Here I Go Again: Hillary Still Is Running a Flawless Campaign.

[David Zephyr]

Yep. I'll say it again. She's not my candidate, but she clearly demonstrated yet once more in the debates that she is ready for a national campaign and that she can not be drawn into politically dicey situations that would hurt her with the general public.

The last time I posted this, I was roundly attacked by those here who support other candidates and who are still smarting over her shabby IWR vote. Once again, I am not saying that she's even near being my first, second or third choice, but she is hands down running the best campaign of all the candidates thus far including all of those in the GOP field. And for that, she deserves respect.

And accordingly, it is truly beginning to shape up as Hillary's to lose now. If her momentum continues as it is, by September, it would be too late for even Al Gore to step into the race...indeed it might already be so.

So, I will not be attacking the probable nominee of our party anymore. And no one has done it more than me here at the DU. No one.

I refuse to give the GOP any fodder to use against us in '08.

I suggest that the other candidates will have to work harder and try to connect more with the public, because just attacking Hillary, I suggest, will only backfire from this moment on.

And, yes, her campaign is flawless. Give her her due. We need Democrats that can run smart and disciplined campaigns. Don't discount how important that is, folks.

[jpgray]

1. Not flawless. Against the best GOP political machines, she'd have a tough time

However against the current field, she has a great shot. And she is also far from my first choice.

[KoKo]

54. ...

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Yes, but do you think she's running a good campaign?

[AndreaCG]

3. NO ONE runs a flawless campaign

And I totally disagree that it is too late for Gore. September wouldn't be too late. He'll get plenty of money and will pick up votes from independents and even some Republicans who regret voting for Bush instead of Gore.

[BlooInBloo]

4. Nah - she still stumbles when answering q's about her Iraq war vote....

... But overall her campaign seems to be doing fine. That is, not fucking up a huge lead.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. She sure has backing in the MSM

the NYTimes has all but nominated her. And she was given far more air time--and more questions in the first half hour--than anyone else at the debate. The corporate interests have decided she's the nominee, and we peasants will just have to learn to love her.

[The River]

17. Exactly Right, Except

for the "learning to love her" part.

I can't believe how many people are are still being taken in by the MSM.
She's "inevitable" they say. Obama is the only one close. So charismatic!
IMHO it's part of a set up on behalf of the GOP to steal '08.

How?

Present America with a choice between a "traditional" (untainted outsider) Republican
or a "novelty" DLC Democrat.

Novelty????

nov-el-ty (nov'uhl tee) n. pl. <-ties> adj.
n. 1. the state or quality of being novel, new or unique; newness.

As in the "first" ___________ President ever, or even the "first ________ President ever!
The GOP runs on fear. Fear of "Terrorists" Fear of "Liberals"
Don't you think they won't try to sell us fear of _______ or_______?
Damn right they will.

And after the GOP steals the 2008 Election
the official cover story for all the talking heads will be:

"Well, we guess America just wasn't ready to vote
for the first __________ President. They must be afraid a ______ can't handle the job!
The media will run with that meme and Americans will
accept it. The media will say that no matter what pre-election polls said,
in the privacy of the voting booth, too many fearful closet sexists could
not vote for a _________ or that too many fearful closet
racists could not vote for a __________ or a _________.
Back to you Timmmah!

'08 is too important to run a "novelty" candidate.
It's like being the White Sox in game 7 of the World Series. Bottom of the 9th,
bases loaded, 2 outs, 1 run down and the manager decides to let a
batgirl, er batperson take the plate because her father was a big league slugger and she
did real well in High School fast-pitch and because it would be a historic "first" ever?

[pnwmom]

24. It's demeaning to use the phrase "novelty candidate."

As if it were some faddish thing, in 2007, to have a woman candidate win an election.

We will never know when the time is right for the first woman President, or the first African-American president, or the first gay President, except in retrospect. Until then, there will always be the naysayers.

I still lean toward Obama, but I can't understand all the anti-Hillary vitriol among DUers. I'll be thrilled to campaign for any of the leading Dems.

[KoKo]

36. We shouldn't pick a candidate because of color of skin or if they are female over male...

That would be wrong to do. It's the issues and their stand on policy in their aspirations to be President that should be of utmost importance.

But...NO ONE should be excluded...just because Dennis Kucinich is very short in stature and some find he has elfin features shouldn't be a basis to include or exclude him from the Candidacy of Debate.

But, we shouldn't vote in "Sympathy" for a candidate because they are of some minority or the other...either. It was all about letting EVERYONE SPEAK that we've had to work so hard for our Democracy..against all odds...even those we face now. :shrug:

[David Zephyr]

44. Amen.

Well said, KoKo01.

[pnwmom]

52. I completely agree.

I wouldn't make a decision based on the appearance of any of the candidates, although it's a plus for television when they come across well in that medium.

With Kucinich, for me, it's more of a feeling that he's better as a poet-philosopher, a Eugene McCarthy type, than a President.

[The River]

38. I never said Woman or African American

You filled in those blanks yourself.
Maybe I meant gruff old Alaskan Senators and very short ex mayors
with a very tall wife. I'm sure the voting public will jump to the
same conclusions when the GOP begins their fear of _______ campaign.

And no, we may not know when the time is right but I'd say when
we can be positive our votes are all counted and verified. Until then
it will be too easy for the GOP to steal another "close" race for exactly
the reasons I stated. You want to risk that?

Demeaning? Thats just your opinion.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

40. Sadly you may be right

wish we could have a real candidate of the people, and not one shoved down our throats.

[The River]

42. Thats Why I'm Holding Out for

Al.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

43. I could go for that

Sorry, but for me it's personal with Mrs. Clinton--hey, I'm from Arkansas, and know her from way back when.

[KoKo]

6. Yes...she flies on the wings of EAGLES....so it's flawless.

what else can one say. The machine is well oiled. And, so many of us, well we would have voted for a Clinton THIRD TERM... at the time that is. Before we knew what we know now about the "Clintons" that we Progressives were caught up in DEFENDING TO THE DEATH...while we didn't really grasp (at least some of us who weren't so wise) what was going on with the Clinton Miracle that was always being attacked.

We defended the Clinton's against the ATTACKS and got so caught up in that...we didn't grasp what we were losing.

Yes...Hillary is the ONE... but notice that folks don't focus on this will be CLINTON II following Bush II and that the Media who once defiled the Clintons now is saying they are the BEST! Interesting isn't it.

[TahitiNut]

34. Give her credit for having to do it on a shoestring without much coverage by the media, will ya?

Oh... wait. Nevermind. :dunce:

[MasonJar]

7. Wise advice! She is a fine candidate and will be an equally fine

president, in my humble opinion. Hillary is very smart and we need smart. She is also hated by the right wing which is her number one rec for me. I am sick of those bastards and what they have done to our country. We must stop badmouthing all of our candidates. Let's kick-a-- against the pugs, starting TODAY. You all choose; I will work for whomever you select.

[ElizabethDC]

8. As a Hillary supporter, I don't think it's flawless

For example, I think she was wrong to say in the debate last night that we are safer now than we were before. Sometimes she says things like that and I'm like, "What?" But I think she's trying to appear moderate for the general election.

Additionally, I think some of the other campaigns have been more innovative with regard to netroots, etc.

However, I think her campaign is strong, steady, and built to last.

[KoKo]

13. If Al Gore doesn't come in...then We Dems will have to vote for Clinton II...

What else can we do? They both are qualified...they've served...they know the score...(yet, I've not seen them talk about the "failures in POLICY of their Administration...so to me they think they are as ENTITLED as the BUSH II who avenged Poppy) but..whatever...They are HIGHLY QUALIFIED to preside over the FALLEN AMERICAN EMPIRE!

I hope they have learned what's outside the "Beltway/Media Bubble" like Gore seems to have done...but if Gore doesn't come in then we Dems are STUCK WITH THEM. Give them a "Wing and a Prayer" they will need it MORE than they did on their first TWO TERM.

After all...What we here on the "Blogosphere" doesn't really matter does it? Our dreams went down years ago with all the renegade Candidates we TRIED TO SUPPORT who crashed and burned. Was it the Corporate Media that did this? The DLC? The "Powers that Be?" or was it that we were so WEAK that No One gave a SHIT to Listen to Us? We HAD NO POWER...WHO ARE WE? :shrug:

[sniffa]

9. here i go again

crapping on hiLLary. :eyes:

regardLess of what a portion of DU says, her campaign isn't that great. yes, she has a huge fucking Lead on everyone but that's name recognigtion. i give her absoLuteLy no credit for her poLLing as she's just the product of the media first, and her husband second (in regard to her run) and if she does puLL through as our nominee so be it, but at the moment i pray that our country doesn't just do the reaLity-tv thing and vote for what the tv teLLs them to. and yes, this goes for aLL the Leading candidates - i seriousLy doubt any of the peopLe poLLed by phone wiLL be abLe to describe pLatforms of their choices.

[David Zephyr]

12. It's more than just "the reality tv thing"

Americans have known Bill and Hillary for fifteen years. There's very little that they don't know about them. They are hardly the media's "flavor of the day". If anything, it's a known brand label that people trust.

[elocs]

14. Just wondering...what's with the "L" thing? n/t

[dave_p]

10. Yeah, but what does she represent?

What do any of the vacuous 3 represent?

[ProSense]

11. America Is Not Safer Since 9/11

America Is Not Safer Since 9/11
| June 04, 2007

To: Interested Parties
Fr: Obama Communications

Re: America is not safer since 9/11
Da: June 4, 2007

During the Democratic debate in New Hampshire last night, there was disagreement over whether or not America is safer since the 9/11 attacks on our nation. Senator Obama believes and asserted in the debate that America is less safe since 9/11 largely because the war in Iraq has fueled terrorism around the world. He opposed the war from the beginning and has a plan to end it, bringing all combat troops out of Iraq by March 31, 2008.

Recent studies by the U.S. State Department and the Council on Global Terrorism confirm that the war in Iraq has accelerated the spread of terrorism and increased the threat of attacks.

more

Guess Obama doesn't agree it was flawless.


Hillary made several gaffes (funding and blaming the Iraqi people) yesterday, but she appears to be getting a pass.

[William769]

15. As a Hillary supporter, I don't think it's been flawless, just very good.

Other than that I agree with what you said.

[KoKo]

16. Is it possible that Democrats will look back on Clinton years like Repugs look on Reagan Years

as a time of "Peace and Prosperity" and that the Clinton's know this? That they actually think they can work with Poppy BUSH to restore "Order and the Rule of Law" that some of us remember from "times past?"

Is it the "Nostalgia Factor" driving these polls...or is it the M$M owned by Corporatists who wish to PUSH the "Nostalgia Factor" and make it a Meme or a way of "obscuring REALITY and making it THEIR REALITY" like Ron Susskind WARNED US ABOUT in his book about Bush?

Susskind said that Bushies say: "We create our Own Reality!"

[pnwmom]

30. This whole Clinton/Bush conspiracy thing is a tinfoil hat fantasy.

But I think many Democrats do look back on the Clinton years nostagically. Despite the constant attacks from the Bush/Reagan people -- which began in the earliest days of the Clinton administration -- Clinton accomplished a great deal during his eight years.

[LWolf]

18. It's nice to know she can do something right.

Unlike her record in the Senate.

In choosing a candidate to support, I'll go with the right record before the right campaign.

[BuyingThyme]

19. Then why am I so sick of her?

Or is that the objective?

[KoKo]

27. It's Wolf Blitzer and the MS Corporate Media that you are sick of. Hillary

managed to survive her hubbies problems and thrive. She deserves much credit for that.

[BuyingThyme]

28. No she doesn't . That's normal.

[tyedyeto]

20. What exactly has she done that is flawless?

She has been the Democratic 'frontrunner' since a few days after the 2004 elections. M$M has done everything they can think of to make sure she stays that way. Hardly takes any sort of campaign effort when even Faux news wants her to be the Democratic candidate.

[JANdad]

32. Great Point!

Can't get much more simple than that...

If I may add...she has been a candidate since Bill left office and she made her first run at the senate...

[KoKo]

35. Give her credit for assembling a 'flawless Campaign Team" and that's something

her hubby was great at and the other Dems haven't been even good at. :shrug: She picks people who can serve her well. Maybe she will do that in her White House? :shrug:

[JANdad]

41. She has the best

MONEY can buy...

[David Zephyr]

45. And she's intent on winning in '08, not just to score points.

And, Hillary like her husband knows that unless you can win then you can't do much.

[Terri S]

21. Serious question...

by parroting *'s own words, 'We are safer, but not yet safe enough', do you think that may have been a flaw?

Clearly, reported over and over again, the world is far more dangerous. Hillary is far from an ill-informed or ignorant person. Was this a flaw? Was this merely something she felt, as a Democrat and woman she had to say to in order to make middle American know she is strong enough to be president? Either way, if she really believes that, I think, she is far too removed from reality to be president. If she is only saying that to appear strong, can we believe anything she says? And isn't that a flaw in itself?

Just questions blowing in the wind. I obviously don't believe she is running a flawless campaign. But, I couldn't believe the country would ever elect * again, so what do I know. :)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

22. Her "flawless" campaign hasn't got me to consider voting for her.

[KoKo]

29. But...you are a dreamer who thinks like many of us "used to" that things could change.

Once you know that the "Powers that Be" will Rule...it's easier to lie down, roll over and go to sleep and dream. She has Wall Street on her side. Just today CNBC had John Harwood from the soon to be taken over by Rupert Murdoch's "Wall St. Journal" saying that HILLARY IS THE FAVORITE OF WALL STREET in his "street poll of his top Wall St. Guru's."

When CNBC SPEAKS...AMERICA LISTENS!

[JANdad]

33. A Wall Street endorsement says it all now does'nt it

that is enough to make me shiver...

[Tatiana]

23. Her campaign is far from flawless. But it is certainly a well-run, savvy and disciplined campaign.

She still hasn't quite managed to finesse the IWR vote. Then again, this is Hillary and not Bill. She doesn't have his charm or his air of open arms and empathy. That being said, she DOES have his political discipline. He's obviously schooled her on not backing down and refusing to admit she's wrong (either for the IWR vote or the recent supplemental). I think from her staff's point of view, she will be slammed by the right as being weak and a "flip-flopper" if she repudiates any past stances or decisions. But sometimes, there's something in her tone that makes me think Hills does have many regrets. She just doesn't feel free to express that sentiment (or she's been cautioned not to).

Still, if Gore does run, he is the immediate front-runner. How do you beat an Oscar-winning, Nobel Peace Prize nominated former Vice-President and true winner of the 2000 Presidential election?

[KoKo]

25. She's solid and we can believe she might be better than Bush II and with Unitary Powers

she just might have a chance to "roll back" the most aggregious of the Cheney Policies.

I suppose we might take heart and have hope in this. What else is there?

[Tatiana]

31. With a Democratic congress, I guarantee we'll see a different Hillary.

The Clintons are nothing if practical. In the absence of a majority, Bill Clinton governed to the right. If we'd had a Democratic majority in the House and Senate throughout Bill's presidency, I also think we would have seen a different Bill Clinton. Remove the need to compromise (or "sell out") to pass much needed legislation (minimum wage, no-torture policy, etc.) and I think we'll see her move more to the left. And we'll definitely get a better education bill than the atrocious No Child Left Behind Act.

[David Zephyr]

46. Interesting comments.

Her opponents will have to do better than they have in the last two debates which she clearly won.

[ddeclue]

26. Hillary's campaign is hopelessly flawed...

1) She still HASN'T apologized for her war vote!
2) She won't come out forcefully and unequivocally against the war like Edwards.
3) She panders to whatever audience she is in front of and changes her views based on the latest polls.
4) She doesn't have a clear and obvious mission other than to advance her own career.
5) She plays both sides against the middle and tries not to offend anyone a la Kerry in the general race.


Doug D.
Orlando, FL

[ElizabethDC]

37. Yes, and that's why she's doing so poorly in the polls.

:sarcasm:

[David Zephyr]

47. Her campaign advisor took out a sitting president named Bush

and is loved by the majority of Americans. Don't discount this couples' shrewd political skills. Their opponents and contestants lie in the dustbin of history. Ask Newt, George H.W. Poppy Bush, Jerry Brown, Paul Tsongas and all of the idiots that tried to impeach Bill.

[William769]

50. Well one out of 4 ain't bad I guess.

[mattomjoe]

39. She's completely unelectable.

Nothing personal, but the fact that conservatives tout her as the next Dem nominee for POTUS more than the Dems do should tell you something.

[David Zephyr]

48. Nonsense.

The American people know that they will also get Bill Clinton when they vote for Hillary and Bill and Hillary wipe out John McCain, Rudy, Mitt, and all the other sorry crowd the GOP has this time around.

[Zomby Woof]

49. Not flawless, but solid

I expected as much considering she is married to the best campaigner of our time, and she has shown a remarkable ability to learn from past mistakes and shares the same resiliency as her spouse.

[Blue_In_AK]

51. I wish I could like her

but I just don't. I'll vote for her if I have to, of course, but I'd rather see almost any one of the others be our candidate.

[EFerrari]

53. I want whatever you're having. n/t