Letters to the Editor
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Clinton on Fox
Yeah saw Clinton on Fox. She was talking to Chris Wallace and he asked about the handshake and whether Oprahbama snubbed her.
She said, "Well, I extended a hand of friendship....I will continue trying."
BLAM
I laughed my ass off.
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@AKA Smith
I don't agree with you on the "snub"--did you see the vid? No way that's a snub. Especially since he had just rec'd the Kennedy endorsement--he's the one that would have been feeling generous. Unless he was avoiding her for that reason? Honestly, I don't think it was mean...
BUT, I agree with you COMPLETELY on the stupidity of the drawn-out primaries. All on the same day. Period.
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@ lateagain
Although the candidates themselves did not actually campaign there, they all had "shadow" organizations of operative who got the word out. There were flyers and Obama actually had television ads. It is rather disingenuous for him to say it wouldn't count when he actually behaved as if it would. Florida voters didn't turn out in droves just to vote on Florida candidates and local issues. They knew their votes could eventually count.
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all these knowing quotes; are they true?
"When Senator Clinton was campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire, she said that states like Michigan and Florida that won't award delegates, 'don't count for anything.'"
Well, I've sure tried my best on google, but the fact is I can't find that alleged quotation's actual source. The only attribution in scores of entries is...wait for it...the campaign spokesman for the Obama campaign, David Plouffe. It was repeated today by Obama spokesman Burton. But when, and where, and in what context if at all, did Mrs. Clinton say this? Or did she? Those who use it might do well to prove it is legitimate.
It's certainly possible it was said in some context or other. But I would sure love to find out when and where.
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@lateagain
Could you give a link to the video you saw of the "incident" between Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Obama? I wasn't aware there was one. Thanks.
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@ lateagain
We disagree again. We obviously see it differently. I think he saw her coming. How could he not when she was wearing that red dress and the photographers were all around? However, good for her for making it clear that she did feel snubbed. Too often, she lets these slights slide.
Here is why I think he saw her and then turned deliberately away (in addition to the photos themselves): He watches her. I've seen photo after photo when he was watching her when he didn't think she would notice, when her back is actually turned. I don't know if it is emnity or fear or what, but it is really clear that he is hyperaware of her presence. I remember seeing photos of them together from well over a year ago. They seemed very congenial then, laughing and smiling. That has all changed. All my instincts tell me that there has been a terrible rupture (No, before Bill's recent "campaigning.") and that it will be a long time healing. It could be because she mentored him and she feels betrayed or because he feels guilty -- who knows?
That is just my real felt intuition. Remember the "You're likable enough, Hillary," when he wouldn't even meet her eyes?
I will tell you frankly that I am not for Obama. My main issues are experience, health care, and Social Security. But also, there is just something about him . . . I cannot describe it . . . I just don't quite trust him. Having thought it over, I will vote for him only if he is the only contender left for whom to vote, if he gets the nomination.
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@ Anonymous 11:20 PM
That's Shapiro for you. I used to respect him, but that has changed. Although I am an Edwards supporter, as a woman and a feminist, I am quite aware of those language snubs to Senator Clinton. Shapiro is too saavy of a writer not to be doing that sort of thing deliberately.
I won't speculate upon his motives, but I will say that there are some guys who have a really hard time with the thought of a woman holding the most powerful job in the world. Maybe they have mommy issues or something.
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Here's what Obama had to say about seating delegates from Florida:
This was in the Tampa paper (I live in Miami)
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/sep/30/obama-vows-do-whats-right/?news-breaking
By WILLIAM MARCH and ELAINE SILVESTRINI The Tampa Tribune
Published: September 30, 2007
Fundraising Totals | Primary States | Where They Stand
TAMPA - Barack Obama hinted during a Tampa fundraiser Sunday that if he's the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, he'll seat a Florida delegation at the party's national convention, despite national party sanctions prohibiting it.
Obama also appeared to violate a pledge he and the other leading candidates took by holding a brief news conference outside the fundraiser. That was less than a day after the pledge took effect Saturday, and Obama is the first Democratic presidential candidate to visit Florida since then.
Obama and others have pledged not to campaign in Florida until the Jan. 29 primary except for fundraising, which is what he was doing in Tampa.
But after the fundraiser at the Hyde Park home of Tom and Linda Scarritt, Obama crossed the street to take half a dozen questions from reporters waiting there.
The pledge covers anything referred to in Democratic National Committee rules as "campaigning," and those include "holding news conferences."
Obama seemed unaware the pledge he signed prohibits news conferences. Asked whether he was violating it, he said, "I was just doing you guys a favor. … If that's the case, then we won't do it again."
Frank Sanchez, a Tampa Obama supporter who helped organize the fundraiser, said the encounter illustrates the awkward situation the candidates have been put in by the controversy over the state's Jan. 29 presidential primary.
That date - earlier than allowed by rules of both major political parties - has led to a threat of sanctions against both Florida Republicans and Democrats, and to the Democrats' boycott pledge.
"This wasn't planned," Sanchez said of the brief press availability. "He was going to the car, and he just went across the street for a moment."
According to Sanchez and Tom Scarritt, Obama was asked during the event about making sure Floridians have a role in the nomination, despite the DNC sanctions and the pledge. Scarritt said Obama responded that he'll "do what's right by Florida voters."
The DNC has threatened to refuse to seat a Florida convention delegation because of the too-early primary, which the Florida Legislature decided on last spring. But if a candidate amasses enough delegates before the primary to ensure the nomination, that candidate would take control of the convention, including the power to seat a delegation.
State Democrats are considering asking all candidates to pledge they would seat the state's delegation.
The boycott pledge was demanded by the four states - Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina - which are allowed to hold primaries before Feb. 5.
Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761 or wmarch@tampatrib.com. Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813)259-7837or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.