Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience

by aiko, Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 03:11:46 PM EST

Well I guess Dodd has given up on his bid for VP. Can anyone say: being First Lady does not equal experience?

Dodd: Clinton was sitting on the sidelines

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) - Hillary Clinton may tout her 35 years of experience as the principal reason to vote for her, but Chris Dodd says counting her eight years in the White House as First Lady as a qualification "is an exaggeration, in my view. That's not experience, that's witnessing experience."

At the launch of his "Caucus For Results" bus tour, the Connecticut senator told a crowd at his Iowa campaign headquarters that "it's not just enough sitting on the sidelines and watching your husband deal with problems over the years," to argue that his 26 years in the Senate are better suited to bring people together and deal with unexpected events like the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Dodd said the New York senator's claim that her time as First Lady was experience would be like his wife Jackie taking credit for his Family Medical Leave Act, adding, "The experience of having witnessed history is not the same as having helped create it."





Tags: obama, clinton, 2008, edwards, dodd (all tags)

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Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

the Connecticut senator told a crowd at his Iowa campaign headquarters that "it's not just enough sitting on the sidelines and watching your husband deal with problems over the years,"

Sexist.

Destroy him, Hill-backers.


by Namtrix on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 03:25:43 PM EST

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

How is that sexist? Please explain. If Hillary had been the President and it was Bill running on his wifes record he would be laughed off the stage, so how is it sexist to point out that's exactly what Hillary is doing?


by Mystylplx on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:22:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

I was being sarcastic--making fun of the fact that some Hillary supporters seem to interpret everything (including Obama's recent reference to "tea") as being sexist.


by Namtrix on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:27:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Very true.eom (none / 0)


by Mystylplx on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:34:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

you're both clueless.


ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:35:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

she is not running on her husband's experience.  She  is running on her own experience.
If you don't get the sexism that is your problem.  2007 is way too late for you still to be so confused and expect and education for free.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:37:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (2.00 / 1)

But "her own experience" is being married to Bill Clinton plus six years in the Senate. She never held elected office till 2000. She never held a job in Government (except the Nixon thing) untill 2000.

I notice you like to cry SEXISM! But you can never back it up with anything remotely resembling a rational argument.


by Mystylplx on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:50:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

Destroy him? He's destroying himself, there's no need.

He's getting publicity for the nature of the attack- which is brutish and nasty- not for the attack itself, which has been said by others before him, only more intelligently against both Clinton and Obama.  And that's why he will NEVER be President- he's content rehashing other people's barbs instead of being original or having any sort of new perspective on either Clinton or Obama that would make anyone seriously consider his candidacy at this time- the last hours.


by reasonwarrior on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 09:04:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What a total pig! (2.00 / 2)

I'm outraged and disappointed.


formerly bookgirl
by masslib1 on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 03:26:11 PM EST

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

He was harder on Obama, if AIKO has the integrity to post the rest of Dodd's comments.


"What do Barack Obama and David Koresh have in common? Too god damn much."
by ThinkingDem on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 03:39:18 PM EST

Well, I am still terribly (none / 0)

disappointed with his remarks.  It's out of character.


formerly bookgirl
by masslib1 on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 03:50:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, I am still terribly (2.00 / 1)

Not really.  Dodd is always angry.


by Namtrix on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:00:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, I am still terribly (2.00 / 1)

Out of character?  You must have forgotten the pile on debate when he said Hillary was unelectable and quoted his stats about who said they wouldn't vote for her.  In my book he's an angry, jealous, bitter man.


by Kingstongirl on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:28:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, I am still terribly (2.00 / 1)

I found the comment refreshingly honest. He just went up in my estimation because it cut through the bullshit. And even if he said similar about edwards who was only in the Senate for 6 years you would still see me agreeing. All of the top tier when compared to the second tier really are llight on experience, and he has every right to point that out. Although I would disagree with him by arguing its more about judgment than simply experience. Again an argument that he can make.


by bruh21 on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 05:47:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Dodd is my second choice, but (2.00 / 1)

these remarks do not reflect well on him. Obviously Hillary was more involved in Bill Clinton's presidency than the average spouse is in drafting Senate legislation.

I have never understood that argument against Hillary. It would seem obvious that having spent eight years in the White House, being involved in political and policy decisions, is pretty significant experience.

My problem with Hillary is that I didn't think Bill was a great president, especially not on environmental issues, and I don't want a return to the Clinton style of governing.


John McCain: 100 years in Iraq "would be fine with me."
by desmoinesdem on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:12:57 PM EST

Re: Dodd is my second choice, but (none / 0)

It's sexism.  That's the argument.  I'm not sure how you miss that.


formerly bookgirl
by masslib1 on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:19:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

How? (none / 0)

How is it sexist to point out that her so-called "35 years experience" is really six years experience on her own merits and 29 years experience being married to Bill Clinton? If a man tried to run on his wifes credentials like Hillary is running on her husbands credentials he would be laughed out of the building.


by Mystylplx on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:25:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How? (none / 0)

This is exactly what I am talking about.


formerly bookgirl
by masslib1 on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:28:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

??????.eom (none / 0)


by Mystylplx on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:36:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How? (none / 0)

don't even bother with this person.  If he doesn't get it now he never will.  Some people are just unteachable.]
Frankly my cat learns faster.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:41:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I get it perfectly. (2.00 / 2)

Anyone who questions whether a spouse inherits the experience of their partner is "sexist" if the spouse in question is Hillary Clinton. Anyone who questions her credentials is "sexist." Anyone who doesn't support her is "sexist."

I understand perfectly.


by Mystylplx on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:52:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

American voters recognize that (2.00 / 1)

spouses of politicians do gain significant experience. A lot of widows have been elected to Congress after their husbands who were members of Congress died, even if those women had not previously held office themselves.


John McCain: 100 years in Iraq "would be fine with me."
by desmoinesdem on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:29:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: American voters recognize that (none / 0)

It happens like that in politics for some reason. Notice it never happens the other way around though? Ever see a widower elected to office after his wife (who had held the office) died?

And I'm not saying she didn't gain some experience from her years sleeping in the white house, just that they are exagerating it to the extreme.


by Mystylplx on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:33:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: American voters recognize that (2.00 / 1)

I disagree. i think a lot of voters who aren't vested in  Democrat winning will look at such statements with distain. As I askd- why can't laura bush make a similar claim come 2012 or 2016 and i was attacked for making a silly argument. They were right- it was a silly argument, and so is this one because it ultimately has the same impact on the voter and on the issues that it raise regarding using status as a stand in for accountability, transparency and leadership (even if she advised it wasn't in any capacity by which teh Americna people were privity or able to judge). Of the candidates only Richardson can claim real white house experience that we can reasonably judge without getting nostalgic about it.


by bruh21 on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 05:50:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd is my second choice, but (2.00 / 2)

She was more involved than the average spouse, but nowhere near enough involved to make the claims to "experience" that she's been making. She was a 'top-adviser' but she didn't attend cabinet meetings, didn't attend briefings except relating to the Health Care task Force, wasn't privy to classified information and wasn't there when the decisions were being made.

They're trying to sell her as Bill Clinton's co-President and Dodd is dead right--it's a nonsensical claim that plays on the ignorance of the voters.


by Mystylplx on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:30:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

acutlly she did many of those (1.00 / 1)

things you are saying she did not do.  You're just making shit up.
Boohoo that your candidate is such a washout and not ready to govern.  If you are that prejudiced against smart experienced women you are going to have a hard time living in this century.  Maybe you can move to some Muslim theocracy which will suit you better.  Then you won't ever have to be threatened by women who make more of their life than you ever will.
We are both here typing on a small blog, but Clinton is about to kick Obama's ass over the next few months.  Live with it.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:47:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: acutlly she did many of those (2.00 / 2)

My boss right now is a smart experienced woman and we get along great. But her experience is her own and not her husbands. She doesn't try to take credit for her husbands accomplishments.


by Mystylplx on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:58:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd is my second choice, but (2.00 / 2)

As usual, I agree with your points, demoinesdem.  

People who loved the Clinton presidency either enjoyed him as a person, are centrist in nature, or do not know enough details regarding the policies he passed - DOMA, NAFTA, Telcomm Act, Don't Ask/Don't Tell, etc - to realize he wasn't good on progressive issues.

I do give him credit for 2 solid Sup. Ct. justices, which have served us well in trying to keep our country from being entirely run by conservatives.


Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
by passionateprogressive on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:47:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

something both of you seem to forget (none / 0)

he is not running.  You should take some time to get to know HER.
And I remember Bill Clinton very well.  What you don't seem to remember is Edwards 1.0.  He was no liberal and more conservative than Clinton.  Good for you if you think his transformation is real.  I think it is nothing more than pandering to a base he could not win over as himself.  I don't trust him not to revert back.
So I prefer a candidate who I can trust and her name is not Bill Clinton 2.0 much as the Edwards camp might like to say so.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:52:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (2.00 / 1)

He equated her with Laura Bush in one speech which I thought was particularly - well- silly, stupid, so much applies.  Bill clearly said it was going to be a type of co-Presidency when he ran, the 2-for-1- George never said anything like that about Laura - it's just very obvious Hillary was not on the side-lines- maybe she should not take credit for as much- but to say she did nothing is too far in the other direction

Frankly, the time for him to be so brutal has LONG PAST- I just thought the whole speech made him look stupid.


by reasonwarrior on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:41:11 PM EST

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (2.00 / 2)

Sorry, but she never had a security clearance, and the NY Times showed she wasn't in on the discussions when it came to bombing Kosovo.

Being married to a surgeon for many years doesn't make me ready to perform a coronary bypass surgery, even after I've had a few semesters of anatomy and physiology.


The sharpest criticism often goes hand in hand with the deepest idealism and love of country. ~RFK
by Vox Populi on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:46:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

No, Pox, you definitely should not be performing surgery.


by reasonwarrior on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 05:36:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

Exactly right, and Clinton shouldn't be president.  We agree.  Thank you!


The sharpest criticism often goes hand in hand with the deepest idealism and love of country. ~RFK
by Vox Populi on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 08:54:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (2.00 / 1)

he is grasping at straws.  I thought better of him.  Now I don't feel bad at how poorly he is doing.


ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:54:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

For the sake of integrity, here are some more of Dodd's comments that day:

"It isn't just a question of giving a great speech, giving an ennobling idea," Dodd said of what the presidency takes.

After his speech, reporters asked Dodd to expand on his remarks, and he was happy to oblige.

"Barack Obama, I mean, how -- I mean, talking about the future and giving soaring speeches is very good, and it's a good experience," Dodd said. "But I don't think it's as deep as what people are looking for in a Democratic candidate that can win the election and bring our country together."

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/120 7/7599.html


The sharpest criticism often goes hand in hand with the deepest idealism and love of country. ~RFK
by Vox Populi on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:43:43 PM EST

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (2.00 / 1)

The Concord Monitor in New Hampshire doesn't agree. They are endorsing Hillary tomorrow, and here is an excerpt from what they will say:

...Hillary Clinton's unique combination of smarts, experience and toughness makes her the best choice to win the November election and truly get things done.


by arkansasdemocrat on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 06:24:25 PM EST

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

Dodd is so jealous of Clinton he does not know what to do with himself. Dodd should just go back to rehabilitating his family name as the Des Moines Register debate moderator so aptly and contemptuously noted. Dodd is the embodiment of the triumph of ambition over irrelevance. Ugh. Definitely not for export outside of the US Senate.


by superetendar on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 07:03:37 PM EST

Re: Dodd on Clinton's So-called Experience (none / 0)

Bitter much?


by Bush Bites on Sun Dec 30, 2007 at 02:37:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: VP? (none / 0)

Sensitive?


by Bush Bites on Sun Dec 30, 2007 at 02:32:11 AM EST


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