The anonymous e-mails and letters began dropping into inboxes and through
front doors this summer.
One claimed that Hillary Clinton was having a lesbian affair with Huma Abedin,
her beautiful aide. Another online mass-mailing cautioned of the “dark
secrets” of Mitt Romney’s Mormonism. A blogger claiming to support John
McCain said that Rudy Giuliani's wife supported the killing of “innocent
puppies”. Flyers appeared on cars accusing Barack Obama of being a Muslim
extremist. An anonymous website said that Fred Thompson was a corrupt
playboy.
Welcome to South Carolina, the foulest swamp of electoral dirty tricks in
America. This state’s primary race has already become the sleaziest leg of
the 2008 presidential campaign.
Here, political operatives know only one way to win: take your opponent’s head
off. The Palmetto State’s primary follows hard on the heels of Iowa and New
Hampshire and is the candidates’ first foray into the Deep South. For
Republicans, in particular, it is crucial: since South Carolina gained its
first-in-the-South status in 1980, no Republican has received the party
nomination without winning the state.
“South Carolina is a do-or-die state again,” said Rod Shealy, a veteran
Republican consultant, over a meal of fried pork and beans in his favourite
diner, the Lizard’s Thicket. “The attacks are already coming on a daily
basis. And with the anonymity of the internet, we’re going to see new lows
in dirty politics that would have been unimaginable recently.”
Mr Shealy knows a thing or two about dirty politics. In 1990, when running his
sister’s campaign for lieutenant governor, he paid an unemployed black
fisherman facing felony charges to run for Congress to increase white voter
turnout. He was convicted of breaking campaign laws.
Mr Shealy is among a small band of political consultants who wield enormous
influence in South Carolina. They are bitter rivals and all learnt their
trade from Lee Atwater, a South Carolina native and the first President
Bush’s notorious and venal attack dog. Dirty politics ran in his blood. He
once explained that the way to win a campaign lay in “strippin’ the bark off
an opponent”.
The most grizzled political veterans until recently believed that the apogee
of their state’s slash-and-burn mentality was reached in 2000, when John
McCain’s presidential ambitions were emasculated by operatives working for
Mr Bush.
After losing badly to Mr McCain in New Hampshire, the Bush team knew – as one
operative says – that they had to “chop him up” in South Carolina. Flyers
appeared saying that Mr McCain had fathered an illegitimate child with a
black woman (he and his wife have an adopted Bangladeshi girl). A whispering
campaign was started claiming that his five years as a Vietnamese prisoner
of war had made him mentally unstable. His wife was a drug addict, people
were told in anonymous telephone calls. Mr Bush and his former chief
strategist, Karl Rove – another Atwater protégé – always denied any
involvement. But Mr McCain’s campaign never recovered.
The brutality of South Carolina’s Republican primaries has until now involved
the state’s hatchet men putting the party’s establishment candidate – Mr
Bush in 2000 – back on track after upsets in Iowa or New Hampshire. What is
different this year is that at least four Republican candidates – Mr McCain,
Mr Romney, Mr Giuliani and Mr Thompson – are all heading to South Carolina
with a realistic chance of winning the state. That means that the
traditional two-man showdown will be replaced by a multi-candidate massacre
among a group of men ripe for attack.
“The question this year is not whether the race will be dirtier than 2000,”
said Will Folks, the former spokesman for Mark Sanford, the Republican
Governor of the state. “The question is, when will it cross that threshold?”
The man who masterminded the destruction of Mr McCain in 2000 is Warren
Tompkins, known by some operatives in South Carolina as the “God of Hell”.
He has been hired this year by Mr Romney. He has already had to answer
questions about his tactics.
The anonymous anti-Fred Thompson website PhoneyFred.org
was traced to his consulting company.
He claimed that it was the act of an errant employee acting independently. Mr
McCain has hired Richard Quinn, another of the state’s top consultants. Mr
Folks says that the Tompkins and Quinn camps are using two websites, The
Shot and The Palmetto Scoop respectively, which masquerade as objective
blogs but in reality peddle daily dirt on opponents.
“ A picture of Mr Giuliani wearing drag at an event when he was New York’s
mayor has appeared frequently. The day after scurrilous anonymous phone
calls were made to New Hampshire voters about Mr Romney’s Mormonism this
week, The Palmetto Scoop claimed that it was a ruse by the Romney campaign
“to drum up sympathy for the candidate.” Mr Romney will need all of Mr
Tompkins’s hardknuckle guile in a state where many social conservatives view
Mormonism as a cult. The night before a Republican debate in May several
conservative activists received an anonymous, eight-page letter entitled
Mormons in Contemporary American Society: A Politically Dangerous Religion?
Nobody is sure who is behind the attacks on Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama, but the
claims of lesbianism and Islamic extremism have found fertile ground on
right-wing websites. Mr Obama, a Christian, was forced to deny the rumours
at a campaign event on November 9.
Lee Bandy, who has written about South Carolina politics for 40 years, says of
the Republican campaign: “The race is so close this year there is no telling
what these guys will do to win. And a guy like Rudy Giuliani is a prime
target.”
Right, Stabe of Bethlehem, PA and Joanne of New York, NY. You really think that Hilary Clinton is a Marxist? Do you people even know what Marxism is? Clinton is so far to the right of Marxism - indeed in almost every respect, she is much closer to the policies of the Republicans than she is to anything that might genuinely be recogized as Marxism or even socialism. Once more, a lack of real political debate stemming from a lack of understanding of politics, or perhaps more likely a deliberate unwillingness to try to understand what the real issues are, instead hiding behind misguided polemics to make cheap points.
And I think that I am entitled to my views - as is everyone else on this string - whether or not I am a LEGAL US citizen (and whether or not I DECIDE to use capital letters in the middle of sentences for no apparent reason).
Daniel S, Austin, Tx
If it is really true that Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin are having an affair then the Democratic party had better find themselves another candidate pretty damn quick because there is no way on God's earth that she will be able to win the next presidential election.
Simon R. Gladdish, Swansea , Wales
It's sad that politics can't be free of this kind of thing, but it seems if one party is using the tactics the other has to follow suit or lose big.
The Democrats and their stooge press painted Bush Sr. as a whimp, Reagan as too old, etc.
I came from a family that were Democrats, and I would probably still be a democrat if they hadn't become the party of special interests. They don't represent core values. Want big government , rampant social programs, higher taxes, weak military, etc.
If they could field a candidate that wasn't their typical fare maybe he or even she could win.
Robert, Saratoga Springs, Utah, USA
@ jem - Ron Paul's supporters are almost entirely young white males, many of them programmers in the tech meccas (SF Bay Area, Austin TX, Seattle, Boulder CO etc), for whom the hodgepodge pseudo-ideology called libertarianism basically means hostility to 1) the Iraq War, 2) Microsoft, and 3) the Recording Industry. These types conveninently ignore "Dr." Ron's crackpot economics (the Gold Standard!) and his rather embarrassing desire to inject state authority into the most private decision a woman will ever make. Small wonder he has next to zero female supporters.
More broadly Paul's isolationism represents a continuation of what Richard Hofstadter called the "paranoid style" in US politics: the America First foreign policy of xenophobic (and often racist) midwesterners like Lindbergh and Fr. Coughlin, who believed we were on the wrong side in WWII, and the gun-obsessed, UN-hater survivalist types in the mountain states and rural areas.
Not quite friends of the Special Alliance.
thibaud, san jose, ca
What does this article have to do with Clinton?
Jon Rees, Bristol, UK
I think it would be very interesting to see the USA's first female president. She cannot be any worse than that war mongering, narrowminded, good for nothing Bush. We are all too aware of how Politics and Power in the US influences the rest of the globe. It would be most interesting to see how a woman fares ruling this superpower.
Charlotte, Swindon, Wiltshireq, United Kingdom
**********
Perhaps, but most of us LEGAL US citizens might not want to get that far along in electing her POTUS to find out.
"INTERESTING" may cut it for you across the pond but for those of us here, not enough of us would want to take that chance. ..and the trial ballooning, by the minute flip flops, the force laughter, the chicanery, the refusal to actually answer the question...well, those are some of the other problems. Not to mention that you fine folks in the UK are far more used to the feel of socialism in your government than most of us LEGAL US citizens are...
Stabe, Bethlehem, PA, USA
I don't care who Hillary Clinton sleeps with, I only care that she is never our President. God help us if the Marxist Queen ascends to the Oval Office.
Joanne, New York, NY
****
Marxist Queen? We'd never know for sure given her propensity to slither and slide past questions she is not scripted to answer and if she does, watch for the flippity flop. I'd rather have Karl Marx (or Groucho...) at least we would know EXACTLY what he stood for!
Stabe, Bethlehem, PA, USA
RON PAUL RON PAUL RON PAUL
Imagine what it will be like to have a clean atmosphere again - imagine what it will be like to live in the fresh air again instead of this fetid misery of lies, crueltly and loss of freedom.
RON PAUL is the only possibility for America and the World unless we want to end up living in the moral gutter permanently and perhaps even physically - America is being destroyed by those who have been in power for the past years.
For God's sake, wake up and get your FREEDOM back for the sake of all of us everywhere.
Isabella, Edinburgh, UK
Enough of this ron paul election propaganda PLEASE...it is so obvious paul supporters are flooding comment sections and message boards everywhere.
Viv, London, England
charlotte.have you forgotten the economic and social carnage,caused in this country by margaret ' no such thing as society ' thatcher.
tony nyphot
tony, hobart, tasmania
You do have to wonder what has become to the ' worlds best democracy' which has desended into back stabbing and lies. Whatever the result of the forthcoming elections America needs to stop acting like god towards other countries. They once has the idea of splendid isolation.... wish they woiuld do it again
lexie, york, uk
As a long time resident of South Carolina I feel confident in saying "Nowhere will you find more creative dirty politics than here... where rumors are the currency of belief"
Oscar Worthy, Mt. Pleasant, SC
They miss out Ron Paul, as we expect! They have to ignore him if they cant dig up any dirt on him! :P
His voting record speeks for it's self so repay him and Vote for Ron come 2008 Americans.
I personally as a British man, will call America great again if they can get Ron Paul into power.
Andy, England, UK,
people would choose not to vote for someone because they had a black child.....?
charlie, osaka, japan
If you want to get the quotes for Ben Franklin right, just ask Ron Paul. He is the only one to get us out of the economic and moral crisis' that this country faces. I can wait for the Republican debate tomarrow, another slam dunk for Ron Paul.
Kevin Courtois, New York, USA
The first letter posted in this section incorrectly quoted Ben Franklin. He said that the Congress had given the people of the soverign States a "REPUBLIC" (NOT a Democracy) if they could keep it. Robert Welch founder of the conservative John Birch Society lectured on this topic. His speech was printed as: "Republics and Democracies" and is available for reading on a variety of websites. I recommend it to your readers.
Americanus, Univerity Place, Sewanee, Tennessee
"At the end of the Constitutional Convention, a passerby asked Benjamin Franklin what sort of government the United Sates had.
He replied, "A democracy, if you can keep it."
Absent an informed electorate, things are not going well right now.
Marian, Long Beach, MS"
This incident has attained the stature of an urban myth, but as far as I know it actually happened, though slightly different than Marian relates.
Franklin was asked by a woman outside the hall where the delegates were meeting "What sort of government have you given us, Dr. Franklin?"
To which Franklin replied, "A republic, madame, if you can keep it."
The difference is significant. America is NOT a democracy, it is a representative republic, and every delegate there knew the difference. It is high time modern Americans learn it.
John Hull, Freeport, IL
To Charlotte from the UK - If Mrs. Clinton were anything like Mrs. Thatcher she would be a shoe-in for just the reasons you state. However, Mrs. Clinton is half the woman, with a quarter of the vision and a morsel of the courage of Madam Thacher. That being the case, the Democrats will likely nominate her and lose once again to the lesser of two evils on the other side of the isle.
M. Roberts, Washington DC,
"At the end of the Constitutional Convention, a passerby asked Benjamin Franklin what sort of government the United Sates had.
He replied, "A democracy, if you can keep it."
Absent an informed electorate, things are not going well right now.
Marian, Long Beach, MS"
Actually, Ben said, "A constitutional REPUBLIC, if you can keep it."
And THAT is part of what is wrong with this nation: people do not know full history, just distorted parts. We aren't, nor have we ever been, a democracy.
How can we hold onto something we don't know we ever had??
Not to mention, from the things I have read on history, the political process was always chock full of saying things about each other.
And I agree with Joanne as well......Marxists.....Communist Manefesto.....Karl Marx and his "community of women??" Read it......look at the 60's.
Becky, Phoenix, Arizona/USA
I could not care less about Mrs. Clinton's sexual preference. Lord knows the woman deserves some outlet. I dislike her for other reasons and lean toward Obama.
That said, why on earth is Huma Abedin being called gorgeous hither and yon? The woman is a brunette, equally horsy version of Ann Coulter (shudder).
Leila, Washington DC,
Interesting how women in America have been ingrained into disliking and even hating strong women in politics. If you step back behind 'your man' aka Mrs. Bush and promise not to care if you send hundreds of thousands of troops to a warzone for fun - then you're ok, but if you step up and try to provide healthcare for millions, then you're hated. Good job Republicans - you've done your jobs well.
I think it's interesting that the Dems are running on healthcare, ending the war, and tax cuts for the middle class while the GOP is running their entire campaign on anti-immigrant issues. Not surprising as the undocumented seem to be the 'gays of 2000/2004'. I don't think Americans will fall for the hate-based message this time around.
Al in SoCal, Burbank, CA,
I do like the sound of this ron paul fellow, from what little we hear from a media determined to keep him low profile. but perhaps one of our american friends could explain what mr paul's vision is? does he actually want to lead the u.s. anywhere or is it enough to be a man of integrity who appears rooted in the past? I don't mean that in a negative way, incidentally.
it's all very well saying he doesn't take drugs, isn't a sexual deviant, etc. does he stand for anything other than normality?
clearly, it would be enough if he just wants to step back and let americans do what they like. we could all do with less government (couldn't we, mr brown?). but he does appear to be a little insular, some might say isolationist. I get the impression he doesn't think america has much in the way of global responsibility.
jem, london, uk
Hillary Bush? That has always been the game plan. Read up on the NWO if you don't believe it. The US like the UK, and France, have been suckered into being conditioned by the media. Sublime thought control is manifest throughout and it is no accident. We live in a fake democracy with negative liberty for no reason other than we are 'told' to vote for one of two parties both of whom represent the same control group. You vote for the representatives of that control group, you never get to vote for the control group itself. The only way to break the chain is to vote for anyone who is not representing that control group, just try it and see what happens to the voting system. It will disappear before your eyes.
French leader Sarkozy once worked for the Mossad as a sayan, Hebrew for 'collaborator', says ex-Mossad agent Victor Ostrovsky. Since taking office he has voiced total support for US foreign policy.....what a surprise!
Rob Gardner, Bristol, UK
Ron Paul is the man ... we need an equivalent over here . I would vote for him in an instant . I wish he was an Englishman .
You Americans are lucky to have such a light shining in your political arena , none of our MP's can even find the switch .
Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,
Re: Charlotte from the UK - Yes, having a vagina so makes someone qualified to be president. Just like being half-black, or old and white. And this from someone who doesn't have to deal with the consequences of an unqualified idiot being elected here. Gee thanks. Last I looked, the UK wasn't so hot either.
Bill K., Upstate, NY
I think it would be very interesting to see the USA's first female president. She cannot be any worse than that war mongering, narrowminded, good for nothing Bush. We are all too aware of how Politics and Power in the US influences the rest of the globe. It would be most interesting to see how a woman fares ruling this superpower.
Charlotte, Swindon, Wiltshireq, United Kingdom
What? I'm outraged!!! ;-)
Where is the "dirt" on Ron Paul???
Even on this they ignore him.
(oh, they can't find any)
Sheesh!
AAAAANDRE, Van Nuys, CA
Let the fur fly! Ron Paul is as pure as the driven snow. His voting record and marriage of 50 years prove it as fact.
Timothy Moultrie, Lexington, South Carolina
The most popular are a reflection of American voters. We are a nation where many enjoy drinking sewage and then want to sue because we become ill.
jerry lynch, pittsburgh, pa
How interesting no mention of Ron Paul. Oh they are going to try hard, but we have to try harder. If this all America has to look forward to then we are f)*&ed. I hope Americans have the good sense to see how the media has framed and sold out the issue like a cheap soap opera only worse. You may not have to agree with everything Dr. Paul has to say, but if we do not get behind him we will either be faced with KBRs detention centers (gulags) or armed revolution. One thing is for certain, I will not be going to any federal 'detention' center, which only leaves one other option.
Dr. reality, Salem, Mass. USA
This is supposed to be a "NEWS" article, as opposed to an editorial, but it's all about how dirty the Republicans play?
Hmmm. Nah, there's no bias here! Move along, nothing to see. Think what you're told to think, nothing more.
Mark, Virginia,
Like I need this to not vote for her? As an individualist I really don't care what a person does in their personel life. Hillary's ideas are what really worry me.
Ron Paul is the only candidate that adhears to the founders ideas for this nation.
Tim, N. Kingstown,
Never any mention of a man with integrity and balance? For a man who believes in the same principles of our great Nation's founding fathers? Only slander and bile towards whomever Fox/CNN has decided our candidates should be.
Ron Paul. Check him out - he's my candidate. As a young person, our country has been made a mess in the world's eyes and in our own. At least we can make a decision now to start the cleanup process.
Chris, Spartanbrug, SC, USA
Once again Clintonian morals have become a story. Whether there's any truth to the allegations {long suspected for years}, they will likely impact Hillary's chances in the primaries, and the 08 election if she wins the Democrat nomination. Some will consider this to be no one's business. Others will have their suspicions confirmed. If it's believed to be true by a majority of voters, Hillary will have lost, period.
bluecollarbytes, usa,
I really just have to laugh every time I read or hear the twenty-something crowd complain about how dirty the politics have become. I have been voting for 45 years and can tell you that it is no worse now than when I first voted.
On another note; if the twenty-something crowd had bothered to pick up a political history book while in school, they would actually have found out that today's "dirty politics" are quiet mild compared to the 1820's, 1850's or 1920's
John Kirkland, Birmingham, AL
Who is saying what about who? Don't you think operatives from both sides are stirring up all these comment forums? Where is the truth? We will have to figure it all out on election day in the privacy of our secret vote. As for me there is no way I will vote for the disgrace named Clinton. Thompson, Obama, McCain, Guliani are all losers. I am not excited about Romney and I don't think Huckabee or Hunter have a prayer in Hell. So who am I an operatives for?
Dennis M, Vacaville, CA
I love this piece. It is great to know that everyone is corrupt except who "Ron(Hope for America)Paul! If other Americans would just open there eyes and see. Ron Paul is still married to the same woman and believes in life, peace, and freedom.
Go Ron Paul!
Shawntae DeVlugt, Trenton , NJ
Hillary is as deeply in bed with the special interests as any Republican. She will not listen to Bill Clinton. She's already promising people $5000 checks. The dollar is collapsing.
Ron Paul is the only candidate who can save America.
Look at the top donors list. Hillary & Barack are both owned by the banks. democratsforpaul.com has it.
Ra, The Florida Keys, U.S.
I can't believe the crap; fellow country men and women (oops that is politically incorrect ..but so what) How can anyone sell their souls (oops some people don't believe in that and might be offended) for the ilk of Hillary Clinton (by the way the rumours of her affairs with the female pursuation is not new; neither is the known fact that she is very chummy with the homosexual community) And the downfall of the almighty dollar cannot be stopped by voting for a nightmare like her. None of all those that say on stage that they are the best for president on both sides of the party are worthy of our votes. All will finish selling us out to the globalist goals. We are no longer a Christian Constitutional Republic.
Wake up America! ddh
dominique, Pinellas Park, USA
I think it'll all come down to who has the least dirt on them, which is a shame because you can guarantee that'll be the candidate who throws the most dirt.
I think Clinton is probably looking to increase America's social responsibility through small social programs rather than bring in higher taxes for a complete social reform, she's a politician not a Kamikaze pilot, once in she'll be looking to get re-elected like every other politician the world has ever known.
matthew, Rome, Italy
God help us if Rudy Giuliani ascends to the oval office. What will he do, move the dissenters out of America by bus, as is his want?
America needs Clinton, even if you hate her; it's called balance! Do you really want to see the dollar descend even more? The right has been, and still is, a total, financial, disaster for America. Let the left put it right and then, if you absolutely must, vote for a right wing candidate gain.
You know it makes sense!
Marc, St. Barthelemy,
Eventually every major power goes rotten at the core and collapses. The U S A is on the slippery slope, if South Carolina is ones yardstick.
Roger, Brisbane, Austrilia
"door-die" might be better understood if it were to read "do or die", american politics is confusing enough as it is. Don't worry, it will all come to crashing to a conclusion by the middle of January.
Peter Hunt, Philadelphia, PA, USA
The writer speaks disparagingly of the spreading of 'snarls, smears and innuendo', yet this is the first I have read of these rumors in the old media. Why be the first to deliver us this nonsense?
T Merman, atlanta, USA
Unlike your other responders I do live in SC and have held positions in all three branches of state government. There is no question that the political activist mentioned in your article are all followers of Lee Atwater.Who was a Regan Hit man in the Late 70's early 80's . Prior to his appearence on the sceen there was no where near the rancor, hatred and divisiveness as there is now. Atwater made it politically acceptable to be racist, by convincing many that blacks would take over their low paying jobs[the same is now beeing said about latin americans]. As for Senator Clinton, If your comentors would read for themselfs and not just regergitate what they have seen or heard on Fox, They would be more informed. The U S despretly needs good leadership reguardless which party in comes from. The only way for us to have good leadership is to have well informed and active voters. With less than 60% of our eligable voters participating in elections, our political problems are self inflicte
Alfred, chaleston, usa/ sc
In my opinion, it is time all of the candidates for presidency were lined up without notice, handed and bottle and told to fill it, and not allowed to leave until the drug test results were in...<p>
Such a test would have cleared up any rumors about Bush's current cocaine use.<p> I'm an energetic lady about Clinton's age but I couldn't keep her pace without it showing... so what's she popping? <p> Obama says he left the drug use in his youth - really? - would he prove it for us? <p>
I really want to know if they are taking something to wind them up and if they are taking something to wind down...
<P>
It's unfortunate that these doubts arise - but it's the times, I suppose. Therefore it's the right time to initiate this policy of testing candidates, for the right reason, and certainly for the right cause - Americans deserve drug free leadership.<P>
Will any reporter address this? Why not?
lass, dallas, texas
At the end of the Constitutional Convention, a passerby asked Benjamin Franklin what sort of government the United Sates had.
He replied, "A democracy, if you can keep it."
Absent an informed electorate, things are not going well right now.
Marian, Long Beach, MS
Since I have lived 68+ years in North Carolina, within 10 miles of the state boundary with South Carolina, I know more than a little about South Carolina politics. If you think the Republicans play rough in the state, you should follow the Democrat fights. They are much dirtier and much more often. Of course you will never find that in the New York Times.
Cheyenne , Charlotte, USA/NC
Hillary was smart enough to support her husband until his political career took off. She was the breadwinner and a very smart lawyer. Pres. Clinton relied on her judgment while he was in office. He has often said as much. She ran and was elected to the Senate on her own and New York was glad to get her. She is fully prepared to serve as president. Look what we have now: A guy who couldn't even find oil in a state that is awash with it. His daddy's pals bought him an interest in a ball club and rich friends and corporations bought him the governorship and then the presidency. I hope to God we're thru with Republicans for awhile. The dollar has tanked on their watch. And tell me how much you like the price of gas!
Dori, San Diego, CA
Rest assured Hillary will undoubtedly bring America into the fold of the New World Order as will some of the other candidates.She has been quoted at the World Federalis--WFA in October 1999--"we must strengthen the United Natios as a first step toward a world government" and that America must "yield up some of our sovereignity."
Bill Clinton also agrees with the world's plan for a ONE World Global Government run of course by the Untied Nations so also do some of the other candidates--that is why they are so focused on socialized programs all of which will hit the average American quite hard. If you truly believe they want to hurt the rich--then ask how much of their owwn money are they willing to let go of for their programs and are they like the average person willing to live on $50,000 a year.
Dorothy, Berlin, Wi
By any objective measurement, Hillary is, indeed, within the liberal wing of the party. One could even place her on the left side of that wing. And, indeed, she does have socialist leanings, although you can't really call her a "socialist." Because she is so very liberal, again with socialist leanings, many moderate and conservative liberals, and many many people on the right side of the aisle, don't want her as president. We don't want socialism in this country. We don't want to follow the European socialist model. Capitalism and free enterprise have made the US into the economic powerhouse it is. It has provided for the abundance we have. Socialism leads to stagnation and the inability to compete in the global market.
James, Eagle, Idaho, USA
By Hillary's standard as being the "most experienced", we should be electing Barbara Bush as president of the United States. After all, she's been the wife of a Congressman, Director of the CIA, UN ambassador, Vice President, and President. If you stack up her decisions of which flowers for which table, whom to invite to which party, what dress to wear she's heads above Hillary in experience.
maggie, Beverly Hills,
Barely a mention of Democrats and the infamous Clinton attack machine. On the plus side as an American I'm glad foreigners are obviously biased toward Democrats. It will make voting Republican for president a lot easier.
Arturo Vandelay, tucson, Arizona
Rumors aside, Huma Abedin is an interesting study, and I think we Americans have the right to know how much influence she would have in a Clinton administration. And what the nature of that influence would be.
Do a search about her on line. Skip the rumor-mongering right wing web sights if you like. You'll find that she's been Hillary's virtually-constant companion for eleven years, beginning right after graduating college, after spending her formative years in Saudi Arabia. Her address and her wardrobe betray an affluent lifestyle that a Senate staffer's salary could not support. Those are not rumors. Those are facts.
So pardon me for asking about her prospective role in Hillary's administration.
One more thing. No tears for Hillary, please. When it comes to hard ball politics, Hillary makes the competition look like kids fighting in a sandbox.
Jim O'Sullivan, Melville, New York, USA
Dont believe this about Hillary. Its mostly right evangelicals opposing her and this comes out.She is like Margaret Thatcher and many are afraid of a woman president.
merle ayres, Humboldt, Iowa, USA
I don't care who Hillary Clinton sleeps with, either. I just know we need her for our next president to straighten out this mess we are in.
J. McKinn, Springfield, , MO
Just sickening. The good american Christians!
MARTIN, LAKE HILLS, TX
While I agree with the sheep comment, and the limited view of most Americans and politics, I must disagree on William's take on Hillary Clinton.
She is not to the right of the Democratic Party. She was actually shunned at times because she was too left. She does, however, attempt to put on a centrist facade in order to get elected.
If elected, she will definately push for her healthcare, but also for much more. Having served in the military during her husband's office years, I experienced firsthand much of the social engineering that was spearheaded by her through Bill and his SecDef. Imagine what she would be like if she can call the shots.
Make no mistake. Her aim is to have the power to inflict the USA with her own brand of socialism, and she is very, very close to achieving it.
Scott, West Texas,
In response to William of London... read? Why? With a wealth of "fair and balanced" information from sources such as FOX News and the like, we are as informed as our candidates and their backers want us to be. Besides, our printed media is no more enlightening than the sound bites of their electronic counterparts. The truth is we have all failed in our responsibilty to demand integrity and accountablity in our representitives and leaders as well as the Media. We often accept broad generalizations of a candidates position, sometimes from anonymous or questionable sources, as an accurate view of those candidates. As a people we don't want to have to think. The facts would only place the onus on each of us to actively participate in the process. As for our political consciousness, it is interesting to me that the majority of the articles and subsequent debates in these forums focus on the tactics of the candidates and not on the issues they might face when in office.
Brad, Jacksonville, FL
William in London - I believe your understanding of US politics is matched by my understanding of the next Tory-Labor conflict- ranging from little to nil.
Coggie, Concord, USA/Ohio
That the USA is largely filled with right-wing extremists is amply demonstrated by a letter here, describing Hillary Clinton as a Marxist. I wouldn't normally care -- let them rot in their own version of Hell -- but for the fact that the Americans are trying to run our world too. The gutter is too clean for this sort of politics: it belongs in the sewers.
Martin Baldwin-Edwards, Athens, Greece
Its a game!! by this i starts my comment!! Its one of the ferocious electorial battles!!
This time a woman candidates is in the middle of turf !!
I personaly feel that all possible means will implemented to deploy rivals away of racetrack.The most successful one is that who does not bow to the cyclon and proceed to his final goal!!
Tayseer Aziz Aref Abu Qurs, Kuwait, Kuwait
In typical fashion, Joanne's comment illustrates how limited the American political consciousness is. Hillary Clinton is on the right of the Democratic Party, which makes her about as Marxist as Tony Blair, probably less so. There is little chance that she would enact measures that provide substantive equalities such as universal health care. This would offend her corporate sponsors. Rest assured, America is free from the "Marxist" measures that predominate in Western Europe and Canada! Perhaps Americans (and I am of course generalising) should read more. This would help them step beyond the narrow confines of their self-idealised and self-referential understanding of left and right. Face it, Republicans, Democrats..."to sheep no doubt other sheep appear different."
William, London,
It seems some just have this hatred for Hillary . Instead of
looking deep into her commitment to improve the lives of
Americans and to bring a positive change concerning Health Insurance and also her leadership qualities which I believe
are exceptional it is always these narrow minded haters who
simply will not give her the chance. I think she has done quite well in the debates failing just once.She would turn out to be one of the finest American Presidents.
Nazirmo, Toronto,
Are you sure you know what 'Marxist' means Joanne from New York and Marge from Tacoma?!
Caroline, Brisbane, Australia
There was an interesting round table discussion with the authors of several new books about the poison atmosphere of American politics on the News Hour with Jim Lehrner tonite. Most notably the comments of Cal Thomas the conservative columnist who pointed out that the electorate is fed up with all this garbage. He attributed most of it to the lack of personal relationships among the pols which used to be the process linch pin to work out objective solutions to problems regardless of party affiliation. He pointed out that most of Congress is in town for only three days a week, and the once valued social scene of get togethers is all but nonexistant. He also observed that even the attempt to create a working relationship with the other side is photographed and commented on as a sign that you are capitulating to the enemy. Compromise has always been the hallmark of the genius of our governing power and that has gone by the wayside in lieu of an "us" and "them" mentality. Sorry state that.
L.A. Seman, Broadview Heights, Ohio
I agree with you Joanne from New York!
Marge, Tacoma, , Wa USA
I don't care who Hillary Clinton sleeps with, I only care that she is never our President. God help us if the Marxist Queen ascends to the Oval Office.
Joanne, New York, NY