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 4 of 32)
46. Hillary will not only not win, she will not win the nomination. Having worked in Washington DC during the Clinton years, the amount of people that she and Bill turned on, stepped on, slept with, and generally misled, the backlash will be incredible.
People in Washington DC have the reputation of ruining people as a sport, Hillary will be like big game hunting. It will be fun to watch.
I would love to vote for a viable democrat. As good as Hillary is at dodging the truth, there are too many people out to get herto maintain a solid core. Get real folks ...we have tons of issues infront of our country, we do not need someone to polarize us even more, wasn't 8 years of Bush enough?
Randy at 10:30PM on Jan 20th 2007
47. I am voting for Hilary Clinton. Just because she knows what she wants and she will get it. She knows how to speak and she has played this game right. All i want is for this war to end right with dignity and to make our soldiers feel good and not feel they did this for nothing.
Nerida at 10:35PM on Jan 20th 2007
48. She's got my vote!!
G A at 10:34PM on Jan 20th 2007
49. I would love to see Hillary Rodham Clinton join forces WITH OBAMA with both of them working together it would be awesome, woman president and our FRIST black vice president, how much more powerful could you get. Come on America, I think this would make for a great country.
LILLY FERRER at 10:43PM on Jan 20th 2007
50. people what is wrong with you if Hilary is elected we will all be in trouble. Why would you vote for someone who lies and what about Bill he was so honest when he was president. Our country was in trouble long before Bush was elected. How many of you that have an opinion on the war actually talked to someone serving over there. You listen to what the news media covers not the real facts. I have had 2 nephews 1 son inlaw and 1 brother in law in Iraq. And all would go back in a heart beat. My brother inlaw was in the group that captured Saddam. They all think it;s worth while.
LouAnn at 10:37PM on Jan 20th 2007
51. I think Hillary would be a great president. Our country is in sad shape and with the war getting worse in Iraq, we need a strong president to get us out. Our brave men and women have paid enough.We support our troops but BUSH NEEDS TO GO!!!! I will proudly vote for Hillary, not just because she is a woman, but I truely think she cares about the Americans and our welfare. She is smart and devoted and has shown this as Senator. I stand behind Bush as our president because he is our president, but ready for him to go.
angela at 10:47PM on Jan 20th 2007
52. Listen we need you in office. I have trust in you. When your husband was in office everyone was doing well in this country and to think you as President thrills me. I think you think as Bill and if this is a fact go girl. We need you. We need justice and ethics back in this country and your the one. You have my vote. Please bring our country back together again and stop all of this nonsense that Bush has brought on to this country. We need our respect back.
Linda Schaffer at 10:55PM on Jan 20th 2007
53. "I'm In." Two of the greatest words said today.
When people say. "She's not electable" then I say, "Well she is if you vote for her." And if she is the nominee, she has my vote in a New York second. She's proven her ability and I think the candidates who have announced or who have formed an exploratory committee will find themselves in good company.
We should be so lucky to have all of the Clintons back in The White House; from my lips to God's ear.
Leslie Mason at 11:06PM on Jan 20th 2007
54. Please vote for Hillary people! There are still some items her and Bubba were unable to pilfer from the white house when they departed the first time. This would give her at least 4 more years to secure some really good stuff and continue with her personal enrichment at the expense of the American people.
Tony Linder at 10:55PM on Jan 20th 2007
55. Hilary is going to be the next prez for a fact....Bill was a grrrreat prez and I AM sure she will be, too!!
Juli at 11:29PM on Jan 20th 2007
56. HILLARY HAS SO MANY SKELETONS IN HER CLOSET WITH HER PAST DEALINGS IN ARKANSAS! IF THE TRUTH BE KNOWN, SHE PROBABLY IS BEHIND THE DEATH OF MR FOSTER. DID WE FORGET WHAT A COINCIDENCE IT WAS THAT THE DAY THE FBI CAME TO GET THE WHITEWATER FILES FROM HIS OFFICE,THEY FOUND THEM ALL SHREDDED AND HE WITH A BULLET TO HIS HEAD. DON'T YOU REALLY THINK THAT PEOPLE IN SUCH HIGH PLACES WITH THAT MUCH TOO LOSE HAVE THE MEANS TO CARRY OUT SUCH A PLAN THAT WOULD PROTECT THE PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE FROM LOSING OFFICE AND GOING TO PRISON?
DAVID ENYART at 1:26PM on Jan 21st 2007
57. Bravo! I applaud Hilary for getting into the race. We need a change of leadership in this country. Hilary Clinton is so much more intelligent than George Bush that there is no comparison. Hilary is more than qualified for the position. Some people will never vote for a woman or a minority candidate even if they are the most qualified to hold the office. It is too bad we don't require voters to pass an IQ test before they are permitted to cast a vote. Diversity and equality is what makes our country great! However we still struggle with giving the highest offices to the people who are best qualified regardless of gender or race. This is WRONG! I am a 43 year old white male who is tired of seeing this country put an old rich white man in office who is out of touch with the real world and real people. It is time for a change. I would vote for either Hilary Clinton or Barack Obama for president.
Neil Fisher at 11:12PM on Jan 20th 2007
58. The government does screw us no matter what race or citizenship you may hold, but I think a little change in the system could help especially the change a woman can bring to this country.. It doesn't hurt to try something different. People need to quit being so closed-minded.
Christina at 11:10PM on Jan 20th 2007
59. Why would anyone in the right mind want another Clinton or Bush in the White House. We voted the dems in now lets put a fresh face in there.Her career has been riddled with scandal and all you votErs want to keep putting them same people back in. No wonder this country has gone to hell in the last 12 years. get smart, vote for change period!Remeber she voted to go to war , right along with all the other scandals she has been in. Why do you think they didnt go back to Arkansas. Couldnt get a job there. They ruined that state when they were there.
Ken Starr at 11:16PM on Jan 20th 2007
60. I think the best chance the dems have of winning is a Hiliary/Obama ticket. Then Barack Obama can go for president in 2012.
Sally Fontaine at 11:19PM on Jan 20th 2007