Read the entire transcript of Keith Olbermann's Special Comment denouncing Hillary's reference to the campaign and Robert Kennedy's assassination, and why she was sticking around. The language and hostility in Olbermann's statement is memorable, and possibly historic. You can also see the video here:
Asked if her continuing fight for the nomination against Senator Obama hurts the Democratic party, Sen. Hillary Clinton replied, "I don't. Because again, I've been around long enough. You know, my husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. You know, I just don't understand it. You know, there's lots of speculation about why it is. “
[...] She actually said those words.
Those words, Senator?
You actually invoked the nightmare of political assassination.
You actually invoked the specter of an inspirational leader, at the seeming moment of triumph, for himself and a battered nation yearning to breathe free, silenced forever.
You actually used the word "assassination" in the middle of a campaign with a loud undertone of racial hatred - and gender hatred - and political hatred.
You actually used the word "assassination" in a time when there is a fear, unspoken but vivid and terrible, that our again-troubled land and fractured political landscape might target a black man running for president.
Or a white man.
Or a white woman!
You actually used those words, in this America, Senator, while running against an African-American against whom the death threats started the moment he declared his campaign?
You actually used those words, in this America, Senator, while running to break your "greatest glass ceiling" and claiming there are people who would do anything to stop you?
You!
Senator - never mind the implications of using the word "assassination" in any connection to Senator Obama...
What about you?
You cannot say this!
1 comment:
We watched - In THIS America – Keith Olberman, as you attacked Hillary Clinton – and implied that by her somehow recounting national events of the past – no matter how horrible - that she was somehow advocating the assassination of Barack Obama. You actually said those words.
Those words, Olberman?
In THIS America?
In this fractured political landscape.
For a so-called “newsman” to unendingly fawn fatuously over one candidate - your chosen one – your Barrack Obama – while continuously making specious and personal attacks against Hillary Clinton – and call this somehow “NEWS”? In THIS America?
You actually used those words, in this America
You!
You cannot say this!
As you pointed out – Senator Clinton has used the very same event – the assassination of RFK - to punctuate her political speeches several times – but it has not been until now – that the drumbeats for her to drop out the race– have risen to such a fever pitch, that these remarks are now being used to point out the “last straw” – and as “proof” somehow that Hillary Clinton is “unfit” to be Commander in Chief.
And - you Olberman – are banging the drum the loudest - with your “Special Comment” .
In THIS America.
In THIS America? In THIS America?
Actually, I have no idea what that even means but it sounds damn dramatic.
But this - This is unforgivable - because the media’s deepest shame, its most enduring horror, its most terrifying legacy, is character assassination in the Guise of “Politics” and “News”.
And YOU Mr. Olberman are implying that Senator Clinton is somehow calling for the assassination of Barrack Obama. You cannot and must not invoke that imagery! Anywhere! At any time!
Because a pundit - a newscaster - a person - who can let hang in mid-air the prospect that a candidate might just be sticking around in part, just in case the other guy gets shot - has no business being, and no capacity to be, on any Major news outlet – be it broadcast or cable.
Worst Person in the World indeed – Mr. Olberman…..
This, Keith Olberman, is too much. You have left me no choice – but –no matter how distasteful – to place a Hillary for President bumper sticker on my car.
In the words of the philosopher Red Skelton.
Good Night – and God Bless
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