"Bill Clinton: caution, slippery when wet." -- George H.W. Bush, 1992 RNC convention.
"The Clintons have a reputation of being slippery and hard to pin down. Last night Clinton underscored that on the issue of whether illegal immigrants should have drivers licenses." -- David Shuster, "Hardball," 10-31-07
Was that really David Shuster? Or could Shuster, like opera singer Enrico Pallazzo in "Naked Gun," have been tied up in a dressing room as a Halloween impostor echoed George H.W.'s 1992 characterization of the Clintons? Be that as it may, on this afternoon's "Hardball" someone looking like the normally Dem-friendly Shuster did indeed accuse Hillary of underscoring her slippery reputation with her drivers-license debate dodge.
View video here.
Chris Matthews kept the drumbeat going, opening the "Hardball" panel discussion by tossing this chunk of red meat to Pat Buchanan.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: What do you make of Hillary's proposal that we hand out drivers licenses to people as they pass under the fence at the Mexican border?
Pat was only too happy to devour the tasty morsel.
PAT BUCHANAN: I think the drivers license and her re-endorsement of the amnesty bill, Chris, that is something that is long-lasting because that is the one domestic issue, it is powerful, it is emotional, it has reach among working Americans, Democrats, independents as well as Republicans. That's one issue that could turn a presidential election. I think that's the one issue rather than the [presidential papers] that could really hurt Hillary in the general election.
A bit later, speaking with the Politico's Roger Simon, Matthews hit Hillary on the PC euphemism she employed in discussing the drivers license issue.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Roger, it seems to me that she uses this phrase, "undocumented workers," rather than "illegal immigrants." It's obviously pandering; it doesn't tell you anything. "Undocumented worker" could mean anything. She doesn't use the language of reality. These people are in the country illegally.
What's going on here? Could this truly be some kind of watershed moment in the Dem primary campaign, as Matthews suggested at the top of the show? Or is it just the MSM trying to inject some drama -- attracting viewers along the way -- into what otherwise might be a Hillary cakewalk to the nomination?
Update | 8:00 PM -- Obama agrees with Hillary: One person who won't be in a position to exploit Hillary's gaffe is Barack Obama. He agrees with her position on doling out drivers licenses to illegals. Chief Obama advisor David Axelrod appeared later on Hardball.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Does Senator Obama support giving drivers licenses to people in the country illegally?
DAVID AXELROD: He answered that question last night, Chris. He said that he did support that as a public safety measure.
Question to NB readers: which Republican is in the best position to differentiate himself from Hillary on this issue?
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Matthews has made clear that
October 31, 2007 - 17:19 ET by KevroyMatthews has made clear that he supports Obama for the nomination. Hillary is fair game to him now. The Clintons must have snubbed him by forgetting to invite him to some social(ist) function or something...
For the next year, anytime somebody asks a tough question of Hill, she is going to give the tired response, "this is a gotcha question", "these are partisan attacks", "right wing attack machine", "swiftboating".....we are going to hear it all.
Folks, I wouldn't break
October 31, 2007 - 17:28 ET by Dave RFolks,
I wouldn't break out the bubbly just yet. Hillary's sub-standard showing in last night's "debate" won't matter one whit to the people who will vote to put her in the WH.
Be afraid. No, be scared witless.
A coup is in the Brew
October 31, 2007 - 17:33 ET by Lame CherryI have been predicting that coup against Hillary is in the brew. Her high poll ratings are a huge problem for the Gore people........who happen to number everyone at the DNC debate last night except Hillary.
Things in liberal land just do not "happen". As Rush Limbaugh points out in the mimic stories which come out, there is indeed a committe ring leader and the starting gun was fired last night for the "weakening of Hillary".
The cartel does not want Hillary, plain and simple. They might have poured the oil on Bill and kept his butt in the Oval Sex Office, but not even Hillary's blackmail and her ties to the CIA can not make up for her not having the right bloodline.
What is about to happen is going to be quite delightful in watching Hillary be slowly dismantled. This "drama" will dominate the news until Al Gore arises from the crypt to take the nomination in the final scene of Richard III.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
I am watching the show
October 31, 2007 - 17:35 ET by bigtimerI am watching the show right now and am amazed, this coming from Shuster has made my jaw drop just about...although I do take exception with Richard Wolf when he said the illegal immigration issue isn't such an issue, the way she dodged was. (I am paraphrasing here) ....
Newsflash Richard......illegal immigration is a huge issue with the voters of all stripes.
I listened to Hardball too...Obama is who Chris has been for as I stated yesterday somewhere, but I have been surprised with msnbc today...
Then again, we have Ubermann coming up...
I didn't see how the war room could spin Hillary and all her outright dodging with the lies she tells with such ease to-boot.
I saw where she got a pair of boxing gloves from a big union group who is endorsing her, I know who it is but don't know the acronyms...nevertheless Hillary...please go knock yourself out!
Like you did last night!
I think it's many of the
October 31, 2007 - 17:40 ET by Chris NormanI think it's many of the old line liberals, like Matthews, more overtly showing their hostility towards the Clintons. As I understand it, there was always some resentment towards them, waltzing in and taking over the Dem party, lock, stock, and barrel.
Left on Left
October 31, 2007 - 17:48 ET by redinbluestateThe left usually goes to great lengths do defend themselves, but all of a sudden they go against their own, but seem to change their own views. It's great!!!! I hope they continue this and I hope Hillary can survive the primary. It will be a lot easier to win when Senator Clinton's opponent can use the statements of the committed left and use her evasiveness in answering questions. I think her focus groups failed her this time. I hope Hillary continues to flop like a fish when confronted. The Republican nominee will have a plethora of ammunition to use to debate her.
Interesting, pro-illegal
October 31, 2007 - 18:04 ET by ckc1227Interesting, pro-illegal dems attacking Hillary for her pro-illegal stance.
I think the so called MSM
October 31, 2007 - 18:47 ET by RW_the originalI think the so called MSM realizes that if she gets a complete pass she won't be ready for the general election so they've taken it on themselves to toughen her up.
Isn't it obvious?
October 31, 2007 - 18:57 ET by c5thenMatthews is an "Obama guy". He even wrote a speech for him and read it on his own show. Matthews has decided that he will now start attacking Hillary to see if he can't get her poll numbers down or Obama's up.
Starting right now, it's all about the election.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Fred08.com
Obama's Best
November 1, 2007 - 10:02 ET by JimboMathews has more than his fair share of shortcomings, but he is politically savvy. He knows Hillary can’t be elected and that Obama represents the DNC’s best chance (although small) for victory in the general election.
Leon says "By the way, I'm not afraid of fat people, I'm repulsed"
Truth Monger Says - "Both are religions [Christianity & Islam], yes - with the same percentage of terrorists."
Shrillary...
October 31, 2007 - 19:24 ET by VT Con ManWith her incredibly bad performance last night, even the likes of shuster had to criticize her.
However, you can bet the main event, Rep vs Dem, will have all these MSM idiots lined up at the door of the liberal Dem candidate like slap happy, hungry puppies.
Just listening to a clip
October 31, 2007 - 21:40 ET by ckc1227Just listening to a clip from the debate, and in one part, Hillary stated that Bush had failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Now, when is someone going to ask her if her husband failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform? Oh, wait, you have to try to do something before you can fail at it. Never mind, Hill, you're safe on that question.
What's a Democrat to do..when they realize she's unelectable ?
November 1, 2007 - 09:56 ET by JayTeeAs the Dems watch the Debates, and see hillary playing dodgeball....what happens when even the Dummies in MSM realize she is fast becoming un-electable due to her lack of substance, no experience, and she's an Empty Resume with millions of $$$'s.
Visions of McGovern are starting to fill their heads, and then we have the live Debate that is defining nothing.....no substantive answers, coming down on the wrong side of Immigration in her home state.......If Hillary can't carry NY, the Democrats don't need here......just like Al Gore could not carry Tenn., his home state.
It's becoming obvious to the most casual Observer, Hillary can't show you where she stands...she's playing dodgeball and won't leave the floor when she's hit.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
They've always known it
November 1, 2007 - 10:00 ET by JimboI’ve been saying this for months and I am starting to feel like a broken record. The DNC have known all along she is unelectable in a general election, but the Clinton machine is just too big and strong to be told that they can’t have the nomination. The DNC is truly between Iraq and a hard place!
Leon says "By the way, I'm not afraid of fat people, I'm repulsed"
Truth Monger Says - "Both are religions [Christianity & Islam], yes - with the same percentage of terrorists."
Jimbo...DNC knowing it, and then Hillary showing it..
November 1, 2007 - 10:30 ET by JayTeeThe DNC knowing Hillary is Un-Electable, is sorta future gazing...but Hillary Showing it, live, in color, brings the future to the forefront.
Obama isn't much better, with his Flag pin Gaffs and his "Equivalent" experience to Hillary, which is nothing, he's the Christmas future hope.
DNC had their candidates break too Early, and as the Iraq War gets better and better, the Dems have the Wrong candidates on the wrong side of Victory, with Democratic Congress standing 4 deep in back of the losing Ticket, It's shaping up to be a blood bath.
Don't stand against the US Military and what it is trying to accomplish, because an Abrams Tank is gonna run right over your dumass Democratic losing butt, and everyone on board the Tank will be wearing a Flag Pin reciting "in Bush we Trusted".
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
I agree, but...
November 1, 2007 - 10:43 ET by Jimbo"Don't stand against the US Military and what it is trying to accomplish, because an Abrams Tank is gonna run right over your dumass Democratic losing butt, and everyone on board the Tank will be wearing a Flag Pin reciting "in Bush we Trusted"."
I agree, but the MSM won't cover it!!
Leon says "By the way, I'm not afraid of fat people, I'm repulsed"
Truth Monger Says - "Both are religions [Christianity & Islam], yes - with the same percentage of terrorists."
IF there is Victory in Iraq..
November 1, 2007 - 11:20 ET by JayTeeYou're right, the MSM will not cover it....Initially...but as the word gets out via the WWW and Military returning home to families and whatever other ways and means, the MSM will jump on the bandwagon.
Sometimes we equate too much power to the MSM....they are becoming a shadow of their former selves. Desperation antics are on the upswing, and like "Betray Us" backfired..... and like the newly Elected Republican Governor in Louisiana....It's a "view" of the Future.
The MSM Agenda didn't work in Hurricane Katrina, the Move ON add backfired, the Gov. of NY is on the wrong end of the 72% of New Yorkers who don't want Illegals running around with Drivers Licenses.
The MSM is "Dancing with the Stars" around these issues, and they can't hide the coming Victory in Iraq.....they still want to be the "First" to break the news, and if the WWW breaks it before the MSM, then the MSM will be doing Kindegarten show and tell with how meaningless the MSM has become as a source of current news....Especially Good news.
Even in California, the Talking head reporting on the Fires did not stand in front of a perfectly good house.....they had to stand in front of a burned out shell of a house.
The MSM has a "profile" that is obvious, they ain't foolin no one, and Hillary isn't fooling the MSM anymore.
There's Panic on the Networks, nobody wants to stick their finger in Hillary's leaky Dam.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE