Politics

Trying to discern a politician's meaning is further complicated when people are reactionary. The latest flap over Hillary Clinton is a perfect example of someone reading a heavily-laden meaning into what amounts to a tangential reference having nothing to do with the topic at hand.



In the L.A. Times article, the following--supposedly important people in Obama's campaign--have such overblown reactions to her interview that it becomes difficult to take them seriously. It makes me question their judgement and transfer that questioning to their candidate.

"My jaw just dropped -- I think she just basically shattered her hopes of being
named as vice president," said New York state Sen. Bill Perkins, one of Obama's
top backers in Clinton's home state. "To use the example of an assassination, I
think, leads one to believe that she may be talking about something unfortunate
happening to Barack Obama. Couple that with the other remarks she made recently
about winning the white vote and her husband's statements and I'd say something
is seriously amiss."

and

Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said, "Sen. Clinton's statement before the
Argus Leader editorial board was unfortunate and has no place in this
campaign."Al Gore's 2000 campaign manager, Donna Brazile, an uncommitted
superdelegate who has been complimentary to Obama, said, "I am numb."

Then, we have Keith Olbermann. Someone explain to me why anyone listens to this guy. He could whip up a ten-minute speech skewering a waitress who mistakenly brought him scrambled eggs, instead of fried.

I feel dirty just linking to him.



Take a breath, Keith.

Having watched the video with Hillary, it seems clear that her only point is that Bill Clinton and Robert Kennedy were still in the campaign in June, and didn't give up earlier in the race for the Party's nomination. Trying to portray her remarks as anything more, let alone a subliminal wish for the assaination of Obama, is simply ridiculous.

Seriously...Keith Olbermann...don't you have any other skills?