This seems like IS a particularly nasty and indefensible charge:
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton turned furious and considered legal action after learning bestselling author Ed Klein would allege in a new book: Bill Clinton raped her — resulting in the conception of daughter Chelsea Clinton!
“[Author] Klein is going to rot in hell for this,” a well-placed source close to Hillary said over the weekend.
The explosive charge comes in THE TRUTH ABOUT HILLARY: WHAT SHE KNEW, WHEN SHE KNEW IT, AND HOW FAR SHE’LL GO TO BECOME PRESIDENT — set for release next week.
The only people who are going to read this book are the true believers and the true defenders. As a side note, when you hear the usual suspects echoing ths charge as fact in some circles, it probably should be pointed out that this makes anything Howard Dean has said seem positively innocuous.
I have had just about enough of these so-called ‘insider’ true stories that are rteally nothing more than smear jobs, regardless of the target.
Dave Ruddell
Surprisingly enough, the publisher is not Regnery.
Rick
The big trick is, how to pin the book on Rush Limbaugh: cosmic puppet master.
Cordially…
Jeff
I don’t like Bill or Hilary even a little bit, but this should be a “put up or shut-up” case for the author.
Name the source, let the source go out there for all to say, and say how he knows this.
The fact of the matter is, it’s become entirely too easy say whatever the hell you want about “public figures”.
I’m going by memory from a Journalism ethics (is that an oxymoron) class back in the mid-1990’s, but to be considered libel if the target is a public figure, just saying something that’s not true isn’t enough, you had to know it’s not true, and EVEN that isn’t enough, you had to know it’s not true and have done so with “extreme malice”, or something like that. Again, I’m going by memory and i’m not a lawyer.
This shit’s gotten out of hand.
Mr Furious
Sounds like the very definition of “extreme malice” to me. Though proving it in court is another matter entirely.
Sandi
Bottom feeding of the worst kind.
HH
Not unlike the “Cheneys tried to conceive to get out of Vietnam” charge which got mainstream acceptance from Slate.com during the campaign…
Ben
HH,
Yeah, it’s OK to do anything as long as someone fucked you over previously. It’s ironic how Republicans in power are no different than Dems when they were in power… power hungry, lying, money grubbing LSOS.
Richard Bottoms
Nothing particularly suprising about this level of slime.
After all we’ve known for years Hillary had Vince Foster killed to protect her lesbian lover.
Right?
I’ve been listening to right wing talk radio for 10 years. This is what yur guys do on the air all the time.
I look forward to Bill Clinton kicking this guy squarely in the nuts for this insult. Hillary will probably want to slice the author up a little more slowly.
Rick
It didn’t take Mr. Bottoms but 56 minutes to tag Limbaugh with it!
A new speed record! Congratulations to the winner.
Cordially…
Ben
Hey Rick,
Is he wrong?
Jon H
HH writes: “Not unlike the “Cheneys tried to conceive to get out of Vietnam” charge which got mainstream acceptance from Slate.com during the campaign”
Getting your wife pregnant is not a felony. Nobody ever accused Cheney of using force to knock his wife up.
The two situations are not remotely similar.
Rick
Hey, Ben,
This is what yur guys do on the air all the time.
Yes. And didn’t I call it? I do bow to the left’s superior application of hyberbole. Remarkable, for a “reality-based community.”
Cordially…
jack
This makes what Howard Dean said seem innocuous? Why?
Howard Dean is the head of the DNC, he’s someone who was elected to be an official representative of the plans and policies of the Democrats Party. Ed Klein is a writer–a NYT writer, I might add.
He does not represent the Republican party in any way–and may very likely be something other than a Republican.
Nikki
This makes what Howard Dean said seem innocuous? Why?
Because Dean is expressing an opinion.
SeesThroughIt
“I do bow to the left’s superior application of hyberbole.”
It ain’t hyperbole if it’s correct, Rick. I notice you conveniently sidestepped that part. Not that I’m surprised, of course.
Nash
Impressive, efficient use of the template:
Howard Dean is the head of the DNC, he’s someone who was elected to be an official representative of the plans and policies of the Democrats Party. Ed Klein is a writer–a NYT writer, I might add.
He does not represent the Republican party in any way–and may very likely be something other than a Republican.
JG
It worked against Kerry.
Rick
It ain’t hyperbole if it’s correct, Rick. I notice you conveniently sidestepped that part.
“Correct.” LOFL! My mirth over “reality-based community” is just lost on you, isn’t it, Sees?
Cordially…
Nash
Meanwhile, in a reality-based universe far far away, Newshounds catches the Dean in another unguarded moment:
“Howard Dean calls FNC “propaganda outlet of the Republican Party”
Lies, All Lies! When will Dean stop lying!
No wonder Democrats don’t know how to parallel park.
Cullen
Rick – You must be unaware of the definition of hyperbole. Check it out. You might see in the entry illustrations of those who have mastered the technique and to whom you owe so much of your political insights.
SeesThroughIt
“”Correct.” LOFL! My mirth over “reality-based community” is just lost on you, isn’t it, Sees?”
No, not particularly. You’re just wrong in your estimation of right-wing talk radio, but as a good loyalist, you’ll never admit you’re wrong, which sort of makes you fun (ah, there’s the “mirth” factor) to watch but hardly an opinion with a hefty value.
Cordially, turthfully, and realistically….
JWeidner
Now hold on Rick.
Your challenge was to see how long it would take for someone to pin the book on Limbaugh, the “cosmic puppet master”.
I don’t think Mr. Bottoms did anything of the sort. He merely stated his opinion that certain right wing radio hosts (no names mentioned) utilize “information” such as this on a regular basis.
Personally, I don’t see anything in any of the posts yet that tries to pin blame for this book on Limbaugh specifically….
Am I being picky? Maybe. But if you issue a certain challenge, I don’t think you should go crowing about a result that had nothing to do with it.
Now, as to the charge of application of hyperbole…I don’t know that either side can get off scott-free on that. Left or right, both sides engage in “superior application of hyperbole”, I hardly think the left has a lock on it, or a superior one at that…
neil
JWeidner, I think of it as being a challenge like “Let’s see if anyone can respond to THIS point without using any vowels!”
Rick
Sure, this “topic” by Klein is regular grist for right wing gum-flapping mill. FAIR will send you a bulletin when they transcribe Hannity and Limbaugh.
Earth to moonbats: it’s a *BOOK*
You guys really don’t know what “dissent” from your party line media-bubble sounds like, do you? If it ain’t unctuous leftwingnuttery, well then, by definition, it’s “hate.”
The Klein passage as described is vile, smells of libel, and completely unnecessary to portraying or comprehending the Clintons.
But somehow, it’s a bitter fruit of talk radio. It is to laff.
Cordially…
docG
I do recall Limbaugh frequently discussing Bill Clinton’s involvement in “murdering” Vince Foster. Maybe the drugs have worn off by now and wild, irresponsible statements no longer are launched from the Golden Microphone. Not sure, as I quit listening to Rush a couple of years ago as more responsible voices from the right wing became available.
Christie S.
The Klein passage as described is vile, smells of libel, and completely unnecessary to portraying or comprehending the Clintons.
I agree with you on this one, Rick. It is simply vile.
I had this same reaction to the the equally vile attack at Sen. Santorum when Mrs. Santorum lost their child to premature birth and their family mourned and waked the child privately at their home before burial.
I can’t stand the political position of Rick Santorum, but that story just broke my admittedly maternal heart. Some things should just be left alone for the sake of common decency.
Rick
What’s up, Doc? I mean, what’s up with your recall.
Google Limbaugh Vince Foster, and you see the “left wing wurlitzer’ (gad, what an ungainly phrase. I promise not to borrow it again) all cranked up over one incident involving a fax.
Quite hyperventilated, FAIR & Brock are. But one passing moment involving what might be a forbear of the Killian “memo,” and it becomes in Kos-mic history “recall” of “frequently discussing.”
Yeah, I was on hold for *hours* back then, hoping to run my theory past my Master.
Cordially…
Geoduck
Surprisingly enough, the publisher is not Regnery.
I saw a comment on another blog saying that Penguin (the publisher of this new book) has started up a Regnery-like division in an attempt to cash in on the Clinton-haters.
Rick
If by Clinton hater, you mean more generic right-wingers, then Penguin is just targeting a market niche. About one half of the country.
Cordially…
neil
I don’t think one half of the country believes that Clinton raped his wife. Is that what we voted on last November? Was I not paying attention?
JPS
Disgusting. Klein is either sick or vicious, or some combination of the two.
I yield to no one in disapproving of the Clintons, but I don’t have to invent reasons to do so.
Richard Bottoms:
“I look forward to Bill Clinton kicking this guy squarely in the nuts for this insult. Hillary will probably want to slice the author up a little more slowly.”
Nicely put! I’ll second that.
Cullen
Apparently half the country voted for _________ (fill in the blank with the right wing issue de jour).
Rick
I don’t believe 1/2 of 1% of the country believe’s Clinton so abused Hillary.
If I can speak for right-wingers, our joke is that she smacks him around, not the reverse.
Just loved that report though: to the effect that a comment on a blog=Penguin launching the Volkische Beobachter.
Cordially…
Jim Ignatowski
If by Clinton hater, you mean more generic right-wingers, then Penguin is just targeting a market niche. About one half of the country.
George Bush’s approval rating last week was 48%.
Bill Clinton’s approval rating on the day of his impeachment was 68%.
Half the nation doesn’t hate the Clintons – it’s closer to 33%.
Rick
It’s more like 5%.
Cordially…
HH
Taking one’s wife to a sex club isn’t illegal either, but last I checked Jack Ryan didn’t make it to the end of that race.
Two more words for you: Kitty Kelley. And just a couple more: Larry Flynt. Where were the Atriettes on these charges again?
Kimmitt
Two more words for you: Kitty Kelley. And just a couple more: Larry Flynt. Where were the Atriettes on these charges again?
Highly amused at the hypocrisy of some sanctimonious prick trying to tell us how to lead our lives while attempting to browbeat his wife into going to sex clubs with him?
Keep in mind — Ryan dropped out of the race due to the allegations, because his own Party forced him out. We had nothing to do with that little shindig.
HH
Yes, Oliver Willis and co. weren’t pushing that issue at all… just like they had no interest in the sludge pushed by Kelley and Flynt, right?
Kimmitt
Flynt’s stuff tends to be pretty well-supported, weirdly enough, just purile.
Trust me — the Republican Party of Illinois doesn’t read Oliver Willis. We didn’t cause your candidate’s flaming hypocrisy to become news.
Rick
Highly amused at the hypocrisy of some sanctimonious prick trying to tell us how to lead our lives…
Kimmitt,
What kind of things did he say? Seriously, never followed that far-off race.
Cordially…
Kimmitt
Highly amused at the hypocrisy of some sanctimonious prick trying to tell us how to lead our lives…
Just the usual stuff — who to date, who to sleep with, what kind of birth control to use, what God to send our tax money to.
HH
This is about the difference between bloggers of the left and right, not a debate on who made Ryan drop out.
Flynt’s abortion allegations were thinly-sourced (or not at all sourced), that’s why he didn’t resurrect them too strongly last year.
HH
Case in point