by Damozel | Reactions to Hillary's recent appearance on Tyra Banks' Fox talk show showe just how far Hillary really is damned with some people whatever she does. Accused by some of presenting herself as an emotionless, de-genderized android along the campaign trail and of refusing to discuss Bill's peccadilloes, any display of emotion by her is considered by others to be a "cynical ploy" (a phrase I'm almost as tired of as "campaign surrogates").
Evidently, some people---including some people in the UK and elsewhere who read The Times of London---actually believe that she is an emotionless, de-genderized android. "No, dears, that was Margaret Thatcher," said my co-blogger Cockney Robin during tea-time here in BN-Politics' underground grotto, causing co-blogger Nicholas (who reveres the evil Mrs. T) to draw himself up stiffly and depart the room in a marked manner. Though of course what's really going on is that for people who just don't like her, Hillary can't do anything right. Here's what the rather conservative (via Nicholas and Rob) Times of London has for those of us who weren't watching:
But Nicholas, though unable to vote, supports Hillary Clinton. "Time you lot put a woman in charge for a change," he says.
But to return to Hillary's Tyra talk session as reported by TOL:
Though she never doubted that her husband loved her, Hillary told Tyra Banks that she went through what you'd expect during the Lewinsky scandal.
“I never doubted Bill’s love for me, ever...But I had to decide what I ought to do, I think it is so important to be able to hear yourself at a moment when it is hard . . . there are so many times when you really have to listen to yourself.” Asked by Banks whether she was embarrassed by Mr Clinton’s relationship with Ms Lewinsky, which eventually led to his impeachment, she said: “sure, all of that. (Times of London Online)
So what's a woman to do with an unfaithful husband? ". “I say you have to be true to yourself, no one story is the same as any other story,” she said."(Times of London Online)
Sound advice.
Always curious to see what our transatlantic cousins have to say about US candidates, I looked to see how readers of this rather conservative paper are reacting. Would any of them say something fresh and new to help me get off my fence? Nah. Still, it was pretty interesting. And it had the usual effect of any attack on Hillary: it made me want to vote for her, even though she's not my first choice. I just think people are so unfair to her and it must make me furious, because I always, always, always leap to her defense. Why is that? I prefer Edwards and Obama (or did; I might be on the point of giving up on Edwards and getting fed up with Obama at this point). It's all just more of that visceral thing I was talking about the other day.
Anyway:
Mrs. Marian Oakley of Limerick doesn't approve of Hillary.
Well she chose the well publicised "incident" but she should have been quite used his "dalliances" after all the others that were not publicised. She is cynically using crocodile tears and emotions in Their campagne-------how can the Americans consider this hard boiled woman who made a complete mess of a post given to her in her husbands presidency. She will be the front to Clinton again and if the Americans cant see this they deserve them. (Mrs Marian Oakley, Abbeyfeale Limerick, Eire)
What Mrs. Marian Oakley of Abbeyfeale, Limerick fails to understand is---given what we've been through for eight years---many Americans would be glad for a return to the "eight years of peace and prosperity" (thanks, Bill Maher!) of the Clinton years and never mind whether we get a double act or not. I don't think we will, but maybe I don't care that much... (Also what "post given to her in her husband's presidency" did Hillary make a mess of? I'm not disputing; I really don't know what Mrs. Marian Oakley of Limerick is referring to.)
Furthermore, I don't think she shed any literal tears, anymore than she actually cried the day she allegedly "cried." But any display of emotion by Hillary of manipulation is officially written off these days as a cynical "ploy." Okay, let's say that it is. How much should I care? Paul Webster-Hughes, residing in China, says:
Is it not obvious to all that Hillary's supposed heart-baring prose is simply regurgitating the 'wounded victim' syndrome, a blatant vote-buying pitch to divorcees everywhere.
It remains to be seen how succesful her ploy is deemed in the inevitable autopsey over the next month.
As with her 'crying' episode recently, I genuinely believe her cynical tatics will be recognised and dismissed by the voters - but who knows? regards from China, where many watch with interest.
I officially don't care about campaign tactics, including Obama's cynical comparison of himself to Ronald Reagan (whose eight-year reign I will never forget or cease to deplore). I believe that candidates will, and probably should, say whatever it takes (within reason) to show voters who they are. (Obama should have saved the Reagan thing till after the nomination though: it was badly played to bring that up at this stage.) Would Hillary be a good, or even a great, president? I think she might. So she can cry her way to the White House (not that she has) for all I care.
"What a surprise that Hilary is playing the emotion card once again..." snarks Isabelle of Cambridge. Well, she was on the Tyra Banks Show, Isabelle. Women across America (still) want to know! After all, we had a front row seat to the humiliation (on so many levels) that was Monica Lewinsky and Bill. But of course, appearing on Tyra's show was certainly a tactic.
And, "Come on people vote Hilary," Lisa of Bradford urges us. Hold the phone, Lisa; it's not as if we didn't have other and pretty good options....but then Magda in Montevideo also argues, "Hilary is the one." Hmmm.
At The Moderate Voice, Joe Gandelman seems to share my view that ploy or no ploy, Hillary's responses are the right ones for the Woman Who Would be President/
Before our very eyes, Hillary Clinton is evolving into a smooth, skillful world-class politician.
It’s not just her feisty performance in the debate before her surprise victory in New Hampshire — or the (in)famous teary-eyed incident. You can almost see Mrs. Clinton’s growth in mastering political skills of imagery and political rhetoric take place each day. She’s a fast learner and is sharpening her skills....But it seems more than that: her skills are GROWING and she’s becoming more appealing and negating the caricature of her painted by foes....
Hillary Clinton also helped decrease her longtime robot woman image by going on a popular day time talk show and more candidly than ever talking about the shame and pain she felt during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. A smart move: she has already displayed great strength among women voters, and this solidifies it, consolidates it, expands it.....
And to prove it, Joe points to this delightful video that is going viral all over the internet:
Honestly, loosening up might be exactly what she needs to do to win it all. Via Gandelman, I learned that the Democratic Daily has endorsed Hill.
And---come on, people!---does anyone really believe that everything a candidate for the presidency does to get himself or herself elected ISN'T a "ploy" if not a "cynical ploy"?
MEMEORANDUM HAS OTHER BLOGGER REACTIONS....
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