Posted on 01/27/2007 2:48:08 AM PST by MadIvan
Forget the glitzy Hollywood fundraisers and the big-money donors in Manhattan.
To win the White House, Senator Hillary Clinton needs to sit down in the diners of the frozen flatlands of Iowa and, over coffee and buttered pancakes, persuade folks that she understands them.
It will be a hard sell. But Iowa holds the first presidential caucuses, considered a crucial test of popularity, and she arrives here today.
In a local poll this week, she was placed fourth for the Democratic nomination.
The breakfast crowd in the 1950s-style Drake Diner in Des Moines, where Mrs Clinton stopped for a chocolate malt three years ago on her last visit to the state, doubt that she can close the gap.
"I just don't know if the US is ready for a woman president," said Genelle Chladek, who waited on Mrs Clinton then and remembers a "very gracious" tip. "I'm just impressed a woman would make the move but there's a fear factor."
There is a question over whether Mrs Clinton has the common touch. "She came in with the Secret Service and about six others," said Mrs Chladek. "She sat way inside the booth as kind of a protection manoeuvre, though she did visit people as she left."
A stop at the diner is a rite of passage for candidates. "People grill 'em when they come in here," said Shannon Traczyk, the manager. "It's fun to watch.
"The east and west coasts are more corporate and intellectual. Here, it's the heartland."
Iowa, a farm state that produces much of America's corn and pork, is sparsely populated and has never elected a woman to Congress or as governor. "In politics, you have show horses and work horses," said Rick Schulenburg, 58, who, like many Iowans, looks at the candidates as if judging an agricultural contest. "Hillary is more of a show horse. She puts her finger in the wind, sees which way it's blowing and that's the position she takes."
John Edwards, a former senator who just missed becoming vice-president in 2004, has visited Iowa 17 times since the last election. He leads the local polls, ahead of Senator Barack Obama.
Both want immediate troop withdrawals from Iraq, while Mrs Clinton's stance is more cautious. Her initial support for a now deeply unpopular war could cost her dearly.
"I don't know if people will vote for Hillary – I hear mixed opinions," said Miss Traczyk, who recalled that the last time Mr Edwards was in he took a "to go" meal. "If she comes in and starts talking to people we'll get a better sense of who she is. But she's a star, a celebrity, so that might be hard to do.
"She's got a cold image and there's the whole Monica Lewinsky thing. I don't think people understand her position with Bill's infidelities."
Miss Traczyk favoured Mr Obama, saying he had "that Kennedy factor".
When Bill Clinton won the presidency in 1992, he skipped the Iowa caucuses. These days, that would be too big a risk. In 2004, John Kerry secured the Democratic nomination by winning Iowa. This time, the race has begun so early that the caucuses are more important than ever.
Even Mrs Clinton's backers in the diner feared for her prospects. "I'm definitely a fan," said Cheri Adair, 67, who works with victims of crime.
"I want the Democrats to win big time. But I'm afraid that she will be nominated and not be elected and lose it for the party."
I am really put off by the shallow coverage of this campaign.
Hillary Clinton Commemorative Stamp
The US Postal Service has issued a recall of a stamp they created with a picture of Hillary Clinton to honor her achievements while serving as the First Lady of our nation.
The problem was discovered when claims had been made that the stamp was not sticking to envelopes, and that mail which had been sent using the "Hillary" postage was not being delivered. Senator Clinton demanded a full investigation into the allegations.
A special Postal Service Investigation team was formed and after several months and many dollars spent, made the following findings:
*The stamp was manufactured properly.
*There was nothing wrong with the adhesive.
*People were just spitting on the wrong side
"She came in with the Secret Service and about six others," said Mrs Chladek. "She sat way inside the booth as kind of a protection manoeuvre, though she did visit people as she left."
This says it all. Make an appearance, but don't really connect until you have put in your time so you can say I was there.
On the way out stop at 1 or 2 of the smitten, and declare that connecting with the people.
Seems like the visit was kind of one sided " don't you think"
The Clintons have sat down in plenty of diners acorss NYS. The writer of the article should rememeber that. Their modus operandi is well established. They never leave a tip and usually leave bad feelings behind among the locals (while garnering fawning articles from the shilling MSM).
Why do people think she is aristocracy? Hillary is from middle to upper middle class Chicago suburbs. BFD.
The lifestyle she planned to become used to was provided solely by Bill. Illusions of grandeur and entitlement.
So, this is class?
silly-hilly was looking for a nice easy slip into the presidency. She's discovering that she may have to actually speak--and that'll sink it for her.
This should be a part of every pubbies stump speech. Most of the sheep are ignorant of the intent, tenaciousness, and malice of the shearer...
agreed.....
"The boxer" - one of my favorites...
8^)
Pic of pancakes on rabbit = hillary on cankles.
The 'one of us' argument is interesting, because ultimately an amazing number of people vote for the candidate they'd rather have a beer with ... can you picture the average voter wanting to have a beer with Jon Cary or Hillary? Obama and Edwards, among the Dems, fare better on that score.
If I could 'have a beer' with anyone, it'd be Ben Stein but, alas, he's not running.
FYI...heads up....today 1:30PM EST--C-span 1..LIVE Hillary rally from Iowa...at least she ain't in Chappaqua..
It has nothing to do with her being a woman - it has to do with HER.
Thanks for the info............ but I don't get C-Span here on my cable. Thank God that I don't ......... for I ran out of 55 gallon drum BARF BAGS.
;-)
You can watch it live on the C-span website. I wonder if she'll screech..
she wins in up state new york.she can probably win in rural america.
She came into the diner with 6 secret service and a bunch of others and then sat at the far end of the booth. What was she afraid if? Afraid someone would look her in the eye or heaven forbid, touch her?
Last I heard it was a broad from Canada. And, they travel overseas together.
"she wins in up state new york"
You're right, some areas in upstate New York are as liberal as any in the big cities. The liberal voting is brought about as the productive exit these areas, leaving the area to welfare layabouts and others who believe they are entitled to other people's money.
The same exodus is currently going on in Michigan. Young people, the coveted 21 to 34 year old demographic, more correctly young families - the future, are leaving by the tens of thousands. They are following the businesses that are leaving. Anyone who wants a future for their family and the right to enjoy the fruits of their labor are leaving blue midwestern states en mass.
What remains is the big liberal voting block - welfare slugs, companies and bureaucrats who sponge off government and retirees who draw pensions.
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