After skimming through many of the readers responses here, it's abundantly clear that anti-intellectualism, misogyny and racism are still so very pervasive. Also we need to give credit where credit is due; Donald Trump is unquestionably a completely masterful conman.
6
From the book “Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign“:
"Hillary Clinton turned her fury on her consultants and campaign aides, blaming them for a failure to focus the media on her platform.
"In her ear the whole time, spurring her on to cast blame on others and never admit to anything, was her husband. Neither Clinton could accept the simple fact that Hillary had hamstrung her own campaign and dealt the most serious blow to her own presidential aspirations.
"That state of denial would become more obvious than ever to her top aides and consultants during one conference call in the thick of the public discussion of her server. Joel Benenson, Mandy Grunwald, Jim Margolis, John Anzalone, John Podesta, [Robby] Mook, Huma Abedin and Dan Schwerin were among the small coterie who huddled in Abedin’s mostly bare corner office overlooking the East River at the campaign’s Brooklyn headquarters. Hillary and Bill, who rarely visited, joined them by phone.
"Hillary’s severe, controlled voice crackled through the line first. It carried the sound of a disappointed teacher or mother delivering a lecture before a whipping.
"That back end was left to Bill, who lashed out with abandon. Eyes cast downward, stomachs turning—both from the scare tactics and from their own revulsion at being chastised for Hillary’s failures—Hillary’s talented and accomplished team of professionals and loyalists simply took it.
"There was no arguing with Bill Clinton."
"Hillary Clinton turned her fury on her consultants and campaign aides, blaming them for a failure to focus the media on her platform.
"In her ear the whole time, spurring her on to cast blame on others and never admit to anything, was her husband. Neither Clinton could accept the simple fact that Hillary had hamstrung her own campaign and dealt the most serious blow to her own presidential aspirations.
"That state of denial would become more obvious than ever to her top aides and consultants during one conference call in the thick of the public discussion of her server. Joel Benenson, Mandy Grunwald, Jim Margolis, John Anzalone, John Podesta, [Robby] Mook, Huma Abedin and Dan Schwerin were among the small coterie who huddled in Abedin’s mostly bare corner office overlooking the East River at the campaign’s Brooklyn headquarters. Hillary and Bill, who rarely visited, joined them by phone.
"Hillary’s severe, controlled voice crackled through the line first. It carried the sound of a disappointed teacher or mother delivering a lecture before a whipping.
"That back end was left to Bill, who lashed out with abandon. Eyes cast downward, stomachs turning—both from the scare tactics and from their own revulsion at being chastised for Hillary’s failures—Hillary’s talented and accomplished team of professionals and loyalists simply took it.
"There was no arguing with Bill Clinton."
2
Sad, she still blames everyone else. It doesn't seem to be working for her either.
Let's try this Mrs. Clinton, NAFTA, Welfare Reform, repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, Super-predators, paid speeches to bankers, hawkish stances on Syria, private server for classified emails, Super-delegates, so many things--I am not working hard here. Comey and sexism were the least of her problems. Her responses were always angry in a bad, narrow way--just like now.
Let's try this Mrs. Clinton, NAFTA, Welfare Reform, repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, Super-predators, paid speeches to bankers, hawkish stances on Syria, private server for classified emails, Super-delegates, so many things--I am not working hard here. Comey and sexism were the least of her problems. Her responses were always angry in a bad, narrow way--just like now.
35
Can't she just go away? Beyond her hard-core supporters, she's yesterday's news. Her idea of a good Democrat was Debbie Wasserman Schultz. I rest my case.
What really cracks me up is her insistence that *she* was the one interested in seeing Democrats elected, not Bernie. She did more to hurt Democratic candidates than anybody. How can she exude this high-mindedness after her Wall Street speeches? It doesn't wash. She's almost as disconnected as Trump.
If he's the most popular politician in America, who draw Trump supporters like no other Democrat, what's so scary about advocating for a revived FDR Democratic party?
My choice for a ticket is a younger Bernie acolyte in congress running with a V.P. candidate perfect for these times, Jerry Brown.
What really cracks me up is her insistence that *she* was the one interested in seeing Democrats elected, not Bernie. She did more to hurt Democratic candidates than anybody. How can she exude this high-mindedness after her Wall Street speeches? It doesn't wash. She's almost as disconnected as Trump.
If he's the most popular politician in America, who draw Trump supporters like no other Democrat, what's so scary about advocating for a revived FDR Democratic party?
My choice for a ticket is a younger Bernie acolyte in congress running with a V.P. candidate perfect for these times, Jerry Brown.
28
Bernie, Trump's creeping, Biden, Obama, Matt Lauer, the Times, Comey, Electoral College, Putin's manspreding. Are there enough pages in this book?
21
I do NOT like Clinton blaming Obama about his carbon tax commitment. he was trying to do something - anything - to help stop the certain destruction of the planet.
I DO believe that Clinton was a good candidate who fell prey to Russian collusion in our election, nasty reality TV sound bites and a ridiculously short American attention span, and last but not least, a priceless piece that Hillary said about Bernie Sanders and the gift of a pony, really sums it all up better than anything else why Sanders and Trump appealed so easily and simply to an, on the one hand, economically desperate, and, on the other hand, ridiculously greedy American people. From an excerpt published by New York Magazine:
Someone sent me a Facebook post that summed up the dynamic in which we were caught.
Bernie: “I think America should get a pony.”
Hillary: “How will you pay for the pony? Where will the pony come from? How will you get Congress to agree to the pony?”
Bernie: “Hillary thinks America doesn’t deserve a pony.”
Bernie Supporters: “Hillary hates ponies!”
Hillary: “Actually, I love ponies.”
Bernie Supporters: “She changed her position on ponies! #WhichHillary#WitchHillary”
Headline: Hillary Refuses To Give Every American a Pony.
Debate Moderator: “Hillary, how do you feel when people say you lie about ponies?”
That, in a nutshell, is what Clinton battled against Sanders and Trump. Empty lying promises of ponies.
I DO believe that Clinton was a good candidate who fell prey to Russian collusion in our election, nasty reality TV sound bites and a ridiculously short American attention span, and last but not least, a priceless piece that Hillary said about Bernie Sanders and the gift of a pony, really sums it all up better than anything else why Sanders and Trump appealed so easily and simply to an, on the one hand, economically desperate, and, on the other hand, ridiculously greedy American people. From an excerpt published by New York Magazine:
Someone sent me a Facebook post that summed up the dynamic in which we were caught.
Bernie: “I think America should get a pony.”
Hillary: “How will you pay for the pony? Where will the pony come from? How will you get Congress to agree to the pony?”
Bernie: “Hillary thinks America doesn’t deserve a pony.”
Bernie Supporters: “Hillary hates ponies!”
Hillary: “Actually, I love ponies.”
Bernie Supporters: “She changed her position on ponies! #WhichHillary#WitchHillary”
Headline: Hillary Refuses To Give Every American a Pony.
Debate Moderator: “Hillary, how do you feel when people say you lie about ponies?”
That, in a nutshell, is what Clinton battled against Sanders and Trump. Empty lying promises of ponies.
32
But Hilary offered nothing except status quo. Maybe, because it was much easier to shoot down other ideas than. figure out possible ways to pay for pony.
15
OMG Hillary has absolutely no idea why she lost. This whole article never mentions 1 single policy position that she thinks she shouldnt have had. She seems to believe that the only reason she lost was because of drama perpetuated from her political rivals. I mean, what did she expect?
You know why I didnt vote for Hillary Clinton? It was because she was a corporatist Democrat who believed that Bernie Sanders message was hopelessly unrealistic. She had obviously been on the Ivory Tower so long that she forgot real people care about real things. Comey and all the Russian junk didnt affect my decision in any way. I knew Id never vote for her in 2015 based on her platform.
Its like she assumes all Americans are idiots who only base their decisions on her personality and looks or how we felt about Bill.
I voted for Jill Stein, a woman I could believe in. If Clinton had decided that free college was unrealistic when we seem to be just fine at teaching children from K-12 for free, I would have voted for her. If Clinton had realized that Single Payer healthcare or socialized medicine seems to work just fine for the rest of the developed world, I would have voted for her. If Clinton had realized that growing GDP doesnt translate into growing wages anymore, I would have voted for her.
Stop assuming that we all are idiot rubes who just need the right messaging. We need the right PLATFORM!
You know why I didnt vote for Hillary Clinton? It was because she was a corporatist Democrat who believed that Bernie Sanders message was hopelessly unrealistic. She had obviously been on the Ivory Tower so long that she forgot real people care about real things. Comey and all the Russian junk didnt affect my decision in any way. I knew Id never vote for her in 2015 based on her platform.
Its like she assumes all Americans are idiots who only base their decisions on her personality and looks or how we felt about Bill.
I voted for Jill Stein, a woman I could believe in. If Clinton had decided that free college was unrealistic when we seem to be just fine at teaching children from K-12 for free, I would have voted for her. If Clinton had realized that Single Payer healthcare or socialized medicine seems to work just fine for the rest of the developed world, I would have voted for her. If Clinton had realized that growing GDP doesnt translate into growing wages anymore, I would have voted for her.
Stop assuming that we all are idiot rubes who just need the right messaging. We need the right PLATFORM!
40
Hillary, please go away. You had your chances ... twice.
Democrats may have voted for Clinton, but abhorred many things she stood for, for which she has no one else to blame but herself. As example, the Clinton Foundation was a legal but morally bankrupt and basically a corrupt way to raise large sums of money by a woman who was Secretary of State and potentially the President. The fact that donations to the foundation have dried up since the election when it's evident she's no longer going to occupy a position of government power shows inherently how corrupt the whole thing was.
Democrats may have voted for Clinton, but abhorred many things she stood for, for which she has no one else to blame but herself. As example, the Clinton Foundation was a legal but morally bankrupt and basically a corrupt way to raise large sums of money by a woman who was Secretary of State and potentially the President. The fact that donations to the foundation have dried up since the election when it's evident she's no longer going to occupy a position of government power shows inherently how corrupt the whole thing was.
46
Why "such a lightning rod for fury?" Hypocrisy. You represented yourself as a paragon of liberal virtue but couldn't resist the money and temptations to break rules the rest of us have to obey (such as private email for State business). Since 2000 you and Bill have monetized public office into a fortune of hundreds of millions of dollars and used "pay for play" to fill up the coffers of the Clinton foundation and your campaigns. I and millions of others who voted for you opposing Trump still retain disgust for your actions.
Beyond the hypocrisy, many of us are also now furious at the ineptness of your campaign. You blocked the path for any other Democrat and enabled Trump to win.
Beyond the hypocrisy, many of us are also now furious at the ineptness of your campaign. You blocked the path for any other Democrat and enabled Trump to win.
47
Why is 'Hillary' writing and touring to remind us of how pathetic she is? Certainly, she is illustrating what happened, and how her decision-making failed her time, after time, after time. Fr' instance, her personal blackberry was more important than following protocol, a protocol meant only for others, apparently.
34
AMAZING ! After all the revelations about her dodgy ethics beginning during her time in Ark . through her decision to install a "server" in her own home to sequester her personal as well as govt. communications , this woman still asks the question , " What Makes me a lightning rod for fury ?" Well , maybe it's because all through the years you have always taken the position that you and you alone occupy the moral high ground , and, as such, are above the criticisms of us lesser mortals .
43
I blame Robbie Mook, from the campaign staff - he told Clinton, over Bill's objections, to avoid the Midwest because of her (logical and economically sound) support of international trade. And her speech writers should have had people on staff as talented as the Bernie Sanders 'free ponies for everyone' explanation writer.
Why didn't they leverage more of Obama's original campaign staff for talent and involve a lot less of the unlikables from the DNC?
Why didn't they leverage more of Obama's original campaign staff for talent and involve a lot less of the unlikables from the DNC?
11
I don't know what to say.
Part of me wants to point to the 2008 financial melt down, at the incredible variety of people on the left who were disappointed that nobody went to jail and on the right who were angry that the government pretty much justified risky behavior by bailing out the banks. And to say that in this kind of environment, it would have been almost impossible for any establishment Politician to win.
Part of me wants to say that Clinton is absolutely correct in saying that she faced more misogyny than any other candidate in history. But let's also face the fact that she got more get out of jail free's than any candidate in History. How many presidential candidates would be allowed by their party to move forward under a FBI investigation? Madeline Albright's "Women only follow Sanders to meet boys" was Clinton's "Binders of women." Her "Basket of Deplorables" was her N____rhead moment. This list goes on.
I personally loathed her this election cycle. Every bit as much as I loved her before she ran against President Obama. But I can't help but think she would have made a Great President. Or at least a better President than our current one.
But then this book comes out and from what I can tell from the reviews, it seems to me that what she really wanted was sycophants and a guaranteed easy path to the presidency and though she says "I take responsibility" I don't get the feeling she really has.
Part of me wants to point to the 2008 financial melt down, at the incredible variety of people on the left who were disappointed that nobody went to jail and on the right who were angry that the government pretty much justified risky behavior by bailing out the banks. And to say that in this kind of environment, it would have been almost impossible for any establishment Politician to win.
Part of me wants to say that Clinton is absolutely correct in saying that she faced more misogyny than any other candidate in history. But let's also face the fact that she got more get out of jail free's than any candidate in History. How many presidential candidates would be allowed by their party to move forward under a FBI investigation? Madeline Albright's "Women only follow Sanders to meet boys" was Clinton's "Binders of women." Her "Basket of Deplorables" was her N____rhead moment. This list goes on.
I personally loathed her this election cycle. Every bit as much as I loved her before she ran against President Obama. But I can't help but think she would have made a Great President. Or at least a better President than our current one.
But then this book comes out and from what I can tell from the reviews, it seems to me that what she really wanted was sycophants and a guaranteed easy path to the presidency and though she says "I take responsibility" I don't get the feeling she really has.
20
While it is hard to find an upside in Hillary's loss, one may be that the FBI, Senate committees and the Muller investigation will expose the extent of fraudulent/criminal business dealings of the Trump family and his associates. And hopefully they will be prosecuted justly for those. This would likely not happen had Hillary won.
13
Hillary has now lost the two most winnable presidential races ever held in America: To a blowhard reality star with no political experience and in the semifinals of 2008 to a then-unknown Chicago political neophyte who is African American and has a name that not only sounds Muslim, it sounds like the name of the guy who attacked America on 9/11. She is arguably the Biggest Loser in American political history.
Why? It isn't sexism - Obama overcame a much bigger ISM and women voted for Trump over her. It isn't Comey, or Bernie, or Russia, or a skewed primary slate in 2008, or black support for Obama or media support for Obama or any of a score of other reasons she has put forward over the years. It is because she established a track record stretching back to the early 1990s as dishonest, as inauthentic, as ruthlessly willing to bend the rules to her ends as in the State Department email, as avaricious to the point she'd give six-figure speeches to Wall Street moguls and stay engaged in a pay-for-play foundation. and as an enabler of a serial woman abuser she is married to.
I didn't vote for Trump. But as big a failure as he has been, I haven't spent one second wishing Hillary Clinton was president of the United States.
Why? It isn't sexism - Obama overcame a much bigger ISM and women voted for Trump over her. It isn't Comey, or Bernie, or Russia, or a skewed primary slate in 2008, or black support for Obama or media support for Obama or any of a score of other reasons she has put forward over the years. It is because she established a track record stretching back to the early 1990s as dishonest, as inauthentic, as ruthlessly willing to bend the rules to her ends as in the State Department email, as avaricious to the point she'd give six-figure speeches to Wall Street moguls and stay engaged in a pay-for-play foundation. and as an enabler of a serial woman abuser she is married to.
I didn't vote for Trump. But as big a failure as he has been, I haven't spent one second wishing Hillary Clinton was president of the United States.
41
I'm also mystified by the over-sized fury that Clinton generates among so many. What cost her the election, though, was her inability to inspire people, to make us believe she was going to make a difference in our lives. She practically championed a go-slow, status-quo approach that was a stark contrast to her democratic and presidential opponents. I voted for her (I'm not an idiot) but voted for her opponents in the 2008 and 2016 primaries. Both Obama and Sanders at least offered the prospect of making the government work for the people, instead of big business. In her book, she pokes fun at Sanders for offering everyone a pony, failing to recognize that no one wants a new pair of socks for their birthday.
21
Was there ever a book by any other candidate who lost an election?
13
What does make her so hated? She is not the best politician of her generation but is a long way from the worst. It is hard to shake the feeling that if she were a man she would have won.
25
I pay a video game online. Some people cry "cheater" every time they die.
Others (even when it's possible the other player cheated) look at their own decisions, analyze then, and learn from them.
Guess which players improve and which do not.
The Democratic Party needs to stop making excuses and figure out why it loses 2/3 of all elections.
Others (even when it's possible the other player cheated) look at their own decisions, analyze then, and learn from them.
Guess which players improve and which do not.
The Democratic Party needs to stop making excuses and figure out why it loses 2/3 of all elections.
20
It is just too painful still to be reliving the campaign. I support Hillary and her need to try and explain what went wrong. We certainly don't need another four years of Trump or another candidate remotely like him. But I wish she would just release her book and forget the book tour. It just gives the GOP something to rant about. I am sick of the Lies and attacks the Right is so determined to use as their primary means of swaying voters. We need Hillary and others to focus on how we can shut them down and return to civil government before we leave this world to our grandchildren.
24
Hillary just was a very flawed candidate and she still fails to see it. It's not her message, her proposals, all fine and incremental, it's always someone else, Comey, Putin, Trump, her gender etc. They may all have influenced the campaign, but so have Trump's shortcomings, and those seem to have far outweighed hers, influenced his campaign and he still won. Bernie Sanders gathered as many followers as he did, because he had a message that resonated. Sanders, and in a very different way, Trump, dared the voters to think big. And may be his proposals were unrealistic, and Trump's obviously do not go anywhere, but he was showing a way, towards "..a shining city on the hill..", while Clinton just wanted to add a light bulb here, a light bulb there. That to me seems to be the core of her shortcomings. Another one, though likely less important, is the fact that among several hundred million Americans there must be someone qualified for president, who is not part of a dynasty.
15
The problem with Hillary Clinton was not one of competence, or even Comey. The problem was that like many women, Hillary wanted to be perfect and as a result, she was very careful. She was like the little girl in class who carefully colors within the lines, never leaving a mark outside of them. Her answers, her speeches, her applause lines, everything was overly crafted. The end result was that she did not appear genuine. I believe she would have made an excellent president, better than her husband, had the Republicans actually allowed her to govern had she won. However, Bill Clinton, for better or for worse, felt our pain. He appeared genuine. Hillary did not. Perhaps had she gone by gut instinct and been a bit less choreographed, she might have won. Additionally, I think her gender made a difference. Sexism is alive and well. Sadly, other women often make the worst bosses, seeing other women as threats. Working for men has its own challengers, most often impacting advancement, but women can be downright cruel to one another. Unfortunately, I think this played into her loss. But we'll never know.
46
Hillary herself is to blame for her loss. She was complacent and entitled and Trump ran away with the opening she created. She seems to think that everyone should have bowed down to her and offered zero criticism while she glided into office - sorry it doesn't work that way. If she had devoted more time to campaigning and holding on to the Obama voters with the same tight focus employed by the Obama campaign in 2008 and 2012, things may have turned out differently. Instead Hillary took the summer off and then turned her attention to down ticket races - she was that sure she would beat Trump. If she wanted to help the Democratic Party, she would have put aside this post-mortem and focused on helping out with the midterms and identifying a strong candidate for 2020.
18
I like the way she blames everyone but herself for her disgraceful loss. a chimpanzee could have defeated Trump but she could not. this says something about her political skills. unfortunately she probably does not examine this in the book.
33
The lesson of 2008 was that the American people had seen and heard enough of the Clintons, both of them. Hillary did not take the hint, and now all of us are paying for this. By the way, how far would she have gotten if her name had been Hillary Smith?
25
"In sorting through the reasons for her defeat, Mrs. Clinton returns over and over to a single explanation: her gender."
Undoubtedly some misogyny exists among our electorate and, perhaps, some men (and even some women) not wanting to see a woman be our President made the difference.
But wait, there is a large feminism sentiment in our country among men and women and undoubtedly this was a factor that motivated some to vote for her.
In other words, she may have lost despite being a woman rather than because she is a woman.
The important point is that I do not know, you do not know and Hillary does not know whether, on balance, she indeed lost because she is a woman.
Losing to such a creep as Trump maybe enough proof to her that misogyny was a dominant factor. But hold firm to such an unsupportable assertion tells us nothing about what actually happened but does call into question her judgment.
Undoubtedly some misogyny exists among our electorate and, perhaps, some men (and even some women) not wanting to see a woman be our President made the difference.
But wait, there is a large feminism sentiment in our country among men and women and undoubtedly this was a factor that motivated some to vote for her.
In other words, she may have lost despite being a woman rather than because she is a woman.
The important point is that I do not know, you do not know and Hillary does not know whether, on balance, she indeed lost because she is a woman.
Losing to such a creep as Trump maybe enough proof to her that misogyny was a dominant factor. But hold firm to such an unsupportable assertion tells us nothing about what actually happened but does call into question her judgment.
13
As a life long Democrat I voted for Hillary Clinton but reluctantly. She is a flawed candidate but the rush to elect a woman crowded out primary challenges.
My guess is that years of Republican trashing caused her to hunker down with trusted advisers - loyal, yes, but no longer viable political operatives in a new environment. Like Huma Abedin, who brought even more personal baggage than Mrs. Clinton and was ultimately the reason Mr. Comey opened another email investigation. Too many others went back to her husband's campaign, too much stuck in the past.
She is a gifted woman who fought hard but ultimately that trait shielded her from reality. I don't plan to read her book, the reason she lost was always clear. How she feels about it is not of interest to me - I'm trying to hold things together knowing who is in the White House due to her tone deaf and math challenged campaign.
My guess is that years of Republican trashing caused her to hunker down with trusted advisers - loyal, yes, but no longer viable political operatives in a new environment. Like Huma Abedin, who brought even more personal baggage than Mrs. Clinton and was ultimately the reason Mr. Comey opened another email investigation. Too many others went back to her husband's campaign, too much stuck in the past.
She is a gifted woman who fought hard but ultimately that trait shielded her from reality. I don't plan to read her book, the reason she lost was always clear. How she feels about it is not of interest to me - I'm trying to hold things together knowing who is in the White House due to her tone deaf and math challenged campaign.
12
HRC still has no idea why she lost.
Sexism did not play a role.
Of the white women who voted in 2016
53% of all white women voted for Trump
51% of white college women voted for Clinton
62% of all white non college women voted for Trump
These data do not support the sexism hypothesis.
HRC presented no program for displaced workers to get their old jobs back or new jobs at the SAME wage as their previous wage.
Telling laid off miners to become call center operators at a fraction of their previous wage is not a program.
So HRC lost Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan a total of 64 electoral votes.
Obama carried all these states in 2008 and 2012.
Sanders did not cause HRC to lose.
Sanders raised important questions which HRC did not answer.
instead HRC went prancing around saying vote for me because I'm a woman.
If 62% of non college white WOMEN voted for Trump what percentage of non college white MEN voted for Trump.
HRC refused to suypport reinstating Glass Steagall and she refused to support raising the salary cap on wages subject to the SS tax.
She supported giving Netanyahu carte blanche to do what ever he wanted.
HRC thus lost the non-college blue collar workers as well as the more liberal traditionally Democratic Party voters.
I voted for HRC but many Democratic voters stayed home because she ran a flawed campaign.
Sexism did not play a role.
Of the white women who voted in 2016
53% of all white women voted for Trump
51% of white college women voted for Clinton
62% of all white non college women voted for Trump
These data do not support the sexism hypothesis.
HRC presented no program for displaced workers to get their old jobs back or new jobs at the SAME wage as their previous wage.
Telling laid off miners to become call center operators at a fraction of their previous wage is not a program.
So HRC lost Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan a total of 64 electoral votes.
Obama carried all these states in 2008 and 2012.
Sanders did not cause HRC to lose.
Sanders raised important questions which HRC did not answer.
instead HRC went prancing around saying vote for me because I'm a woman.
If 62% of non college white WOMEN voted for Trump what percentage of non college white MEN voted for Trump.
HRC refused to suypport reinstating Glass Steagall and she refused to support raising the salary cap on wages subject to the SS tax.
She supported giving Netanyahu carte blanche to do what ever he wanted.
HRC thus lost the non-college blue collar workers as well as the more liberal traditionally Democratic Party voters.
I voted for HRC but many Democratic voters stayed home because she ran a flawed campaign.
20
Hint: Women can be misogynists too. When they are steeped in a culture of repression and loyalty to men; are taught that only men should lead; and do not recognize the true source of their resentment of accomplishment - they can be more vicious towards other women than the men who control them.
8
I can understand the need to "get something off your back" but how will this book help the current political climate and are the proceeds from the book going anywhere other than back to the Clintons? Times are too dangerous to not be contributing something positive.
12
Hillary Clinton has done more for women and children and raised more money for them than any other politician in the world. I apologize to you that she's not mother Theresa.
24
I can't wait to read this book because I genuine like Hillary. I admire and trust her, too. Her first-hand assessment of the 2016 outcome is priceless to me because she has been proven correct far too often. She is that person who, in retrospect, was always onto something and didn't get the traction she deserved.
There hasn't been a candidate for president who put up with such an insane, impossible workload. She ran against Bernie, Trump, the FBI, sexism, the media, a foreign adversary and pneumonia, and still won the popular vote.
Looking back now, in light of all the things we know about the Trump campaign and Russian interference, it's amazing how much ink was spent on a (truly) stupid email server. Or, how the NYT covered the building permits for her kitchen just days before the election. This paper actually made someone cover kitchen permits while a money launderer and Russian puppet was about to cheat his way into the White House! Context matters and this paper had lost all sense of it, to our peril.
I will always miss what might have been. As a #resistor, I'm booked full of things to protest and it's tiring, but it's necessary. I resist because our republic is in peril. It didn't have to be this way and there's a place in my heart that will never mend. We came so close to rising as a nation in a new way, with Hillary, and I have no idea how long it will take to undo Trump's mess.
There hasn't been a candidate for president who put up with such an insane, impossible workload. She ran against Bernie, Trump, the FBI, sexism, the media, a foreign adversary and pneumonia, and still won the popular vote.
Looking back now, in light of all the things we know about the Trump campaign and Russian interference, it's amazing how much ink was spent on a (truly) stupid email server. Or, how the NYT covered the building permits for her kitchen just days before the election. This paper actually made someone cover kitchen permits while a money launderer and Russian puppet was about to cheat his way into the White House! Context matters and this paper had lost all sense of it, to our peril.
I will always miss what might have been. As a #resistor, I'm booked full of things to protest and it's tiring, but it's necessary. I resist because our republic is in peril. It didn't have to be this way and there's a place in my heart that will never mend. We came so close to rising as a nation in a new way, with Hillary, and I have no idea how long it will take to undo Trump's mess.
25
HRC says her initial instinct to fight back on Comey was right but she followed the advice of her campaign staff instead. In other words, it wasn't her fault she did the wrong thing.
She also says that she made a gaffe about putting coal miners out of work but the huge negative consequences weren't really her fault. They were Obama's fault because of his plan to set state-by-state targets for carbon emissions reductions.
She acknowledges that her "traditional presidential campaign" strategy wasn't effective against Trump's "reality TV show" approach. The hidden implication is that her strategy failure wasn't really her fault. It was the fault of a dumb American public that preferred Trump's TV fluff over her "carefully thought-out policies".
It's also Sanders fault that her campaign was weak because he had the gall to put himself forward as a possible nominee. He should have lined up behind her like all the rest. By not doing so he made her look bad.
She doesn't explain why she didn't actually confront Trump during that notorious debate where he was stalking her. But no doubt, her poor performance at that critical moment wasn't her fault.
I see a pattern here.
I wish she would retire. She is NOT helping things.
She also says that she made a gaffe about putting coal miners out of work but the huge negative consequences weren't really her fault. They were Obama's fault because of his plan to set state-by-state targets for carbon emissions reductions.
She acknowledges that her "traditional presidential campaign" strategy wasn't effective against Trump's "reality TV show" approach. The hidden implication is that her strategy failure wasn't really her fault. It was the fault of a dumb American public that preferred Trump's TV fluff over her "carefully thought-out policies".
It's also Sanders fault that her campaign was weak because he had the gall to put himself forward as a possible nominee. He should have lined up behind her like all the rest. By not doing so he made her look bad.
She doesn't explain why she didn't actually confront Trump during that notorious debate where he was stalking her. But no doubt, her poor performance at that critical moment wasn't her fault.
I see a pattern here.
I wish she would retire. She is NOT helping things.
59
best comment on thread.
12
Oh Hillary, still out of touch. The reason why Bernie gained so much support is because he is authentic. He did not have to ask his advisors what to say or how to act. Playing the blame game is unproductive and unworthy of you. It is no wonder why we have become a society where no one will take responsibility for their actions. When, by example, the highest people in the land continue to shift the blame to others.
Also, you won the popular vote by 3 million, the obsolete Electoral College is the reason why you are not the president. I voted for you and think you would have made a good president, but again it was a lesser of the evils choice. Bernie Sanders was my first choice because he had his finger on the pulse of the American electorate and was a true progressive. I would say that he made you a better candidate for taking you out of your Washington bubble and inserting a little reality.
Also, you won the popular vote by 3 million, the obsolete Electoral College is the reason why you are not the president. I voted for you and think you would have made a good president, but again it was a lesser of the evils choice. Bernie Sanders was my first choice because he had his finger on the pulse of the American electorate and was a true progressive. I would say that he made you a better candidate for taking you out of your Washington bubble and inserting a little reality.
17
"Obsolete electoral college ..."
Hillary! won a game no one was playing. Brilliant!
Hillary! won a game no one was playing. Brilliant!
13
“My first instinct was that my campaign should hit back and explain that Mr. Comey had badly overstepped his bounds,” she wrote in the book, her attempt to make sense of her electoral defeat by Donald J. Trump. But, she said, her campaign advisers talked her out of it, convincing her that it was better “to just let it go and try to move on.”
An important missed opportunity.
This is the problem with the Democrats. I think there is some primitive instinct in humans that they want a politicians who will go to bat for them and fight for their cause.
For some unknown reason, too many establishment Democrats are timid and hesitant to get out there and be the party of opposition. Of course, fighting, obstructing, and lying is all the Republicans do. Basically, all they want to do is win--by just about any means necessary, and are not above lying, falsely smearing their competition, and bullying. And, they certainly are proving themselves incompetent and worthless at governing now that they are in office.
It should be easy for the Democrats to take on the Republicans, but where are they?
It may seem like a small thing, but when Trump was menacingly invading Hillary's space at that infamous debate, she did nothing. It was a moment she needed to be spontaneous, show she could fend for herself, and put The Donald in his rightful place.
By doing so, we would feel she would do the same representing our country, its people, and taking care of threats by showing leadership.
An important missed opportunity.
This is the problem with the Democrats. I think there is some primitive instinct in humans that they want a politicians who will go to bat for them and fight for their cause.
For some unknown reason, too many establishment Democrats are timid and hesitant to get out there and be the party of opposition. Of course, fighting, obstructing, and lying is all the Republicans do. Basically, all they want to do is win--by just about any means necessary, and are not above lying, falsely smearing their competition, and bullying. And, they certainly are proving themselves incompetent and worthless at governing now that they are in office.
It should be easy for the Democrats to take on the Republicans, but where are they?
It may seem like a small thing, but when Trump was menacingly invading Hillary's space at that infamous debate, she did nothing. It was a moment she needed to be spontaneous, show she could fend for herself, and put The Donald in his rightful place.
By doing so, we would feel she would do the same representing our country, its people, and taking care of threats by showing leadership.
9
I understand the frustration of those who feel that Bernie cost HRC the crucial votes that would have put her over the top... I have great respect for Bernie Sanders, however, and it's time that the American public threw out the 'two party system,' particularly in an environment where the fastest growing segment of the voting public are aligned with neither party. I'm not at all sure Bernie would have beat Trump, but he certainly had the right to fight a hard fight for the opportunity to run against him. This is the democratic process, and many Americans are sick of having some slick political machinery limit their options in this increasingly either/or electoral environment. You can also blame the DNC 'machinery' for angering Bernie's followers. The Democrats refuse to acknowledge that there are a whole lotta progressives out there who did not feel HRC represented their interests or their views. I was totally comfortable voting for Hillary; would have voted for Bernie had he won the nomination. If progressives don't figure out how to field a candidate that can cross that divide, the Dems will continue to lose elections. Just as bad, they could regain control of the Presidency and/or Congress and end up as gridlocked as today's Republicans.
8
I agree completely with the person who commented about HRC losing the election because she always seemed to be following the advice of others rather than standing on her own two feet. She never seemed authentic or genuine. Donald Trump at least had an opinion of his own whether good or bad.
I also live in the rural South and see the way that the middle class has struggled. We have watched people lose their jobs and their livelihoods over the last 30 years and these people wanted change. I am a female and an educated liberal democrat but I know when I went to vote in my small town that the the election was going to turn out differently than expected. Usually only a handful turn out to vote and this time people were lined up outside the door. It is exactly the fact that the Democratic Party could not seem to acknowledge these people that cost the party so much in the election. Anthony Bourdain was spot on when he noted that urban, elite America had been arrogant about the needs and desires of other parts of this country.
I also live in the rural South and see the way that the middle class has struggled. We have watched people lose their jobs and their livelihoods over the last 30 years and these people wanted change. I am a female and an educated liberal democrat but I know when I went to vote in my small town that the the election was going to turn out differently than expected. Usually only a handful turn out to vote and this time people were lined up outside the door. It is exactly the fact that the Democratic Party could not seem to acknowledge these people that cost the party so much in the election. Anthony Bourdain was spot on when he noted that urban, elite America had been arrogant about the needs and desires of other parts of this country.
17
the Democratic party needs to return to it's for roots and go back to supporting the working class, not supporting elites or playing the identity card. and Hillary is a large part of this problem. may she just go away.
15
Whether the Democrats like it or not they need a policy that will rebuild the economic status of the white working class. In economic terms "identity politics" are a luxury good that will be delivered when the majority feels economically secure.
5
Hillary lost two Presidential Races, not one.
She lost to both Obama and to Trump.
Both were somewhat novices. Yet, they "put her awa", proverbially speaking.
Hillary became too radical during her campaign as she sought to reach out to the radial left. That cost her the votes of Middle Class America.
By Hillary. You had your chance twice. You did not succeed. So now, its time to fade into the dust-bins of history.
She lost to both Obama and to Trump.
Both were somewhat novices. Yet, they "put her awa", proverbially speaking.
Hillary became too radical during her campaign as she sought to reach out to the radial left. That cost her the votes of Middle Class America.
By Hillary. You had your chance twice. You did not succeed. So now, its time to fade into the dust-bins of history.
8
I love it when somebody tells somebody else to fade into history as if they have the right to do so. Hillary's legacy has been written. She will go down in history as the woman who did more for women and children than any other politician in the world. The woman who Republicans feared more then anybody else for decades. She took on the entire Republican Party and Bernie and his Low information Bros, and beat them all by 3 million votes. And she could do it again if she wanted to. I hope she will.
18
Another person would have been ashamed to have been beaten by such a horrible person as Donald Trump. A self-respecting person would have skulked off and enjoyed the millions she already had. But a self-respecting person never would have been beaten by Donald Trump.
10
Clinton is probably the only person in the country that could be beaten by the Donald. Cold, calculating, venal and hypocritical, she is a hard person to like. I prayed that she would win. She would have made a good president. Time to move on.
9
Hillary, I am sure your book will be a fascination tour de force of excuses as why you lost the election. Did it ever occur to you that you lost because of the reputation the Clinton family has?
The Goldman Sachs speeches and your refusal to release them was a major fault and something opponent could beat you over the head with on a regular bsis. No matter what you or the FBI said, people were suspicious of the tales of your E-MAIL server - did you think it wouldn't be mentioned? Just about every mistake that could be made in a campaign you made it. but it was always someone else's fault.
I am sure your book will be good read and laughable in many places. I am not sure why it took 512 pages to recount your personal failure in the campaign. I may wait to read it until it is marked down. Maybe the Kindle version will be reasonably priced and the audible version is only 1 credit. Choice, choices, choices.
The Goldman Sachs speeches and your refusal to release them was a major fault and something opponent could beat you over the head with on a regular bsis. No matter what you or the FBI said, people were suspicious of the tales of your E-MAIL server - did you think it wouldn't be mentioned? Just about every mistake that could be made in a campaign you made it. but it was always someone else's fault.
I am sure your book will be good read and laughable in many places. I am not sure why it took 512 pages to recount your personal failure in the campaign. I may wait to read it until it is marked down. Maybe the Kindle version will be reasonably priced and the audible version is only 1 credit. Choice, choices, choices.
13
those 512 pages will describe how others are to blame, not her failures or short comings. make no mistake.
10
Hillary Clinton was in the middle of a perfect storm to destroy her including Vladimir Putin, he of the small hands and mind, and James Comey's ambiguous letter about reopening the investigation. I believe that Anthony Weiner made some kind of deal with Huma's emails to get less time for his sexting with a minor. Hillary's close proximity to Huma was the death of Hillary, not Huma or Weiner.
As far as Putin, he is the eye of the hurricane, not only with hacking but also with kompromat with Trump.
We have real hurricanes to deal with but until Putin and Trump go down, democracy in the US is in the danger zone.
Hillary was hurt the most by misogynists: Putin, Trump, and Bill.
It's really a sin because we could use her wit, her strength and perseverance now.
As far as Putin, he is the eye of the hurricane, not only with hacking but also with kompromat with Trump.
We have real hurricanes to deal with but until Putin and Trump go down, democracy in the US is in the danger zone.
Hillary was hurt the most by misogynists: Putin, Trump, and Bill.
It's really a sin because we could use her wit, her strength and perseverance now.
17
what about her ability to blame everyone but herself?
11
To those saying that HRC should just 'move on,' and not re-hash the political campaign... would you honestly be saying that if she were a man? Yes, she was a 'flawed' candidate- as were all of the others from both sides. The most tragically 'flawed' was actually elected. I think she accepts the role that her own personality traits and political moves had to do with the loss, but I will be interested to read her insiders' perspective on the entire process. And I'm disgusted by those who say she feels/felt 'entitled.' Why shouldn't she? She was one of the most intelligent, tough-minded and qualified candidates to run in the last decade or so and she had every right to feel 'entitled' to run. Again, this is misogyny at its worst... men are 'ambitious' and 'forceful' and 'dominant' for fighting for what they believe they've earned. Women are 'entitled.' Yes, her time in elected office is over, as it should be. She has, however, earned her place as an elder stateswoman, and I hope she continues to serve her community and our nation in other capacities. I pray that we find an equally strong, intelligent woman to break this embarrassing glass ceiling within my lifetime. And not one who feels they have to parrot right-wing orthodoxy in order to get elected.
69
I voted for HRC. It made no difference to me whether she is a man or a woman. But I DO think she needs to get out of the picture now. She is NOT helping. I think she would have made a good president but was a very poor candidate. As a symbol of the failures of 2016 her presence is damaging to the Democratic Party and to the cause of promoting more liberal, progressive policies.
5
If Romney or McCain had written a "what went wrong" tell-all, I would have rolled my eyes. For all their flaws, these two men had the self- awareness to spare us a score-settling tale.
10
I'd like to see every dollar of book sales go to the Resistance groups that are hard at work dealing with the disaster Clinton left in her wake. She is already wealthy. Will we see, again, how tone-deaf she is by raking more in?
She was up against forces she has known all her life. She was up against a new normal that goes lower each day. She should have been able to pull it off despite these. With all the money and staff her team had, they still didn't get that wonky competence doesn't get votes.
I hope she takes responsibility for her and their mistakes in the book. I won't know if she does, because I won't buy the book. Instead, I'll add the book price to the contributions I'm making to Resistance orgs.
She was up against forces she has known all her life. She was up against a new normal that goes lower each day. She should have been able to pull it off despite these. With all the money and staff her team had, they still didn't get that wonky competence doesn't get votes.
I hope she takes responsibility for her and their mistakes in the book. I won't know if she does, because I won't buy the book. Instead, I'll add the book price to the contributions I'm making to Resistance orgs.
7
Ms. Clinton seems to raise some very valid points, not least about Comey. But if the book in fact does not acknowledge the lousy job that she, Podesta and others did during her campaign, it is a seriously deficient account of what happened. And if she really took umbrage at Sanders' primary stage criticisms on her (and in fact he was remarkably soft on the email issus), then she was oddly out of touch with what primaries involve and was viewing her run to the Democratic nomination as a coronation rather than a contest.
She indeed has done a lot of positive things during her long career. But in the three biggest tests of her political acumen - health care reform during her husband's presidency, her failed 2008 run and her failed 2016 run - she came up short in ways that reflect poorly on her enduring political judgment. She was running for president, not policy-wonk-in-chief. Sad to say, despite her decades in politics, she never developed the political savvy to match her policy knowledge. And such savvy is crucial to winning the presidency and being a successful president.
She indeed has done a lot of positive things during her long career. But in the three biggest tests of her political acumen - health care reform during her husband's presidency, her failed 2008 run and her failed 2016 run - she came up short in ways that reflect poorly on her enduring political judgment. She was running for president, not policy-wonk-in-chief. Sad to say, despite her decades in politics, she never developed the political savvy to match her policy knowledge. And such savvy is crucial to winning the presidency and being a successful president.
5
Republicans will never get on board for a woman presidential candidate unless she is a republican. I think Nikki Haley has picked up that scent. There are a number of republicans like Haley who I could respect if they were not attached to the currently most dysfunctional, unprincipled major party in American history. Republican party loyalty long ago eclipsed loyalty to the nation. As the Russian investigation progresses we will find that some of them are traitors.
9
HRC was held to a double standard. There are absolutely correct and appropriate critiques about her "passion" and ability to "connect" - but she was treated with distrust first and foremost due to her gender, second due to the powerful information campaign waged against her (in no small part thanks to right-wing lies about her actions and Russian intervention), and third because too many chose ideological purity over common sense. She would have made a very good president.
But the most devastating aspect of her loss, is that the presidency was proven to be no more than a middle-school popularity contest. Forget about the fact she was a woman: we were shown that the hardest working student who knew the issues and who did her prep could lose to a buffoon jerk who simply made fun of the smart kid. Anti-intellectualism is rampant. Woe on us.
But the most devastating aspect of her loss, is that the presidency was proven to be no more than a middle-school popularity contest. Forget about the fact she was a woman: we were shown that the hardest working student who knew the issues and who did her prep could lose to a buffoon jerk who simply made fun of the smart kid. Anti-intellectualism is rampant. Woe on us.
22
PBS was probably the only media that I can remember that truly gives thorough coverage of the elections, it's too bad that more people didn't tune in because all of these issues and events that occurred that people claimed to have been ignorant of, were covered on shows like Frontline and the NewsHour.
It would've been clear to people who would be working for the benefit of all people in the U.S. and who would be a relentless unmitigated disaster, who would have made a good, effective U.S. President and who would have set the country on a backward track. It certainly was clear to me.
It would've been clear to people who would be working for the benefit of all people in the U.S. and who would be a relentless unmitigated disaster, who would have made a good, effective U.S. President and who would have set the country on a backward track. It certainly was clear to me.
13
The irony, of course, is that the only one in this mess who was *not* obstructing justice is Donald Trump, but they would have us accept that their errors of judgment or whichever words they later hit upon were made in good faith.
3
Hilary Clinton, rightly or wrongly, represents the establishment politician in America. The frame, so to speak, of the establishment politician is that they are only interested in serving themselves and have lost connection with everyday Americans. And, of course, Clinton is a woman and this country harbors many people who associate powerful women with everything they don't like and trust.
When I went into the voting booth, I knew the choice came down to this: Clinton who would not change a thing and Trump who would make the country and the world much worse. It was easy for me to vote for Clinton, but I am well off and the status quo would help me. What about those doing poorly?
9
I pretty much agree with everything Hillary Clinton says in this column. If she were a man, she'd have been elected. The NY Times coverage of her email stuff versus its lack of coverage of the Russia-Trump business I now understand to have been very damaging. What I considered Mr Comey's bad judgment (but now wonder about) definitely and harmfully influenced the election.
But sometimes I wonder if Mrs Clinton had stood straight up to Donald Trump, we might have had different results. For example, could she have confronted him as he stalked her around the debate stage? If she was "crooked Hillary" was he "Don the Con"? No, I don't think she, especially as a woman, would have benefited from that--unfair world, very unfair.
But what about standing straight up regarding the issues? I voted for her, but I have to admit that my enthusiasm dwindled during the election. If Clinton were president now (something I dearly dearly wish were the case), would she be pushing straight on for universal health care? Would she be fighting for making college affordable for all those who qualify to get in? Would she stand right up to the financial industry and, for example, make passive income taxed the same as income from work?
In other words, would she be the president who'd stand up to the Koch Bros and the other Dark Money oligarchs who more and more control the government of our nation? I like to think so. I hope she still makes her voice heard.
Thank you, Mrs Clinton,
But sometimes I wonder if Mrs Clinton had stood straight up to Donald Trump, we might have had different results. For example, could she have confronted him as he stalked her around the debate stage? If she was "crooked Hillary" was he "Don the Con"? No, I don't think she, especially as a woman, would have benefited from that--unfair world, very unfair.
But what about standing straight up regarding the issues? I voted for her, but I have to admit that my enthusiasm dwindled during the election. If Clinton were president now (something I dearly dearly wish were the case), would she be pushing straight on for universal health care? Would she be fighting for making college affordable for all those who qualify to get in? Would she stand right up to the financial industry and, for example, make passive income taxed the same as income from work?
In other words, would she be the president who'd stand up to the Koch Bros and the other Dark Money oligarchs who more and more control the government of our nation? I like to think so. I hope she still makes her voice heard.
Thank you, Mrs Clinton,
16
Someone told me that Mrs Clinton was so confident she would win the election, she was being addressed by her staff as Madame President. This candidate was the only one who could have lost to Donald Trump and yes, she did. I would have preferred Joe Biden however the Democratic Party forced her upon us and we have not choice - she was the less of two evils in the election. She was qualified to be President but somehow she lost to a charlatan and I think we will continue to try and determine, how did that happen and why.
I also read that former President Clinton told Mrs Clinton campaign that they needed to spend more time in Pennsylvania, Michigan & Wisconsin however they were so confident of victory, they ignored his suggestions.
I am certainly not purchasing her book!
I also read that former President Clinton told Mrs Clinton campaign that they needed to spend more time in Pennsylvania, Michigan & Wisconsin however they were so confident of victory, they ignored his suggestions.
I am certainly not purchasing her book!
10
After 8 years of a black President who was prevented by wealthy interests from making things substantially better for the working poor of all races, the country was primed for another about face. (There really is something hysterical about American Presidential politics- as if a President is seen as a Savior, who always fails to save, and so we run to the opposite).
The working poor really do need a savior, as does the middle class. The country, despairing of normal candidates - of whom the Republican primaries were overloaded-, and of historic firsts - the "audacity of hope " turned out to be not so audacious- decided for a businessman who was an insurgent wholly outside of the Washington swamp.
I don't think Hillary's "mistakes" had a decisive effect on the election, nor did Comey. It is the plight of the working poor and of the dying middle class that ended her hopes. The way to make things better for them is not yet clear. The mainstream Republicans think the old tax cuts will do it; Dems want aid for the poor. Neither will work. I don't know what will, and neither does Trump.
The working poor really do need a savior, as does the middle class. The country, despairing of normal candidates - of whom the Republican primaries were overloaded-, and of historic firsts - the "audacity of hope " turned out to be not so audacious- decided for a businessman who was an insurgent wholly outside of the Washington swamp.
I don't think Hillary's "mistakes" had a decisive effect on the election, nor did Comey. It is the plight of the working poor and of the dying middle class that ended her hopes. The way to make things better for them is not yet clear. The mainstream Republicans think the old tax cuts will do it; Dems want aid for the poor. Neither will work. I don't know what will, and neither does Trump.
5
What makes her such a lightning rod for fury? I have heard and read all sorts of answers to this question, but most of them make no factual sense. I blame Republican attacks and fruitless investigations for the last 25 year plus misogyny. It's so odd that she got such high approval ratings as Secretary of State and as NY Senator, but when it came to the top job and Sanders and Comey, not so much. She admits to making mistakes, but she could have survived those without the other factors. She did, after all, win the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes.
18
I hope Hillary will consider giving profits from this book to a worthy cause. Perhaps she could choose one that's arisen as a result of Trump's mean-spirited legislation like the abolishment of DACA. Since the theme of her book seems to be that women aren't treated equally, and I agree that we aren't, maybe she could support Planned Parenthood. I think that Hillary's intelligence and resources could go a long way toward saving this nation. I understand how cathartic a book like this is, but I submit that she might be able to restore our hope while healing herself. Perhaps it sounds like I'm putting a heavy burden on her because she's a woman but it's precisely because she's the woman she is that I'm appealing to her.
5
I agree that the biggest element to her lose was misogyny. We still have lots of work to do in this area. I've worked as an activist for civil rights, gay rights, women's rights, equality for all and I'll keep working. I'm a baby boomer and really disappointed that so much work is left now to my millennial children but they are also fighters aware and ready to work for change and a better world for ALL .
25
Clinton is such an idiot. Comey would not have been involved if she had the intelligence and judgement not to attempt to conceal her communications at the the State Department from Americans who own those communications. No private server - no Comey. To think 50 million people voted for this corrupt imbecile.
17
I think back to the "Onion" headline after President Obama's re-election: "Republicans next nominate white-hot sphere of burning rage for President."
10
She needs to disappear now,her presence and association with the democrat party causes more upsenest and rejection of the party than benefit. What is done is done. She did not do what she needed to do and it is over lady.
14
I cannot imagine Hillary Clinton sitting in the Oval Office at the Resolute desk, with Harry Truman's "The Buck Stops Here" sign in evidence.
22
so Truman would not blame everyone else for any errors?
2
The buck stops ... where, Mrs. Clinton? It apparently stops at whomever her finger points, just never with herself. What sort of leadership is that? It is precisely the spinning-weather-vane, focused-group cravenness she inadvertently highlights here that was her downfall. We wanted a president, not a marketing apparatus. She was not authentic.
82
I am a lifelong (55 years voting) Kennedy Democrat. And a professional woman with an Ivy League education. But I'm also an outsider in American Society being Jewish and feisty. But Hillary did not represent me or my party. She kept claiming she had soul and heart but all I saw was a brilliant head. She lost because she didn't/couldn't connect to other humans. Yes, I voted for her, of course. But I wanted Bernie. He spoke the truth from his heart that made sense from his head. He had passion; she did not. He was unbridled. She was a Dressage Pony. Maybe it was all in there but when you study her life it just doesn't come through that she's flawed, human, and one of us. Could she have done a brilliant job. Yes. Yes. Yes. Would I have been a happy camper. Yes. But I just didn't connect with her passionately. Until she gets that the truth of her campaign was that she wasn't liked as a person by people who should have liked her as well as those who could never like her, her delusion will continue. It's not misogyny, it's her.
18
While I agree about her comments on how the Times played the stories out in an unbalanced way (even as a subscriber I noticed it then and wasn't blind to it, probably as many others weren't either), and while she fails to understand the appeal of Bernie, her biggest blind spot is herself. It's "Her". She wasn't an appealing candidate. It wasn't because she is a woman, it's because she is wonk with too much thinking and following advice and enough instinct and guts. Trump was a great contrast as he is only instinct and guts. She admits to following the advice of everyone, all her advisors and managers and Obama. A strong leader doesn't follow, and that's what people saw in Trump: someone who looked like he didn't listen to anybody (unfortunately). He brazenly showing what people associate with a chief leadership characteristics while she brazenly showed none. She doesn't get it. It isn't a woman thing; Elizabeth Warren is an attractive candidate because she looks like she is fighting her own fight. That's why she swept into office as Senator and could do so as Presidential candidate should she want.
8
Clinton needs to look into the mirror a little more closely. There were huge strategic misses and a "we got this" arrogance. One example that is during the debate when talking about taxes. She said that "Donald doesn't want to show you his taxes because he doesn't pay taxes" instead of saying "he doesn't want to show you his taxes because he has foreign conflicts." This is one example there are many more.
23
I did not read this story, but I've read others in which Clinton bemoans what she should have done. So why didn't she turn around and admonish Trump to stand back during their well-documented debate? Why didn't she show some spine with Comey? Surely she knew she was unpopular with some voters, but I strongly doubt her supporters would have turned away. In fact, it probably would have helped her numbers.
2
The superdelegates missed it, the people wanted Bernie Sanders. He was much more popular and desirable in the current climate. The majority of true liberals are millenials and the younger generation. However there was a desire by the feminists in the Democratic party that wanted to see a woman president, and thought Trump was not a threat to their goal. They dismissed Bernie Sanders and the people in this quest.
12
There are any number of reasons the election played out the way it did, but given the depth of the nation's political divisions, hearing from the candidate who won 3 million more votes than the candidate who prevailed should be viewed as a critical and welcome addition to the ongoing analysis.
That being said, it's clear that misogyny had a big win in November. I comfort myself with the thought that if Hillary had won the presidency, we would have been subject to an endless round of Congressional hearings led by a vindictive GOP on emails, Benghazi, the Clinton foundation, and anything else they could dig up. Those same partisan hacks are getting what they deserve with Donald Trump.
That being said, it's clear that misogyny had a big win in November. I comfort myself with the thought that if Hillary had won the presidency, we would have been subject to an endless round of Congressional hearings led by a vindictive GOP on emails, Benghazi, the Clinton foundation, and anything else they could dig up. Those same partisan hacks are getting what they deserve with Donald Trump.
13
I've run a business all of my life and I know for sure that the mistakes are all on me.
The good stuff is because I had capable well trained people I surrounded myself with.
Bad hires, and their disasters were all my fault. I should have caught it.
The good stuff is because I had capable well trained people I surrounded myself with.
Bad hires, and their disasters were all my fault. I should have caught it.
11
From all accounts, it sounds like in "What Happened" HRC "details us to death" as she did in her poorly conceived and worsely (can't think of a "real word" hear -- so making one up) executed campaign.
It seems she understands that her campaign lacked "a sense of urgency and passion". DUH! She also lacked anything resembling charisma.
She wants to know why there is so much "fury" against her? Don't know about others, but I was furious about her candidacy while it was on-going because it was clear that she wasn't offering a vision that the American people could relate to -- thus putting the office of President at risk of getting Trump-ed.
Given the outcome, my fury seems justified and continues unabated. "What Happened" sounds like a book that didn't need to be written -- much less to be read. Go to your room, Hillary. Take a permanent "time-out".
It seems she understands that her campaign lacked "a sense of urgency and passion". DUH! She also lacked anything resembling charisma.
She wants to know why there is so much "fury" against her? Don't know about others, but I was furious about her candidacy while it was on-going because it was clear that she wasn't offering a vision that the American people could relate to -- thus putting the office of President at risk of getting Trump-ed.
Given the outcome, my fury seems justified and continues unabated. "What Happened" sounds like a book that didn't need to be written -- much less to be read. Go to your room, Hillary. Take a permanent "time-out".
16
While I commiserate with alot of what happened to Hillary during the 2016 election regurgitating what happened via her viewpoint accomplishes nothing. I voted for her and believe that she could have run this country well at least for four years. However from the start she was a flawed Candidate with too much baggage whether rightly or wrongly deserved.
I will not buy her book because it is definitely not written from an objective standpoint. I'll wait for such a book to be written.
I will not buy her book because it is definitely not written from an objective standpoint. I'll wait for such a book to be written.
21
Any objective standard will give you the same or similar reasons for her loss. You may wait a long time for one that agrees with you.
5
Hillary made one critical mistake that I'm sure she won't own up to in her book: she overestimated the American public. She thought most voters would see the email controversy as the contrived scandal it was; that voters care enough about policy to actually go to a website and read position statements; that anti-intellectualism, misogyny and racism are not still so pervasive; that voters understand that there are not simplistic, facile answers for every problem the country faces; that voters would be able to discern if a candidate was qualified or not. Donald Trump, meanwhile, never made the mistake of treating voters as anything other than fools to be conned.
97
sorry Mrs. Clinton, the reason you lost was you. The "crooked Hilary" was also a function of your Wall Street speeches, which was the silliest /stupidest things to do before a national campaign. The Clintons were already worth about 100M, so why do it? Ego perhaps? Cluelessness-absolutely! then you compounded it by not releasing transcripts when you said nothing that bad. The speeches were your downfall; yet they were easy to fix---give the money to charity and release transcripts--defeat into victory. But to do so would be admitting you, not your advisors, made a mistake. if it was all your gender, why did the majority of white women vote for Trump/
22
After supporting Sanders in the primary I gladly voted for Clinton, and given the alternative would have absolutely no hesitation about doing so again. Everything that her supporters say about her is true. She is experienced, intelligent, and decisive, she pulls no punches. She’s usually right on the issues that I care about, and generally honest. And I also cannot ignore that yet she has a definite blind spot. The quotation in the last line of this article is very telling: “What makes me such a lightning rod for fury? I’m really asking. I’m at a loss.”
When I read things like this that she says I still don't believe that she would have been a particularly good choice to lead the country, and, as potentially the first female president, could certainly have damaged the credentials of any woman following in her footsteps. As much as I wanted to like her as a candidate I could never get over the sense of entitlement that she displayed or the inability to see how others could see her, like pocketing large sums of cash for Wall Street speeches in the months leading up to her campaign, the secretive and duplicitous way that she dealt with matters like her emails. She’s politically tone deaf. Now she blames Sanders as having offered ‘pony promises’ while simultaneously complaining that he stole her issues. Enough!
I’m reminded of what Colin Powell had to say: “Everything HRC touches she kind of screws up with hubris.” If she is really at a loss, she could start there.
When I read things like this that she says I still don't believe that she would have been a particularly good choice to lead the country, and, as potentially the first female president, could certainly have damaged the credentials of any woman following in her footsteps. As much as I wanted to like her as a candidate I could never get over the sense of entitlement that she displayed or the inability to see how others could see her, like pocketing large sums of cash for Wall Street speeches in the months leading up to her campaign, the secretive and duplicitous way that she dealt with matters like her emails. She’s politically tone deaf. Now she blames Sanders as having offered ‘pony promises’ while simultaneously complaining that he stole her issues. Enough!
I’m reminded of what Colin Powell had to say: “Everything HRC touches she kind of screws up with hubris.” If she is really at a loss, she could start there.
75
The reason Hillary lost the upper Midwest and the election is because of the dramatic change in the Democratic party over the past few years. Emphasizing the "issue" of transgender bathrooms in a presidential campaign is outrageous and clueless. Rigid identity politics, political correctness, unconditional support for BLM, unrestricted abortion, reckless accusations of racism and bigotry, arrogant contempt for rural and working class whites - Hillary explicitly channeled all these aspects of the new Democratic party. It had a bigger impact than elite Democrats realize, because elite Democrats are blind.
36
You're right about a lot of that but Hillary had no choice she was caught between a rock and a hard place. The rock was the Republicans on the right and they're 25 years of made up lies about the Clintons. The hard place was the far left led by the delusional Quixotism of the grim faced 70's Trot and his low information followers.
8
Our electorate has continuously doubled down on stupid. First we endured Nixon. I would have included Eisenhower because Stevenson was better qualified. Then there was Reagan and GW Bush. GHW Bush, Carter, Clinton and Obama were all qualified and far from stupid. Ford was not elected. He was appointed because the Republicans can't seem to elect an official who is not scandal-ridden. The "scandals" involving Carter and Clinton were all manufactured. The continuous part of this trend is that of going toward the less qualified.
If the NYT erred, it was falling into the Republican-inspired trap of false equivalence. The Republicans can only win when they cheat. I only hope that this conservative Supreme Court sees that when they get to review the Gerrymandering case. Were it not for that, Mrs Clinton would be our President. The real culprits are the behind-the-curtains state and local hacks who keep rigging our elections. Even some Republicans seem frightened enough to perhaps take action. I hope so. While Bernie Sanders was correct on most issues, in his zeal, he lost sight of the damage that could be done if Trump beat him. Toward that end, he was like Ralph Nader. He was a spoiler just to get his point across. Our electorate need to be carefully spoon fed undeniable data in small bites. Their attention span is too short.
We also really need confirmation that our President could pass a basic civics exam. Then again, I doubt that our electorate could either.
If the NYT erred, it was falling into the Republican-inspired trap of false equivalence. The Republicans can only win when they cheat. I only hope that this conservative Supreme Court sees that when they get to review the Gerrymandering case. Were it not for that, Mrs Clinton would be our President. The real culprits are the behind-the-curtains state and local hacks who keep rigging our elections. Even some Republicans seem frightened enough to perhaps take action. I hope so. While Bernie Sanders was correct on most issues, in his zeal, he lost sight of the damage that could be done if Trump beat him. Toward that end, he was like Ralph Nader. He was a spoiler just to get his point across. Our electorate need to be carefully spoon fed undeniable data in small bites. Their attention span is too short.
We also really need confirmation that our President could pass a basic civics exam. Then again, I doubt that our electorate could either.
27
Coulda, woulda, shoulda.
Hillary has always struck me as a person lacking in political instinct, and every article I've read about her new book confirm this notion. In hindsight, she can say what she would have done... but would it have even helped? I think the most important political instinct would be to see how your persona and history play in the public sphere, and to recognize if you would be better able to serve the greater good in a capacity far from public office.
Hillary has always struck me as a person lacking in political instinct, and every article I've read about her new book confirm this notion. In hindsight, she can say what she would have done... but would it have even helped? I think the most important political instinct would be to see how your persona and history play in the public sphere, and to recognize if you would be better able to serve the greater good in a capacity far from public office.
15
An opposing viewpoint to any and all naysayers:
Hillary Clinton has every right to discuss in detail her historical run for the presidency.
If you cannot allow her this analytical effort then do not buy or read her book.
Her lesson plan, playbook, advice, details of experiences etc. will aid to a great degree the next woman who will run for the presidency.
And there, no doubt, will be one who will do so.
I predict that more than one young woman will greatly appreciate having Hillary's experience set down in great detail.
May the book be on ever high school reading list for sometime to come.
Let us all give Hillary her due as as a pioneer, forerunner, and the historical figure that future history will certainly recognize her to be.
Hillary Clinton has every right to discuss in detail her historical run for the presidency.
If you cannot allow her this analytical effort then do not buy or read her book.
Her lesson plan, playbook, advice, details of experiences etc. will aid to a great degree the next woman who will run for the presidency.
And there, no doubt, will be one who will do so.
I predict that more than one young woman will greatly appreciate having Hillary's experience set down in great detail.
May the book be on ever high school reading list for sometime to come.
Let us all give Hillary her due as as a pioneer, forerunner, and the historical figure that future history will certainly recognize her to be.
19
Reading the first handful of comments below broke my heart. Hilary is not making excuses. These are the same exact thoughts I had during the campaign. She is a brilliant, accomplished, and savvy person who as Secretary of State had high approval ratings. I happen to agree with her perceptions in this article and can't wait to read her book.
24
I hope you continue to stay politically active. We will need people like you guiding liberal politics in order to continue winning elections.
4
According to Her Entitledness, Bernie Sander's policy proposals are "hopelessly unrealistic." This despite the fact that such policies as universal health care and a decent minimum wage are standard throughout the rest of the developed world, and have been for decades.
Look no further for the main cause of Hillary Clinton's loss in 2016 and the justified disgust that many political progressives feel toward the Democratic Party.
Clintonism was a wrong turn for Democrats. If this last presidential election finally puts a stake in its heart, that will be some consolation for having to put up with the dolt in the White House. At least it opens up a way forward.
A genuinely progressive Democratic party has a chance of not just winning, but doing some good once it wins. A Clintonian Democratic party doesn't
Look no further for the main cause of Hillary Clinton's loss in 2016 and the justified disgust that many political progressives feel toward the Democratic Party.
Clintonism was a wrong turn for Democrats. If this last presidential election finally puts a stake in its heart, that will be some consolation for having to put up with the dolt in the White House. At least it opens up a way forward.
A genuinely progressive Democratic party has a chance of not just winning, but doing some good once it wins. A Clintonian Democratic party doesn't
20
Most successful presidential candidates benefit from an electorate energized by yearning to unseat an incumbent from the other party. Only twice in the last century was a two-term president succeeded by a candidate from the same party. Both times it was the sitting Vice President (Harry Truman and George H.W. Bush)—who themselves only served one elected term before the office reverted to the other party.
And yes, though other countries both liberal and conservative elect female leaders, we never have.
Americans as a group love claiming our many firsts (we claim a few other countries' firsts as well) but don't handle well what we're yet unable or unwilling to do. We think ourselves freer and savvier or more sensible than anyone, and can't conceive of being influenced by, much less in thrall to, enemy propaganda.
We also aren't a nation that rewards the party holding the presidency during a major correction of unconstitutional disenfranchisement and expansion of civil rights. A few examples:
Abolition of slavery 1865 (Republican), next president was of a different party.
Women's right to vote 1919 (Democrat), next president was of a different party.
The Civil Rights Act 1964 (Democrat), next president was of a different party.
Marriage equality 2015 (Democrat), next president was of a different party.
We've come a long way in this nation toward equality and fairness, but it seems like every three steps forward has been followed by two steps back.
And yes, though other countries both liberal and conservative elect female leaders, we never have.
Americans as a group love claiming our many firsts (we claim a few other countries' firsts as well) but don't handle well what we're yet unable or unwilling to do. We think ourselves freer and savvier or more sensible than anyone, and can't conceive of being influenced by, much less in thrall to, enemy propaganda.
We also aren't a nation that rewards the party holding the presidency during a major correction of unconstitutional disenfranchisement and expansion of civil rights. A few examples:
Abolition of slavery 1865 (Republican), next president was of a different party.
Women's right to vote 1919 (Democrat), next president was of a different party.
The Civil Rights Act 1964 (Democrat), next president was of a different party.
Marriage equality 2015 (Democrat), next president was of a different party.
We've come a long way in this nation toward equality and fairness, but it seems like every three steps forward has been followed by two steps back.
10
I like a lot about her, I voted for her. But I wish she would go away. The campaign was run not very well, the Dems picked her early and folded up their tent even though there was a lot about her that would not make voters like her. I want her to be quiet because as long as she is doing this she distracts from the Russian investigation, reminds the Trump voters about Benghazi and Comey and other things we need looked at formally by Mueller. I don't want to hear "lock her up" as long as I live.
6
Hillary Clinton does not owe this country or anyone in it an apology. She did not let the American people down. The voters who voted against her let America down. They brought this nightmare on us and they perpetuate it with their ignorance. They will not prevail. Remember all egos eventually implode and darkness will never triumph over Light.
20
she did let the American people down. by capturing the party machine and preventing anyone of significance from running against her she basically put Trump in power. enough said.
7
perhaps Hilary should be deeply ashamed about describing Trump supporters as "Deplorables." i believe that her stupid comment lost her the election. In my small community, "I;m a Deplorable for Trump" bumper stickers and signs appeared overnight.
10
B.J. says, "I believed that Hillary would have been a good president and implemented policies I believe in. Now, however, I wish she would disappear from the public eye."
I"ll bet Bernie Sanders and Putin wish she would, too, B.J. I, for one, am very happy to be hearing HERstory and very thankful that she is willing to speak out from the heart. It takes courage. She has a valuable lesson that ALL women who have a social conscience and still want to get ahead must learn NOW.
Every single system we live under today was developed by men for men. The story we hear is HIS. The "establishment" will do everything in it's power to prevent socially conscious women who think for themselves, and usually want an "everybody wins" outcome, from sharing power equally. Women must ignore them and step up and take one-half the power in America and the world to bring it into balance. WE must all speak up and act to make it so.
Thank You, again, Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton, for your courage! Socially Conscious Women and Men around the world owe you, Angela Merkel and every woman and man who fought for equality for women a great debt of gratitude. Please continue speaking out.
I"ll bet Bernie Sanders and Putin wish she would, too, B.J. I, for one, am very happy to be hearing HERstory and very thankful that she is willing to speak out from the heart. It takes courage. She has a valuable lesson that ALL women who have a social conscience and still want to get ahead must learn NOW.
Every single system we live under today was developed by men for men. The story we hear is HIS. The "establishment" will do everything in it's power to prevent socially conscious women who think for themselves, and usually want an "everybody wins" outcome, from sharing power equally. Women must ignore them and step up and take one-half the power in America and the world to bring it into balance. WE must all speak up and act to make it so.
Thank You, again, Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton, for your courage! Socially Conscious Women and Men around the world owe you, Angela Merkel and every woman and man who fought for equality for women a great debt of gratitude. Please continue speaking out.
16
Let me say at the outset that I am an Independent voter. I voted for Hillary Clinton in the general election. In doing so, I had to close my eyes very tight and hold my nose very hard. Never in my 61 laps around the sun have I witnessed worse choices for the highest office in the land.
Ultimately, Ms. Clinton lost the election because she was a terrible candidate. Many people thought she had questionable character and also thought she was personally unlikeable. I perceived her to be a secretive, divisive, greedy, egotistical elitist who believed that the rules didn't apply to her. For me, there were myriad examples of her personal, financial and political dealings to support that perception.
So, why did I vote for her? I voted for her because she is less unlikeable than Mr. Trump. She is less dishonest than Mr. Trump. She is less egotistical and greedy than Mr. Trump. She can read. Most of all, I didn't think she would damage the country as much as Mr. Trump would - a judgment which has been vindicated every day for the last 8 months. To me, she was the quintessential lesser of two evils. I strongly suspect that many who voted for Mr. Trump likewise believed that he was the lesser of the two evils. While I strongly disagree with their judgment, I completely understand it.
Ms. Clinton needs to stop blaming everyone else for her shortcomings and stop using her gender as an excuse for her failures.
Ultimately, Ms. Clinton lost the election because she was a terrible candidate. Many people thought she had questionable character and also thought she was personally unlikeable. I perceived her to be a secretive, divisive, greedy, egotistical elitist who believed that the rules didn't apply to her. For me, there were myriad examples of her personal, financial and political dealings to support that perception.
So, why did I vote for her? I voted for her because she is less unlikeable than Mr. Trump. She is less dishonest than Mr. Trump. She is less egotistical and greedy than Mr. Trump. She can read. Most of all, I didn't think she would damage the country as much as Mr. Trump would - a judgment which has been vindicated every day for the last 8 months. To me, she was the quintessential lesser of two evils. I strongly suspect that many who voted for Mr. Trump likewise believed that he was the lesser of the two evils. While I strongly disagree with their judgment, I completely understand it.
Ms. Clinton needs to stop blaming everyone else for her shortcomings and stop using her gender as an excuse for her failures.
22
The lesser of two evils is still evil, no matter how you parse it.
3
best comment on this thread!
Wow, the anti-Hillary trolls are out in force. You would never know from her many critics that she overwhelmingly won the popular vote in both the Democratic primary and the (tainted) national election.
This book will make a lot of people squirm and be uncomfortable. We are already seeing a lot of defensive pushback from those desperately trying to wipe their fingerprints off her electoral body.
Among those justifiably on the defensive are the news media, who, in the mercenary interest of producing a competitive "horse race" for ratings and revenue purposes, mercilessly pummeled Hillary over her e-mails and shamelessly collaborated with the Russian cutout, Wikileaks, in publishing stolen and unauthenticated emails from her campaign.
At the same time, the cable networks were gleefully giving Trump free and unedited airtime for his rallies to the point of repeatedly showing his empty podium ("Waiting for Trump to speak"), all in exchange for for higher audience ratings.
Thus, we can expect a barrage of negative commentary from the media next week that she has still failed to accept sufficient responsibility for her "loss", all as a convenient way from detracting from their role in the final election result.
And, yes, I agree with Hillary that sexism played a huge role in the election result, another uncomfortable truth which makes people even more defensive.
To all those who wish she would go away, as the true election victor, she is entitled to say anything she wants.
This book will make a lot of people squirm and be uncomfortable. We are already seeing a lot of defensive pushback from those desperately trying to wipe their fingerprints off her electoral body.
Among those justifiably on the defensive are the news media, who, in the mercenary interest of producing a competitive "horse race" for ratings and revenue purposes, mercilessly pummeled Hillary over her e-mails and shamelessly collaborated with the Russian cutout, Wikileaks, in publishing stolen and unauthenticated emails from her campaign.
At the same time, the cable networks were gleefully giving Trump free and unedited airtime for his rallies to the point of repeatedly showing his empty podium ("Waiting for Trump to speak"), all in exchange for for higher audience ratings.
Thus, we can expect a barrage of negative commentary from the media next week that she has still failed to accept sufficient responsibility for her "loss", all as a convenient way from detracting from their role in the final election result.
And, yes, I agree with Hillary that sexism played a huge role in the election result, another uncomfortable truth which makes people even more defensive.
To all those who wish she would go away, as the true election victor, she is entitled to say anything she wants.
25
This book, states exactly WHY Hillary Clinton did not get millions of votes.
She publicly failed the LEADERSHIP test. Several times. Millions voted for "not Hillary".
Very unfortunate, but that is how she presented - indecisive, unable to exercise decisive judgement... when the situations required.
She publicly failed the LEADERSHIP test. Several times. Millions voted for "not Hillary".
Very unfortunate, but that is how she presented - indecisive, unable to exercise decisive judgement... when the situations required.
15
Yes, Comey's intervention cost Clinton the election and, yes, her campaign's egregious failure to adequately deal with the bogus email issue was also costly, to say the least, but I also have no doubt whatsoever that sexism was a not so subtle factor in her loss. And Russia and Trump? Come on, people, render a fair judgment.
16
So a private server in her home with a IT company without a security clearance and against State Department requirements is a bogus issue right? You and others with a similar disfunction deserve Trump
12
For this to have become a major issue as to Clinton's qualifications to be president was ridiculous. An entire team of professional, experienced campaigners didn't judge it adversely or foresee a problem at the time. Only those who were after/against Clinton for any reason whatsoever sought to make it a major issue. Furthermore, in this new era of rapid development in the field of communications there will be unforeseen glitches, major and minor. Simply look at the almost daily developments and discoveries that communication experts are discovering about Russian and other general hacking that was going on, unknown at the time.
6
am a life-long Democrat, as were my parents. at 77 i value politics and history and am a junkie of sorts. must say, i have never seen a democratic candidate as bad as Ms. Clinton. her appeal to me and to many others in my circle is close to zero. this is because of her personality and the perception she would do anything to get elected, even standing by her man, a serial adulterer. she will come up with all sort of excuses as to why she lost, but to many of us, the bottom line is: she is not likable or trustworthy. Period! as Ike once said about Nixon, give me a week to think of one time Nixon had significant input into a foreigh policy decision. give me a week to think of one time Ms. Clinton has admitted the truth, w/o equivocation. her constant attempts to blame everyone and everything on why she lost, as opposed to looking in the mirror, proves my point.
16
The last paragraphs of the article just illustrate her point about the slanted Times coverage. I was one of Ms. Clinton's supporters and I am not saddened by her question at all. I can see no reason for her to be a lightening rod for fury either. Comparing her with male candidates and Presidents, there was really much less to find fault with And so much more to admire.
Unless it was envy I think misogyny is really the best explanation. And if she is bolstering that case with her book, I am glad she is writing it.
Unless it was envy I think misogyny is really the best explanation. And if she is bolstering that case with her book, I am glad she is writing it.
23
I am concerned that using "the women card" actually diminishes Clintons strength. For years I've heard stand by your man stories that she denounced, we saw her take the questioning in investigations without a flutter. I would hate to see her drop her "One tough Lady" persona at this point.
We are possibly lucky she lost.
The problem is we should be saying President Sanders instead of fearing the loss our country.
We are possibly lucky she lost.
The problem is we should be saying President Sanders instead of fearing the loss our country.
6
We had a presidential election with two candidates each of whom believed they were the chosen one. And the one with more passion won. The election had nothing to do with policies or ideas, but how they were conveyed where they counted (swing states) and Trump, irrespective of the truth, did better. Would that the DNC (and all the media) had not anointed HRC but let Sanders fight her fairly; Sanders would be president today. But I have to believe in the long run the Constitution will prevail and the other branches of government will step up to the plate, fingers crossed. And the US would come out of all stronger.
6
Hillary Clinton's life long dedication to public service cannot be denied. Unfortunately she was the driver of the bus than ran over the Democratic Party. Hillary, the brilliant and compassionate feminist, ex hippie, progressive, radical, liberal - all sounds good to me but in reality, her actions didn't match her words. There are huge contradictions in her persona - between the war in Iraq, The Clinton Foundation, her treatment of Monica Lewinsky, Chelsea and her Goldman Sach's husband buying a 10 million dollar flat in Manhattan - none of this adds up to be the person she claims to be.
15
You are right, absolutely.
4
The hatred of many republicans for Hillary is over the top, but it's a fact. But a lot of us on the left never cared much for her either. It was clear that she would be a divisive candidate before she started campaigning, and she remains divisive today. Remarkably, Hillary remains even less popular than Donald Trump. I'd say this book isn't helping her. Blaming Bernie, who remains extremely popular, for being "unrealistic" certainly isn't helping. (Polls, for what their worth, consistently showed he was the only Dem who would beat Trump.) Whining that Obama urged her not to engage in a circular firing squad is offputting. She should face the fact that a lot of America just isn't that into her.
11
Bernie is not that popular. Bernie is hated by many Democrats but afraid to speak their mind because he controls a large patch of the Democratic vote. That's why Bernie got away with so much because we needed his people to be Trump. But his people turned out to be immature and petulant and petty. They allowed Trump to win just to punish the rest of the Democrats who would not agree with them.
9
Perhaps there will be a draft Hillary movement in 2020. She will still be younger than Trump. She can spend the next couple years barnstorming the country (while shlepping her book) and could run as the alternative candidate rather than the establishment one. She could still be the first female president. Much of the Democratic Party is staffed by people she and her husband put in place. And she has the largest book of campaign contributors of the frequently mentioned candidates. I'm still with her could be her slogan.
8
And she will still be younger than Bernie Sanders just turned 76 today. Run Hillary run. There is no Democrat that could beat Hillary. Most of the anti-Hillary people are just scared Republicans or uninformed Bernie Bros.
6
Although she was by far the sole qualified candidate in the November election, another run would be disastrous mistake. She will never be perceived as "the alternative candidate" by progressives, and conservatives will never forget the lies they were fed about her during the last campaign.
17
She barely lost. There is no choice for her or us but to move on and maybe try again. President Trump has proven that he is a Titan who can go toe to toe with the other Titans on the planet. He is rough on the domestic scene. Immigration is an important issue. What do Americans (most of whom are from somewhere else) feel about people outside their country?
I think Hillary got off on the wrong foot, by accepting a substantive political role in her capacity as First Lady. She mishandled health care negotiations with Republicans during her husband's first term, and became a lightening rod for all the misogynists on talk radio. It was really a bad case of hubris. In mature democracies, spouses of heads of state stay out of the limelight. Democrats should have understood how that rubbed people the wrong way, even though she is articulate, smart and obviously warm and caring on a personal level. Who knows anything about Angela Merkel's husband, or David Cameron's wife?
7
According to recent polls, Clinton is not doing herself any favors with this endless rehashing.
A recent NBC/WSJ poll showed her favorable rating was less than Trump's--30% vs 36%.
Meanwhile President Obama had the highest approval rating at 52%, and Bernie Sanders had a favorable rating of 44%.
We Democrats have to move on.
A recent NBC/WSJ poll showed her favorable rating was less than Trump's--30% vs 36%.
Meanwhile President Obama had the highest approval rating at 52%, and Bernie Sanders had a favorable rating of 44%.
We Democrats have to move on.
9
She should regret setting up a private email server when she was Secretary of State to conduct all of her business on. Then there wouldn't have been an email story all of 2015 and 2016 and no FBI Investigation. At some point Hillary has to take responsibility for that - and I say this as someone who voted for her.
11
I'm sure the book will be on the discount rack in 6months or worse still on eBay for $1.99. This is her swan song and last opportunity to cash in.
The lecture circuit has dried up for her and Bill, the Clinton Foundation is effectively shut down so new sources of income are scares. There is no influence to peddle.
The lecture circuit has dried up for her and Bill, the Clinton Foundation is effectively shut down so new sources of income are scares. There is no influence to peddle.
25
The fact that a man who has made disparaging remarks about sectors of the population and whose treatment of women is abhorrent can be come the President of the United States is a sad commentary on this nation. People question Clinton's honesty but are seemingly okay with a man who won't show his tax returns, cheated Atlantic City workers out of their money, used bankruptcy to escape financial obligation, and openly carried on an affair.
The issue with 53% of white females voting for Trump and giving him a stamp of approval isn't the real problem. The problem is that many of those women are raising children to believe that Trump-like behavior and lack of moral compass is not just okay, but that it can lead to arguably the most powerful office in the free world.
There's plenty of blame to go around when it comes to Clinton's defeat. I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to run a traditional campaign in such nontraditional times. Obama knew that a strong social media presence was critical. Certainly Trump knew this even though it was done and continues to be done with such poor taste.
Nevertheless, we have to move on. There is no choice and we have to deal with the ongoing upheaval of this administration.
I appreciate Mrs. Clinton and her lifetime of service-something that is often overlooked. I particularly admire the grace and hopefulness of her concession speech. That should have been the last word on the defeat but here are 3 more: Let It Go.
The issue with 53% of white females voting for Trump and giving him a stamp of approval isn't the real problem. The problem is that many of those women are raising children to believe that Trump-like behavior and lack of moral compass is not just okay, but that it can lead to arguably the most powerful office in the free world.
There's plenty of blame to go around when it comes to Clinton's defeat. I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to run a traditional campaign in such nontraditional times. Obama knew that a strong social media presence was critical. Certainly Trump knew this even though it was done and continues to be done with such poor taste.
Nevertheless, we have to move on. There is no choice and we have to deal with the ongoing upheaval of this administration.
I appreciate Mrs. Clinton and her lifetime of service-something that is often overlooked. I particularly admire the grace and hopefulness of her concession speech. That should have been the last word on the defeat but here are 3 more: Let It Go.
10
for at least forty years Hillary stood by men while she coveted the top job. She easily passes the loyalty test. Greed and ambition always trump facts.
2
She screwed-up major by mishandling her emails. That is a simple fact. Like the super-privileged everywhere, she felt the "ordinary" rules do not apply. She lost her personal connection with the people and so did the entire Democratic Party apparatus. She has not yet learned that lesson.
17
Utter garbage. She handled her emails the way most top-tier professionals handle their emails, with the difference that, instead of using Gmail, she had a private email address which was in fact more secure. Everyone does this. It was not illegal. I don't know why people are fixated on emails and could not understand the basic facts. The basic facts are that nothing she did was illegal, it was not elitist to have a private email address – and professionals who do not wish to have their confidential communications in a quasi-public file accessible to leakers stay off their corporate servers. Would it have made such a huge difference if she had had a state department email address that she used to send out innocuous memos? No – because the media and her enemies were out to get Clinton, and were quick to establish memes that fed the Hillary is a crook false narrative and attracted critics like you.
8
Ignore the security experts if you want but it weakens your defense.
2
Books written by politicians can be uneven, their quality depending on the extent to which they are ghostwritten. The ones written by committee read that way, bland and impersonal. I will rely on the official 'Times' review before deciding whether to read Mrs. Clinton's new book. It does seem to be a rare example of a failed Presidential candidate coming to terms with her defeat. That, in and of itself, might make it worthwhile. I can't think of another recent example of such a volume, myself. Does this mean that there is to be no third act for Hillary Clinton?
5
do you want her to lose three times? for Trump to win the next election?
1
The last line of this article is a capsule of why Hillary lost. She just doesn't get it. Even though she evidently was prepared with prior knowledge of questions, several times, when asked questions anyone should have been prepared for, she answered the question in an unbelievably poor fashion, i.e., "Why did you take $250,000 for talk from Goldman Sachs? The deer in headlights response after a few minutes was, "That was what they offered." She and her advisors both should have known that question would be asked.
I voted for her but I didn't like it, and now we have what we have.
I voted for her but I didn't like it, and now we have what we have.
90
I went door to door for you in Englewood. You lost, now....go away.
26
Just. Go. Away.
24
Hell hath no fury....
10
wish she'd just fold the dirty laundry and get lost already. same opinion for anyone buying the book. what a waste of paper.
17
Please Hillary, go back to your cave. You are the reason we now have such a buffoon as president and we are not interested in your excuses and whining about it. Indeed, you were the worst candidate I can recall to run for president on the democratic ticket. Please, just go away!
30
She is absolutely pathetic.
24
“What makes me such a lightning rod for fury?” Unfortunately, Mrs. Clinton comes across as someone who's clueless that she is not likable. And yet she assumes the vast majority of Americans adore her.
Her blaming Bernie Sanders was totally out of place. Until she gets the nomination Sanders is equal to her. He has no obligation to toe in with her and be deferential towards her. In fact he went out of his way to criticize her critics being sexist, also his comment about not interested in her "damn email" issue. With Bernie Sanders she was the one who failed to invite him as her running mate. She assumed that wasn't necessary. She assumed she was destined to win the presidency. That unrealistic expectations were also fatal.
She must have realized using & keeping a private email server at her residence couldn't be excused. She refused to acknowledge its seriousness, which alone ought to disqualify her as a presidential candidate. She escaped it but not without any scar, and ruining her candidacy. The only way she could have salvaged it was by picking Sanders as her running mate. She didn't. She lost.
But personally that's nothing for her. We, the country & the world lost out, and now stuck with an unfit Donald Trump
Her blaming Bernie Sanders was totally out of place. Until she gets the nomination Sanders is equal to her. He has no obligation to toe in with her and be deferential towards her. In fact he went out of his way to criticize her critics being sexist, also his comment about not interested in her "damn email" issue. With Bernie Sanders she was the one who failed to invite him as her running mate. She assumed that wasn't necessary. She assumed she was destined to win the presidency. That unrealistic expectations were also fatal.
She must have realized using & keeping a private email server at her residence couldn't be excused. She refused to acknowledge its seriousness, which alone ought to disqualify her as a presidential candidate. She escaped it but not without any scar, and ruining her candidacy. The only way she could have salvaged it was by picking Sanders as her running mate. She didn't. She lost.
But personally that's nothing for her. We, the country & the world lost out, and now stuck with an unfit Donald Trump
25
She refused to axknowledge that keeping a private email server was serious, because it wasn't serious. This is an utterly stupid meme that will not die. If she had use Gmail or EarthLink, as did Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, you would've been happier? Her email was probably the only US server that did not get hacked by Russia. She had absolutely no reason to believe that using a private server was inappropriate. Doing so was not illegal. All her emails were coming from Clinton.com, so there is no one at the state department who received one who could credibly say that the government did not know for years that Hillary was using a server other than the state department server. If she had had a email address at State and used it for ridiculously innocuous stuff like making lunch appointments, would you have been happier? This nonsense is both intellectually and politically offensive.
7
RCT, This is the first time I heard your argument about the Clinton email issue. Maybe you are right. But I am not sure.
She got the bum's rush but I think talking about herself is not helping her. Please, Mrs. Clinton. Keep it to yourself. Blaming others makes you look small. You got a bowl of lemons so now work to get the crook in chief out and talk about the horror of what happened later when hurricanes aren't destroying people.
6
LOL! Now she even blames the Times. Anyone who reads the Times regularly knows that the New York Times could not possibly have been more supportive of Mrs. Clinton, nor any less supportive of Donald Trump - who they took every opportunity to smear, insult, and call names both before the election and every day since!
I'm sure, in fact, that the New York Times alone carried the state of New York for Mrs. Clinton, and could not have done more to ensure her victory. Were there some negatives about her in the Times? Sure. It's a newspaper and they were expected to maintain a modicum of objectivity, at least before the vote was taken, even though they have since become a virtual wing of the Democratic Party. But the negatives in the Times about Mrs. Clinton pale in comparison to their negatives about Donald Trump - and they have been relentlessly anti-Trump since the primaries started early last year, and for years before that.
So, for Mrs. Clinton to blame the Times for her loss just goes to show how far she will go to point a finger at anyone but herself.
I'm sure, in fact, that the New York Times alone carried the state of New York for Mrs. Clinton, and could not have done more to ensure her victory. Were there some negatives about her in the Times? Sure. It's a newspaper and they were expected to maintain a modicum of objectivity, at least before the vote was taken, even though they have since become a virtual wing of the Democratic Party. But the negatives in the Times about Mrs. Clinton pale in comparison to their negatives about Donald Trump - and they have been relentlessly anti-Trump since the primaries started early last year, and for years before that.
So, for Mrs. Clinton to blame the Times for her loss just goes to show how far she will go to point a finger at anyone but herself.
61
Hillary, it wasn't Comey. It was you.
28
Five words to describe Hillary's book long rant.
Sad.
Pathetic.
Unhinged.
Sore Loser.
Sad.
Pathetic.
Unhinged.
Sore Loser.
25
Hilary Clinton lost because she was out of touch with the mood of the country, an insincere policy-maker, a tool of Wall Street and a terrible campaigner who hired a terrible, arrogant campaign staff. All the support of mainstream press (including The NY Times) and the rigging of the primary schedule and practices by the otherwise incompetent DNC could not help her defeat the most dangerously unqualified, dishonest candidate in modern American history. The most popular politician in the country today, the man who many polls showed consistently to be likely to win the election, the man still showing the path forward to the Democratic Party and the country was and is Senator Bernie Sanders. But it is good to have Clinton air her grudges and grievances in public because we need to learn from them... even if she never will.
33
I think the bottom line is that Hillary Clinton is essentially a bare knuckle fighter, much more so than Trump or Sanders, but she made the choice to hold back and paste on a smile in order to conform to gender expectations. Now she's bitter about it because she realizes she betrayed herself for nothing. Those who hated her for being an ambitious woman hated her even more for her effort to appease them. She only failed to fire up those who would have cherished her fighting spirit.
9
Hillary we voted for you but your story , as painful and therapeutic as it must have been to write is coming across as old news. We are more interested in the future and seeing new Democrat faces that have a chance to defeat our current Caligula of D.C. .
We wish you peace and a long happy life but the sad story of your defeat is neither an inspiration or a path to the future. Ironically we disagree with most of what "Caligula" does, but his rhetorical skills are terrific. We agree with you on most of what you believe but your book simply does not spark electric new leadership or hope for a dynamic way out of this national mess.
Let it rest now. Let us admire you in peace.
We wish you peace and a long happy life but the sad story of your defeat is neither an inspiration or a path to the future. Ironically we disagree with most of what "Caligula" does, but his rhetorical skills are terrific. We agree with you on most of what you believe but your book simply does not spark electric new leadership or hope for a dynamic way out of this national mess.
Let it rest now. Let us admire you in peace.
9
Why did people hate her? I think a combination of years of trashing her reputation by the Republican Party helped by the news media, including the NYT, and a deep seated subconscious western cultural archetype demonizing dominant women. This puts future women presidential contenders into a no win situation. She cannot be considered qualified to be president unless she exudes a sense of power necessary to lead and defend the country. But she will be feared and hated if she possesses that power. I don't know the answer.
14
Hillary, like the typical Dem, tries to dissect the reasons, but bottom line is, she was a faulty candidate for the time. The 2016 electorate wanted somebody fresh and Trump gave them that, and the reason he won the primary handily against much qualified candidates. The only thing that could had salvaged Hillary was if she suddenly transform herself into the original Wellesley maverick, but she is truly to entranched into the establishment and electorates saw that a mile away.
6
Still out of step with this moment in time and history, still not listening to anyone outside of her protected circle and still seemingly unaware of the negative perception that much the country holds for her. “What makes me such a lightning rod for fury?” she wrote. “I’m really asking. I’m at a loss.”
This will be an immensely profitable book tour to fund a retirement, please consider taking it. The country has moved on.
This will be an immensely profitable book tour to fund a retirement, please consider taking it. The country has moved on.
22
Look to the future.
Sen. Kalama Harris has enough sparkle to guide the American people, not just the dems. She will not need the DNC to contrive situations to win and I do not think Wall Street will be paying her thousands for her thoughts.
Obama supported her, Bernie Sanders supports her.
Senator Kalama Harris.
Sen. Kalama Harris has enough sparkle to guide the American people, not just the dems. She will not need the DNC to contrive situations to win and I do not think Wall Street will be paying her thousands for her thoughts.
Obama supported her, Bernie Sanders supports her.
Senator Kalama Harris.
1
An "angry" book. She (and Bill) "don't need the money." She "needs to accept blame." Any discussion of circumstances or actors(other than HER) are deflections and not honest assessments. She regrets not "striking back" at Mr Comey, but what IF she had?
This is stamped all over with the worst kind of misogyny. The operant pronouns are "she" and "her" and that is just the fact. The media coverage was pathologically unhinged--to the point where even reliable sources were exploiting the sensational about Secretary Clinton and ignoring the malfeasance of Donald Trump at the expense of the truth.
False equivalence and the need to "appear" fair and balanced even infected the Grey Lady and it was nauseating. The same campaign worked for the Senate but did not scale up? Hillary was a BAD girl and now, because she explores all of the campaign in her book and "does not need the money" she should retire quietly and tend her "pet projects??"
Mrs Clinton actually has a LEGACY. It SHOULD have been our legacy.
This is stamped all over with the worst kind of misogyny. The operant pronouns are "she" and "her" and that is just the fact. The media coverage was pathologically unhinged--to the point where even reliable sources were exploiting the sensational about Secretary Clinton and ignoring the malfeasance of Donald Trump at the expense of the truth.
False equivalence and the need to "appear" fair and balanced even infected the Grey Lady and it was nauseating. The same campaign worked for the Senate but did not scale up? Hillary was a BAD girl and now, because she explores all of the campaign in her book and "does not need the money" she should retire quietly and tend her "pet projects??"
Mrs Clinton actually has a LEGACY. It SHOULD have been our legacy.
11
I'm fed up with calls for Clinton to shut up and go away. The fact that the same call is not being made to the biggest vote-loser, Bernie Sanders (or to Joe Biden), speaks volumes.
The rancid misogyny that helped derail Clinton's bid. The double-standards applied (Clinton was "dishonest" so they voted for Trump. Trump!) The sloppy and/or biased reporting by this newspaper, which breathlessly wrote about Clinton's emails, but took at face value the FBI's claims (now known to be false) that it had seen no disturbing evidence about Trump-Russia. The gross abuse of power by Comey, who decided it was okay to violate DOJ policy in order to publicly excoriate her despite not having evidence sufficient even to charge her with a crime, let alone prove one in court.
We've seen this playbook before, women who work have, though not on as a grand a scale: revile and attack a woman to prevent her advancement. What Clinton has to say needs to be heard over and over again, particularly now, as those who said they would vote for another woman but not "this woman," are rolling out that same playbook for Kamala Harris. This country needs to face up to its gender problem. Those who wish Clinton would shut up and go away would do well to shut up and listen to her.
The rancid misogyny that helped derail Clinton's bid. The double-standards applied (Clinton was "dishonest" so they voted for Trump. Trump!) The sloppy and/or biased reporting by this newspaper, which breathlessly wrote about Clinton's emails, but took at face value the FBI's claims (now known to be false) that it had seen no disturbing evidence about Trump-Russia. The gross abuse of power by Comey, who decided it was okay to violate DOJ policy in order to publicly excoriate her despite not having evidence sufficient even to charge her with a crime, let alone prove one in court.
We've seen this playbook before, women who work have, though not on as a grand a scale: revile and attack a woman to prevent her advancement. What Clinton has to say needs to be heard over and over again, particularly now, as those who said they would vote for another woman but not "this woman," are rolling out that same playbook for Kamala Harris. This country needs to face up to its gender problem. Those who wish Clinton would shut up and go away would do well to shut up and listen to her.
19
One thing I will add - let's be realistic about what 'cost her' the election. It wasn't email servers, it wasn't Benghazi-gate (or whatever the Republicans called it), it wasn't her ties to Wall Street, it wasn't dumb-?ss Trump calling her 'crooked Hillary'...
We know this because the man she ran against in Trump, is all that and more. This guy cons for a living, lied outright (saying things like I never said that five minutes after he said them...), ugh.
Gender probably played a role, as did her strategy, and from my first comment, the strategy of Clinton/the Democratic party for discouraging a fully democratic Democratic primary.
But we elected Trump, so we obviously didn't care too much about honesty.
We know this because the man she ran against in Trump, is all that and more. This guy cons for a living, lied outright (saying things like I never said that five minutes after he said them...), ugh.
Gender probably played a role, as did her strategy, and from my first comment, the strategy of Clinton/the Democratic party for discouraging a fully democratic Democratic primary.
But we elected Trump, so we obviously didn't care too much about honesty.
7
Blah blah blah, Hillary. You are yesterday's news.
12
For all her brilliance, Hillary couldn't figure out what all the crowds around Bernie and Trump were about. And respond.
People were in the mood for change -- not listening to policy solutions.
People were in the mood to feel hope -- not daily buckets of cold water dumped on their aspirations.
There were only two candidates who represented change -- and Hillary wasn't one of them. If she had understood that, she might have won over a few more voters in the Brexit states.
People were in the mood for change -- not listening to policy solutions.
People were in the mood to feel hope -- not daily buckets of cold water dumped on their aspirations.
There were only two candidates who represented change -- and Hillary wasn't one of them. If she had understood that, she might have won over a few more voters in the Brexit states.
5
Julian Assange should be ashamed of himself. Before this election, I had some respect for him, but not anymore. I hope he felt foolish after Trump used him during the election to his advantage, then threatened to imprison him afterwards. A big thanks also goes out to all the sulking Bernie fans who didn't go out and vote for Clinton. These people have no right to be whining now about the disastrous results of this election. And to all the Clinton haters out there, get a clue-do you honestly think we are better off with Trump, a deranged egomaniac and pathological liar who can't even utter an intelligent sentence and who bases policy decisions and threatens nuclear war via twitter?
14
More Clinton voters chose not to vote for Obama after the 2008 primaries than Bernie voters balked at Clinton this cycle. Maybe Hillary keeping the rhetoric more civil was part of that, not to mention the fact Bernie refused to touch the email scandal. And if you want to talk about Times coverage, how about its near-outright dismissal of Sanders. For the good of her party and the causes she supports, Hillary needs to exit the stage.
3
look, the election was between flawed candidates, as it always is -- but the idea of giving Republicans who have a disdain for gov't and governing all three branches of gov't with several possible scotus appointees is a travesty for generations to come. Clinton was an excellent public servant her opponent? the choice was clear.
6
Conservatives are inherently against what has not happened before. It's simply their nature. To speak of sexism is missing the point for conservatives, since they are reacting to what would be a new reality. Ms. Clinton should have focused on a shared conservative and progressive value that will continue to be honored, such as national security and the sanctity of the family (thru health care reform and job creation, for example).
Her campaign missed the point. "Make America Safe Again" would have gone a long way with lots of people.
Her campaign missed the point. "Make America Safe Again" would have gone a long way with lots of people.
3
This all seems a bit childish. As far as I know, Al Gore did not write a book about his presidential campaign loss - he just accepted it as a tough experience and moved on... and there was a lot more to grieve about in that post-election chad-fest. Hillary lost, and publicly complaining only proves how entitled to the presidency she felt. 2016 was a Change year in American politics. Hillary was status quo, and did not seem to mind the DNC sabotaging the Sanders campaign. She also does not seem to mind how the media suffocated the Sanders campaign through lack of coverage. Based on polling as well as voter enthusiasm, Bernie would have beat Trump. Those who were too clever to accept this obvious reality should stop complaining and live with the results!
18
plus Gore could have actually beaten Trump.
2
Hillary of all the democratic candidates was the only one which poll after poll showed could loose to Trump. And, she did. Hillary, you have lost twice, please do the country a service and leave the public spotlight. Thanks to cheating by you and the DNC, Trump is now our President instead of Bernie.
14
Hillary's loss had nothing to do with gender. Like myself, many people badly wanted a female president but it was hard to vote for someone so arrogant. Her gleeful comment about Quadafi's horrible death finished me on her long before she became a candidate. The lack of any suitable presidential candidates makes me fear for our democracy.
13
So it is everyone else, except Mrs. Clinton, who is to blame for her failed campaign?
Although I voted for her, I find this book distasteful and beneath her. It is my hope that Mrs. Clinton will one day come to terms with her loss and move on but that will not happen unless she can accept the fact that she lost because she ran a poor campaign.
Although I voted for her, I find this book distasteful and beneath her. It is my hope that Mrs. Clinton will one day come to terms with her loss and move on but that will not happen unless she can accept the fact that she lost because she ran a poor campaign.
10
Reread the article. The book appears to be a laundry list of the mistakes she felt she made during the campaign -- particularly in response to those who attacked her.
5
I am a democratic leaning independent, and I voted for Hillary Clinton against Donald Trump in the election.
However, I do not believe Hillary lost the election because she did not 'go after' aggressively enough against Comey or Sanders. Gender certainly played a role, as did race for Obama. (Though Obama won in spite of this...there is something there.)
Hillary Clinton and the Democrats lost this election because they worked to not have a robust primary with many candidates for us to choose. The NYTimes reporting itself reported on this. The party (with Clinton?) worked to discourage entrants by having many super-delegates commit to Clinton before the primaries even began. (Ideally, I suppose, they should try to understand who their constituents perferred...)
Ultimately, I believe had this not happened, and the Democrats had given us a robust and democratic process with many candidates, we would have a democratic president today. Okay, admittedly, I'm not convinced that would be Hillary Clinton...but it would certainly be a Democrat (maybe Biden, or Warren?).
However, I do not believe Hillary lost the election because she did not 'go after' aggressively enough against Comey or Sanders. Gender certainly played a role, as did race for Obama. (Though Obama won in spite of this...there is something there.)
Hillary Clinton and the Democrats lost this election because they worked to not have a robust primary with many candidates for us to choose. The NYTimes reporting itself reported on this. The party (with Clinton?) worked to discourage entrants by having many super-delegates commit to Clinton before the primaries even began. (Ideally, I suppose, they should try to understand who their constituents perferred...)
Ultimately, I believe had this not happened, and the Democrats had given us a robust and democratic process with many candidates, we would have a democratic president today. Okay, admittedly, I'm not convinced that would be Hillary Clinton...but it would certainly be a Democrat (maybe Biden, or Warren?).
6
What about her failure to reveal the full truth about her emails as soon as the issue emerged? Doesn't she understand that her continued lies and changing stories about that issue alienated voters? Why did it have to be dragged out of her piece by piece? She still doesn't get it, and prefers to blame Comey.
6
Dear Hillary, I want to hear what you have to say. I want my daughter and my son to hear what you have to say.
10
woodsey, here is what she says: it is everyone's fault but mine. does this sound like what your children should hear. should they learn to blame everyone but themselves with no introspection?
3
The sense of entitlement and delusion which permeates extracts from Hillary's book reflect poorly on her. According to Hillary she lost because of Comey, the Russians, The Times, her aides, Bernie Sanders and even Barack Obama. Unless all these folks decided to run Hillary's emails through a private server and force her to lie about it, write the damaging leaked DNC emails and compel Hillary to refer to 63mn American voters as deplorable, then the blame for losing to the freak show that is Donald Trump sits squarely on the shoulders of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
14
The clinton's need to go away. They should have enough money.
11
Hillary should take a page from Jimmy Carter's book: if you want to demonstrate your character and your unquestioned superiority over the politician who defeated you, serve. Get active in something you believe in and show through your actions who you are. Help register poor women to vote. Help fund medical clinics in Appalachia. Work with undocumented immigrants and give them hope. Etc.
Let others pick over and interpret the carcass of the last election.
Let others pick over and interpret the carcass of the last election.
5
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Hillary Clinton would have been a fine and capable president both in domestic and global policies. Experience, intelligence, and wisdom are three of her most outstanding contributions.
But it is time for her and us to move on. We will allow Secretary Clinton the time to vent and grieve. We owe her that. However, there are five stages of grief, acceptance being the goal. And now is the hour. She and we are wasting valuable energy by thinking "would've and could've." Our nation is experiencing, I believe, not only disorder and lack of guidance but also a moral crisis of sorts. We need proaction and leadership, even if it is from behind. That is Ms Clinton's job today, and the tomorrows for at least 3 more years.
But it is time for her and us to move on. We will allow Secretary Clinton the time to vent and grieve. We owe her that. However, there are five stages of grief, acceptance being the goal. And now is the hour. She and we are wasting valuable energy by thinking "would've and could've." Our nation is experiencing, I believe, not only disorder and lack of guidance but also a moral crisis of sorts. We need proaction and leadership, even if it is from behind. That is Ms Clinton's job today, and the tomorrows for at least 3 more years.
40
Everyone has to come to acceptance at their own pace. Arbitrary dates are not helpful. Less than a year is a very short time.
3
It is pretty clear to me, and I suspect the NYT, and its readers, what separates "fake" news from news. However, it's also becoming clear to me that the NYT can't tell the difference between stale "news" and news.
9
Isn't it time for Hillary to fade away? Her political career is over and she has become a divisive figure for the Democrats. There is nothing to be gained by her whining. Time to put her in the rear view mirror.
77
Short answer, no. It's not. It's time for her to produce a book about why her campaign lost. What you see as "whining" I see has first-person narratives of history.
10
you are incorrect. she has millions of reasons to write this book ($$$).
4
Hilary Clinton endured the most vicious, dishonest, and unfair presidential election in living memory, and she is entitled to vent. And she will make a lot of money doing it, from this book. What a book like this won't do is make her electable, at least not in terms of the presidency.
19
Unfair? She was given every opportunity to succeed and still failed. If she couldn't win colluding with the DNC and press (Looking at you, NYT), then she didn't deserve to win.
17
Hillary's venting is not helpful to the Democrats.
2
It's not clear whether Hillary Clinton herself or the New York Times' gloss on her remarks are to blame for using "schizophrenic" to stand for what used to be called "multiple-personality disorder" and is now called "dissociative identity disorder."
The fact that the Times didn't include quotation marks with this psychiatric term suggests that Clinton herself did not characterize the behavior this way. Regardless, it does a great disservice to people managing mental illness to a) identify a psychological problem incorrectly and b) use a medical condition as a metaphor for something that is a lot less serious.
The mental health community and readers of the Times deserve better.
The fact that the Times didn't include quotation marks with this psychiatric term suggests that Clinton herself did not characterize the behavior this way. Regardless, it does a great disservice to people managing mental illness to a) identify a psychological problem incorrectly and b) use a medical condition as a metaphor for something that is a lot less serious.
The mental health community and readers of the Times deserve better.
1
The term has long been a synonym for 'mercurial', and I think that's how most readers would interpret it, but I see your point.
2
The real culprits responsible for Mrs. Clinton’s loss of the 2016 presidential election are not the people she cites in her book but, more realistically, our colonial-era ancestors who created the Electoral College — because she did receive three million more popular votes than her opponent received. Therefore, her book should probably be more properly seen as a personal catharsis to help soothe the agonizing pain of her defeat.
([email protected])
([email protected])
10
"...a long list of mistakes that Hillary Clinton lists..."
Yes. And her most obvious mistake was running for President...
Yes. And her most obvious mistake was running for President...
19
I firmly believe we don't vote for presidents. We vote for candidates. In America, we are conditioned to buy the dreams and passions of advertising campaigns. We buy images and not real people. Jimmy Carter used the slogan, "I will never lie to you." In the wake of the Nixon Watergate disaster, it worked. Reagan sold us an idealized Norman Rockwell America. Bush II advertised compassionate conservatism. Obama peddled hope. Trump said he'd make America great again. Mrs. Clinton promised.......what? I don't really know. Yes, I think she would have been a good president. Gore would have as well. Adlai Stevenson would have been good in the 1950's. So what was missing? Passion, spontaneity and improvisation were in short supply on the Clinton side, and they were everything on the Trump side. Woulda, shoulda, coulda, are Monday morning quarterback excuses. Clinton had the resume, but she didn't have the spirit. She was like a dull robot holding the cards far too close. When she seemed to have the whole thing in her back pocket during the last three weeks, she looked like she thought she was queen. She rarely talked to the press, and only shook her head at Trump. She took it for granted, and like I said, we don't elect presidents. We elect advertised candidates who become presidents. Her campaign didn't do her any favors. Just once I would have loved to see her go at him. Just once I would have loved to see her lose it. Just once I would have loved to see her out Trump Trump.
10
While I am not a particularly strong Hillary voter (Bernie was my guy), I am not particularly a Hillary detractor, either. But if she REALLY wanted or wants to be of service to her country, she could have spent the time spent writing this book and getting another big hunk of money to greater benefit by helping shore up the Democratic Party behind the scenes and maybe the get out to vote effort as well that might help us take back the House and Senate and save our nation.
7
Hillary could not articulate her solutions to the country's problems during her campaign. And now, with Americans dealing with hurricanes, health care woes, endless mid east wars, lack of jobs, and global warming, she wastes our time whining about losing her entitled job a year ago. Go away Hillary, you had your chance and you blew it. Americans have real problems to deal with.
22
“What Happened?” Ms. Clinton asks. I'll tell you what happened: You ran a listless and uninspiring campaign (very much unlike Bernie Sanders), you got properly tagged as a servant of Wall Street, you showed contempt for "deplorable" rural and white working class voters, and (despite your early denials) you kept classified email on your own personal unsecured server, in clear violation of common sense and State Department policy, later scrubbing thousands of emails from the same server. Should I keep going?
80
So if she had never done any of those things and merely consigned herself to calling for the death of five innocent men wrongly accused of rape, even after their exoneration, bragging about sexually assaulting good-looking men, referring to her opponents with demeaning-but-catchy nicknames (Blowhard Bernie; Dingbat Donnie), asking aloud "How stupid are the people of New Hampshire?" for voting for Sanders, betraying an absolute vacuum of curiosity about foreign policy, accusing Canadian immigrants of bringing "drugs and crime" and being "rapists", and demanding the rejuvenation of the whale-blubber industry as the solution to all our energy needs, she'd be president right now?
6
“What makes me such a lightning rod for fury?” she wrote. “I’m really asking. I’m at a loss.”
It's an old story. Find a scapegoat for the downtrodden and disenfranchised and whip up frenzy. Help comes from Fox News and the rabid radio talk hosts. Remember "Pizzagate"? Stir it up carefully and feed it to a mob.
It's an old story. Find a scapegoat for the downtrodden and disenfranchised and whip up frenzy. Help comes from Fox News and the rabid radio talk hosts. Remember "Pizzagate"? Stir it up carefully and feed it to a mob.
12
Yawn. You lost. I voted for you so I lost also. No point in crying over spilt democracy- Look ahead. Make Trump a one term POTUS
6
Damned if she did, damned if she didn't. I got the feeling that Hillary was holding back all the time. Like most women, never mind those running for president, she had to walk that impossible fine line of appearing firm, confident and steadfast while also appearing warm and gracious. A ridiculous standard applied to women. Of course looking back, she feels angry, perhaps cheated. I regret her not striking back, too. This book appears to be a therapeutic outlet for her...it must be extraordinarily difficult to live one's life according to a tightly defined script, and I suspect many other women are in similar situations as Hillary. I voted for her, and believe she would have made an excellent president. And it still amazes me that Trump actually stood onstage during presidential debates and spoke of hand size being related to the size of something else. Actually bragged about sexual assault. And yet he is now our president. Yes, sexism is alive and thriving.
52
"She disparaged Mr. Sanders as disruptive and hopelessly unrealistic in his proposals." If a poll were taken post election I would guess that a large number of Clinton voters lament the fact that Sanders was not the nominee. He would have beaten Trump...
It's a little hard to be sympathetic to Clinton about fairness given the treatment that Sanders received by the DNC and the press. I voted for Hillary, but don't regret that she lost. It is an ongoing train wreck that Trump won...
It's a little hard to be sympathetic to Clinton about fairness given the treatment that Sanders received by the DNC and the press. I voted for Hillary, but don't regret that she lost. It is an ongoing train wreck that Trump won...
13
The dreamers aren't only children born to illegal immigrants but also Bernie and his Bros. Bernie would've won one state, Vermont. All of his Republican fans would've turned against him like hurricane Erma. Republicans patted Bernie on the back because he was there ticket to the White House.
5
Please.... a private server to do the government business on managed by a company without a security clearance.
And, the Times reluctantly covered this story after avoiding it for many months until it became too obvious to ignore.
And, to say that the Press did not spend sufficient time on the Russian interference question is Pure Fantasy.
And as for misogyny how many votes did mrs. Clinton get for the single reason that she is a woman.
No need for her to wonder about why conservatives dislike her. She has a lifetime of secrecy based upon a pattern of corruption. Commingling of the Clinton charities with State Department connections and Bill Clinton profiteering is simply breathtaking.
And, the Times reluctantly covered this story after avoiding it for many months until it became too obvious to ignore.
And, to say that the Press did not spend sufficient time on the Russian interference question is Pure Fantasy.
And as for misogyny how many votes did mrs. Clinton get for the single reason that she is a woman.
No need for her to wonder about why conservatives dislike her. She has a lifetime of secrecy based upon a pattern of corruption. Commingling of the Clinton charities with State Department connections and Bill Clinton profiteering is simply breathtaking.
11
Trump is a horror show, but Hillary is a nightmare of a human being and she needs to go away. No more articles need to be written.
12
I think Hillary is still living in a dream world. She lost because she had no message, no vision for America, except maintaining the status quo. If her campaign and the DNC hadn't undermined the Sanders campaign, Sanders would have won the nomination AND the presidency.
23
Does the book say anything about her husband's ill advised tete-a-tete with Lorretta Lynch?
19
A bitter old woman who could not even beat a reality television star. That is what Hillary Clinton is, and she knows it. Making excuses for her personal failures reveal her inability to take any responsibility for her own actions. She is a mirror image of her narcissistic husband.
25
Because you're a woman in a man's world.
It's just a fact of life, an inescapable reality of nature. I greatly admire Hillary and wrote exhaustively about her stellar experience and qualifications. I'm still in shock over how such a nation lacking even marginal education could elect such a monster over a candidate that comes only a few times in a nation's history. Clinton was that but she was too timid and her greatest mistake was being led by others instead of leading the fight.
A fact of life is that the men are the stronger sex and instinctively people want to be led by a strong male figure. Those who come to mind are Roosevelt, Ted Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson.
I tried repeatedly to convince fellow voters to vote for Hillary as an opportunity of a lifetime. I even incurred serious vandalism that I did not report after flying a large Hillary for President flag on the front of the house. I was left in shock after the election after having witnessed ignorance win the day.
The Democrats need a strong father figure to lead the party, not a leader led by others. We need a fighter with a great intellectual capacity for strategy.
Schumer just lost the Congress for Democrats next year by buddying up to the cunning Trump. I see decades of loss ahead for democrats because they are data driven timid quiet people, the opposite of leaders.
It's just a fact of life, an inescapable reality of nature. I greatly admire Hillary and wrote exhaustively about her stellar experience and qualifications. I'm still in shock over how such a nation lacking even marginal education could elect such a monster over a candidate that comes only a few times in a nation's history. Clinton was that but she was too timid and her greatest mistake was being led by others instead of leading the fight.
A fact of life is that the men are the stronger sex and instinctively people want to be led by a strong male figure. Those who come to mind are Roosevelt, Ted Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson.
I tried repeatedly to convince fellow voters to vote for Hillary as an opportunity of a lifetime. I even incurred serious vandalism that I did not report after flying a large Hillary for President flag on the front of the house. I was left in shock after the election after having witnessed ignorance win the day.
The Democrats need a strong father figure to lead the party, not a leader led by others. We need a fighter with a great intellectual capacity for strategy.
Schumer just lost the Congress for Democrats next year by buddying up to the cunning Trump. I see decades of loss ahead for democrats because they are data driven timid quiet people, the opposite of leaders.
4
Oh, brother. Seriously?
5
I expect a teenager to blame everyone but herself for her failures, not someone of her age. She was handed the nomination by the Democratic powers-that-be, with the party tipping the scales every step of the way, and yet she couldn't defeat a misogynist, racist, narcissist with no discipline. I'd send her a mirror if I had her address.
17
"What Happened" was that the arrogance that people always disliked in her came shining through, in part due to the Ruskies. If Hillary was a hurricane (bad timing today), if was the perfect storm of self-destruction. Lies, contempt for others, GREED (Who takes money from the banks and then won't reveal what you said totem?), and more than anything, arrogance again. She just thought she deserved it. It really hit me the other day when I heard parts of the audiobook of "What Happened". It's like she brought in Siri to read the part. And the guy who installed her server was able to combine both voices. Now she's out blaming everyone else but her.
9
Why was it that Hillary had the home server again, one which contained classified information. She then freely gave the information to Huma Abedin to hold on an insecure laptop for her husband Anthony Weiner to print out - print out. All while Weiner was using this laptop to sext with. Hillary doesn’t appear to be the capable woman that has been painted of her.
Should we also blame Sarah Palin's gender for the reason she was not made Vice President.
Hillary also ran a terrible campaign not going to key electoral states such as Wisconsin, and spending much time in states that would not help her electoral vote. She may have won the popular vote, but she was well aware that our system uses the electoral vote.
Should we also blame Sarah Palin's gender for the reason she was not made Vice President.
Hillary also ran a terrible campaign not going to key electoral states such as Wisconsin, and spending much time in states that would not help her electoral vote. She may have won the popular vote, but she was well aware that our system uses the electoral vote.
14
I am sorry Hillary felt a need to write this book. She lost, plain and simple. This is too much sour grapes.
27
Voted for her while holding my nose. Wish she would just take her massive ego and go away! Take her clown husband with her.
14
Ms. Clinton couldn't be more unpopular in many parts of our nation if her name was Irma. Or Harvey.
10
Go away Hillary, you were a failure as a politician (from your vote for the Iraq war onward) and we Democrats are sick of the "all about me" nature of what you do. It was you and your poor campaign that have saddled the nation with tRump and his band of liars and thieves with no Democratic majority in either house so that there is no check on him. All you can do is mess up the chances for Democrats to take back a house of congress in 2018. Please we really don't need your help.
12
"The news media, and The New York Times in particular, come in for scathing criticism by Mrs. Clinton for covering the email saga obsessively, while playing down evidence of links between Mr. Trump and Russia." Another example of how the Democrats like to use revisionist history to make unsupportable points. It is known to all that the NYT was all in for Hillary, and that its readership, liberal progressive, ate it up. The NY metropolitan area was solid for Hillary as it usually is for Democrats of any
level of competence. And lastly, the Russian link to the Trump campaign was "trumped up" long after the election and has shown no evidence that anything the Trump campaign did was illegal, unlike many of the charges brought against Hillary that the Times and other media studiously ignored
or covered up. Hillary was a terrible candidate with so much baggage that
it would bring down a jet liner without the need for a suitcase bomb!
level of competence. And lastly, the Russian link to the Trump campaign was "trumped up" long after the election and has shown no evidence that anything the Trump campaign did was illegal, unlike many of the charges brought against Hillary that the Times and other media studiously ignored
or covered up. Hillary was a terrible candidate with so much baggage that
it would bring down a jet liner without the need for a suitcase bomb!
4
Hillary! Please, go home,take a walk in the woods and retire from Public Life!
8
Poor Hillary. The public is fascinated with the Clintons like no other family. She was investigated by the FBI and not charged. Only a hateful person would not trust the FBI in such a high profile case.
2
Good grief! This woman is in complete denial...her lies regarding Benghazi, her suspect pay to play schemes, her total disregard of proper handling of emails and other confidential information, her distance from us 'commoners' are just some of the reasons people do not like her. It has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with trust. She thinks Trump is a creep, really laughable, she's married to the biggest creep around.
13
First of all, thank you for your life-long public service, Hillary. In response to Mrs. Clinton's last question, I believe it was ALL of the points she makes in your article. All of the social media miscommunication and the relentless perpetuation of the classic myths regarding the Clintons may have hurt her the most, i.e. her familiarity to the electorate. The Russian interference and assistance of her opponent could not have helped. Oh, but let's not forget, Hillary actually won the popular vote by 3,000,000 votes, despite what her opponent now says, so our democracy is not really functioning. That may be one of the most disturbing facts about this campaign and the state we now find ourselves in. The fact that her opponent is a disaster at his job and is purposefully erasing all of the gains this country has made over several generations might induce some who voted for him to wake up. It is difficult to forgive reluctant Trump voters for their error, but we can only hope the vast majority of the electorate now gets it. Polls seem to indicate as much.
102
As a "conservative" (whatever that means these days), I have always liked and admired Hillary Clinton. I felt she was a thoughtful, decent individual who sincerely wanted to help people improve their lives, and I feel she succeeded in doing so in many areas. Yes, her usage of her offices to enrich herself were unseemly, as were her attempts to skirt such issues whenever confronted with them. Nevertheless, she was by no means the first public servant to do so - and will no doubt not be the last. I guess its just something that cant be avoided.
As to why she was such a "lightning rod for fury," I think that goes back to her introduction to the American people back in 1992. She was the first First Lady who had built her own career, as opposed to being a housewife, and the first one who was a member of the feminist generation. Given the culture wars that were already raging at the time, it was inevitable that anyone who filled that role would be a symbol of contempt and mistrust to a significant portion of the population.
As to why she was such a "lightning rod for fury," I think that goes back to her introduction to the American people back in 1992. She was the first First Lady who had built her own career, as opposed to being a housewife, and the first one who was a member of the feminist generation. Given the culture wars that were already raging at the time, it was inevitable that anyone who filled that role would be a symbol of contempt and mistrust to a significant portion of the population.
102
As a liberal, I felt frog-marched into voting for her. She was far from the best the Democratic Party had to offer. Sure, there are people who hated her because they're misogynists. but there are a lot of principled people who had serious problems with her. Her claim to integrity flew out the window in the 1990s. She was willing to cold-bloodedly lie to cover up Bill's sleazy indiscretions and unsparingly savage a young woman he had used....as long as she got to muscle her way into a political career on his coattails. Not to mention all the nauseating deal-making with donors and the "I'll make my own rules" private server.
6
she was the worst the party could offer, the only candidate without the ability to beat Trump. no name freshman candidates could have beat Trump. yet she could not and blames everyone but herself.
2
She has a lot more important topics to regret - eg. being a hawk, playing to Wall Street in secret, dividing America with constant appeals to women and minorities - ignoring the white, middle-class, supporting TIPP - before she didn't, supporting NAFTA.
20
If the Democrats don't learn from the many significant mistakes they made in the 2016 campaign, they deserve to lose. Comey's attacks were just one of several situations not adequately handled by Democratic strategists.
3
Exactly right. And the refrain of "but she won the popular vote" is only a reminder of the political malpractice committed by Clinton and her team -- they forgot the most basic rule of how the game is played.
12
Trump did not win: The Democrats lost. And deserved it.
And they will continue to lose with their centrist message.
The Republican-Democrat duopoly must be denounced and broken.
This country needs a progressive alternative.
And they will continue to lose with their centrist message.
The Republican-Democrat duopoly must be denounced and broken.
This country needs a progressive alternative.
30
No, thank you. I didn't survive communism to relive the nightmare again in my adopted country. Sanders is long on charisma, but short on logic.
3
We are deeply in debt and you want more free stuff for everyone paid for by the 50 percent who pay federal income taxes. No thanks.
When will Hillary get a clue and realize the majority of us just want her to fade into obscurity. Making money by selling a book blaming everything except herself for her inability to beat Trump shows just how unfit she was to be our President.
55
I think Joe Biden commented best when he said three weeks before the election, he finally figured out why he was dissatisfied with the Democratic campaign: They never quite got around to talk about their policies as every time they tried, Trump would upstage them.
And everyone who got down into the mud and started mud-wrestling with Trump lost.
Lastly sexism did play a role in the campaign:
"I'm with Her"
But it is not 1970 anymore.
And everyone who got down into the mud and started mud-wrestling with Trump lost.
Lastly sexism did play a role in the campaign:
"I'm with Her"
But it is not 1970 anymore.
8
As a deplorable myself, I believe it was Hillary Clinton alone that cost her the election. She is an unlikeable and divisive person, who is petty and vindictive and whose character flaws and inability to tell the truth made her unsuitable for holding the office of the President.
25
That is a why you voted for a magnanimous, mature adult who is a model of consistency, is slow to anger and quick to forgive, whose popularity ratings have soared to unprecedented heights. and who has united the country like no one ever before. Sad.
9
Sob, Your description of Clinton is much more fitting of Donald Trump.
5
As opposed to Donald Trump?
4
Bernie Sanders brought a lot of new ideas to the table that weren't being addressed by Democrats until Bernie brought them to light. The unfair advantages of the 1% in consuming our wealth, for example. Corporate greed, for example.
I am very grateful to Bernie Sanders for this. Hillary Clinton is a hard working public servant, but without Bernie, she was only offering the status quo. Sounds like a lot of blaming of others in her book for her doing just that.
That's sad, because ... she could'a been a contend'a.
I am very grateful to Bernie Sanders for this. Hillary Clinton is a hard working public servant, but without Bernie, she was only offering the status quo. Sounds like a lot of blaming of others in her book for her doing just that.
That's sad, because ... she could'a been a contend'a.
27
In Hillary's case, regrets, she's had a few, but unlike Sinatra, enough to mention. And rightly so. I believe it's high time tell the tale of many women, and yes, this is about women who try to accomplish anything in what is still a man 's world. Don't you know, as Joe Jackson wrote, it's different for girls. Girls like Hillary who were not accepted into the Ivy League, who's place was still in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant. We have evolved, to be sure. But like Civil Rights, as MLK Jr. said, "We have come a long way, but still have a long way to go". And so it is when it comes to electing a female president. Sure, I've heard all those who say it's not because Hillary is a woman she's just the wrong woman. Really? Hillary is one of the most accomplished women in America, with a proven track record. Instead of her winning in a landslide, she, who has been derided since first coming to DC as First Lady. She could do nothing right. She was even accused of murder, for God's sake. There was just something people claimed in which Hillary rubbed them the wrong way. Of course there was . She is a woman, yet no one dares calls it by its true name: Sexism. If Hillary's opponent were somehow a semi-sane opponent like Kasich, one could understand. But when 53% of White Women vote for Trump instead of Hillary something stinks to high heaven in the American populace, And it ain't Limburger cheese.
DD
Manhattan
DD
Manhattan
12
From all the excerpts I've read and heard so far, I don't think Clinton really understands what went wrong.
It wasn't messaging, it wasn't framing, it wasn't packaging -- it was that the American people and even life-long Democrats like myself did not believe she stood for anything. "I have a plan for that" does not motivate people to make phone calls, knock on doors, and ultimately stand in the line at the polls, as good as the plans might ultimately prove to be.
She and the Democratic establishment may still resent Bernie Sanders and his supporters, but there was no doubt what he believed and stood for. It was indeed a future we could believe in. Clinton's, not so much.
It wasn't messaging, it wasn't framing, it wasn't packaging -- it was that the American people and even life-long Democrats like myself did not believe she stood for anything. "I have a plan for that" does not motivate people to make phone calls, knock on doors, and ultimately stand in the line at the polls, as good as the plans might ultimately prove to be.
She and the Democratic establishment may still resent Bernie Sanders and his supporters, but there was no doubt what he believed and stood for. It was indeed a future we could believe in. Clinton's, not so much.
34
A man who yells is a sex symbol even in his seventies. A woman who raises her voices is castigated for not smiling. That's the real problem and even long life democrats like you are part of it, whether you want to admit it or not.
8
This is a sad spectacle and it proves to a lot of us why we're better off with Trump than with Hillary. She doesn't seem to respect that the people didn't like her attitude towards them. Everything is about her and the actions of others towards her, and nothing is about how her message was essentially nothing. Instead of taking responsibility she blames her own message on the boxing in by others. How could a person like this lead a country? She couldn't.
She seems like an evil, vindictive person and I'm glad she lost.
Go away, Hillary.
She seems like an evil, vindictive person and I'm glad she lost.
Go away, Hillary.
9
"She seems like an evil, vindictive person" -- and Trump doesn't? Wow.
10
In my view the greatest mistake Hillary made was not to choose Bernie Sanders as her vice-presidential running mate.
Clinton and Sanders would have been a hands down winning ticket.
(I gave more than one comment in this forum urging this maneuver.)
Clinton and Sanders would have been a hands down winning ticket.
(I gave more than one comment in this forum urging this maneuver.)
12
Hillary tried to bury Sanders, not make him an equal.
Too many Americans loved him too much for her to share the spotlight. Who she choose made sure there was no competition, even if it meant a loss.
Too many Americans loved him too much for her to share the spotlight. Who she choose made sure there was no competition, even if it meant a loss.
5
To s whether.
Your opinion may or may not have some basis in fact.
i suggest that you read Hillary's book in order to provide some knowledge on the subject at hand.
It has been reported that some supporters of Bernie Sanders choose to vote for Trump instead. (More's the pity.)
There is surely the possibility that those voters might have supported the join ticket of Clinton/Sanders.
There is the old "heartbeat away from .........".
In any case future historians will value any book written by Hillary Clinton and so should we as witnesses to this historical and unusual election with its .......... questionable outcome.
The outcome is a reflection of the current electorate and its views as well as its prejudices and understanding of the stakes involved in their choices.
There is also the influence of Russia and its meddlesome behavior as well to take under consideration.
There is the old "the truth will set you free ........ "
Your opinion may or may not have some basis in fact.
i suggest that you read Hillary's book in order to provide some knowledge on the subject at hand.
It has been reported that some supporters of Bernie Sanders choose to vote for Trump instead. (More's the pity.)
There is surely the possibility that those voters might have supported the join ticket of Clinton/Sanders.
There is the old "heartbeat away from .........".
In any case future historians will value any book written by Hillary Clinton and so should we as witnesses to this historical and unusual election with its .......... questionable outcome.
The outcome is a reflection of the current electorate and its views as well as its prejudices and understanding of the stakes involved in their choices.
There is also the influence of Russia and its meddlesome behavior as well to take under consideration.
There is the old "the truth will set you free ........ "
5
I supported Hillary but it saddens me that she blames everything external to herself. Way too much weight is put on the Comey memo; she didn't win because of her gender. Perhaps it was her focus on identity politics that turned off so many. When she states, "I believe in an America for all Americans ..." and then proceeds to list every disenfranchised group, she believes that is uniting. It's not. It just puts everyone in boxes and sets them against each other. It don't believe she will ever change, but I hope the Democratic Party will.
10
Growing out of adolescence: it's about taking ownership of one's own mistakes.. and failures. Adulthood is definitely whining about your lot in life in public. See: character development.
5
Most of what Ms Clinton said is true, especially the part about the obsessive coverage of her emails by the NYT. The same reporters are now covering Trump with the same almost high school "cool kids" attitude. However, Hillary did win. She lost by a fraction of votes in 3 states. She should look at what she did right. If she had not lost those few votes in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania we wouldn't be having this conversation.
8
"Hillary did win...She should look at what she did right." Oh my. Here's hoping you aren't on the DNC.
7
"By her own admission, Mrs. Clinton has not come to terms with losing to Mr. Trump."
Maybe in November, at the one year mark we can finally move on.
Maybe in November, at the one year mark we can finally move on.
8
It sounds like Hillary Clinton was repeatedly met with the message that so many women get, not to stand up for herself. Behavior that would be interpreted as confidence in a man would be criticized as rocking the boat from a woman. The double standard becomes internalized.
Mrs. Clinton was in a no-win situation, where she would be seen as either too passive or too aggressive by virtue of who she was.
Mrs. Clinton was in a no-win situation, where she would be seen as either too passive or too aggressive by virtue of who she was.
11
The race was Hillary's to loose, letting Comey's "investigation" announcement on the eve of the election should have been attacked. I can't help but think the country got the massively flawed president it deserves. We can't tell the difference between a candidate and a president.
4
What folly.
Returning "over and over to a single explanation: her gender," is a naked attempt to immunize herself from criticism.
"What makes me such a lightning rod for fury?” she wrote. “I’m really asking. I’m at a loss.” At the very least the question should have been asked before publication. Given her lifelong experience as a lightning rod, how could she not have any insight into the question? That she ran for the highest office in the land and still lacked this insight, is unfathomable. We are at a loss.
Returning "over and over to a single explanation: her gender," is a naked attempt to immunize herself from criticism.
"What makes me such a lightning rod for fury?” she wrote. “I’m really asking. I’m at a loss.” At the very least the question should have been asked before publication. Given her lifelong experience as a lightning rod, how could she not have any insight into the question? That she ran for the highest office in the land and still lacked this insight, is unfathomable. We are at a loss.
6
I'm tired of Hillary Clinton's complaints about Bernie Sanders (as if she had a divine right to the nomination) and second-guessing about her own flubs (i.e., fatal lack of spontaneity) during the campaign.
Shoulda. Coulda. Woulda.
Game over. Go away.
Shoulda. Coulda. Woulda.
Game over. Go away.
15
Hillary Clinton should consider herself lucky that she is held to a different standard of justice than the rest of us. She was in possession of classified information and disclosed it to unauthorized third parties who did not have security clearances...felonies for you and me.
Now that we are certain some high officials in the Obama administration will be held to a different standard of justice in America, you can bet that Loretta Lynch will not be investigated or prosecuted for Obstructing justice in this matter.
Now that we are certain some high officials in the Obama administration will be held to a different standard of justice in America, you can bet that Loretta Lynch will not be investigated or prosecuted for Obstructing justice in this matter.
4
What's your standard if justice for Donald Trump and his family?
6
Running for president in 2016 was her big mistake. The hubris of this woman, who, eight years ago, couldn't beat a novice junior senator, a black man with the middle name Hussein, to think that she was the answer to America's needs, knows no bounds. Her tone-deafness, to take bribes directly from big corporations and think it was okay to call them paid speeches, is beyond measure.
I voted for her, because as a New Yorker, I knew what Trump is, but I will never forgive Clinton, nor the establishment of the Democratic Party, for forcing this deeply flawed candidate down our throats.
I voted for her, because as a New Yorker, I knew what Trump is, but I will never forgive Clinton, nor the establishment of the Democratic Party, for forcing this deeply flawed candidate down our throats.
86
She and so-called president Trump blame others for their deficits and claim victory for other peoples efforts.
She lives in a 95% white community of 1%-ers. She went to West Virginia with this message: I will close all the mines. Her husband publicly went to see the then AG in private while she was still under investigation. She did not bother to go to states whose lost cost her the election. The DNC did not stay neutral but in private and in public attacked her Democratic opponent Bernie Sanders. To this day it is not clear what she stood for that would benefit Americans. Anything good seemed to be warped, distorted Bernie Sanders positions. She was a Goldwater Girl! She remains mentally tied to the military her father was in. The main issues facing Americans did not relate to bathrooms. As she said at one point not knowing it was being taped, "I really can't relate to the middle class."
Clinton lost the campaign she ran on empty. It was hers to win or lose. She lost to Trump! End of story.
She lives in a 95% white community of 1%-ers. She went to West Virginia with this message: I will close all the mines. Her husband publicly went to see the then AG in private while she was still under investigation. She did not bother to go to states whose lost cost her the election. The DNC did not stay neutral but in private and in public attacked her Democratic opponent Bernie Sanders. To this day it is not clear what she stood for that would benefit Americans. Anything good seemed to be warped, distorted Bernie Sanders positions. She was a Goldwater Girl! She remains mentally tied to the military her father was in. The main issues facing Americans did not relate to bathrooms. As she said at one point not knowing it was being taped, "I really can't relate to the middle class."
Clinton lost the campaign she ran on empty. It was hers to win or lose. She lost to Trump! End of story.
14
"And in a passage that will sadden her supporters as much as it satisfies her critics, Mrs. Clinton grappled with her limitations as a candidate and the hatred she generated among Republicans."
Which is exactly what the DNC and other Democratic power brokers should have considered a long time ago instead of allowing the it's-my-turn mindset to take hold.
Which is exactly what the DNC and other Democratic power brokers should have considered a long time ago instead of allowing the it's-my-turn mindset to take hold.
11
“What makes me such a lightning rod for fury?” she wrote. “I’m really asking. I’m at a loss.”
I voted for her because (1) she was the Democratic candidate and (2) to avoid the then-looming disaster of a Trump presidency.
The reasons for fury, however, were the relentless campaigns for the Presidency in both of which she projected a "its my turn" outlook and the avarice shown in which the "bad optics" of her high-priced Wall Street speeches were only one example.
(The content of those Wall Street speeches was as secret as Trump's tax returns.)
I voted for her because (1) she was the Democratic candidate and (2) to avoid the then-looming disaster of a Trump presidency.
The reasons for fury, however, were the relentless campaigns for the Presidency in both of which she projected a "its my turn" outlook and the avarice shown in which the "bad optics" of her high-priced Wall Street speeches were only one example.
(The content of those Wall Street speeches was as secret as Trump's tax returns.)
6
Isn't it bit odd that Hillary Clinton says she should have been more strident in attacks on her rival Bernie Sanders when in fact she did beat him? Far to much was made then, and it is just as fallacious to resurrect the charge now, that the rivalry between Hillary and Bernie was markedly contentious and acrimonious.
It still remains to be seen if unity in the party has been shattered because of the threat to Democratic stasis allegedly posed by more progressive policies which, despite Hillary's claim about their unworkability, have been around before Sanders et. al.
The other reasons, the principle ones, she gives for how she her campaign was derailed are certainly on target and undeniable.
It still remains to be seen if unity in the party has been shattered because of the threat to Democratic stasis allegedly posed by more progressive policies which, despite Hillary's claim about their unworkability, have been around before Sanders et. al.
The other reasons, the principle ones, she gives for how she her campaign was derailed are certainly on target and undeniable.
3
Up front, I will admit I am not a Hilary Fan. I did consider voting for her because I could not bring myself to vote for Trump. I eventually did not vote for president at all and just voted straight down ballot ticket.
However, everything I have heard makes me realize that Hillary lost her own campaign for president. She was the presumptive nominee from the get, most people even on election night expected her to win, James Comey or not. Having said that, she is a terrible campaigner. Her gaffes (and they were numerous) e.g., "Basket of Deplorables." and one that was mentioned that she was going to put coal miners out of business.
However, she still should have won. Trump is a mess and was so during the campaign. However, Hillary was so sure (despite what she says in her book) that she had it locked down. She began to campaign in "red states" because she wanted a "mandate." Forgetting to campaign in the midwest blue/purple states and some reliably blue states like Pennsylvania. Forgetting totally about Wisconsin assuming she would win.
Donald Trump did not win this election. Hillary lost it. James Comey's last minute interference notwithstanding. Her base, her true core voters didn't care about the e-mail scandal. They were going to vote for her no matter what.
My main issue with her and why I didn't vote for her was she was not her own woman. She tacked left of Bernie to win that wing and didn't stay true to her core values. She only had herself to blame.
However, everything I have heard makes me realize that Hillary lost her own campaign for president. She was the presumptive nominee from the get, most people even on election night expected her to win, James Comey or not. Having said that, she is a terrible campaigner. Her gaffes (and they were numerous) e.g., "Basket of Deplorables." and one that was mentioned that she was going to put coal miners out of business.
However, she still should have won. Trump is a mess and was so during the campaign. However, Hillary was so sure (despite what she says in her book) that she had it locked down. She began to campaign in "red states" because she wanted a "mandate." Forgetting to campaign in the midwest blue/purple states and some reliably blue states like Pennsylvania. Forgetting totally about Wisconsin assuming she would win.
Donald Trump did not win this election. Hillary lost it. James Comey's last minute interference notwithstanding. Her base, her true core voters didn't care about the e-mail scandal. They were going to vote for her no matter what.
My main issue with her and why I didn't vote for her was she was not her own woman. She tacked left of Bernie to win that wing and didn't stay true to her core values. She only had herself to blame.
3
Comey, this seeming paragon of virtue, seems not to be a very popular fellow. Everyone hates a mensch, that's for sure, except to Trump's democratic enemies. I feel like I'm back in the throes of that awkward high school social angst.
The last passage seems puzzling. Ms. Clinton clearly has a blind spot about herself: *she* isn't a lightning rod for fury, *every prominent democrat* has been. She is no more demonized the Obama was - the current President was one of those pushing the provably false idea has wasn't even born into this country.
The Republicans have gone beyond the pale in trying to de-legitimize political opposition; it's not just about her. In fact, it shouldn't be about her at all at this point. She's been beaten twice and should get out of the way.
The Republicans have gone beyond the pale in trying to de-legitimize political opposition; it's not just about her. In fact, it shouldn't be about her at all at this point. She's been beaten twice and should get out of the way.
3
Clinton simply can't face the fact that she was a flawed candidate. She is not as beloved as she thinks she is and many people are simply tired of political dynasties, be they Clintons, Bushes or Kennedys. I, for one, refuse to vote for the spouse, sibling or child of a sitting politician. Candidacies should be based on merit, not family name. If I recall my primary education, we fought a revolution to free ourselves from a hereditary regime nearly 250 years ago. Why we long to recreate one is beyond me.
7
I have a feeling Mrs. Clinton would've been fine with blaming everyone but herself for the loss. I imagine someone in her inner circle talked her out of that route. While she's not nearly as bad as our current president, she displays a lot of the same negative traits in this book.
7
Have to say that in the end I supported Hilary over Trump (held my nose actually).....but I don't want to and don't need to read this book, hear Hilary on the stump, read or watch any news on Hilary. I just want her to GO AWAY. I am tired of the overt money grubbing and money grabbing Clintons. Always playing the victim (and now her claims against Bernie of all people - Bernie who was the real victim). Etc, etc, etc.
Just so tired of the Clintons.
Dems need new and younger voices for the FUTURE. Why keep rehashing the past?
Just so tired of the Clintons.
Dems need new and younger voices for the FUTURE. Why keep rehashing the past?
5
The review states, "This book is the work of someone no longer running for anything." Sadly true, for she was the better candidate. But she did lose due not only to her own inherent frailties, the absolute failures of her campaign managers, factors she could not control like the Russian interference, the Comey gambit.
Now Clinton is reduced to running from everything. Not a source of fascination for me, just another failed candidate.
Now Clinton is reduced to running from everything. Not a source of fascination for me, just another failed candidate.
Trump did not win!!! Ms. Clinton won the popular vote and did so despite gerrymandering and Russia. Far more Americans wanted her in office than the 1/4 - 1/3 of the voting tea partiers. The electoral college, an antiquated, wealthy-white-man creation indeed, appointed her. The Trump voters are too blinded to understand their role in what is happening in the world. At the moment I resent the idea of FEMA, which the Republicans tried to eliminate, taking my tax money for folks in Texas (where is the massive rainy day fund) and Florida and who knows what other red states who still refuse to acknowledge climate change. We had an experienced, internationally respected, prepared and strategic candidate who would have known how to deal with the mess the petulant, slyly clever, corrupt, attention-deficit- disordered, current president has created. This country has shamed itself.
7
Uh, yeah, Trump did win. That's why he's the President, and Hillary is writing books blaming everyone but herself. The way to win is to win via the Electoral College, not winning the popular vote. Hillary knew that going in and chose to ignore certain key, winnable states while campaigning in states that would never give her a victory.
10
I think that she has every right to air her grievances and the lessons learnt from this experience - given her dedication to public service over the last 40 years. If anything her issue has been (as she states), that she's been too focused on trying to be the adult constantly - I think that she should have called Trump and Comes out every step of the way last year.
Additionally, I find it incomprehensible that people think that they have the right to tell this remarkably intelligent woman to "be quiet", "disappear from the public eye" and so on. Would they tell that to a man? I suspect not.
The glass ceiling still has a way to go before it's broken.
Additionally, I find it incomprehensible that people think that they have the right to tell this remarkably intelligent woman to "be quiet", "disappear from the public eye" and so on. Would they tell that to a man? I suspect not.
The glass ceiling still has a way to go before it's broken.
10
The glass ceiling was broken; her campaign ended up proving all along she could be a duplicitous and corrupt and imperfect as any man running for office.
2
let me tell you we have every right to blame her for blaming everyone bout herself as well as being responsible for Trump winning. she put her desire to become president over and above the good of her country by controlling the DNC and preventing anyone who could win from running against her. for this many of us will never forgive. never.
1
I agree with HRC's criticism of the NYTs coverage of her. I noticed early on in the campaign the glaringly obvious preponderance of Trump headlines, Clinton below and barely ever a mention of Mr Sanders. I don't care for Mrs Clinton and backed Mr Sanders but I do believe the NYTs had a direct influence on the election. Second only (perhaps) to the Russian meddling.
2
I found the NYT coverage of the email issue baffling. The other media were no better. It was clear from the outset that Clinton had broken no law in having a server of her own. If anything, it appeared that she had taken steps that prior Secretaries had not taken to protect such private email. To me, the difference in degree between using your personal account to send out email, and having a private server was irrelevant- particularly since State was well aware that she had the server. All of the mail was coming from Clinton.com.
As someone who worked for many years at large firms, I knew full well that people used private email to keep communications secure from prying eyes. Here, Clinton she had leakers and the media to worry about. Out of 30,000 emails, 119, all about mundane matters, probably were classified at the time sent. To me, that suggested care, not carelessness.
Moreover, HRC's attorneys had every right to wipe personal emails off the server after responding to a government document request. The NYT never acknowledged, or at least I never read, that standard procedure in responding to such requests is to have lawyers make the cut. HRC had no obligation to retain documents that were not responsive. Did anyone suggest that her Washington DC law firm had violated the law? It was the law firm, not Clinton, that made the choices regarding what was responsive.
The email scandal was a political tempest in a partisan teapot. I am sad that the NYT was taken in.
As someone who worked for many years at large firms, I knew full well that people used private email to keep communications secure from prying eyes. Here, Clinton she had leakers and the media to worry about. Out of 30,000 emails, 119, all about mundane matters, probably were classified at the time sent. To me, that suggested care, not carelessness.
Moreover, HRC's attorneys had every right to wipe personal emails off the server after responding to a government document request. The NYT never acknowledged, or at least I never read, that standard procedure in responding to such requests is to have lawyers make the cut. HRC had no obligation to retain documents that were not responsive. Did anyone suggest that her Washington DC law firm had violated the law? It was the law firm, not Clinton, that made the choices regarding what was responsive.
The email scandal was a political tempest in a partisan teapot. I am sad that the NYT was taken in.
17
I'm glad she took the opportunity to assert herself this way. She has had to stiffle so much, but she is now liberated to tell it like it is and good for her. She is remarkably on target and history will confirm it.
9
Every single time she ran for election and I could vote for her, I did.
Yet, whatever she says in her book, she needs to stop passing the buck and realize that she lost this election because of _her_ with the following specifics:
1. Having the Democratic National Committee and complicit media (Right, NYT?) literally sabotage her competitors, obviously so, then actually be caught doing so AND
2. Being lackadaisical regarding communications and national security (Why not just invite the Russians and Comey over?) AND
3. Time-and-again flip-flopping on issues without adequately explaining (e.g., TPP) AND
4. (Unfairly) Getting Benghazied on her watch AND
5. Having a husband who had an inappropriate "visit on the tarmac" with Obama's Attorney General Loretta Lynch in what appeared as an attempt at obstruction of justice AND
6 God knows how many more nickel and dime items the GOP invoked from the Clintons' past AND
7. Being overly reliant on misleading polls but not being aware of the real animosity there was towards insiders (This was not a GOP v. DEM election, but an Insider v. Outsider election in which the Outsider was going to win.)
It's a shame really. I was hoping to witness history and actually thought she would have made a good president - better than Mr. Clinton - but she was her own worst enemy. The Democratic Establishment was its won worst enemy too not recognizing the above list either yet, comparatively speaking, Bernie Sanders was a godsend.
Yet, whatever she says in her book, she needs to stop passing the buck and realize that she lost this election because of _her_ with the following specifics:
1. Having the Democratic National Committee and complicit media (Right, NYT?) literally sabotage her competitors, obviously so, then actually be caught doing so AND
2. Being lackadaisical regarding communications and national security (Why not just invite the Russians and Comey over?) AND
3. Time-and-again flip-flopping on issues without adequately explaining (e.g., TPP) AND
4. (Unfairly) Getting Benghazied on her watch AND
5. Having a husband who had an inappropriate "visit on the tarmac" with Obama's Attorney General Loretta Lynch in what appeared as an attempt at obstruction of justice AND
6 God knows how many more nickel and dime items the GOP invoked from the Clintons' past AND
7. Being overly reliant on misleading polls but not being aware of the real animosity there was towards insiders (This was not a GOP v. DEM election, but an Insider v. Outsider election in which the Outsider was going to win.)
It's a shame really. I was hoping to witness history and actually thought she would have made a good president - better than Mr. Clinton - but she was her own worst enemy. The Democratic Establishment was its won worst enemy too not recognizing the above list either yet, comparatively speaking, Bernie Sanders was a godsend.
2
Hillary Clinton has always been able to unite one party. Unfortunately it's the Republican party. Here she is again, being divisive of Democrats by stoking her ego wounds at the expense of Democratic unity. If she's still unsure why she's disliked at the age of 69 that's deplorable.
8
Honestly, who would waste their time reading a single page of this book? Hillary managed to alienate many life-long Democrats, and perhaps millions of new voters who preferred Sanders, with her core message of "It's My Time." Then she managed to lose the general election to the most unqualified person ever to hold public office.
Instead of trying to "stay relevant," or just make a few million dollars more, perhaps Secretary Clinton should just look in the mirror and reflect, quietly, on what might have been.
Instead of trying to "stay relevant," or just make a few million dollars more, perhaps Secretary Clinton should just look in the mirror and reflect, quietly, on what might have been.
6
introspection is required for that. hence forget it.
1
As a life-long Democrat, I find it painfully sad that Ms.Clinton has chosen to present herself as an angry and bitter woman who refuses to acknowledge her failings. For the future of progressive policy and goals in America, I respectfully ask Ms. Clinton to please go quietly into retirement so that new leaders can emerge and take up our cause and purpose. These goals are much bigger and more important than Hillary Clinton, but I fear she has lost sight of that truth.
7
While I fully understand and share her frustration and disbelief in the wake of the tainted presidential election, I question the wisdom of releasing a post-mortem of her "mistakes." Is Mrs. Clinton just letting off steam or does she hope to elucidate her perspective on this debacle for future generations? What exactly does she hope to achieve with this book?
5
I voted for Mrs. Clinton, she's just one more failed candidate. She's joined the ranks of Stevenson, McCain, Wilkie, Dewey etc. the issue isn't what kind of President she would have been, it's how BAD a President Mr. Trump is.
1
Hillary Clinton's strategy to divide the American electorate was doomed to fail. Publicly committing to putting American (coal) workers out of business is just dumb, no matter which constituency you play to. Furthermore, by alienating at least 25% of American voters by calling them 'deplorable' is not going to change hearts and minds.
Hillary Clinton lost because she was her own worst candidate for President.
Hillary Clinton lost because she was her own worst candidate for President.
7
Not striking back at Comey? How about not doing the things that led her to be the subject of a criminal investigation? How Clintonian that the regret is never the unsavory and possibly legal behavior, it is not wiping out those who are charged with investigating it.
10
How can this reporter claim that "Mrs. Clinton accepts her share of blame for Mr. Trump’s astonishing upset", when everything she's said to date makes it clear that she blames herself only to the extent she doesn't have to admit that there was anything wrong with her judgment, her business associations, her policies and, indeed, her decision to run for president at all, when Democrats had already rejected her once, in favor of an unknown senator from Illinois, and much of the rest of the public openly dislikes and distrusts her.
Her "share" of the blame is everything. Is that what her book is about?
Her "share" of the blame is everything. Is that what her book is about?
15
It was her election to lose and she lost it. Period.
8
I wish there was a way to travel back in time to March 2016. I would get in front of the Sec. Clinton, and plead with her and her campaign staff on what she needed to tweak-so Mrs. Clinton would win the election. The future could be changed, and we not be living in this nightmare we are living in now, The Reality Show of United States of America.
3
Hillary, I supported, volunteered and voted for you, but your reflections through your book don't deserve to be front and center with everything else going on in this country. Please retreat yourself from 2016 elections and continue to do the work you've done for women and children- the democratic party needs to move forward without you. Sorry i know it stings, but you're causing us more harm at this juncture.
Thank you.
Thank you.
2
I voted for her, but honestly, Hillary needs to just retire and find a cause or charity to devote herself to. This unrelenting rehashing of the past election does no one any good, least of all her. Her regrets and excuses just come across as whining and sour grapes. Hillary's most notable problem was that she was Hillary Clinton, and she carried all that Hillary baggage into the election.
6
The best favor Comey could have done for the Democratic Party and the USA would have been to recommend HRC's indictment.
She would have been forced to drop out and whoever took her place would have defeated Trump.
She would have been forced to drop out and whoever took her place would have defeated Trump.
5
Comey, Bernie, Biden, Lauer: The title of the book should be "What Happened?" She still doesn't have a clue.
Couldn't be she was the wrong person, had no message, felt and acted entitled, and had a campaign run by bumblers.
Couldn't be she was the wrong person, had no message, felt and acted entitled, and had a campaign run by bumblers.
8
Ugh. Go away. Hillary Clinton was the Democrat's self-inflicted wound. Nearly any other Democrat would have defeated Trump in the Rust Belt. Hillary was guaranteed to inspire the opposition more than the Democratic base. The Times news coverage of her email scandal was negative, because her actions and subsequent deflections could only objectively be presented as negative. She short-circuited the primary with her collusion with the DNC leadership even though it was clear that ther was little enthusiasm for her among the rank amd file. Her whole general election campaign was centered on not being Trump more than any overarching narrative to vote for her. Finally, I think sexism played into the same voters' decision that made race a part of their decision to vote against Obama. Elizabeth Warren or Kirsten Gillibrand would have defeated Trump.
I blame Hillary for Trump. She blames nearly everyone else.
I blame Hillary for Trump. She blames nearly everyone else.
7
Hillary Clinton (partially) blaming the New York Times for her defeat is like something out of Bizarro World. Yes, the Times had to report on news unfavorable to her, but otherwise it was in her back pocket so much it kept getting mixed up with her loose change. She was CLEARLY the Times' candidate of choice - and that extended back to the primary season, as well.
11
Yeah, Comey lost the election for her, as did Sanders, the Russians.....what's next, Hillary, UFOs?
The fact that the woman cannot admit that she ran a miserable campaign, leads me to conclude that our choice last Fall was between two pathological personalities, although there's no question as to which one is more pathological.
The fact that the woman cannot admit that she ran a miserable campaign, leads me to conclude that our choice last Fall was between two pathological personalities, although there's no question as to which one is more pathological.
4
As evidenced by this clueless book.
Thankfully, she lost
Thankfully, she lost
4
The more excerpts I read, the more I understand why Sec. Clinton lost. I did vote for her and know she was the more competent candidate. Having said that, what the excerpts say to me is 1) she is not a natural politician; 2) she is a policy wonk in an election cycle that was sick of policy wonk's and 3) really had become disconnected from her base---middle and working class Americans. I wish she had not written the book or written it and kept it in the desk draw---all these "what ifs" is making her legacy look a bit smallish. As Senator Sanders say, it is silly to look back, let's move this party and this movement forward.
103
Sanders isn't one to move forward a party of which he is not a member. Sanders, in 30 years, has zero legislative record of substance. Yelling does not make policy.
5
Easy for Senator Sanders to state such a ridiculous claim, isn't it?
2
I, for one,was proud to cast my vote for Hillary Clinton. No disclaimers, No buts. No caveats.
She was the best and most qualified candidate running in either the primaries or the general election, and the world would be a much better place today were she our president. The election in November was a turning point in our history, and we failed the test. We deserve every bit of pain the next four years are going to bring (and more)-- though, as usual, the actual costs will be borne by those least able to pay them.
She was the best and most qualified candidate running in either the primaries or the general election, and the world would be a much better place today were she our president. The election in November was a turning point in our history, and we failed the test. We deserve every bit of pain the next four years are going to bring (and more)-- though, as usual, the actual costs will be borne by those least able to pay them.
199
Absolutely correct. Thank you.
3
In my eyes Hillary was the perfect candidate. Calm, reasoned, informed, intelligent. She had studied each issue and had well thought out policies. She was well spoken and respected throughout the world. Most of my friends were thrilled with the opportunity to have such a bright woman as president. But thirty years of being maligned by the Republicans and the conservative press took its toll. And unfortunately more than that we have an undiscerning electorate that was duped by a charismatic huckster. I don't want to sound like a snob but when more people watch Reality TV than PBS documentaries, go to schools that don't teach them real science or the value of historical perspective and get their news from Facebook and Twitter what can we expect? Sure Comey was bad, the news obsessed with her emails, Bernie could have been more supportive but until we have an electorate that appreciates intellect, experience and knowledge as assets for great leadership instead of a showman we are doomed to having lousy presidents.
228
But of course, if only the electorate had the intelligence and Insight that you possess can we hope to have a proper president.
There are many conservative intellectuals who have credentials that likely surpass yours and are in agreement with those poor slobs who do the unthinkable and vote for Trump
Keeping in mind that about 25% of democratic voters are barely literate and essentially vote for the government that supports them this same group is on your side. I'm sure you have no problem agreeing with this poorly educated and less enlightened group.
I agree that most of the electorate is not fully informed but at least conservatives offer the benefit of the doubt for their country and seem to actually like America.
There are many conservative intellectuals who have credentials that likely surpass yours and are in agreement with those poor slobs who do the unthinkable and vote for Trump
Keeping in mind that about 25% of democratic voters are barely literate and essentially vote for the government that supports them this same group is on your side. I'm sure you have no problem agreeing with this poorly educated and less enlightened group.
I agree that most of the electorate is not fully informed but at least conservatives offer the benefit of the doubt for their country and seem to actually like America.
4
Absolutely, totally correct about HIllary...and about the electorate.
Thank you!
Thank you!
7
A lot of Hillary's problems were of her own doing - E=Mail Server, Benghazi, Goldman speeches etc.
3
Funny how Hillary does not appear to dwell on any of the reasons that made me abhor her. Where is her acknowledgement of how morally and politically wrong it is for a Democrat to accept hefty fees from Wall Street financiers? How duplicitous it is to claim that all these donations from the oligarchic elite had no effect on her campaign positions? Where is her analysis of why she thinks Bernie's positions were "unrealistic"? Of how, based on lies (e.g., Bernie supporters "throwing chairs"), her friends in the press and the DNC built up a false narrative of Bernie's supporters? Hillary Clinton never fails to come across as spiteful and profoundly inauthentic.
I could never have voted for Trump. But given that my state of Montana was overwhelmingly supporting that caricature of a human being, I voted for Jill Stein. Was it sexist of me?
I could never have voted for Trump. But given that my state of Montana was overwhelmingly supporting that caricature of a human being, I voted for Jill Stein. Was it sexist of me?
141
Voting for third party candidate in presidential election is nothing but stupidity. We will never have a perfect candidate . We have to choose the candidate which is just a little better than the other in two main political parties. In last election, Hillary was not a perfect candidate but she was much better than Trump. America has big trouble with the purists in both parties. For the purists and perfectionists , the extremists win in primary and also in general elections. The result is nonfunctional and dysfunctional congress with worst speaker and hyper partisan majority leader and a clown president.
10
That was the same as voting for Trump, own it.
10
Yes, need you ask.
3
I know in my heart this woman would have been a good president, but something has really happened to the country that she didn't pay attention to. The attention span of people in general is a 10 second sound bite. You can have every position and policy paper on line at your web site. The vast majority of people are not going to even look for them, let alone read them. We respond to simple, high-level, constantly repeated messages. Bernie understood this. Trump did too. You were not speaking to the choir Hillary. You were speaking to thin air...and no one was paying attention. It's not really you. It's us. And it just breaks my heart.
227
Maybe, but she was double-digit ahead pre-Comey, so forgive her for thinking she was doing something right for the first year-and-a-quarter of her campaign.
3
I'm tired of rehashing last year's election. HRC will never admit that she was a flawed candidate in many ways. I hope writing the book was cathartic for her but am I now going to see articles written every time she makes comments during her book tour? Please, HRC, move off to the sidelines and let the rest of us worry about how we can replace the current WH inhabitant.
159
The campaign was not well run. There was no good slogan. It seemed to be all about making Hilary the first woman President. (Even thou some say that Edith Galt Wilson and also possibly Florence Kling Dewolfe Harding have already served as President by default.) The television so-called debates were poorly staged. Why did the candidates not stand at podiums or sit at a table. Why were the commentators reluctant to tell them to "answer he question" or at least "stick to the subject"? Hilary should have been more careful not to appear to criticize President Obama, because it may have cost her the minority vote.
Hillary Clinton, the most qualified candidate to ever run for the presidency, was diminished and defeated by forces we still are discovering every day. Her victory was torn away, leaving us to suffer the outcome. The disaster continues as the usurper and his assassins gloat, mock, shame and ridicule a great American woman.
207
I'm a lifelong Democrat but IMHO, Hilary and the Democratic Party lost the election on their own. First, Hilary came across as an arrogant Easter pol with her "deplorables" statement. Second, Hilary only campaigned in big "Blue" states. Thirdly, The Democratic Party did very grass roots action in the Red States to get out the Democratic voters. The Democratic minority vote in Red States was the lowest in decades.
Unless the Democratic Party spends the time and money in the Red States to mobilize the liberal electorate, including transportation to the polls, the coming by election will cement the radical Republican control of this country for at least te remainder of Trump's term snd quite possible keep Trump in the White house for 2 terms.
Unless the Democratic Party spends the time and money in the Red States to mobilize the liberal electorate, including transportation to the polls, the coming by election will cement the radical Republican control of this country for at least te remainder of Trump's term snd quite possible keep Trump in the White house for 2 terms.
5
Very true. However, I thought Hilary had enough grace never to blame others for her defeat. She should move on to do some good work with her good name. Whining will only ruin her good name.
1
''Hillary Clinton, the most qualified candidate to ever run for the presidency,''.
This lie needs to be buried.
Any person who can't name five ex presidents who initially were more qualified and tested, failed, forgot, or never took U.S. History.
This lie needs to be buried.
Any person who can't name five ex presidents who initially were more qualified and tested, failed, forgot, or never took U.S. History.
5
The bottom line? Hillary is behaving like a child that was promised and guaranteed to get a toy for Christmas, and didn't, but the new kid next door did.
If only she would really take the time to look in the mirror she would see the culprit for her loss.
If only she would really take the time to look in the mirror she would see the culprit for her loss.
164
In the book, according to the article, Clinton lists a catalog of her own mistakes during the campaign. That doesn't sound like a child who is laying the blame elsewhere.
8
If you voted for Trump, accusing anyone else of acting like a baby is hypocrisy to the power of ten. After 20-plus years of character assassination, with a hostile foreign power waging an unprecedented propaganda war against her, and every republican dirty trick known to man thrown at her, she still won the popular vote. There were some things under her control she failed to do. Any one of those things, like campaigning in the upper midwest, would have made the difference for her. Even so, on a remotely level playing field she would have won in a landslide. What does it say about us that the biggest most obvious con man in history sits in the White House, endangering the welfare of the planet? And that's really OK with you?
9
There's ALWAYS more than one reason alone that a candidate doesn't win. Having the perspective of the first female candidate to head a major party ticket is important whether you believe so or not.
7
Hillary was incredibly popular just after the Benhgzi hearings when she took all those white republican men and slapped them around like they were school boys. Of course when she threw her hat in the ring the Republicans gathered this stagecoaches and went on the warpath. But that would not have been enough to beat Hillary Clinton. Of course Comey played his part, but it was Bernie with his gang of Bros they gave the right wing their credibility. Suddenly it wasn't the right wing Republican saying all those terrible things it was now coming from the other camp. Bernie divided the Democratic Party and denigrated them and denigrated her over and over again as if he was one of those white Republicans. The republicans couldn't of asked for a better comrade. They spent money against Hillary in her primary against Bernie. Bernie and his ego, and his low information Bros are the main reason Donald Trump is president today.
152
Let's add Jill Stein and Fox News to the list of reasons that Hillary lost (oh, and the Electoral College). She is right that the NYTs news coverage was promoting a horse race rather than understanding our democracy was at stake in this race. Her approval ratings were higher than high when she began the race - there's a lot to be thought through in this saga by anyone thinking to run for president. Before then could someone in the media tell us why Stein sat at Putin's dinner table as did Flynn? Me thinks the lady is a snake in the grass.
7
And Bernie would not go away. He stayed on and on and on. The Trump children didn't need to go to Russia to get their opposition research. All they needed was to listen to Bernie. And he and his petulant supporters disrupted the convention. Even though he wasn't a Democrat.
7
Bernie just yelled -- and his non-existent legislative records of ~30 years showed just how effective he was substantively.
7
In spite of Russian hacking (if it can be proven), in spite of an unappealing candidacy which was badly run, Hillary Clinton still won the election by over three million votes. It's time to stop blaming Bernie, Comey - or even Trump. It's time to abolish the Electoral College. This is not the first time the majority of the country did not vote for the candidate we were stuck with.
39
Blame still falls squarely on Clinton and her advisers for playing the wrong game -- winning the popular vote is not how you get elected President, and their attention should have been focused on that to the exclusion of all else. Political malpractice.
5
Right. The Electoral College is obsolete, and un-democratic. This country is Gerrymandered beyond all sanity. We need some serious election reforms.
1
"This is not the first time the majority of the country did not vote for the candidate we were stuck with."
Very true.
Interestingly, this was also true with Bush in 2000. The last Republican to win his first term with the largest popular vote total was G.H.W. Bush in 1988. Both Bill Clinton and Obama won the popular vote.
Very true.
Interestingly, this was also true with Bush in 2000. The last Republican to win his first term with the largest popular vote total was G.H.W. Bush in 1988. Both Bill Clinton and Obama won the popular vote.
3
I fervently wished that Ms. Clinton would be elected. That said, I understood from the outset that she is not nearly as good a campaigner as she is a public servant. Bill was not a good template; he is one of the most natural pols (crowdpleasers) ever. Another contributing factor was that the tactics that turned out to not work well nationally had worked fine in a NYS Senate campaign. Also if she had decided that it was likely she would run for President she should have skipped those private highly paid speeches to businesses; I personally don't find them unethical and she may even have told them things they did not want to hear but the optics were terrible.
I fully agree that the NYT seemed schizoiphrenic. There was no need to treat the private email server brouhaha as anything other than made up news. You print it once and it is over with. Same with Bengazi. There are plenty of Congressional hearings that don't get much press coverage. Just be fair. Don't bend over backwards to appear fair. By the way, the article today covering the debate amongst candidates for Brooklyn District Attorney is a good example of the latter. There is a clearly outstanding candidate, identified as such in an editorial published previously. The objective reasons that Mr. Gonzales, the acting DA, deserves to be elected to the office were enumerated in the editorial but obscured in this news coverage.
Finally, I hope that Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein are happy. Not.
I fully agree that the NYT seemed schizoiphrenic. There was no need to treat the private email server brouhaha as anything other than made up news. You print it once and it is over with. Same with Bengazi. There are plenty of Congressional hearings that don't get much press coverage. Just be fair. Don't bend over backwards to appear fair. By the way, the article today covering the debate amongst candidates for Brooklyn District Attorney is a good example of the latter. There is a clearly outstanding candidate, identified as such in an editorial published previously. The objective reasons that Mr. Gonzales, the acting DA, deserves to be elected to the office were enumerated in the editorial but obscured in this news coverage.
Finally, I hope that Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein are happy. Not.
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Hillary's speeches, "I personally don't find them unethical and she may even have told them things they did not want to hear but the optics were terrible."
You don't think for a second that if her speeches were harsh to her audience that she would have released them to the media as she manifestly did not? The fees she and Bill received were not "bad optics" but pay for play. Anyone who thinks otherwise is very naive.
You don't think for a second that if her speeches were harsh to her audience that she would have released them to the media as she manifestly did not? The fees she and Bill received were not "bad optics" but pay for play. Anyone who thinks otherwise is very naive.
6
These excerpts from Carol Goldstein's post above provide a perfect example of the kind of rigid, 'living in a bubble' thinking that lost Hillary the election:
- "There was no need to treat the private email server brouhaha as anything other than made up news..."
- "The objective reasons that Mr. Gonzales, the acting DA, deserves to be elected..."
People like Carol (and Hillary) simply can't fathom the possibility that their own personal political views are just that - beliefs - and not facts.
- "There was no need to treat the private email server brouhaha as anything other than made up news..."
- "The objective reasons that Mr. Gonzales, the acting DA, deserves to be elected..."
People like Carol (and Hillary) simply can't fathom the possibility that their own personal political views are just that - beliefs - and not facts.
6
Carol, you sound like donny and his fake news syndrome.
1
I believed that Hillary would have been a good president and implemented policies I believe in. Now, however, I wish she would disappear from the public eye. The last thing the Democrats need is Hillary on the book circuit airing her grievances. She and Bill do not need the money. It doesn't advance her pet causes (advocating for women and families) but is making her base cringe.
Democrats need to be forward looking and not mired in the past. As Trump supporters like to say, "the election is over and Trump won". Well that is true and Dems need to mobilize for the next election on the horizon and Hillary would do well to get out of the way for now.
Democrats need to be forward looking and not mired in the past. As Trump supporters like to say, "the election is over and Trump won". Well that is true and Dems need to mobilize for the next election on the horizon and Hillary would do well to get out of the way for now.
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Thank you. I couldn't agree more. I voted for her. But I am tired of her sour grapes and a book of shouldas wouldas couldas. And her comments about Bernie Sanders running for president motivation being to divide the democratic party. That struck a chord in me of how out of touch she is. HRC, please enjoy your life, your wonderful grandchildren, and stay off the political stage. Your days there are done.
8
First let's get rid of Sanders, then I will agree with your point. Sanders is poisoning everything. We lost all the elections since November because of him. He is so desperate now that he is supporting anti-abortion candidates.
10
Hillary Clinton has every right to discuss in detail her historical run for president.
If you cannot allow her this analytical effort than do not buy or read her book.
Her lesson plan, playbook, advice, details of experiences etc. will aid to a great degree the next woman who will run for the presidency.
I predict that more than one young woman will greatly appreciate having Hillary's experience set down in great detail.
Let us all give Hillary her due as as a pioneer, forerunner, and the historical figure that future history will certainly recognize her to be.
If you cannot allow her this analytical effort than do not buy or read her book.
Her lesson plan, playbook, advice, details of experiences etc. will aid to a great degree the next woman who will run for the presidency.
I predict that more than one young woman will greatly appreciate having Hillary's experience set down in great detail.
Let us all give Hillary her due as as a pioneer, forerunner, and the historical figure that future history will certainly recognize her to be.
12