Yes, she screwed up. And she's not my candidate of choice (particularly now that my original candidate of choice has endorsed my second candidate of choice).
But I'm going to defend her on this one, because I think her statements, though fabricated and ill-conceived, have come about from a sense of having to appeal to our national electorate's oddly general need to have a president who resembles John Wayne, whether it be someone who has been in real combat (John McCain--still a candidate, of course--as well as George H.W. Bush, John Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower, etc.), someone who loves to parade in front of combat personnel as if he were one of them (George H.W. Bush, Lyndon Johnson), or someone who fantasizes about combat to the extent that he or she makes up "personal" stories about it (Ronald Reagan's recounting of a movie script as though it was a real-life scenario; Hillary's near-acting-out of her non-existent Bosnia "close call").
I don't understand the necessity of all of this. I suppose that this is because I agree with Senator Obama: judgment is the first and most important characteristic in a Commander-in-Chief. Everything else is secondary, including combat experience. As long as the Commander-in-Chief can... 1.) understand the national and international implications that come with the use of military force in both general and specific instances; 2.) does his/her homework thoroughly regarding various military necessities/strategies as applied to overall troop strength; and 3.) can understand intellectually what burdens soldiers carry, physical and otherwise...that person is qualified for that role. (Remember, a Commander-in-Chief is not a field general.)
George W. Bush might--MIGHT--fulfill the third qualification, though I'm not sure about that. He certainly hasn't proven capable of fulfilling the first two qualifications. Conversely, Senator Clinton and Senator Obama both seem qualified in all three categories.
I think that makes both of them strong candidates for Commander-in-Chief. Now Senator Clinton simply has to stop getting sucked into the John Wayne trap.
Correction: when I wrote "...as if he were one of them..." I meant George W. Bush, not his father.
You mean in your opinion Hillary provided the best quote of the campaign. In my opinion Barack Obama has provided so many brilliant quotes during this campaign, I would have to start my own blog to list them all. 
But Barack Obama's God given gift for communicating profound and relevent messages to people from all walks of life, and his ability to generate brilliant quote after brilliant quote is not why I am supporting him. I am supporting Barack Obama because I think he is genuinely the best and strongest candidate for President of the United Sates, and the best person to foster unity and inspire collaborative bi-partisan relationships in our government. I also think Barack Obama is the superior candidate to begin healing both our reputation with the world and those relationships with other countries that Bush has destroyed.
Obama continues to amaze me at his capacity to turn mud slinging political tactics into opportunities to shine and show off his Presidential like grace, wisdom, dignity, integrity, and poise under pressure, by facing them head on with openness and honesty. All these characteristics will serve Barack Obama well when he is our next president.
Linda,
Being a good spin miester is low on my list of qualifications.
The best person for unity?
His voting track record does NOT support that claim unless the unity you speak of is the numbers calling themselves liberals or "left of center". That is not bi partisan to me.
McCain has PROVEN his ability to do bi partisan work.
As for Clinton, re writing historical events when it suits you for the moment is nothing new. Her husband has taught her well on that tactic. But come to think of it "War Hero" Kerry did it too so it is no surprise that if the left bought into his nonsense she could work the same angle too.
Doctor, in my opinion I really do believe that Obama is the best person to unite our country. It is your choice to have a difference of opinion with me.
I'm not sure I understand your remark about Kerry though. I don't remember him ever calling himself a war hero. Do you still believe all that swift boat b.s. that has since been proven false?
Linda, I am well aware of your infatuation with Sen. Obama, but he is pretty well handled and scripted. Yes, I agree he is quite the orator, but admit that one of his best lines turned out to be borrowed from someone else.
This Hillary comment was impromptu and a well timed dig at those who refuse to see her for who she is, a regular human being whom only has the best interest of the country in mind. A trait that runs rather consistently through all the Democratic candidates. The GOP, not so much!
Flash
Two more memorable quotes from Hillary -
"There are some who think we don't need to hear the voices of people in Pennsylvania or Indiana or North Carolina or Montana or any of the other states that haven't had their chance to vote, Well I disagree."
and....
"And also remember that pledged delegates in most states are not pledged, You know there is no requirement that anybody vote for anybody. They're just like superdelegates."
So she says it's important for the people to have their chance to vote. At the same time she's saying it doesn't matter, implying that she'll sway the delegates to whatever she sees fit today. Her manipulation of every story (be it this situation, the MI & FL primary votes, or a trip to Bosnia) to be whatever lie needs to be told to try to take the harpoon out of her side is tiresome. You can't trust her to be anything more than manipulative.
Hmmmm.. . .Flash, is "infatuation" the word you used to describe your support for Richardson? For me that word just doesn't accurately convey my rock solid loyal support for our next president.
I agree with Linda, Flash.
Read her offerings again and I'm sure that you'll agree that "zombie like obsession" is a much more appropriate description.
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