Each week, we explore Hillary Clinton's universe to provide a round-up of the most compelling recent news, while providing analysis on media commentary, punditry, polling and more. Yes, the election is still a bazillion years away, but when it comes to the story of the potential first female president ever, it's never too early to start the conversation.
Hillary Slammed for Wealth Comments
In her June 9 interview with Diane Sawyer, Hillary found herself in hot water after she stated she and Bill were "dead broke" when they left the White House. Apparently that water wasn't hot enough, because over the weekend she boiled herself a bit more when she interviewed with the Guardian:
...we pay ordinary income tax, unlike a lot of people who are truly well off, not to name names, and we have done it through dint of hard work. We know how blessed we are. We were neither of us raised with these kinds of opportunities, and we worked really hard for them. But all one has to do is look at my record going back to my time in college and law school to know not only where my heart is, but where my efforts have been.
Considering that she and Bill make what many would consider to be very very good money in speaking and book fees, these words—surprise!—struck many as tone-deaf. Adding insult to injury? It was revealed that the cash-strapped University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which recently instituted a tuition increase, paid Hillary a cool $225,000 to speak.
The money backlash was so intense that Hillary herself conceded her statements were "inartful" during a PBS NewsHour this week. Alas, this is far from the first time a politician has been plagued with foot-in-mouth syndrome when touching on the subject of personal wealth. Just ask Mitt Romney.
GOP Rep Resigns Following Offensive Hillary Remarks
Speaking of foot-in-mouth syndrome, Johnny Rhoda—a district chairman with the Republican Party in Arkansas—resigned this week after he said Hillary "would probably get shot at the state line" if she ran for president in 2016. Seeing as how this is blatantly in no way OK for anyone—let alone a political representative—to say, Rhoda was swiftly if tepidly rebuked by his party. Said GOP chairman Doyle Webb following Rhoda's resignation:
He was apologetic for the statements he made to media yesterday and although he feels he was taken out of context, he knows that his statements have created an unnecessary distraction from the important issues before the state today.
So, to recap: politicians shouldn't 1) talk about their personal wealth or 2) talk about presidential candidates being shot at. Good work, class.
Hard Choices Banned in China
China has "effectively banned" Hillary's memoir Hard Choices by declining to purchase translation rights. Why? Perhaps because in the book, Hillary rips into the country's treatment of Tibet, former president Hu Jintao, and domestic suppression efforts. Oh, and she has less-than-kind things to say about the country's censorship-loving ways. Irony, anyone?
The Lowdown
A gun threat, book ban and gaffe apology do not add up to a stellar week for Hillary. Meanwhile, polling shows Chris Christie (yes, he could still run) gaining on her in a presumptive match-up in the battleground state of Iowa.
Can Hillary turn the tide next week? Stay tuned for our next round-up to find out.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
