THE SPINE MAY 14, 2008
-
Read Later
READ LATERAvailable only to subscribers. SUBSCRIBE TODAY
-
Listen
ARTICLE AUDIO
- Font Size
What do I mean? Actually, it is Hendrik Hertzberg's cut-through-the-haze insight in the New Yorker as to how Barack Obama came to run for the presidency and sidetrack her unquenchable ambitions. Rick suggests that the Clinton couple's upwardly mobile ambitions predisposed them to New York (for example: "Bill's not really a Second City kind of guy"), her political next-step, rather than to Hillary's home state, Illinois. Anyway, this opened Illinois to the aspirations of the young state senator, and the rest is history.In his characteristic crystalline prose, Rick reprises the self-made disasters of her campaign. Each of them is as quick as a stab in the heart, although my guess is that Bill and Hillary see all of these through self-righteous eyes. Maybe even her ugly assertion that "working, hardworking Americans, white Americans" were more for her than for Obama. It is true, after all, isn't it? But it is true in ways that should make us ashamed.Hertzberg allows a little bit of mush to muddle his prose when he "proves" that her record "is the very opposite of racist." But, then, racism would have never in any of her previous ventures given Hillary a one-up over anybody. But she was looking on towards West Virginia, and a bit of stereotyping there would never hurt her.Rick sees the end of her, as in an elegant and yet truthful encomium.
12 comments
How interesting that the social - climbing Clintons have gone downscale this electoral season. Mr. Peretz, I think you sometimes go over the top in your hatred of them but they sure are Machiavellian.
- liberal reformer
May 14, 2008 at 7:39pm
Ashamed of what? That they're cuckoo for a demagogue like you are?
- sleepyavl
May 14, 2008 at 8:25pm
"Hertzberg allows a little bit of mush to muddle his prose when he "proves"
that her record "is the very opposite of racist."" - this from a white dude, right?
- WaltB
May 14, 2008 at 10:05pm
I just can't imagine Hillary would have chosen to be out of the limelight for 4 years just so she can run from her home state, especially since New York is amenable to carpetbaggers. I too am looking forward to seeing the end of this race, and what is almost certainly the end of her only opportunity to be President. She may take Obama down with her this time, but she is delusional if she believes a "I told you so" campaign in 4 years will go over well.
- blackton
May 14, 2008 at 10:33pm
I'm no big fan of Hillary Clinton, but how long is Peretz going to continue his Captain Queeg number? Stick to the search for the strawberries, Marty.
- francior
May 15, 2008 at 9:03am
Peretz, a problem is that you are a bully and a coward. You throw around your various hatreds at will, but are not man enough to tangle with anyone about them or about you when you are put down.
- basman
May 15, 2008 at 9:34am
"It is true, after all, isn't it? But it is true in ways that should make us ashamed." We should be ashamed but not in the way Marty means. We should be ashamed that the interests of the poor working white were thrown overboard by the Democrats, in favor of their "victim" constituents, particularly blacks. Race based, as opposed to class based, affimative action alienated and created resentment among poor whites. They were dismissed as yokels and racists (trailer trash). No wonder they are resentful. Obama campaign has clearly exacerbated their resentment.
- r-ennis
May 15, 2008 at 10:37am
Interesting. I was reading Cinque Williams's article the other day and read this line: "Let's begin with the locus classicus of Obama love, Andrew Sullivan's encomium in The Atlantic."
I thought, "'encomium.' I haven't seen that word in a while."
A few days later, I stumble upon this posts that ends with "Rick sees the end of her, as in an elegant and yet truthful encomium."
Hummm. Twice in a matter of days. What a coincidence...If you are going to copy another writer's big word, (1) don't force the use, and (2) try not to copy in such an obvious manner
- adamvaught
May 15, 2008 at 12:30pm
Itz,
wow, I thought I was the only one who sensed that peretz, under all the bluster and vitriol, is, as the Eric Alterman smack down proved, a coward.
No shame in being a coward, I've know many and in some very dicey situations in my checkered life, a good dose of cowardice has saved my ass, but someone who talks bullying s--t like peretz, a yellow streak is hardly something that inspires confidence.
I am so tired of this Clinton hatred. Boring....
- thejauntyboulevardier
May 15, 2008 at 12:39pm
"Unquenchable ambitions" Thank God Barak the Humble and MIchelle the Meek saved us from that! After all, a man who's published 2 autobiographies by the age of 46, who feels that 3 undistinguished years in the U.S. Senate qualify him for the Presidency has no ambitions at all.
- dubyadoubte
May 15, 2008 at 12:57pm
adamvaught:
Right you is: "encomium" as I understand it means "glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise; also : an expression of this." On this definition, "Rick sees the end of her, as in an elegant and yet truthful encomium" is incoherent.
Ken: on this point , we are a doo wop chorus of two, and make no mistake, there will never be a response to it. But it is good rejoinder to keep adverting to it from time to time in way that does not amount to an encomium. (btw: Jersey Boys is amount 2 1/2 months from hitting my town.)
- basman
May 15, 2008 at 1:10pm
Itz,
It is a must see, though, at this point, I am sure that cast is very different from the one I saw last year in SF. My younger son was so inspired by the production that when he auditioned for the spring play at our local youth rep, he sang "Can't Take My Eyes off You" and landed a good role. He is 12.
If you and Mrs. Itz are in the area this summer, call and try to give me a heads up. That way, I can make any necessary arrangements and actually meet you.
- thejauntyboulevardier
May 15, 2008 at 1:23pm