Bill Moyers on Hillary Clinton and keeping the race going at all costs

I heard this while at work today, and since Bill Moyers is such a sage of the left I just had to share it with you:

Broadcasting Legend Bill Moyers on the 2008 Elections

AMY GOODMAN: What about Hillary Clinton now staying in the race?

BILL MOYERS: She's a--you know, I admire Hillary Clinton. I know what it's--I've seen over the years how hard it is for a woman, a married woman, to gain her independence in our society, whatever her profession, and I admire the way she's tried to negotiate her own persona, her own position, her own place in our politics. But if she stays in this race, it can only be at the expense, as I said, of her reputation and of Obama, because she can only move forward by attacking him, by continuing to say he can't win in November, which is not true.

I don't have a horse in this race. I enjoy watching it, and I actually have admiration for all three of these candidates within the political system. But she's got--she just cannot win, except--remember Marlene Dietrich in that great movie where Marlene Dietrich, the actress, says, "See what the boys in the back room will have and tell them I'll have the same"? She can only win in the metaphorical back room, in the superdelegates.

And the key date is not these upcoming primaries. She'll do alright in West Virginia. She'll do alright in San Juan in Puerto Rico. He will do well in Montana, South Dakota, and probably in basically white but liberal Oregon. But this--on May 31st, the Democratic Rules Committee meets to assess how to deal with the Michigan and Florida delegates. Thirteen of the members of that thirty-person committee are Clinton supporters, eight are Obama supporters, the others are undecided. If she were to muscle her way to a decisive moment in that Rules Committee where they decide to change the rules here in the last inning, she will really be hurt.

But that's the only way, barring lightning striking him. You know, that's what she keeps hoping for every day, is that lightning will strike him, and she'll have a--some October surprise in May will happen. That's not going to happen. She can only win in a way that would leave the Democratic Party in shambles.

I am always in awe of Bill Moyers analytical prowess, and his way with words.

Moyers' warning against trying to manipulate the Democratic Rules Committee to change the rules should NOT be taken lightly. Doing so would transform Democratic momentum into a Democratic brawl. The winner of such a brawl is unlikely to defeat McPain.

Please take the time to read or watch he whole interview, its well worth it.

Display:


Re: Bill Moyers on Hillary Clinton and keeping the (2.00 / 3)

Absolutely; I agree 100%. MI/FL will be resolved, and it needs to happen organically. If Clinton tries to ram something through that prejudicially benefits her, there will be chaos, and the Clinton name will be forever tarnished, to say the least.


Serious question- Is This Snark?
by ragekage on Thu May 08, 2008 at 03:29:09 AM EST

Re: where is Obama's leadership?? chirp (none / 0)

How about getting honest on how Senator Clinton shamelessly had an about face on thinking MI and FL should be counted only when it suddenly benefited her politically?


Serious question- Is This Snark?
by ragekage on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:28:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill Moyers on Hillary Clinton and keeping the (none / 0)


UNITY!
by The Great Gatsby on Thu May 08, 2008 at 03:35:21 AM EST

Re: Bill Moyers on Hillary Clinton and keeping the (2.00 / 2)

Man it's late, and it's causing me to make comment mistakes.

But yes, exactly, what Moyers said is true.  I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to halve the delegates, but Michigan and Florida won't be allowed to fully count, regardless of who's on that committee.

Dean has made it clear:  Break the rules, pay the price.  The only people who are crusading for the noble cause of counting the votes are people desperate for a deus ex machina - and you know they wouldn't be saying a damned word if the shoe was on the other foot.


UNITY!
by The Great Gatsby on Thu May 08, 2008 at 03:38:14 AM EST

Moyers better get ready to eat some pavement? (2.00 / 1)

I wonder WHICH Hillary acolyte will show up first to throw Bill Moyes under the bus?


My mom believed in Jesus, the Pope and FDR..... Just not necessarily in that order.
by WashStateBlue on Thu May 08, 2008 at 03:47:33 AM EST

Re: Bill Moyers on Hillary Clinton and keeping the (2.00 / 2)

Ahhh yes! The Nuclear option (rubs hands in glee)


by cherrygarcia on Thu May 08, 2008 at 04:05:43 AM EST

Moyers is so in the tank for BO (1.00 / 1)

Look at his famous interview to rehabilitate Wright


by observer5 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 07:59:45 AM EST

Doubt LBJ would drop out at this point (none / 0)

Until there's a nominee, she should stay in. And MI and FL is an issue not just for Hillary, but for the DEMS in NOVEMBER. It's also a party-building issue.


by catfish1 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:14:50 AM EST

Re: Doubt LBJ would drop out at this point (none / 0)

LBJ was no Fool, he knew when to throw the towel in in 1968. That's more than you can say for Hillary.


It's time to restore balance and fairness to our economy,... It's time to stop giving tax cuts to corporations that ship jobs overseas... - Barack Obama
by Lefty Coaster on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:54:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Hillary knows when not to listen (2.00 / 1)

would she have run for senate? would she have run for president? no honey, it wouldn't be fair for you to run for president. you were already first lady and we're a democracy. no honey, your negatives are too high, you better not run.


by catfish1 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:32:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hillary knows when not to listen (none / 0)

"No honey, better stay at home with the kids let us men folk handle the important stuff."

Lol Catfish, "Where you from?"

You know the irony of all this is there is something called a "kitchen cabinet" in government. I was told this by one of it's members. Seems those political wives are very busy and very in the loop of politics. They're just out in the "kitchen cabinet" where we can't see them. Runnin' things.

I wonder if Sen. Clinton just decided that she'd rather sit out in the living room with the men folk than rather in the kitchen with the women.

About time someone did.

How long has it been since women have had the vote anyway?

LOL Catfish LOL


by 12 dogs and a blog on Thu May 08, 2008 at 02:42:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The Emperor has no clothes! (2.00 / 1)

Bill Moyers on Hillary Clinton and keeping the race going at all costs

What cost? Proving that Obama is a candidate that can not win White vote? That he does not connect with blue collar Democrats? That he can not win even his neighboring state? The so called presumptive nominee is so weak that he can not win WV or Kentucky Democratic primary?

I would like to know that the emperor has no clothes before the nomination than get explanations in November as to why we lost the 2008 race!  


You may not agree with What I say but don't forget I am a Democrat
by indydem99 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:49:52 AM EST

Trying to bend the rules would wreck the Party (2.00 / 1)

Hillary's nuclear option, would hand the White House to McPain, and that is a very costly.


It's time to restore balance and fairness to our economy,... It's time to stop giving tax cuts to corporations that ship jobs overseas... - Barack Obama
by Lefty Coaster on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:57:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The emperor has no clothes (none / 0)

He has no chance in hell that he would win Florida? that is the truth proves beyond that The emperor has no clothes

BTW you could not answer single one of my questions!

Have nice day.


You may not agree with What I say but don't forget I am a Democrat
by indydem99 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:06:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Honey (none / 0)

Your questions look rhetorical, why would anyone answer them?


accepting McLettuce is like being 9 years old and forced to eat your own cooking
by Sychotic1 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:29:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Save your corckodile tears (none / 0)

Those States will vote McCain in the Fall no matter who we nominate, and you know it.


It's time to restore balance and fairness to our economy,... It's time to stop giving tax cuts to corporations that ship jobs overseas... - Barack Obama
by Lefty Coaster on Thu May 08, 2008 at 01:34:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Save your corckodile tears (none / 0)

Just wondering leftycoaster

Are you talking about Florida and Michigan? Because after telling the Democrats in those states, "Your voice doesn't count because you live in one of those Red States to make a Republican state go more red. Honestly and you wonder why folks could be unhappy. It's not cause they're dumb and there house is up on cinderblocks. Sheesh.

Remember when Sen. Kerry said before the 2004 presidential election that he could win the presidency WITHOUT THE SOUTH.

It's not President Kerry.

Just a thought.


by 12 dogs and a blog on Thu May 08, 2008 at 02:59:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Save your corckodile tears (none / 0)

"Because after telling the Democrats in those states, "Your voice doesn't count because you live in one of those Red States to make a Republican state go more red. "

Lefty coaster,

Sorry that last post made more sense in my head than when I wrote it.

I was just trying to say. That to tell a state you won't hear the Democrats who live there because a Republican majority isn't going to vote for you doesn't seem like a good strategy  for rebuilding a Democrat majority. Seems like it will just run folks off.

This comes from someone who lived along time in a red state. People just assume alot.

Maybe that makes a bit more sense.

Kind of like assuming that all folks from the left coast are nuts.

:D (that was humor just so you'll know)


by 12 dogs and a blog on Thu May 08, 2008 at 03:14:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Show some confidence in your candidate (none / 0)

He could seat half of them now, as the original penalty dictated. He could take the lead and start to look like a real president.

This is an issue that will have fallout beyond November. It's a party-building issue.


by catfish1 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:34:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Trying to bend the rules would wreck the Party (none / 0)

Hillary's nuclear option, would hand the White House to McPain, and that is a very costly.

by Lefty Coaster

Lefty Coaster lemmie ask you something.

If I asked for your vote while I was spitting on your shoes would you vote for me?

Sorry to keep repeating myself here but true is true.

For Senator Obama to win in the general election he is going to need the vote of Sen. Clinton's supporters.

Get better results with honey than vinegar.


by 12 dogs and a blog on Thu May 08, 2008 at 02:50:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill Moyers on Hillary Clinton (none / 0)

I have yet to hear Moyers say anything that wasn't inteligent, thoughtful & honest. He's one of the best hopes this country has.

What, EXACTLY, did you hear him say about Wright that caused your respect for him to drop. Was it something in specific, or just a general feeling you had?


McCainuire, The Wrath Of Not Enough Naps.
by catilinus on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:48:32 AM EST


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