"She's Smart!"

[SaveElmer]

From Mat Stoller at MyDD...I don't agree with the simplistic description of her as a hawk, but its nice to see that some can step back once in a while and allow themselves a little perspective!

As I've said before, Clinton is a hawk. But that does not mean that she's stupid, insecure, and nasty like George Bush. She's charismatic, warm, intelligent, and exceptionally knowledgeable. Here's a standard account of her impressive persona at a meeting.

While traveling during the past week, I visited a longtime friend who recently met Hillary Clinton. The event was private and exclusive -- only a few dozen business leaders attended, along with some spouses. Hillary spoke, took questions, then met with everyone personally.

During the Q & A session, the executives asked her some complex questions about technology, international trade, globalization, etc. My friend said her responses were in-depth and extremely intelligent. He was also impressed by the personal interest she took in everyone during the meet and greet session; she spent a few minutes speaking with each person individually, frequently asking questions that indicated she both listened to and thought about their comments.

According to my friend, a political independent who has never been particularly fond of Hillary, she was a huge hit. He went home ready to vote for her, and he sensed others in the audience felt the same way

Having a President who's really really smart is such a break from Bush that this one simple fact could override all other considerations by the base. So many people - especially young women - are blown away by her poise that they will support her. Because of the blurring of the candidates, personality could be the way that the Democratic Party is going to choose its nominee, picking an unrepenting hawk who is also an incredibly smart rock star. The challenge of her opponents is not to denigrate that personality, but to point out that voters should choose based on different ideas about the country and not different cults of personality.

After all, a serious mistake would be to assume that criticism of her principles implies criticism of her personal abilities. Because of the right-wing smear machine of the 1990s, Clinton is considered not only calculating, but she is expected to be cold, mean, and dismissive. She's not. She's really quite brilliant and comes across exceptionally well. If you don't believe that, as many of you don't, prepare to be blown away when you do see her in person. The public has low expectations for Clinton. We shouldn't. She's amazing.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/5/24/75941/3828#commenttop

[GeorgeGist]

1. Urban legends ...

die hard because they're second hand accounts.

[Tellurian]

2. It's about time Hillary is recognized as the very best we have to offer for the Presidency!

The more she meets people one on one, the media made perceptions of her (as stated above) evaporate into thin air.

[Demeter]

3. I Don't Care--I'm Not Voting For a Hawk of Either Sex n/t

[Tellurian]

4. In the climate created by the Bush administration re: the ME..

we need a candidate with the brain cells, experience and resolve to make the right decisions for us. It's just not as simple as you seem to need as a linchpin for determining our future choice for president that will benefit us in the long run.. Hillary is that person who possesses the appropriate attributes of knowledge, skill, intelligence, experience and resolve to make the right decisions for us at the appropriate time.

[MH1]

5. Actually she is "cold, mean and dismissive."

Refer to her jumping on Rove's bandwagon to smear John Kerry - for what other reason than because she cared more about her own run for President than the 2006 elections?

If that wasn't cold, mean, dismissive, caluclating and downright despicable, I don't know what is.

It astounds me that so many DUers have failed to grasp the meaning of that pathetic display - or are simply willing to ignore it because they had their own issues with Kerry.


Edit to add: I was warming up to her, cautioning others against "bashing" her, and considering her a viable option until this betrayal. This incident made her true character - lack thereof - quite apparent.

[Tellurian]

6. Have you ever written a post that didn't contain the same 2 words?

John Kerry?

When you can, let me know.

We don't need people to "warm up" to her. We need supporters to know who and what she is.. as a capable president to put us back on track. This isn't a popularity contest. It's choosing the right person for a difficult job who can get the job done. But that would take putting pettiness and grudges aside long enough to realize childishness is not a recommended prerequisite for choosing our next president.