Hillary 2008

Opinion Journal (Wall Street Journal) ^ | Thursday, June 19, 2003 | MICHAEL BARONE

[upchuck]

Yes, she's running for president. Is that good for the Democrats?

There is not much mystery about the political ambition or political strategy of Hillary Rodham Clinton. She wants to be president. She ran for senator in New York in 2000 because the job would make her a more plausible candidate for president and because she preferred being a senator to being a former first lady. She journeyed methodically to all 62 counties in New York on a "listening tour" and learned about the special problems of upstate New York. Upstaters, like most Americans, love to be visited by celebrities, and her travels enabled her--as similar travels enabled Robert Kennedy in 1964--to win a near-majority in usually Republican upstate, which, together with her big majority in Democratic New York City, resulted in a solid statewide victory.

[upchuck]

I sreached for this under "Hillary", "2008" and "Hillary 2008" and didn't find it. If you posted this article with a changed headline, shame on you.

Please read and heed my tagline.

Of course sometimes I wonder why I take the time and hassle to post articles like this when The Hildabeaste herself has said repeatedly that she's not running.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Eventually her own party will cut her off at the knees.

[martin_fierro]

Michael Barone is The Man.

P.S.: What tagline?

[Jim Noble]

She cannot wait for 2008.

[TomGuy]

I still think Hillary has to try for 2004.

Out of the pack of Dems, one might emerge next year who either defeats GWB or makes a great showing. That would quell Hillary in 2008. She can't take the chance that that might happen.

She might lose her Senate seat in 2006. That would end her power base. She can't take that chance.

Even if she tries in 2004, becomes the party nominee--either by primaries (doubtful) or draft (likely they'll beg her to save the party and the Nation)-- and loses 2004, that puts her at the head of the pack for 2008. (Remember, Al Gore had to "give" 2004 to the pack because he was considered the heir-apparent.)

[Kenton]

Oh, I would so love to see AlGore in the 2004 race! He was really entertaining in the 2000 race, and I'd love to see him in a debate with the other Democratic candidates. He wouldn't have an ice-cream cone's chance in hell of winning, but he could sure muddy the water in the Dumocratic primary.

[upchuck]

P.S.: What tagline?

It's that same one I've been using for a week or so. Wonder why it didn't show up in post #1. Here it is...

[kcar]

Stay alert for new manifestations of this "Third Way" Clintonian strategy. It could achieve success in a couple more years.
By then, with Hillary at the helm, I expect that the Democrats will have metamorphed from the majority party to a permanent minority party, with about a third of the seats in both houses and maybe a third of the governorships, and with two chances of recapturing the WH.

[My2Cents]

She is an overwhelming favorite to win re-election in New York in 2006.

WHAT?! Wasn't there a very recent poll which pitted Her Heinous against Lazio in a hypothetical rematch of their 2000 race, and Lazio beat her?

if she ran 5% behind him nationally, she would win 43% of the vote

About the same percentage that Bill Clinton got in 1992. Sadly, about 43% of the electorate has been bedrock Clinton supporters. But 43% in a two-candidate race means "landslide" defeat.

I seriously doubt Ms. Rodham will ever be elected President. I think the Dems could nominate her, considering how morally bankrupt the Democrats are, but she is the most divisive person in American politics. She may run, but her candidacy will result in a crashing defeat, and the final end of the Clinton era.

[arasina]

If the Demo 9 had any smarts, they'd start bashing Hillary now instead of Dubya. That'd likely win them some votes in 2004. Evidently they're just not as forward-calculating as she.

[My2Cents]

I concur with your analysis. I firmly believe that there was a sea-change in American politics around 1966/68, and the old formula of rhetoric and coalitions for the Democrats began to crumble. They have been without a real message for over 30 years, as a national party. They are bankrupt of ideas. Carter won because of Watergate. Clinton won because he was able to mask his true beliefs, and in the elections he ran as a "moderate Republican." All they spew is hate and negativity, as is seen in the rhetoric of today. The Dem. Party, nationally, is hanging on by its fingernails. I think continued strong leadership from Pres. Bush will cause the Democrats to crumble over the next few election cycles. The Dems are on the wrong side of just about every issue, including abortion (as people are increasingly becoming skeptical of the "choice" position). If the Republicans work their advantage, it will be years before we see another Democrat in the White House.

As to Hillary, she has all of Bill's negatives, with none of his charm.

[SQUID]

What knees?

[SQUID]

Hillary is a great candidate for 2008. FOR ME TO POOP ON!

[Consort]

I don't think tag lines show up on #1 posts for some reason.

[Consort]

It could be a Gore-Clinton Ticket in '04.

[oceanview]

the day after Bush wins re-election, the media will proclaim him a lame duck and will start talking about 2008. Hillary is the frontrunner for president in 2008, not the Democratic frontrunner, the frontrunner for the election absent a Republican candidate. Don't underestimate her and the people behind her, she can win, these polls now mean nothing.

[gov_bean_ counter]

It could be a Gore-Clinton Ticket in '04.

Then Al could hire Bill as his "food tester".

[surrey]

I agree with you. There are too many unknowns that could surface by '08. She and bubba would have to commit massive Arkancide to clear the likely contenders out of the way. I also think their "star-power" will certailnly be much dimmer with each passing year. Bill is becoming so tedious and it will only get worse. He longs to be back in the seat of power as much as the Beast and they're both too immature to have the patience to wait.

[Consort]

Then Al could hire Bill as his "food tester".

Not until after the second year, so the Hillary can potentailly serve as President for almost ten years.

[Consort]

Actually, Gore will suffer from a more subtle fatal disease, administered by Dr. Howard Dean, who will then be named as Hillary's VP after she is sworn in.