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 7 of 32)
91. THE TWO BIGGEST LOOSERS IN THIS WORLD. WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TWO PERVERTS RUN OUR COUNTRY IS BEYOND ME. THEY ARE DISGUESTING!!
Bryant Riesenberg at 7:20AM on Jan 21st 2007
92. I think I'm going to be sick. I know it may sound stereotypical, but do we really want a menopausal maniac in charge of this country? I thought everyone wanted things to get better
Steve Thompson at 7:30AM on Jan 21st 2007
93. I would love to see Hillary in office. I am a teacher and I believe that woman are smarter than men. They think before they act.I just DO NOT think that this country is ready for a woman president. If Hillary runs, I am afraid that a republican will win and then this country will be in BIG trouble. She still has my vote though!!!!
Susan at 7:16AM on Jan 21st 2007
94. Hillary/Edwards--Edwards/Hillary or Hillary/Biden. No Obama, no experience.
Will Jan. 21 2007
William E. Springirth Sr. at 7:45AM on Jan 21st 2007
95. I think that Clinton and Obama do not have a credible chance at the Democratic Nomination , let
alone the Presidency . With John Edwards out there
as a no-nonsense candidate , and Mrs. Clinton's sudden change of course to the middle , voters will
reject her big time.
Chris Sosnoski at 5:13PM on Jan 21st 2007
96. I'm one of those middle of the roader's (leaning left) that is totally on the fence about her running. I love her to death - formidable, strong, more than capable and center-left. But, can she eeeccckkkk out the votes from "Jesusland" (mid America)?? I dunno - we could be setting ourselves up to get another King (Jeb) Bush in. I suppose this is a "wait and see" game. I know one thing - even Repub friends of mine have said they will NOT NOT NOT vote for McCain - which means they either switch party's or stay home on election day if he is the Repub nomination (and these are STRONG Repubs). And as a "think about it"....(hmmmm)... can you imagine a Clinton (Hillary)/Clinton (Bill) ticket? >.O LOVE IT!
Tom at 8:05AM on Jan 21st 2007
97. OBama/Hillary would be the best ticket. I think Hillary willhave too many obstacles to gain the nomination for the top spot.
Jeff Walsh at 8:09AM on Jan 21st 2007
98. Maybe I'm still too idealistic, but I believe the majority of people vote for the candidate that best represents what they want for themselves. The problem with that is too few people can identify what they want and connect it to a candidate, so they don't show up at the ballot box. If Hilary, or any other candidate, is able to articulate beliefs that a majority of voters can identify with she is quite capable of winning the election.
John Stewart at 8:44AM on Jan 21st 2007
99. God when will the Clintons just go away! I would have had more respect for Hillary if she would have left Bill and took him for half of his stuff when he got caught cheating. Her coattail riding is an absolute joke. There has got to be a better choice for the Democrats man or woman, black or white.
kevin at 8:18AM on Jan 21st 2007
100. don't sell hillary clinton short...not by a long shot. some people don;t like her personality....BUT...think of this...there must be something to her being able to win or the analists would have shot her down long b4 now..and that hasn't happened has it? and for anybody that doesnt think bill and hillary wouldnt discuss a problem...come out of the cave. as someone said,they r a team and they do work together. ask yourself this...why are we as a sociaty of the mindset that a president has to be a man. i thought it was the best qualified for the job. and if thats hillary clinton...THEN SO BE IT
MARK at 8:28AM on Jan 21st 2007
101. After 8 years of Bush I would vote for anyone, but I honestly believe the Mrs. Clinton has a good chance of becoming President. She has the experience, more than any other person running. She had name recognition. At this point she has my vote, not because she is a woman and I am a woman, but because she can do the job that needs to be done. We have to turn this country around now or it will be lost forever. Woman have been running other countries for centuries, so what makes the American "male" thing a woman couldn't run this one. We've had the male perspective for over 200 years, don't you think it's time for a new one?
Lee Ann at 12:22PM on Jan 21st 2007
102. go hillary
MARK at 8:36AM on Jan 21st 2007
103. you go mrs. thing, she would do great in oval office. she is the woman who will be the first madam president of the US. i support her all the way, and i think this will be the first time i volunteer for a candidate to help make it happen.
hail to the lady chief
jeff palma at 8:27AM on Jan 21st 2007
104. The reason for her to win rests in her husbands experience in dealing with foreign affairs, specially the mid-esat turmoil. He can very well be her best counselor to easy up things. He was the one that without taking sides, could get meetings with israelis and arabs in the Whit House, and things were not that bad as they are now. The iraqui situation is one that seems to have no end in sight. But with intelligent diplomatic moves, we could recover the loss of prestige needed so badly for keeping our nation safer than ever. I dedicated my book to Bill because he showed sensitivity for the needy. A good leader has to be mentally prepared to make quick decisions on when to use extreme military force and when to be sensible on whatever matter is to be confronted or considered.
Pragmacio
Pragmacio at 1:49PM on Jan 21st 2007
105. It frightens me to think this woman as president.
Susan Peterson at 8:38AM on Jan 21st 2007