In an effort to defend the longevity [1] of the 2008 Democratic race, Hillary Clinton commented to a South Dakota newspaper editorial board that her husband, former President Bill Clinton, did not receive his party's nomination until June. She also invoked the 1968 Democratic race, remarking [2], “we all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California.”
Although Clinton later explained that she had only used the example to demonstrate that this year's race isn't out of the ordinary, she was quickly criticized for her remarks and issued an apology [3] in the New York Daily News Op-Ed column [4]. Many columnists and bloggers have since criticized [5] Clinton for not personally apologizing to the Obama family for her remarks; she has yet to do so.
Clinton's comments have lost [6] British Norfolk Blogger's theoretical vote:
But by raising the spectre that someone could assassinate Barack Obama as her reason for continuing to campaign on when all appears lost, she really has show how utterly unsuitable she is for public office. It's a shame. i rather liked Bill Clinton and thought another Clinton could be quite good. Now, like many others, I am keeping my fingers crossed for Obama.
Kiwiblog of New Zealand has also interpreted [7] Clinton's remarks as being hostile:
It seems Hillary Clinton has a new plan for winning the nomination. Just keep the race going as long as possible, and wait for Obama to be assassinated as Robert Kennedy was!
…
So the race isn’t over until the first shit shot is fired!
UPDATE: And maybe her Plan B ties into Bill pushing her to be the VP candidate for Obama. Wait long enough and she might still get to be the first female President!
Canadian Darryl Wolk believes [8] that Clinton's remarks may very well be the final nail in the proverbial coffin for Clinton's campaign:
I think the comment was overblown, but a good rant none the less. I am not sure what Hillary was thinking when she made these comments. This might be the final nail in the coffin leading until June 3.
From Bangladesh, DocStrangeLove dissects [9] Clinton's Op-Ed and concludes:
I am now convinced this failed candidate is out to destroy the presumptive Democratic nominee and the Democratic party. We are watching a temper tantrum on a national stage. This failed candidate is delusional. She will use any argument, however destructive, to feed her delusion.
Pathetic. Pathetic. Pathetic.
In related news, following Clinton's remarks about Obama, Fox News correspondent Liz Trotta [10], while commenting on Clinton's gaffe, remarked [11] (in a now widespread video [12]):
“and now we have what … uh…some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama …uh..um..Obama [after being prompted by the FNC anchor]….well both if we could [laughing]”
Bloggers were considerably furious, despite Trotta's later apology [13]. A Political Glimpse from Ireland published a letter [14] sent to Fox News:
Dear Mr. Everett
I am writing this email to inform you of my disgust at a recent comment made on your show by Liz Trotta. Mrs. Trotta indirectly or unknowingly called for the assassination of Senator Obama, the presumptive democratic nominee; she then proceeded to laugh about her statement as if saying such things occurred in normal discourse. Some people may defend this action as a mistake or a joke but suggesting the death of anyone is not a joke in my book and I sincerely hope you will cease her employment at Fox News in order to preserve what little integrity you have left. I fully understand Mr. Everett that Fox News caters towards the conservative half of the American population but from the time Senator Obama announced his run for President, the contributors on Fox News have continuously obfuscated the facts in an effort to stem the eventual flow of young republicans to Senator Obama’s camp during the general election. I am sorry to tell you but this is a foregone conclusion, Senator McCain will not win the general election and Fox News might even have nothing to report on come 2009 with the Democrats firmly holding the majority in both the Senate and the House. Thank you for taking the time to read this email and I hope to hear from you soon with regards to your decision on the matter.
Regards
Crian Padayachee
Vivir Latino (Puerto Rico) simply remarked [15]:
I'm against censorship, but this is disgusting and this person should go down. If you want to help achieve that, there's a petition.