(March 30, 2008) "Hillary, Reassessed" (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Article, Interview & Video)

[swannyj]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_559659.html

“Walking into our conference room, not knowing what to expect (or even, perhaps, expecting the worst), took courage and confidence. Not many politicians have political or personal courage today, so it was refreshing to see her exhibit both.”

[xyndau]

A very good read.

Hillary, reassessed
By Richard M. Scaife
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, March 30, 2008 (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_559659.html)

Hillary Clinton walked into a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review conference room last Tuesday to meet with some of the newspaper's editors and reporters and declared, "It was so counterintuitive, I just thought it would be fun to do.

The room erupted in laughter. Her remark defused what could have been a confrontational meeting.

More than that, it said something about the New York senator and former first lady who hopes to be America's next president. "

[Imwithhillary]

Thanks for posting!
If she can win over a Scaife, there is hope for mankind after all. ;)
What a woman!!!!!

[samkm]

Yes she is. She has remarkable strength even in the face of greatest adversity.

Please see www.thehillaryiknow.com - 40 people can give great insight.

[Wyoming Dem]

I think people just don't get it that she is afraid of nothing (with what has been done to her, not much left except public flogging...) She really does have a remarkable memory and an ability to put facts and figures out there WITHOUT USING A TELEPROMPTER!!! I also think she has a terrific sense of humor and yes, a goofy but genuine laugh! Kudos to Scaife & The Tribune. Plenty of lesser men and publications would not have been as fair nor so easily apt to admit that they were wrong/impressed. I will be sending Scaife a thank you!

http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/6000/6073/justice_1_sm.gif

My rating of the article-http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra2/thumb.gif http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra2/thumb.gif http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra2/thumb.gif

[B positive]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_559659.html

“Walking into our conference room, not knowing what to expect (or even, perhaps, expecting the worst), took courage and confidence. Not many politicians have political or personal courage today, so it was refreshing to see her exhibit both.”

Thank you, swannyj, for one of the best articles I've read in a very long time!!!

[memphis]

I really liked reading that article. Something positive for Hillary.

[DianeED]

Sorry, but I think that meeting with RMS was the worst thing Clinton could have done. Politics is rough, but surely one draws a line somewhere.

[Soren]

Athena

[Optixmom]

What I find amusing is that the reporter said that he would not make up his mind about Senator Clinton until after Senator Obama comes in and is asked the SAME questions.

We all know what Senator Obama is going to say...exactly what Senator Clinton said! That is what he does, right?

[lanesharon]

By Richard M. Scaife
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, March 30, 2008


Hillary Clinton walked into a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review conference room last Tuesday to meet with some of the newspaper's editors and reporters and declared, "It was so counterintuitive, I just thought it would be fun to do."


The room erupted in laughter. Her remark defused what could have been a confrontational meeting.

More than that, it said something about the New York senator and former first lady who hopes to be America's next president.
More than most modern political figures, Sen. Clinton has been criticized regularly, often harshly, by the Trib. We disagreed with many of her policies and her actions in the past. We still disagree with some of her proposals.

The very morning that she came to the Trib, our editorial page raised questions about her campaign and criticized her on several other scores.
Reading that, a lesser politician -- one less self-assured, less informed on domestic and foreign issues, less confident of her positions -- might well have canceled the interview right then and there.
Sen. Clinton came to the Trib anyway and, for 90 minutes, answered questions.
Her meeting and her remarks during it changed my mind about her.

Read more and see videos of that conversation here:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_559659.html

[DianeED]

How can anyone support this move? A notorious right-wing thug who accuses you of murdering one of your staff members, then arranges to have your husband impeached--and who told outrageous lies to bring him down when he was governor: you sit down and have a friendly tete-a-tete with him?

[Ijane]

How can anyone support this move? A notorious right-wing thug who accuses you of murdering one of your staff members, then arranges to have your husband impeached--and who told outrageous lies to bring him down when he was governor: you sit down and have a friendly tete-a-tete with him?

Hillary's a leader. She has the rare ability to understand that having a successful meeting with the PTR was far more important then standing on principle over the antics of Richard Scaife. A leader breaks through barriers. Hillary is our leader!

[Les33]

You can't change things if you don't face them. As she said, it was "counterintuitive" but she did it anyway. It was courageous. That's who she is. It also shows a natural instinct to rise above resentment or vindictiveness. I think it was a great move. And clearly she won the day.

[lanesharon]

Reposted it on the website:
http://hillary-clintons-voice.com/pages/candidate/her-character/peace-maker.php

:D

[jgilmore]

This is the Hillary that can win the presidency. She can take people on that she does not like and make progress with them. This is what she has done all her life. This is courage in action.

[DianeED]

And clearly she won the day.

RMS is as evil a right-wing monster as there is. He will do anything to bring down either Democrat. She won nothing other than a loss of respect from supporters who are in a position to help her.

[RachachaSharon]

How can anyone support this move? A notorious right-wing thug who accuses you of murdering one of your staff members, then arranges to have your husband impeached--and who told outrageous lies to bring him down when he was governor: you sit down and have a friendly tete-a-tete with him?

To aspire to be President, one must be prepared to walk into the fire. Hillary has just shown these guys that she's tough and can take them on. That doesn't mean she's forgiven them. It only means she has the biggest brass ones in this contest.

[sazharnyc]

actually it is exactly the part of hillary that I find so refreshing. She is confident and able to go into a meeting with someone who obviously set out to destroy her and be calm and relaxed and commanding. She did it in NY and she has done it in the senate. This is what Obama says he will do but has never done. IT is just amazing to see people just fall for it and amazing to see majornews organizations etc continue to foster the lie about him. I do not want another smoke and mirrors candidate to be my president for another 8 years.

[HillWill]

If you watch the videos of the meeting, it just reminds you of how incredibly smart Hillary is. I can't imagine Obama knowing half the stuff she does. He is gonna have to watch it, so he can copy!

[lanesharon]

I want to put a page, or pages, up on the website that 'catch' Obama being dishonest. I am asking for your help to do this. If you know of any, please let me know where they are on the web. (Credible sources only, please)

I need the original remark, declaration, or promise he made; and then a transcript, quoted media remark, or video proof of him lying, changing his mine, or oopsing about it. I want to consolidate them all together so that it becomes overwhelming proof of his lack of character. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Either reply here or private message me or email me through the contact form here:
http://hillary-clintons-voice.com/pages/talk-to-us.php

[Ijane]

It's one thing for the president to not meet with Kim Jong or Fidel Castro...it's another thing to not meet with Richard Scaife. Do you realize what would happen to our society if we took this route with our thinking. We'd be headed for a civil war.

[PuppyDogMom]

"Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer."

She's a smart cookie!

[Annie]

How can anyone support this move? A notorious right-wing thug who accuses you of murdering one of your staff members, then arranges to have your husband impeached--and who told outrageous lies to bring him down when he was governor: you sit down and have a friendly tete-a-tete with him?

This is what Hillary does - a very old and wise quotation by Sun- tzu - General and Military Strategist, 400 BC
"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

[endodoc79]

This article brings into focus that on the issues HILLARY IS THE BEST CHOICE. I really like talking policy, especially about her healthcare proposal. It is something we really need in this country. We have to be able to talk to each other, even if we disagree. I was so proud to read the article and have the chance to review policy and not another one slandering one candidate or the other.

[Christines]

Here is a story from the Pittsburgh Tribune on Hillary.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_559659.html


The very morning that she came to the Trib, our editorial page raised questions about her campaign and criticized her on several other scores.


Reading that, a lesser politician -- one less self-assured, less informed on domestic and foreign issues, less confident of her positions -- might well have canceled the interview right then and there.

Sen. Clinton came to the Trib anyway and, for 90 minutes, answered questions.

Her meeting and her remarks during it changed my mind about her.

Walking into our conference room, not knowing what to expect (or even, perhaps, expecting the worst), took courage and confidence. Not many politicians have political or personal courage today, so it was refreshing to see her exhibit both.
Sen. Clinton also exhibited an impressive command of many of today's most pressing domestic and international issues. Her answers were thoughtful, well-stated, and often dead-on.

[CGP]

This is a wonderful article! And perfect for an undecided voter or someone who does understand Hillary or know what she is about!

How many times have I heard this!!?? People changing their view of Hillary for the better once they meet her on a human level - away from the corruption and lies of the media and the haters.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEOS OF THE INTERVIEW ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ARTICLE

[freespirit]

It seems that so many people who think they have really strong feelings of dislike for her really have no idea of what she's really like, or why they have a negative opinion of her. Those who have spoken or written about their personal experiences with her, either as first lady of AR or of this country have such good things to say about her.

[eeslaomd]

You can't change things if you don't face them. As she said, it was "counterintuitive" but she did it anyway. It was courageous. That's who she is. It also shows a natural instinct to rise above resentment or vindictiveness. I think it was a great move. And clearly she won the day.

I couldn't agree with you more. i was so pleased reading the article, and proud too, of our hillary. i echo what my friend has said about this piece," refreshingly and amusingly reflective of the way the real hillary surprises people." we hope of course that mr scaife eventually support hillary, but even that is beside the point. going to the "enemy camp" and showing them what she really is made of is a courageous and smart move by itself.
to PuppyDogMom and Annie, right on :D. and may i add: "the best way to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend". (definitely something very hard to do!)

[CGP]

Merged 2 threads...

[Dendy]

I watched all of those little clips of her answers. I love hearing her speak on the issues. She makes even the most boring subjects sound entertaining. I don’t think there is an issue that she doesn’t know anything about. It’s inspiring and I hope they indorse her.
I don’t know if it’s a good idea to publish the answers before they got Obama’s cause he is probably going to study those clips so he would look like he actually knows what he’s talking about. I’m just paranoid about everything now days.

[HillWill]

There's even a point when she's talking about the Katrina debacle, that she says, "I could go on all day..." and everyone yells in the room, "please do" or "go ahead". You could just get the feeling that she had them captured and they wanted to hear more. She's so knowledgeable.

[hills]

There's even a point when she's talking about the Katrina debacle, that she says, "I could go on all day..." and everyone yells in the room, "please do" or "go ahead". You could just get the feeling that she had them captured and they wanted to hear more. She's so knowledgeable.

I like that. That really tells you that she cares about people and knows what she is talking about.

Maybe Joe would like a copy of this article.

[Terry]

I had the same thought go throught my mind. He'll study Senator Clinton's answer and somehow make them his own. Just like he did during the debates.

[hills]

I had the same thought go throught my mind. He'll study Senator Clinton's answer and somehow make them his own. Just like he did during the debates.

I am hoping he goes first and if he mentions something about his health care plan and givng the people to choose from the same plan as congress, I want Hillary to say: "thank you Barack for finally seeing it my way" or "I am glad you like my proposal" or something like that:). On the view he lied and I want Hillary to call him out on it.

[pnevai]

RMS is as evil a right-wing monster as there is. He will do anything to bring down either Democrat. She won nothing other than a loss of respect from supporters who are in a position to help her.

"Hold your friends close and your enemies closer" The Godfather

[Oregonian4Hill]

Commenting at Taylor Marsh, WMCB wrote:

Hillary does this all the time. People who have been adamantly opposed to her, who are sworn enemies, meet her in person and talk with her and come away with at the very least a grudging respect for her sheer COMPETENCE, and concern for real solutions for America, even if they still disagree with some of her ideology.

It is what happened in the Senate with her Republican colleagues.

This would be a big advantage in dealing with foreign leaders, even America's enemies. She can sit down and talk, KNOWING the problem and the issues inside out, and taking that calm, reasoned, practical approach to "let's solve this".

:)

[YesSheCan]

If you watch the videos of the meeting, it just reminds you of how incredibly smart Hillary is. I can't imagine Obama knowing half the stuff she does. He is gonna have to watch it, so he can copy!

Yes! the videos are great and she carries the meeting. Wow! And yes you can bet the Obamimic is going to study them. He probably has spies to let him know the questions since he believes in canned not free speech.

[hillary4change]

RMS is as evil a right-wing monster as there is. He will do anything to bring down either Democrat. She won nothing other than a loss of respect from supporters who are in a position to help her.

I am inclined to disagree with you. She has shown that she has courage. Cowardly as he maybe, he of all people speaking out on her behalf is HUGE. Everyone who is anyone knows his disdain for her. She has again shown she isn't afraid of anyone. That fosters RESPECT!! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!! Isn't that our promo song!!! This is huge! Others that maybe towing the Hillary hate will be more apt to take a second listen if she can win him over!! Again fostering more RESPECT. This is what moves women up the chain. It is BIG.
Does anyone out there see it this way???

[Charlie Brown]

Walking into our conference room, not knowing what to expect (or even, perhaps, expecting the worst), took courage and confidence. Not many politicians have political or personal courage today, so it was refreshing to see her exhibit both.

THATS OUR GIRL!!!!!!!!!

[hills]

I am inclined to disagree with you. She has shown that she has courage. Cowardly as he maybe, he of all people speaking out on her behalf is HUGE. Everyone who is anyone knows his disdain for her. She has again shown she isn't afraid of anyone. That fosters RESPECT!! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!! Isn't that our promo song!!! This is huge! Others that maybe towing the Hillary hate will be more apt to take a second listen if she can win him over!! Again fostering more RESPECT. This is what moves women up the chain. It is BIG.
Does anyone out there see it this way???

I do ;)

[HillWill]

I am inclined to disagree with you. She has shown that she has courage. Cowardly as he maybe, he of all people speaking out on her behalf is HUGE. Everyone who is anyone knows his disdain for her. She has again shown she isn't afraid of anyone. That fosters RESPECT!! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!! Isn't that our promo song!!! This is huge! Others that maybe towing the Hillary hate will be more apt to take a second listen if she can win him over!! Again fostering more RESPECT. This is what moves women up the chain. It is BIG.
Does anyone out there see it this way???

I absolutely agree. She will be president of all Americans, even the ones that hate her. She did right by showing up and showing them that she is all substance. something we all knew, but people like that refuse to believe. The more times she does that, the more she can silence the "noise." The videos make me so proud.

[TeejDee]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/31/hillaryclinton.uselections2008

She is a fighter to the end....

[CGP]

How can anyone support this move? A notorious right-wing thug who accuses you of murdering one of your staff members, then arranges to have your husband impeached--and who told outrageous lies to bring him down when he was governor: you sit down and have a friendly tete-a-tete with him?

This is I am sorry, a naiive statement and unjustified criticsm. We are talking about politics - US politics - presidential politics. If Hillary Clinton chose to not conduct interviews with every single journalist who has wronged her or her family in some way over the years, she'd probably be speaking to practically no-one. In the mainstream political domain of Democrats v Republicans, she absolutely must speak to journalists along all points of the political spectrum, from the left to the right.

It also takes great skill and character to be able to participate in an interview with an "enemy". I certainly could not do it and retain any sense of calm. The fact that Hillary can - over and over - says something about her leadership ability. She can look her "enemies" in the eyes, withstand their attacks, and throw policy/facts back at them. Now that's powerful.

[G4Hillary]

Very nice article. The more you learn about Hillary the more you begin to like and love her.

[SantaCruzen]

Impressive. I think that Hillary has really been opening up to her own inner strength with this competition. Barrack's curve balls have really excercised her for the better.

[G4Hillary]

How can anyone support this move? A notorious right-wing thug who accuses you of murdering one of your staff members, then arranges to have your husband impeached--and who told outrageous lies to bring him down when he was governor: you sit down and have a friendly tete-a-tete with him?

Diane,
I think it is about agreeing to disagree and yet move beyond bipartisanship to get something done.

Every conservative isn't a dogmatic ideologist so we have to create a bridge. I think most Americans want that. If for no other reason we can't get anything done if we don't negotiate. That's why Bush has such a hard time. They are too staunch. At the same time we remain on guard because many are not well intentioned.

[G4Hillary]

It also takes great skill and character to be able to participate in an interview with an "enemy". I certainly could not do it and retain any sense of calm. The fact that Hillary can - over and over - says something about her leadership ability. She can look her "enemies" in the eyes, withstand their attacks, and throw policy/facts back at them. Now that's powerful.

This really shows toughness. Walk into a meeting with the enemy himself and talk. She has amazing fortitude.

[Thekla]

RMS is as evil a right-wing monster as there is. He will do anything to bring down either Democrat. She won nothing other than a loss of respect from supporters who are in a position to help her.

I agree about RMS. But has she lost support for this? I haven't heard anything but maybe you have. To me, she looks like a badass for this.
The Obama Fan Club is bringing up the old scandals as much as the right wing did in the 1990s. Maybe facing that head-on like this is crazy-like-a-fox.

[foreigner4hillary]

RMS is as evil a right-wing monster as there is. He will do anything to bring down either Democrat. She won nothing other than a loss of respect from supporters who are in a position to help her.


It's not just about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer. This is not even about a "loss of respect" (how does that happen btw?).

This is about fighting misconception. As we watch movies or tv shows (esp. soaps), we can see misunderstandings as the major cause for trouble.

E.g. A kisses B just at the second C steps round the corner...C turns and run just as B slaps A. Woot. C'mon...how many times have we seen something like that on the telly?!! The rest of the episode plays out and we see B and C split because B is too dumb/reluctant to talk about it.

So yes. This isn't about enemies. This is about having the courage to change opinions and the courage to address misunderstandings and finding common points. If you start alienating people just because they don't agree with you, that just widens the rift. At the end, everyone suffers because of this stubborn approach.

Since we're all in the mood for quotes, here's another favourite of mine. "If you're crossing the road and a car is charging straight at you, it doesn't matter who's right or wrong."

[K.Wayne]

How can anyone support this move? A notorious right-wing thug who accuses you of murdering one of your staff members, then arranges to have your husband impeached--and who told outrageous lies to bring him down when he was governor: you sit down and have a friendly tete-a-tete with him?

Interesting. Didn't Hillary work with Lindsey Graham on legislatinto help vets get benefits? Wasn't Graham the one who brought up the impeachment? Hasn't she also work with Gingrich, Delay, ect.... putting her differences
aside(giving all they've said and done against her and her husband) to work for the common good of the people?

So that's wrong? And she somehow forgot she was walking into the lion's den? Give her more credit than that. She knows what to do and how to do to get the work of the people done. Otherwise, she'd be no better a candidate than Obama who is not the uniter he claims to be. It takes balls to do what she did!

[ImmaSlave4U]

On March 25, Hillary met with reporters and editors of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, a newspaper that has been severely critical of her. In many respects, her visit marked another one of her acts to change people’s traditional views on her and her platform. Hillary's direct and human element in this recent encounter won over some of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s staff, and could help Hillary in her current bid for Pennsylvania.

Richard M. Scaife, owner of the Tribune-Review, writes:

The very morning that she came to the Trib, our editorial page raised questions about her campaign and criticized her on several other scores.

Reading that, a lesser politician — one less self-assured, less informed on domestic and foreign issues, less confident of her positions — might well have canceled the interview right then and there.

Sen. Clinton came to the Trib anyway and, for 90 minutes, answered questions.

Her meeting and her remarks during it changed my mind about her.

Walking into our conference room, not knowing what to expect (or even, perhaps, expecting the worst), took courage and confidence. Not many politicians have political or personal courage today, so it was refreshing to see her exhibit both.

Scaife signaled that Tribune-Review will wait until hearing from Barack Obama before making an endorsement.

[Peppermint Patty]

If only more media got to know her like this, and gave her a fair chance. What a strong woman! Fearless! I am more impressed with her every week.

I have already emailed it to everybody I can think of.

[SD]

she is a leader! a leader is able to sit down with those who dislike her, hate her, our enemies, ect, and talk calmly with them. she is brilliant!