Mean What You Say; Say What You Mean

(Danville, California)

 

    In the world of politics (and in life, for that matter), there is an old saying: "Mean what you say; and say what you mean!" It's good advice, and I bet Sen. Hillary Clinton wishes she'd taken it before talking with the "Sioux Falls Argus" editorial board.

 

    Clinton referenced the fact that her husband Bill did not wrap up the Democratic nomination until June of 1992. And then she mentioned the assassination of Robert Kennedy in June, 1968, as a reason she will still be in this race, come June, 2008. The reference was unfortunate, because it makes it sound as if she is staying in "just in case something bad happens this time!"

 

    That's NOT what she meant! All she needed to say was "The nomination was undecided in June when my husband ran in 1992, just as the nomination was not settled in June, 1968."
She could have saved herself a lot of trouble by leaving the assassination reference out. Her statement would have been historically accurate, without being insensitive.

 

    Let's be frank here. People's assassination fears are up this year, with the first serious presidential contender in U.S. history who happens to be biracial. Here are two facts that back this up: 1) Colin Powell decided not to run in 1996, in large part, because of his wife's fears he would be a target; 2) Barack Obama has had full Secret Service protection since January, way before any of the other candidates, because serious threats had been made against him. (Hillary Clinton had a tiny contingent, as an ex-First Lady, but no one else had any Secret Service detail four months ago).

 

    It is sad that we have to discuss protection of our leaders, but there is at least one thing we learned from Bobby Kennedy's assassination (and the others, too!), and that is we don't ever want it to happen again!

 

    I will be in Wisconsin and Michigan the next few days, celebrating Memorial Day and covering the disputed Michigan delegates. Then it's on to South Dakota and Montana for the final primaries on June 3.

 

    Check back often at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.

 

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