Hilary Clinton @ MindSay

So I've been reading Dorris Kearns Goodwin's book "Team of Rivals", a book-yes, they still do exist- about how Abe Lincoln instilled his political rivals into his cabinet so as to maintain stability.  But the similarities are remarkable between the current president elect Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln, probably by Obama's choosing.  If you're going to market yourself like another candidate, who else would you look to than the most hallowed politician this side of George Washington and the Delaware River.  The similarities are pretty close though; both came in during a rough time (looming threat of Civil War & a recession), both ran as a more moderate candidate in a crowd of partisans, both were young compared to their peers, and both installed their chief rival (William Seward and Hilary Clinton) into the spot of Secretary of State.  But what Mr. Obama cannot do is try to mimmick everything he did.  Times have changed, situations as changed.  The philosophy to follow may be the same, but the specifics most certainly are not.  

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Don't give me this "she's a woman" bullshit.

Presidents fail (JFK @ the Bay of Pigs). 
Presidents have their problems (Lincoln lost his temper quite a bit).
Presidents aren't perfect (FDR...nuff said).
Presidents are human.

I think she's frustrated, which makes her look more human.
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Oh, here are some other notable presidents that weren't perfect/failed to accomplish anything:

• Washington
  
• Jefferson
• Andrew Jackson
• Teddy Roosevelt
• Johnson
  
• Reagan (yeah, I said it)
• Clinton

Note: I'm not saying that any of these presidents were horrible, but they had their faults.

Yesterday Senator Hilary Clinton reminded us that she is a woman. Bad move.

Clinton’s emotionally charged response to a Portsmouth, New Hampshire audience member question caused her to become teary eyed when replying, “You know, this is very personal for me. It’s not just political it’s not just public. I see what’s happening, and we have to reverse it.”

For many, Clinton’s behavior reinforced the hesitation of electing a female Commander-in-chief. Her red eyes and shaky voice stripped her of the ‘tough guy’ image she regularly portrays and reminded voters that she is as feminine as Jessica Simpson.

Perhaps Clinton’s reaction was strategic and staged – but in a time of great uncertainty and change, Americans are searching for a leader not a crier. And although the ramifications of her tears have yet to be determined, this much is sure – On the eve of the New Hampshire primary, Clinton became a ‘typical woman’.

From the start to the end – her campaign may be a trail of tears.

What do you think?  Did Hilary show she was more human, or will the perceived weakness end her campaign?

This report was contributed by Danielle Morrison

So, is it just that my rose-colored sunglasses are coming off or is everything falling apart. My trust in the party is failing...

 

Thank god for the McCain-Feingold act that took money out of politics right? Well here's the most recent abuse.

 

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Hillary Clinton to Pay Vilsack's $400,000 Campaign Debt

 

Democratic presidential contender Hillary Rodham Clinton has agreed to help one-time candidate Tom Vilsack, who endorsed her on Monday, as he seeks to retire a campaign debt of more than $400,000.

 

Clinton spokesman Mark Daley said he was uncertain how Clinton would go about raising money for Vilsack, but he conceded that at some point, she would have to contact her supporters. "Someone in her shop is going to have to reach out," Daley said.

 

Vilsack and his wife, Christie, endorsed Clinton in her bid for the Democratic nomination at an Iowa news conference on Monday. Daley said there was no connection between the fundraising and the endorsement.

"There was no quid pro quo," Daley said. "They have a long history and if she could be helpful she wants to be helpful."

 

The help for Vilsack comes as one of Clinton's top supporters in New Hampshire disputed reports of another promise in exchange for an endorsement. Bill Shaheen, in an interview with The Associated Press, said suggestions that he withheld his endorsement of Clinton until he was promised an ambassadorship were wrong.

"Did she promise (an ambassadorship)? No," Shaheen said. "That's not how I work. I don't think Senator Clinton is thinking that far down the road and I would be disappointed if she was."

 

Shaheen joined the Clinton campaign last week as co-chairman of her national and state campaigns. After the endorsement, Shaheen met with bloggers and told them if Clinton wins the White House, he wants to be part of her team negotiating peace in the Middle East.

 

Last month, a key black Democratic leader in South Carolina negotiated a $10,000 per month consulting contract with Clinton's campaign, a development that came to light when state Sen. Darrell Jackson endorsed the presidential hopeful.

 

The campaign denied there was any deal made for Jackson's endorsement.

 

Vilsack announced he would run for president on Nov. 30, about a month before the end of his second term as governor. He ended his campaign Feb. 23, citing an inability to raise enough money.

 

The Vilsacks became among the most high-profile backers of Clinton's bid. Christie Vilsack said is was a natural decision because her ties to Clinton date to the 1970s. At that time, Christie Vilsack's late brother, Tom, was a lawyer who worked with Clinton during the Watergate-driven impeachment investigation.

In a letter to his backers in Iowa, Vilsack said he will go all out for Clinton.

 

"Christie and I plan on spending the next 10 months helping Hillary win the Iowa caucuses and the other states necessary to win the Democratic nomination - and after that the White House in 2008," Vilsack said.

Source.

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  So now campaigns can buy endorsements from local and national politicians... BUY them. Cash on the barrellhead...

 

*breathes deep* isn't democracy grand?