"After me, the deluge" (après moi, le déluge) -- popularly attributed to Louis XV
Look for Chris Matthews to start calling her "Louie." The Hardball host was as roiled as Robespierre today at Hillary Clinton's threat to take the Dem party down in a convention credentials fight over the seating of the Florida and Michigan delegates.
In the course of an interview with Greta Van Susteren of Fox News yesterday, Clinton made clear her intention to take things to a floor fight if necessary, and went so far as to preemptively undermine Barack Obama's legitimacy as a candidate if he doesn't go along with her proposal to seat the Florida and Michigan delegates. That set Matthews off, though it was panelist Tucker Carlson who supplied the most colorful language, describing Hillary as a "kamikaze" who is "ready to wreck the party."
View video here.
CLINTON: I don't think that the nominee of the party will be considered legitimate if we don't figure out how to count those votes for Michigan and Florida.
. . .
VAN SUSTEREN: And if [Obama] says, no, I won't do it, that leaves Michigan and Florida out. And does that leave you out?
CLINTON: No. Not at all, because we're going to make sure those votes get counted, one way or another.
VAN SUSTEREN: How?
CLINTON: Well, you know, you can always go to the convention. That's what credential fights are for. You know, let's have the Democratic Party go on record against seating the Michigan and Florida delegations three months before the general election? I don't think that will happen. I think they will be seated. So that is where we are headed if we don't get this worked out.
Matthews discussed the situation with MSNBC's Tucker Carlson and Linda Douglas of the National Journal. Excerpts:
CHRISTOPHER MATTHEWS: Hillary Clinton: is she willing to fight this all the way to the finish because she really believes she has a shot, or is this scorched earth; she's gonna make sure Barack Obama doesn't have a shot in November? How rough is she playing this?
LINDA DOUGLASS: Well, what she said, clearly, about going to the credentials committee is playing about as rough as you can play.
. . .
MATTHEWS: So the New York Daily News announces the day [after]: Barack Obama who goes into the convention ahead in elected delegates loses because something called the credentials committee has met behind closed doors and has come to the floor with the announcement: "guess what, we're giving it to the other candidate." I can imagine the newspapers of this country with the headlines.
TUCKER CARLSON: She is in full kamikaze mode. Did you see that Fox bite? She means it!
MATTHEWS: Kamikaze meaning she's willing to destroy herself or everybody?
CARLSON: She is willing to go all the way whatever it takes. We've suspected this from the beginning: she's just proved it.
. . .
CARLSON: But what do you do with someone like that, Hillary Clinton, seriously? It's like your dad's advice when your little: don't ever fight someone who will go all the way. You know, someone who will pull out a gun, someone who just doesn't care, for whom there is no logical end point. She's basically saying "I'll wreck the party, and I will" and she stares right into the camera like that. What do you do with someone like that?! How do you stop that person?!
MATTHEWS: I know that phrase but I can't repeat it. I know exactly the phrase.
I don't. Thanks in advance to the reader who can pass along the PG version.
MATTHEWS: I'm watching the polls every day, and I'm going to keep watching them. I get a sense that as we say in our business, television, we've jumped the shark. Which is at some point people say: "I think I see who the leading candidate is, I think I see who the probable winner is, I think this is over," but we'll see if we've reached that point. I'm watching the polls every day, I think we're getting close to that.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.





"After me, the deluge" (après moi, le déluge) -- popularly attributed to Louis XV















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Banzai!!
March 27, 2008 - 18:59 ET by NewsbusterbrownBanzai!!
Nbb,
March 27, 2008 - 19:11 ET by R D HelmLOL-Drat, you beat me too it.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Comin' up to High Noon!
March 27, 2008 - 19:05 ET by heldmywThe two flinty-eyed opponents are in the street, hairy-knuckled paws flexing over their six-guns...
Who's gonna flinch. Who's gonna break and run?
Who's gonna end up dead in the dust? For dead the loser will be. Dead as Mondale, dead as Kerry.
My God, the Dems are great entertainment!
Tune in tomorrow!
Hillary comes strollin'
March 27, 2008 - 20:26 ET by MidAmericaHillary comes strollin' down the streets of Denver and spots her young adversary......
"I know what you're thinkin' punk! Did She use all her dirty tricks or has she got more. I tell ya the truth in all this excitement I don't remember myself.
I have here the Clinton Machine, the most powerful political machine in the world.
Now you just have to ask yourself one question... Do I feel lucky?
Well.... do ya... punk?"
LOL!
March 28, 2008 - 03:04 ET by heldmywNow THAT'S funny!
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
March 28, 2008 - 08:14 ET by ThisnThatThe Clinton family has a lot of Godfather in them, dontcha think?
Hillary's view of this whole Presidential thing: I'm gonna "Take it to the mattresses"
How is Hillary going to win the nomination from Obama? "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."
Bill on the campaign trail: "You talk about vengeance? But I have selfish reasons. I am a superstitious man. Should some unlucky act befall my wife -- should she be strung up by her Bosnia words; should her space be invaded during a debate; or if she loses this nomination; then I am going to blame some of the people in this room, and that I do not forgive. "
Obama's Pastor, like an Uncle to him: "u spend enough time with ur family (congregation), because a man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man"
Obama's Pastor again: "Barrack, senators and presidents don't have people killed! "
Howard Dean's advice to Hillary: "Allright. You go to the restaraunt, you eat, talk for awhile and relax. You get up, go take a leak. When you come back, come out blastin'. Dont take chances. Two shots in the head apiece...don't forget. Two shots apiece in the head."
Hillary, taking a reporter's question: "Alright, this one time I'll let you ask me about my business."
And finally Hillary, explaining later how she won the nomination: "my husband made him an offer he couldnt refuse..luca brazza held a gun to his head and my husband said either your brains or your signature will be on the resignation paper...he signed it....thats my family kate ..thats not me"
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
The only way to prevent the
March 27, 2008 - 19:07 ET by SMGalbraithThe only way to prevent a disaster - the deluge - is for the "Wise Men" in the Democratic Party to go to Clinton and (somehow, someway) convince her to drop out.
The problem is that one of the "Wise Men" will have to be William Jefferson Clinton.
Love to be in the room during that conversation.
Unless the economy really tanks, I can't see McCain losing.
It'll Never Happen
March 27, 2008 - 19:37 ET by Del DolemonteThe Clintons have NEVER done anything "for the good of the Democrat Party"
The only evidence you need is that Bill could have "for the good of the Party" resigned the Presidency, which would have resulted in "incumbent President" Algore easily winning the 2000 election in his own right. Al maybe would have even won in 2004. That would pave the way for Hillary to be his successor.
In that scenario, the Democrats would have held the White house for at least 16 years, as long as FDR did.
But of course, Bill and more damningly the rest of the party had their blinders on to the future, and were only concerned with their own short term gratification. The rest is history.
Del
March 27, 2008 - 20:47 ET by doug1950Well, that is it exactly! The Clintons have never been concerned with the Democrat Party. It was and is simply the vehicle they used to pursue their own personal ambitions and egos. If an easier Party had been available they would have simply used it instead. These two do not have an honest or loyal bone in their collective bodies. Everything they do or have ever done is about them. That constant seeking of adoration and approval from underlings and admirers just to stroke their egos. I firmly believe much of the hype we've heard about them over the decades now was started by them. "Bill is a political genius, Hillary is the smartest woman in the world.........." If it meant destroying the Party then that is what they will do. Blind ambition and some kind of need to always be in charge of everything and everyone. It is a sickness. Hitler had it, Stalin had it
Hope is eternal
March 27, 2008 - 23:16 ET by ahusserThe sociopathic and psychopathic dynamic duo egos that are the Clinton's aside. It is my reverant hope that the democratic party is destroyed. It couldn't happen to a nicer bunch. A pox on all of them.
Good Point!
March 27, 2008 - 20:48 ET by BayshoremanVery good point Del. Let me tack on one other thought...if Algore had gotten the Presidentcy in that scenerio, chances are he would have never taken up the man-made Global Warming scam because "his" Administration would actually have to debate and PROVE his version of the issue instead of just doing his movie and PowerPoint presentations and refusing to answer any critical questions regarding the legitimacy of his claim.
Unbelievable
March 27, 2008 - 19:07 ET by SupermanEight years ago, Democrats were screaming about voter disenfranchisement. Now, when two states are at risk of voter disenfranchisement, including the very state in question eight years ago, Democrats are okay with it.
Exactly, the irony is just
March 27, 2008 - 19:37 ET by general companyExactly, the irony is just great. Could anyone had scripted this any better?
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest". Mark Twain
dissenfranchisemnet
March 28, 2008 - 01:12 ET by gfrrocksHitlary R Clinton was quoted as saying,several years ago, she wanted to do away with the Electoral College and depend on the popular vote?(they never counted ALL those votes!) Now it's just the opposite.....visa vie "we need to decide this primary by way of disenfranchising the will of the people that voted"? WTF?? This is typical of Dims. Let all votes count , except when it is expedient(ie: military vote in Fla. 2000). Rules, schmules my rear end. These people have no convictions, so anything, anytime, anywhere and "I miss-spoke", or "was taken out of context" is just par for the course. Congenital, pathological liars from birth...it's their nature and who they really are. Don't EVER fall for it....except maybe bal...he can't help it.
ROFL gfrrocks
March 28, 2008 - 01:15 ET by candance...except maybe bal...he can't help it.
ROFPMSL
I'm sure Bal appreciates the compliment.
candace
March 28, 2008 - 01:36 ET by gfrrocksbal can't help but be un-informed. Facts mean nothing to a lib so it IS a compliment to HIM...lol
Exactly and I can't wait
March 28, 2008 - 12:15 ET by mjgExactly and I can't wait for the backlash. There will be one.
Matthews not alone by any means
March 27, 2008 - 19:18 ET by jaywlI just flipped back and forth between CBS Evening News and ABC World Report. Amazingly, both Harry Smith and Charles Gibson were interviewing Obama. If they had only shown the back of their heads you wouldn't have been able to tell it was two separate interviews. Both anchors talked in hushed, almost reverential tones. Both reminded me of the way questions are asked in those infomercials when all know the script. Smith asked a question about Bear Sterns and when Obama failed to answer correctly, he asked a more leading question that Obama answered satisfactorily. I would say they treated him presidentially, however, it was not the tone, attitude, or level of respect shown when such anchors have interviewed the current President. I will predict it will be par for them if their favorite is elected.
I am checking NBC for their interview (just a guess that Obama will be there too) and have verified all three biggies led with the bad news from Iraq. Then NBC informed me that Obama spoke from the same podium as Lincoln today. The Angels will appear later. But NBC only had one brief question to Obamamabamba, so surprise, I thought it would be a trifecta!
Bubba, the Pantsuit and
March 27, 2008 - 19:35 ET by fitzfongBubba, the Pantsuit and their goons have always done a masterful job of projection...so that a legitimate investigation of Bubba has been effectively portrayed as an illegitimate attack on the whole country, any attack on the Pantsuit's dangerous political agenda is viewed to be an attack on all women and any innocuous question of Chelsea (on the campaign trail) is seen as an intrusive personal assault of a non-partisan little girl. The Clintons shamlessly play the victim better than anyone, and they get away with it because they don't play the victim alone...we're all victims of Ken Starr's; "aggressive" prosecution: when the Pantsuit cries, she's crying for all women, not just for her own selfish purposes; when 28-year-old Chelsea scolds another plant at a town hall meeting, she's defending all children from subversive bullies. You see, when the Clintons are victims, we're all victims. And there's nothing more comforting than being included amongst the victims...no matter how frivolous the claim to victimhood. But now all those who have been "victimized" by Ken Starr, talk radio and the entirety of white male America can finally see that the Pantsuit is no victim. She is a spoiled, smug, greedy, selfish bully who will resort to any tactic...no matter how humiliating or dishonest...to get what she wants. Those who've revelled in the victimhood the Clintons "allowed" us to share in are starting to see that this Presidential run isn't about us...it's about her. As if having her very own Super Sweet 60 wasn't good enough.
Fitz
March 27, 2008 - 19:43 ET by MrShyAnd with Obama not completely disassociating himself from the likes of Rev. Wright, he too is officially pandering to his group and playing the "we're all victims" game.
Victimhood. Emotion-driven ideals. Rejection of peronsal accountability. The wonderful pillars of Liberalism.
* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change
Speaking of the good Reverend....
March 27, 2008 - 20:11 ET by Prester John...this evening Fox had a report on Wright's new 10,000 square home that he is having built.
I guess that is what he means by rejecting "middleclassness".
Oh yes 1.6 million
March 27, 2008 - 21:03 ET by well99I think your right...lol Just a note about Hillary.She is tough.The real video of Bosnia trip has come out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHVEDq6RVXc
I agree with you. Sounds
March 28, 2008 - 12:18 ET by mjgI agree with you. Sounds like he doesn't mind the house building just as long as his congregation funds it. Then he can continue his hate spewing speeches. I also think that Obama is just trying to sweep Wright under the rug thinking that the voters are that stupid.
Matthews.
March 27, 2008 - 20:04 ET by Missouri ConservativeIs there anyone more in the tank for Obama than Matthews & Olbermann? "women and minorities hardest hit"
CLINTON: No. Not at all,
March 27, 2008 - 20:09 ET by R D HelmCLINTON: No. Not at all, because we're going to make sure those votes get counted, one way or another.
Shudder!
I hope you guys have plenty of popcorn and beer on hand in August. Looks like the dem convention is going to be the most entertaining thing on the tube.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Barnum and Bailey would be proud!
March 27, 2008 - 21:07 ET by well99It is going to be a real circus.What folks will do for the love of power.
DNC Disenfranchisement
March 27, 2008 - 21:40 ET by Intellectual HonestyEight years ago, Democrats were screaming about voter disenfranchisement. Now, when two states are at risk of voter disenfranchisement, including the very state in question eight years ago, Democrats are okay with it.
Apples and oranges.
The DNC stated that if Michigan and Florida moved up their primary dates they would lose their delegates. The DNC gave the two states thrity days to reverse course - they didn't. The candidates supported the Michigan and Florida's decision. Obama and all other candidates pulled their name from the ballot - Hillary didn't.
Now we have a situation where the race is essentially a photo finish. The DNC, in even considering a revote, has lost all moral authority. Even if the stats regarding the two states stay as they are the DNC will never have the authority to sanction misbehaving states in the future.
The solution for Florida is as simple as the forward-thinking Republicans - take away half the delegates. The DNC has already ceded their authority so they could very well still do it (I think by June 14).
Now Michigan is another story. Hillary doesn't just want the delegates but also the popular vote. The question of how to fairly distribute delegates between three candidates - Hillary and None Of The Above (on the ballot) and Obama (not on the ballot) is unanswerable. A revote under a vastly different scenario, value and frenzy would be completely unfair.
I've seen some argue that Obama never should have taken his name off the ballot. But the real question would be why did Hillary leave hers on when all the other candidates at the time removed theirs?
Bottomline: The DNC barked, the states disobeyed and the dem voters got caught by their own master's leash.
Let's Get Ready to Rumble
March 27, 2008 - 21:57 ET by CapeCodScottIf Hillary moves to a credentials fight, the scene in Denver will be more like West Side Story than Love Story.
Imagine how difficult it will be for the MSM to show delegates and
their horrible behavior all the while never mentioning their party
affiliation. “CNN Presents the 2008 ________ National Convention Live
from Denver.”
The only remaining mystery is whether Hillary is a Shark or a Jet… Well maybe that’s not so much of a mystery. DSW
www.ScottOnCapeCod.c...
Wow...the leftist in the
March 27, 2008 - 23:02 ET by bigtimerWow...the leftist in the msm have finally acknowledged live on air what Hill is really going to do, is capable of, always has been thanks to them, the monster she has had control of for the most part, that she helped create craftily during her tenure in the WH... the msm just can't seem to understand after they finally got the guts themselves to break way from her, in unison just about.... When they thought it was really really safe to back Obama, they call her out and say you are over and done...they just can't understand why she just doesn't see the light when they say it is over.... it is over... roll-over and say okay...jigs up...
I give...you win.
ROFLMAO!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
The real issue is
March 27, 2008 - 23:59 ET by mattmThe real issue is that both Dem candidates are vastly unqualified for the job they seek. One's an inexperienced neophyte of questionable patriotism, and the other is a corrupt power-hungry political insider.
That is what will destroy their Party, if anything will.
The GOP has another problem. Their candidate would actually make a really good Democratic candidate.
Yeah, but whenever I get
March 28, 2008 - 00:07 ET by fitzfongYeah, but whenever I get depressed that McLame is going to be the GOP nominee, I take comfort in the fact that that self-important creep Chuck Hagel refuses to endorse him...yet.
And...
March 28, 2008 - 00:24 ET by mattm...it also helps that good ole Hugo is against him.
Seriously. I would love to
March 28, 2008 - 02:40 ET by Cureboy675Seriously. I would love to find a Hillary supporter who could look me in the eye and tell me that they think she's trustworthy. The woman demands Florida and Michigan count because the voice of the voters is paramount. And then, in a matter of moments, she turns around and talks about having some credentials committee give her the nomination regardless of the voice of the voters. Ugh.
By the way...What kind of job title does Tucker Carlson have now? "Supervising Managing Senior Campaign Correspondent Analyst" ?? Or something like that. I think they just had to come up with something that sounded more impressive than "Job We Found For Guy Whose Show Tanked" :)
Tucker's New Title
March 28, 2008 - 02:47 ET by fitzfongSanitary Engineer.