Hillary
November 4th, 2010 at 8:20 pm by David FarrarTo my surprise my status as co-chair of The American Politics Appreciation Society got me an invite to the reception for US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Around two dozen people there all expressed amazement – not at me being there, but that I was wearing a suit. I explained that if they were the most powerful woman in the world, then I’d might wear a suit for them also.
Audrey Young snapped this photo of my brief conversation with Hillary, which mainly consisted of me saying how popular Chelsea was with those who got to meet her, when she was here in 1999.
Clinton and McCully spoke for around 20 minutes. Clinton is the absolute political professional – excellent at speaking with few notes, and working a room. She of course spent over a year campaigning to be President and came closer than any other woman has to winning that job. A lot of the discussion was about whether she might still manage it – either in 2016 (my theory) or 2012 (the theory of the stupid people who don’t understand a Cabinet Minister can not challenge a President). By 2016 she will be 69, but the US is not so anti older politicians – plus she looks considering younger than she is.
I’m actually more optimistic about Obama’s chances of re-election than most I chatted to there. If the economy improves, his chances will improve. Also the GOP controlled House may overplay its hand and get a backlash. Last but not least the choice of Republican candidate will be crucial.
November 4th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Yep- if Obama triangulates, he will win. Of course, if it had been President Hillary Clinton then she would have triangulated from the get go, and the Republicans would still be being beaten up over Bush. Obama’s [mis]handling of Health Care reform, and of the economy, mean that the Republicans can pretend that Bush isn’t their responsibility.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Sounds like you got Rodhamised
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Yep. That’s why she’s Secretary of State and has to spend half the year out of the country rather than being VP, doing nothing except slinking around and spreading rumours.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Oh so nice, Hillary has a pearl necklace on that she found in Bill’s trousers.
[DPF: 30 demerits. 20 more and it is an 8 month holiday]
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Was Kris Fa’afoi there?
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Sorry David, I thought it was a classic line of wit. I will cease posting on kiwiblog as I have been told by the friendly Feds enough is enough.
Vote:God bless the Yanks.
See you later mate. Thanks for my time here at kiwiblog.
November 4th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
“Was Kris Fa’afoi there?”
Nah. But he was with Hilary on Everest.
JC
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Did you wear a suit when you used to talk to Hulun? If not, why not?
Seriously, the Wellington Declaration is a coup for McCully since it formalises the relationship we used to enjoy before our 30 year anti-nukular brain explosion.
I guess 30 years of loss of access and relations with the world’s only superpower wasn’t a problem, was it, since after all, our anti-nukular stance achieved so very very much in the way of actual weapons reductions the world over.
At least some of us got a nice warm feeling in our tummys over it so I guess that was a good thing. Shame about the massive drain on just about everything actual, like intelligence and trade and access to the highest tables in the world, but that doesn’t really count, does it, now that its all over with now. 30 years of lost opportunity? Who cares, cause
Vote:wesome of us got…er, a nice warm tummy.November 4th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Um, DPF, while you are busy starfucking, there is a strange issue on your blog with font formatting on the latest National Standards thread – from http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2010/11/did_the_boards_consult_parents.html#comment-762081 on, everything is being automatically italicised.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
No-one should be ‘optimistic’ about an Obama second term, the rightful expression should be ‘fearful.’
Vote:It is interesting to hear the allegations that the Democrats were cheating in several states for the Mid-terms and Hillary herself accused the Obamination of cheating in the Primaries, which denied her the candidacy.
November 4th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
d4j, I for one don’t think you should make your 8:56 your last post. Host is host and he has the rights however we don’t post to the host, we post to everyone here.
Look forward to seeing you back on, whenever that happens, and hope it does, in time.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Toad looks fine to me, possibly you’re holding your head on its side – have you checked your inner ear settings? Maybe this is something that happens only to lefties? Which way is the text slanting?
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
You would miss D4J’s misogynistic rants Reid?
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Cya dad, take care.
Dpf, Hillary could resign and run…
I don’t think the GOP will overplay its hand. They will drag Obama to the centre though, just like they did with bill in 94. He will get back in as a centrist.
What was the security like? Lots of secret service dudes? Easy getting into the place?
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
“You would miss D4J’s misogynistic rants Reid?”
The comment made by dad4justice was filthy, unnecessary and misogynistic. The web would be a nicer place without that kind of vomit.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
bb, …if one clod is washed away, Europe is diminished thereby…
John Doone – [No man is an Island]
d4j has just as much chance as any of us ever to come up with something that changes the world, or solves cancer. I don’t care what people say, provided they’re not obdurate fanatics on a particular issue for that’s just boring. I haven’t found d4j to be in that category, so he’s good to go, IMO.
P.S. remember that’s clod [of earth], not clot…
P.P.S. I apologise for diverting the thread, shall we discuss Clinton?
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
The US must be a bit nervous about our relationship with China. If we fall then Australia is very exposed and Australia does matter, we don’t. Anyhow the Republican Party is diving into two. The tea party extremists and the rest – mainly WASPs. That is probably why Obama is fairly relaxed because he is facing a divided party which has a notional majority in the House. But how will they settle the Presidential nomination. If they could get a moderate from California then Obama might be worried. But there is no sign of that yet.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
“Dpf, Hillary could resign and run…”
Yes and she’d probably lose, badly, in the present US climate.
Like I said last night, predicating US politics along partisan left-right lines is pointless because there is public desperation and fear for the future that we haven’t seen in any of our lifetimes. Clinton’s platform is hopelessly compromised by association with Obama. She won’t ever be Pres.
“The US must be a bit nervous about our relationship with China.”
Why do you think the US cares about that/would see it as any threat whatsoever, tvb?
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
He he, can’t wait until Cactus Kate sees this… as she posted earlier this week:
I would like to be informed of every supposed centre-right and right wing politician and political groupie getting cream over the prospect of meeting Hillary.
They will be duly outed and subject to disciplinary action.
That is if she still considers DPF a member of the VRWC.
Also, I thought D4J’s comment was gold…
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
and isn’t that Kris Faafoi in the background?…
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Wow, that was a feather in your cap DPF.
Clinton has already said why she’s out here; fighting an extended war with Islamic extremists, and faced with a burgeoning China with expanding interests in the Pacific, the US realises it needs its friends more than ever. The Nuke issue is almost orthogonal to that.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Snuke!!
Vote:Duck and cover!!
November 4th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
reid, I guess it boiled down to whether we wanted to be an independent state or just another hanger on to Uncle Sam’s coat tails.
We decided, get over it.
I’d still have money on Hillary becoming the first woman President,
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
“My brief conversation with Hillary, which mainly consisted of me saying how popular Chelsea was with those who got to meet her ”
Coming from a gentleman with a vertical impairment and generous circumference , receding hairline and glasses. Discussing her daughter may not have been the smartest move. Her Ladyship seems to have a somewhat pained look.
[DPF: Don't be a total fuckwit. Hillary was very pleasant in reply, and did not take my comments on Chelsea as anything but polite. The context I haven't mentioned here is that some of my colleagues in the PMs Office accompanied Chelsea for her time in NZ, and they all raved about how great she was - this is what I conveyed to Hillary]
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
What a feather in your cap Mr Farrar.
I would think you have watched ‘Alistair Cookes America’
13 hour series he broadcast in the 70′s. An absolute gem.
Another of course is ‘Ken Burns Civil War’.
D4J gone??
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
John Gibson (235) Says:
The comment made by dad4justice was filthy, unnecessary and misogynistic. The web would be a nicer place without that kind of vomit.
…………………..
A bit harsh John, on another day that comment of D4J would have got a standing ovation,rather than the naughty boys corner, personally I thought it was gold.
Hilllary baby, has been party to some pretty shady shit in her time so, I don’t think shes out of bounds UNLESS DPF offered her a free pass to Kiwiblog for the duration of her trip.
Christ this cricket is depressing.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
No. Liarbore decided Maggie, not “we.” Big difference.
Personally, I got over it in 1984, I just never saw the point of it. It’s just that we never were on Uncle Sam’s coat tails before we decided, nor were we afterward, so WHAT WAS THE FREAKING POINT, Maggie?.
It was just a dumb, frankly pointless decision to cut off our noses to achieve nothing but a warm feeling in some people’s tummys.
It never got rid of a single nuclear warhead, not one, ever, so what, in fact, was the point.
That’s the issue Maggie, but if you got a warm feeling in your tummy, well good for you. Personally, the only thing I noticed, was the actual, factual reality of all the intelligence-sharing and trade opportunities we lost, plus the actual real costs of being on the outside for all there years.
Get it?
Let me summarise:
Actual provable factual real pros that really did eventuate: Warm tummies in some but not all NZers.
Actual provable factual real cons that really did eventuate: If you lived in the real world since 1984 you should be able to work it out since they are numerous I can’t be arsed enumerating everything for they are so numerous. Only people with warm tummies fail to see it.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
I would think you have watched ‘Alistair Cookes America’
The man was one of the best journalists ever. He always bought out stuff that you never heard from anyone else in the media – (I always remember how he pointed out that Clinton would have invaded Iraq if it haddn’t been for Monica, pity). One of my bigger influences actually.
Had the opportunity to see his series on DVD recently – it’s certainly a fine piece of work and well worth watching.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
The Tea Party “extremists” helped deliver the GOP half its votes yesterday. There is no civil war: the leadership knows firmly that if it fucks off the grassroots, they’ll get turfed out again and again until they actually deliver.
If you want to talk about a civil war, you can think about the one the Dems have been having for the last 18 months between the Blue Dogs and realists and the nutroots and idealists. The latter’s won, btw, there’s now half as many BDs in Congress and Emanuel is leaving.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
No what delivered the GOP half its votes yesterday was the fact that since 2006 when the disastrous consequences of the Iraq adventure became obvious to even the thickest American Village Idiot [excluding a few Republican idiots who will never ever see the light even if it was the Sun at 100 km], the entire US population has been looking for anyone, literally anyone, who can lead them out of the abyss they face.
It wasn’t that obvious back then, except to a few. Then on top of that came the economic calamity. Double-whammy. You will not understand US politics in the next 50 years unless you understand that the left-right smokescreen doesn’t matter anymore. It doesn’t. What matters now for them, is national survival. That’s why you’re seeing such extreme swings, which will continue, as long as the candidates occupy either side of an equally failed spectra.
Vote:November 4th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Also, I love the HI-LA-RI-OUS double standard and hypocrisy in that the media bang on about Tea Party “extremism” which cost the Republicans the Senate but not about the Democratic extremism which cost the Dems the House.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 2:15 am
The US wants to anchor its presence in the SW Pacific. That is why they are holding their nose and setting up their aid centre in FIJI. NZ has the only deep water facility for the US fleet which is our only strategic asset. If their were a major threat to Australia then the US navy would want to come down here. I guess they would simply come here and ignore the anti nuclear legislation. As Don Brash said in such an emergency the legislation would be gone by lunch time, though the Green Party would oppose it. Their defence policy is to simply surrender to the most aggressive power, they call that peace.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 2:16 am
The NZ media obviously know nothing about the Tea Party which seems obvious considering that what filters down to their readers who then repeat it like fact. The Tea Party may have some outspoken people in it who are embarrassing, but so does every political Party in NZ. Labour has Carter amongst others and you’d need more time to decide which Green was nuttier than the other
I would have told Hilary to bring in a Nuclear ship and end this stupid anti nuke ship policy once and for all.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 3:26 am
From DPF:
From Wiki:
The association just seems appropriate, somehow. National (as in National Party) is a religion to its adherents? Arise St David?
As someone who has always found enough to dislike about the practices or policies of any and all political parties to eliminate the joining (as distinct from voting) option, I am amused by DPFs unashamed devotion to…hmm…what, exactly?
Labour Lite?
[DPF: Wow talk about over interpreting. As Wiki said colleagues means colleagues in a profession and is an entirely normal way to describe people you have worked with. Have you ever worked Luc and had colleagues?]
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 3:38 am
My analysis of the Midterms, for what it’s worth.
The NYT reported that voters were overwhelmingly older. Younger voters stayed away in droves, unlike the presidential elections. In 2012, you will see a swing back to the Democrats of an unknown magnitude, but not enough, I currently predict, for the Dems to regain a majority in the House.
But I also predict Obama will only win re-election if either the Republicans put up a flaky candidate or if he loses a credible challenge from within – the latter most unlikely absent a major crisis, more likely if the economy continues to tank (and the Republicans can now engineer that to happen).
Unless Obama can pull a rabbit out of the hat, we are all headed for dire economic straits. That should make Rush Limbaugh fans chortle with glee!
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 4:15 am
Clint I am following the US media including Fox. Some of us can afford sky and ignore what NZ media say about US politics. There is a real possibility the Republicans will put up a flakey Tea Party candidate – most likely Sarah Palin.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 6:58 am
David,
I didn’t know you owned a suit!
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 7:08 am
It seems to fit as well. Very smart.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 7:15 am
Gaffe-prone Key makes the news: http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1011/meet_president_hillary_clinton.html
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 7:56 am
What about telling Hillary this instead of some inanities about her daughter:
That unless the democrats start seriously stringing up from the nearest pole, some of the big business leaders responsible for the GFC, they are toast. And they deserve to be taken over by China.
These are the bastards who Obama once famously said he was saving from the populace coming with “pitchforks and torches”. Tell her her party promptly forgot about doing something to ensure they changed,. These “we are masters of the universe …but socialists when we are in trouble” types who cynically defrauded the people of USA off trillions.
They are now trying to do that to the world, including NZ, by exporting inflation to keep giving themselves bonuses.
And we are sucking up to them when they are sneakily buggering us ? Why ?
Show some spine DPF. Oops..silly me I forgot you know f…all about economy and it only the fat keeping you erect.
[DPF: 50 demerits]
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 8:07 am
It wasn’t your status, the DPS just wanted you where they could see you.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Would’ve been an interesting experience David. I remember chatting at length with Mike Moore about world leaders after he’d been WTO Director – to him some were as he’d imagine them to be (Blair). Of more interest were the ones who, in Mike’s eyes, exceeded expectation (Bush 43) and those that disappointed (Chirac).
It is doubtful that Clinton will ever challenge Obama in 2012 but bear in mind that a weak incumbent President is a juicy target for a primary challenge (eg Jimmy Carter who only just beat Ted Kennedy in 1980). If Obama’s popularity come the beginning of 2012 is at or near 40% he will be primaried. Clinton of course would have to resign as SOS to do it – I wouldn’t rule it out but the odds are likely 30% at best. Russ Feingold (former Sen from WI) might take a crack. Obama’s chances in 2012 depend on the state of the economy, whether he does a Bill Clinton and tacks to the centre and of course the quality of his GOP challenger.
On the Tea Party – on balance they were a large tail wind for the GOP largely because the key activists chose to work within the party rather than do a Ross Perot and try the 3rd party route. Because many now engaged in the movement are new to politics its easy to forget the cardinal rule of politics – that you cant be too far away from the political centre of your state/district or the country (if running for Pres). Obama doesn’t understand this rule and his party has paid a huge price. 2010 has seen the biggest switch of total elected officials from one party to another in 100 years (when you factor Congress, Governor and other state wide elected offices and state legislatures). You can be a reliable tea party backed conservative but you must be somewhat adept at retail politics, have a good ground game and be well funded and not carry too much baggage. Hence tea party backed Marco Rubio (FL), Ron Johnson (WI) and Pat Toomey (PA) suceeded. At the Senate level the GOP missed some plum targets because these 4 keys were not in place in key races. Whitman and Fiorina were hopeless at retail politics and whilst well funded their ground game was out matched by the vast army that are the CA public sector unions. Raece in WV lacked a detailed ground game. Likewise Buck not too much baggage but the clusterfask that was the CO Gubernatorial selection meant neither the RNC and RGC funded Buck’s ground game and the NRSC didnt have enough to make up the difference. Angel, Miller and O’Donnell had just too much baggage and were too inexperienced at statewide campaigning. The tea party movements must learn and accept these realities and limitations if they are to have ongoing success at the Congressional and Presidential level of politics.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 9:04 am
Were you under heavy fire as you entered the reception?
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 9:41 am
re D4J Demerit
DPF being a sensitive wee flower about his new found Democratic leanings after that remark dont you think ?
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 10:27 am
reid, putting aside all the hyperbole, a succession of National governments had the ability, and the will, to change the antinuclear policy. They didn’t do it. Why?
Because they recognised how popular the policy was with ordinary New Zealanders. It was never about removing nuclear warheads, that is way beyond the capability of such a tiny nation. It was about making our small voice heard.
Most Kiwis supported it. You didn’t. Tough. Move on.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 10:30 am
The most powerful woman in the world is either Dilma Rousseff or Angela Merkel. Hillary Clinton is a glorified messenger.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Call me thick,but what was so objectionable about d4j’s pearl joke?
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Clearly your invite was as a result of your “colleagues in the PMs Office” given the polling you do for them.
I also find the hypocrisy to be extraordinary – preening yourself and grovelling to a Democrat when you clearly favour the Republicans is just pathetic. What is it with starstruck right-wingers?
[DPF: Do you ever get sick of being totally wrong and stupid? The reference to PMs Office colleagues is about when I worked there from 1997 to 1999. The current PMs Office had nothing to do with my invite - it was MFAT that put me on the list]
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 10:39 am
“Call me thick,but what was so objectionable about d4j’s pearl joke?”
I would ask the same question.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Sheltered lives there, gents?
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Who’s looking after poor Bill while the missus is away? Poor bugger is probably living on tv dinners, who will be there to find the remote that has fallen between the sofa cushions.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Why are you fawning over a Democrat when you are a Republican?
Another starstruck right winger.
[DPF: Fuck idiots like you piss me off. Okay let me make this simple. Obviously you are incapable of considering such a thing as civility across politics. It was good to meet Hillary because I respect the office she holds. I may disagree with some of her policies, but that doesn't mean I hold any grudge against her. Likewise I enjoy the company of many people in Labour and Greens, even though I think their policies are wrong. You really need to get some perspective]
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 11:13 am
So, Maggie, you’re about to get over:
– VSM
– 90 day probation periods
– the changes that John Key is making to labour laws keep the Hobbit in NZ
The overwhelming majority of NZers supported it, and elected a government that explicitly said they’d do those things. You didn’t, tough, move on.
Or do you perhaps accept that it’s everyone’s right to have political discussion, even on things that have been voted on and they lost. That it’s their right to try to change people’s minds?
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 11:28 am
I don’t share DPF’S view that Obama is going to survive. Expect a mid term coup from Hillary with party backing ala Rudd.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Given Hillary Clinton’s anti-Semitic and anti-Israel views, DPF, I’m surprised you’re such a devoted fan:
I trust you didn’t have your Star of David tie clip on display, DPF?
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Apparently John Key thinks Hillary is already President, calling her “President Clinton” during a welcome speech.
Ouch, what a bozo.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Oh! Star stuck and defensive…
You should’ve told her about your session with Grover Norquist rather than getting all “women’s day” over Chelsea. I’m sure she would’ve been keen to hear about that.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Manolo & Kowtow : http://onlineslangdictionary.com/definition+of/pearl+necklace
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
You dodgy bastard. You won’t be on the invite list next time.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Thanks rodders,almost sorry I asked.
Given some of the stuff that passes for humour here I sympathise with d4j,but it’s dpf’s site so he’s the boss.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Ohhh Poor hillary D4J said something mean about her, better start giving everyone the ban stick.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
To hell with the reception, did you get to the barbeque?
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
From that angle Farrar looks like Anand Satyanand.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
“Manolo & Kowtow : http://onlineslangdictionary.com/definition+of/pearl+necklace ”
Unbelievable. There is something seriously wrong with the education system when two internet denizens are unaware of such a fundamental practice.
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
>> Oh so nice, Hillary has a pearl necklace on that she found in Bill’s trousers.
>>
>> [DPF: 30 demerits. 20 more and it is an 8 month holiday]
Wow. Lost your sense of humour there David!
“Call me thick,but what was so objectionable about d4j’s pearl joke?”
Exactly.
Just being a bit precious….
Vote:November 5th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Dear JOhn,
Sorry, but I knew the meaning all along. I also believe it was not what d4j has in mind when he wrote it.
Vote:DPF is being overly precious here, but it’s his blog after all.
November 5th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
“From that angle Farrar looks like Anand Satyanand.”
A very perceptive comment. Has anyone seen DPF and the GG together at any one time (complexion aside)?
Vote:November 6th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Am very disappointed that no mention has been made of that person at your right shoulder !!LOL
Vote:November 6th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
‘Has anyone seen DPF and the GG together at any one time (complexion aside)?’
The believe the GG is taller and bulkier. There smiles may be similar.
Vote: