Oct 17 - 46/45 - McCain +01
Hillary Clinton Is A Liar
The Nation's John Nichols:
Just remember this: her lies about NAFTA were the only way she won Ohio. The video listed here shows another aspect of her NAFTA lie. Fortunately this liar will not be the nominee, but it is never old news to discuss the depths of her "win-at-all-costs" efforts to destroy Barack Obama. The problem is, obviously, that the waters have been muddied for Obama versus McCain.
What is the proper word for the claim by Hillary Clinton and the more factually disinclined supporters of her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination -- made in speeches, briefings and interviews (including one by this reporter with the candidate) -- that she has always been a critic of the North American Free Trade Agreement?
Now that we know from the 11,000 pages of Clinton White House documents released this week that former First Lady was an ardent advocate for NAFTA; now that we know she held at least five meetings to strategize about how to win congressional approval of the deal; now that we know she was in the thick of the manuevering to block the efforts of labor, farm, environmental and human rights groups to get a better agreement. Now that we know all of this, how should we assess the claim that Hillary's heart has always beaten to a fair-trade rhythm?
Now that we know from official records of her time as First Lady that Clinton was the featured speaker at a closed-door session where 120 women opinion leaders were hectored to pressure their congressional representatives to approve NAFTA; now that we know from ABC News reporting on the session that "her remarks were totally pro-NAFTA" and that "there was no equivocation for her support for NAFTA at the time;" now that we have these details confirmed, what should we make of Clinton's campaign claim that she was never comfortable with the militant free-trade agenda that has cost the United States hundreds of thousands of union jobs, that has idled entire industries, that has saddled this country with record trade deficits, undermined the security of working families in the US and abroad, and has forced Mexican farmers off their land into an economic refugee status that ultimately forces them to cross the Rio Grande River in search of work?
As she campaigns now, Clinton says, "I have been a critic of NAFTA from the very beginning."
But the White House records confirm that this is not true.
Her statement is, to be precise, a lie.
When it comes to the essential test of the trade debate, Clinton has been identified as a liar -- a put-in-boldface-type "L-I-A-R" liar.
Those of us who covered the 1993 NAFTA debate have frequently expressed doubts about the former First Lady's recent statements. We never heard anything at the time about her dissenting from the Clinton Administration line on trade policy. And we knew that she had defended NAFTA in the years following its enactment. But fairness required that we at least entertain that notion--promoted by the lamentable David Gergen, himself a champion of free-trade policies while working in the Clinton White House--that Hillary Clinton had been a behind-the-scenes critic. We had to at least consider the possibility that, at the very least, Clinton had been worried that advancing NAFTA would trip up her advocacy for health care reform, that she had made her concerns known and that she had absented herself from pro-NAFTA lobbying.
This was certainly the impression that Clinton and her supporters sought to create as she campaigned in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana--states where worried workers want to know exactly where the candidates have stood and currently stand with regard to trade issues.
But that impression was a deliberate deception.
And we must all now recognize that when Hillary Clinton speaks about trade policy, she begins with a lie so blatant--that she's been "a critic of NAFTA from the very beginning"--that everything else she says must be viewed as suspect.
Just remember this: her lies about NAFTA were the only way she won Ohio. The video listed here shows another aspect of her NAFTA lie. Fortunately this liar will not be the nominee, but it is never old news to discuss the depths of her "win-at-all-costs" efforts to destroy Barack Obama. The problem is, obviously, that the waters have been muddied for Obama versus McCain.
By Chuck - 3/23/2008
17 Comments:
NOTES:
1) I have not quit, like Bob, I have just been very busy over the past 2 weeks and will be very busy over the next month (I am getting married at the end of April). There was some internal fighting b/w staff and some exhaustion from all the arguing, but it was more about me being too busy.
2) Send all complaints for the mean words of this post to The Nation's John Nichols....it was him, a respected journalist that used such horrible words about Hillary....and I know a few of our readers (literally, just a few of the hundreds of readers) are evidentally still in 2nd grade and think the "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything" Rule applies.
Chuck, I am glad you are still with us. Also congrats on your engagement. Stop back in when you can
I knew that about Hillary. & She is a Liar. I would venture to say that she is actually farther pro-cheapo-labor-overseas (SHIT trade agreements) than John McCain
All she has really done is add doubt to the equation for Obama and muddy the waters for him as you put it Chuck.
Take a look back at the NAFTA votes. The YEAS were spread relatively evenly across party lines.... in fact it was a real bipartisan effort. I remember Tom Sawyer sitting on the fence until the last possible moment.
You had Newt Gingrich and Ted Kennedy both voting for it. My point is that if you asked any of the 234 House Reps and the 61 Senators that voted in favor of NAFTA to defend their vote today , waffling is what'd you'd get from most of them. And in the end, Hillary never even was in a position to vote either way. This is
really not worthy of THIS much discussion.
She should say: "I voted against it before I voted for it"
Dejavu
Ok Mencken - You are right - Its almost like expecting a politician to be Pope/like
I wouldnt say NAFTA was the only reason she won Ohio....thats making kind of a broad statement.
Yes, but she was trumpeting that she was ALL for the "worker" and bringing "those jobs" back to Ohio.
Sounded like none other than pandering to the displaced worker to me.
A lie to a poltician is but a mere chirp to a chickadee
I suppose that would depend which Pope we were comparing them to.
Of course NAFTA wasn't the only reason she won Ohio, Obama's asinine economic policy, his terrible idea of single payer healthcare that will bankrupt HC an cause a real split in terms of the haves & have nots. But this "contributor" will make any silly argument to advance his point--
I think it's a ridiculas statement to claim NAFTA is the reason for the loss of thousands of Union jobs. Seems pretty obvious the Unions have bargained themselves out of business.
pius the 13 is most like Obama-being as how he too supported and had close personal ties with bigots.
The question now will be who is most equipped to help steward us through this economic downturn-one look at Obama's plans should have any sensible person voting against him
on a side note
I have returned-rest easy chief source readers
Once again my world has turned upside down. I agree with Mencken on this one.
Enjoy the view.
Chuck is forgetting the 3am ad.
But I think it is fair to say she would not have won Youngstown, her strongest area, if her NAFTA position was exposed.
Rather than wasting energy on the effect of NAFTA and who did or didnt support it why not study the North American Highway. Decide if this new superhighway that starts in Mexico at the site of 2 huge deep water ports that will ensure that more goods are imported into this couuntry is what you support. Also what effect will this have on high paying long shoreman and the American truck driver? we are excellent at complaining and finding scapegoats after the fact. Maybe it is time to be proactive.
Democrats in Congress are already fighting against the "NAFTA Highway" and so are the unions.
Hillary has calves just like Pope John XXIII
Whoopee, the religious connotations are SOOOO refreshing in a political campaign. Carville saying thea Richardson is Judas - Precious!
I am betting that if Jesus shows up before Nov - he will be packing his CCW, bustin caps and taking names.
Major Consolation: if Dr. J dont show - we still got T-Dawg!
Hey T-Dawg glad to see you back.
I love this site: Guns, Religion, Politics, Survival in Floods, HesaidSheSaid, Mexicans, Canadians, MexTruckers, NAFTA/ Cafta/ FUBAR
Silent Majority who is NEITHER
Ball of Confusion
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