Hillary Clinton needs a credible moneyed opponent

[Renew Deal]

Not for ideological left-right reasons (though those matter too), but for insurance reasons. Assuming Hillary runs and no other major candidate does, someone needs to be there in case Hillary's campaign falls apart quickly like John Edwards campaign did.

I'm not saying that something will happen, but the party should be prepared if it does. Just plugging in Biden or Warren will probably not be enough.

[Sheelanagig]

1. Totally agree.

[hrmjustin]

3. I love and support Hillary but don't count out Kerry.

I love Biden, Sanders, and Warren but I have doubts about their general election abilities.

[Art_from_Ark]

5. Considering that Hillary blew a big lead and lost the primary in 2008,

and that Kerry lost his election in 2004 against a total doofus, how could you not have doubts about *their* "general election abilities"?

[Renew Deal]

8. Hillary lost to a credible opponent (Obama)

So far there isn't much opposition.

[Art_from_Ark]

10. Warren seems to me like she would be a credible opponent

I've actually met Hillary in person and have my doubts about her ability to reach out to the hoi polloi.

[hrmjustin]

11. I met her several times and she did a great job of it here in NY.

She did not win in 2008 but she split the popular vote.

[Art_from_Ark]

13. She did a pretty lousy job of it in Arkansas

While her president husband was enthusiastically shaking hands with us local yokels, she looked like she would rather have been anywhere else.

[hrmjustin]

15. That was yesterday. Today she is better at retail politics.

[hrmjustin]

17. She is not perfect but she is still well liked and admired.

I get you don't like her but others have different thoughts.

[hrmjustin]

21. I am well aware of that.

[aquart]

28. If you have $10 million and your bills are $10 million and $1

You're broke, just like the rest of us. But empathy isn't for everyone. I'm sure you're good at other things.

[Art_from_Ark]

18. Maybe

But one has to wonder how she, with all of her backing and name recognition, could have blown such a big lead against a relatively unknown candidate in 2008. Either her opponent was a super campaigner, or she was a lousy campaigner, or both.

[hrmjustin]

20. Well Obama was a great speaker and very inspirational.

And after 8 years of Bush Democrats wanted to be swept off their feet. Hillary did not get better at campaigning till deep into the primaries but it was too late by that point.

[Art_from_Ark]

22. So, she had the perfect opportunity in 2008--

name recognition, big lead in the polls, nice war chest, voter dissatisfaction with the bu$h years-- and yet she couldn't inspire enough voters to secure the nomination. Today, there has been a Democrat in the White House for 6 years, but the voters showed that they were extremely displeased with the Democratic brand in the last election. How would Hillary inspire people enough to vote for Democrats after that little fiasco?

[hrmjustin]

23. She will have to answer that. i am not on her campaign.

[Art_from_Ark]

24. And that is why Hillary needs some viable opposition in the primary

If she has no real opposition, if the nomination is just handed to her, then I don't think she would really have the stimulus to formulate a cohesive message that will resonate with voters. And if she has viable opposition in the primary, maybe her primary opponent could do a better job of getting the message out.

[hrmjustin]

25. We shall see.

[brooklynite]

29. You're not credible if you don't run.

[Art_from_Ark]

30. And no one's freaking running right now

unless you consider Webb and what's-his-name to be credible.

[brooklynite]

31. But Clinton is gearing up to run...

...there's been plenty of news about her hiring staff. Also her supporters have been raising millions in pledges for her campaign. Warren (and I know her campaign people)? nothing.

[hrmjustin]

9. I never said I did not have doubts but I think they would make better general election candidates.

Whoever our nominee will be has to prove thst he or she can win.

[Agschmid]

4. There are people who will run should she decide not to for whatever reason...

Some of them already are.

[Renew Deal]

6. I'm not worried about her not running

I'm worried about her running and falling apart in January when it is hard to put a campaign together.

[Agschmid]

7. Gotcha.

I agree, uncontested primaries suck and that is one of the many reasons why...

[KMOD]

12. Friendly reminder:

It's March 3rd, and Hillary Clinton is still not running for President.

[Purveyor]

26. She needs a credible opponent in order to keep our side on the news.

Without an opponent, 80% of network coverage will be of the GOP.

[ram2008]

27. It will be Cuomo

Backing of Wall Street, Same fundraising circle (New York), middle of the road Dem popular with Republicans and a nationally known name. If Clinton chooses not to run, Cuomo will be there waiting.

[KamaAina]

34. He's the Dem DimSon

His "nationally known name" is the result of his father telling us what a real Dem was at a Dem convention back in the day. Andrew? Not so much.

[TheKentuckian]

35. I'm surprised they aren't making him run to make her more palatable.

I'd pick her in a two person race even if I couldn't actually endorse either.

[hrmjustin]

36. Ick Cuomo is horrible.

[RedstDem]

32. she could run against 1992 hilliary

Wonder which would win?