Comments on: Curse of the Clintons

By: Ken Houghton

Ken Houghton — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:13:57 +0000

I’m confused: you say that the black voters and the young voters are energized by Obama and necessary for a Democrat to win. (Let us leave aside the H(a) that eight years of W has convinced the median voter and then some that electing a Republican would be a Bad Idea and pretend, as you appear to, that this is 2000 again.)

Since they will turn out if Obama is the nominee (which appears inevitable), it would seem that queuing up for 2012 on an “I told you so” platform would be a poor strategy, since those blocs are mobilized and the rest of us are similarly unlikely to vote for John McCain, who appears more and more like Bob Dole without the grace and memory.

I’m with Doctor Jay. If Obama can’t take punches from the HRC campaign, he’s got no chance of doing so against the professionals of Ari Fleisher and the RNC. And, as Warren Zevon noted, “If you can’t take the punches, it don’t mean a thing.”

If she were really queuing for 2012, she would have dropped out and let the unseasoned Obama get bashed around in October and November. The campaign was probably telling the truth when they said the reason she stayed in the race is that they didn’t believe he could win.

Paradoxically, by staying in the race–Obama’s sparring partner, as it were–she’s probably ensured that he will win, even if H(a) is incorrect.

By: Uncle Jeffy

Uncle Jeffy — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:46:00 +0000

While I would prefer that Barack Obama (I can’t remember his middle name, unfortunately) wins the Democratic nomination, I will support whoever the Democratic nominee is. Senator McSame is the last thing we need - 4 more years of George W. Bush (or will it be 100 more) will destroy this country.

By: Carolyn Kay

Carolyn Kay — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:22:18 +0000

To paraphrase that evil man, Bill Clinton, when they tell you to drop out, it’s because they’re afraid you’ll win.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com

By: anon

anon — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:18:09 +0000

My personal frustration with Senator Clinton is not that she’s still in the race, but rather that her campaign is increasingly employing Republican attack tactics, which do little more than provide fodder for the general election.. If only she could focus her campaign on policy questions and important issues about personal values, etc, then the debate would truly strengthen Senator Obama and the Democrats’ message in general.. But alas, she is sticking to the destructive route, making me increasingly suspicious that she really is angling for a 2012 run…

By: Doctor Jay

Doctor Jay — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:02:04 +0000

I object to this characterization of Hillary, and for that matter, Bill Clinton.

In the first place, over the last 20 years, there’s only one polititian on the national scene who has proved more popular with black voters than Bill Clinton, and that’s Barack Obama. Not because, you know, he’s spent any time courting them, though.

The Clintons try to point this out, and that’s labeled as racist. I don’t buy it.

Second, Hillary is staying in the race because she doesn’t believe it’s appropriate for her to stand aside for a younger man. He needs to win it. And he needs to learn to take a punch. I think he will win it. And when he does, it will be seen as “he won, fair and square, and everybody got to vote on it” That’s gotta be a good thing.

By: Lifeguard

Lifeguard — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:49:09 +0000

It is interesting when you say that the “way a person votes the first time is a strong predictor of how they will vote the rest of their lives”. I primarily vote Republican, with the exception of a few local races where the Democrats run better candidates. The only way I will vote for John McCain this year is if Hillary runs. I cannot stand the Bill and Hillary Clinton and their grab for power (or the deterioration of American rights since 9/11). If Barack Hussein Obama runs, I will not vote for him, but neither will I vote for John McCain.

By: Jonathan Schlefer

Jonathan Schlefer — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:31:44 +0000

I never post replies on blogs, but this time I have to. You’re absolutely right. Please get this op-ed published in some major newspaper! Nobody else has said what needs to be said so clearly and persuasively.