for the ages.
I hope I win the Powerball tonite. Not sure I can make it thru 10 more months of Maureen's scathing takedowns of Hillary-possibly followed by 4-8 years of the same. This Welsh-Irish battle will be one for the ages.
10
If you win, you can run for President and insult people.
1
There are apt parallels between Bill Cosby and Bill Clinton. This only relates to Hillary Clinton because Bill Clinton would essentially be co-president if Hillary wins. Still, that would be better than a Trump presidency, which likely won't happen in any event. Biden would love the opportunity to jump in, but heaven help us if he became president. Robert Gates said that Biden was on the wrong side of every major policy issue of which Gates was aware. The other Democrats running are laughable. If the Republicans can select a reasonable candidate, the election should be theirs. If not, third party candidates will be lurking. How about a Steven Chu/David Petraeus candidacy. Am I the only person who would vote for that?
2
I think you have that a little wrong. Not co president. Either president which is not too likely as Hillary wants the limelight. Or no role at all. Hillary is too much the bully, the narcissist, ant the queen bee to give her husband or anyone else a role in her White House. It's nauseating.
2
Oh swell. Petraeus, another one who dishonored his wife and marriage.
Probably.
When Hillary held her first press conference last year to answer questions on the email issue, she placed a female supported in the crowd to pose the first question, a bogus question designed to say "see, I'm standing up for women's issues, and they're attacking me." She's run a campaign based on "vote for me because of my gender". She's an intelligent and capable woman, but that's been her strategy. So it's perfectly fitting to hammer her hypocritical conduct regarding the women harassed by her husband.
13
The thing about Trump is he is a real person, warts and all. To think that a guy like this could be running for president is amazing. Heretofore American politics has always been based on pandering, misrepresentation, and selling out to special interests.
6
The bear theme a creative reach. But, the Hillary hypocrisy as champion of women's rights is on target. Trump may be a bully, but he shone the light on the other bully for a new generation of women to see. He's the master of a clever trap. Took the gender card off the map.
9
Mo takes it easy on Hill here because she despises Trump more. If she were really honest she could detail how Hillary has no reason to be president. She offers nothing, she's physically and mentally not up to the job (Huma says she's often confused), she lies much more often than the average politician, and her accomplishments are non-existent. Hillary doesn't have to be taken down by a bear. She's not up to a slow walk to the nomination. Vultures will be sufficient to finish her old tough hide.
14
Actually, check out the Politifact listed in the NYT. Trump is the worst of the worst when it comes to truth telling, while Hillary is toward the top, along with the rest of the Democrats.
1
The only thing more tawdry than Bill Clinton's sex history is the people, politicians and media that endlessly talk about it. As far as I'm concerned any politician that brings up Bill's sex history is simply covering up the fact that he/she doesn't have the substance and simply can't measure up to Hillary when it comes to the issues that matter. So the more we hear about Bill Clinton's sex history, the more I'm going to vote for Hillary.
Donald Trump is a master of the media. It is amazing to watch him manipulate columnists and commentators with his bullying and flattering. It is amazing to watch the media kowtow to him in their need for his attention and ratings. It is the fawning media that is getting Donald elected. And MD is part of the problem.
Donald Trump is a master of the media. It is amazing to watch him manipulate columnists and commentators with his bullying and flattering. It is amazing to watch the media kowtow to him in their need for his attention and ratings. It is the fawning media that is getting Donald elected. And MD is part of the problem.
38
"Bill hid behind the skirts of feminists — including his wife and esteemed women in his cabinet — when he got caught playing around."
This is not my recollection. When the GOP was impeaching, most of the country thought it was ridiculous. Clinton went up in the polls.
This is not my recollection. When the GOP was impeaching, most of the country thought it was ridiculous. Clinton went up in the polls.
7
The only reason he went "up" in the polls is because Hillary stood by her man and attacked those he sexually harassed and assaulted.
And that's why she's the presumptive nominee.
And that's why she's the presumptive nominee.
1
It is sad that our politicians are now being judged in the media because of a spouse's sexual conduct or misconduct. At the end of the day, who do we want as our leader--someone who is a capable statesmen or a puritanical straight arrow with little or no statesmanship? Our country has become an oligarchy and is perhaps on the cusp of a theocracy, and what I read is the denigration of a woman who was caught between a rock and a hard place by a philandering mate, and now that association has become the new standard for a scarlet letter? Boy oh boy, this columnist reminds me of the Trampolini himself, all Hollywood and little reality.
4
No, what's being judged is Hillary's enabling of a sexual predator and her bullying and intimidation of his victims.
Shouldn't all sexual assault victims be believed?
Or is that only for the ones not assaulted by Bill?
And I'm not a Trump supporter,
Shouldn't all sexual assault victims be believed?
Or is that only for the ones not assaulted by Bill?
And I'm not a Trump supporter,
4
They are NOT being judged by a spouse's sexual conduct. They are being judged by their response to that sexual conduct. There is a big difference. Hillary speaks the good talk but walks the bad walk. Actions speak louder than words.
5
That is small potatoes! Does no one remember that the Clintons, a CO PRESIDENCY they called it, were responsible for giving China the capability of building multistage rockets? That they were responsible for reclassifying what was called a super computer so that the Chinese could purchase them from us for military use, as in building thermonuclear weapons? The same misles and bombs that they threaten us with now?????????? That they were involved in a controversy about receiving large campaign donations from Chinese "businessmen" at the time that those decisions were made? Why isn't this open for discussion?!
7
“Drag a hundred-dollar bill through a trailer park, you never know what you'll find.”―James Carville
And HRC, the 2-for-the-price-of-one-co-prez, could not stand up to this bullying by her underling? I don't recall HRC calling Carville out for his smearing a private citizen on national television (a citizen for whom the Clintons finally paid $1M in hush money--after the gig was up). And yet she has the moral authority to lecture this country about "bullying?" I don't think so.
And HRC, the 2-for-the-price-of-one-co-prez, could not stand up to this bullying by her underling? I don't recall HRC calling Carville out for his smearing a private citizen on national television (a citizen for whom the Clintons finally paid $1M in hush money--after the gig was up). And yet she has the moral authority to lecture this country about "bullying?" I don't think so.
10
I'll bet that bear that mauled Leo might have backed off Hillary.
It would have perceived genuine grit, not the Hollywood kind.
DiCaprio has given some very fine performances, but this role calls for little more than suffering - there is little opportunity to have or show any range.
The director could have inserted a song and dance number........maybe?
Ms. Dowd's maulings sometimes hit, more often miss.
She certainly sharpens her claws for Hillary, and I think always has. She isn't quite part of the right wing conspiracy. But she's on the cusp.
BTW......it's real, still exists, and will only grow.
She badgered Gore.
She slyly didn't give him the honor of being worthy of determined assault.
In her petty, and not quite fully committed vitriol, she has become more and more tiresome. She does manage to pull off a wisecracking cynicism reminiscent of Rosalind Russell as Hildy Johnson. Sort of.
She isn't without style, but for this reader, her shtick is getting old and threadbare.
It would have perceived genuine grit, not the Hollywood kind.
DiCaprio has given some very fine performances, but this role calls for little more than suffering - there is little opportunity to have or show any range.
The director could have inserted a song and dance number........maybe?
Ms. Dowd's maulings sometimes hit, more often miss.
She certainly sharpens her claws for Hillary, and I think always has. She isn't quite part of the right wing conspiracy. But she's on the cusp.
BTW......it's real, still exists, and will only grow.
She badgered Gore.
She slyly didn't give him the honor of being worthy of determined assault.
In her petty, and not quite fully committed vitriol, she has become more and more tiresome. She does manage to pull off a wisecracking cynicism reminiscent of Rosalind Russell as Hildy Johnson. Sort of.
She isn't without style, but for this reader, her shtick is getting old and threadbare.
14
Style aside, look at records (where records exist) … any GOP candidate or GOP-lite HRC = more inequality, more wars. Bernie Sanders' record ensures less inequality, fewer wars. HRC's latest ad claims only she can stop the GOP, when the national polls have Bernie beating the GOP by margins twice the size of HRC's … she makes it so hard for us to believe her, she always has … that much we can count on her for.
8
If Democrats have any sense they will recognize that Hillary cannot withstand 10 months of being pummeled by Trump, the FBI and the GOP. They're going to need a cleaner candidate and the longer they delay, the less chance that person will have to win.
13
RAmen, no one really cares about the attacks. Face it.
It's a bad joke and a litmus test when Trump derides other men as girlie men.
Bullies are not only cowards they like to project their own shortcomings on others.
Trump is the girlie boy, the coward, who dodged the Viet Nam draft.
Readers:
Anyone shocked that in 93 of Dowd's columns that mention Hillary, in her years on the national stage, that fully 72% are negative and derogatory to Hillary?
Bullies are not only cowards they like to project their own shortcomings on others.
Trump is the girlie boy, the coward, who dodged the Viet Nam draft.
Readers:
Anyone shocked that in 93 of Dowd's columns that mention Hillary, in her years on the national stage, that fully 72% are negative and derogatory to Hillary?
44
Craig--I have an idea that no one else has thought of before--why not blame the draft board for cutting Trump and the rest of the Viet Nam era draft dodgers some slack in being exempted from military service over those minor ailments you were complaining about in one of your previous posts? Doesn't the draft board have the final say in who was classified 1-A or not? Just wondering mind you.
Craig
For the 100th time Bill Clinton used 4 deferments to avoid the draft and Joe Biden used his asthma to get out when he was 25.
For the 100th time Bill Clinton used 4 deferments to avoid the draft and Joe Biden used his asthma to get out when he was 25.
2
I'm not hearing enough people say this: There's a difference between skirt-chasing men like Bill Clinton and rapists. Trump and the right are conflating those things, implying Clinton's consensual affairs are evidence of 'rape' and other 'crimes.' They aren't.
I believe this is why Trump is running - to destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton. A less wealthy/famous candidate couldn't represent the "Ann Coulter" agenda - "Immigrants stealing America/Bill Clinton a rapist". Before Trump, no one could credibly mainstream this garbage.
Before Lewinsky, the Clinton's were hounded by the extreme right about: real estate, 'Arkansas troopers' gossip, claims they murdered Vince Foster, Hillary's "lesbianism." After Lewinsky, they tried to force Bill Clinton to resign by publicly humiliating him.
With hindsight, the right wingers who hounded Clinton resemble "Swift Boat Veterans For Truth" types who proclaimed John Kerry a traitor, Max Cleland a coward and Obama a Weatherman terrorist/Kenyan Muslim. Think the "Benghazi witnesses."
Bill Clinton is being smeared again. Who in the shadows financed these smear campaigns against Clinton, John Kerry and Obama? Somebody orchestrate this mess. Ann Coulter
circulates it.
This shadow agenda began in the early 90s - produce 'evidence' the Democratic opponent is a criminal/terrorist. The right's garbage tactics of 20 years is now pushed into the mainstream by Donald Trump.
And Maureen Dowd now pushes this trash. Never thought I'd see the day.
I believe this is why Trump is running - to destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton. A less wealthy/famous candidate couldn't represent the "Ann Coulter" agenda - "Immigrants stealing America/Bill Clinton a rapist". Before Trump, no one could credibly mainstream this garbage.
Before Lewinsky, the Clinton's were hounded by the extreme right about: real estate, 'Arkansas troopers' gossip, claims they murdered Vince Foster, Hillary's "lesbianism." After Lewinsky, they tried to force Bill Clinton to resign by publicly humiliating him.
With hindsight, the right wingers who hounded Clinton resemble "Swift Boat Veterans For Truth" types who proclaimed John Kerry a traitor, Max Cleland a coward and Obama a Weatherman terrorist/Kenyan Muslim. Think the "Benghazi witnesses."
Bill Clinton is being smeared again. Who in the shadows financed these smear campaigns against Clinton, John Kerry and Obama? Somebody orchestrate this mess. Ann Coulter
circulates it.
This shadow agenda began in the early 90s - produce 'evidence' the Democratic opponent is a criminal/terrorist. The right's garbage tactics of 20 years is now pushed into the mainstream by Donald Trump.
And Maureen Dowd now pushes this trash. Never thought I'd see the day.
12
"There's a difference between skirt-chasing men like Bill Clinton and rapists."
You know this; I know this.
But feminists who lie about campus rape statistics and deny college men due process rights, do not know this: they insist there is no difference.
And now, the policies of these feminists will come back and haunt Hillary.
Good! Let them eat the dinner they cooked.
You know this; I know this.
But feminists who lie about campus rape statistics and deny college men due process rights, do not know this: they insist there is no difference.
And now, the policies of these feminists will come back and haunt Hillary.
Good! Let them eat the dinner they cooked.
2
It's an easy choice. Trump or Hillary. Take your pick on who will help us govern ourselves better.
Classic column from Maureen Dowd! Loved every word.
4
Hillary can no longer expect the 90's sympathy. She is a grown women who must take responsibility for her own actions and pathetically, Bills action. Hillary wanted the Presidency so bad she much answer for her decisions and Bills' caustic " I wanted to and I could". I don't believe that Hillary can.
6
I now don't think Trump is the independent actor he claims he is, financed by his own billionaire money and with only his 'patriotism' behind this campaign.
I now believe Trump is the frontman for the extreme right wing folks who operate in the shadows and were behind "Paula Jones," "Swift Boat Veterans For Truth," and other right wing scandal mongers of the past 20 years.
Trump has gotten this far by proclaiming no one owns him, that he represents only himself. But he's now so redolent of all the rightwing extremist 'scandals' of the past 20 years - attempts to smear and destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Max Cleland and Barack Obama - that I think Trump is being handled and advised by the people who've done this in the shadows for over 20 years. Trump's just a 'big enough' personality to appear to be operating totally on his own.
I don't believe anything about Trump's campaign has been on the up an up. I believe these right wing interests were behind his run all along. It took this long for Trump to get their real agenda out in the open - to convince enough of the public there's 'evidence' that Bill Clinton is a 'rapist' to destroy his wife's campaign. This is outrageous. Who are these people? Not just Trump. Who are the people he's in league with? Remember Vince Foster left a suicide note claiming there are people in Washington who destroy people for sport? The Trump campaign is those people.
I now believe Trump is the frontman for the extreme right wing folks who operate in the shadows and were behind "Paula Jones," "Swift Boat Veterans For Truth," and other right wing scandal mongers of the past 20 years.
Trump has gotten this far by proclaiming no one owns him, that he represents only himself. But he's now so redolent of all the rightwing extremist 'scandals' of the past 20 years - attempts to smear and destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Max Cleland and Barack Obama - that I think Trump is being handled and advised by the people who've done this in the shadows for over 20 years. Trump's just a 'big enough' personality to appear to be operating totally on his own.
I don't believe anything about Trump's campaign has been on the up an up. I believe these right wing interests were behind his run all along. It took this long for Trump to get their real agenda out in the open - to convince enough of the public there's 'evidence' that Bill Clinton is a 'rapist' to destroy his wife's campaign. This is outrageous. Who are these people? Not just Trump. Who are the people he's in league with? Remember Vince Foster left a suicide note claiming there are people in Washington who destroy people for sport? The Trump campaign is those people.
5
So do you believe that the money to seal Obama's college records including his foreign student scholarship to Occidental College as a resident of his adoptive father's country, Indonesia, came from his own pocket? Interesting...
Dowd has totally missed the point, but the Washington Post got it. The concern is not about Bill Clinton's many, many extramarital dalliances( although I find that to be very troubling ) but about the 16 women who have come forward to say they were sexually assaulted by Bill Clinton like Juanita Broaddrick; Kathleen Willey and Paula Jones.Trump in an interview a few days ago said that Hillary Clinton went after these women who said they were sexually assaulted by Bill Clinton "viciously. " In light of the fact for 20 years the victims of Bill Cosby were attacked , disbelieved and ignored by papers like the New York Times, it seems to me that Ms Dowd and the times should take a closer look at the long list of assault allegations towards Mr. Clinton
13
.
It's amazing that there are any people that would openly admit they would vote for Hillary
She has spit in the face of women everywhere with her husbands attacks on multiple women that she destroyed.
Disgusting
.
It's amazing that there are any people that would openly admit they would vote for Hillary
She has spit in the face of women everywhere with her husbands attacks on multiple women that she destroyed.
Disgusting
.
14
I'm afraid I couldn't finish the article, Maureen.
After a long absence, during which time so much has happened - Paris shootings, California shootings, gun debate, Obama executive order on guns, Saudi executions and the escalating tension with Iran, etc etc - you return and the first thing you write about is some movie and Hillary Clinton?
What a let down.
After a long absence, during which time so much has happened - Paris shootings, California shootings, gun debate, Obama executive order on guns, Saudi executions and the escalating tension with Iran, etc etc - you return and the first thing you write about is some movie and Hillary Clinton?
What a let down.
15
Perhaps a more fitting subject for Ms. Dowd's lens would be the former Pope's brother--running a school where 40+ students were sexually abused over decades. Surely that's a story worth ink and her scrutiny.
11
This op-ed piece sadly misses the mark by a mile.
People like Bill Clinton may fool around from time to time. The French think it a badge of honor; we tolerate it. He lied, as adulterers do, and he was a very successful president. We diminish ourselves when we ignore or misrepresent all this.
Hillary "stood by her man." Give any reason for it you want; the intimate human relationship is too complex for any outsider to understand, or to judge.
Trump's pecadilloes certainly rival Bill's. Bill at least committed to one marriage, Trump has had three. But, who cares? I don't. What I do care about is if writers like Dowd miss Hillary's commitment to improvement for gender relations in this country, and Trump's intentional efforts to worsen them. Forget about personal relationships; think of positions and public statements. Hillary's ennoble us; Trump's demean us.
People like Bill Clinton may fool around from time to time. The French think it a badge of honor; we tolerate it. He lied, as adulterers do, and he was a very successful president. We diminish ourselves when we ignore or misrepresent all this.
Hillary "stood by her man." Give any reason for it you want; the intimate human relationship is too complex for any outsider to understand, or to judge.
Trump's pecadilloes certainly rival Bill's. Bill at least committed to one marriage, Trump has had three. But, who cares? I don't. What I do care about is if writers like Dowd miss Hillary's commitment to improvement for gender relations in this country, and Trump's intentional efforts to worsen them. Forget about personal relationships; think of positions and public statements. Hillary's ennoble us; Trump's demean us.
32
Maureen... reading you since the beginning...
Hillary is soooooooo old hat, totally uninspiring, weak, self serving, bumbling, distrustful, a fake feminist, floppy, weird, strange, pretentious, a possible habitual liar, boring, prudish even... please for America's sake let's have the Clinton era fade into the distance. Political dynasties are egocentric, dangerous, and un-American. I think I can hear the Founding Fathers rumbling in their graves.
Hillary is soooooooo old hat, totally uninspiring, weak, self serving, bumbling, distrustful, a fake feminist, floppy, weird, strange, pretentious, a possible habitual liar, boring, prudish even... please for America's sake let's have the Clinton era fade into the distance. Political dynasties are egocentric, dangerous, and un-American. I think I can hear the Founding Fathers rumbling in their graves.
13
Hillary's strengths are, she is smart, knows the bureaucracy inside out, she is a policy wonk, she knows her subject well, she can get the job done, she compartmentalizes her private life from her job, she has made political enemies but also knows how to make friends. Her weakness is she is human, she is a woman in America that has not seen a woman in the highest office yet, and she is all to forgiving when it comes to Bill's trespasses.
2
With Maureen Dowd finally back on the OP Ed Page loyal Times readers can expect her to that voodoo that she does so well--trash Hillary Clinton from now until Election day. Only this time there's a cataclysmic difference--there isn't a single candidate on either side that she's likely to swoon over. The upcoming election in 2016 is vastly different from 2008 because there's no young, handsome charismatic Barack Obama-like presidential wannabee making lofty promises about how America can achieve esoteric things like "hope and change". Now the presidential contenders on both sides are first and last chance candidates--win it all or go home. Given the Times has been waging a non-stop editorial war against Donald Trump for months I'm sure Maureen is going to join the anti-Trump blitzkrieg like the rest of her colleagues. Maureen Dowd may detest Hillary Clinton with a passion but somehow I can't see her supporting a 73 year old die hard Socialist like Bernie Sanders. Maybe Maureen should consider sitting this election cycle out.
3
Mo has awakened! It's been too long of a wait.
I doubt Hillary has changed her persona. She can't. And that persona is why a huge percentage of the electorate loathes her.
Amydm3 Hillary isn't qualified. She's incompetent and I offer Benghazi and her rather goofy algorithm for universal health care from 2 decades ago as proof. Her only qualification is her political acumen to ride Bill's coattails. But she paid a price in her tacit approval of his sexual behavior otherwise they'd of split long ago.
I doubt Hillary has changed her persona. She can't. And that persona is why a huge percentage of the electorate loathes her.
Amydm3 Hillary isn't qualified. She's incompetent and I offer Benghazi and her rather goofy algorithm for universal health care from 2 decades ago as proof. Her only qualification is her political acumen to ride Bill's coattails. But she paid a price in her tacit approval of his sexual behavior otherwise they'd of split long ago.
13
Maureen has Hillary dead to rights in terms of her treatment of Bill's victims. At the same time, he placed Hillary in an impossible position. If she candidly denounces her husband as an example of the entitled male who sees women as his legitimate trophies, her marriage and her candidacy will almost certainly suffer a fatal blow. Her decision to defend him, whether sincere or calculated, exposes her to legitimate charges of enabling the kind of behavior that contradicts her stand on women's rights.
If her presidential ambitions include a concern for the welfare of the country, what should she do? Her superiority to any of the Republican hopefuls will seem obvious to most Democrats. Many liberals clearly prefer Senator Sanders, but the polls and his identification with a vague form of socialism raise serious doubts about his chances of winning in November. If Clinton torpedoes her own candidacy, she might well greatly increase the chances of a Republican victory.
The voter inclined to vote Democratic also faces a dilemma. Clinton, with her ties to Wall Street, her allergy to candor, and her dubious defense of Bill, would not fit anyone's definition of an ideal candidate. A vote for Sanders would demonstrate a commitment to principle, but it might incur the cost of a Republican victory. Those who are convinced the senator can win face an easy choice, but for the rest of us the issue resolves itself into a question of how important is it to win in November?
If her presidential ambitions include a concern for the welfare of the country, what should she do? Her superiority to any of the Republican hopefuls will seem obvious to most Democrats. Many liberals clearly prefer Senator Sanders, but the polls and his identification with a vague form of socialism raise serious doubts about his chances of winning in November. If Clinton torpedoes her own candidacy, she might well greatly increase the chances of a Republican victory.
The voter inclined to vote Democratic also faces a dilemma. Clinton, with her ties to Wall Street, her allergy to candor, and her dubious defense of Bill, would not fit anyone's definition of an ideal candidate. A vote for Sanders would demonstrate a commitment to principle, but it might incur the cost of a Republican victory. Those who are convinced the senator can win face an easy choice, but for the rest of us the issue resolves itself into a question of how important is it to win in November?
10
Very. And I think Bernie is the better bet.
3
Several polls conducted in mid-December show Senator Sanders winning out over Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. Sanders' greatest strength is with Independents and younger voters. Americans view him more favorably than any other presidential candidate, and Republicans prefer him to Clinton. These results are documented in the following memo: https://berniesanders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Tulchin-Research-Me...
If these trends hold, Bernie Sanders would be the Democrats' best bet to win the General Election.
If these trends hold, Bernie Sanders would be the Democrats' best bet to win the General Election.
1
Bill's sexual behavior is not Hillary Clinton's only problem. She voted for the disastrous 2003 invasion of Iraq; she pushed the disastrous overthrow of Gaddafi; like Bill who ended Glass-Steagall, she takes money from the Big Banks (which are huge hedge funds); she says what her advisors tell her to say; she's loud and harsh; she has no taste; and she may start another war to prove that she's tough.
The DC should give Bernie a chance. He's fun, he's right, and he's been telling the same truth since he worked for CORE as a very young man. And he voted against the invasion of Iraq when he was a representative from Vermont.
The DC should give Bernie a chance. He's fun, he's right, and he's been telling the same truth since he worked for CORE as a very young man. And he voted against the invasion of Iraq when he was a representative from Vermont.
28
This is just disgraceful, Ms. Dowd. Hillary Clinton is not the perpetrator of whatever Bill Clinton's misdeeds were -- she was another victim. For you to mischaracterize her so egregiously is unsurprising, given your decades-long vendetta on anything Clinton, but it's still despicable.
37
Hillary a victim? I think not.
1
Hillary IS Bill's co-conspirator in trying to destroy his victims when they tell the truth.
I can't believe I'm reading the New York Times. Perhaps I ought to give serious consideration to cancelling my subscription. Frank Bruni, whose columns I have always followed with great interest, has now donned the apparel of what so many of my fellow (and sister) commenters lament: the MSM's shabby dresses and shiny pants. I wasn't too surprised to read another Maureen Dowd piece in which she, once again, incorporates the angst of Hillary Clinton's marriage bed, this time clumsily cutting and pasting "that woman" onto the brown-bag candidacy of He-whom-I-refuse-to-name. As in Mr. Bruni's regrettable op-ed today, his sister colleague refuses to even so much as mention the "B" word. Perhaps it's because he's an "aging" senator, a transplanted Brooklynite-turned-Vermonter. No sex there, right? And she slips in Oscar-starved Leonardo di Caprio's bid for cinematic glory, his handsome face now needing some lines etched onto it by disappointment. The Times, in its Sunday Review, force-feeds us horse-race coverage of two thoroughly unlikeable and unelectable men. (I really wanted to employ "horse" in another context, but that wouldn't have been posted and the Times might have cancelled *my* subscription). As for the Madame Secretary, as for the red-haired-realtor, Ms. Dowd publishes not the first word about a policy, a plan, an issue worthy of substance and debate. It's still Bill, Monica, and the blue dress she's forcing us to swallow. She may as well be writing for Bob Guccione.
45
Thanks much for your post.
I would love to see a point by point comparison of Bernie's, Hillary's and Martin's proposals for financial reform of Wall street, etc, and how they are going to fight the Republicans in Congress if they are not delivered a Dem Senate at least in 2016, (one of Obama's biggest failings -- gave away the entire store before even stepping up to the table with the Republicans) to deliver on their proposals. I want to hear how they propose to reform the disastrous Bankruptcy Act changes passed during Bush II. I want to hear what is going to be done about the Arbitration outrages exposed in the New York Time's recent series in the wake of the Supreme Court decision.
I want to know what their approach to ISIS, to Isreal, to Putin and to China will be.
I want to hear about their ideas on how to improve the very flawed Obamacare.
I really could not care less about Rubio's "cute boots" or the Clinton's marriage or any candidate's hair.
I would love to see a point by point comparison of Bernie's, Hillary's and Martin's proposals for financial reform of Wall street, etc, and how they are going to fight the Republicans in Congress if they are not delivered a Dem Senate at least in 2016, (one of Obama's biggest failings -- gave away the entire store before even stepping up to the table with the Republicans) to deliver on their proposals. I want to hear how they propose to reform the disastrous Bankruptcy Act changes passed during Bush II. I want to hear what is going to be done about the Arbitration outrages exposed in the New York Time's recent series in the wake of the Supreme Court decision.
I want to know what their approach to ISIS, to Isreal, to Putin and to China will be.
I want to hear about their ideas on how to improve the very flawed Obamacare.
I really could not care less about Rubio's "cute boots" or the Clinton's marriage or any candidate's hair.
3
A fitting analogy. Unlike the establishment Republican candidates, Trump will maul Hillary on every major issue that has propelled him to the top of the polls. I'm not a religious man, but I pray to God those two face off in a head-to-head debate as their parties' respective nominees. Viewership would shatter every existing record.
6
Thank you for reminding me of the efforts that were made to discredit and destroy Monica Lewinsky (and to drive her to consider suicide) by powerful Democrats like Hillary, Rangel, and Blumenthal. It was truly a disgraceful display that makes it impossible to believe that Hillary cares for anyone but herself and her ability to wield power.
20
What about all the public resources, time, money, energy that we tax payers spend on the impeachment proceedings and investigations? All the while when we were distracted and being entertained by President Clinton scandal, Al Qaeda was growing strong by the minute, there were signs and indications and enough notice, but we Americans remained immersed in juicy stories. As soon as Bill Clinton left, AQ pounced on 9-11. If anything this was a lesson that we need to be more focused on real issues, bread butter safety security education employment, and not with whom our leaders play footsies with!
3
The questions about Hillary are three: Are her policies better than those of her opponents? Can she advance these policies better than the other candidates from her party? And, is she more likely to win than any other candidate from her party?
Hillary-bashing is relevant only to the third question, which in turn depends to a great extent on whose propaganda campaigns, strategists, and lawyers are superior. It deals with who will win, not with who should win for the good of the country. But the first two questions are the important ones for voters, and Ms. Dowd is wasting their time.
Hillary-bashing is relevant only to the third question, which in turn depends to a great extent on whose propaganda campaigns, strategists, and lawyers are superior. It deals with who will win, not with who should win for the good of the country. But the first two questions are the important ones for voters, and Ms. Dowd is wasting their time.
23
Her policies are NOt better than those of her opponents. She will not be able to advance those polices. And is she more like to win than any one else in her party, the polls suggest not.
1
Her political future is already damaged by her actions during her husband's childish behavior. But the real damage is what the media ignores. A completely FAILED stint as S.O.S. The one thing she has done to her credit is expose the massive hypocrisy of American Democrats.
13
I don't remember all of this Dowdian animosity towards the Clintons back in the day. Did I miss something? Have times (pardon...) changed? Has the columnist?
2
I remember her extreme dislike for HRC. It is a shame that with Dowd it is always about personalities rather than issues. Who else would see Trump as an improvement on the Clintons in terms of women's rights?
2
I cannot figure out if this essay is highbrow or lowbrow. Regardless, to the pause of many, HRC seem assured to waltz into the White House (along with Bill) because the GOP is incapable of alignment or orderly organization. Worse, the GOP might be unsettled for a decade or two, giving the Democrats time to revamp the courts, retake Statehouses and turn many red States purple and blue.
1
AS JERRY STEINFELD SAID ON COLBER[t] . . .
..."one has to be crazy to run for president." And since these candidates are self selected, methinks that he was right.
Most of them are narcissists who hunger for ultimate power. If they win, they become full of hubris.
And, yes, there are exceptions.
..."one has to be crazy to run for president." And since these candidates are self selected, methinks that he was right.
Most of them are narcissists who hunger for ultimate power. If they win, they become full of hubris.
And, yes, there are exceptions.
7
However, we have ALL learned that this disease of arrogant hubris definitely became the legacy of sad Barack Obama. Had he served in the Senate for a couple of terms, he might have made a marvelous leader. (Or his intense biases would have sent him home.)
But Hillary is NOT the exception
H RC has her faults, but I challenge any of you to show how virtuous and fault free you are.
I know I put up with a few insults, false friends, and other not so honest people in my life time. But I do not think she is a liar as many of you have said, and she has earned her followers by putting up with a lot of crap from nogoodnicks, and now she is under attack by a rabid squirrel, the rodent Trump.
..Madam Dowd has been taking lessons from Kimberly Strassel of the WSJ, for what reasons, it would take a team of shrinks to find out.
HRC has stood up pretty well to all the detractors. As far as Bill goes, he is not running, but by innuendo the Trump rodent is implying that she is not any better than him. Again, despite his faults, I did very well during his administration thanks to his policies. who knows what really went on between him and Monica, she is no great beauty, but might have some very appealing attributes, it is an ego thing with us men, we can be weak when tempted.
I think the GOP candidates are really worried that she will indeed slap them down like vermin, and I hope to be able to see it.
By the way , notice she and Bernie do not make person attacks, the criticize each other policies which is legitimate. My problem with Bernie, is his one note position, the banks. Not the real culprits, the credit ratings, the unregulated derivatives, the greed of those who bought those derivatives, the banks did not do it all alone.
I know I put up with a few insults, false friends, and other not so honest people in my life time. But I do not think she is a liar as many of you have said, and she has earned her followers by putting up with a lot of crap from nogoodnicks, and now she is under attack by a rabid squirrel, the rodent Trump.
..Madam Dowd has been taking lessons from Kimberly Strassel of the WSJ, for what reasons, it would take a team of shrinks to find out.
HRC has stood up pretty well to all the detractors. As far as Bill goes, he is not running, but by innuendo the Trump rodent is implying that she is not any better than him. Again, despite his faults, I did very well during his administration thanks to his policies. who knows what really went on between him and Monica, she is no great beauty, but might have some very appealing attributes, it is an ego thing with us men, we can be weak when tempted.
I think the GOP candidates are really worried that she will indeed slap them down like vermin, and I hope to be able to see it.
By the way , notice she and Bernie do not make person attacks, the criticize each other policies which is legitimate. My problem with Bernie, is his one note position, the banks. Not the real culprits, the credit ratings, the unregulated derivatives, the greed of those who bought those derivatives, the banks did not do it all alone.
21
I am so tired of Maureen Dowd's vendetta against the Clintons.
300
Just imagine what we readers will go through courtesy Maureen Dowd, should Hillary become President. Sigh. This kind of mean and nasty writing has only a downward path. We need columnists who will lift our spirits up, give us hope, make us feel better and reach for our higher selves. Especially because we are Americans and we are the Can Do people of the planet. Candidates like Trump and Cruz drag us down to our darkest holes, Maureen has been doing that for ever.
1
Maureen is often a joy to read, but this is one of the worst written columns she has ever submitted. She seems lose her composure when she writes about the Clintons.
A. Trifari, Montauk
A. Trifari, Montauk
Most Republicans, many independents and even a fair number of Democrats have reason to loathe Hillary Clinton. Leave it to Maureen Dowd to come up with the one reason that almost no one else cites (The Donald's insinuations notwithstanding). Even for Hillary-haters Bill's sex life and his wife's excuses are no longer an issue. Move past it, Maureen: it's a new millennium.
142
I like Bernie, andI don't like Hillary.
But seriously, New York Times' editors, can't you do better than let Maureen Dowd rerun her tired old Mad Libs version of a column against Hillary, every week?
Can't we have some substance, or at least a new approach to the same old material?
Still Feeling the Bern, and would like to read a column about Bernie, or a change!
But seriously, New York Times' editors, can't you do better than let Maureen Dowd rerun her tired old Mad Libs version of a column against Hillary, every week?
Can't we have some substance, or at least a new approach to the same old material?
Still Feeling the Bern, and would like to read a column about Bernie, or a change!
624
Can I "LIKE" this, with reservations? This gentleman's objections to Maureen Dowd mirror my own. However, lovely & idealistic though Bernie is (and I'm an old-school Berkeley leftie), I do wish he weren't running. We've watched too many elections (Gore-Bush-Nader 2000) go to the wrong guy (Bush) because a super, but non-electable "idealist" decides to champion a kind of purity the body politic is not quite ready for. (Hey, does this make any sense? I hope so. One does have to get ELECTED to do any good.)
5
"Trump is like a CGI Rathtar or Indominus Rex, a larger-than-life, fight-to-the-death animated creature who improbably pops up in the ordinarily staid presidential campaign and stomps around, devouring attention and sinking his Twitter teeth into rivals. With his muddle of charm, humor, zest, vulgarity, bigotry, opportunistic flexibility, brutal candor, breathtaking boorishness and outrageous opening bids on volatile issues, he has now leapt into that most sensitive area: the Clintons’ tangled conjugal life."
That is great description. But it makes me wonder. Does Dowd like Trump? I don't mean political support, but does she actually like him?
That description is almost admiring, almost what Dowd herself would like to be.
That is great description. But it makes me wonder. Does Dowd like Trump? I don't mean political support, but does she actually like him?
That description is almost admiring, almost what Dowd herself would like to be.
113
I recognize this commentator. My own thoughts appear later. I have always been curious about his icon -- is it Brigadier General John Buford, a US Cavalry commander who distinguished himself at Gettysburg. In the film 'Gettusburg' Buford was well played by Sam Elliot.
1
If only Dowd could get her own mind off the Clintons' conjugal life!
2
Yes, kind of sounds like she's got a crush. Maybe hoping she'll get his attention with this column -- I imagine he finds this flattering, especially her admiration for his finding the Clintons' 'soft spot' to push his knife into. "She gets me!" he says.
3
Once again Maureen makes us feel sorry for Hillary.
Hillary blamed other women for her husband's misdeeds. True perhaps, and a million other women would say it makes psychological sense. You don't want to believe your world isn't what you'd hoped, so you blame other women, "even," as Maureen says, yourself.
What would she do now? We don't know, except that she gave the absolute right answer: believe the woman and check the story. The real question is why is Maureen still consumed by a story the rest of us have grown bored of. Let's talk about Hillary's Wall-Street chumminess, or her hawkish-tendencies. But her and Bill? The rest of us are done with that.
Hillary blamed other women for her husband's misdeeds. True perhaps, and a million other women would say it makes psychological sense. You don't want to believe your world isn't what you'd hoped, so you blame other women, "even," as Maureen says, yourself.
What would she do now? We don't know, except that she gave the absolute right answer: believe the woman and check the story. The real question is why is Maureen still consumed by a story the rest of us have grown bored of. Let's talk about Hillary's Wall-Street chumminess, or her hawkish-tendencies. But her and Bill? The rest of us are done with that.
253
How is it "the absolute right answer" for a lawyer by training to reverse the presumption of innocence (the lifeline of any justice system) while running for president? I am all for justice for victims of sexual violence, but expediency hurts the cause.
2
I don't feel the least bit sorry of H. Clinton.
1
Its’s curious to me that Huma Abedin is still married to Anthony Weiner. Sorry, that was a brief discontinuity brought on, no doubt, by astonishment at use by a good Catholic girl of the word “erotomaniacs”. Heavens.
So, what the heck to do with Bill. You can’t just shoot him. I mean, if you think she had problems years ago with Vince Foster, imagine explaining away a missing Bill and a strange smell in Chappaqua.
But somewhere in her immense baggage train is the matter of Bill and his many dalliances, some of them involving charges of rape or force of some kind, and the part Hillary played in saving him from the consequences. Those of us who admire that kind of grit (like me – I’ve admired the lady’s grit since she exploded, with her husband, on the national consciousness) accept that the sheep of this world often get sheared then eaten by the wolves; and when some are flashy women looking to horn in on a marriage, even when encouraged, they don’t generate much sympathy. But one can’t help having sympathy for Juanita Broaddrick (charges of rape), Kathleen Willey (charges of sexual assault) and Paula Jones (charges of sexual harassment).
So … what to do with the scamp? Seems to me you either muzzle him completely, or you go with it completely and set him free to be himself and strut, confident in America’s oft-proven willingness to forgive Bill Clinton anything. What she shouldn’t do is something in the middle, such as putting him out there trussed up and emasculated.
So, what the heck to do with Bill. You can’t just shoot him. I mean, if you think she had problems years ago with Vince Foster, imagine explaining away a missing Bill and a strange smell in Chappaqua.
But somewhere in her immense baggage train is the matter of Bill and his many dalliances, some of them involving charges of rape or force of some kind, and the part Hillary played in saving him from the consequences. Those of us who admire that kind of grit (like me – I’ve admired the lady’s grit since she exploded, with her husband, on the national consciousness) accept that the sheep of this world often get sheared then eaten by the wolves; and when some are flashy women looking to horn in on a marriage, even when encouraged, they don’t generate much sympathy. But one can’t help having sympathy for Juanita Broaddrick (charges of rape), Kathleen Willey (charges of sexual assault) and Paula Jones (charges of sexual harassment).
So … what to do with the scamp? Seems to me you either muzzle him completely, or you go with it completely and set him free to be himself and strut, confident in America’s oft-proven willingness to forgive Bill Clinton anything. What she shouldn’t do is something in the middle, such as putting him out there trussed up and emasculated.
13
Richard -- Anthony Weiner is pond scum. He does not deserve even a tiny part of all that Huma Abedin has done for him.
However, I really respect Huma Abedin for the way she handled herself. She did not blame the women or anyone but the pond scum himself. She kicked him out and took time to consider. Then she did a very brave thing against public opinion in the full glare of publicity, and took him back because she decided for her own reasons that was right for her.
Nobody ever knows the inside of someone else's marriage. She did it with respect for others, didn't hurt any innocents. She has the right to make that call. He has no right to hope for a tenth part of the breaks she gave him, but she has the right to do it.
You and Dowd are right to bring it up here, because none of that is what Hillary did. At every single step, she did it the wrong way. She hurt a lot of people doing it, too.
That was deeply personal, and she was wrong. Very wrong.
However, I really respect Huma Abedin for the way she handled herself. She did not blame the women or anyone but the pond scum himself. She kicked him out and took time to consider. Then she did a very brave thing against public opinion in the full glare of publicity, and took him back because she decided for her own reasons that was right for her.
Nobody ever knows the inside of someone else's marriage. She did it with respect for others, didn't hurt any innocents. She has the right to make that call. He has no right to hope for a tenth part of the breaks she gave him, but she has the right to do it.
You and Dowd are right to bring it up here, because none of that is what Hillary did. At every single step, she did it the wrong way. She hurt a lot of people doing it, too.
That was deeply personal, and she was wrong. Very wrong.
45
Mark:
That was quite an unburdening on a subject I'd brought up as a diversion. I suppose Ms. Abedin has her reasons for taking back Weiner, among which that she might even still be in love with him (but I've heard the man speak on several occasions, and for the life of me I can't see what that she couldn't find in any number of players out there).
As to Hillary, it's interesting. She's been forced to react to so many situations in her life in ways that one might assume eventually would come back to bite her; and she's still here, a very viable potential power. I've always given her credit for sheer crust, a quality I admire in anybody, particularly as I've aged. What she did was ... questionable. Clearly, she didn't see personal viability separate from Bill or attached to a discredited Bill. Rock and a hard place time. She made her decisions, and we'll have to see if her adversaries can finally cause her to pay for them. I suspect they won't.
That was quite an unburdening on a subject I'd brought up as a diversion. I suppose Ms. Abedin has her reasons for taking back Weiner, among which that she might even still be in love with him (but I've heard the man speak on several occasions, and for the life of me I can't see what that she couldn't find in any number of players out there).
As to Hillary, it's interesting. She's been forced to react to so many situations in her life in ways that one might assume eventually would come back to bite her; and she's still here, a very viable potential power. I've always given her credit for sheer crust, a quality I admire in anybody, particularly as I've aged. What she did was ... questionable. Clearly, she didn't see personal viability separate from Bill or attached to a discredited Bill. Rock and a hard place time. She made her decisions, and we'll have to see if her adversaries can finally cause her to pay for them. I suspect they won't.
2
Since we are speculating here, it is possible that Huma Abedin "did it right" because she had the advice of a Hillary Clinton who had to find her way through a terrible situation without wise counsel and is now a bit wiser herself as a result. Just speculating.
4
I am not a great fan of Hillary, and I sometimes envy women who remain single and independent. But when Maureen Dowd consistently finds a way to diss Hillary Clinton for staying married - for whatever reason(s) - all I can do is shake my head, and wonder where the bitterness comes from.
877
Maureen Dowd used to be both informative and interesting. But she has become predictably angry and mean-spirited.
I keep reading her columns for the bits of truth hidden in the bile. But those bits are becoming more and more difficult to find.
So sad!
I keep reading her columns for the bits of truth hidden in the bile. But those bits are becoming more and more difficult to find.
So sad!
534
Maybe you missed it, but Hillary Clinton is presently running for president of the US. So maybe it is wise to judge a person's actions during a past crisis or their past behavior as an important part of judging their suitability for such an office when election times comes around this November? Or does evaluating past behavior and character only apply to Republican candidates?
3
This is why we all love Hillary, where the truth is so voluminous and ubiquitous.
Maureen's ill-temper wins Hillary some sympathy from this Bernie supporter. Question: if Maureen suddenly didn't have Hillary to kick around, at whom would she direct her bile? I suspect it would be too much like hard work for her to dig up useful mud against Bernie. As for the Donald, for whatever reason she has largely spared him so far - will the tigress change her stripes?
364
If she didn't have the Clintons to kick around she'd spend all of her waking hours lambasting the Bushes. At the moment (and for roughly the past decade or so) she's been splitting her time between America's two most famous political families with a column devoted to Barack Obama approximately once every leap year. At some point The Times publishers will insist she give them something new and she'll likely respond with "How about Chelsea?"
39
.
@ mancuroc:
Ms. Dowd ("Maureen" to you) wrote about Mr. Trump ("the Donald" to you) frequently in August 2015; it is no secret that she is part of his large social circle. So if "she has largely spared him" -- I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with the characterization -- from "her bile", I think she has been transparent about underlying reasons.
One belief she holds, about campaign preliminaries at least, was expressed on Aug. 8: "Sometimes you need a showman in the show."
Would it be "too much like hard work for her to dig up useful mud against" Senator Bernie Sanders? Well for one thing, Ms. Dowd was a pretty relentless reporter before she was a columnist, schooled in the nation's capital. Very recently, she did a lot of reporting for a quite personal column about cancer treatment. So I don't think she would shy from hard work. And while the Senator's campaign style doesn't give her much ammo, she could always choose to write about his contradictions that border on hypocrisy.
And who knows? She may put in more effort giving the tigress treatment to the Senator if he has made much headway delegate-wise by St. Patrick's Day. Until then, she's not going to devote her limited pixels to Sen. Sanders. Nor, for that matter, will she write much about Mike Huckabee; and I believe she went easy on Bobby Jindal as well.
Or maybe she just thinks that with distracting complaints about campaign rules and debate times, the Senator is "the showman" needed on the Democrats' side.
@ mancuroc:
Ms. Dowd ("Maureen" to you) wrote about Mr. Trump ("the Donald" to you) frequently in August 2015; it is no secret that she is part of his large social circle. So if "she has largely spared him" -- I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with the characterization -- from "her bile", I think she has been transparent about underlying reasons.
One belief she holds, about campaign preliminaries at least, was expressed on Aug. 8: "Sometimes you need a showman in the show."
Would it be "too much like hard work for her to dig up useful mud against" Senator Bernie Sanders? Well for one thing, Ms. Dowd was a pretty relentless reporter before she was a columnist, schooled in the nation's capital. Very recently, she did a lot of reporting for a quite personal column about cancer treatment. So I don't think she would shy from hard work. And while the Senator's campaign style doesn't give her much ammo, she could always choose to write about his contradictions that border on hypocrisy.
And who knows? She may put in more effort giving the tigress treatment to the Senator if he has made much headway delegate-wise by St. Patrick's Day. Until then, she's not going to devote her limited pixels to Sen. Sanders. Nor, for that matter, will she write much about Mike Huckabee; and I believe she went easy on Bobby Jindal as well.
Or maybe she just thinks that with distracting complaints about campaign rules and debate times, the Senator is "the showman" needed on the Democrats' side.
1
Hillary was an active participant in smearing those women. Ignore it if you want, but at least admit that you are doing so for political expediency and be honest enough to admit that you would never extend such understanding to someone whose opinions on economics or gun control you disliked.
1
I have to say I have never liked Hillary Clinton. Many years ago she said (paraphrasing) "What am I supposed to do? Sit home and bake cookies and have tea?" I was sitting with my mom at the time, and the look on my mom's face said it all. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, who, in fact, liked to bake cookies. I remember her saying that that remark made her feel bad. And I have never liked Hillary since. I am a career woman as well, but I have never felt that staying home was anything less important.
She is smug and a bully and I hope she loses.
Go Bernie. A gentleman.
Keep writing Maureen.
She is smug and a bully and I hope she loses.
Go Bernie. A gentleman.
Keep writing Maureen.
149
I didn't mind Hillary's cookies bit but now she wants to be the "grandma." That's what I don't like because it's a flip flop from her previous stance as career woman. Now that she's past retirement age, so to speak, she can be a "grandma."
I'd rather her be the firebrand that she is than try to be a cuddly "grandma" when all of us over 40 remember that she didn't want to bake cookies or "stand by her man like Tammy Wynette" (when in fact she did, indeed, stand by Bill after Monica and previous affairs).
We don't need a "grandma" or "grandpa" as President. We need someone who is going to fight a Congress who is going to obstruct any kind of initiative a Democrat dare to make. Then again, maybe she will transform the role of grandma.
Well, I prefer Bernie anyway.
I'd rather her be the firebrand that she is than try to be a cuddly "grandma" when all of us over 40 remember that she didn't want to bake cookies or "stand by her man like Tammy Wynette" (when in fact she did, indeed, stand by Bill after Monica and previous affairs).
We don't need a "grandma" or "grandpa" as President. We need someone who is going to fight a Congress who is going to obstruct any kind of initiative a Democrat dare to make. Then again, maybe she will transform the role of grandma.
Well, I prefer Bernie anyway.
56
But Hillary is feminism writ large. She was a woman who forged her own path by becoming a female lawyer back when there weren't that many.
Should an Ivy League educated woman really sit at home and bake cookies?
While I most certainly do admire the women who have the desire, and means, to stay home and raise the children, not every woman desires to be June Cleaver.
Should an Ivy League educated woman really sit at home and bake cookies?
While I most certainly do admire the women who have the desire, and means, to stay home and raise the children, not every woman desires to be June Cleaver.
13
At the time, just a housewife, I was offended by the comment. But, years later, when I finally was able to attend college, my cookies made the Commencement address.
4
The media takes every word that is emitted from the mouth of Donald Trump as if it is the word of God. Last month it was Hillary in the bathroom. Now it's Monica Lewinsky because it's time to party like it's 1998.
Who CARES about BILL and MONICA anymore?
The Ted Cruz/Canada birth controversy is actually more interesting. But no, sex sells, so we have to see articles like the Op-Ed "The Clintons' Secret Language" the other day. A tawdry, sexual-innuendo headlined article which basically said that the Clintons have been together for a long time.
The one thing that Trump did was save us from President Jeb! Bush. So although I don't agree with anything Trump says, at least he did that. No more Bushes.
FEEL THE BERN!
Who CARES about BILL and MONICA anymore?
The Ted Cruz/Canada birth controversy is actually more interesting. But no, sex sells, so we have to see articles like the Op-Ed "The Clintons' Secret Language" the other day. A tawdry, sexual-innuendo headlined article which basically said that the Clintons have been together for a long time.
The one thing that Trump did was save us from President Jeb! Bush. So although I don't agree with anything Trump says, at least he did that. No more Bushes.
FEEL THE BERN!
270
I wonder if a woman who grew up, say, ten or twenty years after Hillary Clinton did would have had an easier time not dissing the woman with whom her husband fooled around. I think women slightly older than I am had to re-form and revise some of the strategies (about relations between men and women) they had grown up with, whereas younger cohorts could see more easily that while the "other woman" contributed to the situation, the husband (especially one in a position of power) had a lot more of the control over the situation. That's been my experience of how my female friends older than I (I'm in my late fifties) tend to compare to my age group, and those even younger than I, on these issues.
61
Maybe if the woman whom the man had fooled around didn't insist on making the "affair" her entrée into society, it might be easier. Also, shall we start digging up all of the women from other past presidents - Lucy Mercer comes to mind, along with Kay Summersby and then there are few more from recent times....who cares - only those who care more about someone's personal life than about how that person governs, I guess. Ms. Lewinsky has done quite well by making sure that story never dies, and the "smart" set just keeps on fueling the fire. Everyone is a voyeur.
3
Really? That's all you got? Hillary needs no defending. She's supposed to be a big girl, and you're saying that her husband had a lot more control of the situation? Please...
1
Dear NYT
Surely you have so many Dowd hates the Clintons columns, you can rig a Dowd column generator to generate new ones since she never says anything of substance or new, saving the reader from the embarrassment of reading Dowd aping relevance by using a current movie as the device to recycle her incurable boorishness?
I dread the Hilborg but. Please put a stop to it. You make america worse.
Surely you have so many Dowd hates the Clintons columns, you can rig a Dowd column generator to generate new ones since she never says anything of substance or new, saving the reader from the embarrassment of reading Dowd aping relevance by using a current movie as the device to recycle her incurable boorishness?
I dread the Hilborg but. Please put a stop to it. You make america worse.
690
I have not once detected hate towards Hillary Clinton in any Maureen Dowd column and I've read each once since she was hired.
1
Maureen, whatever you did on your extended absence from your column, it did nothing to improve your spleen.
I find this column to be terribly forced, and just as I have no desire to see the self-aggrandizing Revenant (the trailers alone have been numbing), I have no desire to debate your forced analogies.
Nor to revisit the sins of Bill when the Donald's are so immediate. The other night I watched Chris Matthews interview with Hillary and it was such a breath of fresh air--30 minutes of prime time TV about POLICY, not Vanity Fair chat--that I felt cleansed from the nonstop coverage of Mr. Vulgarity. Only when pressed, did Hillary finally state she had no intention of getting into the ring with Trump, which I agree with.
Should he be the nominee, she will have plenty of opportunity to respond with force. But lowering herself to his level by engaging in a match of insults is pointless, and certainly hurts her image as one of the strongest leaders I've watched. Let him rant and rave--like the roadrunner cartoon, I have no doubt she will trip him up if and when the time comes.
In the meantime, I'll leave you, your bears, and Leo where they belong: in the wilderness of nature and the spirit.
I find this column to be terribly forced, and just as I have no desire to see the self-aggrandizing Revenant (the trailers alone have been numbing), I have no desire to debate your forced analogies.
Nor to revisit the sins of Bill when the Donald's are so immediate. The other night I watched Chris Matthews interview with Hillary and it was such a breath of fresh air--30 minutes of prime time TV about POLICY, not Vanity Fair chat--that I felt cleansed from the nonstop coverage of Mr. Vulgarity. Only when pressed, did Hillary finally state she had no intention of getting into the ring with Trump, which I agree with.
Should he be the nominee, she will have plenty of opportunity to respond with force. But lowering herself to his level by engaging in a match of insults is pointless, and certainly hurts her image as one of the strongest leaders I've watched. Let him rant and rave--like the roadrunner cartoon, I have no doubt she will trip him up if and when the time comes.
In the meantime, I'll leave you, your bears, and Leo where they belong: in the wilderness of nature and the spirit.
808
Chris Matthews is great but his show gives Trump a platform CONSTANTLY. There's a Trump rally on a few nights a week. Over the summer, they would televise practically the entire speech, going from Chris Matthews' show onto Chris Hayes'. Bill Maher pointedly asked Matthews why they kept giving the man coverage. Matthews said in the event that Trump said something crazy. Although he has had his newsworthy moments, the actual speeches are the same old thing: the polls, China, Mexico, Muslims, etc. I can hear them in my head: "We're going to build a wall, a beautiful wall....."
Hillary should get more coverage on the cable shows and networks. I don't even want her to win but know that she's getting a raw deal from TV. At the same time, her DNC is fixing to crown her by limiting the number of debates and putting them on Saturday nights when few people watch TV.
As for this column, it was a bore. I skipped the bears and went right to Hillary vs. Trump.
Hillary should get more coverage on the cable shows and networks. I don't even want her to win but know that she's getting a raw deal from TV. At the same time, her DNC is fixing to crown her by limiting the number of debates and putting them on Saturday nights when few people watch TV.
As for this column, it was a bore. I skipped the bears and went right to Hillary vs. Trump.
56
@Debra: I fully agree. I turn off the rallies and don't understand why MSNBC persists in covering them when even FOX news won't.
45
Debra and Christine, if you wonder why MSNBC is all-Trump-all-the-time, it's because the new boss Andy Lack wants it that way:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/21/can-msnbc-re-center-its...
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/21/can-msnbc-re-center-its...
14
Maureen, Maureen,
Your vitriol is keen,
You relish the obscene,
Maureen.
Maureen, Maureen,
To Hillary you're mean,
Perhaps meaner than mean,
Maureen.
Maureen, Maureen,
Once you were just a teen,
Lacking malice and spleen,
Then you were a sweet scene,
Maureen.
Your vitriol is keen,
You relish the obscene,
Maureen.
Maureen, Maureen,
To Hillary you're mean,
Perhaps meaner than mean,
Maureen.
Maureen, Maureen,
Once you were just a teen,
Lacking malice and spleen,
Then you were a sweet scene,
Maureen.
353
Another great poem from Larry
At least Maureen didn't mention "Barry"
At least Maureen didn't mention "Barry"
147
You mistake a third-rate nursery rhyme for great poetry!
21
But the Comments amplify--or dissect--the original piece; they're like the Greek chorus, the voice of the populace, weighing in, which I'm happy to see, here tonight, are pretty much all bemoaning Muareen Dowd's snarkiness!
5
Excellent piece. We've missed your rapier.
42
Madame Dowd...I had no idea Hillary Clinton was such a serial misogynist; thank you for enlightening us about Hillary's War On Women.
Marital infidelity is an ancient international tradition most recently celebrated by Presidents Jefferson, Harding, FDR, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Clinton...as far as documented cases go.
http://bigfrog104.com/presidential-extramarital-affairs/
Do you hold children responsible for the sins of the fathers ?
Do you hold wives responsible for the sins of their husbands ?
I don't.
It must be extraordinarily painful for a spouse to be cheated on, and for a public person such as Mrs. Clinton, the publicity only compounds the pain.
Many women stay in marriages with cheaters...many women leave marriages with cheaters...it's a difficult personal choice but it's their choice.
I find the issue to be 100% irrelevant to Hillary's campaign for the Presidency.
The Presidential campaign is about more than personalities and soap operas, Maureen...there's also public policy involved, too.
Hillary Clinton wants women to be able to control their own uteruses; Donald Trump and the Grand Uterine Party would prefer to control the nation's uteruses.
Hillary Clinton believes in raising the minimum wage; 60% of minimum wage workers are women.
Donald Trump says we can't raise the MW, but feel free to tip the thousands of hotel maids and half-dressed cocktail wages in his hotels and casinos.
I think we understand the candidates' positions on women now.
Marital infidelity is an ancient international tradition most recently celebrated by Presidents Jefferson, Harding, FDR, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Clinton...as far as documented cases go.
http://bigfrog104.com/presidential-extramarital-affairs/
Do you hold children responsible for the sins of the fathers ?
Do you hold wives responsible for the sins of their husbands ?
I don't.
It must be extraordinarily painful for a spouse to be cheated on, and for a public person such as Mrs. Clinton, the publicity only compounds the pain.
Many women stay in marriages with cheaters...many women leave marriages with cheaters...it's a difficult personal choice but it's their choice.
I find the issue to be 100% irrelevant to Hillary's campaign for the Presidency.
The Presidential campaign is about more than personalities and soap operas, Maureen...there's also public policy involved, too.
Hillary Clinton wants women to be able to control their own uteruses; Donald Trump and the Grand Uterine Party would prefer to control the nation's uteruses.
Hillary Clinton believes in raising the minimum wage; 60% of minimum wage workers are women.
Donald Trump says we can't raise the MW, but feel free to tip the thousands of hotel maids and half-dressed cocktail wages in his hotels and casinos.
I think we understand the candidates' positions on women now.
1143
Wonder how many First Wives also cheated.
1
You neglected to consider the abuse Hillary dished out to these women after they came forward. You too are delusional. Hillary is about to be indicted, get used to it. She will be unable to avoid the charges as she created the problem herself and it is now well documented.
3
Or it possibly isn't "extraordinarily painful", but perfectly well discussed and acceptable between the two of them. That is a private matter, as is my marriage, and yours. It is none of our business, nor has it any bearing on her fitness as President.
Support for raising minimum wage, controlling our own bodies, protection from fear mongers, war mongers, and other extremists, appropriate economic policies and regulatory exercise, now that IS our business, and those are appropriate factors for consideration.
Support for raising minimum wage, controlling our own bodies, protection from fear mongers, war mongers, and other extremists, appropriate economic policies and regulatory exercise, now that IS our business, and those are appropriate factors for consideration.
11
While I’m a Bernie Sanders supporter who has qualms about Hillary and her somewhat self-serving morphing on positions, I realize that she is not the first woman to have been cheated on, to have berated the Other Woman, or to have defended a cheating husband. Her hypocrisy may not be excusable, but it might be understandable under the circumstances. And I suspect her public comments on the topic might be quite different from her private feelings.
This is big-time, sexually-charged politics, a game of thrones with the future of nations in the balance. These things can get very muddled and complex. To wit: while Newt Gingrich was trying to impeach Bill Clinton for his dalliance, Newt was cheating on his wife.
If no one with an embarrassing, complex and compromising sexual history could run for president, we’d have to beat the bushes (no pun intended) to find a candidate. It’s nice to know that Obama would still occupy the Oval Office, but there aren’t many who would be fit to occupy the throne.
There are any number of Republicans who are eager to take Mr. Obama’s place. They promise to undo every progressive initiative since F.D.R. was in office, and replace the New Deal with the Raw Deal. We have reason to fear their advances, and we know what’s coming. But at least with Bill and Monica it was consensual.
This is big-time, sexually-charged politics, a game of thrones with the future of nations in the balance. These things can get very muddled and complex. To wit: while Newt Gingrich was trying to impeach Bill Clinton for his dalliance, Newt was cheating on his wife.
If no one with an embarrassing, complex and compromising sexual history could run for president, we’d have to beat the bushes (no pun intended) to find a candidate. It’s nice to know that Obama would still occupy the Oval Office, but there aren’t many who would be fit to occupy the throne.
There are any number of Republicans who are eager to take Mr. Obama’s place. They promise to undo every progressive initiative since F.D.R. was in office, and replace the New Deal with the Raw Deal. We have reason to fear their advances, and we know what’s coming. But at least with Bill and Monica it was consensual.
654
That's the answer: Keep Obama "occupy[ing] the throne." No one else is as good. Hillary had her chance. Biden decided to bow out. Bernie's great but Obama is the MAN!
35
But Monica was a 21 year old intern, he was the President. Further, while you have deluded yourself that it was consensual with Monica, what of the others? And what of Hillary's absolute bashing of these women, including Monica?
6
Great comment.
3
If she wants to draw parallels between pop culture and Republican politics, Maureen Dowd should have seen Tarantino's "Hateful Eight" instead of "The Revenant." That way, the analogies wouldn't have been so strained.
87
IL Trumpolini's resume of public office is so thin that he will grasp at every conceivable straw and dredge up every speck of mud imaginable to try and slime HRC - on the other hand, she stands on an actual record of public service in elected (and re-elected) office, as a cabinet officer in the Constitutional Order of Succession to POTUS, and as a First Lady who won't be needing a White House tour to find her way around on 1/20/2017.
Besides, HRC understands the common English language, as employed in our Constitution and its amendments:
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-questions-the-legality-the...
Instead of portraying the GOP front-runner as a movie version Ursa, hoping to get an appreciative Tweet from IL Trumpolini (hat tip commenter Socrates), the better movie analogy might the movie Mars Attacks, where the GOP'er alien Candian, and the outsider billionaire who's never held public office of any kind, are subjected by HRC to Slim Whitman's " Indian Love Call " :)
Besides, HRC understands the common English language, as employed in our Constitution and its amendments:
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-questions-the-legality-the...
Instead of portraying the GOP front-runner as a movie version Ursa, hoping to get an appreciative Tweet from IL Trumpolini (hat tip commenter Socrates), the better movie analogy might the movie Mars Attacks, where the GOP'er alien Candian, and the outsider billionaire who's never held public office of any kind, are subjected by HRC to Slim Whitman's " Indian Love Call " :)
49
,A "public servant" who ends up with a $100 million in her pocket. Some servant.
5
darrel - In this country, being rich is no sin, whether a Dem or GOP'er.
3
You do realized there is a difference between holding an office and actually accomplishing something. HRC has held some high offices. List her accomplishments (other than giving speeches and campaigning for higher office) while holding those offices.
5
To be fair to Hillary, when she dissed Monica she was probably repeating what her husband told her, it's highly unlikely that she knew he was lying and while she is to faulted for being in denial, she wasn't being quite as malevolent as Maureen makes her out to be.
While the Clinton marriage is a highly complicated one and Hillary is obviously a world class of compartmentalizer, it still boggles the mind that she didn't divorce him when his term of office was over. Still, she's the most qualified person running for president by far. All one needs to do is imagine Donald Trump or Ted Cruz as POTUS to realize we don't have the luxury of hoping for a saint in the WH.
While the Clinton marriage is a highly complicated one and Hillary is obviously a world class of compartmentalizer, it still boggles the mind that she didn't divorce him when his term of office was over. Still, she's the most qualified person running for president by far. All one needs to do is imagine Donald Trump or Ted Cruz as POTUS to realize we don't have the luxury of hoping for a saint in the WH.
307
She didn't divorce Bill because she was running for the NY Senate in order to begin her march for the Presidency.
45
Qualified by what?
Hillarycare? Bengazi? the "reset" with Putin? calling Obama's campaign a "joke" in South Carolina in 2008? Getting fired for dishonesty by the House Watergate Committee in 1974? Sending and receiving classifies e-mails on a private unsecured server? Defending a serial adulterer and, according to Juanita Broderick, rapist, a la Camille Cosby?
Maureen is right; this woman is just as much a bully as Trump. But none of Trump's old flames are complaining, are they?
Cosby?
Hillarycare? Bengazi? the "reset" with Putin? calling Obama's campaign a "joke" in South Carolina in 2008? Getting fired for dishonesty by the House Watergate Committee in 1974? Sending and receiving classifies e-mails on a private unsecured server? Defending a serial adulterer and, according to Juanita Broderick, rapist, a la Camille Cosby?
Maureen is right; this woman is just as much a bully as Trump. But none of Trump's old flames are complaining, are they?
Cosby?
5
If you believe that then you are adept at being deceived. Hillary had been dealing with Bill's infidelities for years. Perhaps you are single or live on the moon but if you don't know that Hillary was Bill's cleaner then I'd like to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge.
2
Maureen,
Thanks for not using that "S-word."
Hillary is no more relentlessly marching towards a trudging toward a win this time, than she did in 08. With every large endorsement, not obtained by vote, but rather by the personal decisions of heads of organization who are somehow indebted to the Clintons, has come a huge popular backlash. Yesterday's endorsement by Planned Parenthood's Cecile Richards is no different or any less shameful than the unions'.
You are right on one count. Both Hillary and Trump are bullies. His kind of bullying is crass and in your face. Hers is less obvious, especially to those who are blinded by subconscious bias and America's general lack of knowledge of its own history, but it hasn't escaped those whom it affects. Hence, her treatment of Black Lives Matter activists in Keene, New Hampshire, later in Atlanta, the pandering tweets to Hispanics (#NotMyAbuela) and other gaffes are huge cluesticks to the fact that she hasn't learned a thing since 2008. Then... as you get into the substance of policy, it doesn't get any better.
But none of that makes Trump any less vile than he is.
---
Sanders best described Trump for what he is in the last Dem debate:
http://wp.me/p2KJ3H-1P1
Hillary's swagger: http://wp.me/p2KJ3H-1y0
Thanks for not using that "S-word."
Hillary is no more relentlessly marching towards a trudging toward a win this time, than she did in 08. With every large endorsement, not obtained by vote, but rather by the personal decisions of heads of organization who are somehow indebted to the Clintons, has come a huge popular backlash. Yesterday's endorsement by Planned Parenthood's Cecile Richards is no different or any less shameful than the unions'.
You are right on one count. Both Hillary and Trump are bullies. His kind of bullying is crass and in your face. Hers is less obvious, especially to those who are blinded by subconscious bias and America's general lack of knowledge of its own history, but it hasn't escaped those whom it affects. Hence, her treatment of Black Lives Matter activists in Keene, New Hampshire, later in Atlanta, the pandering tweets to Hispanics (#NotMyAbuela) and other gaffes are huge cluesticks to the fact that she hasn't learned a thing since 2008. Then... as you get into the substance of policy, it doesn't get any better.
But none of that makes Trump any less vile than he is.
---
Sanders best described Trump for what he is in the last Dem debate:
http://wp.me/p2KJ3H-1P1
Hillary's swagger: http://wp.me/p2KJ3H-1y0
92
Believe it or not, over the last week or two, I've heard very impressive Town Halls with Jeb Bush in NH. Not a fan of his familial predecessors AT ALL, I hesitate to push for him, but these are worth a listen.
1
Trump is vile? How about Hillary? She has condoned everything Bill has done. Now she is a proved liar with the Emails, How much more vile can you get that?
3
Mr. Crump.
" How much more vile can you get that?"
Trump.
" How much more vile can you get that?"
Trump.
10
Welcome back, Maureen, well-rested and primed for 10 months of all-Hillary, all-the-time.
I'm curious as to whether-or-not mein Trump ever had a dalliance outside of the marital bed?
Donald is thrice-married and twice-divorced and I seriously doubt the first two alliances ended amicably.
Or perhaps we should avoid replaying the 1990's when so many other problems face our nation? Kurt Cobain is long gone and no apologies from Hillary are warranted.
What we should be asking ourselves is which candidate respects the rights of women to safe abortions and access to contraceptives? Which candidate believes in equal pay? Which candidate wants paid maternity leave?
"Trump can be a bully."
Yes, and so can the columnist.
I'm curious as to whether-or-not mein Trump ever had a dalliance outside of the marital bed?
Donald is thrice-married and twice-divorced and I seriously doubt the first two alliances ended amicably.
Or perhaps we should avoid replaying the 1990's when so many other problems face our nation? Kurt Cobain is long gone and no apologies from Hillary are warranted.
What we should be asking ourselves is which candidate respects the rights of women to safe abortions and access to contraceptives? Which candidate believes in equal pay? Which candidate wants paid maternity leave?
"Trump can be a bully."
Yes, and so can the columnist.
1101
The Clintons once sang along with Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow") and now Trump and the media want to push us back to the late '90s with Monica Lewinsky.
Those of us over 40 have already played that record before. And I don't think that young people really care about something that happened when they were toddlers or not even born.
Eighteen year olds voting for President this year were BORN the year the Lewinsky scandal erupted. Do you think they care about Bill and Monica?
Those of us over 40 have already played that record before. And I don't think that young people really care about something that happened when they were toddlers or not even born.
Eighteen year olds voting for President this year were BORN the year the Lewinsky scandal erupted. Do you think they care about Bill and Monica?
202
RE: "I'm curious as to whether-or-not mein Trump ever had a dalliance outside of the marital bed?"
Yes, with Marla Maples!
Yes, with Marla Maples!
28
Because of your blind love of Hillary, you have missed some of the important points of the column. Hillary fully participated in the trashing and discrediting of her husband's multiple bimbo eruptions before and during his presidency. While she is now attempting to push the more than tired "war on women" and market herself as the first potentially elected female president, her past behavior not Bill's is more than relevant. Perhaps you need to travel west of the GWB occasionally. And please let Kurt Cobain rest in peace from your tenuously connected political opinions.
3