GOP Views Clinton As Virtually Unbeatable

The Politico ^ | 2/7/2007 | Carrie Sheffield and Jim VandeHei

[Mike Bates]

What many conservatives regard as the nightmare scenario -- President Hillary Rodham Clinton -- is increasingly seen by veteran Republican politicians and strategists as a virtual inevitability.

In GOP circles, the Democratic front-runner is seen as so strong, and the political climate for Republicans so hostile, that many influential voices -- including current and former lawmakers, and veterans of President Bush's campaigns -- have grown despairing. These partisans describe a political equivalent of the stages of grief, starting with denial, then resentment and ending with acceptance.

For now, these Republicans say the party needs good luck, including a change of fortune in Iraq, and a revival of organization and leadership in the conservative movement to avert another Clinton presidency.

"If the conservative movement and Republicans don't understand how massive the Clinton coalition is, she will be the next president," former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said in an interview last week, after giving a private talk to GOP lawmakers. Clinton will win, he added, "if we don't use everything available to us and motivate our base, the people that believe in us."

In his closed-door comments to conservative House members, DeLay warned of the wealth and political potency of the Clinton fundraising network.

"We do have to get our act together, and I'd agree with Tom DeLay on that," said Rep. Steve King of Iowa. "At this point, short an inspirational Republican nominee, then I would agree that it's going to be very difficult to beat Hillary if she wins the nomination."

Those comments echoed those by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich last month on Fox News:

[PGalt]

Those without virtue and with virtual spines would view her as virtually unbeatable.

[ncphinsfan]

1. Cut Spending.
2. Cut Taxes.
3. Reduce Size and Scope of Government. (This to me is #1.)

Well, said. I'd add:

4. Win the War (no more political correctness for troops)
5. Seal the border. (tight)
6. Reform immigration laws to benefit legal, desirable individuals seeking CITIZENSHIP.
7. Quit the UN.

Just a start.

[OMalley]

nope and i dont think hitlary will be the dem pick either.

Itll be edwards.

and im sure his little visit to the "little ppl" to change light bulbs will have thier hearts all a flutter;)

[MNJohnnie]

Spending all your time shooting your own in the back will NOT win any political battles.

WHEN was the last time you heard a Conservative, other then Rush Limbaugh or Hugh Hewitt, go after the the Left hammer and tongs?

You don't. They are always so desperate to be loved by the Leftist Media Establishment they always spend at least half their time damning their own side before throwing in a dig or two at the Left.

The Conservative Media show the emotional and mental discipline of your average teenage girl. They want ONLY what they want, the second they want it and go into hysteric when what they decide they want is not implemented THAT second.

They completely lack the maturity to deal with the reality in politics that often the best you can get is considerably less then 100% of what you want.

Going into 2008 with that major flaw gaping every wider in our armor, while the Obsequious Media will be fawning all over Hillary's every word, means Madam President in 2009.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I know this is like regretting the passing of the dinosaurs (i.e., they ain't coming back) but it wouldn't be such a depressing prospect if we at least had some media outlets that would do their jobs.

Ah, but what is "their job?"

• Part of their job is to say that giving us "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" is the job they do.

• And part of their job is to report enough of the truth to keep people believing.

• But the real job of journalist is to promote journalism. They don't just promote their own newspaper, they promote the institution of journalism generally.
  • They promote journalism by claiming that journalism is objective, which is pretty much the same thing as claiming that journalism is wise.

  • They promote journalism negatively, by attacking the reputations of everyone who undertakes to do anything important.

  • And they promote journalism by promoting anyone else who promotes criticism of the productive, the exemplars of humility, and the valiant. Which is why they call such people "progressives" or "liberals."

Why Broadcast Journalism is
Unnecessary and Illegitimate

[Southerngl]

>>>GOP Views Clinton As Virtually Unbeatable>>>

Keep repeating it and hope the subliminal message gets out there ole Clintonafia.

[NittanyLion]

She is. The "Conservative" media would rather spend 90% of it time shooting it own people in the back. The Republican Establishment cannot get it head out of it butt. And the average "Conservative" would rather pout and bitch about everything then DO anything to win.

It's a good thing you studiously avoid the destructive and divisive behaviors you mentioned above. After all, you're never one to shoot other GOPers in the back (or "pout and bitch"), right?

LOL. The term "projection" comes to mind.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

"The irony is this: The Dems were supposed to lose in 06, according to many of the conservative talkshow hosts, and that would be the end of the Democrat party. Now, the demise of the Republican party seems imminent."

I totally agree. No one can say what will happen in 2008, and it's ridiculous to become resigned and depressed over something that hasn't happened, and may not ever happen. Bill Clinton, who is much more likable and has much better 'think on the fly' political instincts than does Hillary was never able to garner 50% of the vote. Actually, Gore did better than he did.

Hillary has a mountain to climb. She didn't run until now for a variety of reasons, but one of them was scandal fatigue. The Clintons are betting that enough time has passed for the scandals to be distant memories. There will, however, be new ones, and the old ones will then come back. By the time the primaries are held I believe that scandal fatigue regarding the Clintons will be prominent again, and that it will sink her aspirations.

[pissant]

Too late. Edwards stepped in it too many times. With his pledge to raise taxes and his hiring of an anti-Catholic bigot, who I'm willing to bet will be fired by week's end.

[Alberta's Child]

I'm not sure the media is as fond of her as you might think. The key indicator for me is that we have seen a lot of photos over the last couple of years in which she looks -- well, freakin' OLD.

Just last week we saw a number of articles about how many Democrats are very concerned that she's unelectable. And now we have these "senior Republicans" basically abdicating the 2008 election to her?

Maybe we should just get this sh!t over with and nominate Ronald McDonald and Ali-G as the candidates for 2008.

[RockinRight]

Rudy could beat her, although I'd only barely want him to.

McCain? No way.

Romney? Maaa-aaa--ybe.

Newt? Probably not, and that's sad because he'd do wonders for America.

Hunter? Eeeh, if he gets some name recognition, and I mean PRONTO, it could happen.

Brownback? Pu-leeze.

[mwl1]

Anyone believe that the GOP insiders are floating this "Hilary is unbeatable crap" because they are raising expectations higher and higher for her? They know that anyone with 40+% negative ratings is not going to be elected president.

Any of the top tier GOP candidates -- Giuliani, McCain or Romney -- can defeat this witch.

[Gritty]

Hillary is unbeatale as long as we let the media (our enemies) pick our candidates and frame the issues.

And that's what is currently happening.

[OMalley]

maybe....

but the moonbats will just claim its a rove conspiracy (or a clinton one) LOL

[RockinRight]

I'm not so convinced she'll win. She most definitely CAN, but I'm not throwing in the towel yet.

But, if she does, she'll only serve 4 years. She'd be a female Jimmah Carter.

[JerseyDvl]

This article is a good case of media projection and fabrication. They wish to hell Republicans felt this way because they have seen Shrillary's negative polling #'s.
No matter how many people say they will vote for her in these bogus polls, one fact remains.
Almost half of the general public will NEVER vote for her. The votes she has are shaky and the ones she doesn't are dead set against her.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Alberta's Child]

No Republican is going to win NY, NJ, or PA in 2008.

Maybe I should correct that . . . Any Republican who can win all three of these states in 2008 ain't worth voting for.

[pissant]

We'll see. I still thain Algore will step in and sweep the moonbats off of their feet.

[NeoCaveman]

But, if she does, she'll only serve 4 years. She'd be a female Jimmah Carter.

That's what I said about Bill Clinton, except for the female part.