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Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) Apologizes For Clinton Remarks

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:46:32 PM EST
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Yesterday I wrote about Rep. Steve Cohen's offensive remarks regarding Senator Hillary Clinton. Today I received an e-mail from the Congressman indicating that he has apologized for the remarks.

Representative Cohen has been a strong progressive voice in Tennessee and it is good that he realizes his remarks were hurtful and wrong. Kudos to the Representative for his realization and acknowledgment that the remarks were inappropriate and hurtful. His e-mail to me:

I sincerely apologize for the comments I made about Senator Clinton's campaign. I have great respect for Senator Clinton as a US Senator. She has waged an historic campaign which has done much to break the glass ceiling. My comments obviously do not reflect the sentiments of Senator Obama or the Obama campaign. Nor do they reflect my opinion of Senator Clinton whom I have known for years and admire. My hope is that our party will come together to work to defeat John McCain.

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    Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) Apologizes For Clinton Remarks | 205 comments (205 topical)
    Good that he apologized, but is he going (5.00 / 4) (#4)
    by feet on earth on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:53:49 PM EST
    to make a public statement  about it?

    An email to you is not good enough by a long stretch IMHO

    I doubt I am the only person he mentioned this to (5.00 / 9) (#17)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:00:01 PM EST
    I have an ego I know but come on.

    Parent
    would've meant a lot more (5.00 / 7) (#28)
    by Kathy on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:06:31 PM EST
    if he'd apologized before being called out by McCain, and then the McCain-following press.

    I mean, let's make no mistake here: when McCain complains about an injustice, the press picks it up and runs with it.  Everything they nailed Obama over before PA was validated by McCain comments.  He's the wind in their sails.

    Insight into how a ge will look.  Clinton can keep winning without the press at her back.  Obama?  Not so much.

    Parent

    Not Obama or Dean or Pelosi or (5.00 / 7) (#74)
    by katiebird on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:39:52 PM EST
    Kennedy or Kerry -- BUT

    John McCain??

    The first person to publically call someone out on this explitive deleted is John McCain?

    I have to laugh.  That's totally bizarre.

    Parent

    No Kidding. (5.00 / 3) (#80)
    by AmyinSC on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:42:03 PM EST
    And Fox News has REALLY become the fair and balanced one!  We are truly living in Upside Down World!!!

    Parent
    It's a sure tipoff as to who is a stand-up guy (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by RalphB on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:55:44 PM EST
    and which ones are just moldy politicians.  :-)

    Parent
    McCain (or his people) are clearly a good (5.00 / 6) (#95)
    by tigercourse on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:57:54 PM EST
    deal smarter then Obama/Dean/Pelosi, etc. They're just trying to divide and conquer the party. It would be great if the Obama camp wasn't so intent on helping them.

    Parent
    Yep, Very Clever Political Move By McCain (5.00 / 3) (#125)
    by MO Blue on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:18:13 PM EST
    campaign. And yes, Obama keeps contributing to the Republican Rehabilitation Fund.

    Parent
    It would be pretty darn interesting if McCain (none / 0) (#130)
    by tigercourse on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:22:25 PM EST
    (the guy who made a very mean, homophobic joke about Chelsea Clinton when she was a kid) managed to pick up the mantle of crusader for Hillary Clinton. Done the right way, it would be pretty brilliant. If he finds a suitable female VP we could get smashed. And we would deserve it.

    Parent
    There are several qualified candidates (none / 0) (#174)
    by samanthasmom on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:03:14 PM EST
    Christine Todd Whitman, Olympia Snowe, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Kay Granger, etc. Some of them are more centrist than others. I don't include Condi Rice because I think her attachment to the failed Bush foreign policy would be a negative that would be hard for McCain to overcome although it does present interesting possibilities. I know we usually think of the Democrats as being more open-minded, but the Republicans had the first woman who was officially nominated at a national convention - Margaret Chase Smith in 1964.  Reagan also put the first woman on the Supreme Court.  It is not out of the realm of possibility that McCain and the Republicans will see this as a good opportunity.

    Parent
    I wouldn't include Christy Todd Whitman either. (5.00 / 1) (#202)
    by Iphie on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:29:32 PM EST
    Her attachment to Bush's failure to protect everyone who lived and worked in lower Manhattan after the WTC attack and her willingness to lie to people air quality and safety is going to haunt any political campaign she's involved with. Much like the firefighters who were determined to derail Giuliani's presidential bid by exposing his failures and dereliction, she would be followed around everywhere she went by protesters waving photos of first responders who died because they believed her lies. She's as toxic as the air we were breathing.

    Parent
    conventional wisdom seems to have been (5.00 / 1) (#205)
    by RalphB on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:34:27 PM EST
    that the first woman president would be from the GOP.  One reason is they would not have to prove national security credibility because of the party.  I generally think that's right for the public at large.  of one thing we can be sure, the GOP would not have sat idly by while their woman candidate was trashed by the media the way the democrats did this cycle.

    When Kay Bailey Hutchinson's term is up, she'll most likely come home and run for governor.  It she runs, she will win there is almost no doubt.  It would not surprise me in the least to see a presidential run afterward.  She'd be a formidable candidate.


    Parent

    The new talking point. (5.00 / 2) (#99)
    by pie on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:00:50 PM EST
    I read it here first.

    Hillary supporters will embrace McCain because he's sticking up for her.

    Nah.  They may vote for him, but that won't be the reason.  

    Parent

    I'm just laughing at the absurdity (5.00 / 5) (#107)
    by katiebird on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:06:12 PM EST
    I've never voted for a Republican and am extremely unlikely to do it this year.  I have every expectation of voting for Hillary in November.

    I don't think Obama can keep things together through the summer.  And it's a long time 'till the convention.

    Parent

    What they won't do (5.00 / 3) (#110)
    by madamab on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:08:01 PM EST
    is embrace Obama, because he WON'T stick up for her.

    Parent
    You nail it. (none / 0) (#114)
    by pie on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:09:54 PM EST
    As usual.  :)

    Parent
    Thanks, my friend! :-) (none / 0) (#119)
    by madamab on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:14:14 PM EST
    Right back atcha.

    Parent
    Would have meant a lot more (5.00 / 4) (#94)
    by pie on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:57:20 PM EST
    if he hadn't made his remarks in the first place.

    He's pissing off a huge demographic.

    Wow.

    Parent

    Cohen needs to run his own campaign this year (5.00 / 0) (#187)
    by JavaCityPal on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:14:26 PM EST
    his apology had to happen, sincere or otherwise. I saw plenty of posts around the internet yesterday that said they sent him a message, and will be sending his opponent a contribution.

    If these guys are worth their weight, shouldn't they already understand that if they feel an elevation in their negative emotion meter as they are talking out loud, rethinking their words BEFORE they all spill out is most likely a good idea.


    Parent

    Kathy do you have a link (none / 0) (#149)
    by katiebird on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:38:11 PM EST
    to the McCain quote?

    Parent
    Can someone explain the McCain thing (none / 0) (#169)
    by tnjen on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:00:32 PM EST
    what happened? Is there a link? I tried to google it but had no luck.

    Parent
    BTD, that's not what I meant at all (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by feet on earth on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:10:00 PM EST
    I meant personal email in general, as opposed to a public statement addressed to Hillary directly.

    I actually do not at all think you have a gib ago, just a regular size one :>]

    Parent

    nah, his ago is pretty gib (4.33 / 6) (#39)
    by Kathy on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:11:55 PM EST
    it's why we love him.

    Parent
    oops, I better check my spelling (none / 0) (#160)
    by feet on earth on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:50:11 PM EST
    I actually like BTD a lot, rare to find a blogger that his fair and as gennerous with his time and knowledge.

    Thanks Amandito

    Parent

    if he did he'd probably include the original words (5.00 / 1) (#154)
    by tnjen on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:44:14 PM EST
    I'm not defending him (in fact I'm peeved about it) but Rep. Cohen is under a LOT of pressure right now from his constituency and some racist groups outside of Memphis. He represents a black district in Memphis and has received anti-semitic threats as well as intimidating remarks about a 'white jew' being in a 'black seat.' Now, this was happening BEFORE the election turned hot between Obama and Clinton. At the same time, Cohen has done everything he could to ingratiate himself with the black community, represent his district, and has pursued black issues in congress like no one else -- and these threats still came a few months ago despite it all. One crazy Pastor, Middle TN's own version of Jeremiah Wright, printed up anti-semitic flyers that claimed Cohen's seat was a 'black' seat and spread them throughout Memphis (this despite that Middle TN is far, far, away from Memphis). Also, Cohen now has a primary challenger.

    What I'm saying is that Cohen has been a progressive representative and I think what he did was an intentional pander to his constituency rather than something he really believes.

    Parent

    You would think a man in his (5.00 / 3) (#172)
    by nycstray on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:02:35 PM EST
    position, as you describe it, would be more sensitive

    Parent
    Doesn't that make it worse? (5.00 / 6) (#173)
    by honora on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:02:47 PM EST
    If he was just an idiot, maybe I could forgive him. You are claiming that he has discovered that despite  doing everything that he can in his power do to support his district, they are threatening him due to the color of his skin. He therefore is willing 'to do anything to win' and throw Hillary under the bus, so that he can look like 'the man' to his district.  I disliked what he said before, now I really hate the guy.

    Parent
    he already threw them (5.00 / 2) (#180)
    by tnjen on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:07:32 PM EST
    IIRC, Bill Clinton came to TN to help Cohen fundraise and win the seat in the first place. Bill was the one that vouched for him in the black community. It was the Ford family seat and Bill was helping both Cohen and Harold Ford Jr. run for US Senate.

    Parent
    who cares (5.00 / 1) (#175)
    by Mrwirez on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:04:58 PM EST
    He should keep quiet. Comments like his are definitely nothelping.

    Parent
    Let Me Make Sure... (5.00 / 1) (#183)
    by AmyinSC on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:11:00 PM EST
    I understand this.  In order to "pander" to his district, he chooses the candidate who has NOT done very much for the Jewish community, or even the black comunity, for that matter, rather than choosing the candidate who HAS done a LOT for YEARS for BOTH communities, then disparages her personally in an attempt to save his seat because he has a challenger???  Oh, yes - in that case, it is just fine and dandy that he not only chose the candidate with NO track record (oh, wait - make that a BAD track record - just ask all of those folks who lived in Rezko housing!  Or take a look at tomorrow's NY Times on Obama and Israel/Palestinian commitments) to support rather than the one with a LONG history of supporting both communities, and added a nasty character assassination to boot.  Great!!!!

    Sheesh!  Just like John Lewis, a long time friend and ally, stabbing Clinton in the back the SECOND it got a little hot for him (oh, no - he might have a 30 yr old challenger put up by Jesse Jackson, Jr. - QUICK - throw Hillary to the wolves and "line up" as demanded by Jackson, Jr.!).

    I know you aren't defending him, but honestly - I am sick and tired not only of all of the blatant misogyny, but the lack of INTEGRITY these people are demonstrating in this contest.  It is SHOCKING!!!

    Parent

    As I wrote in my letter to Congressman Cohen (5.00 / 2) (#206)
    by Iphie on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:45:47 PM EST
    it is because of the anti-semitic smears against him that he should know better than to use sexist smears against Clinton. I'm glad he sent the email to BTD, but the apology needs to be made to Clinton.

    I don't care if it was for political expediency or not, there is no excuse for bigotry (whether it be sexism, racism, homophobia, etc.), and as someone who has been on the receiving end of it, not only should he know better, but he should be actively working against it.

    Parent

    The boys (5.00 / 7) (#6)
    by AnninCA on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:55:38 PM EST
    have just run roughshod this year with sexist jokes.

    It's like they were waiting for an opportunity.

    Amazing that nothing much has changed since junior high.

    I do think 'the boys' (5.00 / 4) (#141)
    by felizarte on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:31:48 PM EST
    are terrified of Hillary Clinton.   No different than big boys in the boardrooms who don't quite know how to act when a woman enters their ranks as an equal. Only in Hillary's case, everyone knows she is smarter, and tougher.  She will always end up first among equals.

    But America can only fulfill its greatness when they acknowledge and fully utilizes the talents of more than half of their population.

    If Sen. Obama's campaign fosters the environment that encourages people like Cong. Cohen to freely make appalling statements such as he did, then that is one more reason Sen. Obama should not be trusted.

    Parent

    i think of countries like england, (none / 0) (#176)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:05:10 PM EST
    israel, india, and pakistan having had women leaders, i am proud. so what the heck is wrong with it here? huh?

    Parent
    Did (5.00 / 7) (#8)
    by Leisa on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:55:57 PM EST
    he apologize to Hillary Clinton and her campaign?

    It's hard to take back words once they are uttered. His sincere apology must be made to Clinton in order for many to believe it is sincere.  

    It's hard to believe it when someone says (5.00 / 18) (#9)
    by joanneleon on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:56:59 PM EST
    something so nasty about Clinton and then turns around talks about how much they respect her.  It reminds me of Samantha Power's statement about how much she respected Hillary Clinton after just having called her a "monster" in a press interview.

    I suppose he's repaired some of the damage by apologizing, and I'm glad he made the effort to do so, but frankly, I don't believe a word he says.  The damage was done.

    I agree (5.00 / 12) (#18)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:00:52 PM EST
    That say the most hateful, awful crap about Clinton and all they have to do is say, gee, I'm sorry and that makes it all better.

    Kinda the pattern of the wife beater, played out once again.  I only hit you because you were baaad.  I'm sorry.

    I can't think of any psychopathic AA movie figures, but if someone had said something equivalent about Obama, comparing him to such a person, their career would have pretty much been over.

    Sorry, the genie's out of the bottle.  The proper thing was to not have said anything at all.  The apology doesn't make him an upstanding guy.

    Parent

    hmmm Candyman & Blacula Are Two That (none / 0) (#109)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:07:31 PM EST
    come to mind.

    Parent
    I have (5.00 / 2) (#127)
    by sas on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:21:29 PM EST
    come to realize this election cycle there there are indeed EVIL Democrats.

    Some I can view with disgust from a distance, and others I can withhold my vote, if I am able.

    This is not my party anymore.  The Democrats I admire/ and have in the past were icons.  

    This current crop are the lowest of the low, the slime that oozes.

    Parent

    Funny (5.00 / 5) (#11)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:57:13 PM EST
    I don't see that he made a statement of apology in the press.  Did I somehow miss it?

    Could he have apologized because McCain (5.00 / 11) (#13)
    by RalphB on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:58:38 PM EST
    campaign attacked them on it.  If this is why, then his apology is worth squat.

    From the campaign's morning e-mail blast to reporters, citing the comparison of Hillary to Glenn Close's bunny-boiling character in "Fatal Attraction."

    "Fatal Attraction" comparisons are kind of TABOO but that isn't stopping the Obama campaign. Check out the story here. ABC's Jake Tapper's analysis is right on here: "I'd posit at the very least that it's not keeping with Obama's lofty campaign rhetoric to compare Clinton's tenacity to psychosis." The Obama campaign already had to repudiate one surrogate yesterday. Will they denounce this one as well?
    RalphB (5.00 / 8) (#29)
    by Kathy on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:07:43 PM EST
    Great minds--I am totally with you on this. If McCain had remained silent, they wouldn't have said anything (the media) and this apology would have never come.

    The McMedia love their boy, and they aren't about to quit him for Obama.

    Parent

    Obama will not be the media darling (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by RalphB on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:16:30 PM EST
    in the fall and certainly doesn't deserve the status.  McCain doesn't deserve the adulation either, but at least with him there's a "there" there.

    The McMedia will be there for the election for sure.

    Parent

    I Hope Obama Is Pressured Into (5.00 / 1) (#135)
    by MO Blue on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:28:40 PM EST
    denouncing this type of behavior. It is obvious he won't do it on his own but it would be great if it became a political necessity.

    Parent
    Well, Gee... (5.00 / 17) (#15)
    by AmyinSC on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:59:51 PM EST
    As was also pointed out, someone else made a similar comment recently, for which he had already had to apologize BEFORE Cohen made this remark.  So, this rings a bit false to me.  It gets the imagery out there about Senator Clinton regardless of if he recants later or not.

    And, frankly, he sure didn't show the Senator from NY a whole lot of respect by saying this in the FIRST place, so I have a hard time buying that, too.

    In other words, I am sick and tired of these men attacking Senator Clinton over and over and over, saying hateful, mean-spirited, crappy things about her PERSONALLY, not her policies, but HER, then getting over by a little apology.  

    How about they actually TREAT her with a little respect rather than just claiming they respect her?!?  Just a thought.

    I wonder what those comments did reflect? (5.00 / 9) (#19)
    by katiebird on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:01:09 PM EST
    Just a chance for a cheap laugh?  Because I coulden't imagine making a joke like that about someone I respect.

    there does seem to a locker room (5.00 / 3) (#71)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:37:03 PM EST
    mentality to this primary season.

    Parent
    Immediate response (5.00 / 3) (#20)
    by nashville on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:03:10 PM EST
    denouncing this should have come immediately from Obama!  McCain did when one of his supporters refered to Obama using his middle name.  

    C-mon Obama.  Is he worried he will lose his fervent, rabid supporters?  

    When you partially (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:05:07 PM EST
    base your campaign on "I'm not Hillary," you can't defend yourself.

    Parent
    Whoops (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:06:16 PM EST
    I meant, you can't defend HER.

    "I'm not Hillary," you can't defend HER.


    Parent

    Well obama Is Pretty Busy Planning His (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:09:57 PM EST
    warfare for the GE....looks pretty weak to me.  I am sure this is the reason he did not step up; then again I forgot, he never steps up when he should.

    //news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080510/ap_on_el_pr/democrats

    Parent

    Sorry....here is the real link :) (none / 0) (#35)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:10:28 PM EST
    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080510/ap_on_el_pr/democrats

    Parent
    Ha! Campaigning in MI & FL... (5.00 / 0) (#40)
    by nashville on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:13:43 PM EST
    "wots-o-wuck" to him!

    Parent
    Michigan will be golden (5.00 / 0) (#49)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:17:59 PM EST
    for him.  As for Florida?  I have no idea why he'd campaign there.  Is he going to campaign in Wyoming and Idaho too? LOL.

    Parent
    Fundraising (none / 0) (#167)
    by Step Beyond on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:59:40 PM EST
    He's coming to Florida for a couple of fundraisers on May 20 and 21. Maybe he'll campaign between fundraisers.

    Parent
    I think you've (none / 0) (#30)
    by nashville on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:08:11 PM EST
    hit the nail on the head, except not partially, but almost totally.  It was not called that, "hope and change" sounded so much nicer. Feeling really snarky tonite!

    Parent
    Obama obviously enjoys this. (5.00 / 11) (#72)
    by Boston Boomer on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:37:25 PM EST
    Anyone who would pull that giving the finger, brushing her off my shoes routine certainly would have no problem with his opponent being compared Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.  I've seen this comparison made by numerous Obama supporters--not just the two who apologized.  Why didn't Obama say anything when David Shuster called Chelsea a prostitute?  Or when Shuster brought the "Hillary cackling pen" with him when covering primary returns?  This is who Obama is.  He has set the tone.


    Parent
    Obama has set the tone (5.00 / 4) (#84)
    by RalphB on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:46:04 PM EST
    and it's been reflective of an immature man with some issues about women.  Now that the McCain campaign is on him about it, he may have to change.  The media loves them some McCain and when he talks, they print.  The Obama campaign and the previously fawning media has treated Clinton like crap and I hate them for it.

    Parent
    Maybe We Need To Come Up With A Two- (none / 0) (#113)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:09:53 PM EST
    faced obama bobblehead?

    Parent
    How can people still believe (5.00 / 12) (#22)
    by mg7505 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:04:17 PM EST
    that it's entirely Hillary's job to make voters coalesce around Obama? Heaven forbid there was something about him or his campaign that voters didn't like, or (gasp!) something about Hillary they DID like. There's a reason that the recent wave of "apologies" like this one hasn't propelled Obama clear to the nomination yet -- because voters don't buy them. Because they sound insincere, and probably are. Because Obama himself needs to make some public statements rather than planning victory laps and dropping hints about Hillary's campaign debt.

    Durn but I hate to think (5.00 / 3) (#83)
    by Molly Pitcher on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:45:14 PM EST
    of her and Bill campaigning for him.  That is the unkindest cut of all.

    Parent
    Here's a question... (5.00 / 15) (#42)
    by janarchy on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:14:06 PM EST
    Nor do they reflect my opinion of Senator Clinton whom I have known for years and admire.

    Oh, really, Senator Cohen? Then why the h*ll did you say them in the first place?

    If someone stood on a podium and shrieked racist invective of Senator Obama and then said "it doesn't reflect my opinion of them", do you think it would wash?

    No. Didn't think so. It's a sad state of affairs that the level of discourse has sunk so low.

    That is the accepted wisdom on (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by oculus on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:27:33 PM EST
    how to apologize these days.  I'm sorry if my words offended some people, as I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone.  

    Parent
    Of course it is. (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by janarchy on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:33:35 PM EST
    I'm sure people will let this go vs. the obvious "psychosis" and/or "pathological lying" of the Tuzla story because you know, that was a capital offence.

    Parent
    when someone says they gave an (5.00 / 2) (#82)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:44:08 PM EST
    apology and what they actually said is something about they are sure sorry i am upset, i know they are't really sorry at all.

    Parent
    They are sorry they got caught (5.00 / 0) (#198)
    by BarnBabe on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:23:32 PM EST
    N/T

    Parent
    BTD..think (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Stellaaa on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:22:49 PM EST
    how much more effective the boiz could have been if they did not get embedded, it they kept the role of "questioning all power".  

    Comment was not about "Clinton Campaign" (5.00 / 10) (#58)
    by Exeter on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:23:47 PM EST
    It was about Senator Clinton.  Unless, of course, you were trying to think of a catchy metaphor and could only come up with one involving a female psycho maniac.  Give me a break. Start by making it a REAL apology.  

    If the statement didn't reflect... (5.00 / 9) (#61)
    by kredwyn on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:26:29 PM EST
    then what the heck was he doing saying them--or for that matter thinking them--in the first place?

    The easy answer - CDS (5.00 / 4) (#81)
    by Fabian on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:42:17 PM EST
    and pandering to fellow CDS sufferers.

    I listened to WaitWait, Don't Tell Me today and I cringed at their "It's OVER!" narrative Clinton jokes.

    It's amazing how quickly a narrative gets embedded and how fast people lose perspective.  

    Obama may be winning, but not by much and Democrats NEED all of those Clinton voters in the GE.  

    However, if you hang at Daily Kos all the time, your POV would be that Hillary is Teh Devil and Teh Opponent and that is far more important to defeat her(and her followers) than McCain.

    Compare those two POVs and tell me which one is the most helpful to Democrats.  But apparently, logic does not apply often to politicians this season.

    Parent

    You know what? (5.00 / 8) (#69)
    by lilburro on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:34:00 PM EST
    "She has waged an historic campaign which has done much to break the glass ceiling. My comments obviously do not reflect the sentiments of Senator Obama or the Obama campaign. Nor do they reflect my opinion of Senator Clinton whom I have known for years and admire. My hope is that our party will come together to work to defeat John McCain. "

    Blah blah blah.  Might as well be a form letter.  Do better.  

    I wonder if this email would've been sent to BTD if he were a woman.

    Agreed (5.00 / 7) (#85)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:46:33 PM EST
    From your quote:
    She has waged an historic campaign which has done much to break the glass ceiling.

    I think this election season has shown that the glass ceiling is really made of plexiglass (as in not very breakable at all).

    I have never been more bitter about women's rights than I am with this election.  And I know now that the Democratic Platform is not about women.  They pander to us to get their way, but they didn't care enough to defend Hillary against sheer misogyny.

    Parent

    It's all about Obama (5.00 / 9) (#75)
    by OxyCon on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:40:07 PM EST
    "My comments obviously do not reflect the sentiments of Senator Obama or the Obama campaign."

    Cohen said what he really thinks. He probably said the same vile comments to all his buddies, who then laughed themselves silly.
    But we can't do anything that would hurt Obama's ambitions, can we?

    Then I have to say (5.00 / 3) (#78)
    by Molly Pitcher on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:41:51 PM EST
    why the devil did you say it!  Just to be cute?  Well, it wasn't.

    Worthless without a call out by Obama (5.00 / 5) (#86)
    by davnee on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:46:45 PM EST
    Until Obama chastises some of these sexist buffoons supporting him, I could care less.  Cohen probably does feel bad for what he said, realizing in retrospect what a complete sexist a$$ he made of himself.  Note he feels bad for being outed as a sexist a$$, whether he really is a sexist a$$ or just got carried away we'll never know.  But I'm looking for the act of courage and nobility from Obama.  Until he does something right for the sake of it being right, rather than politically expedient, then I'll take notice.  He's got a long way to go before he even reaches up to the depths of my esteem for his character.

    NO "kudos," BTD. Let me be clear: (5.00 / 13) (#87)
    by Cream City on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:46:57 PM EST
    Comments like his by public figures endanger me, they endanger my daughter, they endanger every woman I know and every woman on this blog and every woman who might read it and thus read what this guy said.

    No, I am not overstating this.  When statements like his are legitimized by being said by an authority figure, further legitimized by media carrying the comments -- for one thing, they encourage the crazies.  And the crazies may not murder me, nor can they get to me much anymore in the many other ways that men can hurt women.

    But I see this sort of commentary, publicly encouraged and even legitimized in this country, and constantly so, encouraging the crazies to attack women physically and spiritually.  They can
    murder the spirit of my daughter and my nieces and my students and many young women I know.  I see it because I felt it, too, when I was their age.  

    Now I've got scar tissue from all those slings and arrows -- but I do not want all those spirited young women so numbed, so scarred, too.

    So no kudos.  None.  He is a member of Congress.  He asked the public to entrust him with leadership, and they did.  He now asks the public to trust his endorsement for leadership of the country -- and that he did this is exactly the result to be expected by the locker-room mentality of that candidate's campaign.

    What this guy said was inexcusable, which means it cannot be excused, no matter how much he apologizes -- and not to the woman he wronged but . . . wait for it . . . to another guy.  The coward.  No kudos.  None.

    CreamCity... (none / 0) (#204)
    by AmyinSC on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:32:41 PM EST
    You are my new hero!

    Parent
    Ok, no open thread but it's precious (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by Stellaaa on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:58:56 PM EST
    We talked about that yesterday and someone did it:  a photoshop pic of Obama doing the Bush, Victory Lap in the "outfit"

    Got To Keep That Photo Away From Tweety (5.00 / 2) (#104)
    by MO Blue on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:01:35 PM EST
    or his leg tingle will go completely out of control.

    Parent
    Thanks for the chuckle! (5.00 / 2) (#105)
    by nashville on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:04:15 PM EST


    Parent
    At this point (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by Edgar08 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:01:00 PM EST
    The ONLY way they're going to realize what they've done is if they are punished in November.

    That comment I made yesterday that was deleted.

    I apologize for it.

    Bob Packwood (5.00 / 2) (#116)
    by RalphB on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:10:51 PM EST
    I can't help but remember what happened to him and he deserved it.  It seems that feminism has taken some giant steps backward in the last few years.  It's a damn shame.


    Parent
    It didn't hurt (5.00 / 3) (#120)
    by Edgar08 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:15:10 PM EST
    The governator either.

    If Cohen had said something as contentious as what he said but said it about race, his career would be OVER.

    DONE.

    The pathetic fool would be toast.

    So great.  We learned you can say crap about women and apologize.  

    Eddie Haskell has more manners than the idiots who have taken over this party.

    Parent

    And really, a private apology (5.00 / 4) (#112)
    by Rhouse on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:09:40 PM EST
    for a public slur, a widely publicized one at that, doesn't balance the books.  He should have at least tried to tell the PUBLIC at large that he was stupidly wrong to repeat a comment that someone else already caught grief for.  What's next, mailing out bunnies and knives on Mother's day to Hillary supporters and then claim the next day they only wanted to send something fluffy and a letter opener to celebrate Clinton campaign, and they're sorry that some misunderstood their intentions.  Oh Really...

    Deafening silence (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by Fabian on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:15:55 PM EST
    over at the Great O.  What's odd is that there aren't even any crass drive by diaries yukking it up over the "psychotic ex" or the "Glenn Close" comments.  Sadly enough, I actually expect those.  Some O posters seem to be happy to use any excuse to whack the Hillary pinata.

    I'm not satisfied with an email apology.  It was a public remark.  That deserves a public apology.

    Just read a summary of Fatal Attraction from Wiki (5.00 / 4) (#128)
    by honora on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:22:04 PM EST
    I don't do movies, so I wanted to better understand the reference. I can not believe he said that and I can not believe the loser from NPR made the same reference.  There is no way that a racial comment like this would have, or should have, been acceptable. I love to comments on the thread, 'he's a good congressman', 'he's being challenged by an AA in a tough district".  He deserves to lose.  It is an honor to be a Representative in the US Congress.  How dare he say that about a US Senator, who has gotten the support of 50% of his party.  How obscene that McCain is the one that called him out on this. If I was still a Democrat, I would be so mad.  If I had planned on voting for Obama, I would change my mind.

    He would have apologized earlier but he (5.00 / 3) (#139)
    by Radix on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:31:27 PM EST
    had to stop off at the hospital. Apparently one of his wifes shoes somehow ended up in his keister. Makes it hard to walk don't you know.

    Because there are no facts, there is no truth, Just data to be manipulated

    Don Henley-The Garden of Allah

    now cut that out. i laughed (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:34:36 PM EST
    and almost spit up my coke!!

    Parent
    It just kills me (5.00 / 6) (#144)
    by madamab on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:34:29 PM EST
    how permissible this type of misogyny seems to be.

    And if we get upset about it, we are not giving the poor guy credit for all his other wonderful qualities. Sure. We just don't get it because we are all too emotional and fixated on our own feelings of offense.

    An unintended positive side effect of HRC's campaign, Obama and his surrogates' misogyny and the media's horrific HDS, may just be a new feminist awakening in America.

    That would be a good thing indeed...especially if our girl goes all the way to the White House!

    This primary (5.00 / 3) (#203)
    by Nadai on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:32:08 PM EST
    has been a great revelation to me.

    I used to believe that women had made real progress from when I was a girl.  I'm learning that much of this has been cosmetic.  Yes, we can go to virtually any college now.  Yes, we can get a job other than teacher, librarian, maid, factory worker, or nurse.    Yes, we can even run for public office.

    But all the old attitudes about a woman's place are still out there, and not only in the heads of unenlightened Republicans.  And now it's like a valve has been opened - all these men finally feel free to say the most amazing things and every outrageous, misogynist statement serves as permission to say something even worse.

    My opinion of Humans has dropped through the floor this last year.  I'm afraid to think what it will be by November.

    Parent

    Why would McCain call Cohen out on this? (5.00 / 2) (#147)
    by Radix on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:35:24 PM EST
    Wonder if he's shooting for the womens vote? If I were Obama or his followers, I would be careful with my misogyny. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of McCain "the Defender of Women" in the near future.

    Because there are no facts, there is no truth, Just data to be manipulated

    Don Henley-The Garden of Allah

    actually there was an article (5.00 / 4) (#151)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:39:57 PM EST
    referred to in another blog on that very subject. it seems that is exactly what he is doing. and i have to tell you from looking at other blogs and just listening in general a number of ladies are mad. mad i tell you and we aren't going to take it anymore. i quote a famous movie there, but indeed there is real anger among women.

    Parent
    I spoke to a woman (5.00 / 7) (#152)
    by madamab on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:43:31 PM EST
    wearing a Hillary button on the subway today. She had just come from a rally with Charles Rangel, and started quoting facts and statistics about how HRC is the most maligned figure in the history of Teevee, and how the Iraqi Government has a higher percentage of women than we do. She pointed out how every man in American had the vote before women finally got it in 1920. The young AA girl next to her kept nodding her head in agreement.

    They have awakened the sleeping dragon, methinks.

    Parent

    I realized it, myself, a month or two ago. (5.00 / 2) (#156)
    by Radix on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:45:42 PM EST
    It's to bad really. But it seems the kids are going learn a very hard lesson in November.

    Because there are no facts, there is no truth, Just data to be manipulated

    Don Henley-The Garden of Allah

    Parent

    Twofer for McCain (5.00 / 8) (#155)
    by davnee on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:44:37 PM EST
    One - he gets cred from women for calling out the sexism.

    Two (and I'd guess more important to him) - he feeds the impression that Obama and his ilk are a bunch of race-baiting, sexist hypocrites.  They talk unity, but it's all a cover story for being dirtier than dirt.  McCain doesn't have to work very hard to sell this, because it's true, they are.  He's just laying the groundwork for the swift boat meets Willie Horton epic they have planned for Obama this fall.  Frankly, it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.  I loathe hypocrites above all else.

    Parent

    I don't doubt (5.00 / 5) (#161)
    by Jane in CA on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:53:24 PM EST
    that will be part of the GOP campaign rhetoric.  I'll also be very surprised if we don't see clips of Donna B dismissing blue collar workers and latinos running 24/7 as well.  I can even write the voiceover ... "the democratic party leadership has stated that it doesn't value you or your vote ... who do you think will work harder for your interests?  The democratic candidate, or John McCain, whose dedication to all Americans has never been in question?"

    Parent
    yup, you have to wonder about that! (5.00 / 2) (#164)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:57:29 PM EST
    what could these folks be thinking? it almost like they are doing the gop's job for them.

    Parent
    No question about it, Obama and his (5.00 / 2) (#165)
    by Radix on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:57:40 PM EST
    campaign thought Hilary was rough on them? Wait till the Republicans get done with them. They wont even have to lie all that much.

    Because there are no facts, there is no truth, Just data to be manipulated

    Don Henley-The Garden of Allah

    Parent

    OT but another BigO recommended (5.00 / 2) (#150)
    by ding7777 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:38:25 PM EST
    diary turns to dust.

    Edwards: I didn't say I voted for 'him'(link)

    Cohen....what a jerk (5.00 / 2) (#157)
    by Mrwirez on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:45:52 PM EST
     Being a man I think it is time for a woman President. Us men have not done so well Rep. Cohen is more proof. Here is the first legitimate female candidate and look what these guys are doing to her, this includes the media and politicians.
     Ladies, there are more of you, I implore you, I will help.... Please vote these men out and make Hillary Clinton our President. It is time.

    Obama Gotta go First
    Cohen  Gotta go
    McCain Gotta go

    Psychosis (4.93 / 15) (#25)
    by hitchhiker on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:05:13 PM EST
    This would be another example of how sincerely the senator and his wife want to reach out to all Democrats . . .suggesting that the preferred candidate of 14 million of them is a sick, violent woman.

    Ha ha ha ha -- like Mrs. Obama's comment about wanting to scratch Bill Clinton's eyes out, it's just a joke.  All in good fun.

    Still waiting for him to ask for my vote.

    I missed it (none / 0) (#1)
    by Saul on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:47:28 PM EST
    What did he say about Hilary?

    Something about Glenn Close (none / 0) (#3)
    by oculus on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:52:29 PM EST
    in Fatal Attraction and that Hillary should have "stayed in the tub."

    Parent
    Here's the link (none / 0) (#10)
    by Chimster on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:57:08 PM EST
    to what he said

    Parent
    Good for him. (none / 0) (#2)
    by ajain on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:49:04 PM EST


    Good for him? (5.00 / 0) (#126)
    by pie on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:20:02 PM EST
    No.  He got caught.

    I don't give a flying freak that Chris Rock brought it up.

    He's not a politician.  

    Of course, the very word has become a negative.  We have such stellar ones these days.

    Parent

    Class (none / 0) (#5)
    by squeaky on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:54:07 PM EST
    He did the right thing. And thank you BTD for calling him on it, looks like it helped to wake him up.

    Yes, its a start. (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Maria Garcia on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:55:48 PM EST


    Parent
    A Small Start, But It Begs The Question Why (5.00 / 4) (#16)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:59:51 PM EST
    say it in the first place?  These guys have been out of bounds so many times in this race.  It is okay to denigrate Hillary, but watch out, you may be called a racist by his supporters.

    Parent
    yup, but (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by AnninCA on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:04:58 PM EST
    we can live vicariously through McCain.  :)

    Check out the new ads, linked in the story below.

    It felt GOOD to have someone say what I wished Hillary could have said if this entire deal hadn't been so dysfunctional this year.

    Parent

    I know he's better than what he said (none / 0) (#12)
    by andgarden on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:57:28 PM EST
    He's in a tricky spot politically, but he still shouldn't have said it.

    Honestly, (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by andgarden on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:03:47 PM EST
    he's the best the Tennessee Delegation has got. He spoke out of his rear end here, but his record is hard to beat.

    Parent
    and Hitler loved dogs (5.00 / 7) (#34)
    by Kathy on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:10:24 PM EST
    I mean, come on--what's your point?  If he'd made a stereotypical statement about the color of Obama's skin, would you say, "but his record is hard to beat!"


    Parent
    No (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by andgarden on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:14:03 PM EST
    However, if he then quickly apologized, which he has, I'd look at what he said in context of his record.

    Parent
    is that how it works? (5.00 / 4) (#45)
    by Kathy on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:16:26 PM EST
    You're a naive, dumb-ss m-fer who eats puppies for breakfast.

    Oops, sorry.  Let's go grab a beer and it's all over.

    (also, I wouldn't count the time period this happened in as "immediate")

    Parent

    With you Kathy (5.00 / 0) (#51)
    by nashville on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:19:55 PM EST
    Some things you just don't joke about at all, especially in PUBLIC!

    Parent
    All I can say (3.00 / 2) (#54)
    by andgarden on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:20:45 PM EST
    is that you're not looking for him to be your friend, you're looking for him to be a good Congressman. Substantively, I think he is. But I really can't do anything beyond pointing to his record.

    If you don't want to forgive him, don't. No skin off my back.

    Parent

    I think we don't want to forgive him (5.00 / 10) (#56)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:22:42 PM EST
    because what he said is unforgiveable.

    Parent
    Ted Bundy (5.00 / 6) (#65)
    by Kathy on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:29:17 PM EST
    worked on a rape crisis center hotline.  There were women who claimed he saved their lives by being that calm, understanding voice at the end of the phone.

    Mark Foley fought for the rights of children.

    Newt Gingrich reviled Bill Clinton for cheating on his wife.

    Lots of people fight against their own demons.  

    Parent

    I would not presume to know (5.00 / 2) (#67)
    by andgarden on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:31:48 PM EST
    what his deamons are.

    And I think comparing him to Ted Bundy and Hitler is a little over the top.

    Parent

    but you felt free to presume you could (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Florida Resident on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:40:42 PM EST
    could criticize southern voters before when I questioned Obama's sincerity in Pro-choice issues.

    Parent
    Oh, I forgot-- (none / 0) (#98)
    by Molly Pitcher on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:59:25 PM EST
    I am a bigot!

    Oh, don't worry; I really do not hold it against you.  I appreciate your support for Hillary.  Hey--you just got into the school you wanted?  If so, big congrats.

    Parent

    WTF? (5.00 / 3) (#77)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:41:19 PM EST
    Ted Bundy? I understand your anger Kathy but the ability to forgive for a transgression is essential.

    I can tell you that I have no spotless record in my relationship with women.

    I hope you do not judge me as harshly as you are judging Rep. Cohen.

    Parent

    With all due respect, BTD (5.00 / 7) (#90)
    by samanthasmom on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:50:43 PM EST
    I know that you have been a stalwart supporter of calling the guys out for sexist and misogynistic behavior, but it comes to a point where "turning the other cheek" just gets you another black eye.  Women have been forgiving these kinds of transgressions for way too long.  It's time we stopped.

    Parent
    That is on you (5.00 / 1) (#143)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:33:55 PM EST
    But a comparison to Ted Bundy is outrageous.

    She is over the line.

    I will not stand for it.

    Parent

    FYI (5.00 / 3) (#117)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:12:44 PM EST
    Jake Tapper has a nice history on the Glenn Close framing of Hillary by Democrats.  Cohen wasn't the only one who did it, just another member in the attempt at turning that stupid beotch Hillary into Glenn Close.  And if the meme came up 3 times in public, you have to wonder how many times it's been said in private.

    From the Tapper article.

    The "Glenn Close in 'Fatal Attraction'" analogy brings with it a whole carousel's worth of baggage given the meme at the time of the release of "Fatal Attraction" that, as the late great Pauline Kael wrote in The New Yorker at the time, the "film is about men seeing feminists as witches."

    To we women, the stifling of that b**ch Hillary using the Glenn Close meme was also about stifling uppity women in general.  I don't think Kathy meant the Ted Bundy term as literally as you at least pretended to take it, but the very calculated and serial meme was an effort to partially "kill" feminism -- ironically done by someone who supposedly supports women's rights (LOL, he's obviously just another good old boy!).  So yeah, it's just a tiny bit like Ted.

    And we don't forgive and forget such nastiness -- anymore.

    Parent

    FYI Teresa (5.00 / 1) (#140)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:31:47 PM EST
    I was one of the first to denounce it.

    And to continue to denounce it.

    As it happens, NO ONE but Cohen has apologized yet.

    I am far from perfect, but on this issue, I do not deserve your lecture.

    Parent

    BTD (none / 0) (#148)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:36:49 PM EST
    I was explaining it to you, not lecturing you.  You didn't understand why we couldn't forgive and forget, so I was telling you.

    Parent
    Substantively? (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by pie on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:24:21 PM EST
    That he slams a fellow democrat and a woman?

    Please.

    No women vote for him.

    Parent

    What? (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by dwmorris on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:10:22 PM EST
    Quickly apologizing is a real time "Opps. I shouldn't have said that. Sorry."  The day after it's all over the blogs is damage control ... not an apology.

    Parent
    You Can Be Good At Your Job (5.00 / 3) (#37)
    by MO Blue on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:11:31 PM EST
    and still be a sexist @ss.

    Parent
    Aren't we all? (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by AnninCA on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:15:18 PM EST
    lol*...I've been known to say "Men are just pigs" with complete abandonment and know that even the men I'm with will probably nod in agreement.  *haha

    Parent
    As for his record -- I no longer will settle (5.00 / 9) (#66)
    by Cream City on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:31:21 PM EST
    for the guy with the record that looks good on women's issues but talks like a woman-hater.  That tells me his votes on women's issues simply were politically expedient.  But he's still a creep.

    Nope, I stopped settling in terms of the men in my personal life, and I now have stopped settling in terms of the men (and women) in political life.  

    I will vote only for those who not only walk the walk but also talk the talk.  Locally, I have learned to check out pols running for office with their staffers, checking their pay levels and who gets promoted and why.  And when I can find someone who knows more about a pol personally, I pay attention to how they treated women in their personal lives.  

    Any pol who says anything like this, no matter the walkback, is politically dead to me.  Period.

    Parent

    and it is even more important now (5.00 / 3) (#88)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:47:20 PM EST
    because women are losing ground again. the issues we fought for are being taken away with a wink here, a vote there. i say no more.

    Parent
    Reminds me of (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by NotThatStupid on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:13:28 PM EST
    Reverend Wright, whose church -- so we've been told -- did lots of good things for the community, the implication being that that somehow ameliorated the hateful things he said at the pulpit.

    Cream City is right, we shouldn't tolerate...

    ...the guy with the record that looks good on women's issues but talks like a woman-hater.  That tells me his votes on women's issues simply were politically expedient.  But he's still a creep.

    Exactly. And Il Duce made the trains run on time, as I recall.

    Parent

    Teddy Kennedy has done a lot of things. (5.00 / 7) (#79)
    by Boston Boomer on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:41:57 PM EST
    But what he said about Hillary recently is unforgiveable.  And I won't forgive.  I hope Teddy retires and doesn't run again.  If he does, I'll vote against him.


    Parent
    I said this on the open thread (5.00 / 2) (#111)
    by bjorn on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:08:43 PM EST
    too, but AB Stoddard was kind of defending Kennedy today saying that he never would have said it unless he believed the widespread belief in the party is "disgust" with the Clintons and their tactics.  My question:  Who is the party?  I thought it was the voters! I won't forgive Kennedy for this one either.

    Parent
    What exactly (5.00 / 5) (#124)
    by DJ on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:16:25 PM EST
    are the Clinton's tactics?  Trying to win the nomination so they can save the Democratic Party?  Trying not to trash the opponent even though they are fully aware of his weaknesses?  Promising to campaign their hearts our for Obama if he wins the nomination? Fighting for everyone to have their votes counted and their voices heard?  Developing actual POLICIES for the country's many problems?  
    Yes, Sen Kennedy, I can see why you would be disgusted.  snark

    Parent
    You took the (5.00 / 3) (#153)
    by Jane in CA on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:44:06 PM EST
    words right out of my PC!  My first thought upon reading Stoddard's words was "what disgusting Clinton tactics?"

    I fail utterly and completely to comprehend what purpose it serves for the democratic party leadership to demonize Hillary Clinton the way it continually does. Are the boyz that frightened of a powerful woman?

    Parent

    wow, till i saw snark my eyes were (none / 0) (#129)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:22:17 PM EST
    getting bigger and bigger!

    Parent
    Snark (none / 0) (#137)
    by DJ on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:30:04 PM EST
    well I hope I used it in the right context.  I'm new to this.

    Parent
    no problem! i put it in subject myself. (none / 0) (#142)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:32:09 PM EST


    Parent
    Some of these guys (none / 0) (#26)
    by AnninCA on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:06:01 PM EST
    are a bit too quick on their feet.  Clever is good, but it can get you into trouble if you are too loose.

    Parent
    Tricky How? (5.00 / 3) (#31)
    by AmyinSC on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:08:13 PM EST
    Because Clinton won TN, and he chose to support Obama instead??  (And, I thought Obama was pushing this whole thing that whoever wins the states should get those supers, not that Kerry, Kennedy, Patrick, Rockefeller, and a bunch of other men have acted accordingly.  Just sayin'.)

    Glad to hear he has a good record, but I wonder how good it is in terms of women?

    Parent

    No, Obama's argument pushed by Pelosi (5.00 / 7) (#36)
    by AnninCA on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:11:27 PM EST
    was even more stupid.  It was that the SDs should vote for whoever had the most delegates.  

    blink

    Were they suppose to wait and then all raise their hands at once?

    The whole discussion was when I knew that Pelosi has no business being in charge of a PTA, nevermind the Democratic Party.

    Parent

    Tricky how? (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by andgarden on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:11:42 PM EST
    White Jewish liberal in a minority majority district. I can assure you that Clinton did not win his district.

    I'm pretty sure his record on women's issues is very good, but you can take a look yourself.

    Parent

    Having lived my entire life as a woman (5.00 / 13) (#43)
    by Kathy on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:14:52 PM EST
    can you understand that when someone makes a comment like that, it doesn't matter what their record is?  Again, replace it with a racist remark and your take on it will be completely different.

    It's like folks who say something horrible while they're drunk, and their excuse is, "I didn't mean it!  I was drunk."  Uh, right.  You said what you feel, the alcohol just made it easier to say.

    Parent

    Right on! (5.00 / 3) (#52)
    by RalphB on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:20:34 PM EST
    If this is the best TN has got, they don't have anything to brag about.


    Parent
    Tennessee did have the (5.00 / 2) (#92)
    by Molly Pitcher on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:54:07 PM EST
    Gores, father and son.  I still think that Gore did not deserve the yaks he got in 2000--Gore maybe lucked out not having to deal with 9/11.  Except it was sure bad luck for the country, IMO.

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    Amen to that (none / 0) (#108)
    by RalphB on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:07:24 PM EST
    in more ways than I can express.  I was speaking for current pols only!


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    Right There With Ya Kathy... (5.00 / 7) (#59)
    by AmyinSC on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:23:48 PM EST
    ANd thank you, andgarden, for the link - I did go take a look, and it did look good.  BUT - dealing with women's issues in theory and how one deals with women in reality do not always correspond.  I offer Ted Kennedy as a PRIME example of that (and he said some pretty nasty things abt Clinton, too - I have seen no apology coming from HIM for what he just said, either).

    Whether Clinton won his district or not really isn't the issue - I was a being a bit snarky - but the utter lack of respect Obama and his surrogates have demostrated to the Former First Lady of Arkansas, the Former First Lady of the United States, and a US Senator in her second term, is unacceptable.  Nay, it is REPREHENSIBLE.  I don't give a CRAP how hard his district is.

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    i think the picture i will take in my mind (5.00 / 8) (#123)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:16:05 PM EST
    from this campaign is watching the video of obama brushing off his shoulder, shoes and then giving hillary the bird. that is so unpresidential and sad. no wonder these politicans think they have the right to say anything that pops into their minds. the mob mentality these days disgusts me.

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    It's like we always want (5.00 / 3) (#131)
    by DJ on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:22:40 PM EST
    either the pretty picture but empty (Obama)
    or the guy that's just like us (Bush)
    but not the smarter than us, harder working than us, best person for the job.
    I remember how ashamed I was watching Tony Blair speak and then President Bush speak.  It was painful.
    The same thing with our "press".  When are we going to ask for more?  We are hiring the PRESIDENT for goodness sake.

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    the american idol mentality is (5.00 / 3) (#134)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:27:13 PM EST
    what i personally call it.

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    American Idol (5.00 / 1) (#136)
    by DJ on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:28:44 PM EST
    yes that's it.

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    What I'm not too keen (5.00 / 2) (#73)
    by AnninCA on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:38:12 PM EST
    about is all the finger-pointing on all sides.  This guy sounds like he made a smart-alecky remark that is a put-down of how Hillary won't quit.  Dowd did exactly the same and got paid to do it in her column in the NYTIMES.

    So I'm not seeing the "sexism" as much as I see the disrespectful attitude about Hillary.  ALL of his super delegates have said virtually nothing much good about him and a lot bad about her.

    Her SD's are simply more mature and polished and don't talk that way.

    One can judge the quality of his candidacy by the remarks made by his surrogates and supporters.  Now, she has a few.  Remember Cuomo's "shuck and jive" remark?

    I thought we all decided that this business of apologizing for supporters was getting ridiculous.

    Well, anyway, I think it's over the top to expect Obama to say something.

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    well it this had been the only time (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:24:32 PM EST
    something like this came up, i think most would agree. what you are seeing is folks primarily ladies at the end of their rope with this. it doesn't seem to end. it just keeps getting worse. there is a lot of frustration among women voters right now.

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    Well, you'll have to make your own (none / 0) (#47)
    by andgarden on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:17:27 PM EST
    judgement.

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    Hmm (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:20:36 PM EST
    I'm pretty sure his record on women's issues is very good

    ...But his thoughts about women?  Not so much.

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    He should not let Chris Rock (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Leisa on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:27:15 PM EST
    influence his statements, especially when they concern women...

    That was just plain bad judgment.

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    Pretty much (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by andgarden on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:28:46 PM EST


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    i have to wonder if maybe his wife (none / 0) (#89)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:50:20 PM EST
    was the one responsible for the "apology".

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    I'd Bet That McCain Was Responsible (5.00 / 5) (#97)
    by MO Blue on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:59:19 PM EST
    for his apology. Had McCain not brought this up the sound you would have heard....Crickets.

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    actually you make the better case. (none / 0) (#100)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:00:59 PM EST
    i just had this picture of his wife giving him what for about that comment. it made me smile!

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    No actually it was the McCain campaign (5.00 / 7) (#103)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:01:16 PM EST
    The situation became difficult for Obama, so he had to apologize.  I don't have a link for that, although someone posted it elsewhere in the thread.

    Here's the history of the Glenn Close comparison.  It's calculated, not just a randome event.

    Link

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    Clinton won most (none / 0) (#48)
    by nashville on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:17:34 PM EST
    districts in Tennessee except for the very urban districts (ie., Memphis and Nashville) if I recollect correctly.

    Parent
    It's Harold Ford's old district (none / 0) (#50)
    by andgarden on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:18:53 PM EST
    Majority black. I'd bet a nickel Hillary didn't win it.

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    You're right... (none / 0) (#55)
    by nashville on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:22:31 PM EST
    that would be Memphis I believe.  However, I do believe that the rural counties in that district went for Clinton.  

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    Just checked the map (none / 0) (#102)
    by nashville on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:01:13 PM EST
    I meant counties not districts, oops, and Clinton lost only 9 of 95 counties in the state! Of course the ones she lost were the large urban centers.  But she won 86 counties in Tennessee.

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    Yes (none / 0) (#166)
    by DanR3 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:58:36 PM EST
    Hillary won all the red counties in Tennessee and a few purple ones. The district Cohen represents is the safest and bluest in the state which yes, went overwhelmingly for Obama, and will go overwhelmingly for whoever the Dem is in November.

    Slam him and his constituents if you want, but it's a good district.

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    I don't know he's better than what he said (5.00 / 13) (#60)
    by Cream City on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:24:07 PM EST
    because I don't know him.  And now I don't want to know him, because as others have said here so well, this apology is not public, not to Clinton, and is all too facile after he was called out by McCain for it.

    I know this guy by "just words" -- the words that he thought he could get away with by treating his political life, his public life, like a locker room.

    So I hope the woman running against him wins.  I don't know what else it will take for these guys to STFU. I have had it with each and every one of them.  STFU, fools.

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    They won't STFU because they think (5.00 / 6) (#70)
    by Florida Resident on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:37:01 PM EST
    they can get away with it.  The bad part is they are in for a rude awakening come the GE campaign.  It is unfortunate because this guys may be the ones running for office for the Democratic Party.  

    Parent
    consider this! if obama goes to the (5.00 / 2) (#91)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:53:23 PM EST
    general and loses substantially(very possible), then he comes back to the senate as just another senator like kerry. hillary will have a major national following. the core democrats that were thrown to the side of the road so to speak by the dnc and obama campaign. the democrats who run for office just might need her help down the road. you know revenge is best served cold.

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    Well Watch Out Cuz obama's Coming Your Way (none / 0) (#121)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:15:25 PM EST
    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080510/ap_on_el_pr/democrats

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    ok! if his campaign continues on their (5.00 / 0) (#138)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:30:08 PM EST
    merry way as they have in recent weeks, is a no brainer to me that they are in trouble for the general.

    Parent
    Amen (5.00 / 2) (#194)
    by angie on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:20:18 PM EST
    I don't care how good his record is -- first thing Monday, I'm sending money to Cohen's opponent Tinker and a letter to Cohen telling him about it and why. I don't even live in TN, but I will do the little bit that I can so that she can beat him as he doesn't deserve to have a seat in the US Congress -- yep, from that one comment I am making that judgment about him and nothing about his "record" is going to change my mind. Great -- he apologized for saying something completely, outrageously, grossly inappropriate -- something that a 5 year old would know shouldn't be said and I'm supposed to call him a great guy? Um, no. He is a sexist a--h--- who is only making a half-a$$ed non-apology apology now because McCain called him out about it -- and I know he really meant what he said about Hillary because of the fact that he even thought to say it in the first place.  

    Parent
    Double standard, anyone? (5.00 / 0) (#146)
    by pie on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:35:13 PM EST
    A Clinton supporter says something?  It's with her blessing.

    This guy "apologizes."

    Obama gets off scot free.

    Parent

    I know I'm better than (none / 0) (#106)
    by Edgar08 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:06:07 PM EST
    The comment I made about Obama.  The comment that was deleted.

    I apologize for it now, too!

    Parent

    It's nice that he apologized, but (none / 0) (#158)
    by oh please on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:47:30 PM EST
    I, for one, am getting tired of all the apologies demanded by all factions this season...it's too hard to keep track of all of them, or who said what to/about whom.  It's all just stupid.  Anyone who is keeping track of every crazy thing someone says, even if it's about Hillary, needs to get a life.

    Ridiculous (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:48:20 PM EST


    Parent
    i assume you are referring to the (5.00 / 1) (#162)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:55:37 PM EST
    empty apology made because it is expected and most probably not really meant. the heart felt apology is always welcome in my home.

    there are far too many apologies i think because there are too many comments made that should never have been uttered.

    Parent

    It's too hard to determine which apologies are (none / 0) (#168)
    by oh please on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:00:07 PM EST
    heartfelt if I don't know a person.  But, I'm just tired of all of them and the demands for all of them.  I'm as big a feminist as anyone, but I don't see where getting worked up over every issue helps us.  Honestly, some of my sisters have been whining about everything, which makes the important matters harder to press.

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    I disagree that you are much of a feminist (5.00 / 1) (#177)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:06:08 PM EST


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    Now see, this is another thing (none / 0) (#185)
    by oh please on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:11:47 PM EST
    Lately, I feel as if I am being kicked out of the "club," if I don't agree with every single thing that I am told to agree with.  What have we been fighting for, if not for the idea of having our own identity?  It's not better for women to tell me how to think than for a man to do so, imo.  Btw, J, I have always been a fan of yours...I just don't want to have to sweat everything, or I won't be able to enjoy life...that's just how it is for me.

    Parent
    Excuse me (5.00 / 1) (#189)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:15:43 PM EST
    You can hold any opinion you want and I get to hold MY OPINIONS about it.

    What you have said leads me to believe you are NOT much of a feminist.

    Sorry if that bothers you.

    What you wrote bothered ME.

    Parent

    what more important matters? (5.00 / 1) (#181)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:08:38 PM EST
    ok, i know winning back control of our country, the environment, the war, the economy. all true! however if women(over 50% of the population) start losing our rights again(probable), then it will be hard to get it back. we are heading in that direction. i for one want no part of that.

    Parent
    I don't think that we're going to lose our rights (none / 0) (#188)
    by oh please on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:15:24 PM EST
    as long as we have a Democrat in the WH and a Democrat-majority congress.  But, if we worry more about Hillary than those goals, we will lose this election.  Sen. Clinton is a grown-up.  She can handle the small stuff.

    Parent
    LADY, it isn't small stuff. (5.00 / 4) (#192)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:19:29 PM EST
    now i am very offended by that. i fought my way up in the business world and took some real knocks for it. IT ISN'T SMALL STUFF!

    and hillary shouldn't have to take crax like that. you should be in her corner, period.

    Parent

    Oh Please (5.00 / 5) (#196)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:21:35 PM EST
    is not much of a feminist, is he/she?

    Parent
    it is an affront to the democratic party also. (5.00 / 1) (#199)
    by hellothere on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:24:14 PM EST
    thanks for sticking up for us btd.

    Parent
    I fought my way up too, (none / 0) (#200)
    by oh please on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:24:33 PM EST
    And I am in her corner, but I got to where I am by choosing my battles.  And, frankly, there are other women in politics who I believe would have been a better choice.  She's not as much of a role model for me as some others, for example, Sen. Boxer.

    Parent
    More proof that you are not much of a feminist (5.00 / 1) (#195)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:20:44 PM EST
    Cohen's remarks were an affront to all women and all feminists. It was not just an affront to Sen Clinton.

    Parent
    You call name is (none / 0) (#191)
    by bjorn on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:19:22 PM EST
    interesting, but every time I see it I want to use John Stossels signature line, "Give me a break!"  "oh Please" just sets up everything that comes next as a complaint.

    Parent
    Okay, I see your point, but (none / 0) (#201)
    by oh please on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:28:48 PM EST
    you did make me laugh, because I didn't think about that...it's really an insignificant inside joke with some of my friends and I didn't mean it as a complaint when I chose it.  We have a friend who says, "Oh, please," when she's laughing to hard to stop and she just sounds funny when she does it, so we tease her.  It was actually just the opposite of a complaint.

    Parent
    Slightly OT (5.00 / 4) (#182)
    by Fabian on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:10:00 PM EST
    My kindergarten son came home last week with four hand written apologies from the kids who knocked him down on the playground and kicked him.  They were all suspended for a day.  

    There was no quibbling.  No negotiations.  No delay.  The actions were recognized as wrong, the perpetrators were punished and it was all over.  I was upset, yes, but also satisfied that the situation was resolved.

    If someone says or does something disrespectful to someone, gets called on it and then makes a sincere, unequivocal apology - then life goes on largely as it did before.  Situation resolved.

    If the disrespect happens and then there is no satisfactory resolution then that breeds dissatisfaction, rancor and antagonism.  It is essentially a fight between what is considered more important.  The transgressor may consider it more important not to lose face than to admit fault, that they are more important than the person they wronged.  

    Parent

    a good lesson (none / 0) (#186)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:14:20 PM EST


    Parent
    But look at all the posts that show that (none / 0) (#193)
    by oh please on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:19:38 PM EST
    even an apology is not accepted.  It's just getting crazy.  Btw, I'm sorry about your child.  That must have been an awful experience for both of you.

    Parent
    Which is ridiculous... (none / 0) (#163)
    by oh please on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:56:30 PM EST
    what I posted or keeping track of every crackpot?

    What you posted (5.00 / 0) (#179)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:07:28 PM EST


    Parent
    Sorry, I'm new (none / 0) (#170)
    by oh please on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:02:00 PM EST
    The above was supposed to go to Big Tent Democrat in the post above.  Thanks.

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    Ridiculous (none / 0) (#171)
    by DanR3 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:02:12 PM EST
    What is ridiculous is bashing the best Dem we have in Tennessee.

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    What is ridiculous is the idea (5.00 / 5) (#178)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:06:57 PM EST
    that you give a pas for a blatantly sexist remark from ANYONE.

    I detest the attitude you champion.

    Parent

    Guess that is why I have decided to no longer be a (5.00 / 1) (#184)
    by honora on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:11:16 PM EST
    Democrat.

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    Party loyalty does not come (5.00 / 4) (#190)
    by bjorn on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:16:55 PM EST
    before self-respect.  Kudos to Cohen for his good works in TN, but if we are going to go on good works then why isn't the party 100% behind Clinton????  Who has been doing a lot of good work for 30 years!  How about not bashing her either!!!!!

    Parent
    Uh, your "best Dem" was talking about (5.00 / 7) (#197)
    by nycstray on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:22:33 PM EST
    MY Senator, among other things. I don't care if he's the "best dem you have", I'm a woman who has to live and work in this world and I am TIRED of this mentality. Done. Finished with it.

    Parent
    Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) Apologizes For Clinton Remarks | 205 comments (205 topical)