Clinton goes for blue-collar bona fides
First, it was bowling, then pinochle. Could Twister be far behind?
Hillary Clinton, trying to appeal to blue-collar voters of a certain generation in must-win Pennsylvania, is using references to pastimes that were more popular before the days of DVDs and Wii.
After Democratic rival Barack Obama gutter-balled his way to a 37 in seven frames in Altoona, Clinton gigged him with an April Fool's bowling challenge. She said she would spot him two frames and bragged about her exploits in the bowling alley at Camp David, but looked more than rusty in a subsequent appearance on the "Ellen Degeneres Show."
Then, in a TV ad this week, she played up her ties to the Keystone State, waxing rhapsodic on playing pinochle during summer vacations spent near Scranton.
Leading up to the April 22 primary, Clinton appears to buffing up her blue-collar bona fides, especially after her income tax returns released last week showed that she and the former president earned about $109 million in the eight years between 2000 and last year.
Clinton could hit the trifecta if she referenced another old-fashioned family activity. Twister played on the shag carpet in the basement of the Brady Bunch split-level would bring back fond memories for those who grew up during the 1970s.
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Dear Mrs. Clinton,
I am deeply concerned by the fact that you are surrounded by people who accept money from foreign powers and corporations. What if your now famous 3am call turns out to be from a Sheikh reminding you you owe him a favor? How can you fully defend US interests (or for that matter Israel's) under such circumstances?
Would you be kind enough to explain why the solutions you now have to all America's problems have not been implemented during the 8 years of your husband's presidency or defended since you are a Senator? Also, I wonder how (I mean HOW, not what) you will set up a decent health care system. You failed to do so a few years ago, having all the time you needed to focus on the matter. And how about trade treaties such as NAFTA (which you once supported) and Colombia? What about Wal-Mart from whom you have received benefits in the past while workers were being paid the lowest possible wages?
Could you explain why you now want to urgently end a war you have voted for before goals you have supported are reached?
I would be most grateful to receive information on your generous tax-deductible donations to charities. How much of that went to the Clinton Library or Foundation, if anything? And, by the way, could you let us know who are the contributors to these institutions, including the amounts paid by each of them?
It would be good to clarify your position concerning the role of super-delegates. I heard you saying only super-delegates will count at the Convention. I have also heard you telling voters in States like Pennsylvenia, Florida and Michigan that their votes are crucial and that democracy is democracy. This seems contradictory.
These answers will help voters to make up their minds.
Thank you very much.
If you think Hillary Clinton truly spent summers playing pinochle than I have a blue dress to sell you.