Back up Donald back up

Perhaps you've already heard what Hillary Clinton says, in her forthcoming book, "What Happened", about Donald Trump literally breathing down her neck during their second Presidential debate. "This is not okay, I thought. . . Two days before, the world heard him brag about groping women. Now we were on a small stage and no matter where I walked, he followed me closely, staring at me, making faces. My skin crawled."

She goes on to ask her readers, "'Well, what would you do?’ Do you stay calm, keep smiling and carry on as if he weren’t repeatedly invading your space? Or do you turn, look him in the eye and say loudly and clearly, ‘Back up, you creep. Get away from me. I know you love to intimidate women, but you can’t intimidate me, so back up.'"

But he did intimidate her. She didn't confront him. She didn't say "back up." What was she afraid of? This was being witnessed by millions. Not even the odious bully Donald Trump could have physically attacked her on such a stage. It was a safe space, as they say.

And yet she was intimidated. I think history would be different if she had surmounted her fear, and, yes,  conditioning, and had simply said, for all to hear and remember: "Back up Donald. Stop breathing down my neck."

She had been a First Lady, a Secretary of State, and, two times, a presidential candidate. She had witnessed and authorized violence. But when it came to the few words that might have worked, she lacked the personal courage.

If I'm supposed to empathize with her I can't manage it. I think less of her than I had before. Her lack of courage confirms everything I have always disliked about her.

I find it disgusting that she asks her readership to cover for her. But such is Hillary Rodham Clinton.