Electability is puzzle for Hillary in '08 (New "Hill" Series: Part 1)

[Adelante]

Electability is puzzle for Hillary in '08 race
By Alexander Bolton

This is the first in a series of weekly features profiling the 2008 presidential hopefuls.


Hillary Rodham Clinton is considered the clear front-runner to win the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, but party insiders say questions about her “electability” are the biggest obstacle to her winning the White House primary.

Clinton has kept mum about her ambitions since winning election to the Senate in 2000, sticking to the line that she is focusing on serving the people of New York and winning reelection in 2006.

Though the last presidential election was decided only a few months ago, lawmakers and strategists have already begun focusing intently on “Hillary” as a likely future presidential candidate. Indeed, it’s a testament to her national name identification that she is often referred to by her supporters and opponents, as well as in news headlines, merely by her first name, a familiarity that few other American politicians, if any, have.

The possibility of her running could have an immediate impact. Amid rumors that her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and his former campaign manager James Carville have told Clinton to focus exclusively on the White House, some have raised doubts about whether she’ll run for reelection in the Senate.

- more -

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/041405/hillary.html

edit: shortened -- ooops

[In Truth We Trust]

1. I would prefer a real liberal. Don't run Hillary or change your tunes

on war, election integrity, economic issues and social issues. In other words stop being a DLC'er

[radwriter0555]

2. I just LOVE the REPUBLICANS telling us, the Democrats, who we believe is

the best candidate for us to run for President in 2008.

This means that THEIR candidates, which is either Frist, Frist or Frist SUCK.

BUT if we're stupid enough to run Senator Clinton, the entire nation will be SO embroiled in the politics of personal destruction they're carefully engineering, that Frist, the abortion clinic owning, medical billing fraud perpetrating cat killer will look like a boy scout by the time KKKarl Rove is done ramming a pillory up the fine Senator's ass.

Frankly, the democratic party would be better off BOYCOTTING THE 2008 elections.

[radwriter0555]

11. The Democrats should BOYCOTT the 2008 Elections....

My, what a panic that would cause!

THINK about it.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. "insiders" know the statistics are against her.

100% of Americans know who she is and she still doesn't poll anywhere near 50% favorably. That's a huge problem. There isn't any room for her to convince people that she'd make a good President as minds have already long been made up on her. Hillary = 160 EVs. Plain and simple.

[Clark Bayh 2008]

4. So what do we do when she wins IA & NH & is 2nd in SC in 2/08?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. Who says she will?

You sound like it's a foregone conclusion. Don't forget, most people thought Elizabeth Dole was going to be the Rethug nominee in 2000. She didn't even get close when push came to shove.

[lojasmo]

7. Don't worry about it...she'll lose in IA...Bank on it. EOM

[Crunchy Frog]

13. Get ready

for 8 years of President Cat Killer?:shrug:

[Adelante]

6. Nearly 70% approval in her state

Besides, anybody showing 50% at this stage, it would be meaningless.

She's not my first choice, but I'm not as sure as you are that times haven't changed and her negatives with them. She's a strong Senator and politician.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. "in her state" is the key phrase.

But unlike the vast majority of other candidates, again, people have already formed their opinions on Hillary. Her ability change her favorability ratings at this point are practically nonexistant. It's hard to underestimate just how difficult it would be for her to win.

[Crunchy Frog]

14. It's not like insiders have ever demonstrated

that winning elections was their biggest priority. I would guess that getting aboard a gravy train, even if the White House is not its final destination, is the biggest priority of most of these insiders.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

9. Electability is just one of those

meaningless buzzwords. If Hillary runs in 2008 and wins, then by definition she is electable.

Conservatives defining a Dem's electability is little more than propoganda. The conservative media rarely focuses on the issues any more. Instead, they focus on ethereal aspects of an election like "electability". It's easy to attack a candidate if you've redefined their image. It's the ultimate strawman argument. (although on the issues, I think Hillary might be one of our weakest choices)

[Patiod]

10. "is considered"

The MSM keeps telling us this.

Is it just that she's a name that's recognizable to potential voters who pay no attention to politics, and wouldn't know Wes Clark, Russ Feingold or Howard Dean from the Pep Boys?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

15. The Hill is not MSM.

The Hill is a newspaper for people on Capitol Hill. An "insiders" magazine, if you will.

[Patiod]

16. Good point - didn't pay attention to the attribution

[cestpaspossible]

12. eyes rolling

Indeed, it’s a testament to her national name identification that she is often referred to by her supporters and opponents, as well as in news headlines, merely by her first name, a familiarity that few other American politicians, if any, have

Yeah, her and Rahm. :eyes:


Let's see: Nancy -- who am I referring to?

How about: Harry -- can you guess?

Barney -- know who that is?

John --- hmmm why is this one harder?