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Former Virgina governor Mark Warner is the new Democratic star. He is quickly emerging as a rival to Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, for the presidential nomination. According to today's New York Times:
"Governor Warner got a bounce for his national aspirations when his political understudy and lieutenant governor, Tim Kaine, won the race for governor in Virginia last month. Political analysts say Mr. Kaine benefited greatly from his association with Governor Warner, who enjoys an 80 percent approval rating in a state that has supported a Republican presidential candidate in every election since 1964."
Warner, an attractive high-tech millionaire, has what it takes to be a serious candidate - assuming he's not secretly sleeping with sheep or kangaroos. What makes him a powerful force is that he does not have all of Clinton's baggage and has proven he can win in a "red state."
Look, I would like to see Hillary Clinton as the first woman president. She is bright, articulate and I think would have a successful administration. However, I have had the opportunity to travel the country and talk to a large swatch of Democrats. There is great fear out there that she can't win and that we need a candidate that is not so polarizing. Most important, the doubts are coming from people who should be her natural base. I'm not sure I buy that line of reasoning - yet - but it worth noting and discussing early on in the selection process.
This all leads me to believe that, while she is the frontrunner, she has a lot of convincing to do before she will win the nomination, no less the presidency. Never underestimate a Clinton, but the nomination is not in the bag by any means. At the slightest hint of trouble, people will look for a fresh face.
In an effort to woo moderates and knee-cap potential rivals, such as Warner, Clinton has moved to the right on the Iraq war and disturbingly sponsored a bill to ban flag burning. However, if she goes too far to the right and wraps herself too tightly in the flag, she is the one who might get burned.
"Senator Clinton is demonstrating cowardice in the face of the right-wing noise machine," said Tom Mattzie, Washington director of the liberal group MoveOn.org, in today's Washington Post, discussing her lack of leadership on Iraq.
The point is, if she becomes too much like Mark Warner, why not just vote for the real one and have a candidate who doesn't cause visceral disgust in so many normally rational Americans?
So, here's the deal. Hillary gets the nod unless she stumbles. Warner (or John Edwards) are viable candidates in waiting if she tanks. If Hillary does get the nomination she wins if the Republicans nominate an ogre like Newt Gingrich or a right wing bore like Sen. Bill Frist. If Sen. John McCain can get out of the Republican primary - which is doubtful unless he cuts a deal with the extreme right - he will likely win the presidency.
Of course, if 50-Cent or anyone from the cast of Desperate Housewives runs - all bets are off.
10 Comments:
As a Democrat I would never vote for Hillary. The way she let Monica do her husband and then she didn't leave shows a lack of character. We need a Democrat who also isn't a Commonist who wants to run our healthcare system. I'd go Republican before voting for her. She is evil, maybe even the Devil. I like Edwards.
Joan from Nebraska...it's commUnist.
posted by Anonymous, at
12/12/2005 12:20 PM
Forgiving her husband for cheating on her shows a lack of character on HER part? I'm amazed at people who criticize Hillary for staying with her husband and working to keep her marriage together. I believe she has demonstrated strong family values. If she got a divorce she'd be criticized for that, too.
posted by Sam, at
12/12/2005 12:33 PM
If I had to choose between voting for her or a republican, it would be her, but with strong reservation. This woman, bright and articulate that she is, opposes equality for the LGBT community as is her husband. Just be mindful of that.
Edwards is TOO cute and Howard Dean doesnt have the look either. Recent studies have shown that people are less likely to vote for someone who has what is termed a baby face (round with small upturned nose etc.) Apparently they have no trouble voting for a simian appearance (Bush), though I personally think he looks more like an evil leprachaun. Gary (NJ)
posted by Anonymous, at
12/12/2005 6:30 PM
I wrote to Hillary the Hawk in the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq.
I pleaded with her not to cast a "YES" vote to give Bush the authority to start a war.
To her credit she wrote back, but the content of her response was chilling; her repeated every line the neocons orbiting Bush's tiny pinhead told the American public -- it was as if Hillary was a part of the Cheney/Rumsfeld team plotting the USA's invasion strategy.
Add to this, her antigay marriage equity position (like Cousin Kerry, she's against gay marriage but for civil unions) and her recent co-sponsoring of the flag burning law, and an ugly portrait emerges.
Hillary is a DINO. She's lost the support of her base and if you look at the history of national elections, no one has ever been elected president without their base.
McCain is no friend to the Gay community. Keep an eye on him, I believe the deal is already in the works - he's been making statements recently that raise the possibility he's already in bed with the devil.
I've said for awhile that I would support Hill if she ran - but she's moving abit to far to the right for my taste ... this flag burning thing is not a good sign.
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