Another HRC Irony

Ironically seems to be my word of choice when analyzing the 2008 Democratic primaries. Ironically, the Democratic nominee may not be elected by the popular vote despite criticisms in the 2000 election. Ironically, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) didn’t pay her employees’ health insurance premiums despite her key mantra — healthcare. Today, the “irony” award goes to Sen. Clinton’s acceptance of Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell’s support despite his loud praises of Louis Farrakhan. It seems that according to HRC’s previous rejection of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the governor should also be denounced and rejected (neither of which has been done).

Gov. Rendell made a speech in April 1997, not only complimenting Farrakhan, but outlandishly supporting, praising and thanking the Islamic leader and his efforts. The then-Mayor Rendell extolled his graciousness to the leader for his values of family, women, education and contributions to Philadelphia. Ironically, many of the governor’s statements were quite similar to the Rev. Wright’s heavily criticized statements in 2007.

Sen. Clinton almost sounded like a broken record when she accused Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) of not doing enough by simply denouncing Wright’s statements. Now when her public supporters are discovered to make almost identical statements, she refuses to decline support.

You know, I have to wonder if there is an exception to the “Rejection Requirement” if political gain can be mustered. I know it appears outrageous that Sen. Clinton would give up her values for political gain, but this might be the case. After all, Gov. Rendell is one of Sen. Clinton’s much-needed superdelegates and Pennsylvanian standard-bearer. So, would she really have rejected the Rev. Wright if he had given her another superdelegate vote? I’m not so sure …

What the senator won’t do for political gain is still debatable, in my book. Her record of sticking to her guns and maintaining her values despite political opposition is hardly one to brag about, and that’s not a characteristic I want in my next president. HRC needs to halt the hypocritical statements, exaggerated stories and political ironies if she wants to be the next leader of the free world. Ironically, this event only makes me further question what her campaign tag-line of a “new kind of American leadership” truly boils down to. Because one can’t govern on ironies.

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