With a little less than 2 years 'til the next presidential election, it seems the political in-fighting has already begun. It's interesting to note which Party started the verbal caterwauling, and which potential candidates have materialized as the prize fighters. Apparently, Madame Clinton is "furious" that so many of Hollywood's major players are jumping on the Barack bandwagon, leaving her in the proverbial dust. Dreamworks big wigs, David Geffen, Jeff Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, hosted a private fundraising event on Tuesday, that grossed 1.3 million smackers, including checks from the likes of George Clooney, Barb Streisand and Eddie Murphy. And to add insult to injury, Geffen (in a Maureen Dowd N.Y. Times column) criticised Miss Thang and hubby Bill, saying that while "everybody in politics lies," the Clintons "do it with such ease, it’s troubling." Geffen, a Clinton-lover in the past, told Dowd that he feels the Republicans believe Hillary would be the "easiest to defeat", and that Bill, with his checkered past, would "pull focus", adding that former Prez Clinton was a “reckless guy...who gave his enemies a lot of ammunition to hurt him and to distract the country." Then, in response to whether Obama "could stand up to Clinton Inc.", Geffen replied, "I hope so, because that machine is going to be very unpleasant and unattractive and effective”. And he's right. We all know, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." And it's already beginning.
The Clinton campaign actually had the audacity to ask Obama to denounce Geffen's remarks, and return the portion of the money (from the fundraiser) that Geffen had donated to his campaign. Obama declined, and rightfully so, saying "It's not clear to me why I'd be apologizing for someone else's remark." And though Obama declared, "I'm just going to stay focused on my campaign and I'm going to run a positive campaign about the issues that affect the people in our country," someone in Clinton's camp fired back, “While Senator Obama was denouncing slash-and-burn politics yesterday, his campaign’s finance chair was viciously and personally attacking Senator Clinton and her husband.” To which Obama spokesman, Bill Burton, responded that he found it “ironic that the Clintons had no problem with David Geffen.......raising them $18 million and sleeping at their invitation in the Lincoln Bedroom.”
So, it appears, Hollywood's love affair with the Clintons has suddenly turned sour. After years of being fawned over, both B and H are no longer the politicians du jour. Proof of Hollywood's fickle nature. I can understand how betrayed La-Hillary feels. Being ditched at the altar must be devastating for someone who has had her eyes set on the White House from way before her husband was even Prez. But to place so much importance on the support and acceptance of entertainment industry elites is terribly shallow and, frankly, rather stupid.
It's too bad political campaigning can't rise above the usual puerile, negative antics and that the candidates are unable to conduct themselves with civility and grace. But I suppose it goes with the territory.
So, the next few years are destined to be pretty darn ugly and I, for one, am going to try my darnedest to tune it all out. If that's at all possible. Thank goodness for remote controls!!
6 comments:
I wonder if this may in fact help Hilary. These past few years have seen a rise in the general public's distaste for "Hollywood" politics.Is it possible this estrangement could in fact win her more than she loses? But my money is on Rudy - if he can out run all that baggage.
everything helps hillary, in much the same way that everything is caused by global warming. she is a shoo-in...right up until real people cast real votes.
I'm not sure BCF, there are many people who dislike Hillary intensely, and that includes many Dems. There is a sense of distrust, that goes back years. She lacks her hubby's charisma and as Geffen says, he would probably be a major liability. There's an email going around about all the strange happenings re. people who have crossed the Clintons. Too many bodies in the closet, so to speak. I had initially thought that perhaps they might decide to have her run as Prez with Obama as V.P. but after all this nastiness, I doubt that will happen. I have a feeling they might wind up cancelling each other out and someone else will win the nom. We shall see. As for the public's distaste for Hollywood....people are still enamored of celebs.. ultra libs or no.. and always will be. People easily forget.
And I hope you are right Anon! (sorry Dad)
One thing is for certain, She has a lot going for her. History in politics, name recognition, She's a realistic female candidate, all of her big skeletons are out of the closet and fully gauked at.
Another thing that is for certain, she has a lot going against her. Her history in politics, her name recognition, she's a female canditate (while I'd like to think that we are past that in this country, I still beleive that it will be a hurdle for her,) and those skeletons are all easy pickings for a slow weekend at the press while the other democratic candidates are still mostly unknowns.
Some good points PapaJ. The skeletons might be fully out but there are still questions surrounding those skeletons. I might be wrong, but I just don't know if she'll make it. I suppose it will all depend on how she continues to conduct herself during the next 2 years.
And I wonder why this country, as progressive as we like to think we are, still might not be ready for a female Prez. Females have graced leadership positions in countries from Latin America to India. Interesting.
Well one thing I have always been curious about is why she stayed with Bill. I do not see it as being motivated by a "Stand by your Man" or "Family Values" rationale, rather it seems coldly political in calculation - the need to stay close to power. This has to have hurt her.
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