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Hillary Clinton: Ma’am Survivor Hillary Clinton: Ma’am Survivor
(about 20 hours later)
The Clintons — both Hillary and Bill — are very smart, but also quite reckless. They play too close to the edge and sometimes go over. They parse words to parry attacks. They possess a sort of preternatural political ability, but also a political paranoia.The Clintons — both Hillary and Bill — are very smart, but also quite reckless. They play too close to the edge and sometimes go over. They parse words to parry attacks. They possess a sort of preternatural political ability, but also a political paranoia.
Anyone who has followed the Clintons over the years already knows this. So hearing the stinging rebuke by the F.B.I. director, James Comey, of Hillary Clinton over her email usage in some ways made no waves, at least not for me. As obviously qualified as Clinton is — at a Charlotte, N.C., campaign rally, President Obama said, “There has never been any man or woman more qualified for this office than Hillary Clinton, ever, and that’s the truth” — and as clearly superior to the puffed-up presumptive Republican nominee as she is, there is something about Clinton, and indeed the Clintons, that makes me uneasy.Anyone who has followed the Clintons over the years already knows this. So hearing the stinging rebuke by the F.B.I. director, James Comey, of Hillary Clinton over her email usage in some ways made no waves, at least not for me. As obviously qualified as Clinton is — at a Charlotte, N.C., campaign rally, President Obama said, “There has never been any man or woman more qualified for this office than Hillary Clinton, ever, and that’s the truth” — and as clearly superior to the puffed-up presumptive Republican nominee as she is, there is something about Clinton, and indeed the Clintons, that makes me uneasy.
But Comey refused to bring charges against Clinton, which seems to be the right call, and also seems in line with the Clinton history.But Comey refused to bring charges against Clinton, which seems to be the right call, and also seems in line with the Clinton history.
I know that Republicans have attacked the Clintons for decades. Many of those attacks were baseless, opponents driven mad by the Clintons seeming imperviousness, an endless search for a presumed fire beneath a fog they perceive as smoke. But some of those attacks come because of the Clintons’ own carelessness, as it did in this case. Sometimes there actually is a fire, however large or small, that the Clintons themselves have set. I know that Republicans have attacked the Clintons for decades. Many of those attacks were baseless, by opponents driven mad by the Clintons’ seeming imperviousness, an endless search for a presumed fire beneath a fog they perceive as smoke. But some of those attacks come because of the Clintons’ own carelessness, as it did in this case. Sometimes there actually is a fire, however large or small, that the Clintons themselves have set.
With the Clintons, you have to accept the swirl of madness with the political mastery. They have a constant flirtation with self-destruction.With the Clintons, you have to accept the swirl of madness with the political mastery. They have a constant flirtation with self-destruction.
But it seems to me that most voters have actually adjusted their expectations for this reality, whether they support or oppose her.But it seems to me that most voters have actually adjusted their expectations for this reality, whether they support or oppose her.
If nothing else, the Clintons are the ultimate survivors.If nothing else, the Clintons are the ultimate survivors.
When an Iowa caucusgoer asked Hillary in January why young people are not enthusiastic about her campaign, she replied, in part:When an Iowa caucusgoer asked Hillary in January why young people are not enthusiastic about her campaign, she replied, in part:
That is true. But the attacks and her impressive ability to dodge them seem to lead to a sort of Wonder Woman syndrome, in which the evasion of calamity creates an expanding sense of invincibility.That is true. But the attacks and her impressive ability to dodge them seem to lead to a sort of Wonder Woman syndrome, in which the evasion of calamity creates an expanding sense of invincibility.
Rather than possessing strategic discipline, the Clintons’ Republican opponents have displayed an uncanny, uncontrollable impulse to overplay their hand, like a poker player with three deuces betting the house.Rather than possessing strategic discipline, the Clintons’ Republican opponents have displayed an uncanny, uncontrollable impulse to overplay their hand, like a poker player with three deuces betting the house.
Donald Trump suggested that Clinton had bribed Attorney General Loretta Lynch in the case, although the decision to recommend no charges was made by Comey, and as USA Today reported last week, “Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Friday that she will accept the decision of career prosecutors, investigators and F.B.I. Director James Comey on whether to bring criminal charges” in the case.Donald Trump suggested that Clinton had bribed Attorney General Loretta Lynch in the case, although the decision to recommend no charges was made by Comey, and as USA Today reported last week, “Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Friday that she will accept the decision of career prosecutors, investigators and F.B.I. Director James Comey on whether to bring criminal charges” in the case.
Republicans, smarting over once again not bagging a Clinton when they were sure they had one trapped, have called Comey to the Hill to testify — or to be grilled, as will likely be the case — Thursday before the House Oversight Committee.Republicans, smarting over once again not bagging a Clinton when they were sure they had one trapped, have called Comey to the Hill to testify — or to be grilled, as will likely be the case — Thursday before the House Oversight Committee.
Republicans will turn a damaging episode for Clinton, one that would otherwise reinforce the specter of mistrust that they have labored so diligently to foster in the public around her, into another spectacle of the absurd.Republicans will turn a damaging episode for Clinton, one that would otherwise reinforce the specter of mistrust that they have labored so diligently to foster in the public around her, into another spectacle of the absurd.
They have a near algebraic ability to turn a positive into a negative, and vice versa.They have a near algebraic ability to turn a positive into a negative, and vice versa.
They were hanging their hats on a stronger action against Clinton because they are wringing their hands with consternation over Trump.They were hanging their hats on a stronger action against Clinton because they are wringing their hands with consternation over Trump.
In any other election cycle with pretty much any other candidate, the damage they have done to Clinton would be enough to fell her. But this year, she is running against the most inept, unqualified, ill-equipped, abrasive candidate imaginable.In any other election cycle with pretty much any other candidate, the damage they have done to Clinton would be enough to fell her. But this year, she is running against the most inept, unqualified, ill-equipped, abrasive candidate imaginable.
In this context, in which a damaged candidate is up against a deranged one, Clinton will likely emerge with little more than yet another battle scar from this episode. And while Clinton won’t face charges, it is a fact that Trump is embroiled in two class action lawsuits over Trump University, as well as a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.In this context, in which a damaged candidate is up against a deranged one, Clinton will likely emerge with little more than yet another battle scar from this episode. And while Clinton won’t face charges, it is a fact that Trump is embroiled in two class action lawsuits over Trump University, as well as a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Clinton’s case is now in the realm of what might have been, but Trump’s cases are in the realm of what actually is. Indeed, in every way when you compare Clinton to Trump, her shortcomings shrink.Clinton’s case is now in the realm of what might have been, but Trump’s cases are in the realm of what actually is. Indeed, in every way when you compare Clinton to Trump, her shortcomings shrink.
Clinton’s survival instinct will likely allow her to weather whatever Trump and the Republicans throw at her.Clinton’s survival instinct will likely allow her to weather whatever Trump and the Republicans throw at her.
Specifically, in the case of the “damn emails,” as Bernie Sanders called them, the Clinton magic — wiggling out of danger and constriction to great amazement — remains intact. Unfortunately, belief in magic also requires a certain amount of naïveté.Specifically, in the case of the “damn emails,” as Bernie Sanders called them, the Clinton magic — wiggling out of danger and constriction to great amazement — remains intact. Unfortunately, belief in magic also requires a certain amount of naïveté.