Well it's official. Sen. Hillary Clinton is a presidential candidate. She announced on her site. It's not the best opening statement and it's not the worst. It looked 'middle ofthe road' to me. She wants the 'right' end to the war, health insurance, energy independence, reduce the deficit, etc. Hillary throwing her hat in seemed like a foregone conclusion and the least kept secret outside of Sen. Escalate McCain. My reaction?
No secret that I'm one of the few representatives of 'the left' on this blog (at least that's how I've been pigeon-holed) and I've worked on a Dem governor's campaign, coordinated other campaigns and recruited legislators so I certainly have a vested interest in whoever the Dem presidential candidate is. I find it interesting that a number of Republican pundits have practically been cheerleading her candidacy. In this case, they're right. If Hillary gets the nomination, a Democrat will not get the White House. Period.
Nominate Sen. Clinton and it will turn out the Republican base just as if Jeb Bush got nominated by the R's. People will quit their jobs to work for the Republican nominee, it's a huge mistake. It may not even be fair but Sen. Clinton has had negatives in the 40's for 12 years. You just don't turn that around in a year. She has money, endorsements lined up, and so forth. it will be no easy job to beat her but if voters in key primary states don't knock her off, it's over and we'll have more division, more pandering and more lives wasted in Iraq.
Sen. Clinton will be holding three web video town hall events over the next few days. You can sign up for them on the web site. I intend to ask her why she doesn't stay and become a better senator and not run. She has to know she will not win the nomination easily and if she does, she loses the general. What do you think?
UPDATE: As the diary author, I get to comment here. Now I wrote this diary as a Democrat but suggested that nominating Sen. Clinton is a mistake. I'm impressed by the number of comments supporting Sen. Clinton. You've made some good arguements. I'm not changing my opinion but some points were made. Those ranting, raving, cursing and even issuing death threats (the editor removed some comments thank goodness) are remarkably way out there. Gee, if they were smart they wouldn't come off so unhinged but that's never bothered the Right Wingnuts in the past. And for the record, rightwingers, for the most part, are either careless or terrible spellers. Finally, if anyone has read Sen. Barak's books or ever heard him would realize he is a Christian and has deep faith. All this nonsense about where he went to school for two years when he was 6 years old is so absurdly low, cheap and false. Sen. Obama has been a member of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ since 1988. And no, I'm not for Sen. Barak either. Just setting the record straight.
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 32)
31. Hillary Clinton is just what the terriorist want. No! They are going to meet with approval while devising a sagacious move to plan another 9-11.And if this country cannot wake up and realize that Hugo Chavez, Kim Jong ll and Ajamenihad are at our doorsteps,then we are doomed! Too bad that the man that would make a great president, Mitt Romney, will meet with sore dissaproval from the "evangelical"community. Ken Hopkins
Louis at 10:00PM on Jan 20th 2007
32. thanks, democrats for choices you presented to america today: a snake who already is doing her work to bring down a guy who is trying to be first african american president. give me a break. obama is not african american. he is half white, isn't it? also, he was student of madrasse in indonesia and took middle name husseyn. do you care? some people say that hillary lesbian which explain why bill likes other women. what a family! now you can say anything about her because she is now a candidate. anything is a fair game. so, my question for america is today: do you want president gay or muslim? way to go democrats. what a country!
sam a. oryol at 10:04PM on Jan 20th 2007
33. Its about time for America to give a chance to woman. We talk about third world country , accusing them their women don't have rights, have we ever look our selves, every time woman stand for the post we get so scared of woman Power. Wake Up American Men Prove to the world, America respect women and do give chance to woman. Go Hilary, I have firm faith in your ability, We want Clinton Era back so we can take breath away from war and World hate towards America. We need respect back at the world Podium.
Kamlesh Chauhan at 10:04PM on Jan 20th 2007
34. I think Bill Clinton was the best president we have ever had, you know what they say behind a good man is a good woman, so come on hillery step out front and do the job that we know you can do as being a fantastic president. YOU HAVE MY VOTE ALL THE WAY
betty moore at 10:06PM on Jan 20th 2007
35. I am so happy that Hillary has decided to run. She has my vote. I voted for her the first two times and will do it again. She has shown the American people what it means to be faithfull, loyal and devoted. She will win I would bet all the money I have in the world on it. I am a woman and I believe in her. It is time that America realizes that woman are powerfull and are more level headed. When the men are asleep we are still getting the job done.
AnnMarie Saunier at 10:08PM on Jan 20th 2007
36. Hillary and Barak can do the job better because they can communicate with those in the majority who wish better things for this country as well as for every individual in this world.
dudley duel at 10:20PM on Jan 20th 2007
37. I think bill clinton was the best president we have had in a long long time, you know the old saying behind a good man is a good woman, well its time for that good woman to step from behind and the man and show the u.s.a. what she can do for this country,as our president, go Hillary you have my vote, good luck betty moore michigan
betty moore at 10:21PM on Jan 20th 2007
38. the clintons gave America the biggest black eye she ever had. They stripped the presidency and the white house of every bit of honor and moral uprightness necessary for the position.G.W. is not doing a good job. Bill did an outstanding job of balancing the budget, but that is all, everything else was conduct unbecoming of an officer. God help us if she or obama(middle name hussein hmm) were to win. Never trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die!
marc scissom at 10:27PM on Jan 20th 2007
39. I THINK HILLARY CLINTON WOULD BE A BIG IMPROVEMENT ,ALOT BETTER CHOICE THAN WHAT WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST EIGHT YEARS.IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT WE AS WOMEN HAVE A CANIDATE WE CAN TRUST.
MARY TAYLOR at 10:28PM on Jan 20th 2007
40. i hope not if she run the republicans will win easily so hilliary please dont run.
tony g at 10:28PM on Jan 20th 2007
41. Hillary will not only not win, she will not win the nomination. Having worked in Washington DC during the Clinton years, the amount of people that she and Bill turned on, stepped on, slept with, and generally misled, the backlash will be incredible.
People in Washington DC have the reputation of ruining people as a sport, Hillary will be like big game hunting. It will be fun to watch.
I would love to vote for a viable democrat. As good as Hillary is at dodging the truth, there are too many people out to get herto maintain a solid core. Get real folks ...we have tons of issues infront of our country, we do not need someone to polarize us even more, wasn't 8 years of Bush enough?
Randy at 10:30PM on Jan 20th 2007
42. She's got my vote!!
G A at 10:34PM on Jan 20th 2007
43. I am voting for Hilary Clinton. Just because she knows what she wants and she will get it. She knows how to speak and she has played this game right. All i want is for this war to end right with dignity and to make our soldiers feel good and not feel they did this for nothing.
Nerida at 10:35PM on Jan 20th 2007
44. people what is wrong with you if Hilary is elected we will all be in trouble. Why would you vote for someone who lies and what about Bill he was so honest when he was president. Our country was in trouble long before Bush was elected. How many of you that have an opinion on the war actually talked to someone serving over there. You listen to what the news media covers not the real facts. I have had 2 nephews 1 son inlaw and 1 brother in law in Iraq. And all would go back in a heart beat. My brother inlaw was in the group that captured Saddam. They all think it;s worth while.
LouAnn at 10:37PM on Jan 20th 2007
45. I would love to see Hillary Rodham Clinton join forces WITH OBAMA with both of them working together it would be awesome, woman president and our FRIST black vice president, how much more powerful could you get. Come on America, I think this would make for a great country.
LILLY FERRER at 10:43PM on Jan 20th 2007