Not trying to pick a fight, but it bothers me when people say this. I once heard her say in an interview, in response to why she stayed with him, something like, "Because our relationship goes so much deeper than that. He's my best friend, the other half of me, my partner in everything, the only person who knows me completely and vice versa." She wasn't as trite as that, but it was something to that effect. And that's always been perfectly understandable to me. Full-blown affairs (much less blowjobs) are often forgiven. Even both of them having the drive to be president, if you want to reduce it to politics, hints at how compatible they are, personality-wise, world-view-wise, goal-wise. That people impugn her motives for forgiving him seems at best naive and at worst downright sexist.
I don't take offense, but I do want to respond. Without getting too personal, a full-blown affair has/had affected me (though it didn't involve me directly [I wasn't a participant], it did involve some very close family members, if you really, really want me to clarify, I can, I'm not embarrassed I'd just prefer not to). Coincidentally or not, the affair was discovered and the repercussions were felt around the time the Clinton scandle was being publicized. Now, I was only speaking for myself. I'm sure many people forgive full-blown affairs (or blowjobs), but I (at this point in my life) don't know if I could. I understand that fully qualifies as bias, but:
and personally I know a lot of people who dislike her character because of how she handled her husband during- and post- scandle to further her political career.
I doubt the public shares my perspective (especially because what happened to me was a somewhat unusual circumstance), but I was speaking only for myself, and those close to me who's opinions I am sure of. I don't think she is detestable or a bad person. I respect her choices, I just don't necessarily agree with them. Just as I respect your opinion - I mean, I do understand what you mean.
Basically I have a problem with it on a base level. Without going too far into psychoanalysis of myself, I'll move on.
As far as pure politics, she's using Bill like a walking billboard (pun a little bit intended). Bill isn't running for president again. I do understand its his choice, and I completely understand and applaud her for using the resources available to drive her campaign home (Bill didn't have an ex-president for a wife). I think its a great use of resources on her part and I'd do the same in her circumstance. However, my contention is with what I don't see: publicly, a lot of love, affection, etc. that would give any evidence to your example. This probably is just my level of political exposure (I do care about what goes on, but I'm not a political science major and I usually just read articles, I don't watch a ton of news or videos, just a few - maybe one or two a day). I sure don't want to see them making out (*shudders*), but I don't see much love. Definitely mutual respect, but not a lot of love, which I equate to what Clinton is trying to express in your quote. That compounds the issue, because a large portion of the campaign (too large, I think, almost as important as the issues if not as) is about public image, and it looks to me like she's using him.
However, I can't speak about them and how they interact away from publicity. They could have a great marriage, they could hate each other as far as I know. Personally, I don't really care.
However, I disagree that it is sexist (at least in my circumstance). I don't care what gender Clinton is, its what she did, and what she shows that bothers me (as I hopefully explained well enough above). If a guy did it, I wouldn't respect him any more or any less. I disagree with it in principle, not as a personal affront. I don't think there are any sexist motives involved in that at all.
Could you give an example?
I know this was a damn lot to read through, so if you need clarification just say so. I'm really not trying to be argumentative, just show you where I'm coming from (and hopefully I'm not coming off as an egomaniacal asshole
).
@LBRH: Do you guys get a vote in the election? I'm not trying to be sarcastic, I really don't know. Do territories get a vote? EDIT: I know you don't get an electoral college vote, I was wondering if your popular vote is even tabulated. For the purposes of statistics. My apologies, it just sounds like a dumb question now....
