Opinion Focus

Washington Post opinion columnist Eugene Robinson was online Tuesday, March 25 at 1 p.m. ET to discuss his recent columns and the latest news.

Discussion Group: Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood

A transcript follows.

Archive: Eugene Robinson discussion transcripts

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Eugene Robinson: Hi, folks. No shortage of fodder for our discussion this week. Today's column, for reference, was about reaching the 4,000-deaths milestone in Iraq. But of course there's a little presidential campaign underway as well. And the economy is falling apart. Let's go.

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Arlington, Va.: Good afternoon, Gene. Really good column this morning. I really do get the sense that Iraq is about to fall apart again -- the bombings are starting to get more lethal and more frequent, the Green Zone comes under attack again, even having grownups in the room hasn't kept these people from each others's throats forever.

If this is a foretaste of the near and foreseeable future of what happens? Resurge? This whole notion of soldiers not dying in vain seems ludicrous. Is my draft-age son supposed to die to make somebody else's death meaningful? I don't think it works like that.

Eugene Robinson: I don't know if Iraq is going to "fall apart" again -- I don't think it has ever been put back together, tell the truth. What seems likely is that the Bush administration's planned upcoming "troop withdrawals" -- which really even fall short of bringing home the added troops sent to Iraq in the surge -- are going to be put on hold. The focus-tested word for this seems to be a "pause" in "withdrawals." Bottom line: More U.S. troops in Iraq on Election Day, probably, than before the surge.

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Minneapolis: Hi Eugene -- thank you for your insights (and quick wit). I know I sound like the worst kind of conspiracy theorist here, but is there anything to the theory that the Clintons, knowing the odds, are now working to undermine Obama as the eventual nominee in any way possible to ensure McCain's election, thus setting Sen. Clinton up for another shot in 2012, even if it means crippling the Democratic Party? Or am I thinking too hard about this?

Eugene Robinson: I was asked this question on "Hardball" last night; what I said was that if what Hillary Clinton cares about most is eventually becoming president, then if Obama gets the nomination she would root for him to lose. I'm a pretty cynical guy, but even I can't bring myself to think that the Clintons would actually root for a Democrat to lose. I think they probably see this as Hillary's one and only chance to run, and that's why they're running so hard. I think they're trying to beat Obama for the nomination -- they'll worry about the general election when it comes.

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Carmel, Ind.: I have always enjoyed your columns, but have noticed a disturbing pattern, beginning with a scathing article on Sen. Biden and continuing with President Clinton. I think some of Clinton's comments were backhanded insults, but recently you railed on him for suggesting we have a debate with two people who love our country and talk about the issues. I detected no malice in Joe Biden's remarks about Obama, or Clinton's latest remarks about campaigns. Given each man's life-long commitment to civil rights, isn't it possible that misunderstanding flows both ways? (Perhaps we can thank Obama's speech for the renewal of this important debate.) Thank you.

Eugene Robinson: I didn't rail against Bill Clinton for his "two people who love America" comment -- not in print and not on the air. I did say on the air that I thought it might have been a subtle reference to the Rev. Wright controversy, but I didn't think it was a big deal.

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Clinton "Misspoke" Yeah Right: This doesn't seem to be a big deal to the public that the woman lied about a publicized trip. And its not just that she lied -- she lied about a trip where it was easily found that she lied about it. To call it a "misspeaking" is a gross understatement. What kind of leader just blatantly lies? I'm tired of her camp not owning up to their actions and words. Geraldine Ferraro's words weren't "regrettable," they were downright racist and ignorant. I hope people start to see what type of politician Hilary Clinton is and tell her what they think of her with their vote.

Eugene Robinson: You're referring to Hillary Clinton's trip to Bosnia as first lady; she recalled being under sniper fire, but last night CBS aired the network's footage of the visit and it showed a normal landing, an open-air arrival ceremony (complete with smiling children) and a stroll to the airport terminal, not a dash under fire. You're right that this is something that could be checked easily. It was an exaggeration, to say the least. Doesn't make sense as a tactical campaign move.

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Dryden, N.Y.: Your chats here and on "Countdown" are the best. Thank you! Thanks also to YouTube, I have viewed Sen. Clinton's press conference at the St. Pat's talk where she actually elaborates on the sniper "misstatement" story at a Q&A and has an ex-Secretary of the Navy infer that Sinbad was a coward (but at least not a Judas). Also, I noted that YouTube is approaching 1,000,000 views of the CBS report. Am I wrong in thinking that this story has legs that might walk Clinton right over to the withdrawal podium?

Eugene Robinson: It's not good for the Clinton campaign, that's for sure. At some point I think she's probably going to have to address the discrepancy between what the videotape says and what she said.

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One and Only Chance to Run: Why do you say this is Hillary's one and only chance to run? American politics is full of people who ran for their party's nomination more than once: Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Dennis Kucinich, etc. Frankly, if she lost gracefully, she might put herself in a better position in the future than if she continues to reinforce the entitlement argument that irritates so many voters.

Eugene Robinson: If Obama were to get the nomination and lose to McCain, I think Clinton might well run again. If Obama were to get the nomination and win, you'd have to assume that he might get reelected in 2012 (depending on events, of course). Eight years is a long time.

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Alexandria, Va.: Given the publication of "A Brief for Whitey", are you rethinking your affection for Pat Buchanan? The idea that blacks should be grateful for having been brought to the U.S. in chains is truly jaw-dropping.

Eugene Robinson: That essay by Pat is worse than jaw-dropping; you could say it's full of racist assumptions and racial bitterness, but that doesn't go far enough: It's actually full of racist assumptions and racial bitterness from 40 years ago, as if the whole question of race in America has been preserved in amber. "Whitey"!? It would take the whole hour to refute all the stupid assertions and conclusions in that piece, and in the end it wouldn't be worth the effort. I've worked a lot with Pat and I like him personally; the next time I see him I'll tell him that that piece managed to be both deeply offensive and totally irrelevant, which isn't easy.

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Washington: Regarding the Rev. Wright flap: When I learned, listening to Clarence Page, that Trinity is a huge church that reaches deep into the black political and financial elite of Chicago, I came to a pretty simple conclusion: Sen. Obama joined the church as a young man in his 20s because it might help him get ahead (whatever his religious convictions might be). Twenty years ago, he had no way of knowing that YouTube would blast his minister's most intemperate statements worldwide, in color. This is the law of unintended consequences, I think.

Eugene Robinson: I'd love to see a roster of Chicago politicians who have attended services at Trinity at least a few times. It would be a long list.

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Baltimore: Why the Bosnia "exaggeration" matters: There was a not-too-subtle subtext to Mrs. Clinton's sniper story -- it said, in effect, that I have been under enemy fire, so I am better-suited to be commander in chief. Questionable on its face, but now it is revealed to be a complete fiction, like those guys in bars in their 40s who claim to have been "in 'Nam."

Eugene Robinson: It wasn't a subtext, it was the whole text. I think the long-term problem for Clinton is that it brings into question the whole claim that her years as first lady count meaningfully as foreign-policy and commander-in-chief experience.

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New York: I continue to be amazed that the talking heads (of which you are one) completely discount the importance of the Michigan and Florida votes. Having waited eight years to undo the mistakes that resulted in a stolen election and a stunningly bad presidency, the MSM and the Obama campaign are willing to disenfranchise voters for their own convenience. I was shocked to watch David Gregory leer into the camera about "the rules" that could not be broken. These are voters you are talking about, not Democratic National Committee party hacks or superdelegates. It's a cheap trick, and ultimately will undermine the legitimacy of Obama's nomination. I'm struggling to try to find a reason to vote for him, but between this and calling people racist and McCarthy-like, it's near impossible to regard his campaign as one of integrity. I won't vote for McCain, but I might sit this one out, given that I live in New York and McCain hasn't a chance here.

Eugene Robinson: Talking heads didn't discount the Michigan and Florida votes, the Democratic National Committee did. Speaking for this one talking head, I do see a problem in seating delegates who were elected in states where the candidates didn't have a chance to campaign -- and, in the case of Michigan, where only Clinton was even on the ballot. But if you have a problem, take it up with Howard Dean.

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Pittsburgh: Almost two months ago, I received a visit from two engaging Obama volunteers. It was a Saturday morning and Mr. Obama had just closed the sale with me because of one of his excellent debate performances. The young women who called on me were originally from Virginia, and as I had lived in the Old Dominion for twenty years we had lots to compare notes on. Last night I saw an Obama ad on TV, and Obama yard signs have begun to spring up in my neighborhood. I heard yesterday from a fellow Democrat that our local party chair is supporting Mr. Obama. I have yet to see anything from the Clinton campaign -- no mail, calls or ads. Do you think she is taking Pennsylvania for granted?

Eugene Robinson: I doubt she's taking anything for granted. I think what you're seeing reflects two factors. First, throughout the primaries Obama (surprisingly) has had the more extensive organization. The campaign even had two (!) offices in Alaska, which I think is a first. The second factor is that the Obama campaign has more money, and thus has been able to start running television ads in Pennsylvania earlier than the Clinton campaign.

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Chapel Hill, N.C.: As I read even the comments and questions from others, both here with your audience and at various other Web pages, blogs, etc., I find it interesting (albeit a little saddening, too) that supporters of each Democratic candidate seem to hold the other candidate in such contempt (as well as the supporters of that other candidate). I'm trying to envision what this means about us all (I have my own moments of bitterness).

Barack Obama's speech about race last week pointed out not only our tendency to misunderstand each other across racial identification, but across all sorts of in-group vs. out-group divisions we have in our minds; we start to see the world as having heroes and enemies. So, one misstep of a candidate only feeds the angry mobs. I respect your opinion among many wise and thoughtful people I talk to. Do you think that the personal nature of this particular Democratic selection season is a result of the parties involved, or part of our natural tendency to form groups (feel free to choose a third option if you want)?

Eugene Robinson: I think it's because both Obama and Clinton are groundbreaking candidates who inspire an unusual degree of passion and loyalty among their followers. I always have believed that this will be less of a problem after the convention than some might think, but I could be wrong.

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Alexandria, Va.: Do you this president (or any president ever would admit to being wrong if he was asked point-blank? Basically he said "mission accomplished," but we're still there and dying, as you point out in your column. Or are reporters in the Press Corps too sensitive to ask such a question out of fear of falling out of favor with the White House? I honestly wish that the tough questions would be asked (much like they were of Cheney) and would not be stopped until a direct answer is provided -- i.e. ask a question that requires yes or no, and don't move on until either yes or no is provided.

Eugene Robinson: George W. Bush has been asked point-blank about "mission accomplished" and a lot of other things. Alas, reporters have neither subpoena power nor the authority to hold him in contempt (of the truth?) if he fails to give a yes or no answer.

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Boston: It's unarguable that the Rev. Wright thing is a "flap" that Obama had to deal with. Considering people keep reiterating Wright's statements aren't "outside the mainstream" in black churches, are we going to keep witnessing a "flap" like this every time someone black runs for president, "Groundhog Day" style?

Eugene Robinson: Not all black preachers use Rev. Wright's technique. Some give sermons that put their parishioners to sleep.

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Austin, Tex.: I'm a depressed white male Democrat, please help! Just about 80 days ago we loved all of our candidates and were excited to vote for the eventual winner. Today, as an Obama supporter, I recognize the math. My guy is going to win the popular vote and the pledged delegates and probably the nomination, but every day my good and long-time Democratic friends are hating each other's candidate more and more. I don't think we can stand another 150 or so days of picking on each other. Is there any other option, or are we doomed to snatch defeat from the best-ever environment for a Democratic candidate?

Eugene Robinson: Don't succumb to depression. This is not the first hard-fought primary battle. It's way too early to conclude that all is lost.

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Sterling, Va.: Hi Eugene. The photo from my brother's funeral at Arlington National Cemetery is the one used with your column today. My brother, U.S. Army Specialist Christopher Neiberger, was killed in Iraq in August 2007 by a roadside bomb. I talk with a lot of the families of the fallen when I visit section 60 at Arlington, and through my work with TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. We estimate that on average there are about 10 people significantly affected by a military loss -- parents, spouses, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc. With 4,000 losses, there are about 40,000 people actively grieving. One factor that seems out of the media spotlight is the long-term impact these losses will have on families, especially with awareness of the war and casualty numbers on the decline. How can Americans support and comfort the families of the fallen?

Eugene Robinson: That's a good question. I'll do some research and post a few suggestions at my discussion group, Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood. I completely agree that military families are being forgotten in all of this -- not just the families of the fallen, but those who have endured extended deployments, the "stop-loss" policy, inadequate equipment and armor, etc.

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Former Detroiter: Would you have any advice for Kwame Kilpatrick? I'm shaking my head at the ritual "I expect to be fully exonerated" and the other nonsense. Yet another setback for the city I grew up in (white guy, voted for Coleman Young -- who was a better mayor while asleep than Kilpatrick seems to be).

Eugene Robinson: I think Mayor Kilpatrick, at this point, should concentrate on trying to keep himself out of prison. I assume he already has a good lawyer; if not, that has to be his first priority. He may expect to be "fully exonerated," but I don't think many people share that conviction. Also, he should turn off the text-messaging feature in his cell phone plan. Like, immediately.

That's all for today, folks. Thanks for a lively hour. See you again next week.

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