THE END GAME: Clinton Hits Rough Patch As Iowa Showdown Nears (Barf Alert)

The Wall Street Journal ^ | November 23, 2007 | JACKIE CALMES

[Aristotelian]

Rivals Strike From Left As She Courts Center; 'Responsibility Gene'

BALLSTON, Va. -- As Hillary Clinton huddled with advisers not long ago, she was pressed to stake a position popular with the party's left-leaning voters on one issue. But the presidential front-runner resisted. It wasn't her position.

"If I do what you all want me to do, I'll look great for the next couple months," she said, according to one insider's account. "But what if I'm the nominee? I'll be ripped apart by the Republicans. And what if I'm the president? My hands will be tied."

The New York senator's response captured the tension at the core of her 10-month-old presidential bid, and helps illuminate why she has hit a dangerously bumpy stretch as January's first nominating votes near. Sen. Clinton actually is running two campaigns at once -- courting left-leaning Democrats to get the nomination, but mindful even now of maintaining a sufficiently centrist course to withstand Republican attacks and win election next November.

Beyond that, Sen. Clinton views her campaign as a template for her possible presidency. Having witnessed Bill Clinton's early struggles reconciling campaign promises with governing -- and guided by his private advice now -- she knows first hand that what candidates say now for political points can haunt them as president. Close advisers call this caution her "responsibility gene."

[Aristotelian]

Typical of the liberals on the news side of The Wall Street Journal (versus the editorial page). Doesn't it dawn on this reporter that only a candidate who 1) either holds no firm views, or 2) is hiding her real views from the public would have a problem taking stands that would be consistent in both primary and general elections? Doesn't it dawn on this reporter to ask if Clinton is poll-driven just like her husband? Or whether she's hiding something, like the socialist agenda she has harbored since her younger days?

[umgud]

I really do hope Hillary is the nominee. I believe we can beat her.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

Rule-making for others,
Rule-breaking for herself =

HILLARY’s Lifetime M.O.

...stated Political Columnist MICHAEL BARONE in U.S. News & World Report Magazine-1999

.

Nothing has changed since.

.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

While I would like to agree with your optimism, I also remember the fact that Bill was able to get re-elected. Therefore I fear the shear stupidity of a large number of American voters.

[smoothsailing]

Bill Clinton is getting $12 million for his memoirs.

Hillary got $8 million for hers. That’s $20 million

for memories from two people, who for eight years,

repeatedly testified, under oath, that they couldn’t

remember anything.

[upchuck]

Close advisers call this caution her "responsibility gene."

The Hildabeaste wouldn't know responsibility if it lifted the leg of Crusty and bit her on her fat cankle.

[boop]

"promoting her experience and competence"

I stopped reading when I came to this line. I would have kept reading if the "reporter" could give me a single example.

[tcrlaf]

There is an absolute stench of corruption surrounding Clinton’s, yet the American Mainstream Media fails/refuses to take notice of it...

Instead, they treat these people as if they are Gods, or Rock Stars.

If this was, oh... Say TOM DELAY, we’d be getting hourly updates for MONTHS even if no corruption were ever proven...

[rdl6989]

Therefore I fear the shear stupidity of a large number of American voters.

Me too.

[PhilDragoo]

[Mogollon]

....I also remember the fact that Bill was able to get re-elected.

Slick won about 43% of the vote....Ross Perot was the reason slick got elected and re-elected. Hildebeast probably won't have the luxury of a 3rd party drawing votes away from the republican candidate.

[UCANSEE2]

“That’s $20 million for memories from two people, who for eight years, repeatedly testified, under oath, that they couldn’t remember anything.”

THAT IS FUNNY. (Maybe you should be in comedy!)

[doug from upland]

Hillary will have 5 million young airhead female voters who know nothing about her rapist husband and her enabling.

[Aristotelian]

Here’s something telling about former WSJ Managing Editor Paul Steiger from Politico.com:

On the evening of Nov. 13, the Wall Street Journal’s Paul Steiger received the prestigious Fourth Estate Award from the National Press Club, in Washington D.C., following a light-hearted roast from guests such as Sen. Joseph Lieberman and Washington Post executive editor Leonard Downie.

Steiger, upon taking the podium, spoke mostly about Pro Publica, the non-profit, investigative newsroom that he plans to run after leaving the Journal towards the end of this year.

But before the veteran editor even launches his new venture, questions have been raised within the Journal about Steiger’s role in overseeing a July 2006 front page philanthropy story that prominently featured Herbert and Marion Sandler—the billionaire California couple, and progressive Democratic donors, who are funding Pro Publica with a guaranteed $30 million.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/6943.html

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Hildebeast probably won't have the luxury of a 3rd party drawing votes away from the republican candidate.

Even tho normally, it is too early in the election season to expect the GOP to get behind one candidate, this election appears to be halfway through an unusual 2 year campaign. With the GOP so fractionated, I would not be shocked to have a third party candidate arise from this election.

[potlatch]

I say nay, NEIGH !!

[devolve]

.

Excellent graphic potlatch

[devolve]

.

Bump

[PhilDragoo]

[potlatch]

What comes out of the donkey’s mouth is for mature audiences!!