Hillary Looks Good From 30 Feet Away

[Rob Gregory Browne]

I posted this quote on another thread, but wanted to give it its own thread because I think it's SO appropriate to what we've seen over the last two months or so. It's a quote from the late great Raymond Chandler, American mystery writer:

"From 30 feet away she looked like a lot of class. From 10 feet away she looked like something made up to be seen from 30 feet away."

I once was excited about Hillary Clinton being in this race. She was the front runner, and although I supported Kucinich, then Edwards, I thought that the prospect of a female President was something that was long overdue in this country. And the added bonus that we'd have Bill back in the White House was also exciting. So while I didn't directly support her, I certainly liked the IDEA of her.

But the closer I got to Hillary, the more I realized that Chandler had nailed it. She looks like something made up to be seen from a distance. We find out the truth about people when they're desperate. Their true colors almost always come through. What I'm seeing in Hillary Clinton just plain isn't pretty. From the refusal to release tax records, the sarcastic rhetoric at campaign rallies, the Rovian fear tactics, the praising of the Republican candidate over those in her own party, the obvious lie about sniper fire -- these things reflect the woman's soul.

I'm not by any means saying that Obama is perfect. But there is an ugliness of spirit that Clinton seems to project that Obama doesn't. I'm sure in her normal life she's a perfectly warm, wonderful human being. But this campaign is not showing it. And I think I've gotten about as close as I ever want to get.

[Diane R]

Bravo. Great post.

[MonkeyFunk]

1. And I think the ugliness of spirit

most on display is that of those who hate her for having the audacity to run against Obama.

[grantcart]

4. she ran against Obama - wow that spin on spin

I thought she was the presumptive nominee?

[redqueen]

8. That's what she thought...

and what at least a few of her most... um... 'vocal' supporters here delighted in conveying to anyone who supported a not-inevitable candidate.

[MonkeyFunk]

21. I never said that

she never said that.

The people who said it tended to be people who hated her.

[redqueen]

22. She said it wouldn't be a long battle and it'd all be over by Feb 5.

At least a few very vocal Clinton supporters here said it often before the voting started.

[Rob Gregory Browne]

7. It seems to me that Obama

ran against her, since she was the presumed nominee even before she announced.

[Bigleaf]

9. You are correct, Rob. She was awaiting her coronation but Obama had to go and spoil it.

[razorman]

17. She's been running for President for decades. Long before we ever heard of Barak Obama.

[beachmom]

42. Huh? I think you've got that backwards. 2008 was Hillary's year.

Not John Kerry nor John Edwards in '04, nor Barack Obama in 2008 was going to get in the way of what was rightly hers.

[TheDoorbellRang]

43. Yup. She's got the audacity of hopelessness

just what we've been looking for

[BOSSHOG]

2. Too Late

Great Post Rob. You don't look good from any distance.

[Rob Gregory Browne]

11. I find this an interesting thing to say - nt

[Cha]

45. Another bitter hilary

supporter. Welcome to DU, Rob. :)

[americanstranger]

3. wow, 14 posts and you're at 'Forget it already' already?

That's some kind of new record, I think.

- as

[Rob Gregory Browne]

5. Actually, that was my error

The post is back up. And still stands.

[grantcart]

13. now you see if you had been an old timer you would have said

"I got slipped up by the sniper fire" you can still go back an edit that lol

[americanstranger]

14. Won't disagree with the post, friend.

It's an interesting point.

All the Clinton supporters who have maintained that Hillary has been 'vetted' have been referring to how the 'vetting' relates to campaigning against McCain.

They never thought of how Hillary's conduct in the primaries would 'vet' her in the eyes of Dem voters, and so many of them would decide that she isn't the one we want representing our side.

She's been 'vetted' now, all right. To the point where while I may check Hillary Clinton's name on the ballot in November (if by some Lotto-winning, struck-by-lightning occurance she gets the nomination), but I'll never, ever be able to think of myself as voting for her.

Welcome to DU.

- as

[GoneOffShore]

6. Or to put it another way

"Distance lends enchantment"

[K Gardner]

10. Correct.

[Taxmyth]

12. Warts and all

We don't know where all the warts and lesions are yet with Senator Obama - his changing figures with regards to the Rezko contributions for one. When his life becomes as publicly documented as Senator Clinton's, then maybe we will have a better idea about whether he deserves the nomination. More and more is being learned about Senator Obama every day, let's just hope he doesn't end up looking uglier.

Lots of time before the convention to see which of these two candidates deserves the nomination and can win the General Election.

[Rob Gregory Browne]

16. You may be absolutely right about Obama

But he has yet to show me a truly negative side. He has always projected himself as someone with class, passion, nuance and wisdom. Even when backed into a corner and sleep deprived.

[riskpeace]

25. Was it classy

when he talked about how his grandmother was afraid of black people and that those remarks made him "cringe?" Or when he said that Senator Clinton had her claws out or "periodically" felt down and needed to lash out? Or when he said that his fearful grandmother was just a "typical white person?"

It certainly is not classy of you to comment on Senator Clinton's looks and "ugliness."

Senator Obama is the gift that keeps on giving. And the only reason the media has not pounced on him is because he does not have the nomination yet. As soon as that happens, all bets are off with the media whore's "bromance" with Senator Obama.

[Melinda]

30. The OP is using a metaphor; he is not remarking on her physical attributes

Metaphor, as a noun:

1. a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”

2. something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol.

Not everything is literal; yet it appears that some things may be too subtle.

[Rob Gregory Browne]

32. Thank you

I knew someone was bound to not understand, so thanks for getting my back.

[Melinda]

41. My pleasure, and welcome to DU.

:hi:

[riskpeace]

34. Thank you for the lesson in metaphors.

My opinion is still the same.

[Rob Gregory Browne]

31. If you don't understand

what he was saying in that speech, and how he managed to connect to most people who know exactly what it's like to have a bigoted friend or relative, and was brave enough to even address the issue in the first place, then I doubt anything I say will convince you that his entire speech was filled with class.

[riskpeace]

36. I never said I did not understand what he was trying to say.

I just thought he went about in a way that was less than "classy." That's my opinion. And "classy" was your word.

Both candidates have said stupid things.

[Tarheel_Dem]

33. I don't think he said his grandmother made him "cringe", it was some

of the stereotypes she used that made him "cringe". I think you're being deliberately misleading. But I guess that was the point of your whole post.
:-)

[riskpeace]

38. Please do not assign motives to my post,

since you are in no position to know.

You are right that I did not take enough care to state that the remarks made him "cringe" and not his grandmother. I've edited the post to make that clear. At the same time, I still think that was a very awkward moment in that speech.

As far as the intent of my post, it was to point out that both candidates have had moments that could be considered less than "classy." I also do not think that someone would have posted that "metaphor" about a male candidate. I'm tired of the sexist language and constant personalization of this campaign. I guess I should just go back to lurking rather than sharing an opinion.

I also think that both campaigns should stop assigning motives to each other.

[Tarheel_Dem]

46. i only know what you type...

and the fact that you neglected to mention that it was the "stereotypes" and not his grandmother that made him cringe. Words do matter.

;-)

[AGirl]

15. she's a politican, not a teacher or a schoo lady, and Obama is a politican too.

[Skidmore]

39. She's a politician in the same way Bush is a politician--

propped up by legacy and spouting jargon. Demanding loyalty and fealty while believing she owes none. Duplicitous ad the day is long and not worthy of trust nor her current office.

[underpants]

18. When all this started I told everyone I knew "You are going to get to know a different Hillary"

and I followed that up with what I meant by that.

I said that the Hillary that had been portrayed to us was NOT the Hillary that they were going to get to know on the campaign. She is quite remarkable in every sense. They may not vote for her but their opinion would be changed.


Turns out MY opinion was changed.

[rucky]

19. Welcome to the DU!

:toast:

[dchill]

20. "...there is an ugliness of spirit "

that Clinton seems to project that Obama doesn't."

Great line. What more do you need to decide? In my case, nothing.

[Cleita]

23. I hear ya.

Hillary has never been my first candidate, but in case she became the nominee, I was comfortable in voting for her. Now I don't think so. I've been sitting on the fence since Edwards dropped out, but Obama is my candidate now. Why? I can handle a lot of faults but lying isn't one of them. I don't expect the whole truth all the time from anyone, but I do expect it when it's a matter of honor, and running for the presidency falls in this category. Lying about ones past, and lying about one's future policies doesn't sit well with me. The neo-cons believe that getting caught in a lie is okay because the lie was out there first and accomplished whatever bonus or damage they wanted from it already before they retracted it. This is what Clinton is doing and I don't need another President going into office with another bag of neo-con tricks.

Nice post. Thank you.

[cooolandrew]

24. Clearly the wisest move from here is for HRC to concede for all concerned and the CLinton name.

[quantass]

26. Is this what you mean when within 30 feet?

[Rob Gregory Browne]

28. No, it really isn't. nt

[ecstatic]

27. K&R, What's that painting analogy? nt

[VotesForWomen]

29. O-ists see what they want to see. that's the beauty of O's candidacy. nt

[musiclawyer]

35. Careful, someone will accuse you of being sexist

LOL

[riverwalker]

37. A political "Glamour Shot"

in the 90's we girls had those "Glamour Shot" photos where all of us could look like movie stars with lighting, hazy camera lenses, tons of make up and props. It was fun, like a fantasy, a queen for a day thing.
You're absolutely right, politically Hillary is just like that. A PR project, a hard sell.

[Tatiana]

40. Outstanding post.

Welcome to DU, by the way :hi:

[Cha]

44. Brilliant Rob Gregory Browne!

I like the way you phrased that. I think that's why a lot of people supported hilary and how many are getting the ol buyer's remorse?

OTOH, the closer you get to Obama the better he looks..



http://www.barackobama.com/2002/10/02/remarks_of_illinois_state_sen.php

[otohara]

47. Hey, You Wrote Exactly How

we now feel about Hillary. It's an astonishing turnaround for her and us!

Welcome to DU

[elixir]

48. How sad that you believe her campaign has employed "rovian fear tactics". She has stated

the truth and presented clear, concise policies.

[rasputin1952]

49. My curiosity is piqued...are you an angelic faced cherub?...

Did, percahnnce, you think Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush or Laura Bush looked any better 30 or 300 feet from a camera...IMHO, the three of them all looked better when the photographer forgot to take off the lens cover...:)

[FlyingSquirrel]

50. I think the OP is speaking more about beauty of character than physical beauty

But the closer I got to Hillary, the more I realized that Chandler had nailed it. She looks like something made up to be seen from a distance. We find out the truth about people when they're desperate. Their true colors almost always come through. What I'm seeing in Hillary Clinton just plain isn't pretty. From the refusal to release tax records, the sarcastic rhetoric at campaign rallies, the Rovian fear tactics, the praising of the Republican candidate over those in her own party, the obvious lie about sniper fire -- these things reflect the woman's soul.

I'm not by any means saying that Obama is perfect. But there is an ugliness of spirit that Clinton seems to project that Obama doesn't. I'm sure in her normal life she's a perfectly warm, wonderful human being. But this campaign is not showing it. And I think I've gotten about as close as I ever want to get.

[rasputin1952]

51. No political campaign ever brought out the best in anyone...

that only comes witha a win, and that is still 50/50...:)

[FlyingSquirrel]

53. That's true.

I think the main problem is the "entitlement" sensed by many. Nobody is entitled to the nomination, much less the actual presidency, and if you feel entitled to something you can get pretty ugly when it isn't given to you.

I know that's a subjective opinion and not possible to prove, but I also know I'm not the only one saying or thinking this, and that someone else didn't just put it into my head.

[rasputin1952]

55. I agree, and even though one of my views is certainly subjective

as to this race, (I find the whole bush-Clinton-bush-Clinton scenario horrific as an American), the "entitlement" aspect is even worse when one looks at the GOP side.

360 million Americans able to run for president.....and this is what we get...:eyes:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

56. It's a metaphor, not a physical description.

[rasputin1952]

57. I understand metaphores, as well as sarcasm, hedonism,

sophmoric humor and a host of other things that seem to slip over the heads of others.

There are times when things are more than they appear to be.

[tabasco]

52. Exactly how I feel.

k&r.

[Nine]

54. a metaphor, sure. Isn't it an amazing coincidence how many "metaphors" here are double entendres...

about Hillary Clinton's looks? It becomes more and more difficult to accept that "innocent metaphor" line after a while. If I wanted to make a metaphor against Obama, I would deliberately avoid one that could have any racist interpretations. But then again I have certain progressive ideals I try to adhere to.

[Hutzpa]

58. Excellent post

:thumbsup: