Hillary Lurches Leftward: An Early Abandonment of Her Centrist Strategy

Real Clear Politics ^ | 7 February 2007 | Tony Blankley

[Aussie Dasher]

The 2008 Democratic presidential primary season has gotten off to a good start . . . for the Republicans. While political professionals of both parties see the 2008 election as very hopeful for the Democrats, there is no such thing as a lay down hand in presidential politics. Both parties start off with a minimum level of support of 45 percent. The battle will be for the remaining 10 percent of voters who are probably moderate and less attentive to the daily news.

Unfolding events will, of course, be critical; and it is in this area that professionals, expecting continued deterioration of our position in Iraq, see the Democrats' justified reason for optimism for their 2008 ticket.

But the presidential elections of 1948 (Truman/Dewey/Thurmond/Henry Wallace), 1960 (Kennedy/Nixon) and 2004 (Bush/Kerry) all demonstrate that the positioning and performance of the candidates can provide victory to the shrewder and better performing candidate, even if he or she faces an adverse national and world events topography.

[Aussie Dasher]

Try as hard as she might, the truth will always out: Hitlery IS a leftist!

[Caipirabob]

Next we'll hear John Kerry was in Vietnam! : P

[Caipirabob]

I was interested in reading in another article how Hillary may not even show up for the debates. Makes sense, her "handlers" are probably paranoid over them. I can just see her losing it, pounding her shoe on the podium screaming "WE WILL BURY YOU!"

[MaxMax]

The Kellery effect in full swing.

[fruitintheroom]

It will be a vital test of Hillary Clinton's political judgment, nerve and innate confidence in the fundamental strength of her candidacy if she can now put the brakes on her leftward drift and avoid a full year of mispositioning herself for the general election in November 2008.

Uh, Tony, don't give her any more free clues.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

A pretense that much out of character is difficult to maintain for long.

[lt.america]

I think this article coupled with the point you make below demonstrates how fragile her candicy is.

On another note, the author alludes to what will be the ultimate undoing of the Democrats in the 08 election, which will be the necessity to cozy up to the left, therefore losing every flyover state and ultimately the election.

[Jalapeno]

She'll be back....

[Hydroshock]

The rats are going to beat each other to a pulp before we even get a crack at them.

[Semper Vigilantis]

I have always said that we should encourage the Democrats to talk. The more they talk, the more they expose their true colors.

[relictele]

Hillary won't answer direct questions from the media - for some reason they comply with this.

Why, then, don't the media ask her staff or supporters: if her name was Hillary Smith would she be in this position? If the Clinton connection is such an advantage where is Bill Clinton to help build up this edge?

[devolve]

[PhilDragoo]

HAIL HILLINSKY: HELL TO PAY

[Rainwaves]

I just hope she doesn't start quoting scripture! I remember when Bill was running, he TWICE misquoted the Bible, and the media didn't pick up on it. The first was " Eye hasn't seen, ear , hasn't heard nor has it come into the minds of man WHAT WE CAN BUILD" the correct verse is (depending on what translation you use) " Eye hasn't seen, ear hasn't heard, nor has it come into the hearts or minds of man what God has in store for those who love him." The other one skips my memory but I remember Two instances for sure of blatant misquoting of the Bible by Bill C. It really pisses me off when politicians use the bible to seem "Holy" or spiritual and don't even have a clue what they are talking about. I guess I'm being too hard on people, a lot of Christians don't even read the bible or really have a clue what it says.

[potlatch]

Very neat devolve. They are 'jiving'.

[advertising guy]

Hillary is gonna have a Howard Dean moment and the drive by's will work their arse's off to hide it........just watch.

[potlatch]

Lol, you just gave me a good idea for a gif!!

[workerbee]

Must... not... allow.... socialist impulses to show... must not..."I'll take those oil profits!"...control.... control.... "We'll take things from you for the common good!" ...Must maintain facade... must control inner voices....

[musicman]

From Pookie18's FR "Daily Toons" thread 02/07/07:

[Polyxene]

"Hillary is gonna have a Howard Dean moment and the drive by's will work their arse's off to hide it........just watch."

I totally agree! She wants to be POTUS so bad, she can taste it, and she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Having said that, she will get more and more frenetic and have a meltdown, just like Dean. There is just too much venom and hate in that woman -- she can't keep it bottled up forever.