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.
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