Hillary: "If the campaign doesn't evolve, it probably is dead"

[Herman Munster]

I think she knows NH is not looking good and is going to make some major changes. I just hope she gets rid of Mark Penn.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-clinton7jan07,0,3435614.story?coll=la-home-center

Later, talking to reporters, she acknowledged some retooling of her effort and drew a proverbial line in the snow. "If the campaign doesn't evolve, it probably is dead," she said. "And I don't intend for it to be anything other than a winning campaign."

[LittleBlue]

1. Her gaffes would kill her against a Republican

I truly believe we have this in the bag if we nominate Edwards or Obama. Hillary would revert us all back to arguing the Clinton years. She makes way too many gaffes, such as the change theme, the outburst (call it what you will, Republicans will smack her for that), and the Putin gaffe.

Her team is too politically inept to win against a Republican. She isn't very politically astute like Bill. It's become obvious she'd be nowhere without Clinton's coattails. I'm all for a female candidate as long as she can win! No more Bushgang

[mrreowwr_kittty]

10. Her team is mostly Beltway insiders who have no clue about the real world

They thought they were going to glide in on her name recognition and the memories of Bill. They figured us dumb rubes in flyover land would just accept her ascent without question. They weren't counting on a challenge, and certainly not a well-organized grassroots movement.

Silly DLC rabbits.

[itsrobert]

2. Not too smart

Look like Hillary is getting tired. Never admit you're losing.

[FlyingSquirrel]

3. Wow. I think she really senses that she has a problem.

[LittleBlue]

4. This is telling. Why should she be the nominee if it took her this long

to know she had a problem? It was obvious when her campaing manager became the focus instead of her message. If it took her this long to grasp reality, then she needs to concede. Romney et al. will abuse her daily.

[Egnever]

5. Smart

She needs to do something. What she is doing right now clearly isnt working. I dont think she is out of this thing yet though.

[BeyondGeography]

6. FYI: Bill, you just described Barack Obama to a tee

=="There's a difference between talk and action," Bill Clinton told the North Conway crowd. "It makes a big difference if you've actually changed people's lives, if it's the work of your life."==

[featherman]

7. After Gore and Kerry, I am just so fed up with incompetent

campaign management. Can somebody get this one ( the GE that is, whoever the nominee) right for the money they earn? Sheeesh

[LittleBlue]

8. Totally agree

So damn sick and tired of seeing Dems paralyzed by gaffe after gaffe, or unable to respond to basic attacks.

[Capn Sunshine]

9. who do you think is advising Hillary?

It's the same bunch of recycled inept clowns.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

12. Ding ding ding!

How about we start by replacing all those Beltway insider boneheads who have never performed, and replace them with people who actually know how to get Americans to vote for the candidate.

[DURHAM D]

11. It suggests to me she is getting ready to change -

some key staffers.

[doublethink]

13. It's hard to describe but ....

before Iowa, Hillary always came off to me as if she was already the democratic candidate on the ticket. Her centrist message and catering to the right, annoyed me then. But hey even I thought she was a shoe-in and really couldn't blame her for looking past the primaries. Another way to put it is ... before Iowa .... she was always 'campaigning for the presidency' to all of America, and not just the democratic side of the isle. She seemed to have her 'guard up' so to speak too as someone who I just couldn't get a genuine feel for.

But now ... scrambling to change her message in trying to just get the nomination of the party, I feel for her. She actually looked, sounded and brought forth democratic ideals of someone I could support when I watched the debates last night. I came away from that debate feeling a bit more comfortable with her if she somehow comes back to win this thing.

That all being said, I've ALWAYS felt more comfortable with Edwards, Obama and a few others though than Hillary. Their messages have always been more clear and consistent with me.

"If the campaign doesn't evolve, it probably is dead". I think Hillary ran two campaigns ..... she just ran them in the wrong order, IMHO. Time will tell. Peace.

[Bullet1987]

15. A moment of clarity for the Clinton campaign?

[doublethink]

16. Yep ...... and with New Hampshire a day and a half away .....

her 'new campaign' of-all-of two-or-so days old ..... (which should have been implemented months ago) ... which she said needs to 'evolve' ........ well things that 'evolve' need time ..... don't they? How's that for clarity? :crazy: ...... Peace.

Cha Cha Cha Cha Changes ..... turn and face the strange, cha cha cha changes ....... time may change me .. but I can't trace time. (Or is it change time?) Whatever .... Obama seems to have the momentum. Peace. :thumbsup:

[Nailzberg]

14. "I just hope she gets rid of Mark Penn"

That's the elephant in the room there.

I don't know which would be a better solution.
They can either fire Penn, or quietly removing him from his leadership role, giving Bill the reigns and possibly adding some new sr. advisers (although at this point in a primary season, not much talent is unemployed.)

It's tricky. Firing Penn may give the media a story of a campaign in trouble. But on the other hand it could also give the signal that Hillary is reclaiming her campaign and message, allowing her the chance to recover before heading into Super Tuesday. I think she can get away with firing Penn - she isn't expected to do well in SC anyway, still has strong numbers in NV, and MI and FL should go her way. There's plenty of time between now and Super Tuesday.

Win or lose, it would be nice to see a real Hillary campaign, not a Penn campaign.

[Bullet1987]

17. Michigan and Florida's delegates won't count....

And there hasn't been a new Nevada poll in a month.

[Nailzberg]

18. The delegates may not count up front...

but who knows how it plays out in the media. The candidates are still all on the FL ballot, so it could give a little momentum for Hillary.

on edit: I agree that that the NV polls aren't good right now. The prospect of a viable Obama haven't been considered.