The girl who 'dared' Hillary Clinton to compete

[BooScout]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35257086

The girl who 'dared' Hillary Clinton to compete

<snip>

On a recent episode of Hardball on MSNBC, host Chris Matthews asked Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton about her decision to make the leap from First Lady to politician, entering the 2000 race for New York state senator.
Clinton replied that at first, she was unsure about running.
"I'll tell you what changed my mind," she told Matthews.

In the winter of 1999, when she was still the First Lady, Clinton appeared at a New York City high school to help promote Dare to Compete, a documentary about women sports stars. She was introduced to the audience - which included the stars of the film, tennis legend Billie Jean King and gymnast Dominique Dawes - by a tall high school senior.
"I think she was like the volleyball or basketball captain. I came up and shook her hand," Clinton recalled. "She leaned over to me and she said, 'Dare to compete, Mrs Clinton, dare to compete.' And I thought, 'Wow.'"

[Kentonio]

1. With the utmost respect..

[Cary]

6. Explain yourself

I don't get your "respectful" humor.

[Kentonio]

7. Oh come on really

You honestly believe Hillary Clinton only became a politician because a schoolkid 'Dared her to compete'? Seriously? It's like a bad TV Xmas movie.

[Cary]

8. If you mean I don't buy into "conservative" Clinton smears and lies then yes.

[Kentonio]

10. How exactly is that a conservative smear or lie?

Do you really believe the only reason Hillary Clinton entered politics was because a young girl dared her to?

[Cary]

14. Who said it was "the only reason?"

It is exactly a thinly-veiled "conservative" smear and lie when you extrapolate like that.

[Kentonio]

16. No, it's the mockery that any political leader deserves when they serve up nonsense like that.

[BooScout]

17. Heaven forbid that women should inspire one another...

...and then have the nerve to *gasp* talk about it and inspire other women.

[Cary]

20. You heard the man, it's Hillary Clinton's own fault that he abuses her

But he's "respectfully" gaslighting. That makes a difference.

Oy.

[Kentonio]

40. A lawyer who had just spent 8 years in the White House

Who had redefined the meaning of the role of first lady, and pushed forward national issues. But she wasn't sure she was going to be one of those darn politicians until a high school girl dared her to.

Yeah right.

Nice of you to try and make it a sexism issue though, much appreciated.

[Cary]

44. You're trying to have it both ways Kentonio

You want to trash talk Hillary Clinton but you want to be seen as reasonable.

[Kentonio]

46. I'm not trash talking her. This kind of thing is pretty standard fare for any politician.

I just expected politics wonks like us to be a bit less credulous about it.

[Cary]

56. Fine, but then you overstated the significance so you could mock her.

[Kentonio]

59. Quite possible. Mocking politicians is a hobby.

[treestar]

71. well she had not run before

for any office. So it's possible she did not think of it until then and this student was one person who got her thinking along those lines.

[Cary]

18. I see.

And you're the judge, jury and executioner. And if I don't agree with you I'm stupid.

Got it.

[Kentonio]

39. Sure, that's exactly what I didn't say.

[Cary]

42. So now you're going to do the righteous indignation routine

Got it.

[Kentonio]

45. I'm not indignant about it.

I just find it humorous that people are buying into what is very clearly a piece of media spin.

[Cary]

55. Right. And you have no room or tolerance for any other opinion

Sounds like righteous indignation to me but I can see how you wouldn't want to own that.

[MADem]

29. Did she say that? "Only became...because?" Or are you making that up?

People can have more than one influencer when it comes to making a decision. That was clearly one of many. Everyone knew she was thinking about a career in politics, and no doubt many people were giving her their two cents at this time frame--to hear even a young kid say "Go for it"--and in such a female-centric fashion, given that the focus was on young women of achievement -- had to resonate.

Not sure why you're all into the over this. It really doesn't acquit you well.

[Cary]

47. He doesn't understand.

[MADem]

49. Oh, he might. And he might not want to acknowledge it. Who knows, really? nt

[Cary]

53. I'm willing to say that he doesn't understand

He expects us to swallow his opinion whole. That's where he is not really respectful.

[LittleBlue]

63. It's like a corny direct-to-video movie

I didn't want to run, but she just inspired me and stuff

[LexVegas]

2. Diminishment of women in 3...2...too late. nt

[mcar]

3. Hard to be negative about this article

...

[BooScout]

4. And yet someone already has...

[MeNMyVolt]

11. Right out of the gate.

Starting to dislike this place.

Oh yeah, K&R.

[MADem]

30. Apparently not!

At least we know 'em when we see 'em, now.

[Orsino]

73. It's a good narrative.

Sounds like bullshit, but it may have happened...and maybe, just maybe it did constitute an epiphany.

No hate here. It's the sort of thing I would like to believe would inspire a candidate.

[stonecutter357]

5. K&R!

[oasis]

9. Hillary has the ability to inspire and, in return, receive inspiration from

an unlikely source. This is a remarkable character trait and a dividend when it comes to leadership.

[daybranch]

12. More sniper fire she endured as secretary of state

or that missing marine recruiter in Arkansas. Hillary hopes to keep creating feel good urban legends and who gives a whit anyway.

[tkmorris]

13. Of all the things that never happened

This is the neverest.

[BooScout]

19. And yet.....it's been confirmed by the woman who said it...

...when she was a young woman all those years ago. I know it's hard to believe that we women inspire one another. Shame on us for doing so and then admitting it.

[tkmorris]

21. Yes, because I refuse to buy this ridiculous story

I am CLEARLY shaming women everywhere for daring to be inspired.

Do you hear yourself? At all?

[BooScout]

24. Do you? At all?

[artislife]

26. I don't think she does hear you.

You aren't inspiring enough...lol!

Try wearing a pantsuit, might help...who knows?!

[MADem]

35. Oh wow--a pantsuit joke!

artislife
26. I don't think she does hear you.
View profile
You aren't inspiring enough...lol!

Try wearing a pantsuit, might help...who knows?!

So much CLASS on the DU, lately....

[BooScout]

36. When you have nothing to contribute....

Attack the pantsuit and a person's appearance. Nice.

[artislife]

37. Your OPs are a laugh a minute...feel the bern! nt

[MADem]

50. I don't think you hear YOURSELF. Step back--and see how petty you are being.

You're unable to explain what is "ridiculous" and you don't acknowledge that the source of inspiration, who helped Clinton assuage some of the doubts she was having, has verified her part in the story.

What bitterness! It's just mind boggling, that you could even carp about this.

[tkmorris]

57. Sure I do

Oh and by the way, where do you get that I am "unable" to explain why this is ridiculous? Have you seen me try? Did you ask me to? Or are you just making stuff up?

The truth is that most folks are unlikely to put much effort into explaining anything regarding Clinton to you. You (and quite a few others) come across as being people who cannot be reasoned with due to being utterly blinded by Fanboisism. It's like trying to have a rational conversation with a sports team fanatic. It can't be done.

As for the story in the OP, did it happen? Probably, though almost certainly not quite the way it reads there. Did it have any bearing whatsoever on Clinton entering politics? NO. The very idea is absurd, and believing otherwise does not flatter Ms. Clinton at all. To think that such an innocuous event had any effect on her decision to run for the Senate casts her in a fairly poor light from a pragmatic standpoint. I know, we are supposed to be INSPIRED, but the real world doesn't work like this. This isn't an after school special from your childhood, this is the real world. The story in the OP is a sales pitch to those who are naive enough to believe it and whose world view is adolescent enough to think it would be a good thing if it did.

I don't want a president who got into politics because a teenager she'd never met before whispered a completely meaningless slogan into her ear. Frankly I find such an idea slightly terrifying.

[MADem]

61. You certainly missed that opportunity when you were throwing shade upthread.

I think, with regard to your second paragraph, you'd do well to look in the mirror and ascribe that lecture to yourself.

Love the way you pretend to be able to mind-read, though. You have no idea what the "tipping point" moment was for HRC, yet you insist that you do. Why do that? Why pretend your insight is greater than anyone else's? What's "absurd" is, given that you are a Bernie "fanboi" (that's YOUR term, that you brought to the party first), that you would expect me or anyone to take anything you say that is negative about HRC seriously. You have an agenda, and you're working it.

And who are YOU to tell anyone how "the real world" works? Pffft! We'll see how the real world works come Super Tuesday, I'm sure.

[BlueMTexpat]

54. You certainly shame yourself.

The woman in question has not only confirmed the story but also has made an impressive career for herself since then.

You'll likely also find something to sneer & snark about that too.

[Goblinmonger]

22. I don't think anyone is doubting the girl actually said it.

What is pretty unbelievable is that up to that point, Clinton never thought about running for President.

[Punkingal]

23. +1

[artislife]

27. +10

[MADem]

31. Where, pray tell, is that claim made? Or did you make that up? nt

[Goblinmonger]

48. Did you read the article?

I'd start with this as exhibit A:

"Her comment caught me off guard, so much so that I left the event and began to think: Could I be afraid to do something I had urged countless other women to do?" Clinton wrote. "Maybe I should 'dare to compete.'"

[MADem]

51. What do you think you are "proving" with that entirely inspiring quote?

I think you've got tunnel vision.

[Goblinmonger]

52. I think you are a sucker for PR.

Or you are wearing blinders. This article is just more political drivel.

As to what I'm proving, that this somehow "inspirational" meeting with this young girl was the reason that Clinton decided to run for President--little girl inspiring grown woman to reach for the stars. It's the equivalent of politicians kissing babies, for fuck sake. And you and others are just gobbling it up.

Oh, look, Bernie Sanders likes little kids, too. Are you going to vote for him now?

How about we actually pretend that voting for president should be based on the issues and not which person makes you feel the warmest in your down below parts?

[LiberalAndProud]

64. "I'll tell you what changed my mind"

I can think of several scenarios in which the episode was recalled to mind complete with living witness, and an apocryphal tale was born.

I think it's lovely that so many of you dote on Ms. Clinton. She has a c.v. well worth the respect and even, possibly, adulation. I would hope there are those among you who would recognize this anecdote as the pablum it is.

[MADem]

66. More than one thing can change a person's mind.

I think the picking and carping I've seen in this thread is terribly petty.

It doesn't speak well for the community.

[anigbrowl]

68. I am very impressed with your defeat of that straw man

Love how you reframed Clinton's 'unsure' feelings about becoming a candidate with 'never thought about running'.

[Mother Of Four]

70. (applause)

[treestar]

72. Senator, not President

at that time.

[hootinholler]

15. And her campaigns have been run by teenagers ever since!

What a great formula to win an election.

Bravo Madame Secretary, Bra-VO!

[oasis]

25. We have our share of teenagers who post on DU.

[BooScout]

32. +1

[MADem]

33. You got that right! Not even voting age, I suspect! nt

[hootinholler]

38. Yepper we sure do

I especially appreciate the mean girls club.

[oasis]

41. Of that there is no doubt. (eom)

[Spazito]

28. I watched that interview, it was great...

When Hillary related that story re "Dare to Compete" it showed another side of her, one I was unaware of, her hesitancy to enter the Senatorial race at first.

[Katashi_itto]

34. I can't wait for Kirk Cameron to direct the made for Lifetime Movie of this.

With Arnold Schwarzenegger as Bill Clinton and Angelina Joile in the starring role.

Should be truly inspiring.

[AlbertCat]

43. And I thought, 'Wow.'

I thought "wow" too.

Wow...what an insipid fable!

Then I thought "Who!"

Who falls for these lame PR performance?


Too bad she wasn't inspired to run because she wanted to do the best for the country.... instead of just a challenge to compete.... from a high school jock....

[Gothmog]

58. Thanks for posting

[Sheepshank]

60. The entire interview was awesome. My personal "heart tug"

...was regarding her speaking on women's issues.

Only someone who has walked a mile in those shoes could speak on that topic the way she did. Only someone who has actually participated in promoting and making a difference (rather than simply voting), carries the creds to inspire this voter.

[Beacool]

62. Lovely article.

Of course the classless squad has already shown up to crap all over it. I wonder if they think these kind of attacks will help their candidate?

[Enrique]

65. who died

and made her Ben Carson?

[oasis]

69. Who died

and made you Jay Leno?

[Motown_Johnny]

67. And she ran with her head down from the snipers...

and she once wagged her finger at someone on Wall Street....

and she (and Obama) "crashed" a meeting the Chinese were having...

and she wants a 4% tax on income above 5 million a year...


Most of us are not buying any of this crap.