Bob Herbert: Hillary opened the trap door beneath a fellow Democrat.

[Faygo Kid]

Terrific column in the NY Times today summarizing the disgusting campaign of Hillary Clinton and the problems for Barack in confronting it. Worth a visit to read the whole thing.

Confronting the Kitchen Sink

By BOB HERBERT
Published: March 8, 2008

. . . More serious was Senator Clinton’s assertion that she was qualified to be commander in chief, and that John McCain had also “certainly” crossed that “threshold,” but that the jury was still out on Mr. Obama.

In other words, if a choice on national security had to be made today between Senators Obama and McCain, voters — according to Mrs. Clinton’s logic — should choose Senator McCain.

That is a low thing for a Democratic presidential candidate to do to a rival in a party primary. Can you imagine John McCain saying that Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney or even the guitar-strumming Mike Huckabee might be less qualified than Hillary Clinton to be commander in chief? It couldn’t happen.

But Senator Clinton never gave a second thought to opening the trap door beneath her fellow Democrat. . .http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/08/opinion/08herbert.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Clinton Is A Pioneer All Right

Breaking new ground every day. Downward.

[rosetta627]

6. I hope the new ground will be her political grave

I'd love to see her falling into her own trap door.

"That is a low thing for a Democratic presidential candidate to do to a rival in a party primary. Can you imagine John McCain saying that Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney or even the guitar-strumming Mike Huckabee might be less qualified than Hillary Clinton to be commander in chief? It couldn’t happen.

But Senator Clinton never gave a second thought to opening the trap door beneath her fellow Democrat."

[saltpoint]

2. I think Herbert raises a legitimate issue but want to praise him for

consistently intelligent columns on U.S. politics over many years and the Bush/Iraq issues over the past two or three years.

I hope his administrative supervisors pay him for that level of excellence. Shame on them if they don't.

Also, no matter which of our nominees is elected, Bob Herbrt would make a VERY effective advisor/analyst/political guru/speech writer.

He could help the Dem president immediatelly and help build the structure for a 50-state presence and rationale.

Did I mention that I'm a big Bob Herbert fan?

[roseBudd]

3. Anyone who thinks her 50% unfavorability rating is at a threshold is seriously mistaken

[thunder rising]

4. "That is a low thing for a Democratic presidential candidate"? No, that is the LOWEST THING ...

But that the Clintons' MO. It is their nature, it is who they are, and they will not change.

[tularetom]

5. Hillarity has painted herself into a corner

If by some trick she manages to slime into the nomination how the fuck will she ever be able to put down McCain's qualifications like she has Obama's. Praising your possible opponent to the skies is not the way to present a case for you own election.

Every republican in the US hates this woman and now probably half the Democrats do. And if she thinks she can compete with repub in the dirty tricks department she better wake up now. She'll be reduced to tears before this campaign is a week old and she won't even be able to fight back because she has spent weeks kissing McCain's ass.

I almost would like to see her nominated just to watch her get destroyed forever in the GE. But the prospect of McCain in the WH wakes me up from that fantasy.

However, several lifelong Dems I know don't feel that way (including my wife). She said yesterday she would vote for McCain if hillarity is the Dem candidate.

[RamboLiberal]

13. I'm with your wife - My head will have to overrule my heart

if Hillary manages to steal the nomination cause my heart would say to sit out the presidential vote or vote more McCain. I would want to teach the DLC and the DNC a lesson. Only my head and the thoughts of the Supreme Court Justices McCain would support that would far outlast his presidency may make me hold my nose. I can't say right now which part of me would win. I'm hoping Obama is the nominee so I won't have that dilemna with myself.

[madaboutharry]

15. Don't vote for McCain, make the

better choice and just stay home if you can't bring yourself to vote for Hillary. I don't think I can vote for her either now. But I won't vote for McCain. I will just leave the circle to be filled in blank.

[Kahuna]

7. She seemed almost gleeful about it. She definately has a mean streak. nt

[TwilightGardener]

8. Thanks, Bob Herbert! And thanks, Hillary, for making sure America remembers

why we're sick of politics.

[OHdem10]

9. Jeesh, any excuse is better than none., i guess.

It is this attitude--Democrats are supposed to act so highminded
and above everyone else. Oh do not attack our wittle bitsy baby.

If Obama cannot handle this, just wait until Republicans grind him
into shreds.

Contrasting is acceptable, Bob Herbert. I had a lot of respect
for you but lately your biases are beginning to show.

[Yael]

10. Has any non RW pundit PRAISED her efforts/approach?

Taylor Marsh doesn't count.

[yellerpup]

12. Obama is handling it just fine.

It is former Hillary supporters, like myself who can't handle the depths of mud flinging and party destruction she is responsible for. I'm shocked at how low she has been willing to go in JUST THE LAST WEEK! She'll not get another birthday card from me. I've started donating to Senator Obama's campaign. She will never get me back and she is racking up more and more like me every day she keeps up the negativity. Excuse her if you will. She had alienated me by her own words and actions. Oh, yeah. K&R!

[Elidor]

14. As far as I know, what she did is unprecedented in ANY presidential campaign

I'm trying hard to think of anyone - democrat or republican - who has praised their rival in the opposite party for having greater qualifications than someone in their own primary. Even aside from the fact that they have very similar amounts of experience, what she did is despicable.

[YankmeCrankme]

16. Yeah, won't that be nice

"If Obama cannot handle this, just wait until Republicans grind him
into shreds. "

That's what you want, huh? The republicans to grind him into shreds.

Of course, Ms Clinton won't be able to help because she already said that McCain's a better choice. How can she campaign for Obama if he's the nominee? What will she say, "Vote Obama, even though John McCain has more experience and is qualified to be president more than Obama."

So, she'll be actually helping the republicans grind Obama into shreds. Woot!

[Demeter]

11. K&R to the Greatest Page