The Coming Democratic Panic

Weekly Standard ^ | June 15, 2015 issue | Fred Barnes

[Cincinatus' Wife]

When a CNN poll last week showed Hillary Clinton leading Rand Paul by a single percentage point(48-47)and only three points ahead of Marco Rubio(49-46)and Scott Walker(49-46), it was mildly shocking. In April, her lead over the three Republican presidential candidates had been in double digits:Paul(58-39), Rubio(55-41), and Walker(59-37).

But wait. If the next CNN survey shows Clinton actually behind one or two or three of the GOP candidates,it won’t be just shocking. It will send Democrats into a near-panic over the possibility of losing the White House in 2016, even with their preferred candidate, Clinton,as nominee.

Such a poll result isn’t far-fetched as we watch Clinton’s campaign deteriorate. True, head-to-head matchups this early in the presidential cycle are almost never predictive. But in this case,it’s the psychological impact that matters.

That Clinton’s candidacy is in trouble is indisputable. She’s not threatened with losing the Democratic nomination—at least not yet. She has the well-financed Clinton machine and a national network of supporters on which she can rely. The campaigns of her Democratic opponents are small and weak in comparison.

But the rationale for her bid for the presidency,the strategy of her campaign,and the tactics she’s adopted—all have failed to stop her steady decline. The expectation of Clinton’s glide into the White House in 2016 is gone.

...In place of a rationale,there’s an assumption that her prominence, her résumé,and the likelihood of her becoming the first woman president would make her a uniquely appealing candidate. They haven’t. She’s a terrible candidate. She has not only failed to attract big crowds. She’s having trouble raising big money from those described by Politico as “rich liberals.”

The old adage that opposites attract may apply in her marriage.Bill Clinton is charming,has wonderful political instincts,is a compelling speaker,and has a common touch.She lacks all four.Also,Bill is dynamic.She is lifeless as a candidate...

[BobL]

The Dems are also panicked over badly losing the WHITE VOTE, should a legitimate conservative run as the Republican nominee.

Fortunately for them, they are getting help in avoiding that, from the usual bunch, which are Republican ‘advisers’ (most of them gay, by the way). So the Dems will likely get the candidate they want, in the end.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I have no real disagreement with that analysis - though I still think it will come down to Walker and Cruz.

I think over time their messages and actions will win out, even over Rubio, who apparently will be formidable - at least early.

Eventually though I think the talk radio and internet universe will reject Rubio, preferring Cruz first and Walker second. I think Walker will have a tiny bit more appeal outside of that universe - which is why I foresee a two person dogfight in the end.

The winner will be the one who ignores the other and focuses on the real enemy.

[dead]

Love the cartoon.

[rrrod]

Should Cruz or Rubio get the nom look for the paulistas to go after either of them. Big time.

[novemberslady]

BTTT

[samtheman]

case. Benghazi, cleaned e-mail server and the Clinton Cash scandals are NOT GOING AWAY! The MSM outlets going after her, on all of the above, are LIBERAL; New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, ABC..... Why? Because they want a more LIb What has worked in the past, will NOT work this time.

I agree. But not only that, have you actually listened to her speak lately? Of course it's all highly controlled environments, she still sounds like she's suffering from Alzheimers. She's really mentally defective and I don't care how many thousands of media bootlickers lick her canckled feet, they can't hide how dim she really has become.

[eyedigress]

That is hilarious.

[COBOL2Java]

I agree with stanne. On one level, it's tasteless (and I will not reproduce it in this post). However, on another level, it pokes a stick at the DemocRATs by illustrating their abandonment of every American value. It takes this honored memorial (honored by us):

---

...and turns it inside out, thus pointing an accusing finger at their utter lack of class.

Lest anyone not know the details:

The memorial features the statues of the six servicemen who raised the second U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. This five-week battle comprised some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of the War in the Pacific of World War II. On February 23, 1945, five Marines and one Navy corpsman: Sergeant Michael Strank, Corporal Harlon Block, Private First Class Rene Gagnon, Private First Class Ira Hayes, Private First Class Franklin Sousley, and Pharmacist Mate Second Class John Bradley (USN) participated in the event.

The Servicemen in that memorial (and in the actual event) were putting the American Flag up on an incredibly hard-fought victory. What are the DemocRATs' lackeys in the media doing? Attempting to raise up Hillary! despite her political garbage. Shows you what they value above all.

[Jim Noble]

It is very likely that there will be four major candidacies (maybe five) in a replay of 1860.

We are that divided.

A conservative (a trucon) nominee is a certainty. Probably not the Republican nominee, however. Money’s on Cruz, with Mark Levin as VP.

A socialist (communist) nominee is also a certainty. Probably the Democrat, after a bruising primary. Money’s on O’Malley, with DeBlasio as VP.

The GOP will nominate a dark horse RINO. Try Kelly Ayotte. She’s for free over-the-counter birth control and cannot be re-elected to the Senate running against Maggie Hassan. She will choose Ben Carson for VP to prove the GOP is not rayciss.

Donald Trump will run as the successor to Ross Perot. That’s four. He’d love to run with Sarah, which is a possibility.

Five will be the Party of National Salvation, HRC-Jeb or Jeb-HRC.

If we get out of this mess with only 600 000 dead and only 1/3 of the nation in ruins, we’ll be very lucky.

[rrrod]

Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dang I hope we are both wrong!!!!!!!

[Gumdrop]

The Republicans need someone of a type similar to General Grant. A man who isn’t afraid to fight, and pursues his advantage when he’s won.

---

Sounds like we have only 2 options left - Cruz or Walker.

[stanne]

‘I agree with stanne. On one level, it’s tasteless (and I will not reproduce it in this post). However, on another level, it pokes a stick at the DemocRATs by illustrating their abandonment of every American value. It takes this honored memorial (honored by us):’

I didn’t say that

For Those fine gentlemen and their devotion to the Flag to be put in the same image with Hillary and. Her notorious activities is offensive to me

The flaming just won’t quit though

[COBOL2Java]

I didn’t say that

Oh I know you didn't say that - it was just my opinion on the cartoon. Sorry, didn't mean to give you that impression.

But I agree with you, the cartoon in and of itself is tasteless.

[stanne]

Tasteless? Whatever

[tet68]

We need a cartoon of Hillary! flying a brick
with a voice balloon coming from her head phones
that says.”You are below the glide path, cleared to
land!”.

[The Great RJ]

Just look at 2008 when everyone thought Hillary was the shoe in for the nomination until an obscure far left freshman Senator from Illinois started to run. Hillary’s support has no depth and she has the nomination only as long as there are no other candidates. Her slipping in the polls and the continuing revelations about her corrupt foundation should be making Democrats worried.

[MinorityRepublican]

Even a rented mule will win the Northeast, the Great Lakes, the West Coast and Hawaii. That’s almost 270 Electoral Votes right there.

[Popman]

Once upon a time your analysis would have had merit. But, not in this case. Benghazi, cleaned e-mail server and the Clinton Cash scandals are NOT GOING AWAY! The MSM outlets going after her, on all of the above, are LIBERAL; New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, ABC..... Why? Because they want a more LIb What has worked in the past, will NOT work this time.

This is an old Clinton game Hillary is playing...

Get the dirty stuff out and then sent your sycophants out like Lanny Davis, James Carville, and a host of new faces to the media to marginalize it, explain it, accuse the right wing of making a big deal out of basically a misunderstanding...

The media will play along, play their role...

By the time the real election season Oct, Nov. rolls around all the Hillary scandals will be old news, explained away.

[1010RD]

And fights on the enemies turf. Take the battle to them. Go to their cities, film their failure and call them out on it. Start with Chiraq.

[Lakeshark]

I'm quite concerned about Rubio, he's a formidable candidate that may be hard to expose.

He speaks well, lies almost as well as Clinton, is likable, telegenic, and a newly chosen minority; without enough votes siphoned off by other moderates such as Jeb, or Christie, Jeb, or other RINO's he appears to be the greatest threat to us getting a true conservative.

If he gets money, watch out.