Mrs. Clinton's character and behavior are both disarming. She is national disgrace and unfit to be our President. The Democratic Party could have done so very much better.
48
Ms. Clinton may have avoided being indicted about emails, but the other shoe, The Clinton Foundation, has yet to drop.
37
Since when is Obama pure according to Maureen Dowd who railed against him endlessly during his first term - calling him Barry. Not sure how Clinton contaminated Comey either. Isn't he the hero here?
115
"Obama tried to get Hillary without the shadiness. (Which is what we all want, of course.)"
No, we don't all want that. Wih or without shadiness, Hillary represents Rule of the Money-Insider Royalty at home, which is what The People have risen up against, and Wars Abroad.
We the People do not want these things.
No, we don't all want that. Wih or without shadiness, Hillary represents Rule of the Money-Insider Royalty at home, which is what The People have risen up against, and Wars Abroad.
We the People do not want these things.
209
It is a lamentable state of political maturity in US that the 'cherub faced con woman' has an almost inevitable shot at the Presidency.
Her competence is questionable at best resting as it does on a paper-resume, but her dishonesty and ability to lie in your face is beyond any doubt.
Four months before the election we know this, and are we so helpless as a nation state that - with Trump as the non-alternative - there is nothing we can do about it?
Her competence is questionable at best resting as it does on a paper-resume, but her dishonesty and ability to lie in your face is beyond any doubt.
Four months before the election we know this, and are we so helpless as a nation state that - with Trump as the non-alternative - there is nothing we can do about it?
168
As free as I have been to castigate Maureen Dowd over the last couple of years for her relentless criticism of Hillary Clinton, this is a terrific column and she is absolutely right.
That doesn't make it any less depressing.
That doesn't make it any less depressing.
252
A far too easy and cheap comparison that reveals an incredibly limited understanding of The Great Gatsby and Fitzgerald's arguments about class stratification.
185
"President Obama is not upset about being pulled into the Clinton Under Toad, to use an old John Irving expression. He thinks Washington is so broken that the next president will need a specific skill set to function, and he thinks Hillary has that."
Gee Maureen. You're really giving me the idea that HRC might turn out to be the modern day LBJ to follow and build on President Obama's (thankfully full-term) JFK. I'm starting to feel better.
Gee Maureen. You're really giving me the idea that HRC might turn out to be the modern day LBJ to follow and build on President Obama's (thankfully full-term) JFK. I'm starting to feel better.
190
Knowing, and hoping, that Hillary will be elected, and also knowing that once that happens, there is NO chance of a fair and unfettered investigation being done on the Clinton Foundation's potential breaches, and HOPING that President Obama really does want to cement his legacy and distance himself from Tom and Daisy, I would hope the President considers going along when the Republicans call for a special investigator/ prosecutor to look into the CF and whose term continued into the new administration.
111
All you need to do is look at the photo accompanying the article. It says it all. Obama endorsed Clinton, but he looks disgusted -- as though the gore is rising in his throat -- for having done so. I assume someone cut a deal to force that endorsement.
92
Thanks again Maureen for enlightening those who read the NYTimes with the truth about Mrs. Clinton and her extremely reckless behavior. It is obvious there are many rabid Hillary supporters who refuse to accept what you have to say. Old news. A waste of ink. Move on. But the truth is the truth. And once again you have bravely gone where those who deny and deny, spin and spin refuse to go. Bravo to you and keep the ink flowing!
135
the email exoneration relies on the "absence of intent" argument... are we to believe there was no intent to set up a server in her basement or to have government business - likely to involve highly sensitive material - conducted thru it or to have her lawyers delete thousands of emails in such a way that they could never be recovered ?...sure, these all happened by accident... Ms. Dowd is simply restating the obvious: that there's a self-generated odor surrounding our former First Couple that rivals the odor of her Republican adversary
104
Dowd is correct. The crux of the problem is Hillary's continuing pattern of dissembling and obfuscation. Hillary has demonstrated questionable judgement for a presidential candidate. Equally disturbing is the self-igniting quality of Bill and Hillary, who create many of their own problems, like the server fiasco and Bill's recent inappropriate conversation with Lynch. What unpleasant surprises does the Clinton Foundation yet hold?
While Trump is not a viable candidate, I fear a Clinton administration mired in scandal and characterized by opacity and secrecy. I realize that in voting for Hillary, I choose to ignore the red flag waving chaotically for the Clinton's pattern of poor judgement, and their belief that they are above the law. It is difficult to muster a sanguine outlook for a Clinton presidency, because established patterns of behavior don't easily change.
While Trump is not a viable candidate, I fear a Clinton administration mired in scandal and characterized by opacity and secrecy. I realize that in voting for Hillary, I choose to ignore the red flag waving chaotically for the Clinton's pattern of poor judgement, and their belief that they are above the law. It is difficult to muster a sanguine outlook for a Clinton presidency, because established patterns of behavior don't easily change.
128
"Hillary willfully put herself above the rules — again — and a president, campaign and party are all left twisting themselves into pretzels defending her."
Twisting like a plane in a death spiral.
You'll note that Clinton never puts herself above the rules to take political risks for progressives or progressive causes. She never sticks her neck out to do something bravely principled.
Hence, the democratic party has squandered the surge of strength that came with Obama's election in 2008 to end up instead twisted-pretzel-selling exactly what Obama was embraced to refute and replace, feebly marketing it to an electorate that has only grown more informed, engaged, and impatient for the change Obama fell inexplicably short of delivering.
That, politically, the Hillary play, so long in the planning, so tedious in the execution, is a self-destructive, backwards-sliding strategic move on nearly every level only underscores that other priorities and constituencies are driving the party.
Driving it right off the cliff.
Twisting like a plane in a death spiral.
You'll note that Clinton never puts herself above the rules to take political risks for progressives or progressive causes. She never sticks her neck out to do something bravely principled.
Hence, the democratic party has squandered the surge of strength that came with Obama's election in 2008 to end up instead twisted-pretzel-selling exactly what Obama was embraced to refute and replace, feebly marketing it to an electorate that has only grown more informed, engaged, and impatient for the change Obama fell inexplicably short of delivering.
That, politically, the Hillary play, so long in the planning, so tedious in the execution, is a self-destructive, backwards-sliding strategic move on nearly every level only underscores that other priorities and constituencies are driving the party.
Driving it right off the cliff.
128
Well, that wasn't as funny as I'd hoped. Look, not just Hillary but several previous Secretaries of State didn't tread the exact (and evolving) line as regards confidential or potentially classified e-mail. Through those years, many of us in many professions and businesses discovered, slowly, that what we had thought was private or secure wasn't -- think of all the Enron employees whose laundry, dirty and otherwise, ended up on a public clothesline. 110 e-mails out of these thousands that ought not to have been sent/stored via a private server is not an astonishing number. It's simply not worth talking about anymore, and whatever satire could have been extracted from it was on the side of the Bizarro Republicans, not the Clintons.
294
This is hilarious, " This year’s election bargain: Put up with our iniquities or get Trump’s short fingers on the nuclear button."
Oh, I see you'd rather have Madam Secretary Reset, the woman who turned the Arab Spring into the Arab Nightmare and oversaw the cataclysmic unravelling of the world order, the backer of rascals for a hand full of cash, inconceivably incompetent, already a danger to national security before the election. You're going to have to come on a little bit stronger because no one is buying your silly line.
Oh, I see you'd rather have Madam Secretary Reset, the woman who turned the Arab Spring into the Arab Nightmare and oversaw the cataclysmic unravelling of the world order, the backer of rascals for a hand full of cash, inconceivably incompetent, already a danger to national security before the election. You're going to have to come on a little bit stronger because no one is buying your silly line.
130
After brief interaction with court room dramas touching child custody cases, divorces, and jury duty, it has come to my attention that our Judicial System is in the gutter, and that any human who dares take up the law is going to be a remarkably odd bird.
Which brings us to Senator Clinton. A top grad of Yale Law school and a former Secretary of State is going to act and breath like a lawyer. They are ordinary, safe, and very very cautious.
A bigger issue is that America needs ordinary, careful presidents in the 21st Century. Take the British politicians that ran like Egyptian girls from being the Prime Minister. Now they were hip-hop and colorful, but when the vote went their way, they were gone girls.
The State Department would have fired Senator Clinton if she actually did something different from Colin Powell or Condi Rice. The fact remains that last week the NYT's wrote that Mrs. clinton never sent or received classified documents. James Comey can rename a document years later, but that still is not sloppy judgement.
The only goo on the President's hands is from the horror of American families being forced to pay high insurance premiums and receiving less coverage to care for their children.
Which brings us to Senator Clinton. A top grad of Yale Law school and a former Secretary of State is going to act and breath like a lawyer. They are ordinary, safe, and very very cautious.
A bigger issue is that America needs ordinary, careful presidents in the 21st Century. Take the British politicians that ran like Egyptian girls from being the Prime Minister. Now they were hip-hop and colorful, but when the vote went their way, they were gone girls.
The State Department would have fired Senator Clinton if she actually did something different from Colin Powell or Condi Rice. The fact remains that last week the NYT's wrote that Mrs. clinton never sent or received classified documents. James Comey can rename a document years later, but that still is not sloppy judgement.
The only goo on the President's hands is from the horror of American families being forced to pay high insurance premiums and receiving less coverage to care for their children.
71
Three things are certain: death, taxes, and Maureen's utter loathing for Hillary. So single-minded is Dowd that she accuses Clinton of tainting Obama's 'pure brand'. Say what? All of a sudden, Maureen's whipping boy Barry has been compromised by evil Hillary. Incredible.
I suppose that in Dowd's world, Trump has been more of a public servant than Clinton. If Trump manages to become our next president, Maureen will have played a part in his ascension. She and the free press will be among the first to suffer. Be careful what you wish for Ms. Dowd.
I suppose that in Dowd's world, Trump has been more of a public servant than Clinton. If Trump manages to become our next president, Maureen will have played a part in his ascension. She and the free press will be among the first to suffer. Be careful what you wish for Ms. Dowd.
359
This was a "willful" decision to put email on a private server - not simply use a private email account as previous Secretaries of State may have done on occasion. And as Comey said, this server was not as secure as a Gmail server is for ordinary Gmail. But what he didn't cover, and what I have not seen discussed to any degree, is "why" she used the private server. She wanted her "privacy" to avoid having her correspondence readily available to comply with Freedom of Information Act requests. She was successful in that, which I believe is a criminal act. There, Mr. Comey, is your criminal intent. Perhaps the independent career Justice Department personnel will pursue that rationale. Ya think?
91
If only the presidential candidates had been two decent men - Gov. Martin O'Malley vs Gov. John Kasich - our country wouldn't be in this Clinton vs Trump mess. The majority of Americans are fed-up and there are still four months to go.
75
Comey's comment that Clinton's server might have been hacked, joyously quoted by Ms. Dowd, is nonsensical. There's no evidence, despite his long investigation, so he made something up, hoping gullible or over-eager journalists would seize on it.
The whole email thing is a tempest in a teapot. It's only alive because Republicans and columnists like Dowd, carrying an grudge against the Clintons for decades, keep fanning the embers hoping for a flame.
I come to these pages seeking wisdom and insight, especially as we go through these wrenching violent episodes. What do I get here? Wisdom's opposite.
The whole email thing is a tempest in a teapot. It's only alive because Republicans and columnists like Dowd, carrying an grudge against the Clintons for decades, keep fanning the embers hoping for a flame.
I come to these pages seeking wisdom and insight, especially as we go through these wrenching violent episodes. What do I get here? Wisdom's opposite.
329
I am a Hillary supporter and sometimes I too feel that I am left twisting into pretzels defending her. This is probably Mo's best column in years because it lacks the personal hatred we are so accustomed to when she mentions the Clintons, even in passing, when she gives Donald a pass.
Faustian bargain or not, Hillary would make a great president.
Faustian bargain or not, Hillary would make a great president.
74
Maureen Dowd knows one thing--how to take advantage of soft spots in order to gain attention from general public (who does not know what Dowd has been doing). She uses Clinton haters so that she can gain cheap popularity. I have seem Maureen Dowd doing that many many many times.
166
If she wins, it will be the White House of the Rising Sun.
22
I say try living under a microscope for your entire adult lives, with the researchers only wishing to highlight your every flaw, and then you can comment. She's done a lot more good for this country than most. Errors in judgment? You live and you learn from your life. That is called experience. Ms. Rodham-Clinton is more qualified than anyone in generations to be President.
277
What an odd predicament we find ourselves in. The Clinton are, for lack of a better term, passe. Their antics tiring. Old news. Throw backs. But, we are faced with the inevitability of putting them back in the Whitehouse. It is distressing. The other alternative really isn't. It's kind of a joke. So, some how, we'll have to grin and bear it.
41
Maureen, how about an article that talks to Comey's spin. He painstakingly split hairs over Clinton's claims and the FBI findings. In his own admission that the FBI does not comment on findings he claimed that 'transparancy' was important and proceeded to prejudice the findings with innuendo, assumptions and uncalled for judgments. Clearly Comey chose to flavor the FBI findings in a way that would provide more mud and fodder for the endless republican attacks on Clinton. It was unprofessional and reflects the kind of FBI behavior that we found during the Hoover years. Maureen, instead of bashing Clinton you should be asking for Comey's resignation.
171
Wonderful. You are working to elect your crush, Trump, elected, although you purported to "pivot" on him last weekend.. Have you read the news, or your fellow opinion writers, in the last three days? Their eloquence leaves you miles behind.
Good grief, if you really think that Mrs. Clinton is a scoundrel and a felon, call for her indictment, and endorse trump. Or give him up, for real. Things are moving too fast.
Good grief, if you really think that Mrs. Clinton is a scoundrel and a felon, call for her indictment, and endorse trump. Or give him up, for real. Things are moving too fast.
102
Dowd is ever so eloquent and to the point. The disappointment and likely burn for Prez Obama during his in person endorsement of 'the Hil ' occurred when she told supporters that Obama's greatest success, contributions, were his two kids. Ya, I'm a parent too but the role of a US president is not about parenting, regardless of Obama's triumphs or failures as a parent. Additionally, I can't see skirt-chasing hubby Bill back in the Oval office though those days are probably over unless he's renewed his Viagra presciptions. Regarding Trump, I may be voting for Donald Duck this time around as Trump seems to squander every advantage.
34
We could have had Bernie. Stupid country now has to choose between Hillary and the Donald. Of course, you have to pick Hillary, with all the la-dee-dah that comes with her and her husband. Still a much better pick than a narcissistic egomaniac who thinks he can erect walls and deport Mexicans, badger Muslims and threaten everyone he doesn't like. Does he even know that he can't fire people in Congress when they don't do his bidding, like on the Apprentice? Punish women for having abortions? Insulting anyone and everyone? Well, OK, give me Hillary or give me Canada!
Maureen, your columns used to be interesting. Now they are confused. Read the comments. Most of us are bored with your griping about the Clintons. You would do your readers a service if you tried to get away from your typical approach and wrote as if you had done some serious thinking. Contemplate who you are writing for and what kind of influence you could have. You could help things if you laid in heavily to the Donald......but we are still waiting. Give it up about Hillary and Bill, Mo. You are wasting your time at the keyboard. Stop taking advice from your brother!
Maureen, your columns used to be interesting. Now they are confused. Read the comments. Most of us are bored with your griping about the Clintons. You would do your readers a service if you tried to get away from your typical approach and wrote as if you had done some serious thinking. Contemplate who you are writing for and what kind of influence you could have. You could help things if you laid in heavily to the Donald......but we are still waiting. Give it up about Hillary and Bill, Mo. You are wasting your time at the keyboard. Stop taking advice from your brother!
94
Like Bernie, I don't give a damn about Hillary's emails. I highly suspect that her private server was just as secure as a government server...or any server these days. The Bush administration lied !! to get us into a war in Iraq. They deleted millions of emails during the judge firing scandal, they outed Valerie Plame.....and no investigations took place. Hillary is not a racist, sexist blowhard like the Donald....plus !! she is qualified to be President! Enough said.
194
On the other hand ---- I am now leaning towards the idea that Hillary was completely ignorant about computers. Now, that does NOT get off the hook, by any stretch of the imagination. IF she is as smart as others seem to think she is -- taking courses to get up to speed (as most of us have had to do - throughout life actually) should have been a "piece of cake." But I suspect she thought she was above all of this. She wanted others to do her "dirty work" for her. She probably thinks of this as "secretarial duties". I believe I heard she didn't even have a computer when she was in the Senate (correct me if I am wrong). And on top of all of this, somewhere along the way, I still think she thought all of this was beneath her and/or she could get away with it. Remember her remark, "I don't do Sunday talk shows," regarding the Benghazi incident? I can't help but wonder what else she thinks she doesn't have to do!!!
30
Trump on the nuclear trigger? He wants peace with Russia. Hillary wants war with nuclear Russia and is the biggest warmonger in Washington - John McCain in a pants suit. She pushed the destruction of Libya when even the Pentagon was against creating another ISIS-helping failed state. For that matter, she also destabilized Ukraine, leading to the current Very Dangerous Cold War, and helped build ISIS by trying to topple Assad. She's the Queen of Bad Judgment and I expect to see a mushroom cloud outside my window if she's elected.
41
" Put up with our iniquities or get Trump’s short fingers on the nuclear button.
The Clintons work hard but don’t play by the rules. Imagine them in the White House with the benefit of low expectations."
_________________________________________
Well, Ms Dowd, there it is: TRUMP. No-brainer, no Trump, no matter what....
The Clintons work hard but don’t play by the rules. Imagine them in the White House with the benefit of low expectations."
_________________________________________
Well, Ms Dowd, there it is: TRUMP. No-brainer, no Trump, no matter what....
19
Dear Maureen,
Judging from the comments, it appears you've stirred up a hornet's nest of Clinton supporters. Such venom! Don't mind them. The truth hurts I know. Years of White Water and Monicagate have innoculated them into believing the Clintons are victims of a GOP witch hunt. It's true the Republicans are trying to smear them just as they are trying to smear the Obamas, but unlike the Clintons the Obamas knew they live in a glass house gave their enemies nothing to chew on other than a birth certificate.
And then there's the Tump effect. The Clinton supporters are scared sh*#less of his presidency and who he might bring to the Supreme Court that they're willing to trade their souls for the devil they know than the devil they don't know. Sorry the sky is not going to fall since I believe in the strength of this democracy. If we can survive 8 years of W. we can survive anything. So you go girl and tell it like it is even though it's not music to everyone's ears.
Judging from the comments, it appears you've stirred up a hornet's nest of Clinton supporters. Such venom! Don't mind them. The truth hurts I know. Years of White Water and Monicagate have innoculated them into believing the Clintons are victims of a GOP witch hunt. It's true the Republicans are trying to smear them just as they are trying to smear the Obamas, but unlike the Clintons the Obamas knew they live in a glass house gave their enemies nothing to chew on other than a birth certificate.
And then there's the Tump effect. The Clinton supporters are scared sh*#less of his presidency and who he might bring to the Supreme Court that they're willing to trade their souls for the devil they know than the devil they don't know. Sorry the sky is not going to fall since I believe in the strength of this democracy. If we can survive 8 years of W. we can survive anything. So you go girl and tell it like it is even though it's not music to everyone's ears.
61
I guess I give the Clinton's a little room to be less than pure, and maybe a little paranoid. And perhaps even a little conniving.
From Whitewater to Vince Foster to Benghazi, cooked up "scandals" have thickened the skin of the Clintons. Watching Republicans get away with, well, pretty much everything (distorting the facts around the Iraq WMDs, using "off the record" email servers and then losing millions of emails, politicizing the Justice Department, violations of the Hatch Act), it's not too surprising that the Clinton's believe that's how things work in Washington.
I'm really glad we had Barack Obama as President for the last 7+ years, but I think Hillary thick skin is going to to be an asset in the next 8.
From Whitewater to Vince Foster to Benghazi, cooked up "scandals" have thickened the skin of the Clintons. Watching Republicans get away with, well, pretty much everything (distorting the facts around the Iraq WMDs, using "off the record" email servers and then losing millions of emails, politicizing the Justice Department, violations of the Hatch Act), it's not too surprising that the Clinton's believe that's how things work in Washington.
I'm really glad we had Barack Obama as President for the last 7+ years, but I think Hillary thick skin is going to to be an asset in the next 8.
246
More business-as-usual hatred. I don't care who's doing the hating, or getting the hate. This has got to stop. We don't need this kind of petty discourse. No one is objective any more, and those who believe they are, are merely in denial about their subjectivity. Everyone wants to spout an opinion, but no one wants to listen to anyone else's.
We're a nation of babies. Exvept the babies are big and carry semi-automatics.
We're a nation of babies. Exvept the babies are big and carry semi-automatics.
130
"Imagine them in the white house"
^ But they already were in the white house Mrs. Dowd.
They gave us a budget surplus, 25 million jobs, wages were rising and there was no war.
The worst aspect was the tabloid nonsense - which your gossip column secretly adores.
But it was still better than any Presidency in modern times - except for the Obama admin.
In comparison - Bush, Reagan and Nixon were all corrupt and all catastrophic.
Unless Clinton is running against Obama - she literally has no competition.
^ But they already were in the white house Mrs. Dowd.
They gave us a budget surplus, 25 million jobs, wages were rising and there was no war.
The worst aspect was the tabloid nonsense - which your gossip column secretly adores.
But it was still better than any Presidency in modern times - except for the Obama admin.
In comparison - Bush, Reagan and Nixon were all corrupt and all catastrophic.
Unless Clinton is running against Obama - she literally has no competition.
169
How does Ms. Dowd know she'd be fired if she were at State? Everyone knew what her server was for the years she was there.
I read as much as I could before giving up. Ms. Dowd's shtick of seeming to be even handed by her cutesy putdowns of the Clintons' personalities has gotten tiresome.
I read as much as I could before giving up. Ms. Dowd's shtick of seeming to be even handed by her cutesy putdowns of the Clintons' personalities has gotten tiresome.
121
A few corrections:
- HRC is not well on her way to anything except retirement (woohoo). Don't believe the popularity polls. Not one bit. Those supporting Trump are gaming the pollsters all the way to the polling booth (and rolling on the floor laughing). Trump is as certain as night follows day, yes, even with summer time.
- Lynch and Obama are no longer perfect brands. In fact, both have completely blown their time in high offices with careless attention-seeking ideological actions. Spoilt goods, really, Barack a few notches ahead in the department
- Director Comey's star is set to rise. Especially with his HRC political indictment, shown he's one of the shrewdest operators on Washington. What a game changer, in one go threw egg and spread pie all over HRC, all in the name of pleasing his bosses, plus pleased both the FBI and the public by finally putting the lid on the sordid state of HRC affairs. Like!
- No issue with Trump's finger on any button. Huge issue with Barack and his crayons and colorful sandlines. Great way to spend time with kids on a Hawaii beach, but definitely not to conduct foreign policy. Hopefully, we as a country are done with that.
Nevertheless, an opinion that speaks a thinking mind while at the same time, giving short shrift to PC. A rarity these days, especially inside these papers. On the money, Ms. Dowdy on the money. Thank you.
- HRC is not well on her way to anything except retirement (woohoo). Don't believe the popularity polls. Not one bit. Those supporting Trump are gaming the pollsters all the way to the polling booth (and rolling on the floor laughing). Trump is as certain as night follows day, yes, even with summer time.
- Lynch and Obama are no longer perfect brands. In fact, both have completely blown their time in high offices with careless attention-seeking ideological actions. Spoilt goods, really, Barack a few notches ahead in the department
- Director Comey's star is set to rise. Especially with his HRC political indictment, shown he's one of the shrewdest operators on Washington. What a game changer, in one go threw egg and spread pie all over HRC, all in the name of pleasing his bosses, plus pleased both the FBI and the public by finally putting the lid on the sordid state of HRC affairs. Like!
- No issue with Trump's finger on any button. Huge issue with Barack and his crayons and colorful sandlines. Great way to spend time with kids on a Hawaii beach, but definitely not to conduct foreign policy. Hopefully, we as a country are done with that.
Nevertheless, an opinion that speaks a thinking mind while at the same time, giving short shrift to PC. A rarity these days, especially inside these papers. On the money, Ms. Dowdy on the money. Thank you.
36
Maureen--brilliant Gatsby reference and analogy:
"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made."
"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made."
46
It would be preferable to ignore Dowd but given her Sunday perch at the NYT, but just this once I won't.
For her entire adult life, Hillary Clinton has been striving to do good, to make the country a better place. From heading Legal Services Corporation to pushing Wal-Mart to be more progressive, to getting millions of kids health care, her successes have not pleased conservatives, who for 30 years have subjected her to relentless, vicious smears. The things they still use to try to smear her -- Whitewater, Travelgate, Vince Foster, Benghazi, and now this idiotic circus they are trying to stir up regarding her email server -- are nothing more than fervent GOP wishful thinking. And now yet again Ms. Dowd serves as an oh-so-clever echo chamber, attacking the most qualified and competent person to run for president in a generation.
On the other side of the aisle, we have Donald Trump, who for his entire life has exhibited no concern whatsoever for the well-being of anyone other than himself. He used his inherited fortune as a means to scam and defraud thousands of people. A con man, bigot, racist, serial womanizer, narcissist, and straight-faced liar who has zero experience in public service and neither knows nor cares about our system of government or the rule of law. If Mrs. Clinton had engaged in even a tiny portion of the types of bad behavior Mr. Trump displays on a daily basis, her campaign would have long since gone down in flames.
For her entire adult life, Hillary Clinton has been striving to do good, to make the country a better place. From heading Legal Services Corporation to pushing Wal-Mart to be more progressive, to getting millions of kids health care, her successes have not pleased conservatives, who for 30 years have subjected her to relentless, vicious smears. The things they still use to try to smear her -- Whitewater, Travelgate, Vince Foster, Benghazi, and now this idiotic circus they are trying to stir up regarding her email server -- are nothing more than fervent GOP wishful thinking. And now yet again Ms. Dowd serves as an oh-so-clever echo chamber, attacking the most qualified and competent person to run for president in a generation.
On the other side of the aisle, we have Donald Trump, who for his entire life has exhibited no concern whatsoever for the well-being of anyone other than himself. He used his inherited fortune as a means to scam and defraud thousands of people. A con man, bigot, racist, serial womanizer, narcissist, and straight-faced liar who has zero experience in public service and neither knows nor cares about our system of government or the rule of law. If Mrs. Clinton had engaged in even a tiny portion of the types of bad behavior Mr. Trump displays on a daily basis, her campaign would have long since gone down in flames.
193
Whoever will be elected president must have a very thick skin because vicious criticism will come from all sides, yet the president must remain calm and offer leadership and clear judgement. Hillary Clinton has repeatedly demonstrated this essential strength of effective presidents. She has also demonstrated that she knows her stuff. Over several decades teams of the best lawyers that money can buy have been thrown at various issues that have arisen to nail her. No one has pinned anything on her. Clearly, she understands the system that she operates in. Understanding of how the system works is another key characteristic of an effective president. At this point the most powerful political technology available is being used to influence decisions of the public with appeals to the fears of white supremacists, bigots and the extreme religious right. Similar methods were used to win BREXIT. It takes more than a drive for power to persevere against a mud slide. There must be a deep love of country and the principles for which the US is recognized - the rule of law and the possibility of a rules based order marked by dialogue among nations and not war and conflict. Clinton has deep experience, but she has demonstrated the willingness to learn from the many mistakes that she has made. She has also demonstrated the strength to admit her mistakes and to move on to face the challenges that lie ahead. She can defeat Trump and she can become an outstanding president.
105
Yo, Mo, the Clintons are the most entitled people in the US, you know that. And now she tells us that the FBI got it all wrong, she's never careless or reckless, only subordinates are. She's essentially declaring war on Comey & the FBI. Maybe we'll get lucky, again, and a deep throat will soon emerge.
41
Maureen, 2 things: 1) elections are about choices. As flawed as Hillary is, (let's face it) she is a better choice than Trump. I don't like her and will probably not donate to her campaign, but I will reluctantly vote for her. 2) more importantly, please do not drag President Obama into the ugly Clinton quagmire. He has been an exemplary scandal free president who continues to voice "hope" for a nation torn by strife across races,religions and different classes. Please don't drag him into their muck. We will sorely miss the Obamas next January. We'll need to learn to live with Hillary for 4 years and hope a New Democrat (or even moderate Republican) hopeful emerges before 2020.
43
More of the same tired old Clinton bashing from Maureen Dowd. You're not paranoid if everybody really is out to get you, and since the start of the 1990s, everybody on the right has been out to get Bill and Hillary Clinton. And why not? Bill is the greatest politician of his generation, and Hillary is perhaps the brightest of the Baby Boomers. When the Clintons won, we got years of peace and prosperity. When their adversaries won, we got war and financial ruin. The choice this November is no less stark, but you wouldn't know it from Ms. Dowd's columns.
153
In this remarkable political season, I join many in Britain and in the U.S. who yearn for a "do-over". Clinton versus Trump?! I don't think that choice is going to grow on me between now and election day. I'm not too optimistic about the four years after the election either. I'll vote for the candidate who I "trust" to appoint liberal-leaning Supreme Court justices and the one I'm less worried about in terms of having a finger on the nuclear button. A Faustian deal indeed.
15
According to Fred Kaplan (and I know he's right from my own experience in military intelligence), "secret" level is close to meaningless--he, like me, got his secret clearance the first day on the job, no vetting done. "Secret" means, essentially, "don't be too stupid about whom you share this information with."
"Top secret" covers a lot of ground--not just military, national intelligence and covert program information, but also high-level communications between the U.S. and other governments, regardless of content. Wikileaks spilled tons of "top secret" information, some of it very embarrassing but, so far as I can recall, none of it compromising to American troops or intelligence programs. In Clinton's case, many of the "top secret" e-mails discussed American relations with small nations; I think, e.g., Malawi was mentioned. Not good, of course, especially for someone who'd be responsible for leading by example. But not exactly Venona-level stuff, either.
"Top secret" covers a lot of ground--not just military, national intelligence and covert program information, but also high-level communications between the U.S. and other governments, regardless of content. Wikileaks spilled tons of "top secret" information, some of it very embarrassing but, so far as I can recall, none of it compromising to American troops or intelligence programs. In Clinton's case, many of the "top secret" e-mails discussed American relations with small nations; I think, e.g., Malawi was mentioned. Not good, of course, especially for someone who'd be responsible for leading by example. But not exactly Venona-level stuff, either.
35
For once in a very long time Maureen, I find your article sadly true rather than snarky. The Clintons are two of the most talented and intelligent grifters to reach high office in this country. Then there is Trump, totally unsuited to be President of the United States and keeper of the nuclear hot button. A Faustian choice if ever there was one. KA
45
Sainthood is not a qualification for the office. We could do worse than Clinton -- witness any Republican you can name. We could do very much worse -- witness her opponent, that orange lunatic.
111
Mo slow down for a moment. Do you understand where the big flaw lies?
Every major corporation has a security czar in its IT organization who has the total responsibility to protect that corporation's IT and communications assets. Individuals are not allowed to be rogue.
In the case of the State Department the fault lies with both its IT organization and the Federal government overall since it appears to have lacked a solid compatible defense system across all of its platforms and agencies.
Let's not shout out that what happened to Hillary is entirely her fault and negligence. She was hired to run the State Department and not reinvent the organization. What happened with Hillary's server and the Benghazi tragedy was due to poor infrastructure at State.
We need to attract and gather top caliber people in IT and communications security in every agency and make working for our government a great privilege.
Except that the GOP uses the work of our federal employees and agencies as political flotsam and jetsam. Our Congress has to set examples and quality goals for our agencies and personnel but because it has collected so many B-team players it is not working for us. Paul Ryan is another nudge and Mitch McConnell is a political sociopath who has no empathy for his victims.
Every major corporation has a security czar in its IT organization who has the total responsibility to protect that corporation's IT and communications assets. Individuals are not allowed to be rogue.
In the case of the State Department the fault lies with both its IT organization and the Federal government overall since it appears to have lacked a solid compatible defense system across all of its platforms and agencies.
Let's not shout out that what happened to Hillary is entirely her fault and negligence. She was hired to run the State Department and not reinvent the organization. What happened with Hillary's server and the Benghazi tragedy was due to poor infrastructure at State.
We need to attract and gather top caliber people in IT and communications security in every agency and make working for our government a great privilege.
Except that the GOP uses the work of our federal employees and agencies as political flotsam and jetsam. Our Congress has to set examples and quality goals for our agencies and personnel but because it has collected so many B-team players it is not working for us. Paul Ryan is another nudge and Mitch McConnell is a political sociopath who has no empathy for his victims.
72
Am I alone in struggling with a challenging thought problem, as a means of escaping the hostage situation you are so correct to identify explicitly: if Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell think they can control Donald Trump in the White House, legislatively, why not focus every energy on capturing at least the Senate from the Republicans, and let the chips fall where they may for a single term for Trump, upstairs? How long do we yield to this ignominious couple, the ficklest friends progressives have ever had, and blink now at their boastful abuse of the Constitution's restraint on Presidential terms, just to spare ourselves the embarrassment of an apparently controllable dolt in the White House? No, I don't think I'm alone in wondering.
18
It's not the Clintons who have offered the Faustian deal but the Republicans. Had they been able to nominate a more acceptable alternative, Trump would be back worrying about settling the Trump University law suit and keeping the union out of his Las Vegas hotel instead of planning the entertainment for the Republican convention.
32
I wish Maureen would give us some concrete examples of Hillary's "shade," which has always had a lot to do with the Republican campaign to destroy her for the past 25 years. Republicans have also done everything they can to sully the reputations of everyone who comes into contact with the Clintons and Obamas. George W. Bush brought a whole shady glen's worth of of shade to the White House and lied us into one of history's most tragic wars, yet his entire administrations remains spotlessly sunlit in the eyes of Republicans and the media. Maureen, thanks for joining in the fun and making it so much easier for the dimwits to elect Donald Trump as our next president. Bashing the Clintons fits right into their plans -- in fact, it's their only plan. Again, thanks.
85
Thank you for this plain spoken article. These two have some serious character issues and I think it will be the thing that kills her chances to beat an oaf like Trump. I thought it would be the Republicans breaking their party with Trump. Unless a miracle happens and they elect Bernie, The Dems are in worse trouble.
29
Many of us are sick of it. We've had enough. I will vote third party. I can no longer hold my nose to vote for " the lesser of two evils." Trump would be a fast disaster for America. Hillary a slower but inexorable disaster. We have to get the money out of politics and out of government. America can no longer afford to have a President and Congress sold to the highest bidder and doing the bidding of the 1%.
34
I feel like we've heard a lot about the Clintons from Dowd over the years, and depending on what happens, we may end up hearing a lot more. A number of our leaders have violated the email protocols and not been indicted, or even received much scrutiny for it. Before we were facing the prospect of W. Now we're looking at the possibility of Trump. I do hope opinion writers keep in mind the nation's best interests.
45
Ms. Dowd is not wrong, but there is no right alternative available. The only two people capable of winning the White House are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump; punching a ballot for anyone else is a wasted chad.
Unwilling to articulate a comprehensive theme for her campaign, and lacking anything approaching a solution to our short or long term economic problems, Mrs. Clinton must still win. Therefore I suggest a slogan that might restore a little frankness to her relationship with the American people, who do not expect her to be honest, and would not trust her again if she were.
"Vote for Hillary! What Choice Do You Have?"
Anyway. Think of the Supreme Court and let's just get it over with.
Unwilling to articulate a comprehensive theme for her campaign, and lacking anything approaching a solution to our short or long term economic problems, Mrs. Clinton must still win. Therefore I suggest a slogan that might restore a little frankness to her relationship with the American people, who do not expect her to be honest, and would not trust her again if she were.
"Vote for Hillary! What Choice Do You Have?"
Anyway. Think of the Supreme Court and let's just get it over with.
14
This is a classic case of highlighting something less that snow white pure about a person and making it everything about them. It's called scapegoating; Maureen Dowd's greatest skill. Truth-telling not so much. That's where the contamination lies. As for the FBI, suddenly everybody trusts them?
And how on earth can Dowd speak for the man she's been consistently trashing at every opportunity these years? She has no idea whether her statement that President Obama wanted Hillary Clinton because she would build on his legacy is true or not.
But truth has never matter to Dowd. Even if she interviewed Obama on the subject she would twist his answers. Yet she's soft on Donald Trump. I always wondered, what would she do for subject material when Obama's term is over. Now I know. She's got a new victim.
And how on earth can Dowd speak for the man she's been consistently trashing at every opportunity these years? She has no idea whether her statement that President Obama wanted Hillary Clinton because she would build on his legacy is true or not.
But truth has never matter to Dowd. Even if she interviewed Obama on the subject she would twist his answers. Yet she's soft on Donald Trump. I always wondered, what would she do for subject material when Obama's term is over. Now I know. She's got a new victim.
84
Oh boy....the upcoming debates for the Presidency will be very interesting...IF, whoever anchors them has the guts to confront Ms Clinton. She is NOW saying she "believed" her emails weren't classified. And disagrees with Comey that she was "extremely careless"! Her Democratic friends PRAISED Comey- so she even disagrees with THEM.
God help us.
God help us.
27
There is something wrong with you.
60
America has a lot bigger problems than Hillary Clinton's email server. In this week where we are witnessing America literally being torn apart by racism and violence, you have to wonder why Maureen Dowd can't quit the broken record default mode.
82
Hillary is untrustworthy and unfit to lead the country. Comey's evidence was damning. This sad saga was first reported by the New York Times. Props and kudos to you all.
21
Listening to President Obama give his speech on Saturday, I closed my eyes and tried to imagine either Hillary or Trump giving the same speech, saying those same words. I couldn't and worse, when I tried to put Obama's words in those other mouths they not only didn't fit, they rang hollow. Content is only a part of it - delivery and personality are the rest.
Are we so bankrupt as a people that this is the best we can do? We've painted ourselves into a political corner, with no obvious way out and no one to blame but ourselves.
Are we so bankrupt as a people that this is the best we can do? We've painted ourselves into a political corner, with no obvious way out and no one to blame but ourselves.
25
Note to younger readers: "Clinton Fatigue" does not refer to America as a whole. Rather, it describes the condition that afflicts the Clintons' defenders in the Media and the Democratic Party. Every few weeks, there's a new Clinton revelation, Republicans go nuts, and the Clintonistas have to defend the indefensible.
22
Even the ghostbusters can't handle all the Clinton slime.
21
It's confusing. How could Comey conclude Hillary was extremely careless with classified information considering the fact that, according to him, there were only three Emails out of the thousands that were reviewed that might have been at issue however when probed he admitted there wasn't the usual classified header; instead there was a small c in the body of the Email that he also admitted could easily be overlooked. Even those, if I recall accurately, turned out to not be classified. As for as Benghazi, she was exonerated. So, please, pick on someone else and leave Hillary alone. And by the way, President Obama's insights and depth and direct personal experience as her previous boss allows him to know and see as he stated the experienced, extremely qualified, caring future president Hillary Clinton will surely be.
60
Hillary Clinton was unwise and perhaps careless, but Condoleezza and Colin Powell also used private servers.
The question which has been confirmed recently is that there is indeed a choice between Clinton and Trump. A vote for Trump will see a very conservative SCOTUS, and goodbye to women's rights.
Of course Hillary Clinton was wrong about Libya, but that blunder does not compare with GWB's Iraq fiasco. Also it is an open truth that Bill Clinton specifically warned his successor that an Al Qaeda attack on the US was imminent, but 9/11 still happened. KBR was the only beneficiary of the Iraq war as the rightful angry, but inappropriate, response of Americans to that horror.
The question which has been confirmed recently is that there is indeed a choice between Clinton and Trump. A vote for Trump will see a very conservative SCOTUS, and goodbye to women's rights.
Of course Hillary Clinton was wrong about Libya, but that blunder does not compare with GWB's Iraq fiasco. Also it is an open truth that Bill Clinton specifically warned his successor that an Al Qaeda attack on the US was imminent, but 9/11 still happened. KBR was the only beneficiary of the Iraq war as the rightful angry, but inappropriate, response of Americans to that horror.
26
Hillary released her emails-50K of them. My current job is in public disclosure. So I read zillions of public officials' emails. Most of the electeds are having to be trained to stop using their private emails, cell phones, etc to conduct business. Why do they do it? Because it is something they have been doing forever, because it is easier, because they did it before they became officials, because they are older people and have a harder time figuring out how to direct their devices to the shared servers. Hillary admitted she made a mistake.Jeb Bush used a private server to handle state business when he was governor, but no one made a big deal about that. Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell also used personal email accounts that had classified emails in them. It has been distressing to see people attack Clinton viciously for everything that I have to believe they would not do to a man. She was crucified as the First Lady for doing more than giving tea parties, for forgiving her husband for cheating, for being a strong smart woman with ambition. This article attempts to tarnish her because of who she is married to, again, the wife role. And it brands her actions in gutter terms that are not supported by the investigation. Hillary is a role model to many of us who thought none of us would see the possibility of a smart brave woman at the helm. Obama is right on about Hillary. Even Republicans praised her as a rock star for her performance as Secretary of State.
88
So Hillary is ethically disadvantaged. This is not news and this was not an interesting column. Furthermore, this type of attack is exactly the type to which Bill and Hillary react by circling the wagons.
By the way, I can imagine easily imagine Hillary in the White House, and I do not believe that we have to have low expectations of her. How about writing a column about goals and policies for the Hillary presidency? If you actually have any policy ideas to contribute, that could actually benefit us all. Otherwise, you just sound whiny.
By the way, I can imagine easily imagine Hillary in the White House, and I do not believe that we have to have low expectations of her. How about writing a column about goals and policies for the Hillary presidency? If you actually have any policy ideas to contribute, that could actually benefit us all. Otherwise, you just sound whiny.
113
You had me pretty much completely until you brought up Obama, "who bypassed his own vice president to lay out the red carpet for Hillary." Let's not forget that Joe Biden suffered his own tragedies and bowed out of the running on his own accord and volition.
If only Joe didn't...
If only Joe didn't...
12
Ms Dowd. Republicans have been smearing their goo on any Democrat in charge of the country, along with any Democrat who is capable of ascending to that role. Get to the real source of the contamination over the past couple of decades: Republicans. The Hillary "untrustworthy, criminal" label is being test marketed by the GOP (& gleefully endorsed by bitter Bernie Bro's) to replace the Obama Muslim, non US citizen "otherness" label.
If Hillary Clinton were a male Republican Secretary of State, "he" would no doubt be regarded as a highly respected, honorable Secretary of State regardless of "his" use of a private email account like upstanding, Colin Powell. Using a private server would probably earn our imaginary male Hillary Clinton a label of "take-charge-commander-in-chief-ready maverick," rather than the equivalent of "Shrill Hill," untrustworthy dame.
It is really very telling how distorted the facts have become regarding Mrs. Clinton's use of both a private email account & server based on the comments to your column. So many conflicting interpretations about what & when both Mrs. Clinton & other high ranking members of the State Dept knew or didn't know, along with the identification & labeling of State Dept emails as highly classified, "top secret." Once again the Republicans & their usual suspect media shills have done a Benghazi-like masterful job impugning Mrs Clinton for all evils in the world. Up next, why global warming is the fault of Hillary Clinton.
If Hillary Clinton were a male Republican Secretary of State, "he" would no doubt be regarded as a highly respected, honorable Secretary of State regardless of "his" use of a private email account like upstanding, Colin Powell. Using a private server would probably earn our imaginary male Hillary Clinton a label of "take-charge-commander-in-chief-ready maverick," rather than the equivalent of "Shrill Hill," untrustworthy dame.
It is really very telling how distorted the facts have become regarding Mrs. Clinton's use of both a private email account & server based on the comments to your column. So many conflicting interpretations about what & when both Mrs. Clinton & other high ranking members of the State Dept knew or didn't know, along with the identification & labeling of State Dept emails as highly classified, "top secret." Once again the Republicans & their usual suspect media shills have done a Benghazi-like masterful job impugning Mrs Clinton for all evils in the world. Up next, why global warming is the fault of Hillary Clinton.
61
I'm still waiting to read the transcripts of the speeches Hillary Clinton gave to Goldman Sachs at over $200K fee each. If she wants to work on her trustworthiness and honesty scores, which deservedly are in the toilet, why not start with disclosure of those speeches? Then there's the matter of refusing to hold any press conferences. That is a rather Nixonian approach to the presidency, don't you think?
34
Donald Trump - Declared loudly and railed against the war in Iraq. And he was in New York City when 911 happened and saw it first hand;
Senator Clinton - Voted for the War in Iraq and the disaster it brings us today, including ISIL.
Whose judgment would you rather have in the Oval Office?
Think before you vote?
Senator Clinton - Voted for the War in Iraq and the disaster it brings us today, including ISIL.
Whose judgment would you rather have in the Oval Office?
Think before you vote?
18
All borne out by the evidence. Maureen is spot on.
31
Im sorry, your "morales" may tell you not to vote for Clinton, but she is the greatest hope for this country. Sure you might thing thats "sad", but be realistic, no one has wanted the presidency more and no one will try harder to make this country a better place. And if you really think her "carelessnes" with her emails will matter in her presidency, try not to be too naive. Please, I beg of you all, do your constitutional duty and make sure we elect the person who won't run this country, or possibly the whole world, into chaos.
27
Would you rather have Trump as president? Another Clinton hit job by Maureen. Sure Hillary has some problems, but she is competent to be president and has the experience for it.
53
It's funny, because I was at one time perplexed by Ms Dowd's unhappiness with the Clintons. What was so perplexing was that Ms Dowd is obviously a very sharp tack (in numerous ways!) and there was this consistent unhappiness with the Clintons. I say this from the perspective of personally being somewhat of a party faithful at the time to the Democrwtic Party.
Then the current election cycle happened. An election cycle that was preceded by years in which I followed current events and politics quite closely with a single minded purpose to understand much better now things work.
And now funnily, I'm no longer perplexed by Maureen's stance on the Clintons. In fact, this particular op-ed is spot-on. The Clintons sully things and create scandal just about everywhere they go. They bend the rules no matter the cost, they revise the truth repeatedly, they lie, they're reckless with the lives of others, but perhaps most of all - they do this primarily for their own benefit and nothing more. Now it looks like Clinton will be throwing some of her own former staff under the bus (regardless of whether it's part of a larger charade).
And no, people, this isn't because of some Republican vendetta. As poorly as the Republicans behave at times, they too can be validly unhappy in the face of someone's repeated misbehaviour.
Maureen, please keep being the voice of witty, biting truth when so many others have taken leave of their senses... which might even include some of your colleagues.
Then the current election cycle happened. An election cycle that was preceded by years in which I followed current events and politics quite closely with a single minded purpose to understand much better now things work.
And now funnily, I'm no longer perplexed by Maureen's stance on the Clintons. In fact, this particular op-ed is spot-on. The Clintons sully things and create scandal just about everywhere they go. They bend the rules no matter the cost, they revise the truth repeatedly, they lie, they're reckless with the lives of others, but perhaps most of all - they do this primarily for their own benefit and nothing more. Now it looks like Clinton will be throwing some of her own former staff under the bus (regardless of whether it's part of a larger charade).
And no, people, this isn't because of some Republican vendetta. As poorly as the Republicans behave at times, they too can be validly unhappy in the face of someone's repeated misbehaviour.
Maureen, please keep being the voice of witty, biting truth when so many others have taken leave of their senses... which might even include some of your colleagues.
31
The credibility of this article is compromised by distortions. For example, it is not true that “Comey…revealed that instead of no emails with classified information, as Hillary had insisted, there were 110...” What he said was “110 e-mails...have been determined by the owning agency to contain classified information at the time they were sent or received.” He is referring to information assessed now as classified but not marked contemporaneously as classified.
Federal law makes it a crime to “knowingly and willfully” disclose or transmit secret information to an “unauthorized person.” A second law makes it a crime to “remove” secret documents kept by the government or to allow them to be stolen through “gross negligence.” Neither law applies to what Comey described as Clinton’s “extremely careless” handling of classified emails. Government investigators did not find evidence Clinton knowingly or intentionally disclosed government secrets or that she exposed secrets through gross negligence. There is no evidence that classified information received or sent by Clinton was contained in emails formally classified and marked Confidential, Secret or Top Secret. Without such classification, inclusion of classified content in any of the messages in or out of her server, whether private- or government-owned, would be the responsibility of someone else unless she were the origin of the sensitive information and failed to classify it as such.
Federal law makes it a crime to “knowingly and willfully” disclose or transmit secret information to an “unauthorized person.” A second law makes it a crime to “remove” secret documents kept by the government or to allow them to be stolen through “gross negligence.” Neither law applies to what Comey described as Clinton’s “extremely careless” handling of classified emails. Government investigators did not find evidence Clinton knowingly or intentionally disclosed government secrets or that she exposed secrets through gross negligence. There is no evidence that classified information received or sent by Clinton was contained in emails formally classified and marked Confidential, Secret or Top Secret. Without such classification, inclusion of classified content in any of the messages in or out of her server, whether private- or government-owned, would be the responsibility of someone else unless she were the origin of the sensitive information and failed to classify it as such.
28
Is there anyone that Maureen Dowd thinks should be President? I can't remember when she has had a favorable opinion of anyone in public office. What good is having a public platform when you find anything positive to talk about? I guess she is trying to bring people together by disliking everyone else equally.
24
OK... both candidates are not good... but one is much worse than the other.
Unless you are a Democrat sycophant, there is no way you can conscientiously vote for the Clintons. On the other hand, Trump is a bombast, BUT he has been highly successful and does represent a much needed change for our federal gov't. I personally don't think he'll do any harm, and will likely make some subtle changes to Washington DC politics that will be good.
I also think Trump is much less likely to make miscalculations leading to another overseas military adventure, which is almost a certainty with the Clintons back in the White House... wasn't Bill impeached? Convicted of lying, disbarred and fined $90,000? Bill's wife is at least partially responsible for botching the Arab spring, Libya, Russia and other foreign misadventures... notice I didn't mention the mishandling of classified info.
Trump may even be able to apply some of his financial genius and get our fiscal house in order.. or not.. but still I just can't stomach the Clintons.
Unless you are a Democrat sycophant, there is no way you can conscientiously vote for the Clintons. On the other hand, Trump is a bombast, BUT he has been highly successful and does represent a much needed change for our federal gov't. I personally don't think he'll do any harm, and will likely make some subtle changes to Washington DC politics that will be good.
I also think Trump is much less likely to make miscalculations leading to another overseas military adventure, which is almost a certainty with the Clintons back in the White House... wasn't Bill impeached? Convicted of lying, disbarred and fined $90,000? Bill's wife is at least partially responsible for botching the Arab spring, Libya, Russia and other foreign misadventures... notice I didn't mention the mishandling of classified info.
Trump may even be able to apply some of his financial genius and get our fiscal house in order.. or not.. but still I just can't stomach the Clintons.
14
The FBI investigation found Clinton and her team were "extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information." It pointed out that any "reasonable" person should have known better than to use "an unclassified system" for transmitting top-secret, highly sensitive information on servers vulnerable to hacking by our enemies. Indeed the FBI confirmed that some with whom Hillary corresponded regularly were definitely hacked. So it boils down to this-- Hillary Clinton put American national security interests at risk by using a private email server-- a completely unnecessary breach of protocol. Why would someone in her position knowingly take that kind of risk?
Now, of course, Hillary is not an unintelligent person. The idea that she did not know what she was doing, or was technically unsophisticated, or unaware if emails were classified at the time she was sending them, or did this for the convenience of using one device, and turned over all over work-related emails, etc., are all misrepresentations that both the FBI report and Mr. Comey's testimony this week have debunked.
As a government employee she was obligated to preserve all her emails and to use a classified, secure system. She deliberately chose to not follow these common sense rules, destroyed emails that weren't hers and then lied to cover it up. With all that, she still finds many enablers to justify her wrongdoing. And the President, FBI director & AG let her slide. Sickening.
Now, of course, Hillary is not an unintelligent person. The idea that she did not know what she was doing, or was technically unsophisticated, or unaware if emails were classified at the time she was sending them, or did this for the convenience of using one device, and turned over all over work-related emails, etc., are all misrepresentations that both the FBI report and Mr. Comey's testimony this week have debunked.
As a government employee she was obligated to preserve all her emails and to use a classified, secure system. She deliberately chose to not follow these common sense rules, destroyed emails that weren't hers and then lied to cover it up. With all that, she still finds many enablers to justify her wrongdoing. And the President, FBI director & AG let her slide. Sickening.
29
Paraphrasing Hillary to her staff, sometime during 2009 "I'd like to carry around only one device instead of two, can we set something up and still keep my personal emails private?". Her staff's likely response " yes madam secretary, I'm sure we can figure something out". This very same conversation has been happening between leaders and their teams in government agencies and major corporations across the country, since the invention of the smart phone. None of these people personally analyzed the technical and process details or issues. They counted on staff and IT to execute a solution. It's not arrogant, it's not unusual, it's not a conspiracy. It's the way it is in the real world. This includes some in Congress and their staffs. This likely also includes many who use private servers instead of insecure public services (like Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice occasionally did). Yahoo and AOL are far less secure than a properly set up server, physically guarded by the secret service. If republicans in congress were truly concerned about security, they would be conducting a broad examination of all their peers as well. I guarantee that many were equally less than perfect in handling government email. The only thing arrogant here, is republican leaders wasting so much time and money in order to deflect attention away from the most unstable and conniving GOP nominee in a hundred years. Donald J. Trump is the very definition of arrogance and unethical behavior.
57
A grand jury would have put the issue at arms length from the FBI and DOJ; however, they could not have controlled it's outcome. They could not risk an indictment. For our government to work all have to be subject equally under the law and the public must support the accountability no matter how much we favor the individual.
8
I've been rereading Christopher Hitchens "No One left to Lie To" about Bill and Hill. He nailed it. None of this should be unexpected. The transgressions are being revealed incrementally, like peeling an onion. Unfortunately there is probably not enough time left to discover the true intent and extent of the e-mail "caper" before the nomination coronation. Best to strap in for a bumpy ride.
19
Is this an impeachment of the ethical standards of the Clintons or an implicit endorsement Donald
Trump?---Would you really rather have Donald than Hillary? From your perspective she may not be better. From the perspective of Bernie Sanders and
Most of the rest of us there is no choice. Donald is too dangerous to direct our foreign policy and too disengaged from the struggles of poor and middle class people to develop an economy that makes us feel like we are one people.
Trump?---Would you really rather have Donald than Hillary? From your perspective she may not be better. From the perspective of Bernie Sanders and
Most of the rest of us there is no choice. Donald is too dangerous to direct our foreign policy and too disengaged from the struggles of poor and middle class people to develop an economy that makes us feel like we are one people.
19
If Hilary had a scintilla of integrity she would step aside for Joe Biden rather stain the office of the Presidency. The country needs a unifier not a promoter of self-aggrandizing politics that puts bombing ahead of peoples lives.
26
In a recent CNN interview, Hillary told Wolf Blitzer that her use of the email server 'was a mistake'.
Later in the interview, when asked repeatedly about her intention to cooperate with a State Department investigation, after her earlier refusal to do so with the Department's Office of the Inspector General, she responded by repeating twice a story illustrating that she had no awareness of receiving or sending classified material, citing messages received from 'over 300 professionals'. She simply refused twice to answer the question.
If Hillary truly believes she did nothing wrong, It remains fully unclear how she can claim to have made a mistake for doing something she says was perfectly ok.
Is Hillary now also lying about her claim of having made a mistake?
Later in the interview, when asked repeatedly about her intention to cooperate with a State Department investigation, after her earlier refusal to do so with the Department's Office of the Inspector General, she responded by repeating twice a story illustrating that she had no awareness of receiving or sending classified material, citing messages received from 'over 300 professionals'. She simply refused twice to answer the question.
If Hillary truly believes she did nothing wrong, It remains fully unclear how she can claim to have made a mistake for doing something she says was perfectly ok.
Is Hillary now also lying about her claim of having made a mistake?
18
"What should disturb Obama is that the email transgression is not a one off. It’s part of a long pattern of ethical slipping and sliding, obsessive secrecy and paranoia, and collateral damage."
Hillary has now refused to permit her delegates on the Democratic Party Convention Platform Committee to match her altered position against the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). Before Senator Sanders pointed out that bad trade agreements had led to the loss of millions of manufacturing jobs and the destruction of the middle class, Hillary Clinton had considered TPP to be the "gold standard" of trade agreements. It became politically expedient for her to agree that Senator Sanders was correct.
It's a little known fact that Hillary Clinton made a number of her $225,000 speeches to major Canadian banks with major investments in the Keystone Pipeline project. Clinton has steadfastly refused to release the transcripts of the 51 speeches she made to Wall Street banks and other major business interests in 2014 and 2015 in exchange for $11 million added to her sizeable personal wealth.
Bernie Sanders recently informed the media that if TPP is signed into law, under its terms, Canadian business interests can bring legal suit for billions of dollars in damages if the Keystone Pipeline project is not approved by her administration. This litigation will not be settled in a U. S. court but rather by a legal process provisioned by the terms of the TPP agreement.
Heads she wins, tails we lose!
Hillary has now refused to permit her delegates on the Democratic Party Convention Platform Committee to match her altered position against the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). Before Senator Sanders pointed out that bad trade agreements had led to the loss of millions of manufacturing jobs and the destruction of the middle class, Hillary Clinton had considered TPP to be the "gold standard" of trade agreements. It became politically expedient for her to agree that Senator Sanders was correct.
It's a little known fact that Hillary Clinton made a number of her $225,000 speeches to major Canadian banks with major investments in the Keystone Pipeline project. Clinton has steadfastly refused to release the transcripts of the 51 speeches she made to Wall Street banks and other major business interests in 2014 and 2015 in exchange for $11 million added to her sizeable personal wealth.
Bernie Sanders recently informed the media that if TPP is signed into law, under its terms, Canadian business interests can bring legal suit for billions of dollars in damages if the Keystone Pipeline project is not approved by her administration. This litigation will not be settled in a U. S. court but rather by a legal process provisioned by the terms of the TPP agreement.
Heads she wins, tails we lose!
22
My primary focus is on each candidate's position on the key issues; character and personality are distant secondary concerns. My first choice was Sanders because his progressive tax plan was the most prudent and fair -- and he is experienced and clean. Clinton is flawed, but her policy positions are at least somewhat progressive - and her experience is unrivaled. Trump is reactionary, regressive, sociopathically untruthful, and unapologetically bigoted.
156
The president's name is Barack Obama, not Barry. He hasn't gone by "Barry" since 1980. Refusing to call someone by their name is the sort of pernicious racism that I thought was above today's Times. It's the kind of jibe a white person thinks is okay because that's what the person was once called. It suggests an dualism, an unreliability, that undermines the person's very identity. I though everyone got the memo after America embraced Muhammad Ali and Kareem Abdul Jabbar, but I guess they'd just be Cassius and Lew to Maureen. I can't decide if she's moronic or merely sickening.
75
I sometimes like Dowd's columns, but whenever the Clintons are the subject, she seems to
lose her bearings. Her personal hatred of them is almost palpable, and it makes me question her conclusions.
lose her bearings. Her personal hatred of them is almost palpable, and it makes me question her conclusions.
62
So, we are left with the choices of crooked and stupid and crooked and smart. I'll take smart, while holding my nose.
8
God bless America because, by God, you need it, with your country's double standards. The email affair was a concentrated Republican smear campaign and Maureen's column is right over the top, containing statements that just aren't true. It was the same with Benghazi. Compare these smears with the terrible lies (conspiracy actually) behind "weapons of mass destruction" and Hilary becomes a saint.
44
This is beyond ludicrous.
The FBI spends months investigating Secretary Clinton for criminal activity, and finds ... none.
So, obviously, the story is that she is a very negligent, entitled sort of person who should never be President. Just not a criminal. Yet.
Get. A. Grip.
And rather than opining on the merits of other departments, perhaps the FBI Director could spend his time explaining how his agency completely bollixed the Orlando shooter.
Or he could explain how Clinton's server *might* have been hacked, but that the State Department's server *most definitely* was hacked.
Or is Mr. Comey's judgment only relevant when HRC is the target?
This is another witch hunt and many of us are tired of them.
The FBI spends months investigating Secretary Clinton for criminal activity, and finds ... none.
So, obviously, the story is that she is a very negligent, entitled sort of person who should never be President. Just not a criminal. Yet.
Get. A. Grip.
And rather than opining on the merits of other departments, perhaps the FBI Director could spend his time explaining how his agency completely bollixed the Orlando shooter.
Or he could explain how Clinton's server *might* have been hacked, but that the State Department's server *most definitely* was hacked.
Or is Mr. Comey's judgment only relevant when HRC is the target?
This is another witch hunt and many of us are tired of them.
59
I know I'm not the first person to say this, but Hillary is just a female Richard Nixon.
14
I don't know why Ms Dowd would write a column like this, unless she would prefer to see Mr. Trump as president. I simply do not see the flaws the Clintons bring with them as remotely comparable to the horrific risks that a Trump presidency would involve. Sure, Ms Clinton has done things she should not. I simply don't care, because there is nothing that she has done or that I could conceive of her doing that could possibly change my mind about who would be the better president, as between her and Mr. Trump.
50
Obama got what he deserved. He dangled the State Dept. in front of Clinton to get her out of the Senate so she could not spend the next for years running against him. His people knew she was way too vain to turn that down. Whether or not she was up to the job was immaterial. We are all paying for it.
17
Our choices this election feel like a nightmare meal: on one side of the table, a dish with such a pungent stink it lacerates your nose and you can't even open your eyes when go near it; on the other side of the table a bowl full of writhing maggots. Your host smiles, asks you to step through a curtain, sit at the table, and eat one of them.
14
I am so weary of defending the Clintons. No More. I don't know for whom I will vote (Jill Stein is looking better all the time). This over 65 remnant of the 1960's liberal feminism cannot support HRC.
32
" ... a president, campaign and party are all left twisting themselves into pretzels defending her... Imagine [the Clintons] in the White House with the benefit of low expectations."
This column is a masterpiece, sadly. We will no doubt be pulling this column out in a few years to see how right on it was.
This column is a masterpiece, sadly. We will no doubt be pulling this column out in a few years to see how right on it was.
19
Tom and Daisy Buchanan? How about Bonnie and Clyde?
23
We live in shameless times and the Clintons are the embodiment of that shamelessness. They are the last hurrah of late-stage capitalism with its Big Money depredations, its ideology of War & Terror, its addiction to power, its racism, and its abandonment of children, the elderly, and the poor. We live in shameless times and the Clintons hold a mirror up to our shamelessness. We ignore the image we see at our own peril.
38
I think I've developed masochism; every week I read Ms. Dowd and every week my blood pressure rises. Will Ms. Dowd ever be able to write a column that is fair and balanced about the Clintons or will she hang on to her tenure at the New York times long enough that she might malign the Clinton grandchildren? There was a time when she was able to write a column that was erudite and witty but she has become poisoned by her own vitriol. I'll rest up until next week...
74
"In a mere 11 days, arrogant, selfish actions by the Clintons contaminated three of the purest brands in Washington — Barack Obama..."
Huh, Maureen Dowd is admitting that eight years of dismissive "Barry" and the cult of cool aloofness columns had none of their intended deleterious effect on one "of the purest brands in Washington?" Maybe it's time to retire, Mo.
Huh, Maureen Dowd is admitting that eight years of dismissive "Barry" and the cult of cool aloofness columns had none of their intended deleterious effect on one "of the purest brands in Washington?" Maybe it's time to retire, Mo.
41
Hillary is loathed by Maureen
Hateful columns have been the routine
She'd be delighted
If Hill was indicted
But Comey has said that's too mean.
Cheer up Maureen, you'll have at least four more years to vent your spleen.
Hateful columns have been the routine
She'd be delighted
If Hill was indicted
But Comey has said that's too mean.
Cheer up Maureen, you'll have at least four more years to vent your spleen.
44
Ms Dowd is so snarky trying to pump up the most trivial of supposed Clinton transgressions into iniquities as serious as mortal sins. It's clear to anyone who reads a paper that the 4 deaths in Benghazi were due to Republican refusal to fund adequate security measures, not anything Hillary had power over. And NO ONE was killed or injured by her emails. Hundreds of thousands died in Iraq because of Bush/Cheney decisions. Hillary's pragmatic policies address real problems of inequities in America without the juvenile name calling of her opponent. I will be proud to vote for her.
61
Clinton was appointed by Obama and served as a member of his cabinet, at his discretion.
If he had a problem with her computing arrangement, he could have ordered her to stop, or fired her. He didn't.
That's not one person getting "goo" on someone else. That's two powerful people agreeing that a situation is acceptable to both of them.
If he had a problem with her computing arrangement, he could have ordered her to stop, or fired her. He didn't.
That's not one person getting "goo" on someone else. That's two powerful people agreeing that a situation is acceptable to both of them.
26
Most of the reader comments in these op eds on nyt are laughably and blatantly biased. Let's waste another 5-10 minutes reading 100 people shouting about why this piece is a hit piece/shouldn't matter. I wonder how many of you feel actual uneasiness over supporting Hillary compared to how many have convinced themselves that she is a great spectacular choice.
14
Ms. Dowd and Ms. Brezinski must share tea together to share their notes on HRC bashing and glee to gloat over the FBI report. I agre, give it a rest.
This country is in serious danger. It would have been nice if Ms. Dowd spoke about the atrocities happening to people of color and the police or the dangers of climate change, demagogues all over the world getting a foothold. If you investigated every person in Congress I am sure you would find scandals. How about government systems being hacked all the time, in spise of safeguards that don't work. There isn't any such thing as safe technology. It is time for less words and more positive action for the people of this country. More love and less hate. Your columns are starting to reflect the later.
This country is in serious danger. It would have been nice if Ms. Dowd spoke about the atrocities happening to people of color and the police or the dangers of climate change, demagogues all over the world getting a foothold. If you investigated every person in Congress I am sure you would find scandals. How about government systems being hacked all the time, in spise of safeguards that don't work. There isn't any such thing as safe technology. It is time for less words and more positive action for the people of this country. More love and less hate. Your columns are starting to reflect the later.
35
Clinton's clearance should be revoked. She is not fit to be President. Everything the Government does is classified. Obama should show some backbone.
20
Wow, now we can imagine being so jaded that issues and policies are beyond notice.
13
I refuse to give in to pessimism. I'm confident that this time the Clintons won't take too much furniture as they leave the White House.
14
Shocked! I'm proud that a prominent main-stream media "elite," has the courage to share her truth; which happens to be understood by most rational folks whom have witnessed far too long, the carnage of the Clinton's self-serving political machinery. No doubt, Trump is a mystery, but we all know what's coming with Hillary, unchecked corruption.
14
Those who are able to rationalize the US Sec of State flaunting the basics of managing classification have the same blind spots as those who dismiss Trump's stunning behavior as mere flaws. Any other election and Hillary is out. She's only still in because of the bizarre absurdity of the GOP. This is so bad, in so many ways, for us and the world. Sometimes you have to be above the law, eh Fawn Hall?
9
Ms. Clinton's server MAY have been compromised, but the state dept server she "should" have been using WAS compromised! It was also slow and clunky -- that's why Colin Powell and other previous and subsequent Secretaries did not use it. So -- Hillary was horrific for not using a slow server that was breached by foreign governments, and instead used her own efficient server that might have been safe. Tell me again, Maureen -- what is the issue here?
43
Love him or hate him, Bill Clinton is a smart man. If he wanted to work a deal with the AG would he do it in public or in private? Would he pick up a secure phone or do it in the blazing sun on an airport runway? Pause and think about it. I am not saying he did or did not work a deal with the AG, but I sure doubt that he did it on an airport runway if he did work a deal.
There seems a real eagerness to find the Clintons wrong about everything, including how they dress. It seems a little silly and childish to me. She was a good senator and a good SoS. If she aggravates you, too bad. This is not a cotillion, this is politics. Take all the aggravating folks out of it and the dance floor would be pretty lonely.
There seems a real eagerness to find the Clintons wrong about everything, including how they dress. It seems a little silly and childish to me. She was a good senator and a good SoS. If she aggravates you, too bad. This is not a cotillion, this is politics. Take all the aggravating folks out of it and the dance floor would be pretty lonely.
29
Just an absolutely disgusting move by Barry Soteoro to allow Hillary to stand at the Podium with the Presidential Seal as a candidate for the same office. This man hates this country and will do anything to keep his campaign of destruction going by supporting the campaign of this woman.
6
"It remains that with an opposed Congress [Hillary] wouldn’t accomplish anything as president but Trump just might."
Woah! It is truly scary that anyone could find that possibility to be even remotely comforting!!!
Woah! It is truly scary that anyone could find that possibility to be even remotely comforting!!!
17
"IT says a lot about our relationship with Hillary Clinton that she seems well on her way to becoming Madam President because she’s not getting indicted." Only in the world of a NYT reporter.
7
I continue to believe, as I have from the get-go, that the CFF will be Hillary's "gotcha". We will know much more about any transgressions in that regard after January 20, 2025.
5
Ms. Dowd implies an interesting comparison when she mentions short Trump fingers on the nuclear trigger. Her point must be that a successful businessman whose views and methods she finds lacking is too great a risk for the POTUS domain. But what about a lying finger? Her code word for lies (shadows) is clear. Allow me to restate the question, thus: "...get Hil's lying fingers on the nuclear trigger"? Short vs. lying; which is more dangerous?
Voters will face that tough choice in a few months. Nevertheless, "short" fingers can still be engaged and negotiated with. Lying fingers? How do you tell when they have stopped lying? And if they haven't stopped, how do you know what you've got in any case??
Voters will face that tough choice in a few months. Nevertheless, "short" fingers can still be engaged and negotiated with. Lying fingers? How do you tell when they have stopped lying? And if they haven't stopped, how do you know what you've got in any case??
11
Ms. Dowd says that Hillary Clinton is on her way to becoming Madam President because she's not being indicted. No, Ms. Dowd. Hillary Clinton is on her way to becoming President because she won the Democratic primaries by almost 4 million votes. And I voted for her because she's whip smart, hard working, knows public policy backward and forward, understands how government works, and has a long exciting list of goals and action proposals for making the U.S. a better country.
Yes, I've been reading the fine print on Hillary's campaign website. Have you bothered to read it, Ms. Dowd? Hillary's strongest qualification for the presidency, in my view, is her mastery of public policy. A President must figure out how to use the tools of public policy to move the country forward. Yes, a President has experts to give advice, but very often different experts give different advice, and it's up to the President to know what they're talking about and make the final tough choices. That's why President Obama stays up half the night studying his briefing book. President Hillary Clinton will do the same. No matter how thick the briefing book, she'll be on top of it by dawn.
Can you even begin to imagine Donald Trump doing his presidential homework? No, dawn will come, and Donald will still be clueless, making decisions according to his latest fantasy.
Hillary Clinton can handle the job of President, and I share her goals for our country. That's why I'll be voting for her.
Yes, I've been reading the fine print on Hillary's campaign website. Have you bothered to read it, Ms. Dowd? Hillary's strongest qualification for the presidency, in my view, is her mastery of public policy. A President must figure out how to use the tools of public policy to move the country forward. Yes, a President has experts to give advice, but very often different experts give different advice, and it's up to the President to know what they're talking about and make the final tough choices. That's why President Obama stays up half the night studying his briefing book. President Hillary Clinton will do the same. No matter how thick the briefing book, she'll be on top of it by dawn.
Can you even begin to imagine Donald Trump doing his presidential homework? No, dawn will come, and Donald will still be clueless, making decisions according to his latest fantasy.
Hillary Clinton can handle the job of President, and I share her goals for our country. That's why I'll be voting for her.
51
Maureen: I’m sure you will soon be called to write Donald Trump’s “I have a dream" speech (since he is so fond of plagiarism, a la Trump Institute), so the following should help you:
“
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up against its creed that all men are created equal and require its Muslim citizens to wear identifying crescents on their clothing.
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the immigrants will no longer be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood and will be returned to their country of origin.
I have a dream that my children will one day live in a nation where they will be judged not by the content of their character, but by the color of their skin.
I have a dream that one day the misogynists and anti semites whose support I do not reject will have their lips dripping with sexism and their tweets laced with profane images again
Let bigotry ring from the mighty mountains of New York…
“
That Trumpian dream is a nightmare for all good and decent Americans – as opposed to those who would like to “make America segregate again”, and, why no one in good conscience should vote for that dangerously divisive con man.
Yes, Clinton lied. But, if you put so much of a premium on the truth, then why should we not trust your “mischievous” “rogue” to live up to all that he has been promising in his speeches? Unless, you know that he is lying - which would defeat your very argument against Clinton.
“
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up against its creed that all men are created equal and require its Muslim citizens to wear identifying crescents on their clothing.
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the immigrants will no longer be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood and will be returned to their country of origin.
I have a dream that my children will one day live in a nation where they will be judged not by the content of their character, but by the color of their skin.
I have a dream that one day the misogynists and anti semites whose support I do not reject will have their lips dripping with sexism and their tweets laced with profane images again
Let bigotry ring from the mighty mountains of New York…
“
That Trumpian dream is a nightmare for all good and decent Americans – as opposed to those who would like to “make America segregate again”, and, why no one in good conscience should vote for that dangerously divisive con man.
Yes, Clinton lied. But, if you put so much of a premium on the truth, then why should we not trust your “mischievous” “rogue” to live up to all that he has been promising in his speeches? Unless, you know that he is lying - which would defeat your very argument against Clinton.
17
Not again. I wish I understood your obsession with the Clintons but then I'd be crazy too. This is over the top. You have two choices to analyze which one is appropriate or lesser of two evils for President and you choose HRC. I used to think you were the most gifted writer in the country. Not any more. I am guessing you are afraid of DT for some reason. You have to know the man is stupid and dangerous as a potentional President. God help us all if he is elected.
34
Can we just have a do over? A nexitit? Both the canidates are unacceptable.
12
Always enjoy Ms Dowd's words, but rarely agree. I actually thought she could get through the entire condemnation piece and focus on the topic of Clinton.
Unfortunately, in the last paragraph she felt compelled to give some Trump context. It's the liberal disease I guess.
Good work on this piece. HRC is a such a moral and ethical compromise that to see even the great Ms Dowd realize just how contemptuous Obama's latest partisan fluff work is rather encouraging and a true tell.
The nation deserves better than these two. But the lasting stain on the Obama legacy is predictable the evidence of his operational shortcomings continues to mount.
Unfortunately, in the last paragraph she felt compelled to give some Trump context. It's the liberal disease I guess.
Good work on this piece. HRC is a such a moral and ethical compromise that to see even the great Ms Dowd realize just how contemptuous Obama's latest partisan fluff work is rather encouraging and a true tell.
The nation deserves better than these two. But the lasting stain on the Obama legacy is predictable the evidence of his operational shortcomings continues to mount.
10
How will she possibly govern after being elected? Barack Obama's problems with the Republicans (Mitch McConnel's vow to make Barack a one term president failed but gridlock succeeded) will look like a love fest in comparison to the animosity towards Hillary. Has anyone been more hated and despised than she will be when and if elected? What will the atmosphere in the country be like the next 4 years? We are headed towards disaster no matter which of the two "presumptives" are eventually elected.
6
And, Ms. Dowd, how do you feel about the alternative? We know the Clintons are flawed, yet they are not clinically incapable of serving in high office, as is Mr. Trump.
11
i'm glad I have months to decide on a very difficult choice between a bufoon who would likely be reined in by the Washington system and bad people who won't be.
Those commenters who believe that Ms. Dowd doesn't know more about the Clintons than they do are kidding themselves. It's certainly understandable, looking at the likely Republican candidate. Nevertheless, the truth hurts.
Those commenters who believe that Ms. Dowd doesn't know more about the Clintons than they do are kidding themselves. It's certainly understandable, looking at the likely Republican candidate. Nevertheless, the truth hurts.
5
It's difficult to swallow Dowd's cheap shots and "contaminated" words given the serious problems our nation is facing on the domestic front.
I have no doubt, whatsoever, that Mrs. Clinton is competent and more than able to handle the tough job as president without the advice of Dowd.
The email matter has been laid to rest by the F.B.I. Dowd and others should find another whipping boy and leave Mrs. Clinton alone - that is, unless they want to appear as sour grapes, which of course they are.
Further when Dowd refers to the "Clinton's" she is bringing President Bill Clinton into a discussion where he doesn't belong.
What a waste of valuable real estate for the NYT to give Dowd space to rant about non-matters that are resolved pertaining to Mrs. Clinton who is enormously popular with Americans.
I want the media to stop harassing Mrs. Clinton. It serves no purpose other than for click bait. And here's a clue Maureen: every time Trump opens his mouth, we love Hillary that much more.
I have no doubt, whatsoever, that Mrs. Clinton is competent and more than able to handle the tough job as president without the advice of Dowd.
The email matter has been laid to rest by the F.B.I. Dowd and others should find another whipping boy and leave Mrs. Clinton alone - that is, unless they want to appear as sour grapes, which of course they are.
Further when Dowd refers to the "Clinton's" she is bringing President Bill Clinton into a discussion where he doesn't belong.
What a waste of valuable real estate for the NYT to give Dowd space to rant about non-matters that are resolved pertaining to Mrs. Clinton who is enormously popular with Americans.
I want the media to stop harassing Mrs. Clinton. It serves no purpose other than for click bait. And here's a clue Maureen: every time Trump opens his mouth, we love Hillary that much more.
29
Give Dowd five seconds and she will be on Hillary's back. Perhaps she should consider the front once?
9
On the email issue, I am sort of like Bernie Sanders. In reality, as Secretary of State, she has total classification authority in terms of national security.
But understand that the real issue is does her emails reveal favors for donations to the Clinton Foundation? And you are correct that Director Comey would not confirm or deny that he's investigating the Clinton Foundation. This is the real shoe that is yet to drop and will goo up the works for all the Dems seeking a seat in the Senate and House, period.
I have concluded from all of the controversy and manufactured criticism that we will have one more tough minded President and I believe we will need the toughest in the near years ahead.
She is smart and tough minded and I personally like the way she has morphed a lot of Senator Sander's ideas into the Clinton campaign.
When it comes to national interests, Mrs. C seems to be head and shoulders better qualified than Mr. Trump.
It will be interesting as you cover the debates which are right around the corner.
But understand that the real issue is does her emails reveal favors for donations to the Clinton Foundation? And you are correct that Director Comey would not confirm or deny that he's investigating the Clinton Foundation. This is the real shoe that is yet to drop and will goo up the works for all the Dems seeking a seat in the Senate and House, period.
I have concluded from all of the controversy and manufactured criticism that we will have one more tough minded President and I believe we will need the toughest in the near years ahead.
She is smart and tough minded and I personally like the way she has morphed a lot of Senator Sander's ideas into the Clinton campaign.
When it comes to national interests, Mrs. C seems to be head and shoulders better qualified than Mr. Trump.
It will be interesting as you cover the debates which are right around the corner.
8
"IT says a lot about our relationship with Hillary Clinton that she seems well on her way to becoming Madam President because she’s not getting indicted."
Yes, indeed. It says that the majority of Americans know the difference between a real scandal and a fake political one.
Yes, indeed. It says that the majority of Americans know the difference between a real scandal and a fake political one.
40
Another attempted hit job on Hillary by Dowd. "Hillary's goo" is repulsive writing and not worthy of print in the Times, Dowd's longtime bias and might I say hatred of the Clintons is tiresome. Dowd's writing is not clever. I think after the recent violence in our country we all need a lot less hatred in politics and in commentary.
44
Ms. Dowd:
Since you took it upon yourself to equate the Clintons to the Buchanans' felonies of vehicular manslaughter, aggravated assault and obstruction of justice, let me point out what the Clintons have NOT done:
1. Tortured other humans.
2. Have a private White House server where millions of emails were deliberately disappeared -- emails that likely contained plans for an unneeded war in Iraq and the firings of U.S. Attorneys not deemed loyal enough.
3. Shot someone in the face.
Shall I go on?
James Comey is not contaminated by the Clintons. Nor is Loretta Lynch. Neither is Barack Obama. The latter is always the smartest guy in the room, and his decision to back Hillary means he knows exactly what the email "scandal" was -- partisan politics taken to a poisonous extreme.
The Clintons are not perfect -- no one is. But when every misstep is magnified 100,000 times beyond the actual offense, it would make them appear manifestly dishonest. It certainly would make anyone paranoid, which explains in part Hillary's decision to use her own email server (something Colin Powell did as well).
But since Hillary Clinton is a Democrat and a woman, her decision to exercise her executive power as head of the State Department to handle her emails as she deemed fit is equated to some mousey underling who needed permission from some patriarchal figure.
What is clear is that the pages of the NYT are contaminated with your decades of acrid, snarky narcissism. Please retire soon.
Since you took it upon yourself to equate the Clintons to the Buchanans' felonies of vehicular manslaughter, aggravated assault and obstruction of justice, let me point out what the Clintons have NOT done:
1. Tortured other humans.
2. Have a private White House server where millions of emails were deliberately disappeared -- emails that likely contained plans for an unneeded war in Iraq and the firings of U.S. Attorneys not deemed loyal enough.
3. Shot someone in the face.
Shall I go on?
James Comey is not contaminated by the Clintons. Nor is Loretta Lynch. Neither is Barack Obama. The latter is always the smartest guy in the room, and his decision to back Hillary means he knows exactly what the email "scandal" was -- partisan politics taken to a poisonous extreme.
The Clintons are not perfect -- no one is. But when every misstep is magnified 100,000 times beyond the actual offense, it would make them appear manifestly dishonest. It certainly would make anyone paranoid, which explains in part Hillary's decision to use her own email server (something Colin Powell did as well).
But since Hillary Clinton is a Democrat and a woman, her decision to exercise her executive power as head of the State Department to handle her emails as she deemed fit is equated to some mousey underling who needed permission from some patriarchal figure.
What is clear is that the pages of the NYT are contaminated with your decades of acrid, snarky narcissism. Please retire soon.
41
If you're going to write opinions at least own them. What is this "we" business? "We know who Hillary and Bill are now." Maureen nothing would change your opinion of the Clintons. It doesn't matter what new information comes out or what information is available to you. You will look at it at a depth sufficient to confirm your strong bias against them. It's cowardly and dishonest to avoid the first person and instead try to outsource your opinions to a nonexistent plurality. Talk about ethics.
33
Someone must write a grand libretto on the corruption of Hillary Clinton.
2
Nothing to see here. Move along.
21
"The Clintons work hard but don’t play by the rules. Imagine them in the White House with the benefit of low expectations. "
"You mean like the emminently successful presidency of Bill Clinton OR the extremely competent Senator Clinton from NY- deeplyrespected by her colleagues and her constituency. OR as the Secretary of State who renewed America's prestige around the world.?
OR her the implentation of specific policies and programs laid out by candidate Hillary Clinton which are her well thought out progressive priorities when she becomes Madam President?
"You mean like the emminently successful presidency of Bill Clinton OR the extremely competent Senator Clinton from NY- deeplyrespected by her colleagues and her constituency. OR as the Secretary of State who renewed America's prestige around the world.?
OR her the implentation of specific policies and programs laid out by candidate Hillary Clinton which are her well thought out progressive priorities when she becomes Madam President?
33
I remember the years of Clinton prosperity. I remember the 2007 Economic Collapse presided over by "W " Bush, and the Great Bush Recession that President Obama turned around after he was blamed for Inheriting the multi-Catastrophe's of the Bushies, like the unnecessary war started with lies that maimed, brain damaged, wounded & killed over 30,000 US troops, and caused Trillion Dollar Deficits republicans tried to blame President Obama for. . So excuse me for not buying the bogus Benghazi created FOX news slime job of Hillary. E-mail Security ? What about torture as US Policy ?
So we now have a choice, reject the only actually qualified Presidential Candidate, or elect the vile money worshipping unqualified, and dangerous pretender Trump. So how about some honesty Ms. Dowd, like this nation deserves what it gets because one of two political parties is wholly incompetent, and has no answers to offer, only lies, propaganda, and a past record of massive failure. Just tell me, is this Trump endorsement just yours, or does it include The New York Times as well ?
So we now have a choice, reject the only actually qualified Presidential Candidate, or elect the vile money worshipping unqualified, and dangerous pretender Trump. So how about some honesty Ms. Dowd, like this nation deserves what it gets because one of two political parties is wholly incompetent, and has no answers to offer, only lies, propaganda, and a past record of massive failure. Just tell me, is this Trump endorsement just yours, or does it include The New York Times as well ?
32
Agree with you Ms Dowd. The Clinton's always seem to get a pass. I am very suspect of the Clinton Foundation. Of course, politics being what they are, we will not know for years, the specifics of the shady dealings. Both the RNC and DNC , need to do what they can , to give 2 better candidates to vote for. If they don't , the Green Party, and the Libertarian Party, will get record votes. I say this as a life long Democrat. Get the MONEY and LOBBYISTS out of politics!
6
This article is amazing. Finally calling out Clinton for what she is, a liar and a self promoter who I will be disappointed to associate with the first female president for the rest of history. She will win, but I don't think the next 4 years look very bright with her at the wheel.
6
yes Hilary was careless and yes Bill has been proven a cad but "dancing with the Arkansas devil in the pale moonlight" come on even as a metaphor this is ridiculous! Dowd must have been listening to too many Bob Dylan records.
10
Dont believe all Trumps are with Clintons.
I have read your column for years and have every book you've ever written but you are becoming FIRST class cynic. There is no question that Secretary Clinton was wrong and careless, more thoughtless than anything. Burt she and her husband have done many great things and have helped many people around the world with their Trust. You're a clever and an extremely gifted writer but you do nothing but contribute to the election of Trump. Surely you must feel some measure of responsibility to at least play fair. I have grown weary and tired of your cynicism.
29
Ms Dowd your hatred for the Clintons speaks volumes about your intractable loneliness and sadness. Do you really prefer Trump??
34
Good to Know
This is valuable information, but only insofar as there is some "truth" out there that we must all save.
Most anti-Hillary and pro-Bernie types out there I had dismissed as utterly naive. Dowd may have her faults and myopias, but she is definitely not naive.
So I do take her anti-Clinton instincts seriously. I tend to dismiss the oppositional criticism, and I think of the Clintons as merely vain, Ivy-educated, intelligent, rational liberals attempting to defend us from the GOP Ape Men.
And so they they are. But Dowd has met and talked to them. If she has misgivings, that is...informative.
This is valuable information, but only insofar as there is some "truth" out there that we must all save.
Most anti-Hillary and pro-Bernie types out there I had dismissed as utterly naive. Dowd may have her faults and myopias, but she is definitely not naive.
So I do take her anti-Clinton instincts seriously. I tend to dismiss the oppositional criticism, and I think of the Clintons as merely vain, Ivy-educated, intelligent, rational liberals attempting to defend us from the GOP Ape Men.
And so they they are. But Dowd has met and talked to them. If she has misgivings, that is...informative.
So Maureen, What's you suggestion. Donald ? "I never said anything i couldn't change," Paul. She was stupid and careless. You are repetitive and unhelpful. Give it and us a break and turn your attention to something that might make a difference. Suggestions", economic disparity, guns , our increasingly hate based discussion of our differences, our start highlighting all of the good that is being attempted and accomplished by folks who don't happen tonlive in or around the District. Stop vetching and start helping.
13
What is your point? Who do I vote for, Hillary or Trump? I found myself staring at the screen a couple of times but managed to soldier to the end. Maybe your reference "nuclear" was supposed to mean don't vote for this guy, but, why?
One hackneyed phrase for Trump after so many elegant words for Hillary filling my head with a gaseous cloud. You can't claim that you needed all the space for Hillary. You include her in every conversation you have with us. I'll say it for you, "Vote for Hillary, don't vote for Trump."
One hackneyed phrase for Trump after so many elegant words for Hillary filling my head with a gaseous cloud. You can't claim that you needed all the space for Hillary. You include her in every conversation you have with us. I'll say it for you, "Vote for Hillary, don't vote for Trump."
8
There are two things about this so called email "scandal" that quite troubling. First off the FBI investigation was an administrative investigation of the State Department's email systems, prompted by a GOP request that appears to have been a deliberate effort to perpetuate the email issue that emerged from the Benghazi investigation (a GOP witch hunt, price tag $7 million). Second, the FBI director James Comey some 20 years ago was the Deputy Special Counsel who carried out the senate's investigation of the so called Whitewater "scandal" (yet another GOP witch hunt into the Clintons, price tag $2 million), clearly a ‘conflict of interest’ situation from which Comey should have recused himself.
23
The GOP is really scraping around the bottom of the barrel. They’re down to three emails out of tens of thousands examined ... only THREE emails that apparently included “sensitive” information that apparently should not have been on the servers. They were not even properly marked! Two glaring details shamefully ignored by GOP haranguers: Comey said emails were IMPROPERLY marked classified; and it turns out the emails were NOT classified at all. And now we get to watch these GOP jerks desperately trying to turn Clinton's apparent “error” about them into a crime? Haven't these guys got a baseball game to watch?
36
I guess I don't understand why the powers that be in the State Department didn't just tell the Madam Secretary that she couldn't use a private email server. They knew she was using it; why didn't they just stop her? I'm not defending her actions, but I think there is more at play in this matter.
10
Dowd does need a new target for her snark. Her recent output does not deserve NYT prime space. Maybe a community newspaper in LI (sorry LI). A fading princess/hot girl, with a one trick pony (as well put by a prior commenter). A sad lack of gravitas beyond her playground insults and cheap "psychological" analysis. I don't recall hit jobs like hers on Rummy, Cheney, L. Paul Bremmer or the legions of Repugs that ruled from 2001-2009. To compare either of the Clintons with the lords of evil Cheney, Bush, Rumsfeld and their enablers is to miss the mark by miles. Maureen's act has gone beyond its sell by date. And I am not a rabid Clinton follower, far from it. Larry Summers anyone? Let MODO go on the Donald for the next 3 1/2 months. Or find somewhere else for her "opinions".
30
I wasted a few hours watching this hearing. If you thought the republican presidential candidates were a clown car, you've got to experience Jason Chaffitz (in the role of Darrel Issa) and the rest of the cast of this political theater. My bumper sticker still says "Bernie" but after watching Hillary make fools out of the house republicans in the Benghazi hearing and observing the sneering Chaffitz and his merry bunch of fools I', ready and willing to give her my vote. Finally, as Bernie so eloquently said" I'm sick and tired of hearing about her damn emails".
29
The really sad thing here is that Clinton is the only truly viable candidate left standing, mostly thanks to the hard 'work' of the DNC.
Our alternative is a venal, pompous, bullying businessman who has never held public office, and would be a total catastrophe for this country, and most likely the world as well.
For all her ethical warts and blemishes, and Hillary has no shortage of them, she will basically change very little for the next four years (or eight, unless the DNC has a sudden attack of common sense, or the GOP finds a non-repulsive candidate...neither of which seems very likely) and will at least nominate middle to left leaning individuals to the SCOTUS.
For that reason, and only that reason, many of us will be holding our noses and voting for her, in spite of herself (or Bill), come November.
Our alternative is a venal, pompous, bullying businessman who has never held public office, and would be a total catastrophe for this country, and most likely the world as well.
For all her ethical warts and blemishes, and Hillary has no shortage of them, she will basically change very little for the next four years (or eight, unless the DNC has a sudden attack of common sense, or the GOP finds a non-repulsive candidate...neither of which seems very likely) and will at least nominate middle to left leaning individuals to the SCOTUS.
For that reason, and only that reason, many of us will be holding our noses and voting for her, in spite of herself (or Bill), come November.
1
If it was not for the fact that the Republicans have nominated an on going train wreck, Hillary would stand no chance of being elected President. No one, not even her own people, trust her. They all know she will throw them under the bus in a heart beat to divert attention from her latest screw up. If she is elected it must be with the realization that her sense of entitlement, and/or Bill's, will cause a major scandal during her Presidency. No one doubts her experience or smarts, its just that personally, she is a slime ball.
I would like to see more information on the secondary candidates who are also running for President. I absolutely do not want Trump anywhere near the President's Office, but I'm not sure I can hold my nose tight enough to vote for Hillary. What other choices do I have?
I would like to see more information on the secondary candidates who are also running for President. I absolutely do not want Trump anywhere near the President's Office, but I'm not sure I can hold my nose tight enough to vote for Hillary. What other choices do I have?
7
You nailed it, Mo. We need truth tellers who have the guts to tell it like it is, regardless of the politics involved. Don't let the haters stop you.
10
Thanks for these comments. I have a lingering question that seems not to have been answered in any coverage that I have found: 1. What would (likely) have been the result if Clinton had simply been a run-of-the-mill staffer in the State Department? Can anyone answer that for me, or perhaps direct me to the right resource?
3
What's your alternative to Hillary, Ms.Dowd? Yes, I'd rather have Bernie, Jerry Brown, John Kerry, etc. But when push comes to shove, any sane person would vote for Hillary over Trump. So stop your diatribes on the Clintons. As democratic voters we are backed into a corner and our only real option is Hillary much to my chagrin.
4
A very succinct and accurate description of the Clinton Crime family. That said, Hillary is no Bill Clinton. Or Obama. If she were, she and Ira Magaziner would have rammed health care reform down our throats years ago during her husband's rein. The Clinton's continued success is only a testament to the intelligence of the populace. If voters didn't keep enabling her, Hillary would be yesterday's news.
5
I hope that Ms. Dowd is contributing the maximum amount possible to Hillary Clinton's campaign.
Without the Clintons where would Ms. Dowd be?
She'd be hard pushed to come up with two columns a year.
Without the Clintons where would Ms. Dowd be?
She'd be hard pushed to come up with two columns a year.
17
Ms Clinton has not been honest in her responses to the email controversy. She has refused to release her speeches to Wall Street, she is likely to involve the military in Syria to much a greater degree than we have seen to this point ( having learned little or nothing from Libya) and the DNC is setting the stage for passage of the TPP so much for being a friend of the suffering working and middle classes. Ms Clinton is no friend of women as the Clinton Foundation has accepted large amounts of funding from Saudi Arabia at the same time she was approving sales of weapons to the Saudi regime who has used these weapons to kill women and children in Yemen. She is no friend of minorities as her support of Bill's get tough on crime to include drugs has left too many minorities with no right to vote or to participate in the economy in any meaningful manner.
Unfortunately the two party system has failed the United States in putting forth two candidates who are not worthy of the Office of President.
The United States cannot afford to continue down this path for much longer. We can no longer afford to vote for the lesser of two evils. We need an alternative that will send a message to the status quo that the lesser of two evils or only results in more evil.
Unfortunately the two party system has failed the United States in putting forth two candidates who are not worthy of the Office of President.
The United States cannot afford to continue down this path for much longer. We can no longer afford to vote for the lesser of two evils. We need an alternative that will send a message to the status quo that the lesser of two evils or only results in more evil.
7
Here's what baffles me-- Why is it no one has come out and called Hillary Clinton what she clearly is - which is a traitor? Why are so many still bending over backwards to soft pedal her bad character and her history of total incompetence? How obvious does this have to be? And who on earth are these people who're giving her millions & millions to help her and that sleazebag husband of hers get back into the White House -- and sell-out what's left of the country!?
15
I feel sorry for Hillary Clinton. Had she played honestly and by the rules everyone else does, she would have the whole world at her feet right now. I cannot imagine how stressful it's been for her to have to have faced a formidable opponent like Bernie Sanders. Surely she knows in her heart that he is what is needed in this country right now. Her time is not now, and if she forces a square peg into a round hole, it will be the end of things.
6
"It says a lot about our relationship with Hilary Clinton that she seems well on the way to becoming Madam President because she's not getting indicted."
No, it says more about the reality of politics in the U.S. and it also says a lot about "equal" under the law in the U.S.
"They're always offering a Faustian deal".
And at the end of the play the devils carry Faustus off the stage!
No, it says more about the reality of politics in the U.S. and it also says a lot about "equal" under the law in the U.S.
"They're always offering a Faustian deal".
And at the end of the play the devils carry Faustus off the stage!
10
Ok Ms. Dowd, I'll imagine at your suggestion the Clintons back in the White House. Then permit me to imagine the alternative - which unfortunately I can't imagine. Thanks for another Hillary takedown, but I'll stick with her for the sake of my children and grandchildren.
14
Unless we can resurrect the Virgin Mary, finding a perfect candidate is going to be pretty tough. IMO, Hillary's real sin has been being fortunate and competent enough to have been in the public eye for 30+ years. As her stature has grown, the attacks against her have grown not quite exponentially, but more than proportionately. She has enemies in high places because she is highly competent. effective, and on the verge of being the leader of the free world. If she dropped out tomorrow, the attacks would dry up almost immediately. Coupled with the misogynistic fear, which follows eight years of a (highly competent and effective) black man in office, her detractors cannot process the reality against their prejudices.
While I hope the NYT and others continue to critique and scrutinize HRC and her policies; please, please, please put the idea of Hillary's 'distrustfulness' into the context of a 30=year political career of selfless service, and in context to that of her opponent. For that matter, compare her against the other candidates for the Office of POTUS. I can just imagine how Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt would fare in 24/7 gotcha journalism - not to mention Harding, John Tyler, Andrew Johnson, et al.
A 'sensationalized' Op-Ed piece may be great entertainment for a weekend. The choice we make in November will resonate four years and years.
While I hope the NYT and others continue to critique and scrutinize HRC and her policies; please, please, please put the idea of Hillary's 'distrustfulness' into the context of a 30=year political career of selfless service, and in context to that of her opponent. For that matter, compare her against the other candidates for the Office of POTUS. I can just imagine how Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt would fare in 24/7 gotcha journalism - not to mention Harding, John Tyler, Andrew Johnson, et al.
A 'sensationalized' Op-Ed piece may be great entertainment for a weekend. The choice we make in November will resonate four years and years.
638
Mr Comey of FBI said there was no evidence of intent on Mrs Clinton's part. Despite this fact, Republicans choose to make this ANOTHER BENGHAZI GOP PUBLICITY FRAUD. The RNC should be funding this Republican free publicity! And not USA Taxpayers! Unless this ongoing rabid, sick DIVISIVENESS by Republicans STOPS being "a strategy" of divisiveness and lies, then the USA will continue to be torn to shreds. The right-wing Republican Fox media style GOP PUBLICISTS' brew of lies, tabloid-ism, sensationalism, dramatization and fomenting of negativity and knee-jerk mindless, irresponsible ideas and behaviors must s-t-o-p. It has gone far beyond reason and is now TREASONOUS behavior that continues to harm our nation. Those that continue to push this damaging strategy deserve harsh punishment in the voting ballot box and in all possible other ways.
12
Perhaps the unkindest cut of all was Hilary's interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer--her first after the Comey decision. Here was a chance for her to eat humble pie, take a gentle beating, bow her head .. and move on. No! Instead she put on the steely gaze and replayed all her talking points. To his credit, Wolf rejected them but what we got as viewers was a dose of what is likely to remain her self-defeating posture. It's as if the E-mail fandango was just another speed bump in the 25 years of Cow Boys & Indians with the Clintons. If Trump wins {heaven forbid!} he won it right there with the Wolf Blitzer interview--a snatching defeat from the jaws of victory moment?
5
Bottom line- I'd rather have HRC making the Supreme Court appointments than The Donald- the rest is just the usual noise.
15
Outstanding column Ms Dowd. It says a lot when the best thing you can say about your candidate is that she wasn't indicted (and she really should have been).
9
This is one instance in which I'm glad the Times has it's "verified commenter" policy since it allows all the reflex Clinton worshipers to quickly assemble a human shield which may be safely ignored. Your first sentence Maureen summed up the situation in all its revolting entirety. There is not a vise strong enough to hold my nose and vote for our own Imelda Marcos.
14
The Times has a lot to answer for, for endorsing Clinton so wholeheartedly, so early.
19
"The Clintons work hard but don’t play by the rules. Imagine them in the White House with the benefit of NO (-ed) expectations"
2
I am disappointed that you are going along with this idea that Hillary Clinton lied. Lying is something intentional. What is your evidence? That there was no email marked classified, but tucked inside three was a (C)? Have you never gotten the gist of an email from the first paragraph or know someone that forwards certain emails on to someone else who should deal with it?
The (C)'s show that the system was flawed (and that it was a low level of classification), not that she lied. That's the childish Republican conclusion. And we don't know what several devices means at this point. Please represent the adults.
The (C)'s show that the system was flawed (and that it was a low level of classification), not that she lied. That's the childish Republican conclusion. And we don't know what several devices means at this point. Please represent the adults.
36
Until now, I have always thought that Hillary was as devious and hungry for power and riches as Bill. I've rethought this in recent days.
Where would Hillary be had she not succumb to Bill's charms and shrewdness in those early days. I doubt very much that she would be on the inevitable and slick path to the White House now. Oh, she'd be a person of import, no doubt, but hardly on this scale. And Bill, would he ever have become president without a companion, nae soulmate, such as Hillary— daughter, mother, wife, companion, lover, fixer?
Bill doesn't look or sound that well these days. And his health is a closely held secret, as is hers. How would she function without him. Now that's a real question to ponder.
Where would Hillary be had she not succumb to Bill's charms and shrewdness in those early days. I doubt very much that she would be on the inevitable and slick path to the White House now. Oh, she'd be a person of import, no doubt, but hardly on this scale. And Bill, would he ever have become president without a companion, nae soulmate, such as Hillary— daughter, mother, wife, companion, lover, fixer?
Bill doesn't look or sound that well these days. And his health is a closely held secret, as is hers. How would she function without him. Now that's a real question to ponder.
3
To say that Obama didn't know or even endorce what Clinton did is a stretch considering how Obama oversees everything within his administration. I believe that he knew what she did, why she did it and even knew that Comey would not recommend any charges. The believes that their cause is greater than the laws they may break along the way.
7
This piece was an articulate and truthful critique, yet many comments simply attack Dowd. Stop shooting the messenger instead of reckoning with truth. How come Sanders, Warren, Biden, Obama, etc., never had to sweat it out while Comey announced whether or not they would face charges? Why aren't there 15-minute compilations on YouTube of any of them contradicting prior statements; reversing their position on issues of critical importance over and over to match public opinion? The only people worse than Clinton about owning up to her actions are her biggest supporters.
12
Contamination implies that something was once pure and then became impure. I see the Clinton brand as merely a symptom of the rot that affects politics and not the cause. Greed is the infectious agent and the Clintons are simply the quintessential embodiment of people ".. who know the price of everything and the value of nothing".
12
We are all fed up with all those Clinton scandals. What we need are some Trump scandals. There are many waiting to be examined by the FBI and some Congressional committee or other. Let's be fair about this. The mob connections, the phony payouts when the casinos went bust, the treatment of the many workers who got nothing or 30 cents on the dollar for work performed at a Trump building, etc., etc., etc. Why has Trump been immune from any of this Clintonesque scrutiny? Maureen Dowd has probably met the guy with all the info on Trump: Wayne Barrett. He has know Trump since the 70's and knew Trump's mentor, the evil Roy Cohn. Hillary has gotten the once over from the FBI and now it's Trump's turn. I look forward to Maureen Dowd getting the ball rolling. How about it Maureen? What fair is fair, no?
16
Dowd the Distorter is at it again. Hillary asked for a secure phone and the request was denied. The entire State Dept is reckless according to Comey, even the career diplomats who taught Condi and Powell how to use private email. They get a pass bc they're last name is not Clinton. The vile press has always help the GOP smear the Clintons & the drama always turns out to be nothing. You still have your racist orange boyfriend whose broke. The lame excuses you make for the Hair Furor are laughable.
20
Another Clinton hit piece by M Dowd. Why should anyone be surprised? I actually used to read you, Maureen, but that was a long time ago.
19
The thing with the "low expectations" game with Hillary Clinton is, it's not really the case. Voters expect little of her personally because she's Hillary Clinton, and in 2016 it might be enough for her.
But they will most certainly be taking out their frustrations with her not meeting their expectations of what a President *should* be in 2018 and 2020, on Democrats up and down the ballot, when "but Trump" is no longer an operative argument.
But they will most certainly be taking out their frustrations with her not meeting their expectations of what a President *should* be in 2018 and 2020, on Democrats up and down the ballot, when "but Trump" is no longer an operative argument.
2
Clinton supporters hate it when you list the upsetting facts in a well written column, don't they?
15
All this is just a witch hunt by Republicans and they have already admitted it. You are only helping them with a column like this, Ms. Dowd. Why don't you try writing something constructive. Mrs. Clinton wouldn't be intimidated to eat in a restaurant by herself. You should study and learn from her courage.
12
Donald Trump is the worst possible choice for the presidency, except for Hillary Clinton.
17
This is like watching a slow motion train wreck. Mrs. Clinton looks to have escaped, but we're no doubt soon to discover what was in those 30,000 deleted emails. You can bet that Putin has the complete set, along with China and several others. Rumor has it that Trump even has a few. Should be a very entertaining summer.
11
Oh, brother, here we go again. Maureen Dowd hates Hilary, in fact, hates most powerful women who are not herself. We need term limits on columnists and politicians.
There have been so many other politicians who dealt with e-mail culture in a cavalier fashion - remember cheney deleting millions of e-mails before he left office, all on his personal server? And those were e-mails the would have led us to who he consulted for his 'energy policy' or the no-bid contracts for the Iraq war that enriched his own company, Halliburton. Hilaries e-mails - who cares?
There have been so many other politicians who dealt with e-mail culture in a cavalier fashion - remember cheney deleting millions of e-mails before he left office, all on his personal server? And those were e-mails the would have led us to who he consulted for his 'energy policy' or the no-bid contracts for the Iraq war that enriched his own company, Halliburton. Hilaries e-mails - who cares?
20
Approximately 25-years under public scrutiny, and this email matter (along with the Trumped-up Benghazi accusations) is the worst that Hillary can be accused of?
I am grateful for the opportunity to vote for a person of such intelligence, who possesses an unmatched breadth and depth of experience.
I am grateful for the opportunity to vote for a person of such intelligence, who possesses an unmatched breadth and depth of experience.
751
Maureen, We all know that whatever the Clinton's do once is excused but it becomes a felony for ever after. This is no longer a surprise. I may be wrong but thought you said in the 90's that Bill was a guy who could drive his convertible through a car wash without getting wet. There is a good reason for this. They are enabled by a whole lot of pols and media who think they will lead them to the light despite their self serving hubris. You work for one of the worst offenders. What a way to end your career.
8
Hard hitting but fair. Hillary Clinton could be the next Nixon.
20
I think Maureen Dowd is Rush Limbaugh in disguise--not clever just blind and vicious. In times of crisis, look elsewhere for thoughtful writing. Shhhh....protect your ears, this column is screeeechy.
18
It is positively unfathomable that a person who is so careless with national security information that she wouldn't be allowed a clearance to have such information in the future would be entrusted to the highest office in the land. It reminds me of a line in a movie: ...then I suppose Jack Benny is secretary of state and Jerry Lewis is vice president?Welcome to the Clinton White House....and you thought Donald Trump was crazy?
So the DNC is completely out of control - they must change who their nominee is - any more of this Clinton nonsense, and they will ensure Donald Trump becomes President.
Wow, I wonder if we can amend the Constitution in time to switch to a parliamentary system before Janaury 20th, 2017?
So the DNC is completely out of control - they must change who their nominee is - any more of this Clinton nonsense, and they will ensure Donald Trump becomes President.
Wow, I wonder if we can amend the Constitution in time to switch to a parliamentary system before Janaury 20th, 2017?
12
If these are the card that are dealt. I'll go for the Queen over the Joker anytime.
9
Maureen, is there anyone you approve of other than yourself?
15
I heard Hillary address Bill's meeting with the Attorney General as a "strictly chance encounter." If an elevator door opens and you are face to face with someone that's a chance encounter. If you get off your airplane and go over to an airplane on which the AG is aboard and you know it and that's why you're going there is nothing chance about the encounter. Nothing. I can't stand it when people lie and she does it a lot. For me it is insulting and negates the value of her otherwise impressive resume. I don't want to vote for her. The President should have endorsed Bernie a long time ago and this paper should have, too. If you want to represent me you have to be honest.
12
Maureen Dowd's column should be a cautionary tale for all of us that extremist views - in the the case of Ms. Dowd, her continuing irrational hatred of anything Clinton - is a clear amd present danger to what is left of our democracy.
Because what makes any civil society work is that we recognize that life is never black or white, but many shades of grey.
As such, despite what people like Maureen Dowd would like us to believe, the fact is that Hillary Clinton is not the devil incarnate, but a human being like the rest of us with all of the associated litany of flaws.
Considering this fact, in any functioning civil society and democracy even someone with flaws, like Hillary Clinton, has the tools to bring positive change, which is lesson that continues to elude Maurren Dowd in her dark and dank netherworld populated by cartoonish villains.
Because what makes any civil society work is that we recognize that life is never black or white, but many shades of grey.
As such, despite what people like Maureen Dowd would like us to believe, the fact is that Hillary Clinton is not the devil incarnate, but a human being like the rest of us with all of the associated litany of flaws.
Considering this fact, in any functioning civil society and democracy even someone with flaws, like Hillary Clinton, has the tools to bring positive change, which is lesson that continues to elude Maurren Dowd in her dark and dank netherworld populated by cartoonish villains.
14
Well, one thing you really nailed was the stock Clinton comeback about how hard they work when confronted with their own misdeeds. With all due trepidation towards Trump and the unpalatable prospect of GOP nominees for the Supreme Court, I will remind the Clintons, as if they didn't know, that there are hit men, pimps, drug pushers, burglars and armed robbers out there who "work hard".
5
Out here in the real world, I’m hearing opinions that are vastly different from Ms. Dowd’s.
For one, nobody cares about Hillary Clinton’s emails. Perhaps that’s because Trump is perceived as the bigger threat to national security.
For another, the hearing with Comey came across as a complete farce. Republicans are trying to win an election solely on feigned outrage and bogus hearings.
Lastly, as I recall, Bill Clinton’s approval ratings went up after he was impeached. Similar, sinister tactics were employed to bring him down but it didn’t work. I’ll bet the public won’t fall for it this time around either.
For one, nobody cares about Hillary Clinton’s emails. Perhaps that’s because Trump is perceived as the bigger threat to national security.
For another, the hearing with Comey came across as a complete farce. Republicans are trying to win an election solely on feigned outrage and bogus hearings.
Lastly, as I recall, Bill Clinton’s approval ratings went up after he was impeached. Similar, sinister tactics were employed to bring him down but it didn’t work. I’ll bet the public won’t fall for it this time around either.
10
Essentially, we voters are to choose between two liars. OK. Which is most likely to enact policies best for the people? I'll take Clinton.
4
Maureen,
Well said. Its a crying shame to be a proud American citizen, rooted in our history, and have to select a President based on who is the lessor evil.
What is the chance of getting a Constitutional ammendment passed by election day, that would allow a sitting president to be elected to a third term in a national emergency? Many voters consider our poor choice of candidates a national emergency. I am confident that President Obama , with a Congress that is elected to produce common sense results, would be a great bridge to 2020, when hopefully we will regain our national composure.
Well said. Its a crying shame to be a proud American citizen, rooted in our history, and have to select a President based on who is the lessor evil.
What is the chance of getting a Constitutional ammendment passed by election day, that would allow a sitting president to be elected to a third term in a national emergency? Many voters consider our poor choice of candidates a national emergency. I am confident that President Obama , with a Congress that is elected to produce common sense results, would be a great bridge to 2020, when hopefully we will regain our national composure.
5
The Republicans might just be wise and courageous enough to dump Trump at their convention, especially if he refuses to divulge his federal tax returns (or if he does, and they are repellent, as they most assuredly are) Any reasonable and responsible replacement would trounce Clinton and unravel the Obama legacy, as it were. Both major party presumptive candidates deserve the heave-ho. We are witnessing billions of dollars spent to provide us with defective candidates. Let the overhaul begin.
8
Dowd's acid tongue is right on target.
But I would add two points:
1) Almost no one is talking about Hillary's more serious misdeeds such as her foundations' receipt of monies, from foreign countries, while she was Secy of State. Sometimes, I think the repeated failures to underscore the gravity of this transgression proves that the system is rigged to help her get elected. I think that the men at the reins of power -- yes I know it is considered a sign of poor intellectual breeding to believe in conspiracies but too many things don't jive -- want Hillary to win because she will, contrary to what she would have us believe, buttress the power of the super rich. After all it was her hubby who murdered Glass S., decided that derivatives would not to be regulated and eviscerated welfare.
2) Although I hate Hillary passionately, I will vote for her because if Trump is not a fascist he at the very least does business with them. His recent tweet, with the Star of David, was something right out of the Protocals of the Elders of Zion. And his Jewish son in Law should repent to G-d for his grievous sins.
But I would add two points:
1) Almost no one is talking about Hillary's more serious misdeeds such as her foundations' receipt of monies, from foreign countries, while she was Secy of State. Sometimes, I think the repeated failures to underscore the gravity of this transgression proves that the system is rigged to help her get elected. I think that the men at the reins of power -- yes I know it is considered a sign of poor intellectual breeding to believe in conspiracies but too many things don't jive -- want Hillary to win because she will, contrary to what she would have us believe, buttress the power of the super rich. After all it was her hubby who murdered Glass S., decided that derivatives would not to be regulated and eviscerated welfare.
2) Although I hate Hillary passionately, I will vote for her because if Trump is not a fascist he at the very least does business with them. His recent tweet, with the Star of David, was something right out of the Protocals of the Elders of Zion. And his Jewish son in Law should repent to G-d for his grievous sins.
4
Maureen, I used to love your columns, but I think you've spent too many Thanksgivings with brother Kevin. The Supreme Court is the main issue. Keep that in mind.
11
Dowd's article is no different than the FBI's non indictment. It's about as much as you can beat a tired horse you're relying on to bring you back home from a long ride. But I'm afraid it won't make it this time.
6
Paranoid? I'd say after Travelgate, White Water, and the public humiliation put to her by Republicans and Ken Starr (wonder what he is up to these days...yes we know) that all turned up nothing but Monica Lewinsky, and in the next round Benghazi, and the email server. If you had the rabid opposition she has had throughout her public life...a little paranoia might be called for as well as the protection of your private life.
9
Faustian deal? Mae West famously said between two evils I always pick the one I never tried before.
10
I agree with many of the comments. Bill seems to be going out of his way to screw up his wife's campaign. I do have one major issue. All the reports I have read say that the FBI director noted three emails, not over one hundred and that two of them were confidential, not classified. Where did you get the higher number?
3
Time for another "Checkers" speech. This time, instead of a pooch, Hillary will ask to keep the nomination.
" Imagine them in the White House with the benefit of low expectations."
Not "Imagine HER..." they said "Imagine THEM....."
Remember this last sentence when the NYT endorses HRC (and by extension Bill) for President. Despite everything she's done, known and unknown, she will get their endorsement because in the eyes of the Left, there is nothing Hillary's could ever do that would disqualify her from being President.
Not "Imagine HER..." they said "Imagine THEM....."
Remember this last sentence when the NYT endorses HRC (and by extension Bill) for President. Despite everything she's done, known and unknown, she will get their endorsement because in the eyes of the Left, there is nothing Hillary's could ever do that would disqualify her from being President.
6
It's scary watching all these Hillary supporters preach to the choir. Dowd is right. Vote for her we must, But deluding ourselves about her is not a winning approach. Those ads she is running in California showing her in some ancient campaign for children's health care that nobody knows or cares about are total losers and enough to gag a maggot. This is a very weak candidate running an even weaker campaign. If she doesn't up her game, she could lose to Trump as bad as he is. She can't hold an audience's attention through her first sentence. Nobody wants to listen to her. Convincing each other that she didn't do anything wrong about the emails is not going to do any good. The public's perception on that sailed as soon as Comey finished speaking. Her sanctimonious pitch as a do-gooder is wringing hollow. She needs help badly.
6
I think you hit the nail on the head: "Put up with [Hillary's] iniquities or get Trump's short fingers on the nuclear button." Deal with it.
2
Maureen, I wonder if you know the saying by Voltaire: " The best is the enemy of the good." Striving for perfection in politics is... insane. Politicians are flawed and they make mistakes, all the time.
What that leaves us with is Trump. When it comes to politics, Donald Trump is squeaky clean. That is because he has no experience in government. There is nothing to attack in his record.
If Hillary is flawed, why can't we keep an eye on her, as president?
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." Right, Maureen?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
What that leaves us with is Trump. When it comes to politics, Donald Trump is squeaky clean. That is because he has no experience in government. There is nothing to attack in his record.
If Hillary is flawed, why can't we keep an eye on her, as president?
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." Right, Maureen?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
6
James Comey did his patriotic duty and blocked Donald Trump's path to the White House. Plain and simple.
7
Sorry, I felt nauseous and couldn't continue reading past the
"In a mere 11 days, arrogant, selfish actions by the Clintons contaminated three of the purest brands in Washington — Barack Obama, James Comey and Loretta Lynch" line. obama is the most corrupt, anti Constitutional, anti rule of law snake to ever slither into the oval office, and he has taken every agency under his control down to his level. But I'm sure whatever derogatory things she had to say about hillary did not do her justice.
"In a mere 11 days, arrogant, selfish actions by the Clintons contaminated three of the purest brands in Washington — Barack Obama, James Comey and Loretta Lynch" line. obama is the most corrupt, anti Constitutional, anti rule of law snake to ever slither into the oval office, and he has taken every agency under his control down to his level. But I'm sure whatever derogatory things she had to say about hillary did not do her justice.
2
Give it up, Maureen! They ALL do this! Why don't you focus on our broken education system, our pathetic infrastructure, the endless wars, the end of the earth? You think The Donald is the solution to those? Stop!!!!
12
The idea that the Clintons are negligent or reckless is absurd. They are calculated Machiavellian in all ways. They know just where the line is and dance across it knowing what they do is perfectly unethical and entirely legal. She simply wanted no email trails to derail her candidacy, which is why she did nothing as senator or SoS. Ambition over country.
They merely epitomize sleaze, greed, lawyer hubris, and palpable grime. The use of a foundation "charity" to enrich themselves and their cronies and get endless benefits is the tip of the iceberg of who they are. They could give Nixon lessons.
I will vote for her, because the alternative is worse. But I believe she will do something too clever by half one too many times, and like her grimy husband, will be impeached, but not convicted.
They merely epitomize sleaze, greed, lawyer hubris, and palpable grime. The use of a foundation "charity" to enrich themselves and their cronies and get endless benefits is the tip of the iceberg of who they are. They could give Nixon lessons.
I will vote for her, because the alternative is worse. But I believe she will do something too clever by half one too many times, and like her grimy husband, will be impeached, but not convicted.
5
Obama, Comey, Abedin, Sullivan, etc. are adults and made their choices -- the people swirling around the Clintons are the billionaires, the 1%, the power brokers, etc. These adults wanted some of that, or acted in deference to that power -- because they got something out it. Billionaires and TV stars like Trump don't get to be who they are because they are "unsophisticated" or have "short fingers", or merely contaminate those around them with shadiness -- they know exactly what they're doing and who will agree to do it with them. Obama, Comey, Abedin, Sullivan, decided to be a part of the Clinton Crime family all on their own. For some reason, they must have thought that the long line of dead people in the wake of the Clinton's rise to power would have nothing to do with them, not now, in 2016. Right?
I'm voting for her -- Jill Stein.
I'm voting for her -- Jill Stein.
8
Flawed are we all. So we have to choose between flawed candidates, and each and every one of them were flawed.
The process for choosing candidates is also flawed. It has to be because it is made and run by flawed people. The press is flawed, because its focus is on the deadline of the minute and the dollars that must be earned.
So the whole of our political infrastructure is flawed. So grow the F up and understand that this is reality. There is no perfection. There is nothing but choices based on the general directions we prefer this country to tread. There is a great divergence between the proffers of the candidates and the future they seek.
Yeah, it's a hard choice but it's also a clearly easy one for those that seek forward progress towards an more open society that seeks harmony and progress.
The process for choosing candidates is also flawed. It has to be because it is made and run by flawed people. The press is flawed, because its focus is on the deadline of the minute and the dollars that must be earned.
So the whole of our political infrastructure is flawed. So grow the F up and understand that this is reality. There is no perfection. There is nothing but choices based on the general directions we prefer this country to tread. There is a great divergence between the proffers of the candidates and the future they seek.
Yeah, it's a hard choice but it's also a clearly easy one for those that seek forward progress towards an more open society that seeks harmony and progress.
4
If Ms. Dowd bothered to read the testimony of James Comey at the House of Representative, she would have learned that none of the top secret emails were labeled as such in their headings, in violation of State Department Policy. Mrs. Clinton would have had to read and find the top secret information by reading each entire email carefully = something apparently no one does.
Hillary is arrogant, dissembling, and careless. She is not the brightest candidate we've had despite her own opinion of herself. However, she is not Donald Trump.
Unless Ms. Dowd can bring accurate new information - or a new insight different from the typical Republican trashing of Hillary Clinton, we will have to turn to another opinion writer for a fresh take on Hillary Clinton.
Bottom line: the emails were not important in the greater scheme of things. As anyone with superb technical knowledge knows, there is no such thing as a secure email. Hackers can penetrate any server system. Edward Snowden copied hundreds of thousands of emails written by the State Department including top secret ones.
While the national media focuses on an insignificant topic - Hillary's emails - the nation flounders in foreign wars, a major ally exists the European Union threatening to undermine the banking system, and racial violence flares in the United States. What do the candidates think about those topics, and how are they different?
Hillary is arrogant, dissembling, and careless. She is not the brightest candidate we've had despite her own opinion of herself. However, she is not Donald Trump.
Unless Ms. Dowd can bring accurate new information - or a new insight different from the typical Republican trashing of Hillary Clinton, we will have to turn to another opinion writer for a fresh take on Hillary Clinton.
Bottom line: the emails were not important in the greater scheme of things. As anyone with superb technical knowledge knows, there is no such thing as a secure email. Hackers can penetrate any server system. Edward Snowden copied hundreds of thousands of emails written by the State Department including top secret ones.
While the national media focuses on an insignificant topic - Hillary's emails - the nation flounders in foreign wars, a major ally exists the European Union threatening to undermine the banking system, and racial violence flares in the United States. What do the candidates think about those topics, and how are they different?
12
I remain confused about the "markings" aspect of all this. HIllary and Comey seemed to be two people on two different planets discussing . Is every classified document sent or received supposed to be marked in capital letters at the top CLASSIFIED so that Hillary would have seen it, for example. Or marked like (c)? (Hillary has repeatedly said she neither sent nor received anything not marked "classified.") Or are all documents unmarked and you just have to know which is which as Comey seemed to be saying? Or is it just an either-or situation (some are marked and some not)--and if so, what's up with that??? (Why would some be marked and some not?) Who is right--Comey or Hillary? Because she's not letting up on this; she has just said what she has said throughout, that she didn't send or receive anything marked classified, like she never even heard Comey's press conference the other day. And she seems to be placing all the responsibility of the entire thing on either people at State or her aides. What's up with that??? It's like she's learned nothing from anything that happened. Or in her opinion, Comey is wrong; yet at the same time, she claims that Comey at the Congressional hearing reversed himself, saying he "clarified" everything and she's happy about that. Like he has now swung over to her side. Is she playing us, delusional, in some kind of denial state, or what?
1
Come on Maureen! I've always liked you, but your vendetta against the Clintons is getting a bit tiresome. With so much shady stuff going on it would seem like you could find a better horse to flog!
24
And this from a woman who will surely still vote for Hillary Clinton joining a large constituency who, as when Bill Clinton ran for president fervently and unapologetically declared "character does not matter!" It will, thus, be up to US who still believe that character does matter, law and justice do matter, to be the empaneled grand jury on this "carelessness", affirm her guilt and sentence her to a crushing electoral defeat 2016. "You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one!"
2
She will be an effective president.
Especially if this despicable, heartless, racist Congress is tossed out in November.
Especially if this despicable, heartless, racist Congress is tossed out in November.
18
Black lives matter. Cops' lives matter. All lives matter.
Emails don't matter.
Emails don't matter.
17
It seems like the more urgent issue are the conflicts of interest posed by the Clinton Foundation, which were an issue when HRC was Secy of State, and will be bigger if she becomes president: foreign nations buying political influence through donating money to the Clinton Foundation and paying Bill Clinton big money to make speeches as a form of payment. The Times started reporting on this, but never followed up. Maybe the FBI will.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/us/cash-flowed-to-clinton-foundation-a...
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/us/cash-flowed-to-clinton-foundation-a...
11
N B nailed it with the Colin Powell and Codeleeza Rice connection. The reason their emails never came to light and Hilary's did was because they were never subjected to the scrutiny of a hostile Congress since when the Democrats took control of the House they were more interested in doing the important business of governing than they were in scoring "gotcha" political points with their base. We will never know if Rice or Powell were "careless" with confidential material, and frankly it says little about their service if they were. Thirty thousand emails on her server in four years and we are told that Hillary lied about never having sent or received messages on the server marked as "classified" at the time they were sent or received because she did not notice the (c) somewhere in the body of those 52 emails out of the 30.000. Classified material is supposed to have a cover page with a red border telling the reader at what level it is classified at. I once held a "secret" clearance and know this is how it is supposed to work. I am sorry she used a private server and probably none of the three Secretaries that did so should have, but to say she is lying because she missed an improper marking on 52 of 30,000 messages is absurd. It is far easier and yields an infinitely smaller number to count the accurate facts and truths in a Donald Trump speech that to tally the whopper falsehoods, yet we are constantly told by the Dowd's of the world Hillary is a liar.
20
Yes, Ms. Dowd, don't worry, you will get paid for this column. It doesn't matter that you wrote it last Wed, before the country freaked out at how violent, out of control, incapable of facing ourselves, we are.
Yes, Ms. Dowd: you will get paid, although nobody is so dumb as to believe that anything you say makes any difference when bullets start flying.
Yes, Ms. Dowd: you will get paid for recycling fake outrage at business as usual, while unusual business threatens our nation.
Yes, Ms. Dowd: you will get paid, although nobody is so dumb as to believe that anything you say makes any difference when bullets start flying.
Yes, Ms. Dowd: you will get paid for recycling fake outrage at business as usual, while unusual business threatens our nation.
12
Last week when I was negotiating a real estate contract (full disclosure - I'm an attorney), I received a call from a person, whom I quickly surmised was the client on the other side of the deal. I immediately told him that since he had an attorney, I was forbidden to talk to him, and his attorney should call me directly. The whole conversation lasted 6 seconds. This is part of the ABC of being a lawyer. For Bill Clinton ( a trained lawyer) to have a 30 minute plus ex parte conversation with Attorney General Lynch (also a trained lawyer) where the AG is conducting an active criminal investigation of Hillary Clinton is so incredibly unethical, if not downright illegal, that this in of itself should bar the Clintons from any role in the public life of this country - no matter who is the alternative.
13
The irony is that hackers in China, Russia, and elsewhere probably already had their hands on these emails, regardless of whether the server was "secure" or not. It isn't the emails themselves that are the real issue, but Hillary's insistence to flout the State Department's rules for her own convenience and then doing the typical Clinton stonewall before issuing the carefully parsed non-answer answer.
5
My question: if HRC continues to maintain she didn't send or receive classified info on her personal email server (a proven falsehood, but Letha's ignore that for now), which server exactly **did** she use to send and receive classified information, an inherent part of the job of Secretary of State?
5
Comey is by no means "pure," he's caught Republica who couldn't follow the simple rule that the FBI investigates and recommends to the prosecutors if a viable case exists for prosecution. He found insufficient evidence for a case and that should have been the end of it. Instead he had a press conference and held his own little prosecution. At the very least he overstepped the bounds of his job and in so doing he violated the ethics of his position of FBI Director. Hoover couldn't have done it better.
10
"Imagine them with the benefit of low expectations? Is that Ms. Dowd's ultimate indictment of the Clintons'? My thought was -- okay, I will imagine. And I imagine a continuation in some degree of President Obama's sanity as opposed to what we got with W, except with President Trump -- so much terrifyingly worse.
There is no doubt that the server mess is troubling. But it's a trifle as to what I imagine with Trump and his crew in the Oval Office.
There is no doubt that the server mess is troubling. But it's a trifle as to what I imagine with Trump and his crew in the Oval Office.
14
Wow. Ms. Dowd certainly paints a grim picture of Hilary Clinton, though the former Secretary of State does have some ardent supporters. The same goes for Donald Trump; he has a lot of people wildly for him, and probably just as many others who are utterly aghast at the thought of him being President. Bernie Sanders has an ample cheerleading section. and there are also a lot of people who could never vote for a self-proclaimed socialist (albeit a Scandinavian-styled one), though I doubt if anyone truly hates him.
What's a voter to do?
I propose we abandon the current system where we vote FOR a candidate and create a new system where we vote AGAINST them. The candidate with the LEAST number of these NEGATIVE votes wins!!. It's not really enough to have negative campaigning, we need a negative balloting system
Think the entire slate of presidential candidates is a bunch of nefarious charlatans? Go for it. Vote AGAINST all of them! Think only one is capable of bringing the America we know and love to a bitter end. Just vote against him...or her. Merely feeling cynical about the democratic process isn't enough: we need to institutionalize it at the ballot box.
And the best thing about negative voting is this: when the least loathed candidate turns out to meet everyone's worst expectations, we can all say--in unison, please-- "Don't blame me. I didn't vote for them."
What's a voter to do?
I propose we abandon the current system where we vote FOR a candidate and create a new system where we vote AGAINST them. The candidate with the LEAST number of these NEGATIVE votes wins!!. It's not really enough to have negative campaigning, we need a negative balloting system
Think the entire slate of presidential candidates is a bunch of nefarious charlatans? Go for it. Vote AGAINST all of them! Think only one is capable of bringing the America we know and love to a bitter end. Just vote against him...or her. Merely feeling cynical about the democratic process isn't enough: we need to institutionalize it at the ballot box.
And the best thing about negative voting is this: when the least loathed candidate turns out to meet everyone's worst expectations, we can all say--in unison, please-- "Don't blame me. I didn't vote for them."
2
Of greater concern is the way Clinton ignored the aftermath of toppling Hussein in Iraq, which continues disastrously to this day, and ignored the advice of President Obama, when she ordered the assassination of Gaddafi, sovereign leader of Libya, throwing Libya into greater chaos and opening the way for ISIS there. Will we be looking at more regime change if Clinton is elected? Is Clinton qualified to manage our international relations and combat terrorism?
7
OK - Hillary messed up. At least she's not sending tweets from white supremacist websites, involved in over 3500 lawsuits, accused of fraud and now bribing the Florida AG besides bankrupting 6 companies and threatening to build a wall to keep Mexicans out of the U.S. I'll take HRC's baggage and her Supreme Court picks.Thank you very much.
…and your use of "Barry" is insulting.
…and your use of "Barry" is insulting.
31
Ms. Dowd, has Hillary Clinton been indicted, tried and convicted for any crime? Did she have Vince Foster killed? Whitewater? Benghazi? Etc.?
Anything!, other than the slings and arrows shot at her from the far right for the last 30 plus years?
Anything!, other than the slings and arrows shot at her from the far right for the last 30 plus years?
21
Thank you, Ms Dowd, for reminding readers, if only in an aside, about the small matter of the Clinton "foundation", the truth about which may well drive the second President Clinton from office. HRC's choice of running mate matters.
As for, Sullivan, Abedin, and Mills, HRC will still try to get jobs requiring clearances for them. If not, they can work for the "foundation"! And let's not feel too sorry for people who have worked fir such a shady operation for so long.
As for, Sullivan, Abedin, and Mills, HRC will still try to get jobs requiring clearances for them. If not, they can work for the "foundation"! And let's not feel too sorry for people who have worked fir such a shady operation for so long.
10
I just hate having to vote for someone just because she is not as bad as Trump. I feel my choice is between a lunatic and a liar.
11
Elijah Cummings at the end of FBI Director's testimony: "I conclude by summarizing ... some of our key findings today. First, the director testified that his entire team of 15 to 20 FBI investigators and analysts unanimously agreed on the recommendation not to prosecute Secretary Clinton. Second, Director Comey made crystal clear that Republican claims, some of the talking heads' claims of bias are completely false. He testified that he would treat John Doe the same way he would treat Hillary Clinton, that he was very forceful on that point. Third, on the claim that Secretary Clinton sent or received e-mails that were marked as classified, that claim has now been significantly undercut. Those documents were not classified, and those markings were not proper. Finally, Republicans have repeatedly cried foul about a double standard when it comes to secretary Clinton's e-mails. But director Comey testified that the real double standard would have been to prosecute her with this completely inadequate -- with this completely inadequate evidence." The republicans are trying to create a firestorm here and you appear to have bought right into it. Plus, I don't think you have all your facts straight. Hillary has her faults, but you and others are doing a disservice to blow them so out of proportion to what she could positively bring to the presidency.
32
She put herself in a position where she appears to feel above the rules, by having her own server. I think a certain elitism is endemic among senators and above, so my frustration is with her being tone-deaf to seeming elitist, rather than "willfully putting herself above the rules". (What exactly does that mean?)
At the very least, she didn't grasp the importance of her lack of internet security. But if not understanding today's technology disqualified someone from running for president, we'd have to lower the minimum age for president by 20 years. To that point, Colin Powell and Condalisa Rice apparently used private email for at least part of their communication. Nobody made a big deal of it because it isn't a big deal. Really.
At the very least, she didn't grasp the importance of her lack of internet security. But if not understanding today's technology disqualified someone from running for president, we'd have to lower the minimum age for president by 20 years. To that point, Colin Powell and Condalisa Rice apparently used private email for at least part of their communication. Nobody made a big deal of it because it isn't a big deal. Really.
5
Maureen,
If your facts are all true, then we need not accept Comey’s recommendations and no investigation is needed because you have finally explained how everything really is. Hooray.
I don’t recall Comey saying Hillary would even have been fired under department policy, so where’d you get that from?
Arrogant and selfish? You must be talking about Trump, I don't see that.
You call Obama a pure brand after everything you have criticized him for in the past?
I’m not clear that she has been lying and you aren’t convincing me. Does it have to do with the math? The three thousand figures of this email and that one classified this way and that way and confuses everybody? Try counting your emails correctly for four years between business, personal, and government.
Nothing had been breached to anyone’s knowledge. Anything is possible” makes it so?”
Your conspiracy theory about a bribe for a position!? So Trumpy!
This whole thing doesn’t make her incapable of safeguarding our country. Hillary is NOT the only leader who is not transparent enough for you as if all the other dudes have been? You have got to be kidding me.
Tell me one president who has played by the rules. Some guy takes us to war and people are killed based on false intelligence and lying and you are concerned about which conveyer belt Hillary used to send emails back and forth to her employees on? Tell me one successful CEO that doesn’t bend rules, period.
Woman, your logic and facts are slipping.
If your facts are all true, then we need not accept Comey’s recommendations and no investigation is needed because you have finally explained how everything really is. Hooray.
I don’t recall Comey saying Hillary would even have been fired under department policy, so where’d you get that from?
Arrogant and selfish? You must be talking about Trump, I don't see that.
You call Obama a pure brand after everything you have criticized him for in the past?
I’m not clear that she has been lying and you aren’t convincing me. Does it have to do with the math? The three thousand figures of this email and that one classified this way and that way and confuses everybody? Try counting your emails correctly for four years between business, personal, and government.
Nothing had been breached to anyone’s knowledge. Anything is possible” makes it so?”
Your conspiracy theory about a bribe for a position!? So Trumpy!
This whole thing doesn’t make her incapable of safeguarding our country. Hillary is NOT the only leader who is not transparent enough for you as if all the other dudes have been? You have got to be kidding me.
Tell me one president who has played by the rules. Some guy takes us to war and people are killed based on false intelligence and lying and you are concerned about which conveyer belt Hillary used to send emails back and forth to her employees on? Tell me one successful CEO that doesn’t bend rules, period.
Woman, your logic and facts are slipping.
36
Mrs. Clinton ran the State Department. As the head of the organization she is supposed to know what should be classified and if it isn't classified she should be taking steps to make sure that it is made such.
Mrs. Clinton has been shown to have lied for the past 16 months. Her statements and protestations are knowingly untrue. You may turn a blind eye to the fact she consistently lied and chalk it up to all politicians lie and you may continue to support her but please do not take potshots at those who recognize the truth and say something about it.
Mrs. Clinton and her staff should be stripped of their security clearance and she should be precluded from holding the highest office in the land. While Ms Dowd has a reputation for taking shots at the Clintons, she is spot-on in her analysis here. How sad to think Mrs. Clinton may be elected president while her staff take the fall for her ruthless carelessness.
Mrs. Clinton has been shown to have lied for the past 16 months. Her statements and protestations are knowingly untrue. You may turn a blind eye to the fact she consistently lied and chalk it up to all politicians lie and you may continue to support her but please do not take potshots at those who recognize the truth and say something about it.
Mrs. Clinton and her staff should be stripped of their security clearance and she should be precluded from holding the highest office in the land. While Ms Dowd has a reputation for taking shots at the Clintons, she is spot-on in her analysis here. How sad to think Mrs. Clinton may be elected president while her staff take the fall for her ruthless carelessness.
12
Yes, Hillary Clinton's general election campaign theme, her sales pitch to the voters, seems to be, "I am not Donald Trump." Her latest response to the email issue, in an interview with NBC news anchor Lester Holt, was effectively to blame her subordinates. Her responses to the email controversy over the past year have been sufficiently concerning that they disqualify her from holding the office of president: In addition to blaming others, she has whined sexism, Republican partisanship, other people do it, and told outright lies about it. These responses reveal shocking immaturity.
7
My wish is the Dowd would use this line of accusations on the Clintons and focus on W. & Cheney. War crimes, misleading the public, wasting tax dollars on private firms to execute the Iraq war and thousands of dead and wounded. Tragic and it has destabilized the middle east more than it has ever been.
Why this hasn't been a top priority along with climate change is a tragic puzzle to me. Dowd your endless pursuit of the Clintons is tiresome and predictable. Yawn.
Why this hasn't been a top priority along with climate change is a tragic puzzle to me. Dowd your endless pursuit of the Clintons is tiresome and predictable. Yawn.
31
Dowd's vendetta against Hillary is getting tiresome and brings to mind the quote usually attributed to Winston Churchill that "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."
There actually is much to criticize with the Clintons. But now the reality is that the choice for President of the United States is only between Clinton and Trump.
There actually is much to criticize with the Clintons. But now the reality is that the choice for President of the United States is only between Clinton and Trump.
28
Ms. Dowd, you must not read the newspapers or listened to the hearing on Friday. Of the 100 or so email that were deemed classified, all but 3 were up classified after the fact. The 3 that has (c) designation are confidential rather than classified. One indicated that Kofi Annan decided to step down from his UN post, the other two reminds the secretary to call two foreign officials ( one from Malawi). When Elijah Cummings pointed that out to Mr. Comey, it become apparent that the basis for Mr. Comey's complaint that Mrs. Clinton and her staff was extremely careless no longer holds water. Of the 50,000 or so emails sent and received on her Personal server, none was classified. Moreover, the FBI could not find any direct evidence that the server was hacked, though Mr. Comey argued that it was likely hacked. Given that the FBI, OPM, NYT, DOJ, the state Department, the White House have all been hacked, one might even argue a personal server, unknown to most hackers, is a safer way to go.
51
Wow! Hate much? Truth matters, and in this case, what the Comey hearing revealed was that only 3 out of more than 30,000 emails were actually marked classified, with a small notation - (c) - that was buried in the text, and that Comey himself said might have been missed. The State Department said that this wasn't really classified, and a recent article revealed that of the longer chains, some were about drones with information that was already in the press, and the last so-called classification was about a condolence call.
This is now beyond snark. Please join just Fox "News", and stop contaminating a real newspaper. I hear there's an opening.
This is now beyond snark. Please join just Fox "News", and stop contaminating a real newspaper. I hear there's an opening.
49
"If she were still at the State Department, she could be getting fired for being, as the F.B.I. director told Congress, “extremely careless” with top-secret information."
"his F.B.I. director lambasted her errant judgment on circumventing the State Department email system, making it clear that she had been lying to the American public for the last 16 months."
It took Maureen only a few paragraphs to misinform us about the FBI Director's testimony. He did not say that Hillary had been extremely careless with "Top Secret" material. He only accused her of be extremely careless. As it turns out none of the documents for which you and others are pillorying her were MARKED "Top Secret". In fact none of the were marked secret at all. Get it? NONE OF THEM. But that doesn't make good material about which you can eviscerate her.
And finally, if any thing, the hearing established that Hillary has NOT been lying to the public about the content of her email for the last 16 months. You confuse your sixteen month campaign of denigrating her with the fact that for the last sixteen months she has been fending off such attacks by simply repeating the truth, that none of the email passing through her server WERE MARKED classified.
I confess that I only got two-thirds through your harangue before I jumped over her to vent some of my rage. Perhaps in the last third you changed your tune and apologized for the years you've spent at Hillary's throat. If that is the case I'll apologize to you.
"his F.B.I. director lambasted her errant judgment on circumventing the State Department email system, making it clear that she had been lying to the American public for the last 16 months."
It took Maureen only a few paragraphs to misinform us about the FBI Director's testimony. He did not say that Hillary had been extremely careless with "Top Secret" material. He only accused her of be extremely careless. As it turns out none of the documents for which you and others are pillorying her were MARKED "Top Secret". In fact none of the were marked secret at all. Get it? NONE OF THEM. But that doesn't make good material about which you can eviscerate her.
And finally, if any thing, the hearing established that Hillary has NOT been lying to the public about the content of her email for the last 16 months. You confuse your sixteen month campaign of denigrating her with the fact that for the last sixteen months she has been fending off such attacks by simply repeating the truth, that none of the email passing through her server WERE MARKED classified.
I confess that I only got two-thirds through your harangue before I jumped over her to vent some of my rage. Perhaps in the last third you changed your tune and apologized for the years you've spent at Hillary's throat. If that is the case I'll apologize to you.
46
Trevor Noah said it best. Clinton and Trump are both really lucky. They're each facing the only opponent they'd have any chance of beating.
10
I'm not the first to point this out, but she is Nixon redux.
If she wins (and I don't think it's as slam dunk a proposition as some in the media think), it would not surprise me one bit if her administration had a Nixonian end as well. Between the Republicans who will be doing nothing but re-digging all past transgressions, and her (and Bill's) own tendency toward corruption and shadiness, it could all come crashing down before the end of her first term.
If she wins (and I don't think it's as slam dunk a proposition as some in the media think), it would not surprise me one bit if her administration had a Nixonian end as well. Between the Republicans who will be doing nothing but re-digging all past transgressions, and her (and Bill's) own tendency toward corruption and shadiness, it could all come crashing down before the end of her first term.
10
This is a tempest in a teapot, and its not surprising that Ms. Dowd willfully and gleefully buys into the GOP conspiracy theories regarding the Clintons. It true that Bill Clinton seems to do things now and again to undermine his wife's candidacy, there have been several instances, but this Hilary is shady nonsense is beginning to wear thin. The Times reported ". . . that Hilary might let Lynch stay on in a new Clinton administration." Wow that's enough facts for me. Where did the information come from? Fox news? Or did someone just conjecture that it made sense if one was trying to influence the attorney general. Is it now true in the Times, as it is in Fox News, that conjecture = fact?
Here's more conjecture, its a lot more common in high govt. circles to use private emails for governmental purposes because officials know the official system is compromised. It must be true!
Here's more conjecture, its a lot more common in high govt. circles to use private emails for governmental purposes because officials know the official system is compromised. It must be true!
27
My reading is that Hillary knew exactly what she was doing at the time she was doing it - and I mean that in a good way. She was juggling how many demands and, like any manager, would have to ask herself pragmatic questions - is communicating efficiently NOW about whatever was going on via this (relatively unsecure) Blackberry a reasonable risk? She certainly understood all the conflicting counterproductive classification protocols and I think decided that it was in the Nation's interest, not her own, to get information flowing. She might even have consciously thought of the quote from ADM Grace Hopper, USN (early computer programmer, female trailblazer, fantastic naval career) vis-a-vis the home server that "it is often easier to ask for forgiveness than to get permission." That's a woman who has guts and is using good judgement.
12
Clinton or Trump may be a lousy choice of sleazy or crazy but it is not a Faustian deal brought to us by the Clintons. The political parties delivered these options. Democratic Party elites narrowed choice while the Republican Tea Party base rejected its party elite's many alternatives. It is the deficiencies of our political system, our coarsened political culture and the failures of our elites that have brought us only choices most average voters would prefer to vote against. A Faustian bargain presents at least the illusion of something desirable.
12
What says it all is the look on the President's face at the rally in North Carolina. Here's a guy with integrity. Someone who didn't owe the Clintons anything, not even an Egg McMuffin, after the way they treated him in the 2006 primary. Yet he kept on forgiving them and clearing the path for them to call United Van Lines to move all the stuff they took back to 1600 Pennsylvania. And yet, every time he bends over backwards to help them, they kick him in the shins. Almost mocking him by doing things like the "coincidental" meeting between Bill and the Attorney General. Why does he do it? I have to believe its because the alternative is as disturbing to him as it is to most if us. So he holds his nose and does the right thing. The way I think an overwhelming majority of Americans will do come November. Its just that they, especially former President Clinton, just keeps making it harder and harder to do.
9
Of course Hillary went to all this trouble with a private server in her basement to hide her yoga emails.
13
Thank you, Maureen, for that allusion to The Great Gatsby. I gave up on the Clintons before Bill's second term was over. I was so disgusted that I even foolishly voted for W. I changed my mind about Bush pronto, but nothing since then has caused me to change my mind about Hillary. In spite of the diehard Clinton fanatics who regularly attack you, your take on the Clintons is right on.
11
You hate Hillary. She has many haters.
But you can stomach Donald Trump?
Once upon a time you were brilliant but this is not even smart.
But you can stomach Donald Trump?
Once upon a time you were brilliant but this is not even smart.
71
Hello! Hello! Where have you been all these years Maureen?
7
All the 'pure' brands, namely, Lynch, Comey and Obama are smart and seasoned politicians and no one, including Clinton, can force them to do or say something they do not agree. Comey, in particular, was grandstanding himself during the press conference and he was making comments beyond his investigative capacity. Obama, on the other hand, knows well the state of affairs at the State Dept and has no problem in giving Hillary his fullest support.
Please stop whining, Maureen.
Please stop whining, Maureen.
54
Hillary Clinton is not trustworthy...I would not consider voting for her and I voted for Obama 2 times. She is not presidential material...too much baggage not enough deep understanding and care for people of the United States....she ultimately works for Clinton, Inc..."the family business"....
20
Maureen,
Obama extended our Clinton nightmare in 08 when he appointed the Empress-n-waiting as SoS We rejected and defeated her in the primaries,and thought we put an end to these ARK marauding hustlers.
He should have known better
Obama know and gave his blessing to Loretta to meet with Bill to finalize the deal and work on the script for Comey to deliver to the gullible commons(me and you).
The Clintons beat the rap...as usual
Their foundation is a racket for self-enrichment
And we do not have any prosecutor in the land capable or have the guts to stop them.
Game's over!
Obama extended our Clinton nightmare in 08 when he appointed the Empress-n-waiting as SoS We rejected and defeated her in the primaries,and thought we put an end to these ARK marauding hustlers.
He should have known better
Obama know and gave his blessing to Loretta to meet with Bill to finalize the deal and work on the script for Comey to deliver to the gullible commons(me and you).
The Clintons beat the rap...as usual
Their foundation is a racket for self-enrichment
And we do not have any prosecutor in the land capable or have the guts to stop them.
Game's over!
19
No Mo, self-described “lifelong Republican” Comey was far out of line with his highly irregular press conference. He pushed Republican narratives as far as he could get away with, in the process doing a grave disservice to FBI and Justice Department traditions, policy, and procedure. The picture he (and you) paint bears little relationship to the truth.
Here’s what he should have said. “If it's a crime for people to ever use personal accounts for government work, whether hosted by a public service or a private server, we’d have to charge millions of people. We investigated something else: classified information on email systems. In the 30,000 emails exchanged among 300 top officials at the State Department that included Secretary Clinton on distribution, only a tiny number had any indication of classification, and these turned out to not be classified. We also discovered a difference of opinion on about fifty discussions. The intelligence community’s senior professionals believe that these require classification, while State Department senior professionals believe they do not. Clearly we need to define consistent classification standards that all federal agencies can agree to. As to the notion that there is any criminality associated with this difference of opinion, it makes absolutely no sense that the entire senior ranks of the State Department professional civil service, a group numbering in the hundreds, needs to be charged, or that we should single out the Secretary."
Here’s what he should have said. “If it's a crime for people to ever use personal accounts for government work, whether hosted by a public service or a private server, we’d have to charge millions of people. We investigated something else: classified information on email systems. In the 30,000 emails exchanged among 300 top officials at the State Department that included Secretary Clinton on distribution, only a tiny number had any indication of classification, and these turned out to not be classified. We also discovered a difference of opinion on about fifty discussions. The intelligence community’s senior professionals believe that these require classification, while State Department senior professionals believe they do not. Clearly we need to define consistent classification standards that all federal agencies can agree to. As to the notion that there is any criminality associated with this difference of opinion, it makes absolutely no sense that the entire senior ranks of the State Department professional civil service, a group numbering in the hundreds, needs to be charged, or that we should single out the Secretary."
71
You say imagine them in the White House with low expectations. Imagine Trump in the White House and the issue you site about Clinton begin to look small.
47
So .3% of the emails she sent or received (110 out of 30,000) had classified information. That means 99.7% didn't.
Only in Dowd land would someone complying 99.7% be considered to be acting badly.
There is STILL no proof her server was hacked. There is ample proof State servers she should have used WERE hacked.
In Dowd land you are guilty until you can disprove the negative.
And what does Dowd mean by:
"Imagine them in the White House with the benefit of low expectations."
Has Miss Dowd been in the south of France so long she forgot they WERE in the White House 20 years ago and the nation thrived even if Monica's dress didn't?
Only in Dowd land would someone complying 99.7% be considered to be acting badly.
There is STILL no proof her server was hacked. There is ample proof State servers she should have used WERE hacked.
In Dowd land you are guilty until you can disprove the negative.
And what does Dowd mean by:
"Imagine them in the White House with the benefit of low expectations."
Has Miss Dowd been in the south of France so long she forgot they WERE in the White House 20 years ago and the nation thrived even if Monica's dress didn't?
74
I did not even bother to read this. I know what it says just from the comments. Blah,blah,blah....emails, blah,blah,blah, flawed, blah,blah,blah...cue the Sanders delusional cheerleaders.
I had dinner with an old friend tonight. We go back to the sixth grade. She is very right wing and very Christian. We had a civilized discussion about the election. Of course she does not like Clinton, the usual stuff, she lies blah blah blah. But when asked about specifics she came up short, just parroting the Fox news propaganda we have heard for 30 years. So I asked her if she planned on voting this November. Her response was yes. I asked who she planned on voting for. Well Hillary, because Trump is not qualified and a joke.
So Sanders supporters, if this 58 year old white southern Christian woman who lives in North Georgia can determine that Trump is not a viable candidate and she will vote for Clinton, even when she does not like her, how can you say Clinton is weaker than Sanders and can't win? I say I now am 100% sure that she will trounce him.
I had dinner with an old friend tonight. We go back to the sixth grade. She is very right wing and very Christian. We had a civilized discussion about the election. Of course she does not like Clinton, the usual stuff, she lies blah blah blah. But when asked about specifics she came up short, just parroting the Fox news propaganda we have heard for 30 years. So I asked her if she planned on voting this November. Her response was yes. I asked who she planned on voting for. Well Hillary, because Trump is not qualified and a joke.
So Sanders supporters, if this 58 year old white southern Christian woman who lives in North Georgia can determine that Trump is not a viable candidate and she will vote for Clinton, even when she does not like her, how can you say Clinton is weaker than Sanders and can't win? I say I now am 100% sure that she will trounce him.
63
How embarrassing it must be for those trying to defend what Hillary did. It was an outrageous scandal. First of all, she threatened our national security in ways we don't even know yet. Next, it is 100% certain her server was hacked, only a simp would think otherwise. Further, she lied to our faces for over a year. She destroyed the reputations of well respected people, and could care less. She bribed Lynch after Bill threatened her on the plane. What's even more sickening there are people so willfully blind they continue to support this Nixonian disaster of a candidate.
23
That is brilliant Ms Dowd. And the Democrats are cowards. They should force Clinton off the ticket and name Biden for president and Bernie for veep, but their cowardice is repulsive. As a lifelong Democrat I am appalled.
24
Did she start a war in Afghanistan with no clue how to end it?
Did she lie us into a war with Iraq?
Did she out a CIA agent?
Did she declare "Mission Accomplished" when the 13 year and counting war had only just begun?
Was she responsible for Abu Ghraib and authorize torture?
Was she the one who told Brownie that he was doing a heck of a job while New Orleans was washing into the ocean?
Was it Hillary who allowed a financial crises and unprecedented deficit to trigger the worst recession since the Great Depression?
No, her offense is much worse: she used a private email server.
Did she lie us into a war with Iraq?
Did she out a CIA agent?
Did she declare "Mission Accomplished" when the 13 year and counting war had only just begun?
Was she responsible for Abu Ghraib and authorize torture?
Was she the one who told Brownie that he was doing a heck of a job while New Orleans was washing into the ocean?
Was it Hillary who allowed a financial crises and unprecedented deficit to trigger the worst recession since the Great Depression?
No, her offense is much worse: she used a private email server.
123
Maureen summarizes how alot of us feel about the Clinton's and Hillary's candidacy. We want and wait for a different storyline. What we get utter disappointment.
I worry Hillary will be the least liked president since Nixon. Many of us will vote for her. There really is no other viable alternative - Trump is not an option. We will vote for what we don't want. We will not be enthusiastic to vote for Hillary but will enthusiastically vote against Trump.
Our expectations for this election get lowered each day.
I worry Hillary will be the least liked president since Nixon. Many of us will vote for her. There really is no other viable alternative - Trump is not an option. We will vote for what we don't want. We will not be enthusiastic to vote for Hillary but will enthusiastically vote against Trump.
Our expectations for this election get lowered each day.
22
Pardon my French, but the Clintons are really nothing other than the earliest and biggest example of the reverberating power of double-career couples-- especially when the couples are in the same field.
You will see more of this-- in law firms, universities, hospitals, and corporations.
The Clintons are more like Bonnie and Clyde than the Buchanans of the Great Gatsby -- the Buchanans were simply born into old money, and didn't really work. By contrast, the Clintons are still strivers, ambitious, determined to see their meritocratic rise via the Ivy League to its most grandiose fulfillment.
But we have seen this movie before--Imelda Marcos, for example-- and the Macbeths of corse.
But I fear the apparent quid pro quo with Lynch and the FBI director may not be as obvious as hoping to keep one's job in the new, seemingly inevitable, Clinton administration. What about their retaliation once in power? Would anyone really dare to cross this powerful pair?
You will see more of this-- in law firms, universities, hospitals, and corporations.
The Clintons are more like Bonnie and Clyde than the Buchanans of the Great Gatsby -- the Buchanans were simply born into old money, and didn't really work. By contrast, the Clintons are still strivers, ambitious, determined to see their meritocratic rise via the Ivy League to its most grandiose fulfillment.
But we have seen this movie before--Imelda Marcos, for example-- and the Macbeths of corse.
But I fear the apparent quid pro quo with Lynch and the FBI director may not be as obvious as hoping to keep one's job in the new, seemingly inevitable, Clinton administration. What about their retaliation once in power? Would anyone really dare to cross this powerful pair?
113
“One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.” - Machiavelli
21
Maureen, I hear that you don't think Senator Clinton should be President, but what do you think we should do instead?
59
How can we put up with this never ending list of Clinton scandals that skirt right to the edge of illegality? Are we so morally corrupt that we can elect a leader of the Free World with no ethics, proven incompetence, and genuinely poor judgment? Everyone pulling the "lever" for Hillary should be ashamed of themselves. What we have become that we can put such people in high office? Shame on us.
33
I thought this piece was spot on. I'm a Democrat, but the woman should have been indicted. Military personnel would have been indicted and have been indicted for what Mrs. Clinton did. Mrs.. Clinton is not honest . She's been caught in so many lies it's impossible to keep count . I do think that's an important aspect. I do think Integrity matters in a president and I'm surprised at all that the Democrats that don't care that she lies and was super careless with security. There was another more honest candidate yet the Democratic party pushed in this liar. The more things like this that keep occurring around Clinton , the more the public dislikes her and the better chance Trump has to beat her.
It's really sad to me that tons of people just don't care that a woman is a liar. Lying is gross.
It's really sad to me that tons of people just don't care that a woman is a liar. Lying is gross.
36
Dining alone in Paris, raging at Hilary, and a double helping of right wing invective from her siblings on Thanksgiving. What a life!
51
Dowd has repeatedly called the president Barry, a name he tried on as a young man trying to find his way in a world in which he had little to no guidance. For Down to repeat it once again here to simply show her disdain for the president is disgraceful and an insult of the highest order.
103
Dear Ms. Dowd. Thank you for helping the on the fence "bernies", undecided independents and other far left liberals to either stay home on election day or vote for Johnson or whoever the Green woman is, thus ensuring that the lunatic will take the oath of office on January 20.
Your constant hate of the Clintons should be tempered in this election cycle or, perhaps you are returning to the nest of your right wing family and doing your best for the GOP.
Neither President Clinton nor Hillary were or are the perfect match for the United States but they sure are better than the other choice this year.
Get over it lady.
Your constant hate of the Clintons should be tempered in this election cycle or, perhaps you are returning to the nest of your right wing family and doing your best for the GOP.
Neither President Clinton nor Hillary were or are the perfect match for the United States but they sure are better than the other choice this year.
Get over it lady.
85
Yawn.
You have got a choice between two.
The other one is unconscionable.
Bloviate all you want about her shady ways, she is what's left after what is unthinkable has been eliminated.
You have got a choice between two.
The other one is unconscionable.
Bloviate all you want about her shady ways, she is what's left after what is unthinkable has been eliminated.
68
Another success for the GOP propaganda machine. Karl Rove, Colin Powell, and General Petraeus and scores of other Republican officials all used private email servers, one of them located at the Republican National Committee headquarters, and tens of thousands of their emails were destroyed. No complaints from the GOP then. They all knew what Clinton knew — the State Department's non-classified system was cumbersome and leaked like a sieve, and they didn't have the funds to fix it.
It's just like Benghazi "scandal": during the GWBush administration there were 14 terror attacks on embassies or consulates, with 100 people killed, including a US diplomat. Where was the Republican outrage then? No investigations, no hearings. Maureen, you should do some homework before leaping on the Fox Noise bandwagon.
It's just like Benghazi "scandal": during the GWBush administration there were 14 terror attacks on embassies or consulates, with 100 people killed, including a US diplomat. Where was the Republican outrage then? No investigations, no hearings. Maureen, you should do some homework before leaping on the Fox Noise bandwagon.
107
Isn't it painfully obvious than Hillary set up this private system because she didn't want every gumshoe on the Koch payroll investigating every action and breath she took in hopes of discovering a "scandal" that would lead to an "investigation." So this time it backfired big time and she wound up with more "transparency" than she bargained for. But in the end, what did she do that was so bad. If Russia is hacking the US Government payroll records, I can hardly see how some how drone mission intelligence is going to tip the balance of power.
It's just that, since Reagan, Republicans will simply not accept a Democratic (NOT Democrat!) president. It's all rule or ruin with those guys. How can they blame Obama for a mess when they scuttled his plans at every turn?
And speaking of Saint Ronnie, where was the fine-tooth-comb "investigation" of Reagan after he injected US Marines into the Lebanese civil war and got them all killed? And how about an investigation into how the basic rule of law disintegrated after the Marines took Baghdad. How was all that looting and secular murder a good thing Mr. Gowdy? Maybe you should look into it, ha ha.
It's just that, since Reagan, Republicans will simply not accept a Democratic (NOT Democrat!) president. It's all rule or ruin with those guys. How can they blame Obama for a mess when they scuttled his plans at every turn?
And speaking of Saint Ronnie, where was the fine-tooth-comb "investigation" of Reagan after he injected US Marines into the Lebanese civil war and got them all killed? And how about an investigation into how the basic rule of law disintegrated after the Marines took Baghdad. How was all that looting and secular murder a good thing Mr. Gowdy? Maybe you should look into it, ha ha.
86
The deal from 2008 was for Hillary to bow out and let Obama take the Presidency. In return, she would get the State Department. We all know what happened there; either something or nothing depending which side you chose. Hillary is still in catatonic shock the American voter has yet to wrap her in a snugly "Welcome Back" blanket as their interests waned and diverted elsewhere during the last 8 years. The further left Bernie pulls her- the harder it will be for her to keep her promises to corporate lobbies on Wall Street and that's what bugs her right now. Trump is the last thing on her mind- as well as that stupid server.
17
Maureen, if one accepts everything you say Hillary is still the best available candidate for President. In a better world that wouldn't be so, but given the other available options I see little choice but supporting her (without much enthusiasm).
39
From factcheck.org:
"The Washington Post‘s disclosure that the Clintons took with them more than $190,000 in china, flatware, rugs, sofas and other personal gifts triggered an immediate backlash. "
"...the $28,000 worth of furniture the Clintons took with them upon leaving the White House was returned in February 2001, according to the National Park Service."
Prior to returning those gifts, the Clintons also agreed to pay for $86,000 worth of other items that they received in their last year in office.
" the Clintons decided on Feb. 2, 2001, to pay the government for $86,000 worth of items they received in 2000, as reported by the Washington Post."
http://www.factcheck.org/2016/05/the-clinton-furniture-flap/
Do we really want the Clintons back in the White House. ?
"The Washington Post‘s disclosure that the Clintons took with them more than $190,000 in china, flatware, rugs, sofas and other personal gifts triggered an immediate backlash. "
"...the $28,000 worth of furniture the Clintons took with them upon leaving the White House was returned in February 2001, according to the National Park Service."
Prior to returning those gifts, the Clintons also agreed to pay for $86,000 worth of other items that they received in their last year in office.
" the Clintons decided on Feb. 2, 2001, to pay the government for $86,000 worth of items they received in 2000, as reported by the Washington Post."
http://www.factcheck.org/2016/05/the-clinton-furniture-flap/
Do we really want the Clintons back in the White House. ?
21
The e-mail "scandal" suddenly seemed awfully trivial after the events in Baton Rouge, St. Paul and especially Dallas. But not too trivial, apparently, for Maureen Dowd to add to her long-running airing of grievances against the Clintons.
56
I have no idea what was in the emails. I wonder if Hillary can defend herself when tens of thousands of emails are involved, and so many other people who wrote them or who are discussed in them are involved. I think of all the years of communications in the state department and other government offices in our history, the millions of letters and notes and reports that have been destroyed for trivial reasons. We get along without knowing everything; it's hard enough to deal with what we do know. It makes sense to trust Comey that no laws were broken. I makes sense not to worry about his judgment that she was careless because no one does everything right. I just don't believe the emails were that important. If they had been, I think we would have heard by now.
38
I truly do not understand the blind allegiance to HRC as evidenced by the readers' comments. Are her supporters afraid to consider WHY she went to such extraordinary, illegal means to cover her trail? With nothing on the State Department server, there is no way to subpoena information under FOIA; no way to investigate State Department decisions; no way to look into Clinton Foundation contributions and subsequent "favors." Does it not bother you that she lied and lied and lied....every time she was asked about her server? Is that really ok?
It's all so calculated; so "I'm above the law"; and reeks of corruption.
It's all so calculated; so "I'm above the law"; and reeks of corruption.
45
Being "tough" with the Clintons does not make this author tough minded (or fair minded), especially when she jumps on speculations as being without question true (which they are not).
Dowd, do you really believe that people should be convicted without being indicted--that's two steps from conviction, not even one? Do you really believe that associates of Clinton, who are yet to be banned from classified information should be so banned in your newspaper column? Do you really think that President Obama was wrong to say that nothing Hillary had done was a real problem when the head of the FBI (and as he testified all 20 of his team of investigators) thought that nothing she had done was worthy of an indictment?
A more appropriate column might cover the outrageous news conference that FBI Director Comey chose to hold in order to air speculations and opinions, all of them outside a venue by which his assertions could be examined, cross-examined, and rebutted. But Comey is not an easy target, he's for the tough-minded. For you, it's the Clintons because you like easy targets, who have committed unproven crimes.
What an outrage! No, not trying through their foundation to raise funds for all kinds of beneficial projects to help the poor and indigent around the world. Your absurd column, that's the outrage.
Dowd, do you really believe that people should be convicted without being indicted--that's two steps from conviction, not even one? Do you really believe that associates of Clinton, who are yet to be banned from classified information should be so banned in your newspaper column? Do you really think that President Obama was wrong to say that nothing Hillary had done was a real problem when the head of the FBI (and as he testified all 20 of his team of investigators) thought that nothing she had done was worthy of an indictment?
A more appropriate column might cover the outrageous news conference that FBI Director Comey chose to hold in order to air speculations and opinions, all of them outside a venue by which his assertions could be examined, cross-examined, and rebutted. But Comey is not an easy target, he's for the tough-minded. For you, it's the Clintons because you like easy targets, who have committed unproven crimes.
What an outrage! No, not trying through their foundation to raise funds for all kinds of beneficial projects to help the poor and indigent around the world. Your absurd column, that's the outrage.
96
The simple fact is Trump already had it in the bag and will be the next president. Hillary will be a footnote in history, a liar, who by all accounts of the truth, should have been indicted. If any average citizen had done what she did they would have been. Any Hillary supporter who disagrees with that is just lying to themselves. When Trump is sworn in next January perhaps he can ensure true justice is carried out.
9
We don't have to imagine the Clintons in the White House. They've been there, and they did a pretty descent job of it.
72
With so much vile following or because of the FBI's verdict of no indictment, is there any doubt that Maureen's offering this week would have been a virtual "danse macabre" on Hillary Clinton's political grave if she'd actually been indicted?
15
Wait just a dog gone minute,..I can't believe it,...Did Maureen Dowd really have nothing good to say about the Clintons?....incredible,..such orginality, and deep thinking. While everyone else is focused on the Crazed narcissist Trump Train Wreck..Maureen, ever vigilant points out the real danger....Hellary...
39
"In a mere 11 days, arrogant, selfish actions by the Clintons contaminated three of the purest brands in Washington — Barack Obama, James Comey and Loretta Lynch — and jeopardized the futures of Hillary’s most loyal aides."
Wow, Maureen, what a change of heart. Have you not written almost exactly two years ago about one of those purest brands in Washington, accusing him of neglecting his presidential duties in favor of golf, the following, "I know it doesn’t look good to have pictures of me grinning in a golf cart juxtaposed with ones of James Foley’s parents crying, and a distraught David Cameron rushing back from his vacation after only one day, and the Pentagon news conference with Chuck Hagel and General Dempsey on the failed mission to rescue the hostages in Syria."
Wow, Maureen, what a change of heart. Have you not written almost exactly two years ago about one of those purest brands in Washington, accusing him of neglecting his presidential duties in favor of golf, the following, "I know it doesn’t look good to have pictures of me grinning in a golf cart juxtaposed with ones of James Foley’s parents crying, and a distraught David Cameron rushing back from his vacation after only one day, and the Pentagon news conference with Chuck Hagel and General Dempsey on the failed mission to rescue the hostages in Syria."
12
What exactly are the "rules" for the Clintons?
"Whatever you do, you will be investigated till the moon stops rising?"
"You alone will be so closely monitored in speech and action that any inconsistency, even if it would have led to the internal explosion of any other politician, will be paraded about in public and 'investigated' ad nauseam for years on end, until even the 'investigators' run out of drivel to pursue?"
The "rules" are in fact different for the Clintons.
It is head in the sand to pretend that they don't somehow have to deliberately work and operate at multiple levels in order to try to pre-empt and ultimately discredit the unending stream of garbage, innuendo and accusation they know is coming their way.
Others have most determinedly and in strongly causative fashion, forced the Clintons to act as they do. Their political lives would be very quickly extinguished if they followed the pie in the sky make believe "recommendations" of media columnists.
"Whatever you do, you will be investigated till the moon stops rising?"
"You alone will be so closely monitored in speech and action that any inconsistency, even if it would have led to the internal explosion of any other politician, will be paraded about in public and 'investigated' ad nauseam for years on end, until even the 'investigators' run out of drivel to pursue?"
The "rules" are in fact different for the Clintons.
It is head in the sand to pretend that they don't somehow have to deliberately work and operate at multiple levels in order to try to pre-empt and ultimately discredit the unending stream of garbage, innuendo and accusation they know is coming their way.
Others have most determinedly and in strongly causative fashion, forced the Clintons to act as they do. Their political lives would be very quickly extinguished if they followed the pie in the sky make believe "recommendations" of media columnists.
28
The GOP's biggest argument against Hillary is that she lies. If she is lying about wanting to help out women, minorities and poor children then she will be following their own agenda, they have nothing to lose.
25
Lynch, Comey!? both destroyed ANY confusion about their honesty and integrity when Lynch met with Bill Clinton in Phoenix in private! As did the Obama WH.
6
The only reason Hillary stands a chance is because she's running against Trump,
22
What does that say about our democracy when so many of us feel this way, yet there she is.
17
If the choice is between a narcissistic gasbag and a Yale educated Machiavellian I think I will take the latter.
The both have baggage, but Forrest Trump is the poster boy for the Tourister line. At least HRC has some government experience. This aint Atlantic City.
The both have baggage, but Forrest Trump is the poster boy for the Tourister line. At least HRC has some government experience. This aint Atlantic City.
26
Maureen,
What IS it with you and the Clintons?
I'm heartily tired of trying to put perspective into this complete non-story of the e-mail server, a series of events that affected nothing, and, gasp, meetings on the tarmac that affected ... nothing.
So here is a question for all the readers out there: when was the last time Maureen Dowd wrote a meaningful article about ... anything?
Actually, let's start with and easier one: when was the first time?
Here is a challenge for you, Maureen. Write an article that sticks to Secretary Clintons *policies*. There is a lot there to discuss, good and less good. Of course that means you'll have to do some work and learn some reality instead of writing snark based on imagination and talking point retreads.
Think you're up to it? I have my doubts ...
p.s. Oh yeah ... this *wasn't* a situation in which America's national security was endangered ... or even involved and Comey has far overstated the severity of the issues in his effort to look 'tough'.
What IS it with you and the Clintons?
I'm heartily tired of trying to put perspective into this complete non-story of the e-mail server, a series of events that affected nothing, and, gasp, meetings on the tarmac that affected ... nothing.
So here is a question for all the readers out there: when was the last time Maureen Dowd wrote a meaningful article about ... anything?
Actually, let's start with and easier one: when was the first time?
Here is a challenge for you, Maureen. Write an article that sticks to Secretary Clintons *policies*. There is a lot there to discuss, good and less good. Of course that means you'll have to do some work and learn some reality instead of writing snark based on imagination and talking point retreads.
Think you're up to it? I have my doubts ...
p.s. Oh yeah ... this *wasn't* a situation in which America's national security was endangered ... or even involved and Comey has far overstated the severity of the issues in his effort to look 'tough'.
83
Dowd has already written all the columns on the Clinton -- for 8 years, 16 years ago. No need to review. We get it. We remember. And we saw the movie -- but your boss endorsed Hillary Clinton, so here we are in a nightmare, expecting more neoliberal and hawkish behavior. Nothing new, nothing fresh, same old, same old -- and ditto your columns.
Bill is still making bad decisions, and so is Hillary.
Bill is still making bad decisions, and so is Hillary.
8
Hillary is so emboldened now from dodging the indictment , that if elected President , will without a doubt rule by executive order, above the law, and destroy the balance of power, by eliminating the power of the house and senate.
Hillary is strong on anti gun ownership, and if President, she will follow Obama's plan of eliminating the Public from gun ownership , remove their power to protect themselves from the federal government becoming a totalitarian dictatorship. Obama is already looking to a Federal Police force. The DOJ has already suppressed many larger city police forces to operate under the thumb of the Federal Government's control.
The Dallas shooting of police is so suspicious , that it seemed like multiple roof top shooters, but only one man was found and killed. Almost seems like a CIA operative scheme to create a crisis, so that Obama could clinch the gun control he wants.
Hillary is strong on anti gun ownership, and if President, she will follow Obama's plan of eliminating the Public from gun ownership , remove their power to protect themselves from the federal government becoming a totalitarian dictatorship. Obama is already looking to a Federal Police force. The DOJ has already suppressed many larger city police forces to operate under the thumb of the Federal Government's control.
The Dallas shooting of police is so suspicious , that it seemed like multiple roof top shooters, but only one man was found and killed. Almost seems like a CIA operative scheme to create a crisis, so that Obama could clinch the gun control he wants.
5
Wouldn't it be nice to have access to all the supposed messages that Hillary mishandled? Let us be the judge on how much national security was compromised.
Based on my short involvement with the national security maze, I can readily assure readers that 99.999% of so called "state secrets" have no business being called secrets. One enters a world of magical thinking where just about anything is deemed classified, secret or top secret. (And there are levels above these, as well.) Most is based on bureaucratic turf protection or inertia--sheer nonsense.
The Republic would be better served with more transparency. These public servants are doing all of these secret things, after all, in our name.
Based on my short involvement with the national security maze, I can readily assure readers that 99.999% of so called "state secrets" have no business being called secrets. One enters a world of magical thinking where just about anything is deemed classified, secret or top secret. (And there are levels above these, as well.) Most is based on bureaucratic turf protection or inertia--sheer nonsense.
The Republic would be better served with more transparency. These public servants are doing all of these secret things, after all, in our name.
29
Yes. The Clinton Haters are back at it. They hated Bill because he was a white trash, hippy,dope smoking, draft dodging, fornicating, anti-war protester. And he stole the Reagan Revolution. Oh he was also a brilliant politician under which the country prospered but that doesn't matter. Hillary is not Bill, she actually came from a respectable Republican background but they hate her just the same. But I bet she will do just as good a job as Bill as president.
39
Reading some of the comments, I am a little bit incredulous that so many people think the Clinton email server was of little importance. and are oh-so-ready to "move on." Comey stated in his report that Clinton sent and received seven emails about Top Secret Special Access programs. And guess who is one of a handful of people in the Government who is authorized to designate programs "special access." The Secretary of State. But of course, she didn't realize that the subject matter was classified because it wasn't "marked" (Special Access Programs are "born" classified). Clinton wasn't a GS-4. If she needed markings to determine what information was classified, she really wasn't qualified to be Secretary of State. People have lots of opinions, but know practically nothing about how the Intelligence Community operates, and flip off as unimportant Clinton's carelessness in safeguarding national security information. Pathetic.
13
Trump is a racist. That's all you need to know. Plus, as one reporter said, "he has the attention span of a gnat on meth." And Trump U and other scams.
22
This is one more bogus "inside washington" article. No one in the real world (outside washington) actually cares about this story. Ya, it is possible her server was breached, but so have the servers of every financial company that has our financial data, and numerous government servers. So the question is not "was it possible" but was her server more or less likely to be breached than the state department's own server? No one has asked this question much less is anyone able to answer it sensibly. And therefore, this is just a political bickering discussion, not anything of substance. Please write about something important from time to time.
25
The sine qua non of every political actor is "by any means necessary" going back to Plato's Nobel Lie.
From Reagans knowing in his heart he didn't lie to Nixon's "I am not a crook" and yes even to Obama's "...you can keep your own doctor" we must accept that it's not the lie but suspend judgement if possible and f we must judge Jude the intent.
The cliche that the perfect is he enemy is not a cliche because no one ever said or thought.
From Reagans knowing in his heart he didn't lie to Nixon's "I am not a crook" and yes even to Obama's "...you can keep your own doctor" we must accept that it's not the lie but suspend judgement if possible and f we must judge Jude the intent.
The cliche that the perfect is he enemy is not a cliche because no one ever said or thought.
3
According to Dowd and umpteen columns in the past, Obama was an impure brand. Until he became a pure one last week. Loretta Lynch is a pure brand, too, yet Dowd speculates that she chose not to indict because there is a possibility of her remaining in a Clinton administration. Which is it, Maureen? Next up, a column about flip-floppers written by one.
10
Between the 25+ years of Republican innuendo, and the braying of the Sanders die-hards, Hillary Clinton continues to be the only candidate in 2016 with the experience needed to be President. Ms Dowd's reference to "a long pattern of ethical slipping and sliding, obsessive secrecy and paranoia, and collateral damage," all of which are subjective judgements, and no better than innuendo, tells me that Ms Dowd remains seduced by Trump at some level. That Clinton still stands despite all the slurs reassures me that she has the strength and resilience to be President, unlike a certain scary megalomanic reality show star.
37
What exactly are you charging, Ms Dowd? Shadows and clouds? People have been flinging shadows and clouds at Ms Clinton for decades. Think she might feel a little evasive by now? Which would be about you, not about her.
33
And how does any of this compare with Donald Trump's deliberate fraud and theft with Trump "University"? That is a crime, far worse than what you claim Clinton did. And then there is the matter of Trump's open, constant association with organized crime.
31
If Hillary is elected, she will, based on her current behavior, never hold a full fledged press conference, will hide all of her communications from FOI and government oversight authorities, will give violent racist BLM and Muslim Brotherhood totalitarians extreme influence on our foreign and domestic security apparatus, and will sell enough influence to foreign and domestic elites so as to bloat the family's bank to at least a billion dollars. At least Trump seems to genuinely want to help American citizens over foreigners who despise us. And he has a track record of vastly more successes than failures, unlike Hillary's nearly unbroken string of failures, from failing the DC Bar exam, to being dumped from the Watergate investigation for unethical behavior, to her catastrophic failure and paranoid secrecy at overhauling our healthcare task, to her staggering failure, incompetence, and corrupt tenure as SOS. Yeah, she was elected Senator by playing the poor me, woman scorned card, and had two undistinguished terms. A leader? Hardly. Competent? LOL. Honest? Stop, you're killing me. Likeable? Contemptable. Out.
10
Ms. Dowd, Your columns are a one note song. I guess my only question after reading this diatribe is, do you prefer Mr. Trump as President? If yes, then endorse him in your column. If no, then stop the endless anger, and it does come off as anger, at the Clintons. Enough already. Get a new song. You have to choose, just as the American people do in November.
35
She knew the state department email system was unsecured and inefficient and did not fix the problem.
Leadership solves problems it doesn't avoid them. She could have fixed a leaky, slow broken system. Instead she found a solution for herself and let everyone else in her department struggle to accomplish their work, our work, the work of the State Department of the United States.
This is where she lost me, she knowingly took care of herself, she didn't fix the problem, she didn't not lead, she did not help her coworkers or secure vital State Department security and effectiveness.
For the record I voted for Bill twice and Hilary when she was still in the running in 08.
Leadership solves problems it doesn't avoid them. She could have fixed a leaky, slow broken system. Instead she found a solution for herself and let everyone else in her department struggle to accomplish their work, our work, the work of the State Department of the United States.
This is where she lost me, she knowingly took care of herself, she didn't fix the problem, she didn't not lead, she did not help her coworkers or secure vital State Department security and effectiveness.
For the record I voted for Bill twice and Hilary when she was still in the running in 08.
11
The Daisy and Tom Buchanan comparison is apt, but more apposite would be Macbeth and his lady fair. Sad to say, they'll burn down the Burnham Wood. In the meantime, our fair Prince, having abandoned Hyde Park for his Uncle's Palace, has no one to blame but himself.
4
This article is right on the mark in describing how the Clinton's come out of the foulest situations just fine while those around them -- Al Gore, Monica, Loretta Lynch, Huma Abedin, to name some -- had to endure or will endure negative consequences.
At the very least, Hillary's personal email system mistake shows what a poor administrator she is. For 4 years, she couldn't follow the basic rules for record keeping and record security of the cabinet department which she headed. And she doesn't seem able or willing to surround herself with advisors who tell her when she's wrong.
Why should anyone believe that her administrative skills will become better when she moves into a position -- the presidency -- which requires more of those skills?
At the very least, Hillary's personal email system mistake shows what a poor administrator she is. For 4 years, she couldn't follow the basic rules for record keeping and record security of the cabinet department which she headed. And she doesn't seem able or willing to surround herself with advisors who tell her when she's wrong.
Why should anyone believe that her administrative skills will become better when she moves into a position -- the presidency -- which requires more of those skills?
29
Asking for Hillary without her predilection for constantly lying and breaking the law - which is what Maureen really sees us doing - is like asking for a pet chow without the biting, or asking for liberalism without the power-grabbing.
Just as the Iowa Civil Rights Commission is ow in the business of telling pastors what they can and can't say in church, Hillary is hip-deep and getting deeper into the secrecy fetish she has fed since 1993. I daresay ther will never be an actual wide-open press conference the entire time she is president.
She has NO answer to why she engaged in this racketeering deal as SecState making all these foreign governments and businesses pay her millions just to access the U.S. market or government.
This life-long registered Democrat is done with the lies, the fake sincerity, and the gawd-awful expense of Democrat governance. Trump is raw but he isn't going to live the next eight years at war with the American people.
Just as the Iowa Civil Rights Commission is ow in the business of telling pastors what they can and can't say in church, Hillary is hip-deep and getting deeper into the secrecy fetish she has fed since 1993. I daresay ther will never be an actual wide-open press conference the entire time she is president.
She has NO answer to why she engaged in this racketeering deal as SecState making all these foreign governments and businesses pay her millions just to access the U.S. market or government.
This life-long registered Democrat is done with the lies, the fake sincerity, and the gawd-awful expense of Democrat governance. Trump is raw but he isn't going to live the next eight years at war with the American people.
12
Four years and out for Mrs. Clinton. Very weak opposition will get her in as POTUS. With the first First Husband meddling in the Oval Office and the butler's pantry voters will have their fill in four. Back to the tax free safe haven of the Clinton Foundation to pen her memoirs and pull in more cash. Almost makes me want to vote for Donald Trump.
17
Hillary Clinton's impending candidacy is a result of her party putting ideology and/or idolatry above integrity. Anyone who still maintains the email stuff was either legal or unimportant either didn't listen to Comey or isn't thinking.
As an independent voter I am stunned by the choices offered by the two parties, but when forced to choose between a grifter who is apparently above the law and a loudmouth who is yet an unknown quantity, I will take the latter.
I don't believe either of them is competent to run the country, but Mrs. Clinton will just be more of the same. It is time to wrest the country away from the political elites.
As an independent voter I am stunned by the choices offered by the two parties, but when forced to choose between a grifter who is apparently above the law and a loudmouth who is yet an unknown quantity, I will take the latter.
I don't believe either of them is competent to run the country, but Mrs. Clinton will just be more of the same. It is time to wrest the country away from the political elites.
23
I'm no fan of Clinton. Period. She is a center right warmongering corporatist Republican in my book. I won't vote for her, ever. If she was playing ISIL for the championship I'd be conflicted. And what she did with the classified stuff was stupid and arrogant.
However it wasn't nuclear launch codes, it was nonsense about foreign politics as far as I can tell. Our government way over classifies everything.
Now what got me mad today was hearing Obama promise my tax money and our children to defend people who need to grow a pair and do it themselves.
And what got me enraged was listening to him explain away globalization like it was a blemish on his behind, like it happened years ago in a place far away. That makes me mad. He needs to realize immigration and globalization got much worse on his watch, that will be his legacy, and history will not be kind. And hot tip, TPP is dead.
And how we fix that is what I want to see reporting on, not emails. Get it?
However it wasn't nuclear launch codes, it was nonsense about foreign politics as far as I can tell. Our government way over classifies everything.
Now what got me mad today was hearing Obama promise my tax money and our children to defend people who need to grow a pair and do it themselves.
And what got me enraged was listening to him explain away globalization like it was a blemish on his behind, like it happened years ago in a place far away. That makes me mad. He needs to realize immigration and globalization got much worse on his watch, that will be his legacy, and history will not be kind. And hot tip, TPP is dead.
And how we fix that is what I want to see reporting on, not emails. Get it?
9
Maybe Karen's comment about 1930's Germany is applicable after all. But not to this column. To the Trump bandwagon, maybe.
5
How come nobody ever asks why exactly Bill had an email server in his basement, if he was quoted as saying he'd only sent two emails in his life? It would appear that this too is a lie, and Hillary not only had the server set up at the time of her appointment to the State Department, but went to the trouble of buying a domain name (that then kept going to the SD spam files because she didn't have an official address). And when will the country notice that we have several real, live, adult, sane, experienced persons running for the top office, unlike the grifters and the con man.
13
God bless you Maureen! This is the most honest and candid column I've read in the NY Times about the Clintons in many years. God help us all!!
31
In the November elections, American voters will be choosing between the two candidates Hillary and Trump who have the least liabilities … and NOT the greatest assets or strengths. This will be a sad indictment of America’s two leading political parties given the severity of economic, social and political problems that the US is facing currently and going forward.
The US has produced the largest number of Nobel Prizes, can fly satellites to remote regions of space, can produce extraordinary technologies, etc. But the US needs top-flight leadership to deal with the increasing disparity of wealth, the mounting race problems and gun violence seen across the US, the failing educational standards across all states, aging obsolete infrastructure, etc. and the choice between these two morally bankrupt disasters Hillary and Trump is the best that the two national parties can offer ??? This is sick !!!
The chapter of the FBI’s “extremely careless” censure on Hillary is not yet over. WikiLeaks, per Julian Assange, just released a pile of Hillary Clinton’s emails when she was Secretary of State. Now we can expect the media to examine these and the media may end up issuing scathing indictments against Hillary contributing to her liabilities as a candidate.
Wikileaks Publishes 1000+ Of Hillary Clinton’s Iraq War Emails. Read Them Here
JULY 5, 2016
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/07/05/wikileaks-publishes-1000-...
Hold your noses tightly …
The US has produced the largest number of Nobel Prizes, can fly satellites to remote regions of space, can produce extraordinary technologies, etc. But the US needs top-flight leadership to deal with the increasing disparity of wealth, the mounting race problems and gun violence seen across the US, the failing educational standards across all states, aging obsolete infrastructure, etc. and the choice between these two morally bankrupt disasters Hillary and Trump is the best that the two national parties can offer ??? This is sick !!!
The chapter of the FBI’s “extremely careless” censure on Hillary is not yet over. WikiLeaks, per Julian Assange, just released a pile of Hillary Clinton’s emails when she was Secretary of State. Now we can expect the media to examine these and the media may end up issuing scathing indictments against Hillary contributing to her liabilities as a candidate.
Wikileaks Publishes 1000+ Of Hillary Clinton’s Iraq War Emails. Read Them Here
JULY 5, 2016
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/07/05/wikileaks-publishes-1000-...
Hold your noses tightly …
21
So much to dislike about Hillary and so little time. I hope that Maureen keeps venting because I think she sees Hillary more clearly than almost anybody else, even the Donald. NY Times readers can carp about the damage, but most of the people who will vote for Trump despise the Times. Echo chamber that it is, a discordant note is a good thing. Soldier on Ms Dowd.
222
Maureen Dowd is simply wrong to assert that Comey made “clear that Hillary has been lying to the American public for the last 16 months.”
Note, for example, that Comey said to Rep. Matt Cartwright that it “would be a reasonable inference” for Hillary to believe that the emails on her server were not classified due to the absence of classification headings. In other words, if a document does not state at the top its classification level, then it has not been properly classified. The drafter bears the responsibility for labeling classified information as such, and it is quite reasonable to believe that it was not Hillary who introduced those “classified” paragraphs into the email chains. Nor do we know where in the email chains these incorrectly marked paragraphs were discovered. Were they buried at the bottom of a long chain of emails?
Also note that Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman pointed out that “markings in the documents raised in the media reports were no longer necessary or appropriate at the time they were sent as emails.” This gets to the perishability of classifications. In general, classified information becomes declassified over time, some very quickly. When properly labeled, classified information clearly states its declassification date. Rep. Watson Coleman raised the prospect that the information in question was no longer classified when sent.
I heard nothing in Comey’s testimony to prove that Hillary was lying.
Note, for example, that Comey said to Rep. Matt Cartwright that it “would be a reasonable inference” for Hillary to believe that the emails on her server were not classified due to the absence of classification headings. In other words, if a document does not state at the top its classification level, then it has not been properly classified. The drafter bears the responsibility for labeling classified information as such, and it is quite reasonable to believe that it was not Hillary who introduced those “classified” paragraphs into the email chains. Nor do we know where in the email chains these incorrectly marked paragraphs were discovered. Were they buried at the bottom of a long chain of emails?
Also note that Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman pointed out that “markings in the documents raised in the media reports were no longer necessary or appropriate at the time they were sent as emails.” This gets to the perishability of classifications. In general, classified information becomes declassified over time, some very quickly. When properly labeled, classified information clearly states its declassification date. Rep. Watson Coleman raised the prospect that the information in question was no longer classified when sent.
I heard nothing in Comey’s testimony to prove that Hillary was lying.
855
Maureen nailed Slick Hillie, but she might have exaggerated a bit when she opined that the Clinton's "work hard".
I've never noticed them break a sweat on hard work, unless being too clever by half counts.
I've never noticed them break a sweat on hard work, unless being too clever by half counts.
14
Give it up already. Stop picking pointless fights with Bill and Hillary Clinton.
61
It looks like our choice will be between a narcicist whose ego-centrism dominates his view of the world and his ability to deal with it in and impersonal way, and a skilled political campaigner with uncertain motives, but good credentials. Personally I think that Donald Trump is mentally unfit to be POTUS and would be unable to function effectively in the job.
Hillary, on the other hand, has operated in the domestic and international political arena, apparently effectively, but with odd departures from standard protocol which seem to cast her as a shadow person, not completely open nor reliable. I fear that she may be the anti-Bernie and will take us forward to the past of bloated defense budgets and unwise aggression in foreign "peace-keeping" enterprises. As far as managing the US economy, her heart is obviously on Wall Street. Despite the rhetoric of positive change toward economic equality, her ear will be tilted toward Goldman Sachs and her window on main street will, I fear, be closed and shuttered.
Of the two likely candidates, each with their apparent character flaws, I much prefer the one who at least knows the right thing to do and says she will do it, to the ego-maniac who is dominated by his need to be the center of attention.
Easy choice, but not without uncertainty in the outcome for Americans once the contest is decided either way.
So, Maureen, your Hillary bashing is out of context.
Hillary, on the other hand, has operated in the domestic and international political arena, apparently effectively, but with odd departures from standard protocol which seem to cast her as a shadow person, not completely open nor reliable. I fear that she may be the anti-Bernie and will take us forward to the past of bloated defense budgets and unwise aggression in foreign "peace-keeping" enterprises. As far as managing the US economy, her heart is obviously on Wall Street. Despite the rhetoric of positive change toward economic equality, her ear will be tilted toward Goldman Sachs and her window on main street will, I fear, be closed and shuttered.
Of the two likely candidates, each with their apparent character flaws, I much prefer the one who at least knows the right thing to do and says she will do it, to the ego-maniac who is dominated by his need to be the center of attention.
Easy choice, but not without uncertainty in the outcome for Americans once the contest is decided either way.
So, Maureen, your Hillary bashing is out of context.
28
Maureen, you love to snipe at Hillary - one of your favorite activities really - she stands tall, expresses herself with intelligence and sincerity, cares about her fellow citizens and her country, and has the courage to want to lead. Are you getting paid to write the same editorial over and over again? You paying your dues to your conservative family? Oh well, when she is president you can continue to write your articles.
43
As per usual, we see Dowd's idiocy.
"purest brands in Washington — Barack Obama, James Comey and Loretta Lynch"
Was that meant as a joke? Lynch hasn't been in office long enough to do much damage yet (though I'm sure its coming). But Comey just explicitly outlined the criminal behavior of H Clinton, and yet decided not to recommend indictment on the basis of no evidence of intent - which is nowhere in the statute! Gross negligence, thats it - which lines up pretty well with 'extreme carelessness' in the real world. Intent is irrelevant according to the statute (which apparently doesn't matter any more)
And Obama? Let's see...Fast and Furious, slandering of police officers, Obamacare (try and argue its not a disaster, please), Benghazi, losing Irag (it was progressing very well before President Failure pulled everyone out). Somebody please tell me why we still have troops in Germany and Korea 50-70 years after those conflicts, but we HAD to get them out of Iraq ASAP? Thanks Pres Failure for ISIS, results are directly on you.
Driscoll is 100% correct when he writes democrats are "A Criminal Organization Masquerading as a Political Party". Plus, I live in a very liberal city and the one thing I can absolutely count on? People have no clue what they're talking about! at all. Its pathetic, whats wrong with you people?
"purest brands in Washington — Barack Obama, James Comey and Loretta Lynch"
Was that meant as a joke? Lynch hasn't been in office long enough to do much damage yet (though I'm sure its coming). But Comey just explicitly outlined the criminal behavior of H Clinton, and yet decided not to recommend indictment on the basis of no evidence of intent - which is nowhere in the statute! Gross negligence, thats it - which lines up pretty well with 'extreme carelessness' in the real world. Intent is irrelevant according to the statute (which apparently doesn't matter any more)
And Obama? Let's see...Fast and Furious, slandering of police officers, Obamacare (try and argue its not a disaster, please), Benghazi, losing Irag (it was progressing very well before President Failure pulled everyone out). Somebody please tell me why we still have troops in Germany and Korea 50-70 years after those conflicts, but we HAD to get them out of Iraq ASAP? Thanks Pres Failure for ISIS, results are directly on you.
Driscoll is 100% correct when he writes democrats are "A Criminal Organization Masquerading as a Political Party". Plus, I live in a very liberal city and the one thing I can absolutely count on? People have no clue what they're talking about! at all. Its pathetic, whats wrong with you people?
12
Once again Maureen, you will bring down the invective of the true Clinton believers, that cult-like following that seems incapable of seeing evil, hearing evil, sensing evil in any way. I would guess that if Mrs. Clinton ran down somebody with a car, her die-hard following would insist it was the pedestrian's fault.
But should America be forced to accept such an "unqualified" candidate because stupidity runs rampant in America, both in the Democratic and the Republican Parties? Nobody has been nominated yet, and it is quite possible the main parties could select different candidates. Certainly there are a number of qualified candidates within the Democratic Party who could be the candidate in the place of Madam Hillary.
What bothers me much more than Mrs. Clinton's lapses in judgment, her autocratic behavior, and her ongoing lying is the fact that she is very much like a neocon, the very animal that Democrats railed against during the Bush administration. She strongly believes in "American exceptionalism" and America's duty to right the world through military intervention. Not very different from Bush and Cheney in that regard.
I would like to implore newspapers and journalists throughout this country to demand that the Democratic Party come to its senses and select a different candidate for president.
If Clinton becomes the selection, I will support Jill Stein and never look to Democrats again in my lifetime. Hopefully, others will do the same.
But should America be forced to accept such an "unqualified" candidate because stupidity runs rampant in America, both in the Democratic and the Republican Parties? Nobody has been nominated yet, and it is quite possible the main parties could select different candidates. Certainly there are a number of qualified candidates within the Democratic Party who could be the candidate in the place of Madam Hillary.
What bothers me much more than Mrs. Clinton's lapses in judgment, her autocratic behavior, and her ongoing lying is the fact that she is very much like a neocon, the very animal that Democrats railed against during the Bush administration. She strongly believes in "American exceptionalism" and America's duty to right the world through military intervention. Not very different from Bush and Cheney in that regard.
I would like to implore newspapers and journalists throughout this country to demand that the Democratic Party come to its senses and select a different candidate for president.
If Clinton becomes the selection, I will support Jill Stein and never look to Democrats again in my lifetime. Hopefully, others will do the same.
26
Tacitus captured Team Clinton for the ages when he observed: "Criminality, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity."
And Dowd is quite correct to observe that their toxicity stains everything and everyone who encounter it.
How long will they continue to abuse our patience?
Who knows?
But look for those two "successful sociopaths" (a term used by FBI profilers in describing their personality type) to attempt to brazen their way through, knowing that they can count on two constants to run interference for them: (i) a craven media that has been feted by the fetid at such pompous Clinton gatherings as Renaissance Weekend, and (ii) the stunningly willful ethical blindness of the usual Clinton apologists, as evidenced by those who dully attempt to defend them on this board.
And Dowd is quite correct to observe that their toxicity stains everything and everyone who encounter it.
How long will they continue to abuse our patience?
Who knows?
But look for those two "successful sociopaths" (a term used by FBI profilers in describing their personality type) to attempt to brazen their way through, knowing that they can count on two constants to run interference for them: (i) a craven media that has been feted by the fetid at such pompous Clinton gatherings as Renaissance Weekend, and (ii) the stunningly willful ethical blindness of the usual Clinton apologists, as evidenced by those who dully attempt to defend them on this board.
23
A lot of good it did for Barry to move a rung up on the political DNA ladder, changing triangulation to a straight line of what was wanted by his un-loyal opposition, the intellectual's kind example of the way forward. Not blind, nor a slow learner, Mr. Obama now thinks Billary is what's needed. I can respect that.
3
What a rallying cry. "She didn't get charged! Vote Hillary."
24
Bernie's supporters need to stand with the party. Bernie announced this past Thursday night on Charlie Rose (in an interview with sub A. Hunt) that he will do everything possible to defeat Trump and elect Clinton. He confirmed he will endorse her but wouldn't commit to the exact date of his announcement (suspected this week). He discourages his supporters from voting for a 3rd party candidate. Perhaps we're faced with the "lesser of two evils"; but, oh, what an evil a Trump administration would deliver. Look at the problems in this country - they are far more threatening than the careless handling of emails. It's done. It was careless and arrogant. But, it's done. Let's solve the important issues facing our nation. There's much to be addressed and rehashing Benghazi rumors, email errors, and Clintonian arrogance ad nauseam is not going to solve anything. Let's get productive and save our country.
10
Clinton is sizing herself up to be America's first monarch. Let's hope not a reckless, despotic one.
Joe Biden was robbed.
Joe Biden was robbed.
20
Maureen Dowd has become a self-parody. Congratulations, Ms. Dowd.
71
HRC or the Don? We sure don't need a better argument for striving toward a less powerful federal government than this mess. Keep the government out of our lives!
6
..."is that the email transgression is not a one off. It’s part of a long pattern of ethical slipping and sliding, obsessive secrecy and paranoia, and collateral damage."
50 years worth of MAJOR Character Flaws. Think about the collateral DAMAGE she has in store Not only us, but our Children's FUTURE. Can our Nation Stand 10 years of
"...(whatever subject)...[ending in]...What difference now does it make..."
50 years worth of MAJOR Character Flaws. Think about the collateral DAMAGE she has in store Not only us, but our Children's FUTURE. Can our Nation Stand 10 years of
"...(whatever subject)...[ending in]...What difference now does it make..."
17
I understand that most of you don't care about this because, actually, you don't care about anything if it negatively affects Clinton's chances of being elected, but if you won't at least admit that this is, above all, about judgment and competence, about the only two things critical to being president (see Nixon, Bush fils), and that she has failed, you really haven't earned your citizenship.
28
The Clintons--remember there are 2 of them--are every bit as horrible as the one Trump. My only thought is to place them in their party context: Democrat and Republican After observing the last 8 years of abhorrent Republican behavior in Congress, I will never again vote for a Republican at the federal level. I can't imagine they can sink any lower. Their leaders are not worthy of any respect whatsoever. We, and the world, are in stormy waters, and I am grateful to President Obama every day for his steady hand at the helm.
20
"[Hillary and Bill] always offering a Faustian deal. This year’s election bargain: Put up with our iniquities or get Trump’s short fingers on the nuclear button."
No, it is not a Faustian deal, Ms. Dowd. Hillary and Donald are cut from the same clothe. For anyone who cares about this country, the choice is clear: it is Hillary whose fingers need to be on the nuclear button while Trump's should be light years removed from it.
No, it is not a Faustian deal, Ms. Dowd. Hillary and Donald are cut from the same clothe. For anyone who cares about this country, the choice is clear: it is Hillary whose fingers need to be on the nuclear button while Trump's should be light years removed from it.
10
You are more grotesque than ever, Ms. Dowd, in your Hillary, Bill and Barry hatred.
Hillary Clinton is an incredibly hard working brilliant woman who will be the next President. Her husband, Bill, led one of the most peaceful and prosperous administrations in recent history. President Obama, in spite of rabid right wing hatred fueled by billionaires, is having more success than one would expect from someone who has been attacked so virulently.
You like Trump, Ms. Dowd? A thug who inspired hatred and racism wherever he goes? A man who lives by cheating the little guys and who might be indicted for fraud in the Trump University case?
You like the guy who implies that if elected he might not accept the presidency, and who could therefy foment a constitutional crisis in the nation?
You should be ashamed, Ms. Dowd. If I had my way, I'd say "You're fired.
Hillary Clinton is an incredibly hard working brilliant woman who will be the next President. Her husband, Bill, led one of the most peaceful and prosperous administrations in recent history. President Obama, in spite of rabid right wing hatred fueled by billionaires, is having more success than one would expect from someone who has been attacked so virulently.
You like Trump, Ms. Dowd? A thug who inspired hatred and racism wherever he goes? A man who lives by cheating the little guys and who might be indicted for fraud in the Trump University case?
You like the guy who implies that if elected he might not accept the presidency, and who could therefy foment a constitutional crisis in the nation?
You should be ashamed, Ms. Dowd. If I had my way, I'd say "You're fired.
95
One of the main reasons I stopped subscribing to the Times is that Maureen Dowd has been droning on about the Clintons since the Pleistocene. A first-rate newspaper would have reassigned her long since. I am not a Clinton supporter, just someone who believes that no one should be in the same job -- saying the same things -- for decades.
67
Well, I think that we've at least laid to rest the oft-repeated accusation that Hillary is calculating. No calculating politician intending to run for president would have committed the silly error of for which she is now being pilloried (again!) by Maureen Dowd.
I find Hillary's decision with respect to her private email server understandable, however unfortunate. Ever since she was first lady her every word has been parsed (remember "baking cookies"?), her every action dissected and subjected to the most unfavorable interpretation. She has been accused of murder. She has been repeatedly investigated by Republican partisans in their effort to besmirch her, or worse and despite being exonerated each time, she has been vilified by vindictive people like Dowd. And, speaking of "goo," at the time of the Lewinsky scandal, instead of being an object of sympathy, she suffered the intrusion of the public into her private life and condemnation for not leaving her husband.
Is it any wonder that a person so treated over such a long period would be skittish about public scrutiny of communications she considered exempt from it?
Hillary Clinton may be a flawed human being, like the rest of us, but she is neither arrogant nor entitled, and compared to Trump she is a sage and and a saint.
I find Hillary's decision with respect to her private email server understandable, however unfortunate. Ever since she was first lady her every word has been parsed (remember "baking cookies"?), her every action dissected and subjected to the most unfavorable interpretation. She has been accused of murder. She has been repeatedly investigated by Republican partisans in their effort to besmirch her, or worse and despite being exonerated each time, she has been vilified by vindictive people like Dowd. And, speaking of "goo," at the time of the Lewinsky scandal, instead of being an object of sympathy, she suffered the intrusion of the public into her private life and condemnation for not leaving her husband.
Is it any wonder that a person so treated over such a long period would be skittish about public scrutiny of communications she considered exempt from it?
Hillary Clinton may be a flawed human being, like the rest of us, but she is neither arrogant nor entitled, and compared to Trump she is a sage and and a saint.
76
Why is no one talking about the Gary Johnson/Bill Weld ticket of the LIbertarians? These two honest, competent, independent and popular two-term governors are a very reasonable alternative to the Clinton/Trump disaster. A little more attention from the Times would help.
10
Maureen are your cat claws still out? Your article is complete with all of the Republican talking points. James Comy overstepped his professional boundaries by having a press conference offering his personal biases. The facts proved she should not be indicted. End of story. You just can't stand the fact that HRC is going to be the first Madame President. Your biases are showing.
58
Help me out here. If, as FBI Director Comey said, none of the Clinton emails the FBI read said "classified" in the heading as the rules require, how was Sec. Clinton to know they were considered classified? And did Mr Comey, in calling her "extremely reckless," judge her without the authority or the evidence to do so?
39
This is the only issue, upon which Ms. Dowd seems gushingly inspired to rehash . The relentless over dramatization of a practice,( that somehow did not taint either Condoleeza Rice or Colin Powell), whose administrations were involved in some of the most sordid foreign policy debacles in this nations history. No, somehow they are above reproach and yet Ms. Clinton, through her own admitted carelessness, is somehow being forced under the guillotine of Ms. Dowds relentless pen.
And, somehow despite a large (7 million dollars of our) tax money and a acrimonious partisan witch hunt that would make Joe McCarthy proud, a subsequent FBI investigation, the fact that she was admittedly careless and less than transparent about this "email" issue has taken on a larger than life aspect for Ms. Dowd. She cannot disguise her glee.
One can't help but wonder why she so continually feeds this animosity
towards someone who has served this country faithfully .
This is not an attempt to elect a pope, or to canonize someone, and yet, Ms. Dowd and her formidable writing skills have nothing better to focus her skills on, in a week of unprecedented sadness for this country than the continuing "gotcha" mentality .
Mo , does a continuing disservice to this finest of news forums, and to the country as a whole. We are desperate for good news and hopeful signs meanwhile, you continue to serve up huge helpings of bile.
And, somehow despite a large (7 million dollars of our) tax money and a acrimonious partisan witch hunt that would make Joe McCarthy proud, a subsequent FBI investigation, the fact that she was admittedly careless and less than transparent about this "email" issue has taken on a larger than life aspect for Ms. Dowd. She cannot disguise her glee.
One can't help but wonder why she so continually feeds this animosity
towards someone who has served this country faithfully .
This is not an attempt to elect a pope, or to canonize someone, and yet, Ms. Dowd and her formidable writing skills have nothing better to focus her skills on, in a week of unprecedented sadness for this country than the continuing "gotcha" mentality .
Mo , does a continuing disservice to this finest of news forums, and to the country as a whole. We are desperate for good news and hopeful signs meanwhile, you continue to serve up huge helpings of bile.
57
The Clintons are far from perfect, but at this point Ms. Dowd has no credibility whatsoever in commenting on or covering them as a professional journalist.
That's what happens when you spend years spiraling steadily downward from insightful political analysis to relentless (and usually petty) adolescent snark.
That's what happens when you spend years spiraling steadily downward from insightful political analysis to relentless (and usually petty) adolescent snark.
64
So Ms. Dowd, who are you voting for in the election? Perhaps yourself?
18
Maureen Dowd has been singing the same tune for years now. We get it. She doesn't like the Clintons. Enough.
Comey is a former deputy attorney general who worked for Bush. Prosecutors ordinarily don't hold news conferences to discuss a decision re indictments. He found no crimes, but found a way to tar Hillary for doing what Condeleeza Rice and Colin Powell also did. Why doesn't Maureen Dowd cast innuendos regarding Comey?
Comey is a former deputy attorney general who worked for Bush. Prosecutors ordinarily don't hold news conferences to discuss a decision re indictments. He found no crimes, but found a way to tar Hillary for doing what Condeleeza Rice and Colin Powell also did. Why doesn't Maureen Dowd cast innuendos regarding Comey?
63
"Put up with our iniquities or get Trump’s short fingers on the nuclear button."
I'd say that the opportunity to put a justice or two on the Supreme Court, add to the previous eight years of judicial appointments, uphold our commitment to international cooperation on climate, protect and promote reproductive rights, safeguard and extend voting rights — the list goes on — are all high on my list of critical concerns. I can think of many good reasons to pull the lever for Mrs. Clinton. It's just that none of them have to do with her.
I'd say that the opportunity to put a justice or two on the Supreme Court, add to the previous eight years of judicial appointments, uphold our commitment to international cooperation on climate, protect and promote reproductive rights, safeguard and extend voting rights — the list goes on — are all high on my list of critical concerns. I can think of many good reasons to pull the lever for Mrs. Clinton. It's just that none of them have to do with her.
14
Maureen, I've followed your for years and enjoyed your biting sense of the ridiculous irony in our politics. But this opinion piece made me cross and irritated. What's your real gripe with the Clintons, Bill passed over your advances, Hillary refused you an interview?
It so easy to pull people down into your gutter. Criticize and jab away all you want but offer some redeeming positive suggestion as you end.
What do you want us to do, vote for the Drumpf?
Who are you going to vote for anyway, Dr. Stein?
It so easy to pull people down into your gutter. Criticize and jab away all you want but offer some redeeming positive suggestion as you end.
What do you want us to do, vote for the Drumpf?
Who are you going to vote for anyway, Dr. Stein?
27
Yes we get it. You hate HRC. You have a fondness for Trump, who, while he lies demonstrably most times he opens his mouth, clearly has no idea what a President does (the "great deals" he'll make may include paying off our national debt at a discount like our government is one of his bankrupt casinos) and thinks nuclear armed Japan and South Korea would be awesome because it would save us money, gets nothing more negative in any of your columns than a stern admonishment to at least start acting Presidential. I'm waiting for the column that shows you don't have a double standard regarding the choice in this election. Regarding your final sentence, hey, you actually like Trump, so I guess that's why you never seem frightened of imagining him in the Oval Office. Low expectations?? The Palinesque self-aggrandizing narcissist whom his supporters promise will take President lessons from the experts once he's done winning the election?
31
"But in the end, Hillary’s goo got on Obama anyhow."
With so much ate in the world, I'm thinking you made a typo.
I'm thinking what you actually meant to write was:
"But in the end, Hillary's good got on Obama anyhow."
With so much ate in the world, I'm thinking you made a typo.
I'm thinking what you actually meant to write was:
"But in the end, Hillary's good got on Obama anyhow."
10
Give it up already. Bush deleted 5 million e-mails, lied us into Iraq while his friends made millions. Benghazi and e-mails are just a partisan witch hunt.
71
If Clinton privilege, ruthlessness and sleaze are all that stand between us and President Trump, then more power to them. Perfect is not only the enemy of the good but in this case it's the enemy of American democracy.
12
Maureen Dowd - how small you are. How unable to escape your obsession with Bill Clinton and hatred of Hillary. How naked and embarrassingly apparent your problem has become. How tedious for us Times readers to have you spinning your poisonous shroud every week and trying to enmesh the Clintons in sophistic 'D' student metaphors. ''The Tom and Daisy Buchanan of American politics?'' - Did you even read the Great Gatsby? Or is that just the derivative putdown that skimming through Wikipedia seemed literary to you? Equating Hillary having a private server that was never successfully hacked and may have inadvertently had a small handful of (c) marked message fragments. Gosh. There is no there there Maureen. Game over. Your rhetoric is heedless and your malice endless, but your writing, alas, is adolescent and speaks eloquently only of your personal grudges on all things.
96
Thank you Maureen Diwd for your succinct analysis of the Clintons: It is indeed a Faustian bargain for any thinking voter. As usual it is a case of voting for the lesser of two evils. Though I was disappointed that Obama showed his true colors as a centrist during his eight years in office, he at least remained scandal free; one can only imagine the long list of dirty deals that will plague the country during the tenure of Hilary Clinton.
10
"Imagine them [the Clintons] in the White House with the benefit of low expectations."
Worse yet Maureen, imagine your boy Trump in the White House with even lower expectations.
Worse yet Maureen, imagine your boy Trump in the White House with even lower expectations.
21
Come on Maureen, put away your hatchet somewhere other than in Hillary's back. Four years as Secretary of State - and you and the other agents of denigration can only fashion talking points from Benghazi and 110 emails. Well done Hillary!
As the Chilcot report is released in Britain, Republicans open another enquiry into emails servers. Which do you think is more important: that Hilary Clinton did not think sufficiently about the security of her email server, or that President Bush mislead the country into war with intelligence that was seen by so many to be flawed?
As the Chilcot report is released in Britain, Republicans open another enquiry into emails servers. Which do you think is more important: that Hilary Clinton did not think sufficiently about the security of her email server, or that President Bush mislead the country into war with intelligence that was seen by so many to be flawed?
29
Contaminated three of the purest brand in D.C.! Obama & Lynch lolol. Purest brands? Obama's ace hustling & agitation has done more damage to race relations than anything in the past half century. As for Lunch, she's carrying out Obama's cultural marxist agenda to a "T" leading a totally corrupt poltically motivated & driven Department of Injusti in the most secretive, deceptive duplicitous coirrupt administration in our lifetime! Nixon only erased 30 seconds of tape! We could only wish the members of Obama's IRS, Justice department or Hillary's state department been as corrupt as Nixon!
6
Come on, Maureen, let's stop the naiveté. A investigation into the email of Congress would make Hillary look like a school girl. Are we to believe that House and Senate members don't play loose with email? The Clintons are the same as most of the political elite in America. Congress won't take this email business too far. In the heart of most Republicans in Congress is a deep fear that Trump will win. His election will result in the loss of significant power among a lot of Republicans. Trump will never play nice with Congress. Trump is not a tea partier. There's considerable murmuring within the Tea Party caucus about a Trump presidency. If he wins, his mandate will be to dismantle the current status quo. Should Trump not deliver, he'll loose his base. A Trump win means Mr. Ryan et al should say so long.
9
Hyperbole much?
The real question you should be asking yourself Ms. Dowd is why classified information is EVER sent over email.
HRC isn't the problem. The system is.
The real question you should be asking yourself Ms. Dowd is why classified information is EVER sent over email.
HRC isn't the problem. The system is.
568
Dowd is like Sanders who has one set speech, only she has one column, Hillary is very bad. What is bad here is the stink of a columnist raking dead matters over and over, not taking our obsessive compulsive disorder medication again are we... We suffer again in false hope the Dowd will come to her senses, guess again!
18
Mrs. Clinton is Mr. Obama's albatross to wear. He appointed her knowing she was utterly corrupt. The least he could have done was to have the NSA monitor her, make her security violations or Clinton Foundation graft public, and fire her.
The democratic party would have fielded a far better candidate and won the presidency with ease.
Instead we have the worst candidates in modern history. Mr. Obama could have ended this farce before it began, much to the benefit of the Democratic party and the nation.
The democratic party would have fielded a far better candidate and won the presidency with ease.
Instead we have the worst candidates in modern history. Mr. Obama could have ended this farce before it began, much to the benefit of the Democratic party and the nation.
12
If Secretary Clinton were the most egregious violator of these rules, sure. But she's not. And she's the best hope we have come November.
10
Maureen Dowd: Petty wrath and petty vanity does a narcissist make. You are BORING!
24
"It’s part of a long pattern of ethical slipping and sliding, obsessive secrecy and paranoia, and collateral damage."
Whitewater, Vince Foster, Travelgate, Benghazi, private server, ........
I wonder why Ms. Clinton is so paranoid?
Whitewater, Vince Foster, Travelgate, Benghazi, private server, ........
I wonder why Ms. Clinton is so paranoid?
8
110 emails out of over 30,000 should not have been on Clinton's unclassified system. And not all of them were sent by Ms Clinton, some were sent to her by others.
That means 99.7% of the emails were not classified. Show my anyone who never makes a mistake and is perfect 100.0% of the time.
I wouldn't call that low rate of mishandling emails being reckless.
That means 99.7% of the emails were not classified. Show my anyone who never makes a mistake and is perfect 100.0% of the time.
I wouldn't call that low rate of mishandling emails being reckless.
23
At least we now know that despite her near-constant disparagement of "Barry", Ms. Dowd does consider President Obama "one of the purest brands in Washington"...
8
Good column!
As awful as her opponent is, HRC is even worse.
I think this means a lot of people won't vote.
As awful as her opponent is, HRC is even worse.
I think this means a lot of people won't vote.
13
The only people Trump likes are pretty girls. Don't be a loser Mo.
4
I realize Dowd is aging, but her deafness seems premature. Anyone watching the GOP led hearing on Comey's decision would have heard him admit that only three e-mails were clearly vaguely marked with a classified designation and it turns out this was in error. If I recall, Hillary Clinton's previous statements, she said no e-mails received or sent contained a classified designation. So why is Dowd, and for that matter the NYT, clinging to the worst possible scenario with regard to the former Secretary. My guess is Dowd has some hidden agenda, or maybe its just plain envy of a more accomplished woman.
32
Maureen Dowd is so vitriolic in her approach to the Clintons that one is tempted to skewer her (Maureen) and have done with it. I have no connection with the Clintons save common participation in a political campaign in Connecticut in 1970 and sharing with Hillary and President Obama a common interest in Saul Alinsky which led to three interesting looks at a man who did much to illuminate the intractability of our democracy back in the day. I am living in the now however and in that respect I think I have an advantage over Maureen. She seems willing to treat now as an opportunity with her colleague Frank Bruni to bash Hillary, with the implicit subtext that she will win so why not? That is a cynical posture. A simple look at Hillary's effort and that of Donald Trump is enough to suggest her superiority and elicit thanks, however grudging, to her for helping to move our nation from the precipice we have allowed to exist. Our problems are deeper than we have admitted and I have no illusions that Hillary can or will resolve them. But I am not willing to let people like Maureen Dowd help create an environment where we shrug and ask, like UK after Brexit, "What were we thinking?"
20
Hillary Clinton smells ever so sweet when you stand her next to a pile of Donald Trump. What rules? I see that no one is noticing that Donald Trump is the first candidate since before Richard Nixon that hasn't released his tax returns.
No candidate is perfect, but I will sure take her over Donald Trump and the 16 other losers the Republicans put up this year. The GOP attacks have been non-stop on Clinton and Barrack Obama so at some point they have to come up with some policies that help Americans besides less government and less taxes. George W. Bush showed those two policies do not work.
No candidate is perfect, but I will sure take her over Donald Trump and the 16 other losers the Republicans put up this year. The GOP attacks have been non-stop on Clinton and Barrack Obama so at some point they have to come up with some policies that help Americans besides less government and less taxes. George W. Bush showed those two policies do not work.
10
Sorry Maureen, you were looking for Hillary's indictment. Comey said she was reckless but no criminal intent. Show me who was not careless in the earlier administration. They were careless with criminal behavior. Look at George Bush, Dick Chenny and company. Why do you hate Hillary so much. Why has Trump impressed you so much?
11
Maureen, why do you hate the Clintons so much? Your "facts" are overblown and mostly absent of truths. Your prejudice toward anything Clinton is raw. I assume you are for Trump since your overall attitude is the same as his. What you write does nothing but encourage those crazy Trump supporters. Is that really what you want for America? Shame on you!
17
Maureen, I sure hope you wrote this rehash of a column before all the horror in Dallas and elsewhere took place. Otherwise, you are being more than a little tone deaf, if not utterly insensitive.
11
This is another exercise in narrative fabrication, or rather in the continuation of a narrative fabrication. Sure, Hillary was dumb about the e-mails and Bill was dumb about his airplane visit, but that doesn’t make them shifty or crooked. Dowd seems to have digested and now be regurgitating the right wing’s reality bubble. For years, she’s had a wildly misguided take on Obama (she routinely and condescendingly calls him “Barry”),and she seems to be equally barmy about Hillary, who despite the popular narrative is a person of high integrity. Is she intensely protective of her privacy? Absolutely. You’d be too, after what she’s gone through. Does she fudge things in her favor sometimes? That too. (See above about “what she’s gone through.”)
Cut her some slack, Maureen, and show her more respect. Where there’s smoke, there’s not always fire.
Cut her some slack, Maureen, and show her more respect. Where there’s smoke, there’s not always fire.
941
Possibly Maureen Dowd would prefer Gingrich and Trump.
Clinton will be elected president and will continue to be the subject of Republican investigations even after she completes two terms in office.
At a time like this in America's dismal present everyone should be praying, that the country not erupt into a civil war.
Clinton will be elected president and will continue to be the subject of Republican investigations even after she completes two terms in office.
At a time like this in America's dismal present everyone should be praying, that the country not erupt into a civil war.
12
For all her faults, Hillary Clinton has one enormous, unbeatable virtue: she isn't Maureen Dowd's fantasy boyfriend, the most notorious con artist in America and a dangerous, divisive, possibly sociopathic demagogue. I think it's time for Ms. Dowd to retire this column and return to the bosom of her right-wing Republican family where she truly belongs.
26
"It is possible" says nothing. It is possible that Gene Autey was the shooter on the Grassy Knoll in Dallas in 1963. Comey used the phrase solely to harm Clinton. If he had evidence he would have used terms conveying probability. You know that.
9
Hillary Clinton on Friday rejected the F.B.I.’s assertion that she had been “extremely careless” with classified material as secretary of state.
Mrs. Clinton insisted Friday that she did not intentionally send or
receive any classified information through her private account.
But since classified material was in fact sent and received - then there can be only one choice of two: either she was careless or she did it intentionally.
Mrs. Clinton insisted Friday that she did not intentionally send or
receive any classified information through her private account.
But since classified material was in fact sent and received - then there can be only one choice of two: either she was careless or she did it intentionally.
6
"Tom and Daisy Buchanan of American politics. Their vast carelessness drags down everyone around them, but they persevere, and even thrive."
I suspect those who weren't around for Act I don't have Maureen's romanticized view of the Clintons…nor her optimistic predictions.
That said, as to their dragging down of everyone else, I would be remiss not to mention Sandy Berger.
Some argue Sandy Berger is a precedent counterexample to Comey's spurious claims while failing to see the irony—Berger stuffed classified docs down his pants to take the fall for Clinton.
And as for Berger getting his life back, he can't. He's dead.
Another Clinton sacrificial lamb bit the dust.
ELVIS, HILL AND BILL
Elvis is gone
Bill's old and wan
A lyin' hound dog still.
A Hillary shill.
RICO swill.
Radioactive-as-radon Bill.
Crooked pointer finger trembles
A metronome, a shaky voice.
COPD cadency.
Feigned decency.
Says Hillary's our only choice.
Elvis is gone
Bill's old and wan
A lyin' hound dog still.
A Hillary shill.
We're over Bill.
They're both over the hill
Cosby scurril, Hill and Bill.
8
Secretary Clinton caused confusion with her email adventures when it shouldn't have happened. She should have had an information security specialist as one of three or four personal aides (they usually call this a body man or woman; and Huma Abedin was her body woman).
Classified information is usually a bunch of gossip, secret may have a little for info., e.g. Puff the Magic Dragon left the barn (short for a drone strike). Top Secret is a junior or senior foreign government official's cell phone number. Nobody was put in danger. The over classification of federal information is legend.
Classified information is usually a bunch of gossip, secret may have a little for info., e.g. Puff the Magic Dragon left the barn (short for a drone strike). Top Secret is a junior or senior foreign government official's cell phone number. Nobody was put in danger. The over classification of federal information is legend.
12
November 2016 > SCOTUS for then next 20 years, marriage equality, women's right to chose, climate change is real, health care for all (ACA or Universal) separation of church and state, push for sensible gun laws, education, TX seceding with their banned books 9sorry, could not resist) OR,
The Con Man Donald small hands, small nose, small mind over compensating ego, narcissist.....you decide That's all folks.
The Con Man Donald small hands, small nose, small mind over compensating ego, narcissist.....you decide That's all folks.
12
Yes, as Dowd points out, we know who the Clintons are. The completely untainted candidate, Bernie Sanders, has built a coalition of Democrats and Independents into the biggest voting bloc ever, larger even than the one FDR forged. He has more than 47% of Democrats, and 70% of Independents. (California votes are still being counted and every completed county, including the large ones, has flipped to Bernie; election fraud lawsuits in several states, filed by highly reputable lawyers, are proceeding apace. The corporate media refuses to cover these stories.) He is the only choice for President. Shame on the media who continues to insist our only choices are two candidates whom the American public neither respects nor trusts. To those Hillary supporters who try to present their ever-weakening case in this forum: your stance puzzles and distresses the huge-majority voting bloc mentioned above.
9
In an odd way, Hillary Clinton is the second coming of Richard Nixon. Like Nixon, Hillary grew up as the unpopular, socially awkward over-achiever, whose achievements always were more about proving the popular kids wrong than the joy of actually accomplishing anything. Like Nixon, Hillary's resume is hollow -- plenty of appointments and titles, but very little of substance to show for it. Like Nixon, Hillary is a paranoid. She can't wrap her mind around disagreement with her views, preferring instead to think it comes from unfair, mean-spirited bias or worse. Like Nixon, Hillary wants to live a public life but detests scrutiny. Like Nixon, Hillary believes she has earned the privilege to live above those silly ethical rules that should only apply to other people. After all, she knows better than anyone else what the people want and need. And finally, like Nixon, Hillary, if elected, will be the President no one truly wants, elected by default.
The parallels are amazing. In retrospect, Nixon turned out to be the very type of person who should never be President. Let's see whether history repeats itself.
The parallels are amazing. In retrospect, Nixon turned out to be the very type of person who should never be President. Let's see whether history repeats itself.
268
Yes, the Clintons are flawed human beings but, living in a public eye in which daggers are out for them day and night, their mistakes are always and fully exposed and magnified, much more so than are yours or mine. Yes, be a good gadfly but, please, keep your ever-churning anti-Clinton bile in your pancreas where it belongs.
10
I've voted Democrat my whole life. Clinton is a terrible candidate. In addition to her arrogance, her obsession with secrecy, her unethical dealings, & her political leanings - Republican in everything but the name - she is the last woman I'd celebrate as the first female President. She is here 100% because of her Man. Looking at deeds as opposed to words, there is nothing that she has done while in power that is feminist. She is the perfect oligarch, maintaining power no matter how incompetent, a poster child for the rules pertaining only to the little people. She still relies on men, sticking like velcro to Obama the day it's announced she was "extremely careless" with the emails. She is on record for lying *repeatedly* & straight faced on multiple occasions about the emails, remarkably, I might add, like her husband.
The only reason she is here is because the oligarchy wants her here. She is the oligarchy's creature. That so many progressives line up to follow her like little ducklings - despite ample, ample data that shows her to be anything but progressive- is a depressing & infuriating statement of the ease with which people can be persuaded to vote against their interests.
And it is pure fear-mongering to say the sky will fall if I don't vote for her, that I must pinch my nose 'or else.' The hysteria the oligarchy is trying to whip up is shameful & shows how desperate they are to have her as their puppet. No thank you.
The only reason she is here is because the oligarchy wants her here. She is the oligarchy's creature. That so many progressives line up to follow her like little ducklings - despite ample, ample data that shows her to be anything but progressive- is a depressing & infuriating statement of the ease with which people can be persuaded to vote against their interests.
And it is pure fear-mongering to say the sky will fall if I don't vote for her, that I must pinch my nose 'or else.' The hysteria the oligarchy is trying to whip up is shameful & shows how desperate they are to have her as their puppet. No thank you.
23
Much of the criticism of Hillary Clinton is unfounded, but some of it is spot on, including things Maureen Dowd writes here. However, it is absolutely clear to anyone north of dull-normal that she is a far better candidate for the presidency than Donald Trump. Comparing her to Trump is not like "apples to oranges," but more like apples to imaginary numbers.
She is an intelligent, informed, thoughtful former United States Senator and Secretary of State; he is a vile, ignorant, narcissistic con-man and "reality-show" host (whatever that is).
Apples and imaginary numbers.
She is an intelligent, informed, thoughtful former United States Senator and Secretary of State; he is a vile, ignorant, narcissistic con-man and "reality-show" host (whatever that is).
Apples and imaginary numbers.
18
I read a comment by an anonymous person who had seen at least some of the classified emails and he said it was all trivial stuff. That person probably didn't see everything. I'd like to see a statement from someone who had seen everything as to what, generically, her classified emails revealed. We know for example that Cheney's office deliberately released the name of an active CIA agent, Valerie Plame. Did Clinton reveal the names of any agents? Did She reveal the plans for a military invasion only days before it was to take place? What did all this "carelessness" and "putting the country at risk" actually amount to--something we should regret happened or just a hill of beans? Comey could produce such a list without damaging our secrets and he should. Until then, people like this columnist should subdue if not lay off the criticism.
10
It is interesting, and very sad, to read these comments. I am sure most of the commentators have honorable principles and strife to live by them. Why then are they so determined to defend one who has proven time and time again that she has no principles other than self-aggrandizement?
16
Yet another piece about Clinton's email without any mention of similar actions by the Bush administration, Condoleezaa Rice, Madeline Albright, John Kerry, or Colin Powell. Why? Because the latter are all old news and thus uninteresting targets? It would be so nice to see the Times do some thoughtful, serious, contextualized reporting on an issue that is not isolated to Hillary Clinton. Neglecting to do so seems like little more than a political or personal vendetta. I expect more from the Times.
20
Delete your column
32
I used to admire Maureen Dowd. Now I cant believe the Times continues to publish her vitriol against Hillary Clinton. As I remember she was already reprimanded by the public editor for her columns against her in 2008 showing a clear insubstantiated bias. She definitely has a vendetta against her and this column is the proof of that. She ignores past practices of other Secretaries of State.
Green is not your color Maureen.
Green is not your color Maureen.
23
Clinton used a private server for largely the same reasons Rice and Powell did. I'm waiting for the House to call hearings on them. Oh--they were Republicans? Never mind. Dowd continues her repetitive witch hunt. Old news, Mo. Please write about something interesting.
24
Ah yes, our Maureen, pure as the driven snow as she sucked up to the proto-fascist Trumpolina until a week or so ago so as not to risk her invitations to his pathetic, I-need-to-prove-how-special-I-am, gold-plated Versailles on Fifth.
There, amidst fawning sycophants, I'm sure our Maureen's righteous indignation about the how-dare-you-be-more-powerful-than-I (or more beautiful or more rich or more smart or more whatever turns you on in this materialistic culture of ours) vindictiveness spread like sweet incense among her and The Donald's honeyed but oh-so-pathetic, needy elite.
Maureen, you're never, ever gong to have Hillary's brains or Hillary's power or Hillary's drive or Hillary's chutzpah and your descent into picking apart someone who is so much more than you're ever going to be just makes you all that more pathetic.
There, amidst fawning sycophants, I'm sure our Maureen's righteous indignation about the how-dare-you-be-more-powerful-than-I (or more beautiful or more rich or more smart or more whatever turns you on in this materialistic culture of ours) vindictiveness spread like sweet incense among her and The Donald's honeyed but oh-so-pathetic, needy elite.
Maureen, you're never, ever gong to have Hillary's brains or Hillary's power or Hillary's drive or Hillary's chutzpah and your descent into picking apart someone who is so much more than you're ever going to be just makes you all that more pathetic.
21
The last sentence should read, "Imagine them in the White House again...."
1
Imagine them in the White House?
They WERE in the White House for eight of our best years. I'd like a re-run of that.
They WERE in the White House for eight of our best years. I'd like a re-run of that.
16
Imagine Trump in the White House with the benefit of a mandate for bigotry.
Errant judgement? Ryan's judgement is horrific: endorsing Trump the bigot.
I'll stick with Hillary.
Errant judgement? Ryan's judgement is horrific: endorsing Trump the bigot.
I'll stick with Hillary.
15
Maureen-do you ever look at things in a positive light( or at least fair light) for the Clintons? I have no idea why you hate them so much that you would rather see Dangerous Donald in the most important job in the world. FBI Director Comey, while making the correct legal decision and being incredibly professional, failed to note some of the facts he mentioned were incorrect and supposition on his part. He also failed to note the enormous # of emails, 60,000 or so, from several years ago. How many people receive 60,000 emails and can remember each and every one several years later. Also, while the emails are considered classified now, at the time they were not considered classified. As far as the Clinton Foundation, how can you criticize a non-profit entity that does so much good in the world. Perhaps, your next column should contrast the philanthropy of the Clintons to the Donalds. Apparently as a self-proclaimed billionaire, he thought giving $10,000 over the course of 7 years was adequate. Wow, how generous of him.
16
Maureen, as brilliant as ever in your absolute, perfect take on a woman who is not just Teflon, but dangerous...as are all the people in her "machine." Read the WP today about the case in the nineties when the same scenario took place, when the judge could not convict, she lied, and yet, she slipped right through. To say there is something pathological,in this woman's DNA woukd be too kind. But, the bottom line...or two..is "how does this continue to happen?" And, "What difference does it make?" For us mortals who are honest, have a moral core, and know right from wrong, there are no words to express the exasperation that befalls us all at this most dangerous woman
171
Oh, how I wish Obama wouldn't have bypassed his VP.
3
Time to let this Clinton obsession of yours go Ms. Dowd: this is a deadly serious presidential election. Hillary Clinton is a flawed human being (s most of us are in varying degrees) but she is intelligent, experienced, capable and most importantly, she is not a malignant narcissistic fascist. This is the stark choice; we are in the opening chapters of our own "It Can't Happen Here" 2016 edition. Time for all of us to change the ending.
22
V.Lance San Diego
Wasn't there a story some time ago that the state department's server didn't work half the time so most of the people working their used alternate servers?
Wasn't there a story some time ago that the state department's server didn't work half the time so most of the people working their used alternate servers?
5
On the subject of Hillary Clinton, Maureen Dowd is not to be trusted.
She has demonstrated over and over that long ago she contracted one of the most extreme known cases of CDS (Clinton Derangement Syndrome).
Her judgement is more than clouded by her irrational hatred for Hillary Clinton.
Whether it was some personal slight she experienced, or just the sourness of envy directed at an extremely accomplished, intelligent, highly qualified woman daring to attain the presidency, the source of Ms Dowd's continuing small-minded hatred of Hillary is an odd mystery. In any case, once again, she shows the shallowness of her thinking, and entirely misses the point that Hillary Clinton was resoundingly re-elected to the Senate by the voters of New York, was appointed Secretary of State by a president who could have picked anyone, and was resoundingly selected by the voters of the United States and territories to be the Democratic presidential nominee.
At this juncture, Hillary Clinton is poised to be the historic first woman President of the United States, while Maureen Dowd is doomed to remain a tired hack with a poison pen.
She has demonstrated over and over that long ago she contracted one of the most extreme known cases of CDS (Clinton Derangement Syndrome).
Her judgement is more than clouded by her irrational hatred for Hillary Clinton.
Whether it was some personal slight she experienced, or just the sourness of envy directed at an extremely accomplished, intelligent, highly qualified woman daring to attain the presidency, the source of Ms Dowd's continuing small-minded hatred of Hillary is an odd mystery. In any case, once again, she shows the shallowness of her thinking, and entirely misses the point that Hillary Clinton was resoundingly re-elected to the Senate by the voters of New York, was appointed Secretary of State by a president who could have picked anyone, and was resoundingly selected by the voters of the United States and territories to be the Democratic presidential nominee.
At this juncture, Hillary Clinton is poised to be the historic first woman President of the United States, while Maureen Dowd is doomed to remain a tired hack with a poison pen.
27
Information security was atrociously incompetent at the US Federal government, in the era when Secretary Clinton was dong that job.
A huge trove of sensitive State Department memos appeared on Wikileaks.
A foreign government penetrated the General Services Administration computer system tracking applications to trusted federal jobs.
The National "Security" Agency allowed far-flung contract employees access to a vast top secret collection of documents, without audits or controls.
By contrast, not one whiff of suspicion has appeared that Secretary Clinton's email system was compromised by spies or cybercriminals.
She may have breached regulations by running a private communications infrastructure. We may not like it. But her email was doubtless safer from prying eyes than email on the official systems.
We should be happy that somebody with her abilities and realistic understanding of the job of POTUS is willing to do it.
A huge trove of sensitive State Department memos appeared on Wikileaks.
A foreign government penetrated the General Services Administration computer system tracking applications to trusted federal jobs.
The National "Security" Agency allowed far-flung contract employees access to a vast top secret collection of documents, without audits or controls.
By contrast, not one whiff of suspicion has appeared that Secretary Clinton's email system was compromised by spies or cybercriminals.
She may have breached regulations by running a private communications infrastructure. We may not like it. But her email was doubtless safer from prying eyes than email on the official systems.
We should be happy that somebody with her abilities and realistic understanding of the job of POTUS is willing to do it.
13
Maureen, tell us something we don't already know about the Clintons, would you? We've known for 25 years that they need a political crisis or two or three going on like the rest of us need water and fresh air.
My own hunch about this latest chapter in the Clinton Dramas is that Hillary wanted a private server(s) because she wanted to conduct Clinton Foundation business under the aegis of the Secretary of State.
In other words, she was moonlighting using the company stationery.
Unless and until there is proof of this and a criminal indictment is handed up, I'm still voting for her, messy and careless and entitled and dull and triangulating though she may be.
If Trump wins, the GOP will own the SCOTUS for another 40+ years, the bleat for bogus tax cuts will grow ever louder, the rich will continue to get richer and the poor will get poorer, ever increasing in number. Theocracy will keep its death grip on North Carolina, not to mention any number of other states. Good grief, they ALL wanna pass them an HB2 with a backdoor RFRA tucked in!
No more Republican anything, ever. Not ever. They are the scourge of the nation and the stink in the pews. If Hillary Clinton is the price I must pay to ward off the scourge and stink of the GOP, it'll be a screaming bargain.
My own hunch about this latest chapter in the Clinton Dramas is that Hillary wanted a private server(s) because she wanted to conduct Clinton Foundation business under the aegis of the Secretary of State.
In other words, she was moonlighting using the company stationery.
Unless and until there is proof of this and a criminal indictment is handed up, I'm still voting for her, messy and careless and entitled and dull and triangulating though she may be.
If Trump wins, the GOP will own the SCOTUS for another 40+ years, the bleat for bogus tax cuts will grow ever louder, the rich will continue to get richer and the poor will get poorer, ever increasing in number. Theocracy will keep its death grip on North Carolina, not to mention any number of other states. Good grief, they ALL wanna pass them an HB2 with a backdoor RFRA tucked in!
No more Republican anything, ever. Not ever. They are the scourge of the nation and the stink in the pews. If Hillary Clinton is the price I must pay to ward off the scourge and stink of the GOP, it'll be a screaming bargain.
8
Well, Mr Comey is not exactly pure when he claims that Clinton's e mail may have been breached and then says there is no evidence of that, among other issues. We had a view into Ms Dowd's view of the world last week when she said she can't go into restaurants alone. And her obvious infatuation with Donald Trump is a little much. I read some time ago about e mails between Trump and Tamron Hall about some expensive dress she wanted from a shop in the Trump Towers. All the kids together.
2
Your vicious, continual attacks on Hilary Clinton belie something, but I am not interested what exactly it is. People usually play within the rules, not by them, depending on their abilities, financially and intellectually. You know that, the NYT editorial board knows that and most of the rest of the planet knows that.
You're taking cheap shots over and over again for no reason and I think you know it.
Try something else.
You're taking cheap shots over and over again for no reason and I think you know it.
Try something else.
11
Just think, if Hillary Clinton suddenly evaporated tomorrow Maureen Dowd would have nothing to write about.
Talk about kicking a dead horde?
Talk about kicking a dead horde?
9
Maureen again shows symptoms of Clinton Derangement Syndrome. It is just email, Maureen, with no actual state secrets, and the previous Secretaries did the same thing. Get a hold of yourself.
20
I keep reading we get what we deserve with our 2 "presumptive" nominees.
Says who? I don't think we renamed our country the United Masochistic States of America.
As an 18-year-old, I registered Democrat when Nixon was about to resign. Well, I can't switch parties 40+ years later because that means I would support The Donald. For the first time, I am seriously considering a write-in vote.
Says who? I don't think we renamed our country the United Masochistic States of America.
As an 18-year-old, I registered Democrat when Nixon was about to resign. Well, I can't switch parties 40+ years later because that means I would support The Donald. For the first time, I am seriously considering a write-in vote.
3
Dowd has short fingers on her keyboard when she talks about Trump. The Clintons can do more damage to America than any Trump with access to the nuke codes.
3
Imagine Donald Trump in the White House. That's almost as bad as imagining Maureen Dowd as a writer.
12
Ah, Clinton Derangement Syndrome shifting into high gear befpre the conventions. BTW, It wasn't Hillary Clinton who "contaminated" James Comey, it was the GOP who took one of the most respected long-term public servants (and a Republican to boot) to the woodshed. Dirctor Comey has served Republican and Democratic administration alike in good faith. Jason Chafetz isn't fit to shine his shoes.
Oh, and, yes, I am a hard core Hillary supporter.
Oh, and, yes, I am a hard core Hillary supporter.
8
It's entirely possible that Trump could be elected president. His supporters love his every SNAFU and will vote for him even if it's proved that he violated every law on the books. Many Democrats, as well as independents, will not vote for Hillary or Trump because neither of them deserves our trust and both have a record of unmatched prevarication.
3
The country is coming apart at the seams, with people of all colors hurting for each other. Yet, this boring, predictable regurgitation of a Clinton bash makes it into the pages of the Times--yet again. Guess Maureen has nothing of substance to say about the deep, dark, and meaningful events that transpired this week. And she calls the Clinton's "heedless."
16
Maureen Dowd is obviously trapped in the pitter patter of mean girl middle school. Watch out for the bus. Not an iota of edification and upbuilding in her exercises for the Times. So, so sad.
16
All true, whether folks want to hear it or not.
6
i really want to say a lot of rude things to Maureen Dowd..
10
There were not 110 classified emails found on Hillary's server. Comey misspoke as he was not aware that emails that have been declassified by the state department will still bear the classified markings of a small c. Many of those emails were forwarded to Clinton as part of large chains. I believe that Comey has since backtracked on his claim. And Comey is hardly a pure brand. Many legal scholars have opined that it is unprecedented for a chief investigator (FBI or otherwise) who can't recommend charges but then litigates the case publicly acting as a prosecutor to smear the person who could not be charged with a crime. Comey is a republican and acted as a partisan when he ripped into Hillary. Comey should have stated only the facts and not speculated on whether the server was hacked. The facts say that it wasn't and there was no proof that it had been.
10
The crack in our society just got a little wider - thanks to you Ms Dowd
8
Anything bears short grubby fingers on a lucky sperm draft dodger con man anywhere near not only the nuclear code but our nations honor. Hillary and Bill may be shady but the Donald is deep dark evil.
7
Too many Americans have joined the "I'm with her" bandwagon without asking "is she with me?" Too bad America. You are literally on the horns of a dilemma.
7
Dowd could publish a doorstop of Clinton negativity. I wonder if she turns them in with a straight face anymore.
6
Yet another anti-Clinton screed is no surprise. Disappointed by her "big old rascally he man" Donald, she now decides that "Barry" isn't so bad after all. Good grief. To quote a NYT book review "maybe [she] should try something else"
10
After Bill's surprise visit to Attorney General Lynch (and yes, she should have known better and turned him away promptly with a "What the heck are you thinking?", after FBI Director Comey's succinct testimony, after knowing that Hillary has lied all along.....I am truly 100% disgusted and angry that, yes, because I don't want Trump's stubby fingers anywhere near the Red Button, I will have to vote for Hillary.
I have been among other readers who have chastised you in the past for seemingly having it in for Hillary without real cause. Now there is real cause.
How about Amy Klobuchar, fine Democratic senator from Minnesota as the first woman president? I don't even know her husband's name and that would be a relief.
Bill and Hillary Clinton. Yes, they have hurt the pure brands of three fine people. And I am sick to death of them.
I have been among other readers who have chastised you in the past for seemingly having it in for Hillary without real cause. Now there is real cause.
How about Amy Klobuchar, fine Democratic senator from Minnesota as the first woman president? I don't even know her husband's name and that would be a relief.
Bill and Hillary Clinton. Yes, they have hurt the pure brands of three fine people. And I am sick to death of them.
7
"[I]nstead of no emails with classified information, as Hillary had insisted, there were 110 ..."
C'mon, Maureen. Most of those 110 emails were not properly marked as classified.
C'mon, Maureen. Most of those 110 emails were not properly marked as classified.
3
The only one who hates the Clintons more than the GOP is Maureen. This hatred appears to have blinded her (and Republican Congress of course) to an overriding security issue. In 2007 the Bush White House had their own email scandal, involving use of private email servers from the White House, along with the destruction of as many as 22 million emails during the inquiry over the dismissal of 8 US AG's.
The question is this: Where were the security agencies who knew Bush White House was using private servers and yet security agencies did NOT implement required security protocols for The White House? Not just for Bush Administration, but for all future White House Administrations? Why, when President Obama and his Administration entered the White House were there no security overviews of communications? Instead, all high ranking security agencies communicated with Clinton knowingly via her private server with no qualms or security checks. Think about it, high ranking CIA, FBI, NSA, US Military, etc. They'd never get away with that at a private company or international corporation. Email security is paramount to daily routine. So why not at the White House and worse, the National Security agencies?
That's your story Maureen, but once more you let the big story pass you by in order to indulge your need to spew hatred of all things Clinton. sigh
The question is this: Where were the security agencies who knew Bush White House was using private servers and yet security agencies did NOT implement required security protocols for The White House? Not just for Bush Administration, but for all future White House Administrations? Why, when President Obama and his Administration entered the White House were there no security overviews of communications? Instead, all high ranking security agencies communicated with Clinton knowingly via her private server with no qualms or security checks. Think about it, high ranking CIA, FBI, NSA, US Military, etc. They'd never get away with that at a private company or international corporation. Email security is paramount to daily routine. So why not at the White House and worse, the National Security agencies?
That's your story Maureen, but once more you let the big story pass you by in order to indulge your need to spew hatred of all things Clinton. sigh
17
Well, you've taken your best (but not your last, I bet) shot...and missed again. What secret info got into whose wrong hands? Absent something factual, all this sanctimony is just nonsense.
Tom and Daisy? Have you read that book?
Thanks, though, for this: I'd been wondering what Bill Clinton said to Loretta Lynch to get this over with in a week and that could be it..."if you want to keep your job..."
Tom and Daisy? Have you read that book?
Thanks, though, for this: I'd been wondering what Bill Clinton said to Loretta Lynch to get this over with in a week and that could be it..."if you want to keep your job..."
All of a sudden "Barry" is "pure." There are seriously issues all around. Venom doesn't get us anywhere. Rather it traps us in the position of saying, "What's the alternative?"
Dear media, if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Columns like this make me think you may have given us the problem with your ongoing refusal to deal with complexity and nuance.
Dear media, if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Columns like this make me think you may have given us the problem with your ongoing refusal to deal with complexity and nuance.
4
Her email server "may" have been hacked is like saying my neighbors may have borrowed my lawn furniture during my vacation and returned it before I came back. It "may" have happened, but if they deny it and I have no proof, "may" doesn't really mean much, does it?
11
Not a Trump supporter, but what happens when Trump gets desperate and goes all 'Jeffrey Epstein' on her? Will she unleash the data file she has on Trump? This election is already embarrassing and awful, but it will become the biggest slime-fest since Ghostbusters.
1
Here's a "glide path": I'm not going to bother reading the latest Dowd contamination.
6
With everything else going on in our country, this is all you can come up with? We know you hate the Clintons, no matter what they do. You're a one-note writer at this point, and it's frankly boring and a waste of space.
13
Because Maureen continues with her Jealous Mean Girl rants against the more popular Hillary, I'm signing off as....
Former Reader
Former Reader
8
To paraphrase Rumsfeld, you go to an election with the candidate you have, not the candidate you want.
Yes, there is something very, very wrong about a political system that produces two candidates who are more disliked than liked. The result is an election where most people will be voting "against" one or both of the probable nominees.
Given the choice between "Hillary Rodham Nixon" and he who must not be named, there really isn't any choice this time. What we have to do is make sure that this never happens again (perhaps in an alternate universe it would have been Sanders against Kasich).
And, Maureen, Richard Nixon may have been a crook, but he also gave us the EPA, opened the door to China, and got us out of Vietnam (although four years later than he should have).
Yes, there is something very, very wrong about a political system that produces two candidates who are more disliked than liked. The result is an election where most people will be voting "against" one or both of the probable nominees.
Given the choice between "Hillary Rodham Nixon" and he who must not be named, there really isn't any choice this time. What we have to do is make sure that this never happens again (perhaps in an alternate universe it would have been Sanders against Kasich).
And, Maureen, Richard Nixon may have been a crook, but he also gave us the EPA, opened the door to China, and got us out of Vietnam (although four years later than he should have).
2
Sickening, Maureen, your constant vitriol against Hillary Clinton. Bill, the Big Dog, of course should have a choke chain and a leash and be sent to Chappaqua in durance vile until after Hillary becomes Madam President. He keeps stepping on his own...foot.
2
So here are our 'major party choices' as described by a non partisan commentator.
"A compulsive liar with a persecution complex, a mania for secrecy, and a bald disdain for rules as they apply to lesser people", and, "a bigoted braggart with a laughable grasp of public policy and leering manners of the kind you would expect from a barroom drunk".
Or, as another columnist wrote about the Clintons during the 2008 campaign, "they have only one focus, no humanity, no character, nothing but the worship of money and power"...'but given the moral and equally ethical bankruptcy of Donald Trump, the Clintons will likely win in the end'.
"A compulsive liar with a persecution complex, a mania for secrecy, and a bald disdain for rules as they apply to lesser people", and, "a bigoted braggart with a laughable grasp of public policy and leering manners of the kind you would expect from a barroom drunk".
Or, as another columnist wrote about the Clintons during the 2008 campaign, "they have only one focus, no humanity, no character, nothing but the worship of money and power"...'but given the moral and equally ethical bankruptcy of Donald Trump, the Clintons will likely win in the end'.
2
Obama is not that unsoiled. From Fast and Furious, to DHS sex antics to the IRS scandal, Obama has his tricks and protects his minions. He should have known all about the Clinton's tactics when he invited him into his administration. As the polls indicate, Hillary is judged untrustworthy and voters are very aware of her reputation as a serial liar. She is the poster child of politics for personal enrichment.
6
"Goo". "Contamination".
These words frighten me because similar words were used to depersonalize people before the Rwanda genocide.
These words frighten me because similar words were used to depersonalize people before the Rwanda genocide.
5
We are a Nation of Nutters!
3
Your angst would be taken seriously except for your years long vendetta against her!You seem to ignore other giant egos in DC. 110 mysterious emails out of 30K, and few have noticed the silly notations that some were declared 'secret' retroactively!
3
Oh please. The "top-secret" and secret designations of her emails were invalidated by the fact the the info was already in the public domain. The woman has been pilloried by the right for decades because she's a strong woman. No man would be attacked for what she did with the emails or even how she explained her choice.
Ask this. Would Hillary Clinton guide the country on a positive path? Yes or no? Her entire career and that of er husband point to strong yes.
Are there unappealing aspects to Wall Street connections and personal enrichment. Of course. But those things are small potatoes given what is at stake in this election.
I'm with her. Big time.
Ask this. Would Hillary Clinton guide the country on a positive path? Yes or no? Her entire career and that of er husband point to strong yes.
Are there unappealing aspects to Wall Street connections and personal enrichment. Of course. But those things are small potatoes given what is at stake in this election.
I'm with her. Big time.
1503
I'm not a Clinton fan though I admire their smarts. But my misgivings are based on three policy issues, not some ludicrous conflation of the Clintons with the Borgias.
They are serious policy issues. As such they're untouched by Ms Dowd. First the Clintons ended "welfare as we know it." By eliminating the sub-subsistence financial support they have cast tens of millions of children into life in extreme poverty.
But though the U.S. is already by far the most vicious of the wealthy democracies to its poor children, the Republicans want to turn the U.S. into Upper Volta.
My second quarrel with the Clintons is criminal justice reform which has turned the U.S. into a gulag archipelago Stalin could have admired. Quarrel number three is the non-reaction of the Clinton administration to real genocide in Rwanda.
Look, I'm not even just a Bernie bro, I'm a Corbyn supporter who thinks everyone should have work at decent wages; medical, retirement, and income security, five weeks holiday, unionization with unions controlling half of corporate boards, free education from age three to doctorate.
As someone who doesn't like the Clintons I have to admit that they are far ahead of any Republican leader in policy wisdom, political judgment, and dedication to the public good. In intelligence and knowledge they are among the foremost politicians of the past century.
Ms Dowd is a broken record.
They are serious policy issues. As such they're untouched by Ms Dowd. First the Clintons ended "welfare as we know it." By eliminating the sub-subsistence financial support they have cast tens of millions of children into life in extreme poverty.
But though the U.S. is already by far the most vicious of the wealthy democracies to its poor children, the Republicans want to turn the U.S. into Upper Volta.
My second quarrel with the Clintons is criminal justice reform which has turned the U.S. into a gulag archipelago Stalin could have admired. Quarrel number three is the non-reaction of the Clinton administration to real genocide in Rwanda.
Look, I'm not even just a Bernie bro, I'm a Corbyn supporter who thinks everyone should have work at decent wages; medical, retirement, and income security, five weeks holiday, unionization with unions controlling half of corporate boards, free education from age three to doctorate.
As someone who doesn't like the Clintons I have to admit that they are far ahead of any Republican leader in policy wisdom, political judgment, and dedication to the public good. In intelligence and knowledge they are among the foremost politicians of the past century.
Ms Dowd is a broken record.
1
YAWN.....another tired old whine about the Clintons from Ms. Dowd. I didn't even have to read past the title of the column this time. Why on earth did I expect anything different? Silly me.
12
Look, we're stuck, and I hate being in this position. I'm forced to vote for this snake because the alternative is an absolutely unhinged, dangerous demagogue. It's so easy to dismiss this, thanks to Republican's constant conspiratorial witch hunts (Benghazi!!, Whitewater) having been repeated for years. Now, when a legitimate issue is handed to them on a silver platter, THEY are the ones whose motives and behavior is suspect- as they should be given their history. They are Charlie Brown and Hillary is Lucy holding the football.
1
Didn't they say during Bill Clinton's presidency that we were getting two for the price of one? Didn't Bill serve two terms? Ego, isn't Hillary prohibited from the presidency because she already "served" two terms back in the '90's?!? (snark)
2
Yes, Hillary was "extremely careless", but as James Comey said, there's not enough to prosecute. End of story.
Except for Maureen. In an week when black men and police were gunned down in cold blood while Trump expressed anger that a staffer had removed his classically anti-Semitic tweet, Dowd chooses to yet again headline her Fox News-style outrage about the awful Clintons (as opposed to her favorite bad boy crush, Don the Con).
We have serious issues to address. Perhaps Dowd could write about them once in a while? As Bernie Sanders said, the American people are sick and tired of hearing about Hillary's e-mails!
www.newyorkgritty.net
Except for Maureen. In an week when black men and police were gunned down in cold blood while Trump expressed anger that a staffer had removed his classically anti-Semitic tweet, Dowd chooses to yet again headline her Fox News-style outrage about the awful Clintons (as opposed to her favorite bad boy crush, Don the Con).
We have serious issues to address. Perhaps Dowd could write about them once in a while? As Bernie Sanders said, the American people are sick and tired of hearing about Hillary's e-mails!
www.newyorkgritty.net
6
It amazes me, and no doubt much of the rest of the world, that the US electorate remains divided between Trump and Clinton. How can this be?
Trump has zero --likely less than zero -qualifications to be president of the United States of America. He would be a danger to the country and the world. I know of no person in a position of authority in Latin America or Europe --outside Russia --that believes that Trump would not be a menace to world order. His rhetoric is dangerous. His leanings are authoritarian: Saddam Hussein and Putin anyone?
Granted, Clinton's record is concerning. Her hawkish views from Iraq to Syria would likely inflame more than pacify. Here in the Americas, she supported a coup in Honduras while Secretary of State. She was a cheerleader for her husband's misadventures in fighting drugs with Plan Colombia.
Yet in the 21st century, Latin America moved decisively to diversify our diplomatic, trade, financial and cultural relations, and to re-engage the US on newer terms. Obama's opening to Cuba finally, finally, put the Cold War to rest in the hemisphere. The US support of the Colombian peace process promises a re-thinking of US drug and terror policies in the region.
We can engage with Hillary Clinton. Not so with the insecure, short-fingered, authoritarian wannabe that has called Mexicans rapists and who belittles all women and people of color.
Please vote for Hillary in a landslide! Is there another option? That includes you Señora Dowd!
Trump has zero --likely less than zero -qualifications to be president of the United States of America. He would be a danger to the country and the world. I know of no person in a position of authority in Latin America or Europe --outside Russia --that believes that Trump would not be a menace to world order. His rhetoric is dangerous. His leanings are authoritarian: Saddam Hussein and Putin anyone?
Granted, Clinton's record is concerning. Her hawkish views from Iraq to Syria would likely inflame more than pacify. Here in the Americas, she supported a coup in Honduras while Secretary of State. She was a cheerleader for her husband's misadventures in fighting drugs with Plan Colombia.
Yet in the 21st century, Latin America moved decisively to diversify our diplomatic, trade, financial and cultural relations, and to re-engage the US on newer terms. Obama's opening to Cuba finally, finally, put the Cold War to rest in the hemisphere. The US support of the Colombian peace process promises a re-thinking of US drug and terror policies in the region.
We can engage with Hillary Clinton. Not so with the insecure, short-fingered, authoritarian wannabe that has called Mexicans rapists and who belittles all women and people of color.
Please vote for Hillary in a landslide! Is there another option? That includes you Señora Dowd!
5
I am sick and tired of the negative lies and innuendo about Hillary Clinton. Let me tell you about the humanity of Hillary Clinton. I suffer from depression and for years insurers would not cover mental illness and I could not receive the care I needed. I was living like a butterfly with a broken wing unable to fly. It wasn't until then Senator Hillary Clinton forced insurers to cover this type of illness the same as other illnesses that I was able to get all the care I needed. Only Hillary Clinton cared about people like me long before the enactment of health programs like Obama care. And for that I and my wife and family are eternally grateful.
12
One question is efficiency of the email system versus intent to harm national security. I don't think Mrs Clinton would try to harm her country, and maybe made a bad tech decision, but not malicious intent like Nixon had when he recorded people. Was she merging multiple email accounts into one device to expedite her responsibilities? Was there an alternative approved technology available? The real question is what was the specific content of the 110 emails of question, sent or received, full text reply or just replies without trailing text? There is too much unknown, as usual.
1
"We’re resigned to the Clintons" - M. Dowd
This foreshadowing of post-november leaves me saddened.
Even if we don't get ">HER", we get HIM - what happened to us?
This foreshadowing of post-november leaves me saddened.
Even if we don't get ">HER", we get HIM - what happened to us?
1
Very well put, Ms Dowd. I'd like to say "amen", but there will be no end to the Clinton's oozing of slime.
5
"They’re always offering a Faustian deal. This year’s election bargain: Put up with our iniquities or get Trump’s short fingers on the nuclear button."
Logic FAIL, MoDo. GOP primary voters, not Hillary, are to blame for the fact the short-fingered vulgarian is the alternative to Hillary. Put the blame where it belongs.
Logic FAIL, MoDo. GOP primary voters, not Hillary, are to blame for the fact the short-fingered vulgarian is the alternative to Hillary. Put the blame where it belongs.
2
You have always been blind, Ms. Dowd, to what Hillary Clinton offers people like me, a lifelong democrat and a third generation single mother. As a business owner in a field of mostly men, I've spent most of my career trying not to apologize for not being more male. For any woman in power every day is a fight. Hillary Clinton has learned how to protect herself and guess what, she’s running for President of the United States for the second time and has just made history as the first female nominee in the democratic party. Despite your insistence that she’s a failure, I’d say your perspective is off. From your comfortable perch of white privilege at the New York Times, you don't see, or fail to see, or never even consider that America is no longer defined by the white ruling class but by the millions of black, hispanic and other voters of color who have been denied a seat at the table for too long. Your measurement of Hillary's success is whether she has earned the respect of the old guard in their crisp white shirts, puffing on their cigars and pretending they are part of the future. So you go right ahead and keep pretending you know why Hillary has the nomination. You will be wrong. The rest of us, millions of us, will be standing proudly behind her, with the wind at our backs, and no desire to look back.
12
Bernie was allowed to run by the DNC because he could give the impression that Clinton was the "winner" of the primary without ever risking defeat. Jim Webb called the system rigged, and was told to hit the road. You can't run against Hillary and challenge her mantra of everyone should succeed no matter what it costs. Or, Gee how about that Middle East, how complicated. Largest exodus in human history, genocide, torture, female enslavement. Thanks media for concentrating on BLACK LIVES MATTER, wait what's the unemployment rate in black communities, young black men @25-50%. All this from misguided policies, and the media ever checking on how the policies are working. Don't worry about Trump, look at our country, at least he'll have some folks that can get this mess corrected. Choice is simple, ever deepening corruption, or some common sense from a man who's not going to be using the government to make their fortune. Mr. Holm..
3
Get over it. Hillary has dedicated her life to public service. She is very competent, and she has integrity. Your candidate didn't run, and when he did run, he lost. Hillary can win and really help our country - all of us! Please make peace with careful facts and stop demoralizing your readers with this kind of commentary. Thank you.
9
It's hard to find a Job, isn't it Murine?
3
Since Maureen is in a Gatsby motif, "So we beat on , boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past". The iconic Gatsby ending seems fitting to describe the last week of American politics, as once again the tainted self entitlement of the Clinton's was on display. Bill in another "because I could" moment found it somehow appropriate to wander on to Loretta Lynch's plane, when she was scheduled to have the final word on his wife's indictment. Then the veracity of Hillary's public statements on the E mails was absolutely shredded by James Comey's testimony. " It takes two to make an accident" Fitzgerald was prescient again, the Clinton's are an ethical accident. "Can't repeat the past ? why of course you can" Gatsby may be right.
4
Maureen Dowd has become such a drama queen. At her best she was a welcome beacon in the dark snakepit of Washington. At her worst she's just one of the nerds who got popular and then turned into a banal but lone wolf mean girl. (Al Gore is so pro-environment that he's now a woman and lactating?) What a waste of good writing talent. She specializes now in these half-truths that are probably worse than those of the Clintons, (whom I'm not big fans of myself; but this is ridiculous).
There is naivte about her that suggests contamination from slipping into one of the elite bubbles. I should have known she was that sheltered when she took edible marijuana and holed up by herself as an "experiment", a mistake that even my most impulsive teenaged psychiatric patients don't make. She needs to stop holing up and hallucinating get back out in the real world where she used to make a difference!! C'mon Maureen, we need you back now more than ever!!
There is naivte about her that suggests contamination from slipping into one of the elite bubbles. I should have known she was that sheltered when she took edible marijuana and holed up by herself as an "experiment", a mistake that even my most impulsive teenaged psychiatric patients don't make. She needs to stop holing up and hallucinating get back out in the real world where she used to make a difference!! C'mon Maureen, we need you back now more than ever!!
5
"she seems well on her way to becoming Madam President" ?
Really Ms. Dowd?
I know 17...17! GOP candidates who thought the same thing this year.
Corrupt Hillary's birds are coming home to roost.
Really Ms. Dowd?
I know 17...17! GOP candidates who thought the same thing this year.
Corrupt Hillary's birds are coming home to roost.
7
If she loses next November to Trump it won't be because people disagree with her on the issues. It will be because the scandal fatigue that follows her everywhere keeps her supporters at home.
8
"And that’s the corkscrew way things go with the Clintons, who are staying true to their reputation as the Tom and Daisy Buchanan of American politics." Tom and Daisy Buchanan of American Politics?! Bonnie and Clyde of American politics would be a far more accurate assessment.
4
Reads like something out of a Murdoch paper.
4
Ms Dowd,
Let us know when you are finished with your smear pieces, so we can start taking you seriously again. Facts, facts, facts!!!!
Let us know when you are finished with your smear pieces, so we can start taking you seriously again. Facts, facts, facts!!!!
3
Cannot believe the public outrage aimed at the Clintons who in my mind have served this country with hard work for so many years...I feel above all they love America and her people and if their personal choices are not perfect who's are? Surely when the word "self-serving" is uttered no one springs more quickly to my mind than Trump.
4
The problem for Dowd is that her stories about the Clintons never give vary- I am open to hearing what it IS that she hates so much, but it is always along the lines of "When did you stop beating your wife?". Or "Remember when I said I hated the Clintons? Well I still do and so should you". I know you hated Obama for a long time and now you say he was all along one of the "purest brands". I don't get it- why don't you say something specific, and back it up with facts? Are you maybe trying to making us OK with a real loon: Donald Trump?
4
It wouldn't be Saturday if there weren't another scathing Clinton attack column by Ms Dowd. In the interest of full disclosure you should be required to state the reason for your bias. It is definitely not based in rational analysis.
8
When did Maureen's brother start writing her columns?
3
I have great difficulty understanding how anyone gives Mrs. Clinton a free pass on her email practices and blatantly dishonest explanations. The initial reaction from the campaign was she wasn’t indicted so this whole issue is now resolved. Maybe it would be moot in other circumstances, but Mrs. Clinton is about to be nominated by a major party for president. Her changing stories to the press and the American people are deeply troubling. A president and leader must have the trust of the people they lead. It is rarely possible to provide full details why certain policies or actions are being pursued by a president, so citizens must trust that a leader is being honest in their arguments and is acting in their best interests. I have no such trust in Mrs Clinton.
When presidents lie, there can be grave consequences. There were the lies of WMD in Iraq that dragged the US into a long and expensive war where hundreds of thousands lost their lives. There were lies about incidents in the Gulf of Tonkin that never happened and were used as a premise for the large build-up of American forces in Vietnam.
I do not want a president who lies to me, and I do not want a press that is unwilling to point out loud and clear when leaders are dishonest or lying. Ms. Dowd’s criticisms of Mrs. Clinton are well-founded and necessary, no matter how inconvenient the Clintons or their acolytes find them.
When presidents lie, there can be grave consequences. There were the lies of WMD in Iraq that dragged the US into a long and expensive war where hundreds of thousands lost their lives. There were lies about incidents in the Gulf of Tonkin that never happened and were used as a premise for the large build-up of American forces in Vietnam.
I do not want a president who lies to me, and I do not want a press that is unwilling to point out loud and clear when leaders are dishonest or lying. Ms. Dowd’s criticisms of Mrs. Clinton are well-founded and necessary, no matter how inconvenient the Clintons or their acolytes find them.
6
I just want to thank you for finally reporting the truth!
7
I lived my early years in, Noo Yawk City. I worked in the corporate world for nearly three decades before retiring. Of course, I'm old enough to remember Nixon declaring, "I'm not a crook." credit default swaps, the Enron crowd and president, 'W'. Of course there was, Iran-Contra and Howdy Doody, (whoops! I mean Ronald Reagan) and more.
It took, Hillary a very long time to become adjusted to the American way of life, and even now, she's still trumped by the big guy when it comes to: worms, slime, and gunk. He studied the stuff at Trump U. Quite an advantage, don't you think?
It took, Hillary a very long time to become adjusted to the American way of life, and even now, she's still trumped by the big guy when it comes to: worms, slime, and gunk. He studied the stuff at Trump U. Quite an advantage, don't you think?
2
Maureen: We get it. You don't like the Clintons. I'm not a huge fan either, but between Hillary and the ferret-wearing Cheeto-face, there is no question who I'll be voting for. Do you really want Trump to win the election? Do you care that little about our country?
1
In her book The Realm of Rights, Judith Thompson points out that we have claims for distress,but "non-belief-mediated distress". One gets the sense from reading Ms. Dowd's columns on the Clintont that there is definitely a belief mediating her distress towards them that most of us don't feel. I don't think hatred is too strong a word here, as pointed out elsewhere on this week of all weeks Ms. Dowd again vents her spleen towards the Clintons. I guess I, and most of us in comment land, should feel glad that we don't share Ms. Dowd's level of distress towards the Clintons.
They are politicians. They are not monsters.
They are politicians. They are not monsters.
4
As America burns Maureen fiddles on against the Clintons. Really? Yet another column about how you hate them - such misplaced vitriol in these incredibly trying times.
9
The Democrats must nominate Bernie, the only ethical choice - a candidate who is not under recent or upcoming investigation, and whose policies are in line with the priorities of everyday Americans. I believe if he is not nominated, we will see a wave of deregistering from the Democratic Party.
6
That "I'm with Her" and "the Donald" are the "best" candidates the stodgy two party system can come up with this election cycle is offensive and proof that this country is in a free-fall.
4
Those of us who lived through the tortured soap opera that were the Clinton White House years could only shrug when Bill had his Tarmac visit with Loretts Lynch. More of the same impulsive, undisciplined and self-absorbed behavior that became so predictable during the 1990s. Does any care that Bill is the greatest single danger to Hillary's candidacy or Presidency? He has a self destructive gene and she is is chief enabler. Geesh, what a couple.
6
Basically what Comey said was that Secretary Clinton was incompetent as Secretary of State. She had no foreign policy or administrative experience prior to her political appointment- pay back from President Obama. In her recent interview with Wolf Blitzer she actually blamed her top 300 subordinates for not knowing better. Essentially she said how could poor little grandmotherly me know what "classified" means-
She joked to reporters in Las Vegas about whether she "wiped" her email server clean before giving it to the FBI.“What? Like with a cloth or something?” she asked, then laughed. “I don’t know how it works digitally at all.”
I believe Bill Clinton's meeting with Loretta Lynch was not random- the net effect was to allow her to effectively recuse herself and defer to Comey as a higher authority shifting responsibility from her office to the FBI.
She joked to reporters in Las Vegas about whether she "wiped" her email server clean before giving it to the FBI.“What? Like with a cloth or something?” she asked, then laughed. “I don’t know how it works digitally at all.”
I believe Bill Clinton's meeting with Loretta Lynch was not random- the net effect was to allow her to effectively recuse herself and defer to Comey as a higher authority shifting responsibility from her office to the FBI.
6
The Clintons are the human version of sewer rats. They will survive and we will rue the day if HRC is elected President.
3
Unhappy with the result of the third investigation? Why, isn't it the third time we've gotten the same result? You are, by definition, insane to expect that the third time would bring to light any damning new information. Perceived carelessness is not incompetence. Steve Jobs was reckless in his defiance of his aides and his board of directors, Joe Biden has been known for his unthinking off-hand remarks, Mark Zuckerberg threw his closest friend under the bus to cement his control over Facebook, and the most policy-prolific Democratic president of the twentieth century, Lyndon B. Johnson, was a known bully and famous for his crass politics. What do you want from your leaders? The piousness of a Catholic priest mixed with the fictional, but now scarred, morality of Atticus Finch? If anything, Joe Biden knew he would never have beaten Clinton in the GE, and would probably rather retire as a beloved VP rather than a failed candidate like J. Bush. Also, don't you think it's a bit much to start a campaign just after losing your eldest son? Bill made it clear over eight whole years that he was a man who loves the attention of the presidency, the Washington game, and his wanting to talk to a woman he's praised before is no scandal. This article seems to lack thought, pragmatic realism, political understanding or opportunity cost sensibility. Maybe you need to go to another restaurant alone and remind yourself what the alternative to Clinton is now, a man sans all tact whatsoever.
2
Once upon a time, many years ago, I like Maureen Dowd's columns. But now they are predictible fluff/smear pieces. I am not a fan of Hillary because I disagree with some important pieces of her POLICIES. But I am also empathetic that she has had a search light on her, focusing on every burp, for a long, long time. I wish Maureen had to go through that for even a week. Every tweet, meeting, casual exchange...extra glass of wine, fat content of meals, shade of hair color, waxing preferences, being breaking news, subject to a Republican led investigation and hysterical press coverage. I absolutely understand why Hillary is not forthcoming.
The Clintons are excellent politicians - they negotiate, they horse trade, they leverage for what they perceive to be the best solution. They don't need to 100% like or agree with every person they deal with, they just focus on getting what the outcome they want, or making the best of the cards they are dealt. If anyone went looking, they could find the same behavior in any excellent politician. More to follow....
The Clintons are excellent politicians - they negotiate, they horse trade, they leverage for what they perceive to be the best solution. They don't need to 100% like or agree with every person they deal with, they just focus on getting what the outcome they want, or making the best of the cards they are dealt. If anyone went looking, they could find the same behavior in any excellent politician. More to follow....
2
To paraphrase your opening sentence, it says a lot about our politics that an administration's lies that got us into war and blew up the Middle East for years to come, did not result in the same level of scrutiny from Congress as Benghazi and the email server. It says a lot about the money that controls our politics (thanks at least in part to Citizens United), that the criminals who scammed our economy and caused the Great Recession were not prosecuted and sent to prison. Give the Clinton-hating a break, will you, Maureen? There are much more significant issues to discuss, such as the shooting war now erupting in our coountry, and your petty whining about the Clintons is boorish and redundant.
6
Ms. Dowd-
Spare us your obsessive vitriol. Enough, really, enough.
Spare us your obsessive vitriol. Enough, really, enough.
13
There goes Maureen Dowd on an anti-Hillary rant again. Yawn.
13
One thing not mentioned is just how dangerous Hillary Clinton is. While she is looting the Treasury, can you imagine Blumenthal and her other grifter friends try to make money off that mess in the Middle East? I can foresee a Third World War so easily started by these greasy characters. At least Trump will pull out and leave Bush and Obama's mess to the years of bloodshed and chaos their meddling created.
4
Would you please just shut up! I haven't read one of your columns since last July 22 (wonder why?). You are an embarrassment to Republican party you are supposedly trying to support.
8
There's nothing "awkward" or "pretzel"-y about Pres. Obama endorsing Sec. Clinton -- his judgment differs from Ms. Dowd's, that's all. Why should Ms. Dowd call him names over it?
Ms. Dowd is also wrong to criticize the President for clarifying the national security situation: that is precisely the President's business and not a law enforcement issue that concerns the FBI.
The public discussion of these matters seems to run badly off the tracks at every turn. I'm only glad that, despite everything, it still amazes me. I should be more cynical by now!
Ms. Dowd is also wrong to criticize the President for clarifying the national security situation: that is precisely the President's business and not a law enforcement issue that concerns the FBI.
The public discussion of these matters seems to run badly off the tracks at every turn. I'm only glad that, despite everything, it still amazes me. I should be more cynical by now!
2
I would feel more assured with Trump's finger on the button than Hillary's. It comes down mainly to Russia policy. Trump wants to negotiate to lessen tensions, whereas Clinton gives every indication of wanting to intensify confrontation with Russia.
Clinton, not Trump, wants to arm, train, and assist Ukrainian fighters against pro-Russia rebels. Russia will of course see that as a hostile act. It could lead to military confrontation which could all too easily turn nuclear. Even apart from all that, Clinton can be expected to continue and extend the US militarisation of Russia's borders, with all the unnecessary risks that entails. In addition, Clinton will likely extend existing wars in the Mideast and possibly launch new ones, whereas Trump has made clear his desire not to intervene militarily where the choice exists not to.
All of which is to say that anyone who votes for Clinton should know they are likely to have blood on their hands because she is a committed neocon likely to cause more death and destruction than Trump, and, in direct contrast to Trump, liable to bring tensions with Russia to a point they haven't been since the Cuban missile crisis. (Not to mention the vast expense of the escalation against Russia (just the nuclear part is estimated to cost taxpayers no less than $1 trillion) and the costs of war on Syria and Iran in money and lives.)
Clinton, not Trump, wants to arm, train, and assist Ukrainian fighters against pro-Russia rebels. Russia will of course see that as a hostile act. It could lead to military confrontation which could all too easily turn nuclear. Even apart from all that, Clinton can be expected to continue and extend the US militarisation of Russia's borders, with all the unnecessary risks that entails. In addition, Clinton will likely extend existing wars in the Mideast and possibly launch new ones, whereas Trump has made clear his desire not to intervene militarily where the choice exists not to.
All of which is to say that anyone who votes for Clinton should know they are likely to have blood on their hands because she is a committed neocon likely to cause more death and destruction than Trump, and, in direct contrast to Trump, liable to bring tensions with Russia to a point they haven't been since the Cuban missile crisis. (Not to mention the vast expense of the escalation against Russia (just the nuclear part is estimated to cost taxpayers no less than $1 trillion) and the costs of war on Syria and Iran in money and lives.)
5
Clintons have dirt on everyone, and they won't hesitate to use it if challenged.
5
Maureen, delete your account.
6
23 years of columns about the Clintons. Same thing as 23 years of columns about Maureen Dowd.
6