May 5, 2008 10:32pm

Clinton, Recalibrated

The Hillary Clinton of Indiana and North Carolina is not the Hillary Clinton of Martha’s Vineyard and Renaissance Weekends.

Frank Rich quipped that she’s become the love-child of Joe Hill and Norma Rae.

That might be a bit hyperbolic, but without question she’s doing what she can to reach out to white blue collar voters.

Our "World News" piece on the subject can be watched HERE.

- jpt

User Comments

Is Hillary really for the common man and woman?
1) Hillary voted AGAINST the Vitter amendment which PREVENTS the government from confiscating guns from law abiding citizens during emergencies or martial law. Interestingly Obama voted for it and for the rights of gun owners.
2) The Clintons recently revealed on their tax returns that they had amassed fortunes of 109 million dollars.
3) Hillary was instrumental in pushing FOR and getting NAFTA passed which has been a disaster for American workers. According to documents released by the National Archives, Hillary in 1993 attended at least 5 meetings that were used to win approval of NAFTA by Congress and these documents detailed her role in promoting NAFTA while she was first lady.
4) Hillary along with the Republicans voted for the Iraq War which have taken billions of our tax paying dollars out of our pockets and put them into the pockets of oil companies and defense contractors.

Posted by: E Nelson | May 5, 2008, 10:45 pm 10:45 pm

What Jake, not biting twist at the end of your post disguised as a rhetorical question? Something like “do you buy this?” or “so who are we electing if we vote for her anyway?”
You’re all to eager to do that on every Obama post, so why not on this Hillary one?

Posted by: fontapa | May 5, 2008, 10:51 pm 10:51 pm

All of you in the media feel really sorry that Obama has gotten the scrutiny that was sooo lacking for months, so you are calling her the “multi-millionare”. Hey, she wasn’t spoonfed like W. or H.W. and you at ABC should be ashamed for airing this negative piece on her and calling her being tough.

Posted by: American | May 5, 2008, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm

How about you for ONCE put up a piece where someone calls Obama snide names?

Posted by: tomdavie | May 5, 2008, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm

Whatever. It. Takes. To. Get. Elected.

Posted by: Buford Gooch | May 5, 2008, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm

Whatever it takes to get elected?
Like comeing out with no experience at all and proclaiming
HERE YE HERE YE . All you tired, angry, and depressed fools.
I will solve all of your problems. I am the GREAT WIZARD OF OZ. I alone can fundamentally change washington.
I have no evidence I can do it, but dont I give an excellent SPEECH?
Thank GOD the liberal media doesnt call me on it. They ENHANCE IT instead.
I AM THE GREAT WIZARD OF OZ. I have the most liberal voting record in the senate, but I can miraculously GET EVERY POLITICAL GROUP TO COME TOGETHER.
INST WHAT I AM TELLING YOU GREAT?
DOENST IT HAVE MASS APPEAL ?????
WOULD ANYONE CALL THAT MASSIVE PANDERING????
not if the corrupt liberal media has anything to say about it.
The media hasnt turned on Obama yet.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 5, 2008, 11:55 pm 11:55 pm

I hope superdelegates have real vision and can see the writing on the wall…
BO smells like mcgovern, dukakis kerry and gore
of course, all obama barack supporters – want to change the subject from rev wrong…
the problem is barack sat in the church for 20 years and it Infected him – it’s part of who he is… and Obama was cool with it…
Most people know that if their pastor
DAMNED AMERICA FROM THE PULPIT IN A SERMON – it’s not right. …
you find another place to worship… do something… maybe a profile in courage…
That’s what hillary said she would have done. That’s what most AMERICANS would do.
What’s wrong with Barack he couldn’t see this….
Barack defended the guy in Philladelphia, and wouldn’t disown him.
SO, NOW HE IS FINALLY MAD AND THINKS THIS GUY IS OUTRAGEOUS.
WOW what kind of president would he make…
help us lord

Posted by: Harlan | May 5, 2008, 11:55 pm 11:55 pm

Jake, that was an excellent report. I’m astounded that the daughter of a father who could have paid for her to go to Radcliffe (but who insisted she go to Wellesley instead) is now claiming to be working class. She is the daughter of a boss, not the daughter of a worker.
Obama, on the other hand, is the son and grandson of people who were employees their whole lives…and he married the daughter of an employee.
The Clintons’ ability to convince the voters that red is blue amazes me…but sooner or later it always falls apart…you can only maintain a lie for so long. Unfortunately, it may be past August before the white working class voters figure out they’ve been had by the Clintons once again.

Posted by: Dema | May 6, 2008, 12:46 am 12:46 am

Gee Dema, I know that I’m just another uneducated white woman, but I do believe that Obama’s Grandmother was a VP at a bank in Hawaii. According to your definitions, that would make her a “boss”. His mother, of course, was privileged enought that she could pursue her anthopologies studes in Indonesida without worry about money — which is great! So what’s all this boss vs. employee stuff about??

Posted by: cappamore | May 6, 2008, 1:45 am 1:45 am

My wife and I will be enthusiasticly casting our ballots for Hillary Clinton today in the NC primary. Who cares, right? We’re just two, old (50 yo), uneducated (5 graduate degrees), low information (7+ newpapers daily), and low income (475K+ last year) Southern voters.
Frequently, the model doesn’t fit.

Posted by: WilliamJIV | May 6, 2008, 2:25 am 2:25 am

While Hillary’s playing Joe Six-Pack, Obama’s being a diplomat. His role in Nigeria’s cease-fire:

Posted by: Tom J | May 6, 2008, 2:57 am 2:57 am

I believe Hillary is much more in touch with the working man than Obama.
She came from working class roots and worked her way up to where she is now.
Obama’s father was able to travel to the US, attend the University of Hawaii and Harvard in the 1960′s. Do you know how much money that takes?? Obama’s mother was able to travel to Indonesia and study anthropology without worrying about money. Obama himself attended a elite private school growing up.
Hillary understands that saving $70 in gas means something to working class folks. Obama scoffs at how little that is – He and his wife spend $10,000 to send their daughters to summer camp and programs.

Posted by: Mark | May 6, 2008, 3:32 am 3:32 am

this is a woman who has not driven herself in 30 years…
a woman who does not understand that when these families and individuals are not choosing healthcare because they can’t figure out that with rent and food…
a stipend with a tax credit makes things worse for their daily lives.
Does she understand that most Americans who are in that tax bracket fill out a 10-40 EZ because they don’t understand that stuff…
no she wouldn’t because she hasn’t had to do her own taxes in 40 years.
She doesn’t understand it’s not just a problem for lower income people to not get insurance…it is they can’t get family physician. That the economics have to do with a system that is already overtaxed with demand.
A woman who does not understand anything unless it helps her win her position…and that is the extent to which she understands it. It is about saying and doing whatever it is to get elected.
It is ridiculous to say that this ex-first lady, multi-millionaire…ivy league pearl wearing…non-driving…had one child with a million helpers…who has not stepped into a bar or onto a football game stadium in 40 years…has any idea what is like for blue collar americans… even when she came to NH she was the one candidate that was ushered in and out…and it was like royalty visiting her subjects…
This is the biggest joke of this entire campaign Hillary (Marie Antoinette had more contact with people’s pocketbook management issues) Clinton.
You people have been so hyped.
Obama may have made money and gotten taken care of by his grandparents…but read his books…he was not anywhere near in the ivory tower of Hillary…this is a joke…a disgusting and manipulated joke.

Posted by: dl | May 6, 2008, 4:06 am 4:06 am

get this woman out of america’s sightline… I am moving to New york to make sure the Clintons are removed from all of government.
Just once I would like to see them put the country, the party, anyone for that matter…their daughter for chrissake…ahead of their own needs or wants.
Name me once they have. You can’t.

Posted by: dl | May 6, 2008, 4:11 am 4:11 am

      “Frank Rich quipped that she’s become the
      love-child of Joe Hill and Norma Rae.”
Frank Rich may have borrowed the quip.  I first heard this comparison used by Pat Buchanan on “The Laughlin (sp?) Group” on PBS last Friday evening.  (02 May ’08)  It got a laugh out of me then.
But, it’s still funny so I guess it’s okay to keep using it ’til it gets to “not funny anymore” status.

Posted by: Lee C. ―  U.S.A.  | May 6, 2008, 4:57 am 4:57 am

Hopefully the voters will think twice before they cast their votes today in Indiana and North Carolina. They have a choice between Hillary Clinton who is smart, savy and hard worker and Obama who is whiner and an elitist. Despite of Clinton’s shortcomings, you don’t have to worry about her patriotism unlike Obama’s elitist views. His associations should count for something. Wright was his mentor.Even if wearing an American flag lapel is not a patriotic issue, I have trouble electing someone who struggles to wear a lapel given there are American soldiers dying in Iraq and Afghanistan for our country.

Posted by: Stacy | May 6, 2008, 5:29 am 5:29 am

Mrs: Hilary Clinton ..Please clean zoom
and balance focus exactly..
Please change the New Key I am respect you allot please I will live you along..
War Iraq..Please tell all American what the Key you will moved out troop safe security must profesional. Deal Iran.. Economic overseas..or fix Credit Card. Do you see what the key hit Credit card so bad.? You even McCain.. Must focus change new Key please stop photo copy same style.. I wish I have a chance talking politic you and Mr: McCain will see how new key new tool fix got though
Housing , Credit card , Economic
Please can you ask ABC news what I ready post from December 2007..
Please hope ABC news show them .. I new will happen .. What I am say 100% exactly.. FED they thinking they know.. so sorry too late if FED focus see all my message post on ABC News .. Then you will see what I am say..
Focus…I will live Mr:McCain along
please dontlet me say something don’t use your friend Romney talking about Business Management…That a Joke..
Please I would like like you are review all my Message I was post Dec 2007..
I say all FED Bank please come see President asap don’t take off Christmas will be bad Business.. Even Today FED still Blind don’t even see thought ..
God..Please show them the TOOL right there take and use asap..
I am hate talking about politic..When you talk the True very hard to bring on Public.. Please use shortcut , right the Key..Why you worries about China…
You don’t have new Tool update and change new Location..
Sincerely

Posted by: DavidMua Nguyen | May 6, 2008, 6:19 am 6:19 am

Dear:
When Mrs: Hilary Clinton .. I hope she have professional Technical Language..To Deal..
Like moved out the troop out Iraq Oh My God please that not food to go or stop and go store.. Easy come not easy go..
But If she have focus use the New Key change Direction will moved out why not..
She never tell American why troop still over three Mr: President and Robber Gate know ..What she tell tell All America people what happened Iraq the troop still over three I am sure 100%
no down in my mind yes We very need troop over three.. America don’t see thought.. American lost person but have new TOOL ….I know :)Iran Syria ..Credit card down.. Yes FED closed eyes don’t see take the new Key replace Fix that.. Credit down of course Housing down too.. That Key I hate when I die.. That Key ready kill small Business ready make lost Consumer.
That Key they Issue that we are bring on and talking about ..FED never bring on.. Why no focus don’t even see thought..If don’t fix that Key forever Hard to bring back Business.
Anything when you say orIam say I will have new TOOL will change quickly Time the money don’t need to thinking , Tool ready have just change..
Mrs: McCain I was went to the Jail In my country.. He must focus and share political why B52 take down what the country will handle this..
I just make example.. That the Key we change and Fix.
incerely

Posted by: DavidMua Nguyen | May 6, 2008, 6:51 am 6:51 am

It’s interesting to see contradictory positions from Obama supporters. On one hand, when Obama is pressed by ABC moderators in the Philadelphia debate to answer questions about his past and current associations, they are labeled “distractions” from the real issues (and questioners are booed.) When the issue is Clinton’s past, these same topics are deemed relevant by Obama supporters.

Posted by: Cynthia | May 6, 2008, 7:49 am 7:49 am

And the FDR of the New Deal was not the FDR of Hyde Park and Manhattan. What’s the point? It’s the same logic the media and the Republicans used to mock John Edwards, accusing him of hypocrisy because he was wealthy but he advocated policies benefiting the poor and middle class. This betrays a misunderstanding of the definition of hypocrisy, and a misunderstanding of ethics: It is more praiseworthy to advocate for the disadvantaged if you are advantaged, not less.

Posted by: Dan S | May 6, 2008, 8:08 am 8:08 am

The CNBC store in Reagan National Airport is selling the Hillary Nutcracker. I guess it’s okay for the media to hype Obama and call racism at every turn, and say how bad racism is, but it’s okay for a huge cable network owned by General Electric to support sexism and ridicule any woman who would want to run for office. Way to go MSNBC, CNBC, NBC and General Electric. What a great sight for all the little girls and teenage girls who shop in the store to see a strong woman being ridiculed by a major network organization. Hillary is working hard for the working Americans, and the media can keep making fun of her for it, and what a double standard it is, how about making fun of Obama and his wife Michelle for never getting out of their Darth Vader black outfits.

Posted by: calli | May 6, 2008, 8:16 am 8:16 am

Whether Hillary appeals to the working class is not about who she was, how she was raised, or how much money she has. It is about what she cares about. FDR was certainly not working class. He grew up rich and remained rich. But he cared about working people, and did more for the working and middle class than any other president. Hillary spent 12 years as the governor’s wife in Arkansas. She learned to appreciate and respond to the issues of working people. She fought for children, she fought for universal health care, and she and her husband were incredibly popular in the ’90s, despite an unremitting assault by the right wing and by the press.
So, while Hillary is not working class she is a working class hero because she cares about the working class.
Obama? He may have working class roots, but it is pretty clear he despises working class values.

Posted by: David H | May 6, 2008, 8:47 am 8:47 am

I see Matt Drudge is trying to suppress the Clinton vote in NC.

Posted by: geevill | May 6, 2008, 8:52 am 8:52 am

Just voted for Hillary….
Win or lose she has found her niche. They may be rich but she and Bill are comfortable among the masses, the small town voters. She is Norma Rae, Archie Bunker, Annie Oakley combined.
Barak and Michelle look totally out of place with common folk, like they are afraid they might catch something. No matter how hard they try to fit in, they still look like snobs.
Go Hillary!

Posted by: cindy in nc | May 6, 2008, 9:01 am 9:01 am

What I like about this blog and Jake…refreshing, sometimes the first to break interesting tidbits, not so one sided politically that you can see the bias immediately. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: LL Barra | May 6, 2008, 9:26 am 9:26 am

Watching Obama stump speech this AM he sounds so concerned about this Gas TAX Holiday…when his speech seems too concerned about this will it turn voters against him….his pushing back on this makes him appear weak to me. Why not change the subject and go after a positive issue for him and America.
Taking on Hillary on this gas tax seems trite and we shall see but I think this will work against him.
Everytime he mentions this he brings attention to Sen. Clinton. I
know his point his to show “old Politics” but voters want a positive voice for them not a call out against the competitor. Negative reinforcement …we shall see how it plays tonight……!!!!!!!!
He looks extremely exhausted and Hillary still looks fresh and ready to go.
Imagine these people and their grueling schedule…seems almost archaic that this is how we choose our POTUS nominee. They are amazing human beings.

Posted by: LL Barra | May 6, 2008, 9:46 am 9:46 am

Zogby says Obama will sweep today. Don’t listen to Zogby and Drudge. Get the CLinton voters out. Shock the system

Posted by: geevill | May 6, 2008, 9:48 am 9:48 am

Hillary looks like she has her second wind and is running on all cylinders. “Let me eat my waffle” Obama looks burnt out, like he’s having no fun at all. I think that one of the big reasons Hillary connects with working folks is because she knows how to work very, very hard and seems to thrive on it. That’s not a matter of how much money you have in the bank, it’s what you have in your heart and spirit. Go Hillary!!

Posted by: hopesprings52 | May 6, 2008, 10:10 am 10:10 am

Hillary Clinton’s falseness…as an agent of “change”, as a human being…is palpable. There is nothing about her public persona that isn’t the creation of a focus group.
As for her looking “fresh”…excuse me, the woman keeps a make-up artist and a hairdresser on the campaign payroll. If Obama could wear make-up, he’d look fresh too.
Obama’s the only candidate who’s actually going to change the ugliness that has invaded our political system. We need him more than he needs our votes.

Posted by: kathy | May 6, 2008, 11:59 am 11:59 am

Kathy: Get a grip there is no guarantee in this political race that any of them will chance a damn thing. This is a race and they are both “handled”, every response is vetted through a team.
Obama may look like the second coming but my dear Kathy, he is still a political animal. As is Hillary.
Right now she is holding up fairly well for an old broad…she has a few years on Barrack. Make-up helps but her attitude is energetic…while Barrack is obviously tired. And you can bet he gets made up and dressed. All of the candidates get the Primp Machine Fix before being seen by the public.
As do most CEO’s !!!!

Posted by: LL Barra | May 6, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm

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