http://www.thestate.com/politics/story/131651.htmlSC: The State.com
Sun. July 29, 2007
by
Lee BandyClinton campaign on a roll toward 2008U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York is sailing right along toward the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.No one is in place to stop her.Clinton has dominated the four debates conducted thus far featuring the eight Democratic presidential hopefuls.“Once again she stood out,” Francis Marion University political scientist Neal Thigpen said of Clinton’s performance in Monday night’s Charleston debate.
Experts have praised Clinton’s overall performance, calling it smooth and warm, reflecting a deep knowledge of the issues.Her experience manifested itself as she responded to a perennial question: Should we talk to dictators?U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois answered first, saying he would talk to some of the nation’s biggest foes in his first year in office.“The notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them is ridiculous,” Obama said.
Clinton jumped on the remark, saying she’d talk — but not right away and not on their terms.
In a response crafted to exploit her advantage in experience over Obama as well as her grasp of foreign policy, Clinton said, “I don’t care to be used for propaganda purposes. I don’t want to make a situation worse.”
Clinton’s poll numbers have strengthened and gone up after each debate. Voters have been impressed with her intellect and cool demeanor. She doesn’t get rattled easily.
InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion, an Atlanta-based polling firm, questioned more than 500 S.C. Democratic voters the day after Monday’s debate. It showed Clinton crushing Obama 43 percent to 28 percent.>
Still, Clinton has run what appears thus far to be a flawless campaign. She has an excellent staff, which includespeople who have worked in successful presidential campaigns.
The candidate on the spot is Obama. He presents the greatest threat to Clinton but seems to be losing ground in his effort to overtake his U.S. Senate colleague. After Monday night’s debate and Clinton’s widening lead over Obama in the polls, some began to wonder whether the Democratic race isn’t over.
Bruce Ransom, a political science professor at Clemson University, noted Clinton has been in the lead since day 1.
“It doesn’t look like anyone is going to stop her,” he added. “It’s hers to lose.”Lee Bandy is a retired political writer for The State. He is also a freelance writer for Southern Political Report, which also conducts the InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion poll.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
