Well it's official. Sen. Hillary Clinton is a presidential candidate. She announced on her site. It's not the best opening statement and it's not the worst. It looked 'middle ofthe road' to me. She wants the 'right' end to the war, health insurance, energy independence, reduce the deficit, etc. Hillary throwing her hat in seemed like a foregone conclusion and the least kept secret outside of Sen. Escalate McCain. My reaction?
No secret that I'm one of the few representatives of 'the left' on this blog (at least that's how I've been pigeon-holed) and I've worked on a Dem governor's campaign, coordinated other campaigns and recruited legislators so I certainly have a vested interest in whoever the Dem presidential candidate is. I find it interesting that a number of Republican pundits have practically been cheerleading her candidacy. In this case, they're right. If Hillary gets the nomination, a Democrat will not get the White House. Period.
Nominate Sen. Clinton and it will turn out the Republican base just as if Jeb Bush got nominated by the R's. People will quit their jobs to work for the Republican nominee, it's a huge mistake. It may not even be fair but Sen. Clinton has had negatives in the 40's for 12 years. You just don't turn that around in a year. She has money, endorsements lined up, and so forth. it will be no easy job to beat her but if voters in key primary states don't knock her off, it's over and we'll have more division, more pandering and more lives wasted in Iraq.
Sen. Clinton will be holding three web video town hall events over the next few days. You can sign up for them on the web site. I intend to ask her why she doesn't stay and become a better senator and not run. She has to know she will not win the nomination easily and if she does, she loses the general. What do you think?
UPDATE: As the diary author, I get to comment here. Now I wrote this diary as a Democrat but suggested that nominating Sen. Clinton is a mistake. I'm impressed by the number of comments supporting Sen. Clinton. You've made some good arguements. I'm not changing my opinion but some points were made. Those ranting, raving, cursing and even issuing death threats (the editor removed some comments thank goodness) are remarkably way out there. Gee, if they were smart they wouldn't come off so unhinged but that's never bothered the Right Wingnuts in the past. And for the record, rightwingers, for the most part, are either careless or terrible spellers. Finally, if anyone has read Sen. Barak's books or ever heard him would realize he is a Christian and has deep faith. All this nonsense about where he went to school for two years when he was 6 years old is so absurdly low, cheap and false. Sen. Obama has been a member of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ since 1988. And no, I'm not for Sen. Barak either. Just setting the record straight.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 32)
16. Come on - when are you people going to start realizing the Political system in this country is screwing YOU! It does not matter which party you belong - they screw us all. 75% of the People in this country are #1 stupid or #2 lazy, so we let them take our tax dollars, steal our resources and continue to rob us. How much money gets wasted on poorly executed programs, illegals and the problems they bring? Check your kids over crowded classrooms - illegals (I am not just sepaking of Mexicans). Billions of our tax dollars subsidizing section 8 housing / food programs for people who have learned to rip us off and the Governement lets them do it to us.
Thomas Jefferson said "what this country needs is a good revolution every 15-20 years" - well you think we are over due?
Why is it that "Duke" Cunningham was put in jail so quickly? Why is Carol Lam, the US attorney for So. California being asked to resign? The Politicians do not want anyone digging to deep.
Look @ the big picture. Your taxes are 3 times higher than they need to be. All levels of Government are founded on the greatest Ponzi scheme on the planet!
Revamp the tax code so that everyone pays on what they purchase not what you earn.
Stop Entitlement Waste, all Foriegn Aid and Political corruption. You taxes would drop by 70%.
Mad Mike
Mike Hughes at 7:41PM on Jan 20th 2007
17. i think that a clinton/obama ticket would be the right decision for this country's 2008 election for the next two terms
johnnie jackson at 7:42PM on Jan 20th 2007
18. I agree 100% with this article. There will never be another Clinton or Bush as president. Clinton was a disgrace, he was no one to look up to. Any woman who would stay with a man who did what he did is an idiot and has their own power hungry agenda. Bush can'tget it right in Iraq, he has to much faith in the Iraqis people. The next president will be John McCain..
Bill Hopper at 7:53PM on Jan 20th 2007
19. I think Hillary would certainly be an excellent choice for president. She has done an outstanding job for the State of NY and I think she would do the same for the USA. In addition, she is married to a very smart man who did an outstanding job as president for the US, except for his sexual eposoide in the white house.
Why do so many Republicans seem to hate her?
Thomas King at 7:51PM on Jan 20th 2007
20. I feel that Hilary will do an amazing job as President. I feel that she is strong in her beliefs and morals, and would do great things for this country. This will be my first vote, since turning 18, for the fact that this is the first canidate that has truly inspired me. I feel that many people want to object to her being president for the fact that she is a female. Also many others would vote for her just because she is a female, and it would be different. I think sex in non-important, and it is their views that matter.
Jayme at 2:28PM on Jan 21st 2007
21. She is an outstanding Senator and will not only make history but will be an outstanding Madam President. The time is right. The time is now.
Elly Lyte at 9:31PM on Jan 20th 2007
22. I think that Hillary difintly has a good chance at winning the presidential election, and it's about time america got their heads out of their ass. Electing GW 2 terms has been the down fall of the american economy. Hell, right now I'm considering finding a bunker to hide out in until he either leaves office, or the aftermath of some other country trying to annihilate us.
mecredi at 9:38PM on Jan 20th 2007
23. If Hillary Clinton is elected president every man should move to Canada. Finally a women in the White House. A voice for all the women that have had to play by the good old boys rule, no more, we can say what we want when we want with no consequences.
Kara Thompson at 11:07AM on Jan 21st 2007
24. i have been a demacrat all my life but if hillory clinton is the best we can do i will become an indepentent. would vote for the devel befor a bitter old woman. do not understand how the peppel of new york could even make her a seneter, money must be more importint ther then in wa. state were the richest man in the wold lives.
charles shinn at 9:38PM on Jan 20th 2007
25. Ms. Clinton, is an outstanding Senator for New York. She will make history and become an outstanding hard working Madam President for the Nation. The time is right, the time is now.
Elly Lyte at 9:34PM on Jan 20th 2007
26. God Forbid ! First Gore, then Kerry now the beast from Bayone. We just don't need this
Jim Stewart at 9:45PM on Jan 20th 2007
27. Why would any reasonable person vote for the woman whose husband did nothing while Alqueda attacked us several times killing hundreds including the first WTC bombing and did nothing but lob a few bombs days before his impeachment hearings! How can we vote in anyone who does not think we should be on the offensive in a war declared on us by people who are RELIGOUSLY driven to kill each and every american? Verbal negotiations with the devil is not reccomended buthas led us to our current situation. ANY passive administration in the next 50-100 years be it Republican, Democrat or Independent who does not take this war seriously will be the end of us as a nation. As it is now we are fighting the fanatical elements of Islam and the liberal thinkers who are trying to change this country. The future of this FREE nation is in serious jeopardy. Liberals and Republicans who are attacking not critisizing this administartion in this time of war is as dangerous as our foreign enemy. GOD HELP US!
J.Grasso-Independent Thinker at 9:43PM on Jan 20th 2007
28. You people want to elect Hillary! Give me a brake. She hasn't passed one bill that has her name on it. She is still wet behind her ears as a Senator and is a carpet bagger. Also Can I say Whitewater! Remember that!
And here is a good one for all of you. Hillary will be called a zig zagger not a flip floper. See when it becomes popular to be liberal she zigs over to the far left. When she sees that she has to be more moderate to gain popularity for the presidency she zags to the right and says she is a moderate. She is going to tell you what you want to hear.She can't be trusted. Oh yeah lets see her stage another PR event by flying over to Iraq how much did that cost us? Biden is another one who pulled that stunt right before he anounced his bid. Lets just remember one thing, the Dems have yet to prove they can do anything with this country. Nancy Pelosi is endorsing Charlie Rangle who wants to put in the draft and get rid of the tax cuts the republicans put in. Yeah tax cuts favor the rich .... did you know that Charlie sees anyone making over 80k being well off and not needing a tax cut. Yeah all you middle class Dems are going to feel the pain. All I have to say is people in this country have to start thinking for themselves and stop being influenced by the media and feeling as though you need your politician to make your decisions. Hillary can't be trusted and dosn't give me the sense she really knows what needs to be done to right this country or the war on terror. She will continue to zig and zag until she finds the right group who will endorse her.
Betty Kline at 9:36AM on Jan 21st 2007
29. Hillary Clinton is just what the terriorist want. No! They are going to meet with approval while devising a sagacious move to plan another 9-11.And if this country cannot wake up and realize that Hugo Chavez, Kim Jong ll and Ajamenihad are at our doorsteps,then we are doomed! Too bad that the man that would make a great president, Mitt Romney, will meet with sore dissaproval from the "evangelical"community. Ken Hopkins
Louis at 10:00PM on Jan 20th 2007
30. No way Jose!
d at 9:47PM on Jan 20th 2007