An average of national polls currently shows Hillary Clinton slightly behind John McCain (show data) and Barack Obama slightly ahead (show data). But that isn’t the whole story on the Obama electability advantage. Right leaning voters are far less motivated than the left. (related article) Hillary Clinton would change that.
A newly released DVD, “Hillary – The Movie” provides an insightful look at Clinton as the candidate Republicans are ready for. There were those 8 years as first lady in which everybody got to know her; from scandals, to personality problems, to ineptitude with policy issues. She is a truly polarizing figure, one capable of producing record voter turnout this year – for the other side. Appearing publically after 9/11 in this – her politically adopted state – she was sometimes booed off the stage.
The common wisdom is that one should not underestimate her husband’s political machine. It took her to an early lead in the Democratic primaries. That lead is rapidly slipping away however and perhaps for some of the same reasons she would likely lose in November if the machine manages to hang on long enough to make her the nominee.
The cultivated Clinton image is that of a strong and determined woman. Based on her own words, she is seen as a political extremist – something of a Nazi, a Communist, or a hybrid of both. She’s angry, manipulative, mean-spirited, and hateful. Standing firmly on stage with that “determined” look, waving her hands, and shouting she’ll “take and take” in order to impose her will; one can’t help but think of Hitler at least a little. Her extremism seems punctuated lately by strong support from the NY chapter of N.O.W. whose articles can make one feel that their members may don brown shirts and beat up on anyone who doesn’t support her – because she’s a woman.
But then there have been those pesky debates between Democratic candidates. Rehearsed facial expressions, memorized lines, professionally written speeches, waving and pointing randomly and glassy eyed can only go so far. This is where the “conversation” really begins and an entirely different Hillary Clinton emerges. This one doesn’t seem to know which version of her stated policy preferences is the one she prefers or even much about the meaning of what she’s said. This, I think, is where we have caught a glimpse of the real Hillary Clinton; slumping quietly without a clue.
What one should realize about extremism is that it is easy. To be anywhere in between, to make carefully weighed judgments, to balance alternatives and consider trade-offs, to consider the weakness of an idea along with its strength, requires knowledge and intellectual prowess. To simply shout “more, more, more”, demonize opponents, and disenfranchise victims takes nothing but a mouth. The “strong” Hillary Clinton would fail quickly as an anonymous user in an average internet discussion and would probably be banned from further participation as well.
In a general election, Hillary Clinton would be the mouse in a cat and mouse game. She’s done it to herself. Every lie she has used to appear bigger than life would come back to haunt her. Her management experience – none really. Her policy experience … her political experienc … her preparation for the role of Commander in Chief … We should remember the health care reform “conversation” that took place during her husband’s first term. They did it so that Hillary could be in charge and it was a disaster, demonstrating unequivocally her lack of knowledge and leadership skills. Now, she has treated health care as a leading campaign issue, and so far only demonstrated that she’s fool enough to make a fool of herself twice in much the same way.
Come November, she would face a huge, emotionally charged opposition – many of whom would lay down their lives to save the country from an extremist. Certainly many more would make it to the polls to vote against her. The support once imagined would have fallen due to the inherent weakness of the candidate. The “strong” Hillary would build its own opposition. (Run mouse! Run!) The incompetent, dishonest Hillary would be clawed and devoured.
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