Can Clinton affect the election outcome?

[babylonsister]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15320107/site/newsweek/

Clinton Comeback
The former president has returned to center stage. Can he make a difference to the election outcome?

Web-Exclusive Commentary
By Richard Wolffe and Holly Bailey
Newsweek
Updated: 1:52 p.m. ET Oct 18, 2006

Oct. 18, 2006 - When Hillary Clinton and John McCain traded rhetorical blows over North Korea last week, some pundits hailed the exchange as a taste of 2008: a titanic clash between the early front runners in the next presidential election.

They forgot that the real titans of modern politics have yet to leave the stage: two relatively young, two-term presidents who show no sign of stepping out of the national debate on domestic politics and foreign affairs. Welcome to the heavyweight title fight between Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Clinton declared his political comeback Wednesday with a set-piece speech that is aimed, according to his aides, at framing his governing philosophy in the context of the 2006 elections. Clinton’s goal: to show why his philosophy works, and why Bush’s doesn’t. Clinton, of course, doesn’t cite Bush’s name. But he hardly pulls his punches against what he calls “the leadership in Washington today.”

In theory, Wednesday’s speech marked the 15th anniversary of Clinton’s “new covenant” speech at Georgetown University. In practice, it marked a reinventing of Clinton’s themes—three weeks before the congressional elections—for today’s problems.

more...

[Mass]

1. Well, given that all polls show that Dems should win, I am not sure

what they mean.

If the Dems wins, Clinton will have his part of responsibility, but others will as well. I can see that the media are already ready to diminish the hard work Dean did. But we should not be surprised.

If they lose, same thing should be said.

[babylonsister]

4. I am trying to find the text of the speech. I did see the beginning, and

it sounded like it was going to be great. Clinton has his foibles, but he's a terrific speechifier imo.

[Mass]

7. I am sure the speech was great - My problem is that one speech is not

going to change the result. Some very good dems have been working for 2 years on this election, starting by Dean, and now it would be all Clinton's doing.

This is what makes me mad.

[babylonsister]

8. I see, and understand.

I just have to give credit where it's due. This close to elections, if Clinton can do anything to unite our party, or get them to think, it's all positive.

[BootinUp]

9. have to agree. n/t

[DURHAM D]

2. I am guessing Wollffeee II will be on Countdown tonight

to discuss his article. He seems to be one of KO's favorites - although I don't really feel it.

[babylonsister]

3. I feel Wolfe more than Dana Milbank or Mike Allen. And

an appearance wouldn't surprise me.

[AlCzervik]

6. i like Chris Cillizza from WAPO more than any of them, cept for Keith

that is.

:loveya:

[BootinUp]

5. Does a dog bark?

Hell yes he can have an impact.