Hillary Clinton: pneumonia no big deal

This is just so idiotic:

Hillary Clinton on Monday said that her campaign did not disclose her pneumonia diagnosis right away on Friday because she did not "think it was going to be that big of deal."

"It’s just the kind of thing that if it happens to you, and you’re a busy, active person, you keep moving forward," she told CNN's Anderson Cooper in a phone interview.

Cooper then pressed Clinton, "But doesn’t your handling of this, and your campaign’s refusal to acknowledge what happened until really after that video was circulated confirm the suspicion to some voters that you’re not transparent or trustworthy?"

"Oh my goodness, Anderson," Clinton replied. "Compare everything you know about me with my opponent. I think it's time he met the same level of disclosure that I have for years."

Is she trying to lose the election? This is what's so infuriating about Democrats in general and the Clintons in particular. How could they be this clueless?

Republicans have been spreading wild conspiracy stories about Hillary Clinton's health (which just demonstrates how little they have to work with in this election, don't you think?). Maybe that's why she didn't announce the pneumonia diagnosis immediately, I don't know. But it's exactly why she should have done so.

Well, she should have done it anyway. Being sick isn't a personal failing. It might even give you some sympathy. Certainly, it wouldn't lead to the impression - which is already widespread - that you're keeping secrets for a reason.

Anderson Cooper put it very well. Many voters think that Clinton isn't transparent or trustworthy. That's exactly why it's critical for her to be open. This would not have been a big deal if she'd been open about it. Now it is, precisely because she mishandled it. Her instinct seems to be to hide stuff, which is terrible for any politician, but especially for her.

Sure, I can compare anything about her and Donald Trump and see that Hillary Clinton is the only sane choice for president. But that's not an excuse for stupidity like this. It's maddening. It's infuriating. It's... how Democrats are, typically.

Oh, not all Democrats are so secretive, but they tend to be ineffectual, clueless about politics, and downright infuriating. If their opponents weren't idiotic, bigoted, faith-based lunatics, I'd have to wonder if I wanted to vote for them. As it is, there's no question about that. But I really hate having to grit my teeth when I do so.

I think Hillary Clinton will make a good president, but... Jesus Fucking Christ, what was she thinking?

There's more. Clinton has made the news recently with her "basket of deplorables" remark. She was right. Not every Trump supporter is "racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic, you name it," but those kinds of people are wild about Trump.

Whether it's "half" of his supporters or not, there are plenty of them, and she needs to keep hammering away on that point. Remember that Trump supporters put themselves in that basket. If you don't like it, do what the rest of us do. Get out of that damned basket you share with racists! Stop supporting the guy who deliberately woos such people.

It's your choice, after all. It's not your fault that other people are racist, but it is your fault when you willingly get in bed with them.

I thought it was great that Clinton spoke boldly about this. It was hard-hitting, like the speech she gave a few weeks ago. But then what? The Trump campaign complained about it (as they would have complained about anything she said), and the headlines the next day announced her "regret."

What in the hell is wrong with Democrats? Of course Republicans are going to complain about what you say. But when you're right, you're right. And it makes you seem weak when you apologize. Against Donald Trump in particular, that's a huge mistake. For chrissake, you're supposed to be a politician. Why can't you see that?

Now, true, she didn't back off entirely. Indeed, she only said that she regretted saying "half." But no one pays any attention to the details, and she should have known that they wouldn't. The headlines just say that she expressed "regret." And that's what people will remember.

How can Democrats be that clueless about politics? How can they be that clueless about the media? And in this particular election, how can they be that clueless about Donald Trump? Trump's whole campaign is about dominance, about strength, about what a 'winner' he is claims to be. When you back down to Trump - even when you just give the appearance of backing down - he wins. How can you not understand that by now?

This is just so infuriating! It's not just Hillary Clinton, either. It's what I've come to expect from Democrats in general. Occasionally, a Democrat will attack. But then she'll inevitably walk it back. (Well, not Elizabeth Warren, maybe. That's one of the reasons I like her.)

Hillary Clinton needs to use Donald Trump as a punching bag. She needs to attack and keep on attacking. He certainly gives her enough material, doesn't he? You don't lower yourself to his level, but you don't stop punching and you sure as hell don't back down.

And while she's doing that, she needs to be open and above-board about everything. Everything! Bore us with how much you tell us. That won't stop Republicans from attacking you, but they're going to attack you anyway. Nothing is going to stop them from attacking you, and nothing you say is going to make diehard Republicans like you.

Democrats are frustrating as hell, they really are. But they're not actively evil, which puts them a long way above Republicans in my book.

November's election, in particular, is going to be an IQ test. Luckily, it's pass/fail. If you don't vote for Hillary Clinton - if you do anything else but vote for Hillary Clinton - you fail.