Hillary Clinton came close to tears during a campaign stop in New Hampshire as
new polls showed her trailing Barack Obama on the eve of the crucial state
primary.
At a coffee shop in Portsmouth, Mrs Clinton became emotional when asked by a
woman voter: “How do you keep upbeat and so wonderful?”
After beginning her answer, her voice began to break and tears filled her
eyes. “You know, this is very personal for me. It’s not just political it’s
not just public. Some people think elections are a game, lot’s of who’s up
or who’s down, [but] it’s about our country.”
Polls show Mr Obama is set to claim another emphatic victory in New
Hampshire's Democratic primary today following his success in Iowa last
week. He told ecstatic supporters at another packed rally: "You're the
wave and I'm riding it." Later, he told a TV interview: "We
obviously started something, now we've got to finish it."
He challenged Mrs Clinton's claim that he was raising "false hopes"
for the country, citing the way John F Kennedy told America to reach for the
Moon or Martin Luther King dreamt about ending racial segregation.
"If anything crystalised what this campaign is about, it was that right
there," he said. "Some are thinking in terms of our constraints
and some are thinking about our limitless possibilities."
John Edwards, running third in the polls, is hoping a knockout blow to Ms
Clinton could give his Democratic candidacy the legs it needs to continue
beyond New Hampshire. On a non-stop bus tour through the Granite state, he
repeatedly swiped at her, saying she had taken more money from
pharmaceutical companies than any other candidate - Democrat or Republican.
Mr Obama's sudden rise to the ascendancy in the race has left the Clinton
campaign reeling, with aides having to deny that she would pull out if her
money dries up and her standing in polls continues in freefall.
Mrs Clinton continued to criticise Mr Obama for lacking experience and being
more words than action. "Wait a minute," she said, "what is
the substance here? What, as famously was said years ago, where's the beef?
You know, where is the reality?" At an earlier event, she took aim at
his grandiloquent claims to be a man trying to unite America and bring a
decisive break from the Clinton and Bush years. She said: "You campaign
in poetry, you govern in prose."
Most observers believe a second heavy defeat for her in New Hampshire would
make it very hard for her to stage a recovery before Super Tuesday on
February 5 when when many of America's most delegate-rich states will vote.
A USA Today/Gallup poll put Mr Obama's support at 41 per cent, up from 32 per
cent in mid-December. Mrs Clinton was at 28 per cent, down from 32 per cent.
Mr Edwards had 19 per cent, while New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson had 6
per cent.
The stakes were also sky-high in the Republican race where almost half a dozen
candidates can still make a credible claim for the nomination. Mitt Romney,
who has seen his long-standing poll lead in New Hampshire overtaken by
resurgent John McCain, scheduled six events yesterday.
He appeared to downplay expectations, saying: "If I come in a
second-place finish, that will actually say that I am clearly one of the
leading contenders. I will have come in second in Iowa, first in Wyoming
second in New Hampshire. That will mean that I probably have more votes than
anybody else in those first three states."
At his first stop of the day, at the entrance to BAE Systems North America,
members of the media outnumbered workers. "We need some voters,"
said the former Massachusetts governor.
Later, he one again donned the mantle which has been worn to such effect in
the Democratic race, predicting that Mr McCain, as a long-standing Senator,
would fall victim to Mr Boatman's call for change in a general election
face-off. Independent voters make up the majority of registered voters in
the state and they are free to vote in either primary tomorrow. Romney aides
hope for a surge in favour of Mr Obama, denying Mr McCain the votes that
catapulted him to a New Hampshire win in 2000 against George Bush.
Mr McCain pushed on into what he called "The Mac Is Back" bus tour.
With his wife, Cindy, and two of their daughters behind him, he said on the
steps of Nashua city hall: "There's a lot of nostalgia associated with
this morning. We've had a great time. My friends, it has been an uplifting
and wonderful experience."
When informed of Mr Romney's comments, he replied with barbed sarcasm. "I
appreciate all those predictions about my political future," he said, "and
I know they come from a vast storage of knowledge and background."
Mike Huckabee, who won the Republican caucuses in Iowa suggested he would be
satisfied with "third or fourth slot" in New Hampshire where the
Evangelical Christian voters who propelled him to victory last week are in
much shorter supply.
One poll put support for Mr McCain had 34 per cent, up from 27 per cent in
mid-December, while Mr Romney had 30 per cent, down from 34 per cent. Mike
Huckabee was third with 13 per cent, while maverick Ron Paul and former New
York mayor Rudy Giuliani were tied at 8 per cent. No other candidate,
including Fred Thompson - who conceded on Sunday he was focusing on South
Carolina - was above 3 per cent.
Plantagenet: You seem to understand the warning our Founders gave to us to avoid foreign entanglements. Too bad our politicians allowed the forces of history to obscure the Founders' wisdom.
Travelling through Europe, seeing the places where our soldiers wantonly slaughtered so many of your fellow Europeans, Anzio, MonteCassino, Chateau Thierry, Normandy, the Hurtgen Forest, the Rhine, one cringes at our murderous compulsion to "export" our young men, loosing them on a benign world of happy, kite-flying innocents.
How ghastly for Europe that our troops stayed on for over fifty years after WWII. What purpose did they serve?
Why aren't our troops, now, contrary to our Founders' intent, scattered all over the world, here on their own soil, guarding our coasts and borders against the fools who literally risk their lives fleeing their Socialist paradises to come to this "backward, lumbering, stupid and dangerous giant of a country?"
Ian, Lina, C, enlighten them, please.
houston lee, cape fear, north carolina, USA
houlton lee, Cape Fear: Touché, and I deeply apologize that you had to sit through all that tripe, it should never have been exported, but neither should american troops... and I hope Ingmar Bergman movies never killed anyone (although one can of course not be sure, they are deadly boring) as opposed to the aforementioned troops.
Plantagenet, Arlsestad, Sweden
You go girlfriend Cause a woman's place is in the White House!!!!!
karen, La Jolla, Califorina
Isn't this supposed to be a discussion about Hillary Clinton and her humanity/weakness/acting ability (take your pick).
I have to say I do admire the US decocratic process, there's no hiding place, lets hope the Yanks pick a better President than they did last time, no system is perfect!
PS never been to NZ but quite liked parts of the US (SanFran, Arizona) and wasn't so keen on other bits (LA, Houston,JFK Airport).
jason white, Paris,
A word about our "backward, lumbering, stupid and dangerous giant of a country..."
"We" elected GW Bush into office the second time due to 9/11 and the country has been kept under lock and key since, which speaks to the anomalies of the first election. Secondly, once in office, the little people, as we are so quaintly thought of, can have little effect on policies already in place, much less on how the hundreds of billions of dollars invested in Iraq is going to change the future for Americans being born in the next decade.
I have one word for you: OIL.
It's sickening to realize the international community thinks so little of America and confuses the people who get elected into office, by hook or crook, with its populace. I know it sounds irrational, but politics has become so corrupt that only the hopelessly corrupt or the hopelessly hopeful may run... with some exceptions.
I hope that the hopeful have the skills and character to finally reflect what's decent about this nation.
Elan Durham, Santa Monica, CA/US
My wife didn't buy Hillary's act for one moment. She informed me that any woman could immediately see through Hillary's performance and instantly realize how fake it actually was, unless, that is, one was predisposed to believing everything that the Clintons say to begin with. Bill might be able to dupe people into believing that he has an emotional soul for he is a fine actor and naturally charismatic, but Hillary is not the actor Bill is and is simply too mean-spirited and power hungry to ever pull off emotion effectively.
No one believes for an instant that Hillary's "emotional response" was anything other than a purely scripted, desperate, and poor attempt at garnering votes. It's sickening to think that US politics has devolved to this.
Scott, Durham, NC, USA
Not all Americans want a universal health care system. I purposely chose a profession which would provide me with quality health insurance, and I have no desire to downgrade to the level I have seen in countries with universal health care. Have you read the article in today's London Times regarding the woman who died while in childbirth because of a "clerical error"? In case you haven't figured this out, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Universal health care is funded by taxes collected from the people who use it.
Shari, Dallas, Texas/USA
Lina,
In this great country we elect presidents. New Zealanders are still "subjects". Obviously, you know nothing about choosing heads of state. We don't courtesy in servitude.
ana P., Philadelphia, usA
Pfhew! An article about Hillary can be a vector for anti-US venom? Oh, I do hope we will soon be enlightened as you.
All this anger towards the US from such learned men of the world makes me believe that maybe we are doing something correctly.
My fear would only be if you began to agree with us poor little idiots in the US.
M, Milwaukee, USA
"Amused and amazed" are the two words that describe my feelings after watching any of the US primaries over the years.
Is this circus really the best way of choosing the candidates for the leader of the free world? It seems that simplistic soundbites and endorsements from celebrities and talk show hosts are the premier credentials for a candidate, instead of a plan for building the country into the worlds leader that it should be.
I find it hard to understand that people outside of America are described as "ignorant foreigners". Ignorant of what? That the richest country in the World still does not have universal health care, that the education system is behind many third world countries and the current president does not know how to speak properly.
Like it or not, the rest of the World needs a stable and secure America. Please choose a president who has some wordly knowledge and does not rely on talk show hosts for credibility.
Malcolm Cottrell, Edmonton, Canada
Well this certainly brought out the anti-US bigots.
Warren, calgary, alberta
Plantagenet, Arlestad, Sweden: We planned to invade Gothenburg and Malmo in retaliation for all the Ingmar Bergman flicks we had to sit through as undergraduates trying to score with Film Studies chicks, but we understand there are no Swedes there unless the males are in hiding and the females concealed in burquas, so we shall probably just bomb a few lutefisk factories and call it a day.
Senator Clinton says she was so touched by a questioner asking her how she endured campaigning that she choked up. You see, "I am so other-centered. It has never been about me. I wake up every morning thinking 'what can I do today for people? How can I change other people's lives?' "
For most Americans, for most of our history, this is scary stuff.
Stalker talk. The most feared words to an American are, "Hi, I'm from the government and I'm here to help you."
Jacksmith NO. With Hillary-care we'll have the same wonderful health-care as the NIH in UK. Bring your own sheets.
houlton lee, Cape Fear, North Carolina, USA
As an American who has lived in Europe for over 8 yrs, I can answer some of the shouts from both sides (Inside and Outside) regarding ignorance, etc. Yes, foreigners are very interested in our elections -- the American president helps determine where their soldiers end up serving, how their economies develop, immigration to their countries, terrorism on their soil, and a whole host of other things that are important in their lives. Meanwhile, for us in the US, even if we vaguely know who the UK prime minister is, it really doesn't matter much, because that person's decisions don't have nearly the same impact on us.
American politicians have taken their allies for granted and have not devoted enough time to cultivating relationships and staying informed about their allies' current realities. I'm not naive enough to think that the US acts out of altruism; it's a sovereign nation. But our president should take responsibility for how our actions shape the world.
Dawn, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Tim
You are great. Were you asleep for thr last 4 years? The ROW were the only people intersted in your leadership and their curious actions hitherto....and we have to say, it is proving most satisfactory so far these days.
Steve, Cambridge,
Hilary was relying on the black and female voters to see her though and now it seems neither of these groups value her attempts to gain the white house!
Poor Hilary...Perhaps you can use the extra time you'll gain when you lose finally keeping an eye on that husband of yours!
Whats the bets if she loses she divorces him?
Pamela hardorthy, Bristol, England
Its says it all " Tim USA " Because Tasmania is a state of Australia and is not related to New Zealand in any shape or form and suppose that makes you a little ignorant or just poorly read which gives you a good chance of running for Presidente one day !!!
M Stanley, Lima, Peru
The USA is actually seeking to establish the will of the people whatever their colour or gender and will genuinely try(at least) to conduct and report an accurate count of votes. How refreshing and reassuring in this world of despots, and 'bent' elections.
Steve, Solihull, England
Why is Ron Paul labelled a `maverick'? Is it because he isn't in the pockets of the big corporations? Is it `maverick' to, as he puts it, want to return to what Republicanism used to stand for: respect for the constitution and for other countries and their right to self-determination? If so, there's a mighty need for his version of `maverickism' both in the US and here as well. The US used to be a beacon of hope for large parts of the rest of the world, precisely because it used to stand for such values. I just hope either he wins the election or the winning candidate shows themselves to be just such a `maverick'. The world as much as the US desperately needs it.
Jill Dandy, Worcester,
Tim of USA and Lina of New Zealand are not typical of either country, fortunately. This election matters to New Zealand (and the rest of the world) and New Zealand matters to America, despite Tim's ignorant and angry response to Lina's equally ignorant abuse. The sight of all these candiates campaigning freely is an example to much of the rest of the world. The best man or woman is going to win.
Max, Auckland, New Zealand
Unfortunately "tim, usa" you have demonstrated why so many people regard many (by no means all) Americans as "arrogant"... I am pro-American, (but not blindly so), and I find your comments disappointing (to put it politely).
Also "tim, usa" why are you not willing to say who you are?
Gerry Watts, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Wow, after reading some of these comments from non-Americans; particularly European & one bizzare comment from New Zealand of all places, its no wonder these countries(and people) are routinely stereotyped to be smug, unwelcoming, miserable, and annoying. You all claim to be the most well-rounded people who respect the culture and ethnic backrounds of all nationalites; but not when it comes to America. Even when Americans do something good or great, there is a resounding howl about how uninformed (uninformed!), ignorant (ignorant!), overly religious, or stupid we are being. However, this is clearly just a showcase of your own insecurites; being that most of you hail from nations that, quite frankly don't matter(New Zealand, Sweden). It's also important to point out that they took the time, and probably routinely, check up on US elections. Well, us here in the ignorant, stupid, backward, and dangerous USA are flattered at your interest and intrigued by your hypocrisy.
tim, usa,
"A backward, lumbering, stupid and dangerous giant of a country." USA, all of Africa et China et Russia. Take out the size and add Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc etc. So what is new? Any country that cannot reconcile efficient and fair business practices with social ethics is dangerous.
C, Vale Janelas, EU
American voters are indeed unpredictable. They voted for G.W bush twice (or once for some) & i doubt they will have learned anything from that. We hear of candidates talking of change, sure change is inevitable, but in which direction? everyone assumes it will regain its battered image but i have doubts about that. These elections will not bring any real change, irrespective of the winner. I hope i am wrong.
S Ahmed, Cairo,
"A backward, lumbering, stupid and dangerous giant of a country. God help us all, whoever gets elected."
And we're any better: highest divorce, teenage binge pregnancy and extremely high abortion rates. Think about it. Oh and our own people blow each other up
Louis, Birmingham, UK
The thought of Hillary Clinton as "leader of the free world" makes me shudder.
Gerry Watts, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
B, Philadelphia, said 'long as we know we're better than New Zealand, we feel just great about ourselves. I feel just fine, thanks'
Well, having spent considerable time in both countries (and actually being very fond of Americans and America), I can honestly say that anyone who believes the US is better in any way, shape or form than NZ is living in fantasy land and really does need their head examined - unless better means more poverty, voilence, crime and pollution!
Scotty, Edinburgh, UK
I know this is not a place for back biting but the comments of Camille have struck me speechless. to think an American complaining of ignorant foreigners... I'm not sure if its supposed to be a joke.
Danny Walker, birmingham , England
Hillary Clinton is a smart and capable woman. It seems the US is not ready for such a person. As to the charges that the US is a backward country - that is not the case - just tally up the Nobel Prizes. It might be overly religious -that is another issue.
Stephen Pain, Odense, Denmark
Everyone watching this election is close to tears.
Hilary should be congratulated for holding them back.
Dave Morgan, Portree, UK
B, in Philadelphia: are you sure the US is a better country than New Zealand? I mean, New Zealand's a really nice place. Really. Very nice.
On a more serious point: I accept my knowledge of American politics is somewhat limited, but isn't it a bit soon to be pointing out winners and losers after only one (not terribly important) state? Oh, and two tiny towns. With about forty voters each.
Rob, Northumberland, UK
Ah, she must been taking some lessons in how to act really contrite from Tone Blair then.
Derrick, MK, UK
And now, articles about this on american sites are getting comments in wich people mistake being emotional with being weak... - I despise you america - I pity you americans - and I cry for all the people around the world whos lives you've ruined with your ignorance, arrogans and lack of judgement. do what you will with the god forsaken piece of this earth you have chosen for yourselves, but for the love of god, in the future, just stay there.
Plantagenet, Arslestad, Sweden
Toby - Exactly what I was thinking! :)
I really hope Hillary won't win, what ever she says it's going to be all the same stuff as before - possibly worse. Whilst if you at least reach for the stars - you may not get there at first - but you will get the ball rolling, and you will set that as everybody's aim.
Makes me wonder, do alot of Americans watch West Wing?
Irina, Oxford, UK
So when Hillary has to face some tough decision -- such as Iran -- and it does not seem to be going her way -- what will she do, CRY ?
JJS, London,
"A backward, lumbering, stupid and dangerous giant of a country. God help us all, whoever gets elected."
Hear, hear Lina. Beautifully put.
Ian, Harpenden, England
I saw the clip everyone is talking about twice but I never saw any tears (or attempts to wipe the eyes) and only detected that she was a little hoarse and tired. To Chris from Tampa- huh? She's too old for that & you've obviously never been with a woman- probably your problem.
I don't care for Hillary both because she was for the war but she now wants to push mandated full on socialized healthcare again. I'm from TN where we had TennCare that she helped create which almost backrupt this state and has been mostly scrapped (out of necessity) from our Democratic governor. With more baby boomers retiring soon Americans need to get more info about all this and stop being threatened by foreigners or assuming their way is better. Most foreigners are very ill informed about our system and just hate the US regardless. James from London, Medicare has been with us since in the 60's- exactly my point about ignorant foreigners.
Camille, Savannah, USA
Barack promises the World and when this,obviously,fails will say "but look what I achieved."
The US obviously needs the Democrats to gain power but is someone riding the coat tails of a chat show host the right person?
Des James, Arlen, Texas
Early combined REAL vote totals from Dixville Notch and Hart's Location in NH are in.
Ron Paul is third among Republicans and is beating Romney and Giuliani!
Total combined final votes from both places in NH are:
McCain - 10
Huckabee - 5
Paul -4
Romney -3
Giuliani -1
Obama won on the Democrat side. Clinton is tied with Edwards for second in these two small towns which have finished voting.
DenisL, Columbia, US/Missouri
If after the first setback she loses control of herself surely she cannot be trusted to have her hand on the nuclear button. It is not about gender - who could imagine Mrs Thatcher in her pomp being overcome with emotion in a crisis - but about stability. Her current thrust is about her experience. What successful experience? Her attempts at introducing Medicare come to mind. Being the spouse of a President doesn't count!
James, London, UK
Dear jacksmith,
We don't worry too much about being the 'greatest' country in the world - so long as we know we're better than New Zealand, we feel just great about ourselves. I feel just fine, thanks.
B, Philadelphia, Good Ole USA
The Democrats are real show boaters.
First THE SCREAM by Howard Dean now it's tears.
Stick a fork in Hillery. She's done.
Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA
Whether artifice or real, Hillary's depiction is not the conduct of someone who should be president of the United States.
Deborah B. Luyster, Jacksonville, USA/Florida
From Hilary: " We don't need to be raising the false hopes of our country about what can be delivered," she said. "The best way to know what change I will produce is to look at the changes that I've already made."
That was a defining moment for me. Hilary's words revealed more to me than anything others I've heard along the campaign trail. With a burst of insight upon my understanding I suddenly saw Hilary as a woman of limited vision, made ineffectual by the enormity of the problems facing America, unwilling to even try to change what can indeed be changed. She lost my vote then and there.
From Barack Obama: "If anything crystalised what this campaign is about, it was that right there," he said. "Some are thinking in terms of our constraints and some are thinking about our limitless possibilities."
I want to hope, to dare to believe. I want inspired leadership and I WILL support the one who has the courage to change America for the betterment of all.
Lynn, WA, USA
Linda Lynn, Bellevue, WA USA
jacksmith, 'twould be lovely if America got universal health coverage -- if Americans were guaranteed "major medical coverage" at the very least. But it will never happen. Americans are too busy thinking it's the greatest country in the world, so whatever is the status quo in the US right now must be right. A backward, lumbering, stupid and dangerous giant of a country. God help us all, whoever gets elected.
Lina, Auckland, New Zealand
Doesn't get the result she wants in a domestic vote that has litttle bearing on eventual outcome and is reduced to tears............. Hillary?........................ If its true what on earth will happen when she has to face the terrorist organisations of the world?........................... or maybe its just a play to the female voters?
No surely not?????
SMT, VA, USA
With this display of weakness, how in the world can she expect to lead this strong nation. What is she going to do if elected and we have a tragedy happen, complain about PMS and bloating and weep to the American people. She is no Benazir Bhutto.
Chris, Tampa, FL, USA
Bottom line:
I think Hillary Clinton must get back on that horse that brutally through her to the ground back in 1993. That horse is HR 676 (Medicare For all). Insurance mandates of any kind are totally unacceptable to the American people . Thank God. The vast majority of Americans know better than that now. They want single payer tax supported government managed universal health care free for all as a right. And they want it NOW! And they are right to demand it. The American people are suffering by the millions, and dieing by the ten's of thousands now. It's not just about everyone having coverage anymore. It's about the disgraceful quality of health care in America. Even for people with the best insurance coverage you can buy. And it has to end.
I have enormous admiration, and respect for Hillary Clinton. She fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds back in 1993. To prevent this disastrous health care crisis that is now devastating the American people, and America. She fought so hard for the American people that she risk almost completely destroying her husbands presidency. I haven't forgot her heroic effort. If anyone has reason to be reluctant to get back on that bucking bronc again, it's her.
But I think the time is now. And more importantly. I think the American people are ready to do what they have got to do. To fix our disastrous, and deadly health care delivery system. At least I hope so. For all our sakes. Hillary Clinton is right. This is not a game. It's bigger than parties, and politics. It's about the life, or continued needless deaths of millions of Americans. And HR 676 (Medicare For All) is the way to save us.
jacksmith, NO, LA
Isn't one of Hilary's most serious problems the nagging (and reasonable) suspicison that even her tears were the result of a focus group?
Toby, Sydney,
This is going to be a tear jerking scene in the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical when a chorus of New Hampshire voters begins singing "Don't cry for us Hillary Clinton....The truth is we never liked you.."
Jerome, New York, NY
It'a good article!
dihongge, lanzhou, china
RON PAUL!!!!! If you don't know him, go to his website and I promise you will be left impressed.
Aaron, Austin, Texas