Hillary Is "A Tortured Person"

Columnist Sally Quinn: Clinton Doesn't Know Who She Really Is Or What She Wants

(CBS)  In the wake of Hillary Clinton's decision to end her long, historic campaign for the presidency and throw her support behind now presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama, speculation about Clinton's desired political future has been rampant.

Does she want to be Obama's running mate? A spot on the Supreme Court, should he win? Another crack at the White House, should he fall short this fall? The post of Senate majority leader? Something else?

The subject was raised with Washington Post columnist Sally Quinn on The Early Show Thursday by co-anchor Harry Smith, and Quinn minced no words, saying, "I've been intrigued by the questions in the last couple of weeks, 'What does Hillary really want?' And I think that the answer is that Hillary, up until now, has wanted what she thinks she should want. And what I think is that Hillary doesn't know what she wants. And she doesn't know who she really is.

"From the very beginning, when she married Bill Clinton, when she moved to Arkansas, she gave up her lucrative career, she changed her name during the campaign, 'I'll stand by my man' -- her personality changed. You remember when she first came into the White House and she had a different hairdo and a different outfit? She looked completely different. And people kept saying, 'Who is she?'

"And, even during the campaign this time -- during the Monica (Lewinsky) thing, when she stood by Bill Clinton, she was the health care maven. She was the strong one and the weak one.

And, during this campaign, she allowed him to, on some levels, sabotage her. She was feisty at some point and even shrill, and then she would cry.

"And then ... she said (after winning the New Hampshire primary), 'I found my voice.' But I don't think that she ever did find her voice.

"And I think that what she needs to do now -- and I know this sounds really strange, but -- if I were Hillary Clinton, I would go off to a retreat somewhere. ... A silent retreat. And I would stay there, I would take a sabbatical and stay there for three months, and not talk, and meditate, and think, and try to figure out who I really was and what I really wanted. I'm serious.

"I think that this is a tortured person who has run and run and run and gone for it and gone for it, and it's power, and it's this and it's that, 'I've got to be there.' There's never a moment where you see her relaxing, where you see her really stopping to smell the roses, stopping to say, 'Who am I and what is it that I want?'

"Maybe what she really needs is a wonderful, loving relationship with somebody instead of just going after power and being this ambitious person that I think she thinks she oughta be."

© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Share:

• Share
• Yahoo! Buzz
• Twitter
• Mixx

More From The Early Show

• Mammogram Guidelines Explained
• Ewing on Woods Affair: "Here We Go Again"
• Buying Better Holiday Gift Cards
• Do-It-Yourself Disasters
• Great Holiday Gifts $10 or Less
• A Culinary Star Salmon Cook-Off
• Alternatives to Mammograms

• 

  VideoDo-It-Yourself Disasters

• 

  VideoThe Early Show's Salmon Smackdown!

Add a Comment

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
...
• 20
• next

See all 192 Comments

by casey179 June 6, 2008 10:28 PM EDT

This morning on the Early Show Sally whats-her-name from the Washington Post gave a very distorted description of Hillary Clinton.Sally claims she, Hillary that is, did not know what she wanted. Hillary was lost and would never be happy till she found herself. She should go on a retreat. Perhaps she needs to find a loving relationship with someone. I could not believe what I heard!

Hillary knew what she wanted she wanted the Presidency! Now she wants the Vice Presidency. She is not confused as far as I am concerned. Sally whats-her-name from the Washington Post did not sound like a journalist to me. Rather like a catty character on the series "Desperate Housewives". Sour grapes Sally I say...Sour grapes. I wonder if Sally is having a loving relationship of her own. The meanness she displayed leads me to believe she needs to find a meaningful relationship of her own.

Reply to this comment

by mrsjjj2008 June 6, 2008 8:01 PM EDT

Hilary is a hard working female just like any other hard working female out there. The truth of the matter is that there are very real differences in the physiological make up of male and females and the way stress is dealt with. I did not take any offense to this article... I actually found a little humor in it moreso than HATE. It was just an observation that the entire world can see... Hilary looks tired. So I say yes, Hilary take a vacation, get away and smell the roses. It no different than when we all take a break from work daily to clear your minds... we come back fresh and ready to go to do whatever makes us happy in this life.

Reply to this comment

by earthmystic June 6, 2008 3:52 PM EDT

It is comments like this from Sally Quin, and comments from other media sources that have angered woman around the country. These are sexist comments plain and simple. Only for a woman would they say that she needs a loving relationship ( aka good ***)or speak about her hair changes ( Hey Sally Q. do you have the same hairdo from 1992?, if so change salons)and then say becasue she has been running for office that she does not know what she wants from life? ( for a man this would translate to very hardworking and ambitious. for Hillary it means she''s confused? Please voters out there do not link comments like this with Obama. He has showed nothing but respect for Hillary Clinton. She would not want her supporters to either not vote or worse vote for Mccain. You will hear that from her yourself.

Reply to this comment

by hinnis June 6, 2008 1:11 PM EDT

Obama, his supporters, the DNC, the party elite, and the mainstream media have conspired to marginalize the millions of Democrats who have voted for Hillary, and they will now be using every trick in the book to "bring the party together" to further their ruthless ambitions. They will want you to forget all about the months of biased press, the biased party elite, the insults, the sexist remarks, and the race-cards. They will want you to forget that the Democratic Party now is the party that stands for disenfranchisement of the voters and the rationalization of racism. They will use any method to persuade you to vote for the man who they have preordained as the Democratic nominee. DON''T FALL FOR IT!

Whether you write-in Hillary, if possible, vote for John McCain, or sit out the election, right now, for the sake of our families and our country, WE MUST DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER to assist in the defeat of the inexperienced, ruthless, deceptive, divisive, racist black liberation theology believing, race card throwing Obama. We can always come back to the Democratic Party if and when they show a desire to respect our participation, and field an acceptable candidate.

Reply to this comment

by team-coco78 June 6, 2008 12:40 PM EDT

the immense ego it takes to want to run the country speaks volumes to her character and state of mind. this is dumb, to say she doesn''t know herself is ridiculous.

Reply to this comment

by speedyclick June 6, 2008 11:49 AM EDT

I''m surprised that Sally Quinn has indulged in this psychobabble. She''s normally both informed and thoughtful. And I can''t imagine her or any other journalist writing the same kind of article about any of the other candidates. I suppose it''s only coincidence that all those other candidates were male.

Reply to this comment

by jesterbelle June 6, 2008 2:50 AM EDT

Geez,what a basket case.Good thing she''s gone.

Reply to this comment

by hinnis June 6, 2008 2:03 AM EDT

Obama, his supporters, the DNC, the party elite, and the mainstream media have conspired to marginalize the millions of Democrats who have voted for Hillary, and they will now be using every trick in the book to "bring the party together" to further their ruthless ambitions. They will want you to forget all about the months of biased press, the biased party elite, the insults, the sexist remarks, and the race-cards. They will want you to forget that the Democratic Party now is the party that stands for disenfranchisement of the voters and the rationalization of racism. They will use any method to persuade you to vote for the man who they have preordained as the Democratic nominee. DON''T FALL FOR IT!

Whether you write-in Hillary, if possible, vote for John McCain, or sit out the election, right now, for the sake of our families and our country, WE MUST DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER to assist in the defeat of the inexperienced, ruthless, deceptive, divisive, racist black liberation theology believing, race card throwing Obama. We can always come back to the Democratic Party if and when they show a desire to respect our participation, and field an acceptable candidate.

Reply to this comment

by luciamia1 June 6, 2008 1:57 AM EDT

Oh, for gawd''s sake, Missy Quinn. Hillary Clinton is a strong dynamic woman deeply admired and committed to her career and her family. I come from New York and we think she''s grand. How I wish she were the candidate. Hillary is a role model for all young women and a fine antidote to the middle aged alcholism and shoe fetish of the ''*** and the City'' mythology.

Reply to this comment

by sallysucks June 6, 2008 1:56 AM EDT

18 Million People voted for Senator Clinton. Who the _ _ _ _ are you to say what she needs. It is garbage like this that makes current journalism a complete joke...Tabloid at best. Perhaps you need a silent retreat to contemplate new careers. Or pehaps ponder what deep issues you have to even write such nonsense. CBS shame on you for participating in this ridiculous attack on Senator Clinton.

Reply to this comment

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
...
• 20
• next

See all 192 Comments

Add a comment

Comment SUBMIT

Click here to add another comment.

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

Comment reply

Submit Cancel

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

Report offensive content:

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CBSNews.com Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.

Select type of offense:

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements, commercial links, or repetitive posts

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Off-topic: Commentary unrelated to the storyline

Comments (optional):

Report Cancel

E-mail this comment to a friend.

E-mail this to: (Separate multiple e-mail addresses with commas. Limited to 10 addresses.)

Your e-mail address:

Send me a copy of this message

Note: Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipients's address will be used for any other purpose.

Add your own personal message: (Optional)

Hi, I found this user's comment on CBSNews.com and thought you might be interested in reading it. Send e-mail Cancel

[casey179]

This morning on the Early Show Sally whats-her-name from the Washington Post gave a very distorted description of Hillary Clinton.Sally claims she, Hillary that is, did not know what she wanted. Hillary was lost and would never be happy till she found herself. She should go on a retreat. Perhaps she needs to find a loving relationship with someone. I could not believe what I heard!

Hillary knew what she wanted she wanted the Presidency! Now she wants the Vice Presidency. She is not confused as far as I am concerned. Sally whats-her-name from the Washington Post did not sound like a journalist to me. Rather like a catty character on the series "Desperate Housewives". Sour grapes Sally I say...Sour grapes. I wonder if Sally is having a loving relationship of her own. The meanness she displayed leads me to believe she needs to find a meaningful relationship of her own.

[mrsjjj2008]

Hilary is a hard working female just like any other hard working female out there. The truth of the matter is that there are very real differences in the physiological make up of male and females and the way stress is dealt with. I did not take any offense to this article... I actually found a little humor in it moreso than HATE. It was just an observation that the entire world can see... Hilary looks tired. So I say yes, Hilary take a vacation, get away and smell the roses. It no different than when we all take a break from work daily to clear your minds... we come back fresh and ready to go to do whatever makes us happy in this life.

[earthmystic]

It is comments like this from Sally Quin, and comments from other media sources that have angered woman around the country. These are sexist comments plain and simple. Only for a woman would they say that she needs a loving relationship ( aka good ***)or speak about her hair changes ( Hey Sally Q. do you have the same hairdo from 1992?, if so change salons)and then say becasue she has been running for office that she does not know what she wants from life? ( for a man this would translate to very hardworking and ambitious. for Hillary it means she''s confused? Please voters out there do not link comments like this with Obama. He has showed nothing but respect for Hillary Clinton. She would not want her supporters to either not vote or worse vote for Mccain. You will hear that from her yourself.

[hinnis]

Obama, his supporters, the DNC, the party elite, and the mainstream media have conspired to marginalize the millions of Democrats who have voted for Hillary, and they will now be using every trick in the book to "bring the party together" to further their ruthless ambitions. They will want you to forget all about the months of biased press, the biased party elite, the insults, the sexist remarks, and the race-cards. They will want you to forget that the Democratic Party now is the party that stands for disenfranchisement of the voters and the rationalization of racism. They will use any method to persuade you to vote for the man who they have preordained as the Democratic nominee. DON''T FALL FOR IT!

Whether you write-in Hillary, if possible, vote for John McCain, or sit out the election, right now, for the sake of our families and our country, WE MUST DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER to assist in the defeat of the inexperienced, ruthless, deceptive, divisive, racist black liberation theology believing, race card throwing Obama. We can always come back to the Democratic Party if and when they show a desire to respect our participation, and field an acceptable candidate.

[team-coco78]

the immense ego it takes to want to run the country speaks volumes to her character and state of mind. this is dumb, to say she doesn''t know herself is ridiculous.

[speedyclick]

I''m surprised that Sally Quinn has indulged in this psychobabble. She''s normally both informed and thoughtful. And I can''t imagine her or any other journalist writing the same kind of article about any of the other candidates. I suppose it''s only coincidence that all those other candidates were male.

[jesterbelle]

Geez,what a basket case.Good thing she''s gone.

[hinnis]

Obama, his supporters, the DNC, the party elite, and the mainstream media have conspired to marginalize the millions of Democrats who have voted for Hillary, and they will now be using every trick in the book to "bring the party together" to further their ruthless ambitions. They will want you to forget all about the months of biased press, the biased party elite, the insults, the sexist remarks, and the race-cards. They will want you to forget that the Democratic Party now is the party that stands for disenfranchisement of the voters and the rationalization of racism. They will use any method to persuade you to vote for the man who they have preordained as the Democratic nominee. DON''T FALL FOR IT!

Whether you write-in Hillary, if possible, vote for John McCain, or sit out the election, right now, for the sake of our families and our country, WE MUST DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER to assist in the defeat of the inexperienced, ruthless, deceptive, divisive, racist black liberation theology believing, race card throwing Obama. We can always come back to the Democratic Party if and when they show a desire to respect our participation, and field an acceptable candidate.

[luciamia1]

Oh, for gawd''s sake, Missy Quinn. Hillary Clinton is a strong dynamic woman deeply admired and committed to her career and her family. I come from New York and we think she''s grand. How I wish she were the candidate. Hillary is a role model for all young women and a fine antidote to the middle aged alcholism and shoe fetish of the ''*** and the City'' mythology.

[sallysucks]

18 Million People voted for Senator Clinton. Who the _ _ _ _ are you to say what she needs. It is garbage like this that makes current journalism a complete joke...Tabloid at best. Perhaps you need a silent retreat to contemplate new careers. Or pehaps ponder what deep issues you have to even write such nonsense. CBS shame on you for participating in this ridiculous attack on Senator Clinton.