Letters to the Editor
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Hey, Anonymous 8:37 a.m. -- One writer who isn't biased toward Obama? Try Our Esteemed Editor, Ms. Walsh!!
The anonymous poster who asks "Could Salon find one writer who isn't biased toward...Obama?"
Uh, have you read Joan Walsh lately? She's for our girl!!!
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NH and Crying
For those of you who think Clinton's crying in NH shifted the primary outcome I have to say you are selling us short. After all that we have seen and been through with these candidates most of the voters in NH would not be so affected.
Think of it this way, would YOU be more or less likely to vote for Clinton or any other candidate simply because they well up at an event? I think the answer would be no as it is with us in NH.
The issue is that the mainstream media are trying to oversimplify everything, which includes why they got it wrong here. The reasons behind Clinton's win are far more complicated than a simple tear.
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"Cries"
What's with the scare quotes in the headline? If that isn't an indication of bias (indicating incredulity) then I don't know what is.
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Michelle Obama: has to think about it
Wow, this is wonderful, she will have to think about it if Hillary is nominated.
ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOVHf9HPEJM&eurl=http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/2/4/124123/6787
Its called a political party not a cult. Disgusting.
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If she were Hillary "Smith"...
...we'd be talking about Obama and Edwards right now.
Take away the fact that Hillary is married to Bill Clinton and you have absolutely nothing. Except of course Rupert Murdoch's money.
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It's not going to work again
A good politically timed cry can be soothing and energize your poll numbers. But at some point, the tears are going to add up into a picture of Hillary as irrational and emotional. Maybe she should try to control herself a little?
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And the tears begin...
Any inclination I had to vote for Hillary tomorrow just flew out the window. Screw it. I am voting for Obama.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...
Hillary, you just pissed me off with these tears. Don't see any of the good ole' boys crying now do you? It appears that, when all else fails cry.
You are wrong. If we ever needed you to be strong it is now. This is the double standard that gives all women a bad name. "I am strong, but hey if that fails, I'll just cry to get your pity."
I will eventually vote for the Democratic nominee, but I think this is pathetic. Is she gonna cry against McCain too?
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Meow.
Meow meow meow. Meow, meow meow meow meow; meow meow meow. Meow meow? Meow meow meow MEOW meow meow meow meow. Meow meow meow meow, meow meow meow meow. Meow? Meow.
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Why a woman can't be elected president
Not in the foreseeable future. If she doesn't show emotion, she is cold and calculating. If she shows any emotion, however slight, she is ... cold and calculating.
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I want to know why there hasn't been the same analysis
Poured over Mitt Romney's tears. He cried more than once too, someone should remember, and No ONE has pointed out that he will not make a "strong" leader for it.
I think tears should have nothing to do with it. We should make a decision based on policy and trust. Women's tears shouldn't be any worse than men's tears in this election cycle.
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Oh, Right! God Forbid that Clinton is Human...& Female
God Forbid that she shows any kind of human emotion, especially in rapport to someone welling up in front of her.
God forbid that she should respond like any woman might.
God forbid that Clinton should in anyway respond with emotional authenticity - of course tears are always suspect! God damn her, she's too masculine. God damn her, she's a woman who feels deeply. God damn her, she a fucking human being. God damn her!
Some of you are a bunch of misogynistic rabid dogs chomping at anything in your hate. This is your hope? This is your idealistic new dream? This is the new tomorrow? What trash!!
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Michelle betrays party
It's all about the Obama cult. Hillary teared up, but she never betrayed her party or risk the agenda for a cult following:
Watch the video from today on Good Morning America"
"GMA: Could you see yourself working to support Hillary Clinton should she win the nomination?
MICHELLE OBAMA: I'd have to think about that. I'd have to think about that, her policies, her approach, her tone."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOVHf9HPEJM&eurl=http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/2/4/124123/6787
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Clinton supporters here ...
Here's a tip: why don't you try persuading us instead of insulting us?
As someone who is leaning towards Obama I have been lurking on the salon boards for awhile and echo these sentiments
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Stellaa
If Clinton is permitted to be human, so is Michelle. Clinton has held rallies where people have publically called her husband an articulate muslim (Bob Kerrey). She had someone who was an organizer for her campaign who sent out emails saying Obama is a "muslim trying to destroy the US" (in Iowa). Bill Clinton--his "biggest fairy tale I've ever seen" and Jesse Jackson comments probably didn't help the situation either.
Michelle is permitted a moment to digest all that has occurred on the campaign trail, to "think" before she votes for Hillary. This is permitted, and it is as human as tears.
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Obama Supporters
Here's a tip: why don't you try persuading us instead of telling us how much you hate Clinton and that every emotion she expresses is suspect?
Why don't you try persuading us instead of just offering worshipful praises of the ground that Obama walks on.
Why don't you try persuading us instead of telling us the idolized dream that's he's the next MLK/Kennedy?
Why don't you offer up some real substance that DOESN'T include just anti-Clinton statements?
Hmmmm....because you don't know anything about Obama beyond these? Do you?
Obama lulls with the promised idyll of past dreams unrealized. Clinton offers the promise of a new brighter reality...today.
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@ damnthatxanadu
I rewatched the movie with Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan called Courage Under Fire at the recommendation of someone here re: Clinton's previous tears. I found it quite enlightening.
Actually, I suggest that everyone here who has qualms about Clinton crying go rent it. They will understand these political dynamics much easier. Yesterday, I decided to cast my vote for Clinton. These sort of misognistic attacks played a role in that decision only inasmuch as that in Clinton I see a woman who has been withstanding misogynistic attacks all her life but who endures them with grace and courage. So Clinton's tears today (and I would have to see a video feed to know if she really cried since the last time the media said she cried she really didn't), those tears would have no influence upon me one way or another.
However, the attacks upon her for "crying" offend me because male candidates keep getting a pass when they tear up and are allowed to show anger with little criticism.
In the movie Courage Under Fire, Meg Ryan, a helicopter pilot is commanding a rescue team in the first war with Iraq. Under fire and under stress, she tears up. One of the men under her command is so infuriated that she cried that he actually pulls a gun on her. It is clear that he is scared witless himself. He is the one who her tears terrify because he is terrified himself. He sees her tears as manifesting weakness while she dismisses them as "just tension." He is angry and sexist towards her. The male in a weak moment is not a pretty sight. It is men who often cannot deal with female tears. However, every woman knows of times when she has cried that had nothing to do with weakness and nothing to do with manipulation.
Women simply cry more easily, but it is the male paradigm of stoicism that dominates our culture. Too bad. Holding an election based upon these lame stereotypes is no way to select a president. I suggest the greater emotionalism is being displayed by those who let these side issues hold any sway with them at all.
Since they do seem to have some sway, I suggest people watch the movie. They will then be able to dismiss the sexism inherent in the undue attention paid to who tears up and who doesn't.