Posted on 02/11/2006 10:48:05 AM PST by wagglebee
Media liberals are starting to jump ship on Hillary Clinton, with one CNN veteran calling her a "certain loser" and a Newsweek scribe warning she'll take Democrats on a "kamikaze" mission in 2008.
"If the Democrats nominate her, she is a certain loser," predicts former CNNer Ken Bode, whose resume includes a long stint as both panelist and host of PBS's "Washington Week in Review."
"You hear this even from those who like Hillary, or want to," he insists.
Writing in the Indianapolis Star on Friday, Bode argues that in 2008, the Midwest - not the South - will be the critical battleground.
"In 2004, four [Midwest states] went for Bush, four for Kerry," he notes. "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."
Bode also complains that Mrs. 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."
"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," he warns.
On Saturday, influential Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter added his voice to the rising chorus of liberals who think Mrs. Clinton has no chance of winning the White House.
Discussing her lackluster speech at Coretta Scott King's funeral this week with WABC Radio's Mark Simone, Alter flatly predicted that Democrats would pick a different nominee - and called Hillary's presidential campaign a "kamikaze mission."
Democrats aren't likely to relish the prospect of "going over the cliff' with the former first lady, he declared.
Alter and Bode's comments echoed sentiments voice last week by New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, who trashed Hillary's presidential prospects to radioman Don Imus:
"It's just interesting what's happening in the Democratic Party in the last few weeks," said the flame-haired scribe. "I think people are realizing that she's not the inevitable candidate."
Democrats, Dowd said, are starting to fear "that it would be kind of a lemming situation if they just go with her."
She also criticized Mrs. Clinton's pulpit performance at the King funeral, saying: "She shouldn't have been up there."
Wow! what a "Rule"
I love this web site!!!
I think George Allen is incredible and he is my number one choice for 2008. I think the VP nominee will be based on what state they can deliver if need be.
A deft political touch seems to have deserted her on several occasions, most recently when she accused Republican leaders in Congress of behaving like “plantation owners”. Above all, the issue that her supporters and opponents alike consider her biggest liability has surfaced ominously: the likeability factor.
Few deny that Mrs Clinton is razor-sharp and politically savvy. But even supporters worry about her personal skills, at least before a large audience. She is a somewhat wooden speaker with a hectoring style at times more reminiscent of Al Gore than her husband. And unlike Bill, she projects a lofty, distant air that has been likened to the Queen of Sheba in a power suit. ...
The hope in her camp is that people will believe that Mrs Clinton has her husband’s political strengths and none of his weaknesses. The growing fear is that she incites the same level of loathing and suspicion as her husband always did, but has none of the charm and personality to deflect it.
Unstoppable? Probably an overstatement.
"She also criticized Mrs. Clinton's pulpit performance at the King funeral, saying: "She shouldn't have been up there."
Never thought I'd agree with Ms. Dowd, but she is surely correct about this.
I agree, although I would hate to see McCain in the White House.
I also think a McCain/Lieberman ticket running as independents would have a strong showing with neutral hits against the dims and the Republican nominees. The real question is who can run as a good conservative Republican candidate with Condi on the ticket as VP? Any suggestions on good Rep. governors?
A lot of those people think she was the brains behind her husband's political successes. She wasn't - she was the vocal chords, screaming at anyone who crossed her or him, then sic'ing an enforcer on the person.
She probably took too much Midol.
Lest anyone forget her infamous, "F@*$#%! Jew B&$#@+!"
"...possible participants Hillary, Algore, Howard Dean, John Kerry, and Joe Biden."
The creme de la creme! What no Kucinich? No Sharpton? (Hey, at least I can spell Sharpton!)
Since we are all supposing what about George Allen Pres., Jon Kyl VP ?
Warner will be strong. If the Republicans are going to lose let's lose to adults.
Hillary is not serious in wishing to serve the country. The Clintons serve themselves.
Interesting
I've believed since the first time I met Allen back in 1992 that he would eventually be POTUS and I think he will be the nominee in 2008 and that he will win. As for his running mate, I think a lot of that will depend on who can deliver key swing states.
That's a good example, but it's not an only child.
Do I see an all-out war wihtin the Democratic party?
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