Political Soul-Cleansing?
Lorie Byrd suspects that the reason Hillary Clinton is losing is what amounts to political soul-cleansing by Democrats. They are, she says, just plain tired of the Clintons.
1. Democrats don't want a return to non-stop scandal defense mode. Democrats like to wrap the Clinton scandals up in a blue dress and say they were all about sex, but that is ridiculous. There were numerous scandals in the Clinton White House well before anyone knew who Monica Lewinski was and many of them involved Hillary. The travel office firings, subpoenaed billing records, Whitewater, and FBI files are only the beginning of the list. It goes on for a while and includes names like Vince Foster, Johnny Chung, and the FALN.
Why on earth would Democrats want to sign up for a second ride on the Clinton scandal train when they could opt for a clean slate candidate? Besides, it would not be so easy to deflect future scandals as it was previous ones. I don't think Ken Starr will be making a repeat performance as boogeyman and he was a necessary element to the Clinton scandal survival strategy. Without a Vast Right Wing Conspiracy to oppose, there is not so much enthusiasm for defending the Clintons.
I believe there is a whole group of Democrats out there who are secretly enjoying being able to vote against a Clinton. They can take out their frustrations with the Clintons and still vote for a Democrat. For the first time in 16 years, Democrats can vote against a Clinton without having to vote for a Republican to do it.
2. The Clinton is no longer the hip one in the race. Think about it. In Bill Clinton's presidential primary he was up against Paul Tsongas, Tom Harkin, Bob Kerrey, and some other people I don't even remember. In the general elections he was up against George H. W. Bush and Bob Dole. Hillary, in sharp contrast, is up against the Obamassiah who makes women swoon.
There is quite a lot more, go over and have a good read. I suspect that all of the reasons Lorie gives are very likely correct. People, including hard core Democrats are simply tired of the Clintons. The more they go on the attack, the more people realize just how badly they wish that Bill and Hillary would just go away.
I'm not at all sure that they will go away if she loses, of course. She'll still be around and will probably make another attempt at gaining the Oval Office.
By sam, Friday, 22 February , 2008 @ 5:06 pm
Looks like you will have to start slamming Obama instead - unless she starts willing some of the primaries.
By feeblemind, Friday, 22 February , 2008 @ 6:12 pm
She might give it another go years from now, but the dems have a history of turning their backs on primary losers. I don’t believe she will ever garner the level of support she has now in future years. Her strong suit is the elderly, and they are dying off.
By Ted, Friday, 22 February , 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Can you imagine the Clintons back in power???? Horrors!!! Poor Bill looks sick and tired. Instead of getting two for the price of one, we’ll get only one and 1/2, which is still too much!
ted
By Mwalimu Daudi, Friday, 22 February , 2008 @ 6:56 pm
The Democrat Party will also tire of the Messiah - if he becomes a liability and a newer, sexier Messiah comes along.
BTW: Have Democrats given up on the quest to find "the next JFK" in favor of annointing "the next Messiah"?