Hillary, tell your opponent you're sorry for that remark and use kind words!

Image Source: Hillary Clinton photostream at Flickr.

Last night in the debate, Hillary Clinton accused Barack Obama of only offering, "Xerox change, not real change."

She received loud and derisive boos.

I admit I paused in my live blog typing, stunned.

Nasty. That was nasty. But I was even more worried that she had just taken the debate coverage off-track. What a marvelous sound bite for the pundits and reporters to dissect and crucify.

Sure enough, the first news story I opened to read this morning lead off with the Xerox comment.

However, that news article and others aren't off track. They are covering the other issues, as well, and upon further reflection, this is a relevant issue to discuss. I think that politics does mean having to say I'm sorry.

In our culture, we believe an important characteristic is the ability to admit wrongdoing, learn from it, and move on.

Senator Clinton was erroneous in her accusation that Senator Obama plagiarized Governor Deval Patrick. Additionally, it's a cheap ploy that detracts from so many real issues that need more air time. For example, education wasn't even a blip in last night's debate, and yet, when asked how their platforms differ, that is a good point to cover. Each candidate has a very different approach to how they plan to handle No Child Left Behind, for example. Obama will reform it, and Clinton will end it.

However, the fact that she said it warrants discussion about why she did---reflection upon her, not her opponent.

I hope the candidates can leave this sort of tactic behind and stick to telling what they can do right, instead of what the other did wrong.

We need more constructive talk in the US right now, in my humble opinion.

Comments

[Jennifer J]

I think we'll all start to see "Gentle Hillary" soon. In a few weeks she's going to realize that she can't beat Obama and she'll go back to her corner peacefully. We saw a bit of that in her closing last night.

[Suz]

I agree. I agree.

However, one of the things that has been mentioned in Hillary's defense is that she will be able to handle the Republican attack machine - giving as good as she gets. Is this the sort of general election we want? I don't think so. But neither do we want a Democratic candidate who will not be able to turn an accusation on its ear with a forceful phrase. I think that Barak is handling Hillary's campaign well. I do not think that her attacks are affecting him. I just wonder how well his strategy will work in the general election.

[PunditMom]

But here's my question. Why is it that Obama seems to get a free pass when he makes comments to or about Hillary that perhaps are also apology-worthy?

If Obama did take words from someone else (not sure I'm buying the Deval-said-it-was-OK story), that's something I want to know because it says something about character.

Granted, she had to know the Xerox comment wasn't really going to play, but I still believe the underlying issue is a fair one, for which I don't think she needs to apologize.

[Julie Pippert]

Jennifer, I don't know that Hillary is quite down and out.

To be honest, I have such mixed feelings about this race I can't feel comfortable with the idea that either candidate is finished.

I agree, though, that she did seem to be saying that in her closing...or wait, did I think that when I first heard it? Or after Anderson Cooper finished his word by word comparison of her closing with John Edwards' concession speech? I can't recall. It might be a hindsight interpretation.

***

Suz, hmm. Intriguing point about her being able to handle the Republican attack machine. My visceral reaction is I don't want that, which sounds counterintuitive, but has some logic. I like how Obama handles the attacks --- sort of a "not so much, but anyway, what's key here is Issue." I don't want this election to lose by getting stuck in the mud. I hope to keep hearing all we CAN do not so much of what someone has done in a salacious gossip manner. KWIM? I know that the Republicans have already begun this SOP (see story above re. Rove's op ed)...hmm I want to see how the Obama campaign responds, if at all. Good point.

***

Ahh sauce for goose and gander. Okay, have I been unfair? What have I missed that Obama said along the lines of the Xerox comment? (Can't tell from writing so know I am saying this with sincerity...I can't think of an example.)

I'm with you about the plagiarism in theory. As I said on my blog, this is hotspot for me because it is about more than just not attributing words.

When she first asked the question I defended her pointing it out. Thought it needed to be checked in to. Once I heard the story, I wasn't so sure.

Now I question the wisdom of her starting it. With such a close alliance between Obama and Patrick, that would be a hard one.

She had to know it would not play out well.

But here I go using game strategy talk and I'm not sure how I feel about *that* either.

At the end of the day, as I said to my husband last night, I feel Clinton's policies are more elegant and grounded. I prefer her education plan, and though I fear some weak points in it, I prefer her health care plan. It's all so close, though. But. I fear that the pro of her experience is also her greatest con. I worry about all the water under the bridge, and whether (a) it isn't time for a big new fresh change and (b) how effectively she could work with congress.

It's a tough one. I have about a week left.