In Defense of Hillary

[Akno21]

Everyone around her thinks that Hillary Clinton would get creamed should she get the DNC Nomination in 2008. However, wouldn't she have some huge advantages that other Democrats wouldn't have?

-A superior campaign team. Most likely, the Bill Clinton people would come back, and even GOPers who despised Clinton should admit that he surrounded himself with good people, in an electoral sense. Plus, I think Clinton himself would give a bit more detailed campaign advice to Hillary than he did to Kerry.

-Fundraising. Only Dean could match the fundraising she could do.

[Alcon]

As much as she could fundraise, I just can't see her winning. I think there would be a barrier about 3 percentage points shy of a win. That's simply not good enough an outlook before the GOP attack dogs get their way.

[Akno21]

As much as she could fundraise, I just can't see her winning. I think there would be a barrier about 3 percentage points shy of a win. That's simply not good enough an outlook before the GOP attack dogs get their way.

But with the storied campaign team, she could [gasp] have her own attack dogs.

[Alcon]

As much as she could fundraise, I just can't see her winning. I think there would be a barrier about 3 percentage points shy of a win. That's simply not good enough an outlook before the GOP attack dogs get their way.

But with the storied campaign team, she could [gasp] have her own attack dogs.

Yes, much like Kerry had his own attack dogs this year.

The Republicans are good at making people have bad personal images. The Democrats are good at making people look bad on the issues. People would rather have someone they could have brunch with than someone who is good on the issues in the Presidency.

And they already hate Clinton.

[Defarge]

Regardless of her campaign staff and what her administration would like, you can't change the fact that a large portion of the country simply hates her.  Even I dislike her a bit, and would be very reluctant to vote for her for president

[DaleC76]

Everyone around her thinks that Hillary Clinton would get creamed should she get the DNC Nomination in 2008. However, wouldn't she have some huge advantages that other Democrats wouldn't have?

-A superior campaign team. Most likely, the Bill Clinton people would come back, and even GOPers who despised Clinton should admit that he surrounded himself with good people, in an electoral sense. Plus, I think Clinton himself would give a bit more detailed campaign advice to Hillary than he did to Kerry.

Yes, she would inherit a good team.  Be careful about awarding too much credit to Clinton's campaign team, however, as they had an outstanding natural campaigner to work with.  Hillary is not Bill, not even close.

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True, but any advantage this would bring would be nullified by the fact that Hillary on the ticket would energize the GOP like they've never been before.  Republican campaign officials' mouths must be watering thinking about the huge amounts of cash they would rake in if she runs.

[7,052,770]

Actually, I think she'd actually do best against Guliani or a moderate who couldn't inspire the evangelicals.  But I don't think she's nearly as bad as Republicans think she is.

[Bogart]

At this extremely early time, I still think she's the best candidate the Democrats have. Fundraising, name recognition, a solid Senate record all work in her favor. Many of her scandals have already been aired during Bill's presidency. One thing, though, that many don't mention is the simple fact that she's a woman. Rightly or wrongly, this will play into whether she can be elected. Personally, I think a female president would be great if she was the right candidate, but I'm not so sure that America at large is ready for it. Perhaps we'll see.

[Erc]

Personally, I think a Hillary candidacy is pretty inevitable, assuming she wins reelection in '06.

A)  She's got the liberal wing of the party under wraps.  Dean will be nice and happy as the DNC Chairman (and will do everything in his power to help her out).  Gore's gone beyond the point of no return...so who's left?  Russ Feingold?  Nope, she's got the liberal base.

B) She has the Clinton Machine (tm).  Yes, the Machine failed pretty miserably with Clark, but that was mainly Clark's fault, not the Clintons'.  Now they have a candidate who is obviously one of their own--so no mishaps here.  Plus the Machine (tm) ensures that some other Democrats who were helped out by the Machine [namely, Bill Richardson] don't run.

C) She's a Clinton.  The Democrats love Bill.  His campaigning may not always be the most effective on a national scale, but within his own party--the Democrats have very good memories of Clinton, who's their only truly successful politician in recent memory.  If she can evoke the Clinton memories, then she has a significant edge up over people like Warner and Bayh who will be running as moderate pseudo-Clintons.

There will be a large anti-Hillary campaign, of course, as many Democrats just don't like her, and, of course, the electability problem.  But unless they rally around one candidate, she'll have enough of a base to steamroll her way to the Convention.

[ian]

B) She has the Clinton Machine (tm).  Yes, the Machine failed pretty miserably with Clark, but that was mainly Clark's fault, not the Clintons'.  Now they have a candidate who is obviously one of their own--so no mishaps here.  Plus the Machine (tm) ensures that some other Democrats who were helped out by the Machine [namely, Bill Richardson] don't run.

I love Hillary; don't get me wrong.  And I love Bill even more, but, honestly, Bill only won because of Perot's entrance into the 1992 election and his role in the presidential debates.  And Bill won his second term because nothing TOO scandalous had happened in his first term.  So, just to let you know, there is no such thing as the Clinton Machine.

[George W. Bush]

B) She has the Clinton Machine (tm).  Yes, the Machine failed pretty miserably with Clark, but that was mainly Clark's fault, not the Clintons'.  Now they have a candidate who is obviously one of their own--so no mishaps here.  Plus the Machine (tm) ensures that some other Democrats who were helped out by the Machine [namely, Bill Richardson] don't run.

I love Hillary; don't get me wrong.  And I love Bill even more, but, honestly, Bill only won because of Perot's entrance into the 1992 election and his role in the presidential debates.  And Bill won his second term because nothing TOO scandalous had happened in his first term.  So, just to let you know, there is no such thing as the Clinton Machine.

Finnaly a Democrat that understands

[Beet]

energize the GOP like they've never been before. 

.

Like never before? That's a pretty strong statement. Actually very strong. Once again I suffer the sin of not being politically conscious pre-1998 and fail to understand why she is any more polarizing than any other Northeastern liberal. So, she supports universal health care. So do a lot of people.

Yes I hope she runs... and wins, though I wouldn't mind Bayh either

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

As much as she could fundraise, I just can't see her winning. I think there would be a barrier about 3 percentage points shy of a win. That's simply not good enough an outlook before the GOP attack dogs get their way.

But with the storied campaign team, she could [gasp] have her own attack dogs.

Wow, that's deep. Maybe we'll fight back next time.

[The Duke]

energize the GOP like they've never been before.

.

Like never before? That's a pretty strong statement. Actually very strong. Once again I suffer the sin of not being politically conscious pre-1998 and fail to understand why she is any more polarizing than any other Northeastern liberal. So, she supports universal health care. So do a lot of people.

Yes I hope she runs... and wins, though I wouldn't mind Bayh either

Hillary is hated by the right because of what she symbolizes, not what she believes.  She is seen as a first lady that felt she was elected as co-President.  Couple this upending of traditional views of the first lady with a traditional view of the role of women and this explains conservative revulsion to Hillary Clinton.

[khirkhib]

Damn uppity woman.

[Beet]

energize the GOP like they've never been before.

.

Like never before? That's a pretty strong statement. Actually very strong. Once again I suffer the sin of not being politically conscious pre-1998 and fail to understand why she is any more polarizing than any other Northeastern liberal. So, she supports universal health care. So do a lot of people.

Yes I hope she runs... and wins, though I wouldn't mind Bayh either

Hillary is hated by the right because of what she symbolizes, not what she believes.  She is seen as a first lady that felt she was elected as co-President.  Couple this upending of traditional views of the first lady with a traditional view of the role of women and this explains conservative revulsion to Hillary Clinton.

Ok. Then, you have to give libs in general credit for not being extremely revolted at Laura Bush. She does not seem to be a polarizing figure at all.

[The Duke]

energize the GOP like they've never been before.

.

Like never before? That's a pretty strong statement. Actually very strong. Once again I suffer the sin of not being politically conscious pre-1998 and fail to understand why she is any more polarizing than any other Northeastern liberal. So, she supports universal health care. So do a lot of people.

Yes I hope she runs... and wins, though I wouldn't mind Bayh either

Hillary is hated by the right because of what she symbolizes, not what she believes.  She is seen as a first lady that felt she was elected as co-President.  Couple this upending of traditional views of the first lady with a traditional view of the role of women and this explains conservative revulsion to Hillary Clinton.

Ok. Then, you have to give libs in general credit for not being extremely revolted at Laura Bush. She does not seem to be a polarizing figure at all.

Laura is very traditional and, unlike Hillary, doesn't pick fights with the opposition.  It's like apples and oranges to say liberals deserve credit for not disliking her.

[Platypus]

I like Hillary, and I think she'd make a good President, bu5t considering the depth in possible GOP candidates for 2008, I just can't see her winning next time.