Clinton Leftovers, Pro and Con

That's The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss. Makes me think of Kubrick's 2001 every time.

Sent by Maura | 2:22 PM | 11-2-2007

The piece is the "Blue Danube" waltz by Johann Strauss.

The music was also used by the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 as setting for the famous John Kerry "Windsurfing" attack ad.

Sent by Will G | 2:22 PM | 11-2-2007

I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad one, but the lesson most politicians seem to learn from campaigning is this: If you want to get elected, try hard not to say anything. That way you won't offend anyone.

It surprises me when campaigns run these kinds of ads, though, because with very few exceptions, ALL politicians do this stuff. I'm sure that, if someone wanted to, they could assemble footage like this of John Edwards contradicting himself.

The thing is, to be effective in real politics -- not running for office, but actually being IN office and trying to govern, it's important to be able to compromise, to build consensus, to negotiate with your opponents and find a workable middle ground. So, in a way, when I see a candidate equivocating like Mrs. Clinton so often does, I am not entirely unsympathetic. I believe the ability to do this sort of thing deftly is crucial to a successful political career. It's important when being in office, for sure, and yes, it's important when running for office, too.

Unfortunately, Hillary is just really, really bad at it, which leads people to wonder where she actually stands. Or if she stands for anything at all, other than motherhood and apple pie.

Sent by Tony Camas | 4:05 AM | 11-4-2007