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Arianna Huffington, formerly a Republican, credits her shift in political views to colleagues Al Franken and Robert Scheer. Before her change in ...
Read more about By Arianna Huffington, Tribune Media Services.
Arianna Huffington, formerly a Republican, credits her shift in political views to colleagues Al Franken and Robert Scheer. Before her change in ...
Read more about By Arianna Huffington, Tribune Media Services.
Hillary Clinton's Defeat: A Historic Triumph
By Arianna Huffington, Tribune Media Services
A front page story in Monday's Let me quickly weigh in with an unequivocal vote for "historic if incomplete triumph." And the only thing I find depressing is that the answer is even in doubt.
I have regularly criticized Clinton over the course of her campaign (and long before it, starting with her vote to authorize the war), but there is no question that she has forever altered the way women running for president will be viewed from here on out. In the words of the Times, Clinton has established "a new marker for what a woman can accomplish in a campaign -- raising over $170 million , frequently winning more favorable reviews on debate performances than her male rivals, rallying older women, and persuading white male voters who were never expected to support her."
She has also forever demolished the question mark hovering over the issue many (wrongly, in my opinion) have felt would be a woman candidate's biggest weakness: the ability to be seen as a plausible commander-in-chief.
It is to her great credit that very shortly into the '08 race, when you saw Clinton on television, you didn't think, "Oh, there's the woman running for president." That is no small feat for a woman trying to break into a male-dominated arena. So the next time a woman -- or two or three -- runs for president, it won't be seen as a novelty act. Because Hillary certainly wasn't.
But the greatest triumph of Clinton's campaign -- a complete triumph -- is the example she has set for the next generation. And not just for young women; her dedication, perseverance and indefatigable drive make her a role model for young men as well.
Much has been made of the generational divide in the Clinton-Obama battle, with older women rallying to Clinton and younger women drawn to Obama. But the impact of her candidacy transcends this division. I've seen this very clearly in the reaction of my oldest daughter.
She voted for the first time in this year's California primary, casting her ballot for Obama. Yet hardly a day passes without her speaking with admiration, almost awe, about Hillary Clinton -- how she manages to get up every morning, no matter how hard things get for her, and keep following her dream.
I've written a lot about fear and fearlessness, and how fearlessness is not the absence of fear -- it's the mastery of fear. It's all about getting up one more time than we fall down. Has any public figure embodied this more powerfully and compellingly than Hillary Clinton?
Last week I was in a hotel room in Las Vegas, preparing to give a speech. Checking in for a political update, I turned on
Blitzer asked Clinton about what it's been like having Chelsea on the trail campaigning with her. Clinton, choking up, replied: "Well, it's one of the most incredibly gratifying experiences of my life, as a person and as a mother. I get very emotional. She is an exceptional person, and she's worked so hard, and she's done such a good job that I'm just filled with pride every time I look at her."
And just as Hillary started tearing up, I realized I was too. This has been an election where, even more than usual, the personal and the political have been constantly overlapping. And my feelings as I watched that interview were no exception.
It was clear that the 17-month campaign had taken a toll on Clinton, but at the same time has been incredibly transformative. She famously announced, after winning New Hampshire, that she'd found her own voice. But, in fact, she has kept finding it and refinding it -- until now, finally, she seems to be more in touch with her own message, instead of the message Mark Penn's poll numbers told her to adopt.
And in doing so, she has redefined and taken over the Clinton brand. Forget welfare reform, free-trade uber alles, and third-way DLC-economics. Since hitting her stride in Ohio, Hillary has transformed the Clinton brand into one that represents working-class Americans. Because of this, she is the Clinton who will now be most relevant to the country's future.
I see Hillary returning to the Senate with a newfound sense of purpose -- and power. With the presidency no longer in her sights -- at least for now -- she could become a commanding progressive force in the Senate.
Campaigning in Pennsylvania in early April, Clinton compared herself to Philadelphia icon Rocky Balboa. "Let me tell you something," she said. "When it comes to finishing the fight, Rocky and I have a lot in common. I never quit. I never give up."
The comparison was meant to reinforce her image as a tireless warrior -- but it was more accurate and prescient than she intended -- because Rocky actually lost his initial fight with Apollo Creed. After 15 punishing and bloody rounds, he was satisfied just to have gone the distance.
"Ain't gonna be no rematch," says Creed amidst the post-fight pandemonium. To which Rocky replies: "Don't want one."
Even though Rocky didn't win, he was ultimately seen as a triumphant figure. And that's how Hillary will be seen too. Once the disappointment fades and the cuts and bruises heal, the lasting impression will be one of glory, accomplishment and profound impact.
Hers will have been a game-changing defeat.
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Arianna Huffington's e-mail address is arianna@huffingtonpost.com.
(c) 2008 Arianna Huffington. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.
This news arrived on: 05/22/2008
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Posted Comments:
07-20-2008 12:45
sassy wrote:
loosers
Hillary didn't loose the American people lost.If the media had played fare and gave Hillary the coverage that they did Obama she would be running and winning in November.Hillary cares deeply about the country we live in all Obama cares about is winning .
05-22-2008 19:32
Teri, Evansville, In. wrote:
Hillary Clinton
I agree that Hillary comes out a winner no matter what the outcome of the Democratic Convention.
She is definitely a role model for ALL women no matter the age, race or economic status.
I believe that she would fight like a lioness to defend our country and bring us back into a better economic standing.
Thank you for pointing out her great atrributes, especially to those who believe she is lacking any.
She is definitely a role model for ALL women no matter the age, race or economic status.
I believe that she would fight like a lioness to defend our country and bring us back into a better economic standing.
Thank you for pointing out her great atrributes, especially to those who believe she is lacking any.
05-22-2008 19:19
Arianna Huffington wrote:
Hillary's campaign
From Jean, Arkansas
Thank you for those kind words about Hillary. You
have made me feel so much better after reading all
the unkind things said by other so called well in-
formed political people. I wish it could have
turned out that Hillary would be the candidate
on the ticket. Oh well, November is not hear
yet!!
Thank you for those kind words about Hillary. You
have made me feel so much better after reading all
the unkind things said by other so called well in-
formed political people. I wish it could have
turned out that Hillary would be the candidate
on the ticket. Oh well, November is not hear
yet!!
05-22-2008 19:05
bjm wrote:
a Hiliary victory
I truly hope that the democratic party wakes up and realizes that an Obama victory right now is not wise for reasons: racial tension in this country is still too high for a black president right now, but take a look at this prospect: a Clinton/Obama ticket for 8 years and then an Obama and whoever ticket for another 8 years. Obama will beat the 'experience' factor then, and the most important issue facing HUMANITY is SURVIVAL of the EARTH, and if we don't listen and act now, there may not be another 8 years worth living.
05-22-2008 16:08
jrt wrote:
Hillary
There are a lot of good points in this column, but shouldn't someone "fine their voice" before running for president? Hillary redefined her message until she got one that seemed to work against a particular opponent in a Democratic primary. It's a message that never was previously associated with her or the Clinton presidency. It was closer to John Edwards -- and so wasn't as useful until he dropped out. Why should we believe that this is now her true voice?
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