Americans Away From Home

Hillary Clinton's truthfulness and credibility have been brought into question this week, and found AWOL.

Truth is a warhorse of another color when examining Clinton's words. It's clear there is a kind of HillSpeak, a secret code developed into a lexicon of words with adjustable meanings, asserted to give Hillary wiggle room. As a service to readers, here's a sample of HillSpeak's list of words and phrases.

When Hillary says:
"I believe strongly that everyone should have their voices heard and their votes counted"

She really means:
Everyone who'll vote for me should have a chance to have their votes counted.

When Hillary says:
"That includes Michigan and Florida."

She really means:
Everyone who'll vote for me should have a chance to have their votes counted.

When Hillary says:
"I believe that a spirited contest is good for the Democratic Party"

She really means:
What's good for Hillary Clinton is good for the Democratic Party.

Secondary code translation:
The Democratic Party, c'est moi!

When Hillary says:
"A spirited contest will strengthen our eventual nominee"

She really means:
They won't like him so much when he's down and bloodied. Zero sum game: bloodying Obama will strengthen ME!

When Hillary says:
I'm looking forward to campaigning hard over the next several months."

She really means:
Finally, Bill did as told. It was my idea for him to say, "Let's just saddle up and have an argument."

When Hillary says:
"It is worth remembering that neither I nor Mr. Obama will win enough pledged delegates to become the nominee."

She really means:
He'll be a deer in my headlights. Open hunting season, folks!

When Hillary says:
"I think that's a very important fact"

She really means: If it helps me, it's important. If it helps Obama, it doesn't count.

When Hillary says:
"Superdelegates should exercise their right and their responsibility to determine who they think would be the best president"

She really means:
I'm the best and they know that. They're only there to tell young whippersnappers to wait their turn.

When Hillary says:
"Who would be the best nominee to defeat John McCain in the fall?"

She really means:
It's mine! It's mine! Let me at him!

When Hillary says:
"Obama said the presidential race was akin to a good movie which had lasted too long?
I like long movies."

She really means:
Hmmm...I could start an opposition party here, the way it's done in England. Who knows what could happen? I could keep snipping away, sniping away, chipping away, and eventually...everyone would see I'm the best!

When Hillary says:
"Ted Kennedy. Bill Richardson. Senator Leahy. Senator Casey."

She really means:
What do they know? Turncoats! I'm with Lieberman and Nader. I could be living history to become Ralph Nader's Nader. Any legacy's a good legacy...   (NY Times article here)   (Hillary at Iwo Jima cartoon here)

Carole