David Brooks: Republicans Running Dole Campaign, biggest story is the success of Hillary Clinton.

[wyldwolf]

The biggest story of this presidential campaign is the success of Hillary Clinton. Six months ago many people thought she was too brittle and calculating and that voters would never really bond with her. But now she seems to offer the perfect combination of experience and change.

She's demonstrating that it really helps to have lived in the White House. She can draw on a range of experiences unmatched by her rivals. She's dominated most of the debates. She's transformed her position on Iraq without a ripple. Her measured, statistic-filled speeches rarely inspire passion, but always confidence.

Her success has put incredible pressure on Barack Obama. He continues to attract huge crowds and huge money, but he also continues to make rookie mistakes, like saying he'd talk with Hugo Chávez. He's forced to campaign on the defensive now, knowing that each misstep reinforces the "He's too young" story line.

Clinton's performancewill also have an effect on the Republican race, though many Republicans are only now beginning to realize it. When you ask Republican presidential candidates about Clinton, a smile of professional respect comes over their faces.

But their world is transformed. The one thing Republicans had going for them was the head-to-heads. Bush, the war and the party could all be unpopular, but individual G.O.P. candidates beat Clinton because her negatives were so high. But she is changing that. People who've said they would never vote for her will take a second look once they see her campaign.

That means in 2008, Hillary won't save the G.O.P. An orthodox Republican will not beat an orthodox Democrat. If Republicans want to have any chance next year, they have to go for broke.

You can see hints of the bad environment at Republican campaign events. A city councilman in Franklin, N.H., introduced Mitt Romney by saying that America is looking for a leader "to take us out of the shadows." A questioner in New London asked how Romney will bring honesty back to the White House. A questioner at a McCain event in Keene charged, "We've had 16 years of draft dodgers in the White House!"

These are Republicans talking about seven years of Republican rule.

Then there's the issues. Iraq will still be a shooting war in 2008. Health care is emerging as the biggest domestic concern. This is natural Democratic turf. So as I travel around watching the Republican candidates, I'm looking for signs that they're willing to try something unorthodox. Eighty percent of the time, what I see is the Dole campaign: Republican candidates uttering their normal principles -- small government, military strength, strong families -- and heading inexorably toward defeat.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/article/view/?id=2585

[ShaneGR]

1. First, it's David Brooks, so take it with a grain of salt...

While I haven't been surprised by the strength of her campaign, the huge question remains on whether she is too polarizing a figure to compete and win in a general election campaign. The same questions apply for Obama. Can an African American garner enough support in a state like Ohio or Florida to carry the election?

This is why I think Edwards ends up running away with Iowa. Say what you want about Iowa voters but they know a safe choice when they see one.

[Dhalgren]

2. Man, with David Brooks on your side how can you lose?

[rodeodance]

3. ah---david brooks saying Hil has a good campaign. I agree

[Old and In the Way]

4. They've always paid lip service to their so-called principles, but

where they really excelled was in demonizing their Democratic opponent. After the past 7 years, I think a significant majority of voting Americans now realize that this pretty much is all the Republican Party can offer the American people.

[redstateblues]

5. Have you noticed how all the Repubs are promoting Hillary?

Brooks, Dick Morris, and all the Fox Noisers think it will fire up the base if Hillary gets the nomination. I think they view her negatives as their best chance to be competitive in 08. In all honesty, I don't like her. All the r's I know are passionate in their opposition to her. The candidate they are really scared of is Edwards.

[SaveElmer]

6. Hillary is attempting something sort of unprecedented...

Especially with a crowded primary field...

She is running a primary and general election campaign at the same time...as you pointed out the other day I think...

It's a brilliant strategy if it works...which it certainly is so far...

She has increased her lead among Democrats, and she has Republican pundits praising her performance...

So in the general, when the Republican candidate starts screaming "liberal, liberal, liberal," Hillary will have this well of approving comments from other Republicans to rebut the claims with...and it may take some of the fire out of Republican bellies as well...