It is quite interesting to compare the Democratic base's view of Hillary and Bill, to our view of the Clintons.
We see them both as far leftist Democrats. But to the left they are both the very definition of DINO. Was it not Bill and Hill who supported ending WELFARE as we knew it? The Welfare state was created by the combined efforts of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Lyndon Baines Johnson and the CLINTON's actively worked to greatly reduce it.
Hillary has voted to support the war in IRAQ. To the left that is the most DINO act possible. The white flag is the Democratic bases favorite fabric. To earn their support it must be freely waved.
What Hillary faces is a large portion of the Democratic party that does not want Her. They see Hillary as just another DINO presidency. They do not want a DINO as nominee. They want one of their own.
The fight in the Democratic party for control of the DNC was waged after 2004 and the Clinton's lost control of the DNC. Since they could not avoid the loss, the Clintons removed much of the money collecting apparatus from the DNC. That is why they keep reporting that Dean and the DNC is not doing well raising money.
But the Clintons are finding out that the only value of political money is to acquire votes. And if the Deaniacs and fellow travelors have the primary votes, money will not help them regain control of the party or win its nominations.
HIllary has a huge problem.. if she goes far enough left to get the nomination, she cannot win the presidency. And if she does not go far enough left to win the primaries she cannot get the nomination.
In 1992 the Democrats had only won 3 out of the last 10 presidential elections. The party base believed that even a DINO like Clinton was preferable to a Republican win. But by supporting DINOs like the Clintons, the Democrats have only won 3 of the last 10 presidential elections. The Democratic base is thinking, if our choice is a DINO or a conservative, then lets try a real choice... a real liberal against a Republican conservative. Since the base sees Hillary as a DINO, they are not likely to want to nominate her for president.
Her options are to come out of the closet and paint herself as a real lefists. She could make the case that Bill is the only DINO in the family and perhaps win the nomination.
Anohter option is to foster enough left wing candidates in the primaries in order to split the leftist base vote so that the moderate votes are enough for her to win.
None of those options are apt to allow her to win in the General election.
There is one other thing that we need to consider. The media is very biased against Republicans. But they do tend to report Democratic fights fairly.
When Hillary goes against a Republican the media is very much in her corner. But if Hillary has to go against Democratic opponents the media will tend to accurately cover the fight. If hillary looks a bit weak in the early primaries the midia will turn on her. If that happens in the contest for the Democratic Nomination for president in 2008 it should be fun to watch.
Interesting analysis.
Thanks!
Looking at the Democrat field from today's perspective, does it appear that Feingold is the one who might pose the biggest problem for Hillary? I haven't been following him too closely, but my impression is that he appeals to the moonbat far left, but could also lay a credible claim to being a mainstream leftist...