Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Clinton grapples with Trump's ability to stay in spotlight
dariennewsonline.com/AP ^ | Julie Pace

Posted on 05/19/2016 12:16:13 PM PDT by RoosterRedux

Donald Trump kept himself planted firmly in the political spotlight this week with one headline-grabbing move after another — launching a social media defense of his treatment of women, listing possible Supreme Court nominees, rapidly declaring an Egyptian plane crash an act of terrorism.

His likely general election opponent, Hillary Clinton, seemed content to hang in the background.

But Clinton's stay-above-the-fray attitude masks unresolved questions that have gnawed at her campaign since Trump virtually locked up the Republican nomination. How can the wonkish Clinton counteract Trump's finely-tuned ability to command attention? Can she win the White House by letting Trump run on his terms, hoping his unorthodox candidacy wears thin with voters by November?

Or does she need to make a positive case for her own candidacy, something she has struggled to articulate during the Democratic primary?

"She's going to have to do things to keep her side motivated, to keep people excited, keep it aspirational," said Steve Schale, a Florida Democratic strategist who advised President Barack Obama's White House campaigns.

Clinton's unexpectedly tough battle with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders highlights her struggle to make that case thus far.

Sanders' supporters can repeat whole sections of his campaign speech verbatim. Trump's backers chime in on cue when he asks who will pay for his proposed border wall with Mexico.

The former secretary of state, by contrast, throws a policy-filled kitchen sink at voters. She pledges to break down barriers to progress, build on President Barack Obama's priorities and implement lessons learned from her husband's economic stewardship in the 1990s.

And her ability to define the race on her own terms could only get harder in a face-off with Trump, the dominant force in this presidential contest and a master of defining his opponents before they can define themselves.

(Excerpt) Read more at dariennewsonline.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: clinton; trump
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-57 last
To: RoosterRedux

“Wonkish Clinton”?

To be a wonk, you have to be smart. When has Clinton ever said anything smart?

Whenever a Democrat proves to be repellent, it’s always attributed to an excess of intelligence.


41 posted on 05/19/2016 1:55:40 PM PDT by Arthur McGowan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tea Party Terrorist
 
 
If Trump has done one thing, he has exorcised that demonic family from future politics.
 
Except for that worthless turd George P. in Texas - something's gonna have to be done about him.
 
 

42 posted on 05/19/2016 2:18:04 PM PDT by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: samtheman

It’s in the fax sent out to the media wing of the DNC. Another article this week said she has an “unusually good grasp of policy.”


43 posted on 05/19/2016 2:21:00 PM PDT by Rastus (#NeverHillary)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: DarthVader
 
 
Wondering what her definition of "unqualified" is - not a lifelong parasite at the government trough? Not a successful treasonous grifter like she is?
 
 

44 posted on 05/19/2016 2:22:44 PM PDT by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: JBW1949
 
 
I don’t know how much of her attitude is stay-above-the-fray or just that she just plain doesn’t know what to say or do.....
 
I vote that it's the latter.
 
 

45 posted on 05/19/2016 2:24:35 PM PDT by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: RoosterRedux
Or does she need to make a positive case for her own candidacy, something she has struggled to articulate during the Democratic primary?

Her problem is that her entire campaign is based solely on being a woman. She can't articulate anything more than that because she has no ideological foundation. Everything she says now can be contradicted by her past statements and actions. (Or lack of action).

46 posted on 05/19/2016 2:24:46 PM PDT by Repealthe17thAmendment
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HarleyLady27
 
 
Yeah, trying to play defense against a guy that is always on the offense 24/7 is a losing proposition - the optics are gonna be extraordinarily bad. Trying to play the Trump-is-a-big-ole-meanie card is a loser too - just reinforces an image of weakness. There are meaner mo-fos than Trump out there in the world and coming across as a whiner is not confidence inspiring. Lose/Lose for the Hag all the way around.
 
 

47 posted on 05/19/2016 2:34:10 PM PDT by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Rastus
 
 
Another article this week said she has an “unusually good grasp of policy.”
 
Media hacks are hilarious - they're quick to assign attributes without listing the alleged accomplishments.
 
 

48 posted on 05/19/2016 2:37:02 PM PDT by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: RoosterRedux
How can the wonkish Clinton...

Misspelled skankish.

49 posted on 05/19/2016 2:52:11 PM PDT by N. Theknow (Kennedys-Can't drive, can't ski, can't fly, can't skipper a boat-But they know what's best for you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RoosterRedux

Is Hillary getting maaaad?

LOL.


50 posted on 05/19/2016 2:57:50 PM PDT by onyx (DONATE MONTHLY because YOU POST HEREw)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: onyx; RoosterRedux

51 posted on 05/19/2016 3:02:36 PM PDT by PhilDragoo (Onambla: Marxist-Muslim crack-smoking closet queen Exp 1-20-17)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: RoosterRedux

If you can fake authenticity you’ve got it made.

Hillary can’t fake authenticity and they can’t write it into her speeches. (”I don’t in no ways feel tarred...”)

Hillary won’t do press conferences for two reasons:

(1) The media sometimes messes up and asks hard questions.

(2) People know she’s a fake by the way she dodges questions.


52 posted on 05/19/2016 3:09:10 PM PDT by Senator_Blutarski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tea Party Terrorist

Simplify it: THE Bush Crime Family sounds an bout right>


53 posted on 05/19/2016 3:11:43 PM PDT by EarlT357
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: rod1
I suggest Hillary is called wonkish because she has no vision.

"Surely"--they think--"if one cannot see the distant, it must be because they are focused on the near."

54 posted on 05/19/2016 4:10:40 PM PDT by RoosterRedux
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: lapsus calami

“Conservative” Republican who trashes anyone who questions global warming?

F him and his whole family, I hope he chokes.


55 posted on 05/19/2016 4:49:26 PM PDT by Tea Party Terrorist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: DarthVader

Yes. What qualifies her? LOL, what an empty woman...


56 posted on 05/19/2016 7:19:04 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (He wins & we do, our nation does, the world does. It's morning in America again. You are living it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: RoosterRedux

Good point.


57 posted on 05/19/2016 7:24:22 PM PDT by rod1 (CTLY)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-57 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson