NYT:Herbert on the Clintons

[MBS]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/opinion/10herbert.html

By BOB HERBERT
May 10, 2008

The Clintons have never understood how to exit the stage gracefully.

Their repertoire has always been deficient in grace and class. So there was Hillary Clinton cold-bloodedly asserting to USA Today that she was the candidate favored by “hard-working Americans, white Americans,” and that her opponent, Barack Obama, the black candidate, just can’t cut it with that crowd.

“There’s a pattern emerging here,” said Mrs. Clinton.

There is, indeed. There was a name for it when the Republicans were using that kind of lousy rhetoric to good effect: it was called the Southern strategy, although it was hardly limited to the South. Now the Clintons, in their desperation to find some way — any way — back to the White House, have leapt aboard that sorry train.

He can’t win! Don’t you understand? He’s black! He’s black!

The Clintons have been trying to embed that gruesomely destructive message in the brains of white voters and superdelegates for the longest time. It’s a grotesque insult to African-Americans, who have given so much support to both Bill and Hillary over the years.
. . . .
But it’s an insult to white voters as well, including white working-class voters. . .
. . .
But it’s one thing to lack class and a sense of grace, quite another to deliberately try and wreck the presidential prospects of your party’s likely nominee — and to do it in a way that has the potential to undermine the substantial racial progress that has been made in this country over many years.

The Clintons should be ashamed of themselves. But they long ago proved to the world that they have no shame.

[rusty_parts2001]

1. Its hard to admit it, but

sadly he makes a lot of good points and gives a preview of all the "baggage" that will be sorted through again in the GE if she were the nominee. ;( ;(

[bushesass]

2. Absolutely correct!

The Clintons have always destroyed their opponets democrats or rePUGnants. Also women who accused Bill of sexual misconduct. They have single handily destroyed Obamas chances this year and if he loses it will be their fault. They have used every smear and racial issue they could . By the time the general election gets here the repugs won't have to do a d*nm thing!

[marylanddem]

3. Herbert's commentary is right on. They're shameless

and don't give a damn about anyone but their own self-important asses.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. But...but...but....

OBAMA PLAYED THE RACE CARD!!!!!!!! :sarcasm:

[lcdtelevision]

12. Agree. Herbert is very unbiased

He never takes sides.

[freefall]

5. K&R

:kick:

[enough]

6. There's a seething anger in this piece that isn't typical of Bob Herbert.

I think it's appropriate in this case.

[MBS]

7. yes, I agree that this is not his usual tone.

That kind of anger is indeed very atypical for him, and a chief reason why I was so struck by it.
He's my favorite NYT columnist, in large part because his thoughtful pieces usually manage to avoid both anger and snark.
So his anger this time is all the more compelling. His anger is for real, and , true to his style, still thoughtful as ever.

[saltpoint]

9. Agree on both counts.

Excellent read of Herbert, IMO.

[roguevalley]

11. he, like many of us old enough remember Jim Crow and all that

horror. bringing it back like this is evil.

[formercia]

8. You can dress 'em up but you can't take 'em out.

Their roots are showing. :rofl:

[applegrove]

10. I thought America had gotten beyond race in the first half of this nomination race.

So sorry to see it is not so.