Posted on 02/10/2006 4:00:21 PM PST by yoe
February 10, 2006, Greencastle, Ind. - "Hillary has become sui generis, now as much a celebrity as a politician," writes Ken Bode of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Writing in today's Indianapolis Star, DePauw's Eugene S. Pulliam Distinguished Visiting Professor of Journalism states, "in the opinion of those who set the opening odds for the 2008 Democratic nomination, she is definitely the frontrunner. Sen. Clinton is sure to win easy re-election in November. She is the best-heeled contender, with a savvy, loyal staff and Bill as resident braintruster. That's not a bad start. But the other part of the opening line on Hillary is this: If the Democrats nominate her, she is a certain loser. You hear this even from those who like Hillary, or want to."
Bode, former senior political analyst for CNN, contines, "The 'can't win' argument has footing because the 2008 election will not be decided on personality or competence, or experience. It will be decided on geography. The common sense derived from that fact works against Hillary. First, the Democrats must give up their post-Bill Clinton fantasy of winning in the South... The critical battleground for 2008 is the eight states of the Midwest. Some big states, some swing states. In 2004, four went for Bush, four for Kerry. Five were squeakers with margins of 1 to 3 percent. This is where the 2008 race will be decided and there is no reason to believe that nominating Hillary will add a single state to the Democratic column."
The professor believes other Democrats -- namely Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Tom Vilsack of Iowa and Evan Bayh of Indiana [this spring's commencement speaker at DePauw] -- would run stronger in those key states.
Bode also believes that Sen. Clinton has "been so busy grabbing opportunities to establish herself as a centrist that she's losing the support of important voices who might have been expected to argue that she deserves a chance... Writing on the current Republican spin characterizing Hillary as an angry harpy, Maureen Dowd says: 'Hillary's problem is not that she's angry. It's that she's not angry enough. From Iraq to Katrina and the assault on the Constitution, from Schiavo to Alito and NSA snooping, Hillary has failed to take the lead in voicing her party's outrage... The Republicans can't marginalize Hillary. She has already marginalized herself.'"
In conclusion, Bode writes, "If you're tempted to bet that Hillary will be the Democratic nominee, let alone the next president, you should leave your money in your other pants."
The only scenario worse than hillary clinton as President of our country is the traitor coward john kerry as commander-in-chief of the outstanding men and women of our military.
I would agree except that Republicans might go back to governing like Republicans if there's a Democrat in the White House whereas they will continue playing pork politics as long as one of their own gets the credit.
Bush has grown government astronomically and the rank-and-file have gone along with it because they don't want to be seen as disloyal. With McCain as president, there will be more Republicans going along with things they disagree with for fear of not getting love from the Republican president.
With a Democrat president, they hopefully would grow a backbone and say "no" to federal largesse. That doesn't mean I want to see a Democrat president. I'd much rather see a Republican who could hold the line on spending and push through conservative positions. McCain's not going to do that.
George Allen... that's who I'm supporting!
I would wager that Mr. Bode will soon find himself Fostered or McDougaled daring to question the electablity of the queen.
I've already invested in a "Run, Hillary, Run" bumper sticker for the front of my SUV.
Disappointing when a professor quotes Maureen Dowd showing he has no proof whatsoever for his thesis. I do not know what the situation will be like in 2008, but I doubt that now is the time to elect a Jewish president of the US because of our involvement in the Mid East. I am surprised Feingold gets mentioned.
I think the writer means he or she can't distinguish betwen McCain and a democrat.
It's whacked.
"Five were squeakers with margins of 1 to 3 percent"
Mrs. Clinton should be able to make up this small a margin through voting fraud. A little intimidation, a little bribery, whatever it takes.
Look at the election in the state of Washington. A very suspicious result for a major office and nobody's heard about it. She knows she can get away with fraud.
I walk in the polling place for the primary and they ask me which ballot I want. (Illinois).
Of course in Illinois it doesn't matter who the dim nominee is, that person will get Illinois' electoral votes.
I think Hillary's a lock to get the nomination. She's got plenty of money, and a crowded field probably works to her advantage.
McCain polls better than anyone else. But, I guess beating Hillary isn't that important.
LOL!
I have a very conservative boss and he has that photo of the kid wanting to punch Hitlery on his door, but he put a picture of his little son over the kid's face.
McCain will NEVER be president because he will NEVER get the republican nomination, period.
So everyone stop worrying.
Yes...and my front bumper stickers show "Run, Hillary, Run" in mirror image.
That's the Quiznos guy isn't it?
might be...not sure
I will never vote for John McCain in a primary until he repudiates CFR. Period.
Because it would be proof positive that the difference between a Democrat and a Republican no longer exists.
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