April 26, 2008
Posted: 07:00 PM ET

From
Sen. Clinton wielded some sports metaphors--and a bat--at a campaign event in Indiana Saturday.
Sen. Clinton wielded some sports metaphors–and a bat–at a campaign event in Indiana Saturday.

(CNN) – When it comes to presidential politics, the bulk of the sports metaphors come from boxing – one candidate jabs the other, another is against the ropes. Watching an ad for an upcoming presidential debate can leave the viewer wondering whether it’s going to be on pay-per-view.

Over a year into the election cycle, the expressions are stale and Hillary Clinton must have gotten the memo because in recent weeks she has ventured beyond the ring and onto the field.

“I will be the best quarterback I can be for our country,” Clinton told guests at an April Democratic dinner in Pittsburgh where she received a Steelers’ jersey and a Terrible Towel. “We’re going to start calling some good plays. We’re going to go on offense as well as playing defense.”

Barack Obama may be the real athlete in the race, but standing on a platform over the South Bend Silverhawks’ home plate at a rally Saturday, Clinton couldn’t resist becoming a two-sport candidate.

“We’re going to hit some of those balls out of this stadium and out of our country stadium,” she announced, wielding a bat. “We’re going to round the bases, we’re going to score a lot of runs and we’re going to feel really good about the home team, namely the American team, the team we’re all a part of!”

The Terrible Towel is clearly part the team - “I will wave it as we go across that goal line for a better America in January 2009,” Clinton told the diners in Pittsburgh.

Filed under: Hillary Clinton


AF   April 26th, 2008 9:30 pm ET

Give me a break!!!!!!!

Kim in Pa   April 26th, 2008 9:30 pm ET

Pathetic.

honkey white guy from cali   April 26th, 2008 9:31 pm ET

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Is really news? I mean come on!

Go Obama 08 Yes We Can

Josh, NC Latino voter   April 26th, 2008 9:31 pm ET

YOU GO HILLARY!!! WE KNOW YOU'LL TRULY FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY AND MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE! Obama is a crybaby wuss who can't handle the heat in the kitchen.

You've got my vote and other people I know as well, Hillary!

Best wishes!

carl   April 26th, 2008 9:32 pm ET

tackle monica l. first

Bridgette   April 26th, 2008 9:32 pm ET

This person was suppose to be inevitable.

Bubba   April 26th, 2008 9:32 pm ET

When did Hillary have her last mental evaluation?

Beverly   April 26th, 2008 9:34 pm ET

The only sport Senator Clinton is good at is dirty pool.

Impartial Jury   April 26th, 2008 9:37 pm ET

She's so fake. I bet you she hasn't put on a pair of shorts in over 20 years. Thanks for the sports cliches Sen. Clinton, I'm sure that will help gas my car and keep the kids fed.

Defining moment   April 26th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

Pandering to its finest. Give it up HRC you are such a phoney!

US Sailor   April 26th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

Those are not sport metaphors, those statements were awkward and weird.

Tony, Miami   April 26th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

childish

dlr   April 26th, 2008 10:09 pm ET

She should not have been given the Steelers Terrible Towel and she really doesn't understand the concept of competition or the game of football….

It doesn't matter how much yardage you pick up during the game (i.e. popular vote), it's all based upon the number of points (i.e. number of delegates won) you put up on the score board. You can't go into the game and then change the rules and think that you're victorious….

She no better than George Bush……make up their own rules to fit their needs….not the peoples needs……their needs…..

She really needs to move one….Blanket over the Middle East, keeps our troops in harms way…….listen to what she said in the debate….

Ratgurl   April 26th, 2008 10:09 pm ET

She should stick to dirty campaigning. These quotes make her sound ridiculous!

Angelika   April 26th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

She does not sound like a Woman running for President.She sounds ridiculous beeng that she is 60 +

Eva, VA   April 26th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

Pathetic!

Pat Va   April 26th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

You, Hillary supporters, must just love it when she talks DOWN to you as if you weren't any smarter than fifth-graders.

I'm beginning to wonder…are you???

Hillary the LIAR   April 26th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Hillary, a quarterback?

BWAAAHAAAHAHAHAHHA

This ego broad has no leadership skills, but she will look you in the eye and LIE to your face. Go home pantsuit.

chad   April 26th, 2008 10:15 pm ET

why did this get written, and why did I just wast 2 minutes reading it. I'm going to bed now.

Brian   April 26th, 2008 10:15 pm ET

If the presidency is like playing QB then I'm voting for Archie Manning!

Augustina   April 26th, 2008 10:15 pm ET

Hillary Clinton is a fake.

Rom, NY   April 26th, 2008 10:15 pm ET

Gimme a break !!!
u are done Hill, g home and, lets the DNC focus on McBush

Go Indiana   April 26th, 2008 10:15 pm ET

oh plaaaaaaeeeese!

mt   April 26th, 2008 10:16 pm ET

Hillary is beginning to sound and act like Spongebob. Sign of desperation.. If she's that smart like the media depicts her to be, what makes her think, mathetically, that she's going to win. Unless she steals the nomination, she and Bill are very good at that, that would be the only way for her to win. I am Republican and have alot of family in Indiana that are also Republicans. Our family are thinking of voting for OBAMA in the primary just to get rid of Hillary. Governor Richardson of NM is right when he said that the Clintons think they are entitled to the WH.

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   April 26th, 2008 10:16 pm ET

I am thrilled that Hillary is trying hard to be the party's Tanya Harding.

Adam; Phila, PA   April 26th, 2008 10:17 pm ET

Everyone is going to rag on her. This is politics and you mold your speeches to your audience. If you can't stand the game, no pun intended, don't watch.

tar   April 26th, 2008 10:18 pm ET

Sen. Clinton can not consider herself a sportsman, because she does not have any sportsmanship. The only sport she can truly identify with would be mud wrestling.

Faith - Mobile   April 26th, 2008 10:18 pm ET

WOW!!!!! See, this is the CRAP Barack was talking about earlier.

AF: I could agree with you more.

Renee   April 26th, 2008 10:19 pm ET

Hillary, will be going around running lies like a quarter back running and waving her lies around towns offering such much and knowing that she will be unable to deliver all of what she is saying to the American people.

CARMEN   April 26th, 2008 10:19 pm ET

GO HILLARY!!!!!!!

s.positive   April 26th, 2008 10:20 pm ET

NO FREE ADVERTISMENT HRC…

Tony   April 26th, 2008 10:21 pm ET

For the love of God, please make it stop…

Alice   April 26th, 2008 10:22 pm ET

will someone please put that woman in the penalty box until the game is over

Mike, Seattle   April 26th, 2008 10:22 pm ET

What part of "over" doesn't she get?

Hillary   April 26th, 2008 10:25 pm ET

Yea, she forgot to say she will try steal "home base" too

bill in pa   April 26th, 2008 10:25 pm ET

Instead of sports metaphors she needs to explain the Peter F Paul lawsuit and the 1.6 million in campaign contributions he made illegally to her senate campaign.

Obama_Zombie   April 26th, 2008 10:25 pm ET

Hilarious Rotten Clinton……………………..

Got Lies????

Jane, NC   April 26th, 2008 10:30 pm ET

Senator Clinton understands the qualities that are most important in a president. It's really not a willingess to play basketball. It's her superior approach to the issues, such as a her health care plan, the only universal plan out there.

Chuck in Alabama   April 26th, 2008 10:30 pm ET

Well, she does have more "balls" than her rival.

Barbara - 65 yr old white female in NC   April 26th, 2008 10:32 pm ET

She's PMS - want her near that button? I certainly don't.

Her husband gave away or sold our jobsfor political favors, what will she do?

Theresa   April 26th, 2008 10:34 pm ET

Oh my GAWD… She really is something else! Can she ever just be who she is rather than trying to morph into who she believes the voters in the state are and want her to be?

Is she capable of honesty and sincerity???

Vivienne   April 26th, 2008 10:38 pm ET

She's warfing into a shot dranking, beer sippin', gun toting, cowboy.

mimi de la cruz for OBAMA   April 26th, 2008 10:39 pm ET

OH! WHAT HAPPEN TO THE SOLDIERING CAREER ?

NOW IT'S QUARTERBACKING. COOL.

THIS PRETENDING THING MIGHT LAND HRC IN A HOSPITAL.

PLAY BALL   April 26th, 2008 10:45 pm ET

DON'T SHE SOUND STUPID? I GUESS SHE SAW OBAMA WIN A BASKET BALL GAME AND SHE IS TRYING TO BE SPORTY…

SC for Hillary   April 26th, 2008 10:45 pm ET

She sound just like a Candidate who can beat a wimp, and that wimp is Obama, who is soft, and an empty suit with no substance and afraid to debate Hillary, He is Ducking a debate with Hillary because he does not have a clue. He is bought and paid for.

PCS / North Carolina   April 26th, 2008 10:46 pm ET

“I will be the best quarterback I can be for our country,” Clinton told guests

We need a President not a quarterback.

Spirit of America   April 26th, 2008 10:47 pm ET

The primary game is in extra innings. Hillary arrived on the field ready to debate and play. Barack was a no-show. Game forfeited. Obama loses.

Sandra   April 26th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

She is a chameleon - she takes on the accents, hobbies, and interests of those around her to make her look less like a multi-millionnaire and more like everyone else. This could have been a good quality in a President, but because of her lying and falsehoods, she cannot be trusted to be genuine.

TOM WITTMANN   April 26th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

How ridicule she is willing to get, before disappearing ??

TOM

Mauri   April 26th, 2008 11:06 pm ET

Hats off to Hillary for showing off her extensive knowledge in subjects that really matter the most. Why else could anyone imagine the reasons large numbers of the 30 and above males are flocking to her side and voting for her??? One never knows where those votes might come from, so go at it, Hillary, and WIN ONE FOR THE ALL-AMERICAN HEROES!

Alan Boyer   April 26th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

whatever. Clinton sounds so corny trying to be current. The only bases Hillary will be running will be around the retirement home sandlot when her farewell tour is over on June 3 or whenever she catches a clue that she can't beat Obama.

Patie   April 26th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

Sounds like she has been watching some old movies where the Gipper is giving his team the old rah rah. Maybe she will show up in one of those old leather football helmets with the ear flaps or a pair of checked knickers. Good grief. The Clintons need to go away and be very quiet.

Allen   April 26th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

Does this woman have no shame?

John Lear, Burlington, IA   April 26th, 2008 11:12 pm ET

Regarding Lincoln-Douglas debate, I suppose the shrieking witch thinks she's Lincoln. Just please go away and , don't come back. You would make a terrible president, worse than the one we've got. I used to admire Bill, but not anymore, no wonder he had an affair, with your looks and voice.

Aidan   April 26th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

Um, hello, you cannot score without picking up yards unless you've founded some new game. This contest is more like Obama winning on field goals (least populated places) even though Clinton got the most touchdowns (big states).

~Y from RI   April 26th, 2008 11:17 pm ET

Oooookay. Hard to take seriously here, and quite frankly at all. Myron Cope would have relished in smacking her down with one of his "O"riginals.

georgia   April 26th, 2008 11:17 pm ET

She is ridiculous but thinks we're to stupid to see it. Bill has been so abusive (yes abusve!) to her that she's unable to recognize honest ,moral behavior. May I suggest a support grp. for spouses of sex addicts rather than spewing this displaced anger on the Democratic party. We may be able to salvage it or would you rather have it's destruction as your legacy . You can't even fix your marrige .It appears that all the two of you have to talk about is what bigger deceit to come up with.

Justin, New Hampshire   April 26th, 2008 11:18 pm ET

Did the senator from Illinois make the senator from New York feel a little insecure for actually doing what Hoosiers like? I don't know if its Hillary that I fear or her voting base.

Hill's girl   April 26th, 2008 11:18 pm ET

You are always yapping and not saying anything worth listening too…. JUST LIKE OBAMA.

Anonymous   April 26th, 2008 11:24 pm ET

Hillary Clinton is the biggest racist I have seen to date.Without raising the race directly she is promoting divisions among Americans for short term political purpose.Here in Australia we don't buy that.We know Obama would be the spark the world needed in these volatile times.

Michael Maddox   April 26th, 2008 11:24 pm ET

Biggest Fairy Tale you've ever seen AF? lol I swear Hilary's pathetic

Geri   April 26th, 2008 11:24 pm ET

Do you Obama supporters ever stop being nasty??? Every blog about Clinton brings it out and every blog about Obama brings out the nastiness in you people. Can't you be civil for a change? Course you have to tear her up because she says too much about Obama that is true.

OBARO ODIETE   April 26th, 2008 11:26 pm ET

i am feeling sleepy, anyone else feeling the same? pls lets all go to bed until all this joke is over!!!!

Sean   April 26th, 2008 11:26 pm ET

"Country stadium"? That even sounds stupid. Guess her speech writers haven't gotten paid lately…

Dangelo   April 26th, 2008 11:27 pm ET

I am tired of he trying to be cool…I will never vote for her

D

Mildred   April 26th, 2008 11:27 pm ET

Here we go again. Next she will be playing Polo and done fell off the horse and said Obama pushed her off.

Roszile   April 26th, 2008 11:27 pm ET

ok NFL fans, Hillary wants to be your teams quarterback for the coming season. Ouch ! You have a couple of choices:
(a) trade here to the European league at any cost
(b) bench her and recruit Ryan Leaf out of retirement
or
(c) drink a few cases of beer with your buddies, put some crowbars and some old tied-up sheets to make an escape ladder into the back of your old pickup truck then high-tail it down to Kansas and break Michael Vick out of Leavenworth Federal Pen.

Nikos   April 26th, 2008 11:27 pm ET

Hillary is the biggest Racist that is around now.She is indirectly pouring fuel to create divisions among the Racial lines.Here in Australia we know what she stands for.Nothing.I hope the Lord would put her out of her misery soon.Obama is the spark the world needed in these volatile times.

jenny from Idaho   April 26th, 2008 11:29 pm ET

I'm really really tired of her, I hope and pray that she looses Indiana and NC so she will just go away. Are voters really buying into this bull?

Jean   April 26th, 2008 11:30 pm ET

She will say anything just trying to please. That is a disease.

Mark- Hoboken   April 26th, 2008 11:30 pm ET

Can someone tell this pathetic woman that her desperate attempts to be relevant are failing her more every day. Can't wait to her fade into obscure irrelevance.

A couple other points to note (for her out of touch staffers):
No one uses the verb "to xerox" anymore, not since 1984
No one says the term "toe to toe" anymore, went out with the 50s.
no wonder only the elderly follow her

Amy OFlaherty Reno, NV   April 26th, 2008 11:30 pm ET

Obama's not "ducking a debate." There have been 21 debates!!!!! What more do you need to know about how the 2 converse together. Get over it!!

Shirley   April 26th, 2008 11:37 pm ET

Hillary must be addressing sports fans. First she was Rocky now I am not sure what she is, well she is a dirty fighter. I want to know if Hillary really said what was quoted from her speech on Jan. 10, 2008 in the North Carolina Republican "I will not remove troops from Iraq".
If Hillary did say this, than she has been lying not only about insignificant Bosnia issues, but about the very keystone of her campaign.

northphily05   April 26th, 2008 11:38 pm ET

She is such a grandizing opportunist, if she wins the primary I am voting for McCain. She will not win Pa. in the general.

Franky   April 26th, 2008 11:39 pm ET

Hit home runs???? Be the quarterback??? Hmmm, I wonder what makes sense, the fact that she's MANY games behind the standings or the fact that she didn't took the first half seriously??? Sounds to me she has more in common with the Knicks than anything else…

Evan   April 26th, 2008 11:39 pm ET

Your sports metaphors are about as good as your BOWLING

THEY STINK!

mariam gul   April 26th, 2008 11:39 pm ET

hi hillary, it is time for you to retire because you are already 60. give the younger generation a break. we have choosen obama our next president. back off with your old old mentality and your husbands dreams. your time is expire.be a good house wife to bill.

Larry in TX   April 26th, 2008 11:42 pm ET

OK, Hillary, wave the towel and then throw it in.

canuck   April 26th, 2008 11:43 pm ET

So she's the quarterback for the STEELERS now ?!?!

SCHIZO!

jason   April 26th, 2008 11:49 pm ET

Hillary needs to go back to New York. The only reason why she wants another debate is to trap Obama into counting Flordia and Michigan. Back in September Hillary agreed that if they broke the rules then there votes are not going to count and now she wants them to count. Obama just need to do what he is doing and not have a silly debate with her. They both agree on the same thing so what are they going to talk about for 90 minutes?

christi   April 26th, 2008 11:52 pm ET

she's a beer drinker, a gun toter, a quarterback, a ball-player…what's next a monster-truck-driver?

tiffany jackson   April 26th, 2008 11:54 pm ET

Is there no end. I mean, at first I was amused- but now this is borderline torture. Like Colbert said, I can't wait to find out where she grew up in Indiana.LOL

DEBATE !!!   April 26th, 2008 11:54 pm ET

Obama Quit Making Cowardly Excuses !!! . If You're Scared , Just Say It !! . You're Coming Off As A Spineless Coward . Debates Are As Much A Part Of Campaigning As Giving Stump Speeches In Each State .

That's Like Saying I've Allready Gave Over 21 Stump Speeches In Pennsylvania . I'm Not Going To Do Any More In Indiana . Or North Carolina . You're Cowardly Excuses Are Just Plain Lies , You Are Afraid To Debate Sen. Clinton . You And Your Campaign Have Spent More Time , Energy , and Money trying To Duck Out Of This Debate , Then it Would Take To Do It !!! .

Hillary 08″

Jim   April 26th, 2008 11:55 pm ET

Hill's girl:

you post on a thread about Hillary's bad sports metaphors and you don't even bring any?

Talk about YAPPING, yourself.

How's Hillary gonna turn the tide when she won a measly 12 more delegates in PA, her supposed "convincing win," and the last somewhat meaningful win she'll score in her political life, when she trails by 135 with only 400 more to divvy up and about only 5 minutes left in the final period?

Do you know what GARBAGE TIME is in basketball? That's what we are in right now in this nomination. Hillary is just a clueless loser who is still talking trash even though the scoreboard and the game clock don't lie.

CeCe   April 27th, 2008 12:04 am ET

She is still the best candicate! go Hill!!

Paula Smith   April 27th, 2008 12:09 am ET

This woman is shameless in her dogged attempts to nip at Obama's heels. She is throwing gutter balls with all her sports talk, and the American public needs to wise up and see that Obama is the only candidate that has any integrity in this race.

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