All You Need Is Hate

[DemocratSinceBirth]

I have been thinking about writing this column for some time, but I have hesitated because of a fear that it would advance the agenda that is its target. That is the agenda of Hillary Clinton-hating.
Its existence is hardly news — it is routinely referred to by commentators on the present campaign and it has been documented in essays and books — but the details of it can still startle when you encounter them up close. In the January issue of GQ, Jason Horowitz described the world of Hillary haters, many of whom he has interviewed. Horowitz finds that the hostile characterizations of Clinton do not add up to a coherent account of her hatefulness. She is vilified for being a feminist and for not being one, for being an extreme leftist and for being a “warmongering hawk,” for being godless and for being “frighteningly fundamentalist,” for being the victim of her husband’s peccadilloes and for enabling them. “She is,” Horowitz concludes, “an empty vessel into which can pour everything they detest.” (In this she is the counterpart of George W. Bush, who serves much the same function for many liberals.)

This is not to say that there are no rational, well-considered reasons for opposing Clinton’s candidacy. You may dislike her policies (which she has not been reluctant to explain in great detail). You may not be able to get past her vote to authorize the Iraq war. You may think her personality unsuited to the tasks of inspiring and uniting the American people. You may believe that if this is truly a change election, she is not the one to bring about real change.


http://fish.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/all-you-need-is-hate/index.html?ref=opinion

[MzNov]

1. I work with mostly 30-45 yr/old white guys. They despise her.

But they can't say why. I've never figured it out.

I'm terriby disappointed that I can't vote for her, because I want more than ever to have a woman President. But she isn't Left enough for me. But I don't understand the seething hatred either. :shrug: It is just simply misogyny?

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

4. Yeah, sort of like the Jane Fonda hate that still exists.

[MzNov]

12. And Jane Fonda is a great person.

But the haters never let go and never look at the real person!

I listen to Joe Wilson and RFK Jr. rave on and on. I guess because they actually know her!

[Captain Hilts]

16. She apologized too late. Perhaps that's unfair, but that's what some folks think. nt

[liberal N proud]

5. It is the spill over from the republicon hate for her

They spend every waking moment hating her, they have since Newt made it a requirement for republicon party membership.
There is so much hate for Hillary on the right that it just can't be contained with in the republicon party and they have rubbed it off on good every day people who have not take the time to investigate for themselves, who Hillary Clinton really is.

I am still undecided who to support since John is not campaigning.

[MzNov]

14. So after all of that Repukelican hate, who endorses her?

Mann Coulter! Rush Limpballs!!

(of course, if Insane dropped out, they'd go back to hating Hillary)

[qwlauren35]

8. Ditto...

Some of the guys I work with are "anybody but Hillary", but I don't know why.

For me, it's the Iraq authorization vote... AND, I'm scared of how many people I'm running across who hate her.

But if she gets the nomination, I still plan to campaign my *ss off for her.

[MzNov]

15. I'm with you.

[Captain Hilts]

2. I was just standing outside the HRC office on Wisc. Ave. and a young fellow walking by...

called the three of us "sluts" as he walked by. Didn't even break his stride...

[Captain Hilts]

13. I have no idea how a poll got into my previous thread. Please ignore it. nt

[MzNov]

17. I for one can't wait to get the riff raff out of D.C.

The repukes have really trashed the place.

[lvx35]

3. Good read.

She is vilified for being a feminist and for not being one, for being an extreme leftist and for being a “warmongering hawk,” for being godless and for being “frighteningly fundamentalist,” for being the victim of her husband’s peccadilloes and for enabling them. “She is,” Horowitz concludes, “an empty vessel into which can pour everything they detest.”

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. Stanley Fish Is Quite The Scholar

I remember when "deconstructionism" was all the rage...

[lvx35]

10. Really? I'll have to look into him more... nt

[sandnsea]

7. They tried to run a "southern strategy"

campaign. They drag out 9/11 and Muslim booga booga to scare people into voting against Obama. They tell people he's going to leave them out of a health care plan. It goes on and on.

I was originally against Hillary because of her policies. I've come to be really against her because of her campaign of hate.

[BootinUp]

9. My Boss when on a rant about Hillary today

It was during a meeting with customers.. I sat and didn't say much. The customers joined in with a little Bill Bashing.

[BooScout]

11. I have seen this hate before......

I have seen this hate in the business world for as long as I can remember......directed at any woman who managed to advance her way up the ladder. They were accused of being a bitch, being a slut who slept her way up the ladder, etc.........and I have seen examples here on DU directed at not just Hillary but at women posters and with increasing frequency. It's been there all along........simmering just underneath the surface. Men (and women too) who lash out at strong, independenty and smart women who for some reason they feel threatened by or jealous of.

[skooooo]

18. What about those of us who just don't want her as the nominee?

Is that okay? I don't "hate" her, but I don't want to vote for her. If that makes me a hater, so sorry.

[BooScout]

19. That's fine......

Just don't belittle her or dismiss her because she is a woman.

[skooooo]

20. I haven't.

But just because she is a woman, doesn't mean her intent, rhetoric and political staging isn't up to examination or criticism. Unless you think she should be on some kind of pedestal?

That's what gets me. Hillary supporters believe she is above reproach or examination. Sorry, I disagree.