Clinton Responds to “Pimp” Comment
EmailABC News’ Eloise Harper reports: Sen. Clinton responded Saturday morning to a comment made by NBC’s David Schuster on Thursday, who rhetorically asked, "Doesn’t it seem like Chelsea’s sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way?”
“I am a mom first and a candidate second. I found the remarks incredibly offensive. I can take whatever comes my way, that’s part of what I signed up for as a candidate, as an office holder, but I think that there’s been a troubling pattern of comments and behavior that has to be held accountable. So I have sent a letter to the head of NBC expressing the deep offense that I took and pointing out what has been a troubling pattern of demeaning treatment, and I would expect appropriate action to be taken.”
Clinton would not say if she would participate in the NBC-sponsored debates. “We have accepted a lot of debates from a lot of different sponsors and were going to wait and see how this plays out.”
Clinton was asked if she sees herself as the underdog, and the reporter referenced Mark Penn’s comments about Sen. Obama being the establishment candidate: “(Obama) has increasingly run an establishment race and he has increasingly relied on big endorsements and on celebrities to sort of attach himself to get the kind of validation that comes from that sort of endorsement and he has increasingly in my view really tailored his positions so they are more establishment orientated, like giving up on universal healthcare."
Clinton was also asked if she thought superdelegates should support pledged delegates, as Senator Obama as suggested. “Superdelegates are, by design, supposed to exercise independent judgment, that is the way the system works. But of course if Sen. Obama and his campaign continue to push this position, which is really contrary to what the definition of superdelegate has historically been, I look forward to receiving the support of Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Kerry."
When asked if she thought Florida and Michigan should have a caucus, Clinton said, “The people of Florida and Michigan spoke in a very convincing way that they want their voices and their votes to be heard. The turnout in both places was record-and I think that should be respected.”
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Shuster shouldn’t have said it. But now that he did, I’m sure Clinton will keep this going for as long as she can. Playing the victim seems to be an instinctive response for her.
And very interesting that Clinton seems to support the super delegates structure. Suddenly she isn’t so worried about disenfranchising the voices of voters.
But then again, she is, when it comes to Florida and Michigan.
But then again, she isn’t, when it comes to Nevada caucus locations that seem to support an opposing labor union.
But then again, she is, when it comes to working people in Iowa who couldn’t make the caucus.
I’m sure all of this is based on some complex application of principle, and the fact that each point just happens to conveniently support her candidacy prospects is just that – coincidence.
Posted by: Paul | February 9, 2008, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
Comment from Germany:
First: Here in Germany a reporter with such a rude comment would have been thrown out immediately and i think, that would be a good idea. With his comment he helped the Clintons quite much, as many would probably think “I help this poor little girl”.
BUT (second): Chelsea Clinton is not a little child anymore.
Yesterday, at Feb. 8 there was a detailed report in the biggest and highly respected german newspaper “Sueddeutsche Zeitung” about the work of Chelsea Clinton (second page of the business section).
After studying in Stanford and Oxford she was employed at McKinsey in New York. She earned right at the beginning several hundred thousand Dollar per year. At the end of 2006 she changed to the HEDGE FUNDS “Avenue Capital” at Wall Street where she is CURRENTLY EMPLOYED. Her annual salery is estimated several hundred thousand Dollar.
Here in Germany someone like Chelsea is considered as a true lobbyist. Very interesting for germans, maybe also for US citizens and not commonly known.
Here in germany many of these hedge funds are responsible for the unnecassary asset stripping of many companies and the loss of thousands of jobs.
Posted by: German | February 9, 2008, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
Shuster’s remark is only the most blatant example of the residual sexism in this country, even among self-described “progressives” and “liberals.” Senator Clinton is repeatedly criticized (or at least critiqued) for her personal appearance, her clothes, her physique, her personality (too cold…too hot…whatever stupid reporters think at the moment). This sort of stuff is never, and would never, be said about a man. We are electing a president. We want someone tough, experienced, and who knows how to get things done. Let’s focus on policy, and on the relevant attributes of the candidates, and not let our residual sexism–or racism–play a role. On the merits of policies, experience, and ability to deal with the crises we will face at home and abroad in the next 4 years, Clinton is by far the best candidate.
Posted by: roger | February 9, 2008, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
We watched in awe from overseas the inadequate ways this (MS)NBC network has been treating this incredibly offensive matter. Suspension is NOT the solution. Unless these 2 commentators — Matthews and Shuster, are immediately fired, then it is clear that this network is behind all of this. There is a disgusting pattern of openly demeaning female presidential candidates that this MSNBC network obviously supports. Americans should wake up and boycott this network by turning them off or watch something else. We certainly have from overseas!
Posted by: Anatole France | February 9, 2008, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
He apologized, as he should have. Are the Clintons really saying they are not going to accept his apology? That would be rich.
Posted by: evie | February 9, 2008, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
I’m sorry but I think this was over reacting. Now there is talk of Chris, David and even Tim Russert as being sexist. Please. Tim has never been anything but respectful to ANYONE that has ever graced his show. And all Chris said was, basically, she (Hillary) has landed where she is because of who she is and what she’s been through being Bill’s wife. I ask the readers, is that not the case for crying out loud?
David’s comment could have been stated a bit differently but it’s not about the comment. If you read the exchange of emails between the press person and David, from the start you can tell that what she was upset about is that he reported on Chelsea soliciting delegates on national tv! You can also tell by the end of the emails, that this press person was setting him up.
This is another attempt at holding onto the women’s vote, that is slipping away from her. They are putting out the perception of: ‘see look at what these men think of us’. Pathetic.
I’m sorry but Chelsea is a 27 year old adult. They guy has apologized, TWICE, LIVE on air. I remember far WORSE being said about the Bush twins and they were in their teens for crying out loud. There were no complaints from the Bush family. Is this what having her in the WH would be like, playing the victim every week or so?
As a viewer I am sick of MSNBC caving into the Clinton’s. In fact, I don’t think there should be a debate now. Clearly it would be watered down in her favor. Why threatned not to go forward with the debate? Why not just cancel it and forget it?
I’m a Republican but I’m voting for Obama next month. We don’t have to do anything, you Democrats make yourselves look questionable.
John has the nomination locked up so I will CERTAINLY do my best to ensure this garbage ENDS long befor reaching the WH doors. Imagine having her as Commander and Chief, one drama filled and meaningless day after another.
Posted by: Laura L. | February 9, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Because of Hillary Rodham Clinton the Democratic party will lose this election. Many people want to be on the side of history and I don’t blame them. I, too, want to be on the side of history. So, eventhough I believe we will lose this election, my vote for the history books will go to Barack Obama.
While certainly not perfect, he has engaged in less whining, manipulation, tactial errors etc…
As far as the comment, it was done in poor taste and he apologized for it. Demanding someone lose their job over something like that is insane. Do the guys and girls over there dislike Hillary? Some, but most dislike ANY Democrat – period. To single out MSNBC as a whole is dumb. There are networks and anchors many channels that like and dislike the both of them. I don’t hear anyone demanding Dan be fired from MSNBC, he CLEARLY favors Hillary and I mean to a point of ABSOLUTE and CLEAR bias.
Thanks Hillary, the party owes you so much for screwing us over come November.
Posted by: Enid | February 9, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
What I meant by the last comment is that she should forget about those delegates……that is the one thing that will do us in along with this constant crying. It’s splitting the party….
Posted by: Enid | February 9, 2008, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
Stop the nonsense!!! Just elect a WOMAN president who can do the job on day one. End of story.
Posted by: So Independent | February 9, 2008, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
“I think that there’s been a troubling pattern of comments and behavior that has to be held accountable.”
Did she really make the above statement? Wait, they have how many years of NOT accepting accountability, of shifting blame, blaming the Republicans, etc?
They should focus less on marginal things and focus more on releasing those WH documents. As of late, the DOJ said the documents are READY for release. They just need Bill to give authorization. My question is what’s the hold up Bill?
Concerning the article, who cares? Really, is this a story? It’s no longer a story considering the guy at first said he wouldn’t apologize but then later did. It’s all been rectified. No need to squeeze blood from a stone. Get over it or get a life or both.
Daniel
Posted by: Daniel | February 9, 2008, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
This is sick, the media goes out of line and target below the belt. The media should practice their professionality and ethics, hopefully they still have something left. Making those comments makes me really sick. No wonder they do not get respect either. So sick.
Posted by: So Independent | February 9, 2008, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
It’s official – Mark Penn’s an idiot.
He thinks Barack is running an establishment race? I’m pretty sure it’s the largest grassroots campaign ever, which is bucking the trend of establishment races in which money is funneled into campaigns by PAC’s and lobbysists (ahem, MRS. Clinton.)
Posted by: Ryaple | February 9, 2008, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
It sounds like, media is watching too much porn, that’s why they use the word “pimp” comment instead of using more politically correct wording. That’s ashame.
Posted by: Very Independent | February 9, 2008, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
A vote for Hillary Clinton is the same as a vote for John McCain. She cannot defeat him. Period.
Posted by: Mark | February 9, 2008, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
Those defending hil need to learn what freedom of speech is and facts.
She ignores her own kid when it suits her and now is saying I’ll pimp her out to get votes, let her speak but screw anyone else dare having anything negative about the spoiled kid.
If she is on the stump let her take it like a man or shut up as it is all she wants is another 8 years of living in the white house because she thinks she deserves it. She is old enough to go out and get a flipping burger job and live like other tazpayers.
Voting for the hil is asking for a civil war and all those from other countries yacking on these blogs, shut up and clean your own house.
Posted by: JR | February 9, 2008, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
A vote for Hillary Clinton is the same as a vote for John McCain. She cannot defeat him. Period.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 9, 2008 3:52:19 PM
________________________________________
Mark, your copy pasta skills are excellent. You must be hireded by the Obama campaign, since you post this in every Hillary Post…lol
Truth is, McCain will vet and destroy Obama in a general election… More dirt coming out on OBama that you can ever imagine..
The republicans will attack him brutally and without mercy, and he has already proven, he could never withstand these types of attacks.
Posted by: Jordan Clinton | February 9, 2008, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
Sorry Mark, I show polls with Hillary beating McCain the same as you have Obama beating McCain. Don’t attempt to call my statements suspicious if that is what you meant, when my statement is just my opinion, the same as yours. No fact. We won’t have the facts of who will do what until the day after the Primary. Everything else is purely speculation on my part and on yours.If I had the ability to predict the future as you claim to have, I would be a billionaire.
Posted by: Jordan Clinton | February 9, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
Hillary says she can take anything that comes at her. Then she complains about what comes at her.
Ah, I see.
Methinks the lady hath drunk deep at the springs of victimhood.
Posted by: Colfax | February 9, 2008, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
Colfax:
Let’s get real here. If someone called your daughter or sister or mother a pimp on national TV, how would you react? I would be ###### as hell. If he spoke that way about my daughter, I would go down to the studio and call this insensitive brute out and there would be hell to pay. Hillary has every right to defend her daughter. If anyone spoke that way about Obama’s wife and daughter, there would be race riots by now.
Posted by: Jordan Clinton | February 9, 2008, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
Jordan Clinton Feb. 9
You are exactly right!
Posted by: Ben | February 9, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
Jordan Clinton,
What does this have to do with Obama? I don’t understand why his name comes up in every single little thing.
As far as the post, what would you Hillary people have MSNBC do, not cover her? If they were to stop covering her, you all would then claim some sort of bias. I, personally, wish they wouldn’t cover her ANYMORE. This complaining has become a pattern of her campaign.
Are you people aware that Hillary has said far worse degrading and worse comments about people, and she has yet to issue some sort of apology?
This does not call for the type of attention it is getting. It’s ironic that almost every single little thing seems to play out almost a day before a contest or election.
Was it a poor comment? Sure, but the man apologized. What should he do now give an arm and a leg? Of course now, MSNBC is nothing but Clinton this – and Clinton that. Made me want to throw up so I settled for turning off the tv.
The tv will stay off, at least off that channel, until they get their heads out of their ###. Move on already.
Posted by: Indep. Voice | February 9, 2008, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
LOOK UP THE WORD PIMP IN THE DICTIONARY.CHELSE AND BILL BOTH ARE PIMPS FOR HER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GET REAL CLINTONS SHE SAID SHE WAS TOLD THAT SHE COULD NOT TALK TO REPORTERS BUT AS A ADULT SHE CAN OPEN HER OWN MOUTH UNLESS IT IS CONTROLED BY HER EGO CONTROLLING PARENTS. I ALWAYS TOLD MY CHILDREN TO THINK FOR THEM SELF EVEN IF IT IS DIFFERENT THEN WHAT I THINK. BE A LEADER NOT ANOTHER WEAK MINED FOLLOWER.BY THE WAY, I HOPE EVERY ONE OUT THERE CAN DO THAT ALSO.
Posted by: FRANK | February 9, 2008, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm
No, Jordan, YOU get real. You’re not running for POTUS so such comparisons are useless. Chelsea wasn’t called a pimp. The remark was that she is being “pimped out.” That makes HIll & Bill the usual suspects in the context of the quote.
I would never have used such language, nor would you have, and I think the commentator was wrong to do it. But it was done metaphorically and this IS a presidential campaign. The flap is really more disturbing the remark.
Posted by: Colfax | February 9, 2008, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm
“The flap is really more disturbing the remark.”
Exactly and don’t forget the overall implications of such a distrubing trend….
Posted by: Chris B | February 10, 2008, 1:14 am 1:14 am
Clinton is hoping for people to be outraged by the comment. The problem is, most Americans agree with essences of the comment. For years, the Clintons “protected” Chelsea from the press — now they’re using her for all they can get. I think it is telling that all the other candidates whose children have participated in the campaigns will talk to the press, but Chelsea won’t even talk to a 9 year old reporter.
Posted by: Jane | February 10, 2008, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
roger – I hate it when people whine that everything’s against Clinton because she’s a woman. Do you honestly think that if a man got all teary and emotional like she did in NH, that he wouldn’t be criticized as weak? She brings the criticism on herself by being so inconsistent. I’d love to have a woman in the white house (I’m a woman also), just not her. I’m not saying there’s no sexism, but it’s a cop-out to blame any criticism of Clinton on sexist pigs.
Posted by: anonymous12345 | February 10, 2008, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm
Chelsey is an adult, working as a hedge fund banker. The hedge funds are currently being blamed for the enormous mortgage meltdown mess. They are the people who buy these loans from the mortgage companies and banks. Many people are calling these hedge fund bankers much worse names than this reporter did! He went very easy on the Clintons!
Posted by: Martin | February 11, 2008, 2:06 am 2:06 am
“Fairytale” – bad President Clinton – go to the corner and don’t come out.
“Pimping Chelsey” – good press – whatever, come on Clinton’s take it like you have had to all of these years.
Will the super delegates elect the next president – NO – the Press will.
Posted by: american2 | February 11, 2008, 11:07 am 11:07 am
I think it was very bad judgement and very poor taste the remark that the reporter made. I really believe that our journalists are going way overboard
This election year is so very important for us and I know that the public want to hear honest facts on our politicians so that we can make one of the most important decisions facing us in these uncertain times. This race should not be decided because of gender/race or dem/rep. I’m trying my best to choose the very best candidate I can for president. We don’t have time for snide and slip-of-the-tongue remarks,
especially one as offensive as the one made by Shuster. There have been more adverse actions taken against reporters who said less than that. If Shuster is allowed to report again, I will definitely turn him off and as for msnbc I can go to other news channels for better and less unbiased opinions.
Posted by: bERNICE ANDERSON | February 11, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm