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 6 of 32)
76. There will always be groups of men (and their obedient wives) who are intimadated by strong intelligent capable women, the rest of us live in the 21st century. Whomever the Democratic nomonee is will be president, these past six years of Republican rule has almost damaged the country beyond repair. It has long been my hope for a Hillary Clinton/Wesley Clark ticket. Go Hillary!
Addam Brummel at 12:52AM on Jan 21st 2007
77. If this becomes a battle between whether or not a MAN or a WOMAN is better for president, I am going to shoot myself.
Griffith at 1:25AM on Jan 21st 2007
78. As always people wax nostalgic for the past. Republicans for Reagan and now Democrats for Clinton. I agree the country seems to heading in the wrong direction. if 1/10 of the money spent on the Iraq war, was spent on alternative fuel research, the terrorist would lose most of thier funding,and be much less a threat to the rest of the world. But there is no way I belive Americans will vote for Hillary,not because she is a woman, but because she could not handle her husband, and most certaintly could not handle running the country. Margaret Thatcher she is not.
Marty Walker at 1:40AM on Jan 21st 2007
79. If Hillary wins the presidency, God help us..
KD Freeman at 1:55AM on Jan 21st 2007
80. As bad a choice as Hillary Clinton would be, she is better than Obama. We do not want a Muslim to be the next President. However, it my sincere hope that in no way either of these liberals win the election, it would spell disaster for the US.
Fran in TN at 2:38AM on Jan 21st 2007
81. I am so sick of the whole "any democrat will do" mantra. It is weak and shameful. I couldn't be more anti-Republican, but that doesn't mean I'm a Democrat. Look at Kerry...he was the safest, least controversial, and, well, most flaccid canidate the Democrats could find.
Getting a Democrat in to office who isn't against the war will keep us at war. If Kerry had been elected I promise you nothing would have changed in Iraq. I want to get out of this war...compare the amount of innocent lives lost in this war to 9/11 or any other terrorist attack...now who is the "terrorist?"
Find a strong canidate. Clinton isn't it. Maybe Obama. If we (I mean liberals, I'm no "Democrat") want to regain control of the country, let's do it through a strong leader, not an acceptable alternative.
Lucas at 2:36AM on Jan 21st 2007
82. Hillary Clinton is a idiot,if Her husband had not been President during the white water scam She would probaly have gone to prison,people just remember the number of Bill's buddies who went to jail' I will also state that the white water scam will resurface.She was in it up to the hilt with the Rose law firm in Arkansas.
bill g. elrod at 2:51AM on Jan 21st 2007
83. Many folks may not think that Hilary Clinton could be elected, but then who thought the Democrats with take back the House of Representatives and Senate majorities in the last election? And when President Bush stood on the aircraft carrier in that flight suit with that sign reading "Mission Accomplished" who would have thought what a terrible legacy we would inherit from his legacy? So I would not count Ms. Clinton out a sucessful run for the Presidency.
Steve Fischer at 3:11AM on Jan 21st 2007
84. I think it is fantastic that Hillary has announced the formation of her exploratory committee. I have been waiting for this day for years. I know that there are a lot of people on both sides of the aisle that really are against her, but never for any really good, legitimate reason! The 8 years under Bill Clinton's administration were some of the best we have ever had, as a nation. I don't see why so many people are against the Clintons, when these past 6 years of lying, killing, and ignorance have ruined the reputation of the United States all around the entire world. Thanks to Bush and Cheney, et al., we went from the most admired country to the least! No president could ever make EVERYONE happy, but at least let's elect someone who is INTELLIGENT,
understands international politics, respects rights for all Americans, supports education, and doesn't start wars for NO reason!! That person is Hillary. I hope that people can get over their prejudices and elect Hillary. I am thrilled by her announcement.
cris at 3:23AM on Jan 21st 2007
85. Why would anyone vote for such a routinely angry, chiding and negative person, who conducts herself as a scorched earth politician, as a candidate for any office?
Bob at 3:20AM on Jan 21st 2007
86. When people vote for President, they often vote on who they want to see or don't want to see day-after-day for four years. Wanted to see: Reagan (melodios to the ear) and Bill Clinton (smooth talker). Didn't want to see: Dukakis (looking like Mad's Alfred E. Neumann riding in a tank) and John Kerry (positively "drones" on and on). Hillary Clinton is just to shrill to get elected.
George at 3:29AM on Jan 21st 2007
87. Agreed. Not to mention she's a carpet-bagger opportunist. Always been a big Bill Clinton fan, but CAN'T STAND Hillary.
In a CNN interview that I saw today she was asked if her vote for the war in Iraq was a mistake. Seemed eerily similar to GW in the way that she dodged the question.
Jon at 4:02AM on Jan 21st 2007
88. Go Girl! Most women I know Republican and Democrat, want Hillary to WIN!
She is understands the national issues from a fresh perspective. She is SMART! She has guts! The American public would benefit from her compassionate leadership.
T. Litvak at 5:30AM on Jan 21st 2007
89. Are you all nuts. This was the person on her way out of the White House was trying to steal furniture. You have such short memories. How about her failed attempt at national health care. What has she done as a senator? NOTHING! Get real, She is not presidential material.
Vinnie Sorrentino at 5:25AM on Jan 21st 2007
90. It's time that this country be run with a women's perspective. Women consider al the options before making big decisions. Men just react and act on ego. I would vote for any women at this point! Go Hillary!
Cory at 7:09AM on Jan 21st 2007