It's not a very long run. It'll be over by February 5th. -- Hillary Clinton, 'This Week,' Dec. 30, 2007.
That was Hillary less than two months ago. Here she was on this morning's Today.
MEREDITH VIEIRA: So no matter what happens in Texas and Ohio, you will go on.
HILLARY CLINTON: Well Meredith, I don't make predictions. I never have, I never will. I just get up every day and, you know, do the best I can to, you know, let people know what I have done and what I am doing and what I will do.
If it's true, as Hillary Clinton claimed during last night's debate, that Barack Obama needs Xerox to copy other's rhetoric, maybe Clinton could use another piece of 20th-century technology: Memorex.
To gauge the enormity of Clinton's misrepresentation of her predilection for prognostication, let's recall that the prediction she made to George Stephanopoulos in December wasn't just some informal forecast. It reflected the fundaments of her campaign strategy. It explains why, after a February 5th that left her far short of wrapping things up, she was left flat-footed. Figuring she'd have the nomination in hand by then, she had neither the organization nor the money to compete in subsequent states.
That partially explains why an uncompetitive Clinton campaign proceeded to get its doors blown off with a string of 10 consecutive defeats with an average losing margin of 33%.
So if anything is seared, seared in Hillary's memory, it is her prediction, and the strategy based on it, that things would be ov-ah by February 5th.
For Clinton to go on Today this morning and claim with a straight [if understandably haggard] face that "I don't make predictions. I never have, I never will," is, is -- you fill in the blank.
Since the suddenly circumspect Hillary is unwilling to make predictions, permit me to make one for her: she will lose at least Texas on March 4th and be out of the race.
Note: You can view the video of Hillary's "It'll be over by February 5" prediction in Ben Smith Politico column Hillary's Miscalculation. It comes about 7:10 in.
Update | 9:30 AM ET: 'They Realize They're Really In Trouble'
Speaking on Morning Joe just after Hillary's Today appearance, Andrea Mitchell read between the lines of Hillary's reluctance to say what she would do after March 4th:
She's no longer saying "I'm in it all the way to the convention." I think something's going on. I think they realize they are really in trouble.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.





















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
?
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 08:22 ET by seaniepthis woman really seems to feel that she is entitled to say and do whatever she wants and if you point out a mistake you are just someone who has it in for her
what would it have been like to be in one of her college courses?
djm159
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:16 ET by djm159Mrs. Clinton drones on endlessly about her "experience" and everything she did in the White House during her co-presidency, but she forgets to mention that under the Clinton Administration foreign policy we were attacked on our own shores for the first time in history with the World Trade Center attack in 1993 with absolutely no response from the Clintons. This foreign policy or lack thereof led to 9/11/01. I am sure "she simply does not recall" her co-presidency being guilty of anything which is why Sandy Berger was dispatched to steal the incriminating documents from the National Archives and destroy them. When will we see her white house papers that Bill Clinton had locked away until 2012? I forgot, they are working as fast as they can to release the documents. If you believe that one, I have a bridge I would like to talk to you about.
Xerox?
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:21 ET by docbHer final line was stolen from J. Edwards in his farewell speech.
She stole a line from GOV. Ann Richards re: hat /cattle.
Much of her comments are from bclintons stuff in '92.
She is tecnologically back in the past with the Xerox comment...Is this a leader???
Hclinton is NO HAT AND NO CATTLE.....
The Two Edged Sword
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:35 ET by CGatton"...she is entitled to say and do whatever she wants and if you point out a mistake you are just someone who has it in for her ..."
Of course she feels like this, and for exactly the same reason that Obama feels this way. Hillary knew going into the primary race she had an advantage over both the other Democrat nominees and the eventual Republican nominee. She is, after all, a woman, and any attack could be represented by her campaign as an attack on her sex, and therefore invoke sexism, and all the attendant baggage of that particular 'ism' would then play in her favor.
Any critic would be labeled a sexist, and spend the remainder of the campaign defending himself against that pejorative name, rather than discussing the valididty of the critique itself. Let's face it, Hillary has no accomplishments as a senator, other than getting elected, in large part because of her name. However, defending yourself by claiming your attacker is biased against you because of your name, has far less impact than claiming it's because of your sex.
Unfortunately for her, a funny thing happened on the way to the foru- er, nomination. She ran up against Barack Obama, a young black senator running on exactly the same senatorial experience, which is to say none. He had going for him the same thing she did - an 'ism' on which to blame all attacks about his utter lack of qualifications. Although 'sexism' and 'racism' are pretty much a toss-up when it comes to placing blame and ducking the real issues, he also had the gift of gab, coupled with the charisma of any old time huskster, despot, or con man. He also knows he is immune to criticism on his record, at least so far as he can blame the criticism on racism.
Since his presence so far over shadows her lack of presence, she has become increasingly shrill and bitter, demonstrating the only difference between the two, his charisma, even more. But, lurking in the background of both candidacies is the same enforcer...if you don't like what I am, stand for, or say, it's because you are guilty of '-ism,' and the sycophantic media, the over-aged hippies and the sheeples of the Democrat faithful dutifully bob their heads and march off to protest something, somewhere, all the while ignoring the critique - because, after all, you are an '-ist.'
V/R
Clyde
"...the aspirants to tyranny are either the...men of the state, who in democracies are demagogues,... or those who hold great offices, and have a long tenure.." - Aristotle, Politics, c350BC
Good points CG....
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 13:22 ET by connmanI would further elaborate and forgive me if I'm stating the obvious here: Sexism and Racism both directed squarely at one large demographic. So just shut-up, listen and be a good ist!
A Clinton...lying, no
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 08:25 ET by taterA Clinton...lying, no way.
In other news the sun rises in the east, the sky is blue, and water is wet.
Do you realize how much it costs to run for office? More than any honest man could afford. -Montgomery Burns
I said last night that she
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:01 ET by motherbeltI said last night that she was stupid to use that plagiarism attack. That was absolutely the worst line of the debate, and it really smelled of desperation.
Not that I care; just an observation.
The Clintons always change their story, prefaced by "I have always said...(or thought, or believed)...." and think no one will remember. (Can you say "Lexis/Nexis?)
They live in a "50 First Dates" world.
50 First Dates
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:03 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggor50 First Dates is such a "spot-on" analogy and reference, motherbelt!
Life can be a real b*tch... so why vote for one?
(Can you say "Lexis/Nexis?)
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 12:34 ET by ThisnThatMB, you don't need Lexis/Nexis to uncover past transgressions -- we have the NTY to do that for us. I'm sure they could put together a 4-man, 4-month team to discover and surface these facts for us -- because that's what investigative reporting does.
Wait! That type of investigation is only reserved for Republican candidtates. Sorry -- my bad.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
I hear Obabma is working on a new speech.
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 08:42 ET by c5thenIt's called "I have a Dream about what You can do for your Country".
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
I love this line from
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:04 ET by motherbeltI love this line from Obama:
I'm going to do things differently.....We can have great plans, but
if we don't change how the politics is working in Washington, then
neither of our plans are going to happen." (emphasis added)
Exactly WHAT is he going to change about how politics works? I'd love to hear his plan.......
His whole plan is to be amicable to our foreign enemies like
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:12 ET by Dee BunkCarter and be sweet while backstabbing Americans who have different political beliefs just like Carter. The whole Carter thing worked so well that he wants to do it again.
Almost
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 12:37 ET by ThisnThatYou're half right. He has announced he will sit down with Iran and Cuba -- no strings attached, no pre-conditions. But, the other half -- he has also announced he will bomb our allies like Pakistan.
That's what I like -- a man with deep convictions and a sense of right and wrong.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
I thought he has made his
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:12 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggorI thought he has made his "plan" very clear all throughout the entire election process.... Soundbite, soundbite, soundbite, help fainting woman at rally, soundbite, photo op, soundbite, help fainting woman at rally, soundbite....get elected! And of course, proceed to efing-up the country to suit his liking.
Life can be a real b*tch... so why vote for one?
I agree, buxomannie....this
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:55 ET by motherbeltI agree, buxomannie....this whole pile of tripe about change, and making things work, and a new kind of politics etc. just has me running for the duct tape! I don't even have the energy to put quotes around all his catchphrases any more.
Change the way politics works? HUH? What will you change, Mr. Obama? Are you going to do away with the 3 branches checks and balances system of government that we have? Because that's what causes the disagreements, Mr. O.....the tension between the branches, and the differing philosophies of the parties. Are you going to outlaw the parties?
I know onw major change...
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:18 ET by c5thenIf Obama is elected, it will be Obama's pockets getting lined by the lobbyists instead of someone elses.
I think that's the only specific that he's worked out yet.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
This will go down as one of
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:08 ET by Gat New YorkThis will go down as one of the biggest political collapses in history. Her campaign could not have been poorly managed.
It starts with the candidate who had never been challenged politically prior to this - and it showed. She has no stage presence and her oratory style of yelling is grating.
Still she had many chances to reveil Obama and did not do it the way it should have been done.
Gat,
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:00 ET by motherbeltGat, you're right...no stage presence. And unlike her husband, she has NO natural political ability. No matter what she says and does, she comes across as a lecturing professor at a podium. Everything she says is scripted and rehearsed, probably in front of a mirror.
The "change you can Xerox" line was so stilted, it bombed big-time (she actually got boo'ed). It would have had more effect if she had turned it into a joke. However, she's not good at humor either; even the writers' strike quip she did for Letterman that time, came out fake and forced, as if she had rehearsed every inflection and facial expression ahead of time.
She's a disaster as a politician, and as a candidate. But you're right...she's never had to compete and win.... everything's always been handed to her. The media made a big deal about how hard she worked during her Senate run....what a joke. That was a given from the moment they kicked Nita Lowey to the curb. Ditto her re-election campaign. She's probably furious at this little upstart for robbing her of her manifest destiny.
Campaign spending
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 12:40 ET by ThisnThatFox & Friends was reading some of her expenses today. She's gone thru $100M. One consultant made $267,000 in one month. She spent $1,600 in a Dunkin Donuts. Her staff stayed at one of the most expensive hotels in Las Vegas.
This is evidence of what she would do with our money after she raised taxes. Give it away, after spending a chunk on luxeries for her first.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
I am loving this!
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:20 ET by TeeDeeThe Clintons, the '90s political powerhouse couple, run an amazingly incompetent campaign for the WH, thinking she'd be a shoo-in for the nomination after the Feb. 5th primaries!
I wouldn't be loving this if I was a donor to her campaign after finding out where the money was spent. $ 25,000.00 for rooms at The Bellagio for a week? $ 1,500.00 for donuts? Not to mention the millions spent on worthless advisors.
"It isn't that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so" - Ronald Reagan
ha
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:26 ET by seaniepcould someone go back and look at all she has said and see how many times she said "when I am elected president"?
I just remember hearing her say that all the freakin time, as if there was no question as to her inevitable throning
Misunderstood again!
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:45 ET by BayshoremanOnce again, Hillary was misunderstood (or in Roger Clemens-ese, "misheard")...she undoubtedly was talking about the collaspe of her own campaign!
BTW, did anyone catch Obama's doublespeak on meeting with our adversaries? As President, he promises to personally meet and negotiate with our adversaries without preconditions. When asked last night in the debate if he would meet with Raul Castro without preconditions, he said yes BUT he would first insist that an agreed agenda (or as he said a "pre-agenda") be worked out that would include such things as human rights, terrorism, etc. Sooooo...Sen. Obama, is not a "pre-agenda" in fact a "condition" or do I, as conservative thinker just don't get it?
Good catch,
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:05 ET by motherbeltGood catch, BSM!!
Liberals don't have any problem with apparent contradictions like that. You have to understand "liberal-speak." He said no preconditions....just a pre-agreed-upon agenda.
See the difference??? LOL
I've said before, whenever they change their minds, they preface it by saying "I've always believed....."
That means "Pay no attention to what I said before."
See the difference???
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:29 ET by BayshoremanI'm working on it MB! I've enrolled in Liberalspeak 101 at Leftwing University but they won't let me advance until I pass the test for the "Definition of Is, Is" Chapter!!! LOL
It Doesn't Matter
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 18:18 ET by CaringwhiteguyBayshore-As far as I'm concerned the definition of what IS IS doesn't mean nearly as much as your intentions. Tell the faculty to ignore the facts and just MOVEON.
Cheer up Hillary you did win
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:02 ET by MassConservativeCheer up Hillary you did win one thing last night...
The MC most inane comment of the evening goes to Hillary Clinton for her comments on the border fence which both her and Barack voted for:
"I think when both of us voted for this, we were voting for the possibility that where it was appropriate and made sense, it would be considered," said Clinton. "But as with so much, the Bush administration has gone off the deep end, and they are unfortunately coming up with a plan that I think is counterproductive."
There is no ambiguity in the bill. It actually spells out exactly where the fence is to be built.
"[T]he Secretary of Homeland Security," the law says, "shall provide for at least 2 layers of reinforced fencing, the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors--(i) extending from 10 miles west of the Tecate, California, port of entry to 10 miles east of the Tecate, California, port of entry; (ii) extending from 10 miles west of the Calexico, California, port of entry to 5 miles east of the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry; (iii) extending from 5 miles west of the Columbus, New Mexico, port of entry to 10 miles east of El Paso, Texas; (iv) extending from 5 miles northwest of the Del Rio, Texas, port of entry to 5 miles southeast of the Eagle Pass, Texas, port of entry; and (v) extending 15 miles northwest of the Laredo, Texas, port of entry to the Brownsville, Texas, port of entry."
This from the same woman who authorized Bush to go into Iraq and then claimed she was voting for the 'possibility' of going into Iraq once more inspections failed.
The sad part of the state of affairs on the Dem side is that Republicans will not get their long overdue shot at destroying the Clinton machine in the general election. Obama gets to have all the fun.
"There are scandals that need to be addressed. Republicans address them, Democrats re-elect them." - Tom Delay
Many Texas Republicans
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:13 ET by marpelMany Texas Republicans, including myself, will be voting for Hillary in the primary. It's a last ditch effort to get her to the Dem nomination instead of Barack.
She will be much easier to beat in the general.
I think it's impossible to predict who would be easier to beat
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:20 ET by Dee BunkObama definitely hasn't been tested yet so he could crumble easier in the General. I think either candidate will be hard to beat with McCain as our front man.
I would vote for Hillary if I lived in TX because she would be the lesser of two evils as President. She is more moderate than Obama by a long shot.
My preference would be McCain, then Hillary then Obama as president but they all suck.
Dee, FWIW, I share your
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:23 ET by Mark FinkelsteinDee, FWIW, I share your analysis. Hillary is obviously the more known quanity. In the general she would surely have her base in the mid-40s and would fight for more. Obama could win big, or he could as you say crumble, with people deciding he is simply not prepared to be president in these times, or some devastating revelation about him occurring. More upside, more downside potential.
Mark - do you also agree that Hillary is more moderate?
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:46 ET by Dee BunkMark - do you also agree that Hillary is more moderate? I feel like I'm the lone voice on that and could use some support. ; )
Like I keep saying, I think it's the difference between a Carter and a Lyndon Johnson Presidency and I'd rather have Johnson. Carter and Obama make great friends and neighbors but the worst possible Presidents.
Hillary's record is slightly
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 10:51 ET by Mark FinkelsteinHillary's record is slightly more moderate than Obama's. But I believe that within her chest still beats the heart of an angry 60s radical.
By the way, if people want to see just how partisan and liberal Obama's voting record has been, I highly recommend this MSNBC article which details it beautifully.
And we have to consider
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 11:15 ET by marpelAnd we have to consider 4 more years of Bill...no one can tell me that he won't sit in on crucial meetings in the White House. This guy has no self control. He's amusing to me right now, but what would happen when he's "first husband" or "first dude", or whatever?
I'm anxious to read the article Mark has suggested.
Thanks! :o)
That is a surprisingly good article coming from MSNBC
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 11:34 ET by Dee BunkThat is a surprisingly good article coming from MSNBC. I remember most of these votes and that's one reason I think that McCain will be able to possibly do better against him.
McCain can make mincemeat out of his claim to being a moderate. And he can speak with authority on actually crossing the isle rather than giving it lip service. Especially when it comes to the filibuster of Roberts and Alito. Obama has the most radical position possible on abortion. There is no one more radical than him about it.
The only problem is that McCain needs to be a better communicator than Bush and I don't think he is. It should be a slam dunk to expose Obama's extreme left votes but McCain could screw it up.
Hillary may be just as ideologically left as Obama but she is more pragmatic and realizes that many people strongly oppose the far left and she would govern more center than him (motivated only by self preservation of course). Obama would be just like Carter - Kumbia - cowtow to every dictator and terrorist and Kumbia with everyone in the world except American Republicans. To them it's my way or the highway - no compromise. No compromise with a smile, soft voice, and cute face is still no compromise.
It was an excellent article
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 13:32 ET by marpelIt was an excellent article. I sent it around to my friends. Thanks for referring.
It's going to get interesting during the next week or so. I'm early voting tomorrow.
Nonetheless, I think we're going to see an Obama/McCain race this year.
Us Texans are hoping that McCain puts Kay Bailey Hutchinson on the ticket with him as his VP. I think he would get the conservative base back if he did. I even wrote to McCain and suggested this fine Senator.
To be honest,
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 11:10 ET by marpelTo be honest, I prefer Huckabee over McCain, and if Obama was not so dangerous, I would be happy to vote for Huck in the Texas primary. But, I think it's just a necessity to try to unseat Obama out of first place at this time.
All in all, I agree, this has not been as exciting an election for the GOP this year.
Good thinking Marpel
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 11:36 ET by Dee BunkI think I'd prefer Hucabee also but he doesn't have a chance.
And speaking of primaries,
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 12:27 ET by motherbeltAnd speaking of primaries, when are the Republicans going to get smart and CLOSE their primaries??? Even if it works both ways, I think it stinks.
A little more time...
Sat, 02/23/2008 - 09:51 ET by ThisnThat... is needed for Huck to prove, once and for all, that he simply is not, nor ever will be, Presidential material. He should have gone the way of Romney; see the writing on the wall, make an elegant and graceful exit, and put himself in position to fight another day. But this stubborness and refusal to see the obvious will be remembered, and it just shows that no way do we want him in the White House.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Dont count me as one of the
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 13:35 ET by Dan The Man 2Dont count me as one of the many and I have plenty of coworkers who will also vote Obama. I have explained in another thread why Obama is the best bet. Obama will suffer for his lack of substance and if perhaps he wins he will screw up so bad conservatives will have another chance in 2012.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Obama will be in for 8 years
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 13:49 ET by Dee BunkThe media will never ever be critical of anything he does and will excuse any problems as being Bush's fault. In fact it will probably be 8 years of him and then a min of another 4 for his V.P. not to mention all of the gained house and senate seats.
Obama will give so much money to illegals and make so many of them beholden to him and the party forever just like African Americans. They will soon be allowed to get drivers licenses and vote legally
I think your wrong Dee.
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 13:58 ET by bassndudeI think your wrong Dee. Obama will do only 4 years. With his tax policy and extreme socialist agenda and with Omama's quote,
"Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed."
With this attitude, alot of dems are going to be mad. After all, how dare he make you work and deny you the right to go back to your life and usual? Thomas Jefferson would never have stood for such an idea.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
bass - by work - he means campaigning for Democrats
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 14:06 ET by Dee Bunkbass - by work - he means campaigning for Democrats not getting a job. The media will give him a free pass on everything. I hope we never find out.
I think you're right about
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 14:23 ET by marpelI think you're right about that, Dee.
Dee. You may have a point
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 15:57 ET by bassndudeDee. You may have a point there. I would not bet aginst him trying to outlaw the Republican party.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Oh Hillary...your memory
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 12:53 ET by bigtimerOh Hillary...your memory for being the smartest woman in the world is really dimming, I do recall an interview with Katie Couric and you saying it has never entered your mind that you would not be President, it just wasn't possible.
Uh-OH, now all you have is misty eyes and a single tear that may give you a few votes...not enough to win though...
Darn it all, I was hoping we would have to go against you instead of another vacuous empty suit, espousing sweet leftist nothings for one and all that will listen and believe the govt. will take care of all of you cradle to grave... that has a following like a tent revival leader...nation-wide.
You will be required to work though....Obama has left that out lately....talk about two leftists, one worse than the other, reminded me of pure communism last night on the debate.
Plain spooky.
Speaking of plagarism,
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 22:52 ET by kevcadSpeaking of plagarism, didn't Xerox copryrite the word Xerox years ago?
Start each day with a smile, then get it over with. - W.C. Fields
kev... Lol...good point
Fri, 02/22/2008 - 22:58 ET by bigtimerkev...
Lol...good point there...