Posted on 02/22/2008 3:22:06 AM PST by kingattax
WASHINGTON — She had everything going for her. The most famous name in politics. A solid lead in the polls. A war chest of at least $133 million.
Yet Hillary Clinton now finds herself struggling for political survival, her once-firm grasp of the Democratic presidential nomination seemingly slipping away.
What happened?
Barack Obama, for one thing, a uniquely gifted speaker with a face that appeals deeply to the Democratic Party. He also had a better-organized campaign.
But Democrats say that Clinton, whose central theme is her readiness to be president, also made blunder after blunder. She chose an inexperienced campaign manager, crafted a message that didn't match the moment, fielded poor organizations in key states and built a budget that ran dry just when she needed money most.
"She got outmaneuvered," said Mark Mellman, a Democratic strategist who isn't aligned with any of this year's candidates. "Her campaign allowed her to be outmaneuvered on several fronts."
"To think that someone named Clinton with $130 million could end up here is amazing," another neutral Democratic strategist said. He spoke only on the condition of anonymity to permit more candor, as did many party insiders quoted here who dare not offend the still-powerful Clintons.
Clinton isn't out of it yet. Aides this week dismissed talk of mismanagement and mistakes and said that she can fight back in Ohio and Texas on March 4 and in Pennsylvania on April 22, and win the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August.
"People have made the mistake of writing off Senator Clinton before," campaign spokesman Phil Singer said.
Yet it's undeniable that the New York senator has fallen awfully far awfully fast.
One factor is Obama, an Illinois senator.
"You've got to give credit to Barack Obama. He is a once-in-a-generation politician," Mellman said.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...
Obama is an empty suit, and America has a limited supply of brain-dead voters. Obama will fulfill the primary directive - slay the clinton dragon.
Her biggest mistake was being born in 1947.
He is the Ross Perot of his generation, except Ross Perot was actually successful in the real world.
Lots of lip service, empty promises to solve every problem, but unelectable.
Perot was actually, IMHO, very electable. I think he jumped out because he was leading. Perot ran to split the vote, and I’ve always believed he had a deal with Bubba. He jumped back in because Bush was making up ground.
Well said King of Florida.
He needs to take that back and apologize to Mrs. Thatcher.
Nope. Spousal immunity.
Cordially,
The fence got too high for her to straddle.
Let's just keep quiet about that until AFTER he gets the nomination, please.
He had a lot of momentum the first time around, and average people who should know better, fell for his schtick, thus the comparison to Obama.
Blahblah, makes you feel soooo good, but......(((empty)))
Here's what I don't understand if someone could explain: What does she mean by "lent"? Would she really take back the $5 mil out of forthcoming campaign contributions or matching funds? Wouldn't she just spend the $5 mil on the campaign? Do candidates do that?
Spousal immunity for the period of the marriage applies even after a divorce.
Ever see the Peter Sellers' movie Being There?
Obama is Chauncey Gardiner all over again. I heard a caller suggest this on Rush a few days ago. The analogy is perfect!
AWWW! An Andrew Lloyd Webber fan!
Or picture that your parents believed everything they ever read or heard in the main stream media, that you did too, and that you believed everything you were ever taught in school, and never read or examined critically the source materials that any book or article or story was based on, and read only books recommended through the New York Times Book Review or it’s downstream surrogates.
Now imagine that all your friends are the same and that you’ve believed all the sources saying it is socially unacceptable to consider a Republican and that conservatives are a form of fascist or KKK member. Imagine that you do not go to church or have only gone to churches that don’t talk about the gospel, or examine scripture, but only talk about social action. Now imagine the deep bitterness that comes from having a worldview that doesn’t correspond to reality but is self-referential to a failed idealogy. Finally, imagine a candidate that gives you hope that you are indeed right and that all the good things that all the people and media around you talk and write about are right around the corner.
Hussein always answers questions, “Change!”
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