Should Hillary Run for Pres? Some say NO!

[jefferson_dem]

Without question, there is no more polarizing figure on either side of the political isle. So...should Hillary launch her 2008 presidential bid? Check out Josh Marshall's thought-provoking argument on behalf of the negative.

<SNIP>

First, I don't like the idea of the presidency becoming the private preserve of a few chosen families. It's bad for democracy, even if a given individual might have much to recommend him or her as a candidate.

<SNIP>

Let's be honest, Hillary Clinton is a deeply divisive figure. And if there's one thing Democrats have learned in this and the previous election it is the danger of going into a national election with a candidate who cannot even get a real hearing over a large swath of the country.

<SNIP>

But the electoral fault line running through the country is now quite clear. And, for Democrats, if winning the presidency is to be anything other than the political equivalent drawing an inside straight, the party needs to put a good half dozen more states into play next time around.

<SNIP>

Nominating Hillary would simply mean that Democrats would be going into the election with one hand tied -- no chained -- behind their back. And as we've seen, they need at least two hands.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/

[flpeach]

1. No She Shouldn't

The conservatives hate her SO MUCH she would be assassinated or something awful. I love Hillary but we MUST win next time and they will ruin her, one way or the other.

[NYC Liberal]

2. The Rethugs won't even NEED to run

a GOTV camapaign if we run her.

[Democracy Died 2004]

3. yeah all we need for the image

of the democratic party is a year and half during the campaign "white water", "travel gate", clintons weenie" "cigar jokes" etc... Please think about the enemy and the response we will get to h. clinton.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. No! No more DLC shills.

Hillary is, at best, a "moderate" of the same stripe that has been good at losing elections and rolling over for the repugs. There are too many good progressives around to waste our time on another wishy-washy sometimes Democrat who votes with the polls.

[flpeach]

5. Plus . . .

We need her in the Senate, she is doing a good job!

[Renew Deal]

6. No, I will probably work for another candidate.

The Gov. of Virginia is high on my list.

[jefferson_dem]

10. I know alot of people are really high on Warner. But, frankly, i will

need to see more. I love the fact that he governs a border state, that could swing. But his "presentation" hasn't really blown me away so far. It's an open field, that's for sure.

[Renew Deal]

16. No doubt about it.

I need to see more too. I will have to see a lot more if Dean, Clark, Obama and many others run. But if it's just Hillary, I will probably avoid her until the GE.

[LiberalForEver]

7. If you think we lost thist time just have her run. Much bigger lose

[signmike]

8. Why not Hillary?

I don't see how the Repubs can "Go all out" on her any more than they do against anybody else. I'd love to see Hillary get the Presidency. The Dems are always on the defensive trying to elevate some virtual unknown to elctability and the Rs are lyng, cheating, stealing, defaming - even if they have to make up stuff - even if they have to turn virtues against the nominee. What's the difference? Might as well run with the best we have and give it the 110% like they do.

[NoodleBoy]

11. By the time she'd run, her name would be the flashpoint for Republican

anger for 16 years.

[MsMagnificent]

19. Good. Fuck them.

I'd back her just to see the slaver fly from their rabid, evil, toothless gums.

But on top of that enjoyable mental image, I support strong intelligent women -- so I have Hillary's back

in a very non-Kerry way, of course!

[JudyM]

9. I hate to say this because I LOVE Hillary

But we can't afford to take the chance of putting her up. She's brilliant, articulate, her heart and values are magnificent and she speaks for so many of us. However, we lost this time in part because of the Evangelicals having been galvanized to vote (I heard this a.m. that they comprised 22% of the vote) and they aren't too fond of her. Do I ever wish the country was different.

[jefferson_dem]

15. That's the point. I adore this woman also. But i also have "bigger"

concerns about the direction of the country. Such a huge mass of the nation already dug in in opposition to her, the likelihood of her winning are so slim. The question may be then : if she decides to run, what are the chances of the Dems NOT nominating her? I am hopeful that we do not simply latch onto her "star power" while putting the General Election chances in greater jeopardy all the while. Who will have the courage to stand up and make that case, though????

Oh, and welcome to DU, JudyM! :hi:

[JudyM]

17. Right. It's going to be a tough battle of competing principles.

And thanks for the welcome. I love DU! Discovered it after having been working on the campaign for a while, and felt as good as when I discovered Air America. A breath of fresh air.

:toast:

[veggiemama]

12. No! No more candidates who voted for IWR!

eom

[jrthin]

13. NO!

And I don't want to hear the bullcrap that we don't want her because she's a woman. I don't want Hillary to run because as a NYer, she's continually disappointed me on the issue, i.e. the war on Iraq, she was out there in front saying she supported **.

[jrthin]

14. BTW, if it's important to run a woman,

Elizabeth Edwards has my vote.

[union_maid]

18. No

There is no reason to seriously consider her. What worries me about this is that if she's spending her time getting ready for a run are we in NY going to be saddled with a senator who is overly concerned with "uniting" the country instead of fighting these fuckheads*.

*Not my usual messageboard language in the past, but it is now.

[LiberalForEver]

20. I say NO!

[raysr]

21. If you thought a ban

on gay marriage will get them out from under their rock, Limpball's would really get 'em rolling out to stop Hillary.

[69KV]

22. No

We do need to push the idea of a woman in the White House. Mary Landrieu would make a great nominee. I also am quite fond of Carol Mosely-Braun, wished she had done better in the primaries this year.

Not Hillary though. She inspires too many divisive feelings, and if she got the nomination we could write off winning in 2008.

[greblc]

23. NO

[seraph]

24. I love Hillary, but will not support her for President. (nt)

[Skittles]

25. I don't want ANYONE running who voted for IWR

PERIOD

[JackRiddler]

26. This is definitely THE top question right now

Let's see...

9/11 cover-up continues...

Second stolen election in a row, Kerry does not contest, whole thing was a farce...

war with Iran on horizon...

Iraq to collapse next year, dollar meltdown, depression coming, $8 a gallon at the pump...

bankruptcy of the State in view...

next generation mini-nukes ready to roll...

Whether Hillary should run in '08 is definitely my top concern right now...