There's been this Hillary Clinton story running quietly under the radar for a few weeks, and I had really hoped not to report on it - because it's from 1975, and it's bad enough that we are going to have to re-litigate the Entire Nineties between now and the Big Dance in 2016.
I respect Ezra Klein, and what he is doing over at Vox. He'd baited a good hook in June for this story, I'm thinking Ezra makes fly-fishing sparklers for a hobby … but Hillary didn't bite until the 4th of July. The Vox article is here, and the rather damning audio that you might be hearing Over and Over and Over for a while.
Morning Schmoe poured some kerosene and tried to strike a match.
The Twitterz got slimed:
.@FreeBeacon @MarkHalperin “The prosecutor called me a few years ago...Would I do it as a favor for him?” --HRC
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) July 8, 2014
Even if you are Hillary's Biggest Fan and think she can do no wrong, it is cringe-worthy audio, there's no way around it. She was young, had no idea she was anywhere near a hot mic, and was recorder laughing about a rapist's lie detector test. That can't be made pretty.
But it can be deescalated. But it should be stopped in its tracks as the Next Great Hope for 1600 Pennsylvania Ever Agin' of the GOP, with New Tea and Koch backing.
Limpbaugh, Hannity, Rove, Dick Morris … they all lie in wait. To trash, burn and pretty much annihilate former FLOTUS/Senator/Presidential Candidate/Secretary Hillary long before she even announces a 2016 run. [They think they have a Bush in their hands, right? Like a pathetic ace up their Old White Imperialist Koched Up sleeves. Balderdash.]
Morning Mika and Schmoe pounced on the opportunity for some Clinton Bashing. And a Hate Radio voice was right there to harmonize, an " @SteveMTalk " … a look at his Tweeter feed and Breitbart loyalties would indicate that this is Right Wing Nut Job with Schmoe's ear.
Ezra's interview, above, in the live opening hour was kind of Enh. Young Sam Stein didn't ever get terribly exorcised. I'm just about to relax and maybe have a cup of Earl Grey if the hubs would take my text … and damned if Joe doesn't pop back up and Halperin is Tweeting ...
… and Oh My GOD There's A New Clinton Hysteria Moment. Mika had a fifth of vodka at hand, that went flying onto the fire within seconds.
There's a little bit of [honestly: regrettable and unfortunate for all] audio from Arkansas in 1975, you see, where then public defender Clinton was trying to get a child rapist off at trial - a case she has repeatedly said she was obligated to do.
However. A NY Times take on the matter included the detail that Clinton allegedly 'took the case as a favor' from someone at that time, because the client had requested a female attorney. That was brought up as some kind of condemnation when Schmoe and Mika brought the story back to the front of the line after the 8:30 schmutz.
Ezra Klein had misspoken, the girl was 12 rather than 15 … the young woman who had so tragically been raped by the man Clinton was assigned to defend as a public, Legal Aid type of attorney she was in 1975. In her Twenties. Which she reiterated on July 4th, catch the somewhat stilted response in the messnbc video, above.
"Well, now," bloviated Joe, "That completely changes the Conversation", his eyes light up, Mika's eyes are already burning with that odd Clinton Derangement à La Mika only she seems to possess, and Mark Halperin clearly has a woody under that table and has already Tweeted his self-ordained truth on the topic.
MSNBC finally covering the #HillaryTapes http://t.co/4Jv3MQJK3J @JoeNBC @ezraklein FTR the victim was 12 yrs old, not 15.
— Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) July 8, 2014
Don't let them have this one, fellow liberals. Because if Morning Joe is selling it, Fvx Nation will be buying it by prime time and then Fireworks and Finale on getting the 1975 story to stick to Hillary this early.
Pink-Hoodie Joe even used his 'What did we learn today?' pithy moment to bring the headline back - he's going to be running with this one, folks. And Mika already has a Loaded-for-Hillary shotgun.
The woman's book tour has had its share of in artful moments, and this may be filed as one of those awkward Hillary shudder numbers.
But if we allow Joe Scarborough and Mark Halperin to Change This Conversation - we should turn in our Atheist Pinko Commie Kenyan Soshulist Heathen Cards.
Our friend Mel Neuhaus, @acehanna54 had the perfect artwork for this gaggle, huge thanks for sharing, Mel.