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 3 of 32)
31. If she can get the nomination, I'll vote for her! I voted for anyone but Bush last election and even if my vote did'nt count,( I live in a red state ), I have the right to complain about the mess our country is in because of the conservitive right!
Gary Davis at 9:51PM on Jan 20th 2007
32. I am thrilled that Hillary is running. We are sick of the Bush family and the way Jeb Bush stold the last election for the democrats.You go Hillary. We are behind you and Bill.
Ann Pruitt at 9:52PM on Jan 20th 2007
33. Can someone name anything at all Hillary Rodham has done independently in the Senate? Any bill she wrote and had become law? Any positive accomplishments for the people of Upstate New York?Anything other than personal apirations meriting a run for the highest office in this land?
Tony Linder at 9:53PM on Jan 20th 2007
34. John Edwards has my vote in 2008, My question is why bother running Hillary? Whitewater is still on the minds of many and it will play big at election time.
Gail at 9:59PM on Jan 20th 2007
35. I am so happy that Hillary has decided to run. She has my vote. I voted for her the first two times and will do it again. She has shown the American people what it means to be faithfull, loyal and devoted. She will win I would bet all the money I have in the world on it. I am a woman and I believe in her. It is time that America realizes that woman are powerfull and are more level headed. When the men are asleep we are still getting the job done.
AnnMarie Saunier at 10:08PM on Jan 20th 2007
36. Its about time for America to give a chance to woman. We talk about third world country , accusing them their women don't have rights, have we ever look our selves, every time woman stand for the post we get so scared of woman Power. Wake Up American Men Prove to the world, America respect women and do give chance to woman. Go Hilary, I have firm faith in your ability, We want Clinton Era back so we can take breath away from war and World hate towards America. We need respect back at the world Podium.
Kamlesh Chauhan at 10:04PM on Jan 20th 2007
37. thanks, democrats for choices you presented to america today: a snake who already is doing her work to bring down a guy who is trying to be first african american president. give me a break. obama is not african american. he is half white, isn't it? also, he was student of madrasse in indonesia and took middle name husseyn. do you care? some people say that hillary lesbian which explain why bill likes other women. what a family! now you can say anything about her because she is now a candidate. anything is a fair game. so, my question for america is today: do you want president gay or muslim? way to go democrats. what a country!
sam a. oryol at 10:04PM on Jan 20th 2007
38. I think Bill Clinton was the best president we have ever had, you know what they say behind a good man is a good woman, so come on hillery step out front and do the job that we know you can do as being a fantastic president. YOU HAVE MY VOTE ALL THE WAY
betty moore at 10:06PM on Jan 20th 2007
39. the clintons gave America the biggest black eye she ever had. They stripped the presidency and the white house of every bit of honor and moral uprightness necessary for the position.G.W. is not doing a good job. Bill did an outstanding job of balancing the budget, but that is all, everything else was conduct unbecoming of an officer. God help us if she or obama(middle name hussein hmm) were to win. Never trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die!
marc scissom at 10:27PM on Jan 20th 2007
40. I think bill clinton was the best president we have had in a long long time, you know the old saying behind a good man is a good woman, well its time for that good woman to step from behind and the man and show the u.s.a. what she can do for this country,as our president, go Hillary you have my vote, good luck betty moore michigan
betty moore at 10:21PM on Jan 20th 2007
41. Hillary Clinton thinks far more of herself than anyone else around. Show me one ... just one ... thing she has done that has helped this country and it will be miraculous.
She failed in her attempts to get managed care for this country. Gosh. Forget that?
If elected, will she and Bill return the things they stole from the White House and Air Force One? Get real. The things they took were "theirs."
If people will think back and use unclouded judgement, they will recall the mess this country was in when Bill Clinton left the White House, with Hillary heading an opposite direction. Now they are showing a united front? Get real.
Republicans everywhere are rejoicing their win already. Go figure.
Leanne at 9:57PM on Jan 25th 2007
42. Hillary and Barak can do the job better because they can communicate with those in the majority who wish better things for this country as well as for every individual in this world.
dudley duel at 10:20PM on Jan 20th 2007
43. I am very excited that Hillary Clinton decided to run for president of the United States, former Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton are both very intellectual people. I think Hillary has a very good chance of becoming our first woman president in the United States. Many women in in foreign countries have run their countries but for some reason we are supposed to be number one and we keep saying that a woman could not run our country. All I can say is I'm very excited and am 100% in back of you, lots of things are changing. And I really think she has a good chance of winning she certainly has my vote. And I will certainly join in to help her win in the primaries, to all women, it's about time to stand up and show that we can run our country. We certainly run a lot of other things pertaining to our homes, children, ECT. I must say you have made my day Hillary congratulations, on deciding to run for president. You have just made my day happier, go Hillary
LILLY FERRER at 10:45PM on Jan 20th 2007
44. I THINK HILLARY CLINTON WOULD BE A BIG IMPROVEMENT ,ALOT BETTER CHOICE THAN WHAT WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST EIGHT YEARS.IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT WE AS WOMEN HAVE A CANIDATE WE CAN TRUST.
MARY TAYLOR at 10:28PM on Jan 20th 2007
45. i hope not if she run the republicans will win easily so hilliary please dont run.
tony g at 10:28PM on Jan 20th 2007