'Outrage' Over Sen. Clinton Not Speaking

[Thrill]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040714/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_convention&cid=694&ncid=1963&sid=96378798

[displacedtexan]

1. I wouldn't be surprised to learn...

that Senator Clinton just might think winning Iowa is a tad more important than speaking this year.

She'll have plenty of time in 2008!

[aden_nak]

2. Like it or not. . .

Kerry needs to keep a certain amount of "involvement" distance between himself and the Clintons. Personally, I am a fan of Bill and Hillary. But once again, politics have nothing to do with what is right. It's what markets well. There's enough Clinton bashing going on right now as it is. Rove and his Band of Bitches would go out of their way to make the Kerry-Clinton connection, and the media would lap it up, just for a chance to show pictures of Monica again.

[Rose Siding]

OK, Which other high profile women are lined up to speak?

[aden_nak]

4. Not my point.

I am not saying that there shouldn't be a high-profile woman speaking at the convention. I'm all for that. But it SHOULDN'T BE HILLARY. And I think both of the Clintons know it, and know why.

[Rose Siding]

5. Gore distanced himself from the Clintons

and was criticized for it. Hillary's politics don't match mine, but running from the Clinton's doesn't make sense to me.

[aden_nak]

9. Gore couldn't distance himself from the Clintons.

He was Bill's VP.

And again, I really like Bill and Hillary. I would go so far as to say that Bill Clinton is one of the best Presidents this country has ever had. He also dredges up a lot of resentment with the people who disliked him in the past, and many of those people are the "swing voter" groups.

[beaconess]

22. Bill Clinton is the featured speaker the first night of the convention

This hardly sounds like Kerry is running from the Clintons.

Hillary is too smart to try to jump to the front of the line right now. Yes, she's a national figure, but she's also a freshman Senator and knows that it will do her harm in the long run - both politically and legislatively - to horn into the front of the line ahead of other women Senators (and some males, as well) who outrank her and would give their eyeteeth to speak in primetime.

She also knows that she's a lightening rod who, if she were to speak in primetime, would not only draw crucial attention away from Kerry and Edwards, but would be accused of trying to pave the way for her own presidential/vice presidential run. Plus, she doesn't need the attention - she's already there.

I don't think she's being snubbed. She's playing it just right.

[sangh0]

10. Instead of using women as "tokens"

the Dems prefer to put genuine feminists on the stage. Maybe you would prefer that Lynne Cheney or Ann Coulter speak. They're women

[Rose Siding]

14. Gee do you think they'd do it?

:eyes:

Actually, I'd have suggested including any of several accomplished Democratics had I known anyone would draw such a dickish conclusion.

[sangh0]

15. You asked for "high profile women"

so I suggested two.

The point being that what's between their legs is not nearly as important as what's between their ears, and what's in their hearts.

[Claire Beth]

8. you are exactly right n/t

[Name removed]

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[dolstein]

3. I'm outraged by this outrage

First, the overwhelming majority of Democratic elected officials will not get a prominent speaking slot at the convention. While Hillary is one of the best known Democrats, she's already had the opportunity to speak at previous conventions, and I think it is important to give other Democrats the spotlight. If the convention were being held in New York, giving Hillary prime time spot would be a no brainer. But it's not being held in New York, and I don't think it is unfair to pass her over in favor of some new faces.

Second, Judith Hope has now officially made my "With friends like these . . ." list. She places a close second behind Boston Mayor Menino. It amazes me that so many prominent Democrats are willing to very publicly crap all over the Kerry campaign when they don't get everything they way. Newsflash: life isn't fair. We don't always get what we want. It's just that some of us know better than to bitch to the press about it.

[Sugarbleus]

24. LOL...I decided to forego the outrage this time....

I think Hillary should save it for some other time. She's been in the public too much. Let someone else have a shot. Let her have her shot when it's her turn down the road.

I'm not happy with her politics lately, even though she IS a dynamic speaker. I'm just bored with the whole 'never let the clintons go' meme.

[WI_DEM]

6. in looking over the speaking list there is a conspicuous lack of

women and people of color missing from speaking slots--at least in primetime. By the way I'd much rather hear ex-Texas Governor Ann Richards speak than Hillary.

[New Dem]

7. me too!

I love her one liners!

[MoonRiver]

19. I love her depth of perception and ability to articulate

complex political realities.

But nonetheless, welcome to DU New Dem!! :hi:

[New Dem]

26. thanks! n/t

[ibegurpard]

13. Keynote speaker is nothing to sneeze at.

You DO know that Barack Obama is African-American?

[Doosh]

11. I'm outraged, she should be the keynote speaker!

And I know I was against him in the primaries and VP selection, but what about Wes Clark? I'd put him ahead of Obama when it comes to keynote speakers.

[beaconess]

23. Wes Clark isn't running for anything

Obama is. He's also an up and coming star in the party and could very well become the only the third African American senator since Reconstruction. A successful keynote speech could turn Obama into a national figure overnight and cement his election - and possibly turn the Senate back over to Democratic hands.

What would the outcome of a successful Wes Clark speech?

We need to avoid thinking like starstruck amateurs and think about effective strategy. The Convention is not a school play in which we let everyone have a role, regardless of their abilities, in order to not hurt their feelings. It lays a foundation and sets the stage for the fall elections - primetime spots are allocated not as a reward for work well done - there are other ways to say thank you - but to serve a particular prospective purpose.

Wes Clark has done a lot for the party and I respect him tremendously. But he would provide no added value as the keynoter - he's not even a particularly effective speaker. He will be much more effective in a different role.

Obama is the best choice for this, bar none, in my view. Young, telegenic, smart as hell, good-looking, biracial, strong record, widespread support - he represents the best of our party and showcases what we're all about. AND he can win!

[x_y_no]

28. Yeah ...

As big a Wes Clark fan as I am, I agree that it's far more important to feature Obama.

I'm looking forward to hearing him - I'm told he's excellent.

[Tom Rinaldo]

29. I think it's great that Obama got the Keynote. Smart move

That doesn't mean that Clark and Dean couldn't get important slots also. I think they should.

[ibegurpard]

12. Who's outraged?

More unnamed Democrats? I haven't seen much outrage around here.

[TexasSissy]

16. Kerry staffer says Hillary didn't ask to speak.

[Doosh]

17. she should be offered to speak

they should want her up there at the podium, she's the most prominent female democrat and doesn't need to come crawling to them.

if she was asked to speak and declined, well that's another story. But by snubbing Hillary you upset a large bloc of dems. Why run the risk, what are they trying to accomplish by this?

[TexasSissy]

27. I disagree. One of the Clintons is speaking. If she wanted to, she

needed to ask. There is a varied and diverse group of Democratic leaders and up and coming Democrats scheduled to speak. They've done a fine job in their lineup. Hillary is not being snubbed, in my view, in particular. Although....if Kerry wins, Hillary might be a contender for future nomination, so maybe they're thinking ahead (although she wouldn't seek the nomination against a Democratic incumbent).

In any case, I like her. She is the most popular female Dem. in America. But if she wanted to speak, she should've asked. They're not snubbing the Clintons....Bill is speaking.

[Protected]

18. Haven't we heard enough from the Clintons?

I love them, but let's allow somebody else to have the spotlight for now.

[bitchkitty]

25. Terry's got it right -

"This is a non-issue".

Both Clintons are participating, and the Big Dog is one of the speakers. I think that the Clintons are well-represented.