posted on July 15, 2004 02:41:05 PM new
List of DNC speakers riles Hillary backers
By Charles Hurt
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Top Democratic officials enraged some of their most loyal supporters by keeping Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton ? the party's top fund-raiser and most popular figure ? from any significant role at their convention later this month.
"I think it's a total slap in the face," said voter Bob Kunst, a longtime Democrat from Florida. "Here's a woman who raised $17 million for the party, and they're putting her in a second-class position."
"It's a slap in the face," agreed Judith Hope, a major party fund-raiser and former chairwoman of the New York State Democratic Party. "Not personally for Hillary, but for every woman in the Democratic Party and every woman in America."
Much of that anger is being directed at their presumptive nominee, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, and his running mate, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina.
"We're so frustrated with what's happening within the party structure that we're asking people to vote for themselves, not even vote for the Kerry/Edwards ticket," said Mr. Kunst, who led a major effort to draft Mrs. Clinton into the primary.
"As far as I'm concerned, Kerry can go jump in the lake. He's not getting my support."
Mrs. Clinton's absence from any speaking role in the convention came as little surprise to Mr. Kunst, who said he negotiated for months with party officials to set up his HillaryNow.com booth at the convention to sell buttons and stickers celebrating the former first lady. In the end, they barred him from the convention.
"Assuming John Kerry and John Edwards lose in November, Hillary is the only person in position to win in 2008, and they're already dumping on her," he said. "They want to set up Edwards instead."
Ms. Hope said she has not given up on Mr. Kerry and hopes ? with help from an e-mail list of fellow female Democrats in New York ? to persuade Mr. Kerry to find a speaking role for New York's junior senator.
Of particular slight to Democrats is that party officials found time for Christie Vilsack, wife of Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack. She was credited with helping Mr. Kerry win the Iowa caucuses by endorsing him early, while her husband had to stand officially neutral.
"To include the wife of the governor of Iowa, who I'm sure is a wonderful woman, and not to include Hillary Clinton is just such a glaring injustice," Ms. Hope said. "It is, frankly, very stupid. It's a total outrage."
Originally, it appeared as if Mrs. Clinton would be given a speaking role at the four-day convention in Boston.
"Senator Clinton will speak, also," convention Chairman and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said earlier this week. "She's a major star in the party."
But when the list of speakers was released Tuesday, she was not included. Rather, she was lumped into a segment with all the Democratic female senators, led by Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland.
Stephanie Cutter, a spokeswoman for the Kerry campaign, told the New York Times that Mrs. Clinton wasn't included on the speakers' list because "she never asked."
One Democrat who was not publicly bemoaning Mrs. Clinton's downsized role in the convention was the former first lady herself.
"Senator Clinton is looking forward to attending what will be a great convention and continuing to work hard to elect John Kerry and John Edwards," spokesman Philippe Reines said.
The list of those who will be speaking includes former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, as well as former Vice President Al Gore.
posted on July 15, 2004 03:42:54 PM new
Now I am not a fan of Hilliary but people like her and she gets things done. The democratic party would be farther ahead if they had her involved. She had a minor problem with universal health care but that will present a problem with anyone who will try it. She is a firm outspoken women and with the women's movement she rates right on top. When ever you hear her in an interview or read about her she has nothing to say about Kerry or the presidential campaign so maybe there is something we don't know and she doesn't support him. Time will tell.
posted on July 15, 2004 03:51:29 PM new
Well Kerry's flopping around again.
Kerry Asks Sen. Clinton to Speak at DNC
1 hour, 30 minutes ago
By RON FOURNIER, AP Political Writer
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - John Kerry (news - web sites) has asked Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites) to introduce her husband, former President Clinton (news - web sites), on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, giving her a speaking role that Democrats had sought for the New York senator.
The Kerry campaign unveiled its first set of speakers for the convention early this week, including former Presidents Clinton and Gore, Al Gore (news - web sites) and others, but the absence of the former first lady drew criticism from Democrats, particularly women.
The senator herself said she was not disappointed, but a lobbying effort quickly got under way on her behalf.
Kerry, who was campaigning in Pennsylvania, reached out to Clinton and asked her to introduce her husband. She agreed to the request, according to an aide to Kerry.
On Wednesday, the former chairwoman of the New York State Democratic Party had called the slight of Clinton a "total outrage" and "very stupid."
"It's a slap in the face, not personally for Hillary Clinton (news - web sites), but for every woman in the Democratic Party and every woman in America," said Judith Hope.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., expressed disappointment Wednesday with the way the Kerry campaign handled the release of convention speakers, her campaign manager Mike Morrill said.
Mikulski told Kerry campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill that the strategy of releasing only a few names each day minimizes the importance of some speakers, Morrill said.
"The senator was very clear that the way they did this botched it," Morrill said. "By doing it as the One-A-Day vitamin strategy, they missed the picture that they have a whole shop of vitamins."
"The natural family is a man and woman bound in a lifelong covenant of marriage for the purposes of:
*the continuation of the human species,
*the rearing of children,
*the regulation of sexuality,
*the provision of mutual support and protection,
*the creation of an altruistic domestic economy, and
*the maintenance of bonds between the generations."
posted on July 15, 2004 05:05:42 PM new
It may come as a real surprise to you, but Kerry does not run the entire Democratic party. He is not even in charge of setting up the convention. So he is flip-flopping...how?
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
No, a "flip-flop" would have been if he'd said "I haven't asked her & don't want her to" and then turned around and asked her when people got miffed."
Kerry hasn't changed his mind in this. So no "flip-flop."
You guys sure are getting desperate.
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on July 15, 2004 06:03:24 PM new
No....don't agree again. There's been a 'riff' in the dem party for quite a while....showed more during the campaigning than it does now. This is just another way it's reared it's ugly head. Clinton's snubbing...being snubbed. There's a power struggle going on...and it will continue especially IF kerry/edwards gets elected as hillary's chances in 2008 would look even worse than they do now.
Since it was embarassing...and since they were making a stink about it....the whole program is changed. Now hillary will be introducing ....can I say his name? her husband...clinton.
Re-elect President Bush!!
posted on July 15, 2004 06:08:52 PM new
I'm sure if Hillary was aware that some mean spirited old haggled conservative right wing demogog fanatic holy roller wanted to hear her speak she would have.
Linda get a life you'd be shocked at how beuatiful the world is (especially the parts you don't frequent).
posted on July 15, 2004 06:13:20 PM new
WOW linda...what AWESOME point you're making !!!
Boy ,a horrible screw up like this will certainly change a lot of people's mind!
Let's see on one hand a lying, drunken, cowardly,communist sympathizer, who enjoys other's torture, who can send people to war but was too drunk and scared to fight in one himself...
OR a candidate who's party screwed up on the invitations!
A riff....no, more like a DEMOCRACY where everyone has a say.
posted on July 15, 2004 06:47:09 PM newShe had a minor problem with universal health care but that will present a problem..
Libra, I always admired that at least she explored and actually came up with something written out on it. Alot of the others talk a good game, but...where and what is the plan?
posted on July 15, 2004 09:05:53 PM new
Thanks Linda. I am going to go read them so I can make an informed evaluation befores' I open my mouth about it. :-0\
posted on July 15, 2004 09:13:23 PM new
Much ado about nuthin', like most of what I'm reading here lately.
___________________________________
Beware the man of one book.
- Thomas Aquinas
posted on July 15, 2004 10:46:10 PM new
Here is what I found on the Democratic Chairman and the duties he had in the 2000 election. I doubt if Kerry even has a voice in planning the convention because he is not yet the Democratic Candidate. Of course not to make him look foolish they will let that slide but if I was the chairman I would be highly upset. I am sure he has the same duties now.
"In 2000,Tim McAuliffe chaired the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, where he was involved in all decisions and planning related to the Convention.
Thanks in part to his efforts, the Convention had the most open and diverse speaking program in the party's history. The convention helped give the Democratic ticket a 20-point bounce in the polls, on its way to a popular vote victory in the fall".
posted on July 16, 2004 12:10:17 AM new
I think linda is trying to cast aspersion on Senator Clinton. Linda has already admitted that intelligent, strong, accomplished, rich, women WITH like husbands(Theresa Kerry, for example) make her want to gag.
posted on July 16, 2004 05:47:52 AM new
Oh, and linda dear, if you really want to loose your lunch...check out John Edward's wife's bio. Trust me linda, you'll just hate this beautiful woman,too!
posted on July 16, 2004 01:22:52 PM new
Hey Linda, one question... Would you consider George W Bush a flip flopper for all the drugs he abused in his party days(and still may), yet now claims to be a proponent of the War against Drugs?
posted on July 16, 2004 01:36:42 PM new
.......just one second for a quick question, I tried searching for John Edwards wifes bio, and didn't come up with much.... does someone have a link
Elizabeth Anania Edwards shares her husband's deep commitment to improving America's future. A passionate advocate for children and an accomplished attorney, she has been a tireless worker on behalf of important social causes.
The daughter of a decorated Navy pilot, Mary Elizabeth Anania was born on July 3, 1949. In her early years, she attended school in Japan, where her father was stationed with a reconnaissance squadron, flying missions over China and North Korea.
As an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Mrs. Edwards majored in English. She went on to study American literature but then switched to law, graduating from UNC Law School in May 1977. She married John Edwards on July 30th, the Saturday after taking the bar exam.
Like her husband, Mrs. Edwards possesses an accomplished legal background. Following law school, she clerked with U.S. District Court Judge Calvitt Clarke, Jr. in Norfolk, Virginia. She worked for the North Carolina Attorney General's office in the early 1980s, where she did work for the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development and the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act.
From 1984 to 1996, Mrs. Edwards worked at the Raleigh law firm Merriman, Nicholls, and Crampton. In the early 1990s, Mrs. Edwards taught legal writing as an adjunct instructor at UNC Law School for two years, and in 1996-97, she was a member of the first group of Public Fellows at the College of Arts and Sciences at UNC.
Mrs. Edwards shares her husband's commitment to serving the community and expanding educational opportunities for all children. She volunteered with the Parent Teacher Associations at her children's schools, and has been active in their youth soccer leagues in several roles. Additionally, she volunteered at Goodwill Industries, working in the book room of their thrift store.
In 1992, John and Elizabeth Edwards established the Vincent J. Anania Lacrosse Scholarship in honor of Elizabeth's father, a former lacrosse player and Assistant Coach at UNC-Chapel Hill. In 1996, they helped establish the Wade Edwards Foundation, and helped build a computer learning center - the Wade Edwards Learning Lab - for youngsters in Raleigh. Recently, the foundation opened a similar computer lab in Goldsboro. The Wade Edwards Foundation also runs a statewide short fiction contest for North Carolina's high school juniors, awarding $10,000 a year in scholarships and grants to high school English programs. Mrs. Edwards volunteered at the lab nearly every day, until the family came to Washington following John Edwards' 1998 election to the U.S. Senate.
Mrs. Edwards is the proud mother of four children: Catharine, a senior at Princeton University, a 5-year-old daughter, Emma Claire, and a 3-year-old son, Jack. Her first child, Wade, died in 1996. Despite the demands of raising two young children, Mrs. Edwards still finds time to participate in community service. She remains active in the Wade Edwards Foundation, and is involved in a variety of charitable efforts, including fundraising for the March of Dimes benefit. She also serves on several boards, including the UNC Board of Visitors and Books for Kids.
posted on July 16, 2004 05:59:12 PM newMuch ado about nuthin'
Kerry's new campaign motto?
----------------
Washington Prowler
Hillary Silenced Print Friendly Format
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By The Prowler
Published 7/15/2004 12:09:38 AM
GAG ORDER
According to several sources in both Sen. Hillary Clinton's Senate office and on the Democratic National Committee, Clinton did ask for speaking time at the party's convention in Boston.
"I know for a fact that she specifically asked for a solo speaking slot on Tuesday night," says a DNC staffer.
The primetime, keynote address will be made that night by the comparatively unknown Illinois Senate candidate Barack Obama. It isn't clear that Clinton asked for the keynote address slot.
According to the DNC source, party chairman Terry McAuliffe presented a list of potential convention speakers to the Kerry-Edwards campaign weeks ago. "Some of the names were identified as people who had requested a speaking role," says the source. "Others on the list were only suggestions by the party, but did not specifically request a role. No one could look at that list and not see that Hillary was both suggested and that she had requested a role. It's an out and out lie that she wasn't suggested or pushed for a speech."
Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to make a prime time address to the convention, and both he and his wife were scheduled to make a series of appearances at convention parties and fundraisers in Boston. Months ago, DNC sources were predicting Hillary would be one of the stars of the convention. But Kerry insiders apparently feared that too much Clinton on and off the dais for four days would lessen the impact of Johns Kerry and Edwards.
"This had less to do with Edwards, because he hasn't been totally plugged into the campaign operation for that long," says a Kerry insider. "This has more to do with Kerry, [Bob] Shrum, [Mary Beth] Cahill, that level of adviser."
Clinton supporters have been uneasy about their relationship to the Kerry campaign, in part due to Bill Clinton's machinations last year in the early stages of the Democratic primary when he openly recruited Wesley Clark to jump into the race and when he later announced that Clark and Hillary were the new stars of the Democratic Party.
"Kerry has never forgotten how badly he was treated by the Clintons," says another Kerry associate. "He's had people like [Ted] Kennedy and [Max] Cleland whispering in his ear for months about how he can't trust the Clintons and that he owes them no favors."
According to other insiders, another reason to block Hillary cited by Kerry folk was her performance at a Democratic fundraiser in San Francisco several weeks ago, where to a cheering crowd she announced that Democrats would have to raise everyone's taxes for the good of the country.
Clinton staffers claimed that the Kerry campaign had seen her remarks and approved them. Kerry campaign staffers insist that didn't happen.
As it stands now, Clinton's only scheduled, formal appearance is slated to occur on convention Monday. She was informed last week that it was to be a nonspeaking appearance, standing with the other female, Democratic members of the Senate as Maryland's Barbara Mikulski makes brief remarks.
Late Wednesday, Clinton supporters were lobbying both McAuliffe at the DNC and Kerry advisers on the campaign for a larger role later at the convention.
"They will try to spin it that anything more Hillary does in Boston was going to happen all along, but that was scripted as a 'surprise,'" says a New York adviser to Clinton. "But that's b.s. If she had a bigger role, she and Bill wouldn't be behind the scenes engineering this PR disaster for Kerry. And that's exactly what they are doing."
The Clintons, on the other hand, may be in for a rude surprise. While Bill Clinton may believe the Democratic Party is his plaything, John Kerry believes that at least for the next five months it is his to do with what he wishes.
"The natural family is a man and woman bound in a lifelong covenant of marriage for the purposes of:
*the continuation of the human species,
*the rearing of children,
*the regulation of sexuality,
*the provision of mutual support and protection,
*the creation of an altruistic domestic economy, and
*the maintenance of bonds between the generations."
posted on July 16, 2004 06:32:09 PM new
Sounds like Mrs. Edwards is your normal American working mother with children and of course could afford baby sitters.
posted on July 16, 2004 06:37:04 PM new
you know neroter I had that written then erased it. I didn't want to cause to much of a fuss..(wink)..I would think no after school programs for them....
[ edited by Libra63 on Jul 16, 2004 06:37 PM ]
