Sunday, May 25, 2008

More thoughts on Hillary's unfortunate comment

From Andrew re: Thoughts on Hillary Clinton's assassination remark

I agree that the technicalities of Bill Clinton and Bobby Kennedy's campaigns argue against Hillary's claim, Keith Olbermann's diatribe seemed overboard. He claimed one word, though tragic, is a word that implies she is waiting for someone to assassinate this black guy. That is blatantly not true, or at least I hope it is not. She seems to really only be attempting to invoke the only democratic party's campaigns that lasted until June. The fact that one of those is one of the most tragic moments in our nation's history is not something that can be held against Hillary. She could not have said assassination, but it is a fact that Bobby was assassinated. Words are words, Bobby Kennedy was on his way to being one our country's most inspiring leaders before he was assassinated or killed or his campaign "ended"...She was trying to make a point. A thin and wishful point, but a point using facts nonetheless. To say she is invoking tragedy...is taking it a bit too far...Olbermann invoked more tragedy by going on in his report than she did.

From Dan:

Of course Olbermann's "comment" is over the top. That's Keith Olbermann. But I think much of what he has to say is worthwhile.

I don't pretend to know what's in Hillary Clinton's heart of hearts, but I do believe that as you said "words are words" and using the word "assassination" was a stupid mistake and people have to take responsibility for what they say, tired or not tired, mistake or intentional. Words once spoken have consequences. Remember that Clinton commercial about the mythical 3AM phone call? I think that we need a president who won't misuse words when it counts.

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