POLITICS

'New York' Mag Crowns Hillary Clinton Winner By Losing

 

TALK ABOUT DOUBLESPEAK. The cover story of the June 23rd issue of New York mag hails Hillary Clinton as the "patron saint of low-brow sinners." A historic, iconic feminist hero who ''won'' by losing. That's a load of crap, sold as cheap salve to those still tending fresh wounds. But losing is not the same as being a 'loser,'' as Hillary proved, if not so much to herself, then at least to her millions of supporters.

Now with Barack Obama flip-flopping on public financing of the general election, and with John McCain raising the specter of new nuclear power plants and offshore drilling, Crabby is adrift without a candidate. But as Scarlett O'Hara used to say, "I'll think about that tomorrow."

The mag's premature postmortem on Clinton's presidential ambitions pointedly suggests that husband Bill is guilty of (perhaps subconsciously?) tripping up his wife's campaign. It also paints Hillary as a better pol in loss, tough as nails to the end, and lacking in any self-pity. A woman with less faith would be feeling forsaken.

Author Thomas Mallon writes: "She isn’t a phony,” went the best explanation of Holly Golightly, “because she’s a real phony.” And now, thank goodness, so is that other transplant to New York, Hillary Clinton —- an authentic politician at last."

Here's hoping she allows herself a good cry, and then fights her way back to the field next time. In the meantime, this sinner will be praying for us and her.