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Hillary Clinton on Countdown
Marc Ambinder
<blockquote>There may well be a televised presidential smackdown tonight: Hillary Clinton will appear on MSNBC's Countdown with the franchise, Keith Olbermann. For many weeks, Mr. Olbermann has been caustically unsympathetic to Clinton, to her husband, to her campaign, to her campaign's arguments, surrogates, delegate math, television ads, to her campaign staff, her fundraising, her debates, her reason for existing, living and breathing.
Then again, what does Clinton have to lose? </blockquote>
Is this Hillary Clinton in damage control mode after she lambasted the "activist base" of the party? Or is she trying to further the narrative that she can "stand the heat" by going onto, what she would consider, "unfriendly ground"?
Or does Hillary Clinton just need all the free press she can get?
One thing is for sure though, if KO doesn't pull any punches, this should be anything but a conventional interview.
Comments (26)
I should say i don't agree with Marc's characterisation that Keith has been caustic about her "reason for existing, breathing and living." But I think its safe to say that Keith has issues with how her campaign has been run and some of the tactics and logic they've been using to justify its continuation.
I'll be very disappointed if Keith doesn't raise any of those issues with her tonight, but knowing Keith the way i do, I don't think he'll disappoint.
April 21, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah. The way I remember it, Keith's disenchantment with Hillary really started to show when she started with the fear mongering. When the Republicans do it, Keith gets pretty angry. How many times has he called Republicans out for using this tactic? Is it any surprise that Keith took umbrage when Hillary did it--against another Democrat?
Keith has been extremely critical of her campaign tactics, but I don't think his anger is so personal that he's become caustic about her "reason for existing, breathing and living." Come on, now! Ambers sounds a bit over-wrought there.
April 21, 2008 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
That should be fun
KO will embarass himself as a Obama hack as usual.
Good for her for having the guts to talk to that Obama hack.
He will end up like Jack Cafferty for spewing his hate.
April 21, 2008 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
gotalife, I truly think your emotional investment in Sen. Clinton's campaign has clouded your view at the moment. Remember Keith's history in calling out the Republican Party over the last few years. Yes, Keith expresses his personal opinions on his show, and we have to remain aware that this is not objective journalism--it's his opinion. He's never tried to disguise that; so calling him a hack is, I believe, unfair.
That said, I also believe Keith has genuine admiration and affection for the Clintons. I think Keith's anger is over Sen. Clinton's campaign--I sincerely do not think it's personal.
April 21, 2008 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Laura, trying to use reason on gotalife isn't worth your time.
When a dog craps on your yard he's not being illogical. He's just being a dog.
April 21, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
EXCELLENT NEWS FOR HILLARY - ANOTHER PRESCIENT POST BY GETALIFE!!!
April 21, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope Keith replays his blistering Hillary Clinton Special Comment right before she comes on, just so he's good and warmed up Our Lady of the Flaming Pantsuit.
I think I'll wait until 10pm to watch it, so I can follow it up with an Obama chaser on the Daily Show at 11pm.
"So Mrs. Clinton, at this point your campaign is financially and morally bankrupt, what did you hope to gain today by airing an ad featuring Osama bin Laden, when you were one of the people who voted to go to war with Iraq, knowing full well, that this was a pointless diversion from the real mission in Afghanistan?"
April 21, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
"warmed up for"
April 21, 2008 3:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kick her in the teeth, Keith!
April 21, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Prediction: lots and lots of cackling.
April 21, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bingo!
April 21, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keith was for her before he was against her. He detested her tactics. Tonight will be interesting. Followed by Obama on the Daily Show.
April 21, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am an Olbermann junkie. I don't always agree with him but I love the fact that he speaks his mind.
Hillary must be really, really up against it or really really brave to go on Countdown the night before the PA primary. Sheesh, that's like going into a shark infested water when you have your period.
April 21, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Have you seen Hillary's mustard jump suit she breaks out all the time? I swear to god she looks like a sloppy hot dog desperate for some sort of bun.
And that's NOT pretty!
April 21, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
"she looks like a sloppy hot dog desperate for some sort of bun."
In other words, she's starting to look like Bill.
April 21, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope he asks her why she's been running like a republican lately.
April 21, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's gone soft on her recently. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it turns out to be a fluff job.
KO is OK, but you have to ask yourself why he cuddles up with insufferable wanks like Dana Millibank.
April 21, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love Dana Milbank. I think he has a killer wit. Why do you call him insufferable?
April 21, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good lord...
April 21, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
-Leroy S
I love your Clinton avatar
April 21, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
She thinks its a no-lose scenario for her.
If he's nice, she gets free media.
If he tears into her, she gets to send out an emails to her supporters that talk about how she's standing firm against unfair attacks from an Obama loving sexist media, is not whining and needs more money to combat her ongoing victimization.
If he politely asks her topical, but pointed, questions, as he is almost certain to do, she gets to send out an emails to her supporters that talk about how she's standing firm against unfair attacks from an Obama loving sexist media, is not whining and needs more money to combat her ongoing victimization.
April 21, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is the other way around. Keithy has been reading his mail and seeing that his views on the whole wright matter were a little bit out of line I think he is wanting to get on the good side of clinton supporters.
April 21, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
What is Keith running for that he has to get on the good side of Hillaroids?
April 21, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
In his special comment, Olberman used the lovely phrase about "Your friends for whom you are first choice and your friends for whom you are second choice."
I think the right question is "At this point, we understand that you are your own first choice. Is Senator Obama your second choice to be the next President of the United States?"
And then the next question is "We understand that you are your own first choice. Is Senator Obama your second choice to be the next President of the United States?"
And then the third question is "After yourself, is Senator Obama your second choice to be the next President of the United States?"
And then, the follow-up is: "Thank you, Senator, I think we all understand your answer."
April 21, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm hoping he asks about the umbrella comment she made during the debate...I have yet to see anyone elaborate on that and Garin didn't really give any details on it when he was asked on Meet the Press.
Bizarrely, Pat Buchanan was one of the only ones I saw bring it up after the debate, and it was on Olbermann.
April 21, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Being a Hillary supporter that will vote for Obama if he wins.... I'm curious, did Keith invite her on or did she ask to come on??
April 22, 2008 7:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
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