2008 Quote by Christopher Hitchens
““Mrs. Clinton, speaking to a black church audience on Martin Luther King Day last year, did describe President George W. Bush as treating the Congress of the United States like 'a plantation,' adding in a significant tone of voice that 'you know what I mean ...' She did not repeat this trope, for some reason, when addressing the electors of Iowa or New Hampshire. She's willing to ring the other bell, though, if it suits her. But when an actual African-American challenger comes along, she rather tends to pout and wince at his presumption (or did until recently).””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks at Black Church on Martin Luther King Day, 2022
Hitchens critiques Clinton’s selective use of racial rhetoric, noting inconsistency in her criticism of Bush versus African‑American challengers.
In simple terms: He points out political double standards.
Key Takeaway
Watch for selective language in politics.
Themes
politics
race
communication
hypocrisy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
commentary
When to use this quote
- campaign speeches
- media interviews
- public debates
- policy discussions
Key Concepts
double standards
racial rhetoric
political strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does selective rhetoric affect public trust?
- When do politicians change tone for audience?
A Different Perspective
The quote reflects a single perspective and may omit broader context.
![“It's [Los Angeles] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them aren't even young and beautiful now.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a86/christopher-hitchens-117_beautiful_it-s-los-angeles-mostly-full-of-nonsense_10462.jpg)
![“[Religion] attacks us in our deepest integrity - the core of our self-respect. Religion says that we would not know right from wrong, we would not know an evil, wicked act from a decent human act without divine permission, without divine authority or without, even worse, either the fear of a…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ab6/christopher-hitchens-117_action_religion-attacks-us-in-our-deepest-integ_23299.jpg)
![“Writing is what's important to me, and anything that helps me do that - or enhances and prolongs and deepens and sometimes intensifies argument and conversation - is worth it to me. [It is] impossible for me to imagine having my life without going to those parties, without having those late…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/042/christopher-hitchens-117_argument_writing-is-what-s-important-to-me-and-an_57177.jpg)
