We'll resist the temptation to make fun of Sen. Hillary Clinton for her recent grand exaggeration. Instead, this is a good time to discuss her judgment.
Here's a brief rundown of events for those who missed the news stories.
Clinton is campaigning to represent Democrats in the presidential election. Her opponent is fellow Sen. Barack Obama. One of Clinton's tactics is to emphasize her experience in the White House, claiming it makes her better prepared to be president.
Indeed, as first lady to Bill Clinton, Hillary represented the White House on various trips, both in the United States and internationally. As an example of that experience, last week she talked about a dramatic arrival at Tuzla Air Base, Bosnia-Herzegovina, in March 1996.
"I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base," she said.
Sounds exciting, except it is not true. CBS video, still photographs and news stories from the trip show Clinton strolling about on the tarmac, kissing a child and visiting with dignitaries. There was no sniper fire and no running to vehicles.
This week Clinton called her comments a "misstatement" and a "minor blip." Her defense does little to explain her outright fabrications. Critics say it is another lie from another Clinton. But we'll offer it as an example of Clinton's bad judgment.
The press closely follows presidential candidates, pouncing at the slightest slip. News organizations and political opposition have fact-checkers standing by verify everything candidates say. That goes for Obama and likely Republican nominee Sen. John McCain. It goes double with Clinton because she and her husband have a reputation of treating truth as an inconvenience.
It is foolish for her to stray from reality while living under this microscope. But she did, which means she will do it again. If elected president, she likely will mislead the public on important issues. She could not be trusted in critical meetings with foreign powers. Who knows what might pop out of her mouth?
This zebra can't change her stripes. Democrats should send her home, where she can save her wild tales for the campfire.
-- Tom Bell
Editor & Publisher
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