Hillary Clinton’s statement of years ago that there is a “vast right-wing conspiracy” against her and her husband may not be such a paranoid reaction after all.
It’s often said even paranoiacs have enemies. And if anybody deserves to feel paranoid these days, it’s Hillary Rodham Clinton. It’s a wonder how she holds up against the vicious attacks. I suppose she is used to it after enduring it for eight years in the White House.
We tend to forget the Clintons, like Obama, constantly had the hounds of hell on their heels – the hounds being certain Republicans who were enraged Clinton won the presidency – not once but twice. How dare he! Then – would you believe it?! – it happened again with some outsider named Barack Obama, who was born in Kenya or on some other planet. Twice elected? What gives?!
The Clintons were accused of being complicit in the “murder” of their friend and Deputy White House Counsel Vince Foster, who committed suicide in a park in Virginia. Three politically motivated investigations followed, including one by the FBI. There were also two probes by the U.S. Congress. Truth? It was a suicide. But never mind the truth; right-wing hate radio and other anti-Clinton losers continued the accusations.
That was only one of the stupid controversies created or exaggerated by Clinton enemies, who hoped every foible or mistake would morph into an impeachable crime. There was a barrage of nitpicking accusatory nonsense about the cost of Bill’s haircuts, Hollywood fundraising, the bombing in former Yugoslavia, judicial appointments, Whitewatergate Nannygate, Commercegate and last but not least, how upstart Hillary was determined to take over and ruin the nation’s health-care system.
The Clintons made their share of mistakes, misjudgments and human foibles, no doubt about it. Bill’s cheating on Hillary and lying about it was a low point, leading to an impeachment effort by enemies who were licking their chops. But what presidency was not beset by human foibles and mistakes of one sort or another? Name one.
As a senator from New York, Hillary received high marks even from Republican colleagues, especially for her ability and willingness to work with Republicans. She was widely lauded as U.S. Secretary of State. But then – whoa! – when the hounds sensed she was about to announce her candidacy for president, out popped every weapon in the enemy’s arsenal, from pitchfork machinations to verbal nooses that would do Niccolo Machiavelli proud. The attacks began as they set out to convince prospective voters (and themselves) that Hillary is a conniving, lying powermonger who ought to wear the Scarlet Letter “B” on her chest.
They’ve been hounding her (yawn . . . ) about Benghazi and her emails. There were eight congressional hearings about Benghazi. All have failed to tar-and-feather Clinton as the hounds had hoped. Then one day recently, out of the sheer blue, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) casually blabbed the unsurprising “news” that the Benghazi committee was formed to damage Hillary’s ratings. It was an instant thumbs-down for “traitor” McCarthy’s presumed election as Republican Speaker of the House. Other insiders – Republicans, by the way – have said more or less the same thing, that the committee has turned into an anti-Hillary tool. But never mind the truth; go for it, boys, just schedule yet another appearance by Hillary at the never-ending Benghazi committee.
If the FBI determines Hillary’s emails damaged national security, so be it. Exit Clinton. Enter Biden.
Even if the FBI finds nothing, you can bet these hounds will keep howling. They are the dogs that keep digging for buried bones. The bones aren’t there, but the dogs keep thinking if they just keep scratching and digging deeper they’ll find something to chew on.
Any political candidate should rightfully come under scrutiny, and thus questions about Benghazi and Hillary’s email are legitimate – to a point – until they become ridiculous digging expeditions. If these bumbling sleuths would spend half their time working on solutions for American problems as they do on their witch-hunt committees, they might gain some respect and even admiration.
During the debate two weeks ago, Clinton’s responses and demeanor were so admirable even some detractors admitted as much. She seemed to have lost that sometimes haggard, tired, unspontaneous behavior of weeks before. She’d found a confident second wind.
The highlight of the debate was when candidate Bernie Sanders, like a Knight in Shining Armor, piped up to defend the damsel in distress: “The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails!”
Too bad Sanders didn’t add this: “We’re sick of Benghazi, too, and all the other crap they’re throwing at you, Hillary, hoping something will stick.”
But never mind; never mind the truth. As Hillary continues to shine, the salivating dogs will keep digging deeper into the hole of Nothing.
