People say that it was Hillary's "tears" that made her win, but I believe that it was

[Clintonista2]

Obama's "you're likable enough" comment. I held my tongue at the time, but it really was a nasty comment, and I think that it certainly didn't help him in NH.

[winga222]

1. I agree

[goodgd_yall]

I'm wondering if it was

the debate as well. I have to say it influenced me.

[goldcanyonaz]

2. She kicked both their asses in the NH debate! People took notice and got off their ass and voted!

[tekisui]

3. It was a stupid thing to say.

But, I think Hillary did well because she has allowed herself to be a person. She has played it tough and serious(out of necessity, perhaps). Now, she has loosen up and comes across better.

[kurth]

4. That wasn't smart

Women are very good at noticing stuff like that.

[Maven]

5. See my thread here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4004437&mesg_id=4004437

I think it was letting out more emotion in general, and that includes her debate performance. People tried to make it into a "Dean scream," but instead I think people actually responded to her showing a little anger. And women, I think, definitely reacted to the media spin about her being "shrill," etc.

[sandnsea]

6. He was teasing her, it was not nasty at all

He was telling her, it's okay Hillary, don't worry about what all these mean people are saying, you're likeable enough.

And again, if it was the tears or that comment, good god talk about a shallow reason to vote.

[la la]

11. nah-

this old lady doesn't think so...............I have a completely different take on that remark. I don't think obama is able to 'give in', as it were, he couldn't even look up when he made 'the' remark. Many people are like that, male or female, but seeing and hearing it made my ears perk up.

[Maven]

16. No, there was contempt behind it.

He said "you're likeable enough" as though he was being charitable for even saying that much.

It was not a good moment for him.

[EffieBlack]

17. He was teasing her and I think he was distracted when he said it, but it came across as very petty

I love Obama, but I cringed as soon as he said it. Obviously, I'm not alone.

[annie1]

7. and her knowledge and jokes in the debate. and really, her Q &A forums in NH

[ronnykmarshall]

8. No

Hillary won because she got out there and worked for the votes. It's not what the press, Obama, Edwards or anyone else said. She got out and worked her ass off. That's why she won tonight.

[William769]

10. No truer words spoken.

[Bongo Prophet]

20. Her long "town hall" style Q&A was great (the one with O'Reilly)

I think when she gets to spend time showing her DEPTH of knowledge is when she shines the brightest, in my opinion.
That time on c-span was about perfect.
More of that, please!


She worked for it.
Not the small "gotchya" stuff everyone freaks about here, but steady show of intelligence and humanity.


Congrats to all of her supporters here tonight.
:toast: :toast:

[goldcanyonaz]

21. Exactly, and she kicked both their asses in the last debate. She was on point throughout it.

[SIMPLYB1980]

37. Right on Ronny!

[CK_John]

9. The Iron my shirt duo, should be mentioned in the same vain. n/t

[Anouka]

28. I guess Hillary Supporters are the only ones who don't think those were plants.

but maybe I'm wrong.

[SIMPLYB1980]

38. They were part of a Radio Station prank.

I guess now Hillary also has the radio stations in her pocket. Who new.:shrug:

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

12. Bush is also known for mean-spirited humor, it's not presidential

n/t

[Anouka]

29. And yet Bush is president.

oy. I'm not knocking you, I'm just saying... and don't wnat to finish the thought.

[JI7]

13. i disagree, Obama did well, i think it was her response to Edwards

[Dhalgren]

14. I wrote this is another thread a couple of days ago and I still believe it:

"You know, all of these smears, put-downs, and mud-slinging aimed at Clinton is going to help her in the long-run. This will be the turning point for her. I do not support Clinton, but the more she is pounded and belittled by the squealing media and the gleeful Obamites and Edwardians, the better she looks to the average woman and partner and daughter and mother and son and brother and father and husband out there that is going to finally say "Enough!" Her enemies are handing her the nomination..."

And if they haven't learned their lessons, they will be watching Clinton's acceptance speech at the convention...

[bellasgrams]

23. You are exactly right.

I was completely neutral except I didn't care for Kuch, Gravel. But all the mean unspirted, untrue posts on DU turned me. Hillary is well qualified and has earend her stripes. Go for it Hillary.

[Renew Deal]

15. I think it's a combination of everything that happened yesterday

Crying, Irons, Mathews.

[AX10]

18. After watching the clip again...

it was a bad moment for Obama. He seemed very smug and you could tell that he didn't really like Hillary.

[Tarheel_Dem]

19. he's not alone, but I agree he shouldn't have said it.....n/t

[Little Star]

22. People don't like that kind of cockiness.

[ecstatic]

24. Maybe. I guess it could bring up imagery of an ex-boyfriend or something nt

[jillan]

25. I was thinking it was what hubby said about the fairytale.

I thought that was brilliant.

[suston96]

26. Yes, it was her tears, and the tears of all those women who bake cookies and iron shirts.....

...who came back and voted for her.

And a few other things......

[mustang]

27. I was upset by the debate on Saturday

I was watching the debate on Saturday and was pretty stunned by the constant attacks toward Hillary. They just weren't politics, but really personal and hurtful comments. I agree with what you felt when Obama said, "You're likable enough," No matter how he meant it, it really, really rubbed me the wrong way. It seemed so demeaning. Like, she didn't deserve to be on the podium because she was not popular. She wasn't good enough. I was also sickened by the Obama/Edwards/Gibson total attacks on her. Hillary held her own during that barrage and really gave in-depth great answers. Yes, she was defensive, but she had grit as she tried to fight back. Then, all yesterday, the media hammered her for being emotional. I mean, hammered her. It was too much bashing. People want fairness at least.

I actually think what turned this was when Hillary was being attacked for being the status quo. She fought back by saying she has been making change for 35 years, she wasn't just all talk. I think for me, it turned the tide about what she has accomplished and what she can accomplish. That she will get things done and make history.

[LostInAnomie]

30. I think there are a lot of people willing to vote...

... against their own interests and eat a big shit sandwich in the name of "sisterhood".

[Egnever]

31. I think it was a combination of both

[Hatchling]

32. Still undecided but....

more willing to look into Hillary as a candidate now. I'm very glad she won tonight.

I've been for the most part a Anybody but Hillary person, I have to admit that most of what I know about the candidates had come from reading DU and following the links provided here.

Btw, my demographic is a disabled woman boomer.

After Iowa I was really excited about John Edwards. His speech was really energizing.

I watched Saturday's debate with interest to hear what Edwards had to say.

This then is my progression from a sorta Edwards supporter to a sorta Hillary supporter. These are all my perceptions, not necessarily what the "reality" was.

When the "tag team" incident occurred that spurred on Hillary, two things happened. First: I felt disappointment in Edwards. It seemed as if he had possibly made a deal with Obama or something and I felt abandoned by the the man who had made such a fiery speech in Iowa. Second: I sat up and really listened to Hillary for the first time this campaign. The first time. The phrase "reality, not rhetoric" stuck in my mind.

I also perceived Hillary's answer to the likability question, (That really hurts my feelings) as a joke on her part, subtly playing up how silly the question was. I also perceived Obama's "likable enough" as a put down on his part.

Then all the hype about it being her "Dean Scream" and how bad it was, as if other politicians have never themselves been fervent about an issue, really ticked me off.

Then the 'teary' episode. The MSM making such a stink over it pissed me off. Edwards' response when questioned about it really pissed off, whether he meant it to come off that way or not.

So at that moment I really hoped Hillary would win NH. And it looks, from the exit polls, that a lot of other women just like me may have felt the same way.

[mustang]

35. Look at this picture

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/us/politics/06dems.html?scp=53&sq=

I hope I did the link right. But the debate really irked me and this picture says a lot. The scrutiny on Hillary is relentless, as it should be. But the men, I'm sorry, have had it really easy. When she was ahead, she was ganged up on. When she was behind, the same thing. It was like it's being allowed because she is female, nobody wants to say they treated her with kid gloves. But they (press, other candidates really went for the jugular for months). The stuff about the laugh, cackle, insincerity, calculated answers. The male candidates could say whatever they want about her and it was accepted. But if she said something back, the media labeled her negative or desperate.

I support Clinton, but like Edwards and Obama. But I think this week, the relentless kick her when she's down mentality totally backfired. Clinton responded by fighting back, and in turn showed her toughness and humility. I thought her debate performance was great and her anger was needed because she finally defended herself with passion.

[rAVES]

33. personally I think it was 6 thousand or so voters decided Hillary, not Obama that did it.

[ProudDad]

41. You're close

with Deibold machines -- a slight tweak here and there and Voila!!!

[Seabiscuit]

34. Not one tear left Hillary's eye. She just showed emotion for one short moment, that's all.

The media really, really sucks.

[Beacool]

36. I think that there are several factors.

- First of all, she worked her butt off these last few days to win their support.
- Women did not like the tag team of Obama/Edwards going after Hillary at the debate.
- Obama's response to the likability issue came off as small and petty, regardless of his motivation.
- Her emotional moment made her more appealing to voters who finally saw her human side.
- The desire to prove the media wrong, fueled by outrage at their piling on viciously for the past week.

[Imagevision]

39. Bill before Hillary tears; "I predicted this would happen" (Hillarys downward spiral) but today

Bill is a happy camper once again. I believe Bill will play Cheney's role and Hillary will be that Bushlite character Obama spoke of a few months back.

[ProudDad]

40. You're all wrong

it was Deibold voting machine manipulation...again

By and for the same old corporate capitalist interests...

January 21, 2009 -- same old shit, different container...

[SIMPLYB1980]

43. You're wrong. Patheticaly wrong at that.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2639218

[arewenotdemo]

42. It wasn't nasty AT ALL. Note the context.

I think he would do well to not interject anything from here on. Let her handle her own questions/attacks.