Clinton: 'Vast right-wing conspiracy' now 'machine': The Swamp
The Swamp
Posted August 8, 2007 11:00 AM
The Swamp

Clintonaflcio.jpeg

Hillary Clinton was among friends at the AFL-CIO forum on Soldier Field: Posing with Nolynn Nix, 5, while mother Noreen snapped a picture. But for 15 years, Clinton told the crowd, she has been fighting a "right-wing machine.'' (Chicago Tribune Photo by Charles Cherney.)


by Mark Silva

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, viewed by many as a polarizing figure in American politics, has refined her terminology for the enemy.

The former first lady and now candidate for president, who once spoke of a “vast right-wing conspiracy’’ that was out to get her husband, then president, now speaks of a “right-wing machine’’ which she, herself, has been fighting for 15 years.

In January 1998, as President Bill Clinton faced intensive questioning over an alleged affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky – and at a time when Clinton was denying any relationship with “that woman’’ – the first lady appeared on NBC’s Today Show.

“You have said, I understand, to some close friends, that this is the last great battle, and that one side or the other is going down here,’’ NBC’s Matt Lauer said in that interview with Hillary Clinton.

“Well, I don't know if I've been that dramatic,’’ she replied. “That would sound like a good line from a movie.

“But I do believe that this is a battle,’’ she said. “I mean, look at the very people who are involved in this — they have popped up in other settings. This is… the great story here for anybody willing to find it and write about it and explain it is this vast right-wing conspiracy that has been conspiring against my husband since the day he announced for president."

The first lady, who also had spearheaded her husband’s attempts early on to devise a national health care plan, had fought her own political battles with Congress and an insurance industry that wanted no part of her plan.

In her 2003 memoir, Living History, Clinton did not shy away from that “right-wing conspiracy’’ theory about the opposition they faced.

But last night, at the AFL-CIO candidates’ forum in Chicago, the senator from New York who is the Democratic Party’s leading candidate for president in 2008 at the moment, found herself fielding some unfriendly comments from her party’s rivals at Soldier Field and spoke about the external opposition she has faced in a somewhat simpler term.

“Well, I am -- yeah, I'm just taking it all in,’’ Clinton said. “You know, I've noticed in the last few days that a lot of the other campaigns have been using my name a lot

“But I'm here because I think we need to change America, and it's not to get in fights with Democrats,’’ she said. “I want the Democrats to win, and I want a united Democratic Party that will stand against the Republicans… And I will say that for 15 years I have stood up against the right-wing machine, and I've come out stronger. So if you want a winner who knows how to take them on, I'm your girl. ‘’

Digg Delicious Facebook Fark Google Newsvine Reddit Yahoo

Comments

Hillary Clinton = decline of America. I find the references to Monica interesting. I think one of her primary objectives in running for President is this: If she does not, her legacy will be the wife that forgave her husband for cheating with a horribly unattractive women, even after he lied to the entire nation. She is concerned about Hillary, ONLY. She could care less about the ordinary folk that read the Tribune.


You know what we all need to be afraid of Madame Senator from New York? People who say this; "...we need to change America...” Please, there is NOTHING wrong with America. With all due respect Madame Senator from New York, what we need to change is the pathetic, partisan, leadership in the Congress and White House. I say we start with you and all your Washington buddies and we will call it the “Voters Machine!!”


"Hillary Clinton = decline of America"

I nominate this for the stupidest comment of the day award.

Why don't you drop the pretext that you're supposedly 'balanced' and just admit you're a wingnut.


"Nothing wrong with Amrica"? Sure if you're a rich, white, capitalist. Go say 'there's nothing we need to change' to what's left of the middle class, to the left-behinds, to all 60 million without health care, to the families of the dead and maimed from the Bush Oil War. Go say it to their faces, coward.


Well right off the bat..here comes the "right-wing machine".
Carolina Mike is happy with the way America is. His little world must be going good. To bad he doesn't look at the things that are bad for a lot of other people not so well off. Doesn't really bother him....can't see it from my house.
Then there Rob s....who is concerned that Hillary will get stuck with a label from the affair. Do you feel bad for the hypocritical republicans who were holier than thou. Who were doing there own "shtupping" at the same time they were preaching to the country.
Republican=do as I say..not as I do.


If you would like to turn this country into a picture of European society[socialism]vote for Hillary the red.


"...her legacy will be the wife that forgave her husband for cheating with a horribly unattractive women, even after he lied to the entire nation."

Posted by: Rob S | August 8, 2007 11:28 AM

And Laura Bush's legacy will be the wife that forgave her husband for drinking heavily and staying out late while she took care of twin daughters, and then he lied to an entire nation leading to over 3500 dead American soldiers and more than 20000 maimed.


Be very afraid of this woman.
The only change she wants to make in America is to accelerate the downhill slide to becoming a third world country.


"Hillary Clinton = decline of America"

I wonder how Rob S feels about Florida Rep Ted Allen -- decline of modern civilization as we know it?


Hillary: "Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy Now Machine"


Deficit Spending, the Neocons, the Evangelical, Fox Noise Channel, Rush Limpdong....

I wouldn't call that a "Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy", I'd call that "Vast Right-Wing Stupidity."


Ah the maniacal rantings from the Loony Left.

There is nothing wrong with America. Is everything perfect? No. Is any country perfect? No. Is the U.S. still the best country? Yes.

Actually the U.S. would be much closer to perfect if it weren't for the Loony Lefters dragging down and embarrassing the country every day. Please go where you folks will be happy: Venezuala.

Oh and "John," if Bush did lie about Iraq, then so did Hillary, Bill, Tom Daschle, Ted the Swimmer Kennedy, Son of Chuckie Schumer, and the rest.


"Hillary Clinton = decline of America"

I nominate this for the stupidest comment of the day award.

Why don't you drop the pretext that you're supposedly 'balanced' and just admit you're a wingnut.

Posted by: weinerdog43 | August 8, 2007 12:04 PM

No, my comment does not hold a candle to yours. And since you presume to be able to identify others from blogs, then you would agree that you must be an ass. You have no idea of my ideals, passions etc. Only a lemming basses their opinion soley on their party. I judge each candidate on their history, and what that history does to me. Hillary history concerns me, and I do not feel that her motives for seeking the Presidency are to help help the American people. It is to help herself, period. I do not care if you agree, like, dislike ar care what I say or think. There is a long standing anatomical part that opinions are compared to. This would also apply to you. As for being "balanced", well, as how can I argue with someone whose balance will never be corrected?!


"...her legacy will be the wife that forgave her husband for cheating with a horribly unattractive women, even after he lied to the entire nation."

Posted by: Rob S | August 8, 2007 11:28 AM

And Laura Bush's legacy will be the wife that forgave her husband for drinking heavily and staying out late while she took care of twin daughters, and then he lied to an entire nation leading to over 3500 dead American soldiers and more than 20000 maimed.


Posted by: john | August 8, 2007 12:31 PM

john, I agree with you 110%. However, since this article, and corresponding comments are about hillary. If an similar article arose about Mrs. Bush, I would completely agree with you. In addition, she is NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. So I am not as concerned with her motives and rationale as I am with hillary's.
But again, you are right. Due to her husbands idiocy, her repuation will always be tarnished.


Then there Rob s....who is concerned that Hillary will get stuck with a label from the affair. Do you feel bad for the hypocritical republicans who were holier than thou. Who were doing there own "shtupping" at the same time they were preaching to the country.
Republican=do as I say..not as I do.

Posted by: bill r. | August 8, 2007 12:12 PM


I have said time and again that I am sick of the Rep.'s as I am the Dem's. I have no pity for anybody that chose their own course. I have also stated many, many times that despite being a registered Republican, this has NEVER, I repeat NEVER been the sole reason for a person to receive my vote. I voted for Rod, and have regretted it ever since. I voted for Obama, and was very disappointed that he chose to jump into the fray this early in his career. I think he got swept up in the 'first african american" President. He is not ready. So, many people are trying to put juvenile reason's for my comments. Well, the replies are far more childish than my comments. My comments are my feelings.
I feel that Hillary is the worst candidate. She shuold not be on the ballot. BUst as for your comment, "Republican=do as I say..not as I do." I agree whole heartedly.


OK it has to be said....There is not a Right Wing Machine or Conspiracy. I see it as people with strong beliefs and morals that relate back to their upbringing. Why don't we discuss the Left Wing Machine or Conspiracy. Their beliefs are rooted in their upbringing. You know, we are all so mad at each other very few are listening to the good ideas that appear on both sides of the fence.


Holier than thou Rob S,
I've yet to hear you cry about Newt's private life, (R) Senator Vitters prostitusion patronage, (R) Mark Foley's infatuation with pictures of young boys, Rev Ted Haggard's use of a male prostitutes and meth.....ect....etc.. or how about Rudy Gigoloiani's past, does that concern you?

Your attitude makes me sick..


fcsanders,

I actually like Europe so maybe I will vote for her. Thanks for the heads up!


Most of the foregoing comments truly demonstrate just how effective the cheneybush regime has been at uniting our country.

Dirty politics have always existed. Not until the advent of Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and political operatives like KKKarl Rove & Lee Jordon (not positive on this name - the guy who worked for Democrats prior to dying of brain cancer) though, did outright hatred and zeal for screaming at others really take over the political process.

Again, I propose we hold national elections where NO ONE is eligible for re-election. A clean start may be radical - but so was out clean start in 1776!


Holier than thou Rob S,
I've yet to hear you cry about Newt's private life, (R) Senator Vitters prostitusion patronage, (R) Mark Foley's infatuation with pictures of young boys, Rev Ted Haggard's use of a male prostitutes and meth.....ect....etc.. or how about Rudy Gigoloiani's past, does that concern you?

Your attitude makes me sick..

Posted by: John E | August 8, 2007 1:43 PM

Well, JOhn E. At least I have done something good today bymaking you sick. All of the poeple you mention deserve similar attacks. However, if I am not mistaken, the above article were are referencing in our comments is about HILLARY. If an article arises about any of the people you mention, well by God I will comments on them.Seems to me that holier than though is exhibited more by you reply than my comments. Make sure you take plenty of liquids, get bed rest and have chicken soup. Glad I could make you sick!!


Shorter Rob S: "You'll have to excuse me, I missed Limpbaugh today and I had to make up my own talking points."


Once again, memnbers of the Loony Left attack someone because they are not a card-carrying member of the Loony Left.

Leo T, a sensible liberal who criticized both parties was attacked by the Maniacal Loony Left, but never by a conservative in the Swamp.

And now Rob S., who admits he is a Republican but also has crossed party lines to vote for the Corrupt Boy Governor and Obama, yet he gets attacked and attacked and attacked.

The only good thing is that the Loony Dopes keep proving my point for me. The worst mankind has to offer, the most worhtless mankind has to offer and the most loony mankind has to offer are all tucked away in the Maniacal Unreality World that is the Loony Left.


Hillary always blames the right wing conspiracy for all her troubles Bill's impeachment, the strange saga of the McDougals when Hil worked Whitewater for the Rose Law firm. The one bright spot for all GOP candidates is Hil she is a negative factor that will be the gift that keeps on giving in 08 and benefit the GOP. She starts out in the low 40's where Bill always was in his 2 terms. No name is more polarizing for many people than just the sound of her name and all the games she played socialized medicine, the travel gate and Whitewater, not finding files from Rose Law Firm etc. The way she screams she sounds like everybody's worst ex-wife even if you don't have one. Jerry White, Springfield, IL


Hey, John D., don't forget that the Wingnuts still have Pat Robertson, Rush Limbaugh & Sean Hannity. Hopefully you'll agree these 3 are quite loony and worthless in there own charmless ways. Oops, I almost forgot, the Wingnuts also had Oral Roberts & a 900 foot Jesus!


No wonder Republicans are applauding Hillary. The Clintons are close friends of the Bushes, with Bill and Bush Sr. traveling together, and G.W. Bush and Kennedy collaborating on education and immigration legislation. All of this is to lead to a continuation of the 20-year
Bush-Clinton-Bush running of this country. Any fresh faces out there?


The worst mankind has to offer, the most worhtless mankind has to offer and the most loony mankind has

Posted by: John D | August 8, 2007 2:16 PM

This is precisely why you and your party cannot be trusted to fight the war on terror. You advocate murdering Democratic leaders and defend Osama Bin Laden from being brought to justice by a Barack Obama administration. To you and your deranged out of touch party Democrats are the worst mankind has to offer and al-Qaeda should be coddled and protected by truce agreements with the Pakistani government.


Well, JOhn E. At least I have done something good today bymaking you sick. All of the poeple you mention deserve similar attacks. However, if I am not mistaken, the above article were are referencing in our comments is about HILLARY. If an article arises about any of the people you mention, well by God I will comments on them.Seems to me that holier than though is exhibited more by you reply than my comments. Make sure you take plenty of liquids, get bed rest and have chicken soup. Glad I could make you sick!!

Posted by: Rob S | August 8, 2007 2:00 PM

Hey Robbie,
Somehow I must have missed your post comments condemning any of the Republican Hypocrites, could it be because you never made any?


Hillary always blames the right wing conspiracy for all her troubles Bill's impeachment, the strange saga of the McDougals when Hil worked Whitewater for the Rose Law firm. The one bright spot for all GOP candidates is Hil she is a negative factor that will be the gift that keeps on giving in 08 and benefit the GOP. She starts out in the low 40's where Bill always was in his 2 terms. No name is more polarizing for many people than just the sound of her name and all the games she played socialized medicine, the travel gate and Whitewater, not finding files from Rose Law Firm etc. The way she screams she sounds like everybody's worst ex-wife even if you don't have one. Jerry White, Springfield, IL

Posted by: Jerry White | August 8, 2007 2:30 PM


Gee Jerry, sounds like you have a problem with women going on there, you should talk to Little Johnny D, he's another repressed little Republican who is single, white, middle-aged and still can't score himself a girlfriend.

It's no big surprise that the average Republic Party member is always so angry.


Rob S....I understand your free will to choose whomever you wish as a candidate. I understand that you have every right to think Hillary is the worst candidate. But to use a reason such as the Monica affair seems quite unfair. Politics are one thing, but believe it or not, she was one of the "victims" in that. While her husband made a very poor decision, and the hypocritical politicians condeming Clinton, while committing the same acts, and somehow this falls on her lap? Just doesn't seem right to me.


Hey Robbie,
Somehow I must have missed your post comments condemning any of the Republican Hypocrites, could it be because you never made any?

Posted by: John E | August 8, 2007 2:45 PM

Apparently you also missed Rob S's comments in this thread, and failed to read the original post as well.

Maybe you should have somebody read them and explain them to you in simpler, shorter words.

And you too, Wiener


Anon, ?????

You're making even less sense than usual. And that's saying something.


Apparently you also missed Rob S's comments in this thread, and failed to read the original post as well.

Maybe you should have somebody read them and explain them to you in simpler, shorter words.

And you too, Wiener

Posted by: Anonymous | August 8, 2007 3:32 PM

Nice tantrum, are you going to pick up your ball and go home now?


Be very afraid of this woman.
The only change she wants to make in America is to accelerate the downhill slide to becoming a third world country.
Posted by: T.Ritchie | August 8, 2007 12:56 PM

If you're going to make a statement like that, be prepared to back it up. And I hate to tell you this, but we are well into the "slide" you refer to. And you don't' have to go to New Orleans to see it.


anonymous, thank you!

bill r
my disapproval of hillary is only slightly based on the Monica. I use it as an example of hillary's motiviation to be president. Monica is not the only embarrasment. The impeachment comes to mind. No, I am very leery of her simply because I do not believe in any way shape or form the the American people are her priority. She will use the office for her own advancement. Now I know she would not be the first, but her mannerisms and demeanor concern me. To me, the American people are a necessary pest to her, and we will become invisible to her once she takes office.
John E.
If stupidity were gold, your residence would be Fort Knox. SO, you did not see my posts eh. Well, you have missed the point of this article in most of your blogs anyway. So I would be more concerned if you were a ble to acknowledge them. If you have anything pertinent to post, do so. If not, go back to your playpen and be quite! Oh, my wife, and my mother are the only people who may call me Robby (you can't even spell it right). If it were not for my certification and training as a QMRP, I would probably have diffculty dealing with the blather your mental disability produces.


Jerry White from Springfield Illinois. You need to stop overdosing yourself on Rush Limpbaugh and Fox Lies. Don't you have anything better to do in Sangamon county?? Your statement regarding Bill Clinton's approval rating is false. When Clinton left office, his approval rating was in the mid 60's. He would have been elected for a 3rd term if that were permitted. And I really really hate to inform you that Hillary will be nominated to be President. Who are you going to vote for Jerry White?? Rudy Giuliani, or whoever Limpbaugh endorses?? You may be the one who is screaming when Hillary gets nominated. And what is Bush's approval rating these days. What about Cheney??


my disapproval of hillary is only slightly based on the Monica. I use it as an example of hillary's motiviation to be president. Monica is not the only embarrasment.
Posted by: Rob S | August 8, 2007 4:41 PM

Rob s.....Again you have every right to dislike Hillary. I just find that somehow you find fault with a victim in an issue like this. Kinda like the girl taunted the rapist, and if she truely wished to have people forget about it, running for president isn't a good way. I kinda give her credit for maintaining....


Rob S., you John E has this reading and comprehension problem in that he can't do either. Among his other problems is when he does take the occasional girl home, he has to explain to them why he lives in mummy's and duddy's basement and why he has no job. Then the girl immediately packs up her things and gets the heck out of there.


While her husband made a very poor decision, and the hypocritical politicians condeming Clinton, while committing the same acts, and somehow this falls on her lap? Just doesn't seem right to me.

Posted by: bill r. | August 8, 2007 3:18 PM

Couldn't agree with bill r more.


Clinton: 'Vast right-wing conspiracy' now 'machine'.

Pretty insignificant machine if you really need to know.


I don't understand why people bag on either Clinton so much. He was a pretty good president. Heck he had a shot at being great. Why do these same people stick up for Bush endlessly. He is one rotten president.


I was reading the comments down up so forgive me. I read your response after this and you accurately pointed out the need to look at political decisions. After having made it to the top to read this

"her legacy will be the wife that forgave her husband for cheating with a horribly unattractive women, even after he lied to the entire nation. She is concerned about Hillary, ONLY."

I would go further....

The need to look at political decisions that affect the nation VS PERSONAL ONES that do not.

I don't see how her forgiving her husband is any of anyones business, and how her personal decision in her personal life should have resulted in a decision favorable to the wants of the nation or consider the NATION. She was in a relationship with Bill NOT with Bill AND the NATION. Therefore, "even after he lied to the nation" has no bearing on their relationship , and should not should she chose it not too. In this sense she IS thinking about Hillary. WHO ELSE SHOULD SHE BE THINKING ABOUT IN SUCH A SITUATION? THE NATIONS FEELINGS? Please. The Monika thing is not an unreasonable example of Hillary being only concerned about Hillary.

Let me ask u this. If she was thinking about the nation, and she left her husband bc he (IDN Y) "stains" her image what would you say then... That Hillary is only about Hillary..

Monika Scandal.. misdirected want of want to discredit Hillary.


Post a comment

(Anonymous comments will not be posted. Comments aren't posted immediately. They're screened for relevance to the topic, obscenity, spam and over-the-top personal attacks. We can't always get them up as soon as we'd like so please be patient. Thanks for visiting The Swamp.)

Please enter the letter "k" in the field below:

Quizzes

palin or fey

Palin or Fey?

McCain

Know the presidents?

McCain

Your McCain IQ

Obama

Your Obama IQ

Latest polls

Electoral vote map

map

Test your scenarios

Galleries

Palin

Sarah Palin

campaign

Campaign trail

conventions

RNC | DNC

Unauthorized tour

Obama

Obama's Chicago

News, but funnier

Cartoon

Walt Handelsman

Cartoon

The Lowe- Down

Cartoon

Joe Fournier

Cartoon

Editorial cartoons

Candidate match


Test assumptions