The republicans would make mincemeat out of Bernie but Hillary is innoculated

[cali]

against their attacks. There's nothing new. Undoubtedly, repukes would go to town on Bernie, but Hillary is as vulnerable to repuke attacks as he is.

How about this?

Ominous music. Bad still of Hillary. Somber voice:

"Hillary Clinton mishandled sensitive top secret information. She endangered national security and exposed intelligence officers. Hillary Clinton should be indicted, not elected."

You don't think those ads aren't ready to roll?

Do you get that the majority of voters already don't trust her or find her to be honest?

Clinton supporters dismiss her email as a problem. They shriek in outrage anytime it's brought up. They fail to see it as the potential big problem it is. It is irrelevant whether or not she did anything wrong. It's potent ammunition for the rethugs. And it's just the type if thing that dovetails with widely held perceptions about her.

The Hillary has been inoculated against republican attacks meme, is patent bullshit.

[emulatorloo]

1. Wonkette: Hillary Clinton Definitely Going To Email Jail This Time For Sure

Hillary Clinton Definitely Going To Email Jail This Time For Sure
By Doktor Zoom - January 30, 2016 - 12:13pm

http://wonkette.com/598345/hillary-clinton-definitely-going-to-email-jail-this-time-for-sure#kkEfU4SQHKhtkjM7.99

Better call the House Select Committee on Benghazi back into session, because with just days to go before the Iowa caucuses, there’s finally some huge shocking news about Hillary Clinton and all the Top Secret emails on her private server, which as everyone knows is the one issue that Americans simply can’t seem to stop talking about, at least after they’ve exhausted talking about the weather, sportsball, television, movies, their children, cat videos they saw on YouTube, and whether this milk is giving their coffee that funny taste. The carton says it’s not expired yet, but it might be a little off. Here, smell it, what do you think? And then right after that, Hillary’s emails.

What happened was that before releasing January’s monthly stash of emails Friday, the State Department announced that it was withholding 22 of the emails because they contained information that has been reclassified as “Top Secret,” although State Department spokesman John Kirby pointed out that “these documents were not marked classified at the time they were sent.” It’s also not clear whether the newly reclassified emails were sent by Clinton, or had been sent to her by other State Department staff; the New York Times notes that the bulk of emails released from Clinton’s server so far “were messages written by other State Department officials and forwarded by her closest aides.”

Still, they were on her private server, and they’re now marked classified, so the only logical conclusion is that Hillary Clinton is a spy. Be careful, her bowtie is really a camera.

<snip>

So anyway, Hillz, it was nice knowing you, bummer about how this HUGE SCANDAL will finally murder your campaign just like you personally strangled Vince Foster while not declaring your tax losses on Whitewater and planning the attack on Benghazi. Maybe if you’re lucky, you really will get another 11 hours of grilling from House Republicans, seeing as how that made you look great last time.


<Much more at link> Def worth checking out the Republican tweets in this humorous article

[bjobotts]

49. Hillary has more baggage and enemies

We know it's all nonsense but repubs will attack ruthlessly either of our candidates but I suspect Bernie will pull more repubs and independents to vote for him. In all the polls Bernie wipes the floor with all republican contenders by larger numbers than Hillary. It's fun explaining our nation's long used "Democratic" Socialism as in SS, Medicare, National Defense etc etc etc. with an FDR banner head. Even Hillary is moving farther left in response to Bernie's message. His honesty as a politician is well known and beyond question but who knows what lies repubs will try to pass off...but in Vermont republicans vote for Bernie also. He will be our next president and Dems will retake the Senate and the majority of votes will be for dems in the House but who knows who will control it with all the gerrymandering and voter suppression.

[JohnnyLib2]

2. try substituting Bernie as the target..

At this point, he's sheltered from such attacks by Clinton's candidacy. She's the well known and easy target. He would be faced with an avalanche of rethug attacks at a level we probably haven't seen.

[KingCharlemagne]

4. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - nt

[JohnnyLib2]

8. My fear is of a Trump/Cruz/Rubio in the White House.

[KingCharlemagne]

9. I hear ya, Johnny. With all due respect to FDR's great

words of wisdom, all leftists should hope for the best but, of course, plan for the worst.

[daleanime]

42. I'll try to make you feel better, I think Hillary could win the General Election....

but the horror show nature of the fall campaign against her combined with the way her name will rally the republicans will kill off the hopes of down ticket democrats. Her reward will be facing an even redder congress then Obama and our reward will be that republicans get to run against her at least twice more.

I hope that makes you feel better, because the prospects of it kind of freak me out.

[loyalsister]

64. I'm also hearing people say they won't vote at all if she's on the ticket

Explaining to someone who got excited about voting for the first time in 2008 that their vote matters even though the system is the same and they haven't felt economic recovery. But hey, it's all going to be different and don't forget to vote for the candidate who spent four years in the executive branch of the candidate who disappointed you.
People are angry at Obama because they feel like he failed to deliver. When it is pointed out that he had to work within a flawed political system, they gravitate towards the guy who wants to change it because he acknowledges and validates the anger Hillary dismisses as she stomps on their hopes and dreams by saying the things that would help them most will NEVER EVER happen.
I am confident that if a bill establishing medicare for all or a single payer system would have landed on Obama's desk he would have signed it. Hillary gives the impression she would veto it.

[JDPriestly]

38. And he can answer that the ads against him do not deal with the issues and that

they are funded by big money from the oligarchs who should leave our elections up to us and not push the heavy hand of their big money into our ballot boxes.

[DaveT]

62. Being scared of Republicans

is not a good way to be a Democrat.

Seriously, of course they are going to smear whomever gets in their way. Bill Clinton got impeached, Al Gore "invented" the internet, John Kerry was a coward in Vietnam who managed to hood wink the Pentagon into giving him medals, and Obama palled around with terrorists.

It is an interesting assertion that Sanders would be more vulnerable to that kind of bullshit than HRClinton -- but that's all it is, an assertion.


Sanders has answered a ton of bullshit attacks already and his favorability is still strong. The virulence and volume are going to increase, and it remains to be seen if he continues to fight them off successfully.

What has Hillary every won? Two senate races in New York. Other that that we see the massive failure of Clinton Health Care in 1993-4; blowing a 50plus point lead over Barack Obama in 2012; and now going from 60 points up on Sanders in Iowa to finish three tenths of one percent up in the delegate equivalent total.

Why do you keep saying that she has withstood all those attacks? She still hasn't won anything, and her negative polling numbers show how poorly she has responded to all those attacks on her.


To campaign by saying that We Can't Have core Democratic policies because the Republicans won't let us is WEAK. To say that we should choose our candidate on the basis of our fear of Republican campaign propaganda is WEAK.


Sanders says that we should take the fight to the Republicans. Hillary says give in to the Republicans. That is what will decide this primary election. Good luck, Hillarians. If you win, you will have a powerful mandate for surrender to the GOP.

I am embarrassed for her and her supporters.

[DanTex]

3. Inoculated is an interesting way of putting it. She's been hit by them for decades, and is still

standing strong. So I guess you could compare that to a vaccine of sorts.

But, like anyone, she will be attacked, and the attacks will resonate with some. The main thing is that Bernie has little hope of beating the GOP. He's never faced the attacks, and at some point he made the very unwise decision to call himself a "socialist," a word that his supporters seem to think has lost its negative connotation with voters despite clear polling evidence to the contrary. And, of course, pointing any of this out brings up accusations of red-baiting, as if we're supposed to pretend that the GOP is going to sit there while Bernie delivers a lecture about the different forms of socialism.

[cali]

10. So the majority of voters find her untrustworthy and dishonest

And you think she's standing strong?

And if you don't think that attacks like the one I framed will not damage her, you're living in a fantasy world.

As for Bernie, how many times do I have to say it? Hillary will almost certainly be the nominee.

I'd bet just about anything that she will lose us the white house. I will blame the dem establishment and her blind supporters.

[DanTex]

22. Sure, she has negatives, I wish we had another Obama. She also has positives, of course,

which you never mention. But she's a flawed candidate, for sure.

And, like I said, the alternative is Bernie, which in terms of electability is no alternative at all. You're right that he will almost certainly not be the nominee. Which is a good thing, because that would be the quickest route to president Rubio/Trump.

[zalinda]

46. Please, tell me the positives

of the issues she supports, not about her personally. I'm an issues person and I find her issues repulsive. And, quite frankly, I think that those she 'evolved' on is political expedience, not something she truly believes.''

I believed that she might be another Obama, but when I saw her "We came, we saw, he died" video, I was horrified. How could someone be so happy at someone's death? I don't want someone like that with a finger on the red button, to run this nation.

Z

[Armstead]

21. Bernie is kind of boring...,in a good way

He's lived a life, but he's no different than most people, and isn't wrapped up in a lot of high-flying shady characters and tendency to think the rules apply only to others.

Yes is calls himself a socialist, and he used to be more radical in his younger days. But his politics today are clearly left of center, but still in the mainstream. Anyone who is scared off or trend off by his "radicalism": likely also thinks Clinton is a raging liberal socialist too.

His life is also basically normal. He had an illegitimate son. He's kind of eccentric, and lived hand to mouth for a little while back in the 1970's, as did many people of his generation.

Hardly the stuff of scandal for anyone who is not already predisposed to think that all Democrats and liberals are the spawn of satan.

[DanTex]

23. I dunno, I think you're overestimating the liberalism of the American people, and also the stigma of

the word "socialist." I'm sure you already know about the Gallup poll. And I've already pointed out that nobody as liberal as Bernie has won anything of note outside of a few blue states.

There simply are not indications that he's plausible as a GE candidate. Bernie supporters dismiss the fact that virtually all elected Dems are supporting Hillary, and that they almost unanimously think Bernie is unelectable. Because they are the "establishment."

But here's another thing they are: people who have actually won elections. All over the country. Dislike them if you want, but it's hard to argue that people who have won elections don't know what it takes to win elections.

[Armstead]

24. That is a basic disagreement between you and me

(and the larger argument within the D party)

1)The Democrats helped to make "liberal" and anything to the left of corporate conservatism seem to be radical. But let's look forward.

2)There are many policies that if the Democrats would actually get behind and push for a liberal agenda as aggressively as the GOP does for conservative, I am convinced a majority of voters would support it -- otr at least enough of a percentage to level the playing field.

No politician besides teabaggers, for example, would campaign on a platform of "Let's eliminate Social Security." They know that would be political suicide. (Although they do try to find sneaky ways to move towards that.) Most middle class people loves getting their SS, or knowing they will have it when they get older.

Once you get beyond the stagnant partisan labels, people are more receptive to liberal IDEAS and POLICIES than you seem to think.

[DanTex]

26. I don't disagree with those two points too strongly, mostly in degree.

I agree that Dems allowed the political spectrum to drift right, and Bill Clinton definitely has a big chunk of the blame, but I don't see people like Hillary as "corporate conservatives," to me that's just hyperbole.

I agree that voters support a lot of liberal policies, moreso than their elected officials, and there is plenty of polling data to support this. One note of caution is that Americans also support things like teaching creationism in schools.

I think it would be great for there to be a grassroots push to elect more Bernies to the House and Senate. Right now, there are some in the house (most of whom are endorsing Hillary, so I don't know if they pass the purity test), and I'd say only two in the Senate: Bernie and Warren. If it's true that Bernie's message is so appealing, how about people in, I dunno, Washington, California, New Jersey, whatever, start running primary campaigns and getting elected. Show me 10 or 20 DemSoc senators (and/or governors), and then we'll talk plausible presidency.

The usual excuse is that the Democratic party blocks liberals, and they point to Lieberman. And it's true, the party did help block Lamont. So? Is that it? Keep trying. If this is a political revolution, an unstoppable awakening, then you don't just quit and say the fix is in because you lost the first couple tries.

What I don't agree with is risking the entire presidency on this. If you lose a senate seat, OK, that sucks, but whatever, it's one senate seat. Losing the presidency has drastic consequences.

And what I disagree with most of all (and don't say you haven't seen it), is people who insist that if Bernie doesn't win the nomination, they're going to sit out or vote third party in the general election. You know, "Bernie or Bust." That's just sheer stupidity, there's no other way to describe it. People who think that way aren't willing to struggle and fight for what they think is right. They are whining babies, if they don't get exactly what they want, they want to spite everyone else too.

[Armstead]

29. See? you are capable of reasonable discourse

It might be more helpful to bringing people to see (and maybe even acknowledge) your positions if you not toss around the unicorns and socialist stuff and Bernie fanatics memes so pointedly

[DanTex]

30. And you are too. Let's do this more often.

[JDPriestly]

43. Actually, Bernie has faced the Republican attacks over and over in his elections

in Vermont. Running as an Independent means that you get attacked by both Democrats and Republicans.

Bernie doubled the voter turn-out after his first term as mayor of Burlington.

He is a beloved representative, senator and mayor. He can rise above the attacks. Hillary gets caught up in them.

Hillary's virtual tie in Iowa should be a warning to all her supporters. I am a woman, and would love to see a qualified woman as our president before I die. I don't think that Hillary is a viable candidate. The rumors that people ALREADY believe about her are lies, obvious lies, but repeated over and over by gullible people including liberals. She is not a strong candidate.

Those who love Hillary really love her. True. But the undecideds and the doubtful and the many haters will not move to her side when they get inundated with anti-Hillary gossip, lies and, I hate to say it, truths.

This election is about jobs, the economy and especially trade. Americans are sick of having rich people buy out their employers, shift their jobs overseas, then offer Americans jobs that pay less than Americans were earning before "free" trade and then after all that, buy the elections and own the politicians. It's a recipe that has cooked us into one big mess.

Bernie presents an angry tone and we Americans love it because it reflects our anger.

And who are we angry at? The oligarchs. The employer-class, the investor-class. And for good reason.

Bernie is the only Democrat who can respond to the ads with -- stop personal attacks in politics. Talk about the issues.

[DanTex]

44. In Vermont. Heh.

[zalinda]

53. I'm guessing that you got yours.

The truth is that people are in dire straits out here in the hinterlands. The few jobs that are available go to those who have connections or that have perfect credit scores or already have a job. The minimum wage jobs are almost just as hard to get, as you have 10 times or more applying for that job. The longer you are out of a job, the less likely you are going to get hired. I have seen nothing like this in my lifetime. It is bad out here.

Z

[JDPriestly]

55. Hillary is not going to win Texas or South Carolina in November.

She will be lucky if she can win Iowa or New Hampshire.

And then she will win conservative states that no Democrat has won in many, many years.

And what good is a win in a primary in South Carolina in the fall election. It's useless.

What is important is to win big in a state like New Hampshire.

Winning in November is a matter of getting voters to the polls. Hillary has an unattractive personality. She could not get Iowa voters to the caucuses to vote for her. She was supposed to be winning in Iowa if you believe the polls. She will not do as well in November as Bernie will. That's what matters.

Hillary just does not have a trustworthy, likable personality. It's a problem. Sorry, but that is the way it is.

[AlbertCat]

48. Bernie presents an angry tone

No he doesn't. It's an urgent tone. It's "enough"! It is positive.

[bjobotts]

69. You need to look at the polls. It's "Democratic" Socialism.

I think people are more put off by the tag "capitalist. Hillary the "capitalist" or "corporatist" is more negative than Bernie the "Democratic" Socialist. One is destroying America and the other is (and has been) saving America. Democratic Socialism is the only form of government which both ensures our freedom AND our survival by having a collective body big enough to keep corporations from just doing anything they want.

[NorthCarolina]

5. It's all bullshit propaganda. one thing I know for SURE about

self identified 'conservatives' here in the South is that they HATE Hillary Clinton (despise is probably closer). If she is the nominee, these voters, voting against their own best interests to be sure, will turn out in DROVES to defeat a Clinton. That's a fact.

Bernie on the other hand, makes them think twice. I see it all around me every single day.

This I would ABSOLUTELY wager money on: If Hillary is the nominee, the Southern Christian Conservatives will turn out in droves to defeat her.

[FreakinDJ]

12. Anyone but Clinton is on the West Coast too

[jeff47]

14. Those conservatives would crawl naked over broken glass to vote for Satan

if Clinton is the other choice on the ballot.

They do indeed hate her that much.

[musiclawyer]

35. The assumption that HRC is as vulnerable as Bernie is stupid

The other assumption that she remains standing strong is equally dumb.


She is exponentially a better candidate. For the GOP.! Her negatives are very high, she and Bill ( they come as a pair ) are hated beyond description by the GOP base which will be mobilized to the max
The millennials won't lift a finger for her. She's got scandal, whether real or imagined, plastered all over campaign if she beats Bernie. A vote for HRC is a vote for a GOP POTUS because she will lose to Rubio or Cruz. Lots of Rwpublicans will vote for Bernie and the independents and millennials will come out in force for Bernie. Why ? Because he's honest and gives a shit about normal working class Americans. HRC doesn't ---facts don't lie. HRC being liberal on social issues means nothing to the indies and youngsters because Bernie had boatloads of that .... The socialism meme has already been proved a failure. The GOP has NOTHING on Bernie

[cannabis_flower]

39. I would say that

many progressives here in Texas also ring like Hillary.

[bullsnarfle]

65. "...here in the South"

Me too, and I hear it every day. The repubs around my neck-o'-the-woods despise her with a visceral loathing that most people reserve for baby rapists. If you really want to turn out the repub vote big-time, nominate Hillary C.

Then sit back and watch the bloodbath...

[NCTraveler]

6. You are making the case that republicans dictate your thought process.

They don't dictate mine. Once win down for Clinton. Onward to the general.

By the way, we know what republicans will say about her. You nailed it word for word. Very impressive. lol.

[JaneyVee]

7. LOL. How about this:

Ominous music. Still of angry Bernie. Quick flash to hammer and sickle. Voice comes in: "honeymooned in USSR, dodged draft, wrote rape fantasies, voted against AMBER Alert, wants to raise middle class taxes!"

I'll stick with the "damn emails". Bernie would be a disaster for purple state downticket races. Tea Party takeover.

Endless loops of "I am a socialist and taxes will go up!"

[JohnnyLib2]

11. Absolutely. Those spots are probably ready to roll.

But--Bernie and many supporters are not seeing or dealing with that. Will they be prepared? One wonders.

[JaneyVee]

13. They believe everywhere is Seattle.

Maybe they should tour the country a bit.

[jeff47]

15. Yeah, that would totally make him lose among Republicans who are 60+

It isn't 1968 anymore.

[JimDandy]

50. They were never voting for a Democrat anyway. n/t

[cali]

16. You really aren't good at this. I can make up a more

effective ad against Bernie in my sleep than your attempt, but as I've told you over and over again, dear friend, I believe Hillary will almost certainly be our nominee, so it's irrelevant.

By the way, Hillary sure as hell does not beat all possible republicans, as you disingenuously claimed in another thread

[JaneyVee]

18. So go back to sleep.

[frylock]

28. WOLVERINES!!1

[AzDar]

47. Because Hillary's only baggage is the email shit, right? Good LORD.

[A Simple Game]

71. Oh I want to play. Imagine a young lady, her clothing in disarray comes around a corner and

starts running down a long hall. Closely behind her is a white haired Bill Clinton with a wild grin on his face. You hear the young woman's heavy breathing and the Bill look-a-like's evil giggle. "Do you really want this in the White House again" appears on the screen. All within 15 seconds so the PAC running it can afford to air it thousands of times for weeks and weeks.

Your turn again, or did you use all of your ammunition in that one poor attempt?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. The GOPers have been flinging poo at Hillary for years, but

with the exception of her runs in New York for its U.S. Senate seat, she has never had to compete with them in an election. In 2000 she ran for Moynahan's vacant seat and won; in 2006 she ran again and won handily in an election in which the GOP did not have a credible candidate. She served only two years of that term, leaving the Senate in '08 to become Obama's Secretary of State. In the 2000 election she was criticized for "carpetbagging," having moved to New York, a state with which she had no prior ties, just before the election, but otherwise, NY being a fairly liberal state, the GOP's really stinky poo didn't get flung too much. Their candidate in '06 was so weak that Hillary faced no significant opposition.

My point is that Hillary has never faced the GOP smear machine in a national election. The GOP will run PAC-financed ads all over the country and they will dig up all the rumors and crap, whether true or false, and throw them at her. It will all be there: Travelgate, Vince Foster, Bill's shenanigans and more. Most of it won't be fair or honest, but it will be there. She has never had to deal with crap at that level before and will be every bit as vulnerable as Bernie, if not more.

[asuhornets]

19. Instead of trying to bash Hillary 24/7..

Why don't you make the case for your candidate Bernie Sanders? Oh I forgot - You Can't. With Bernie Sanders there is no there there. You can't promote his policies for foreign policy because there is none to promote. He says he will raise taxes to implement the single option - again you can't promote that because he wants to raise taxes on the middle class. His position on Climate change is the same for all Democrats but still he has not given any specific policy proposals on that issue.

[jeff47]

20. Irony. (nt)

[AlbertCat]

56. Why don't you make the case for your candidate Bernie Sanders?

Again?

Didn't you get it the 1st 100 times?

[asuhornets]

63. No..All I got was Hillary bashing. eom

[brooklynite]

25. Here's the difference...

...Clinton hasn't been (and won't be) charged with anything. The Republicans have hit her with email for a year with no appreciable impact to her polling (just like Benghazi). And the people who would be influenced by this story were always in the GOP camp.

Now, as for Sanders, the same ominous music will be followed by a clip of Sanders ACTUALLY SAYING "I'm a Socialist", and ACTUALLY SAYING "I'm going to raise taxes".

[Jarqui]

32. A bunch of that is simply not true

1. Clinton emails are still under investigation by the FBI. No one has publicly made a determination about what they'll do. Contrary to Hillary's spin, they have found classified material in her emails and she signed a non disclosure form with criminal penalties available to them if she violated it. Time will tell on that one but she's far from out of the woods on that.

Please provide a link where someone in authority (I'll accept a member of the Attorney General's office or FBI involved with the case) has stated clearly that Hillary will not be charged with anything. When they went into it, it was not a criminal investigation. But after they found 1500+ emails with classified information in them on an unsecure server? Nobody can be sure. The press has reported rumblings that something is going to happen with her.

2. In early 2013, Hillary left the State Department. Benghazi then Emails scandals followed. If Benghazi and email scandals didn't hurt her, what caused this record setting tail off in 2014-15?:

[Armstead]

33. She probably won't be indicted...But for many people it represents a mentality they're tired of

Those who dread a GOP takeover will hold noses and vote for her if necessary.

But the non-partisan people who don't make such sharp distinctions between Republicans and Democrats, will see that as yet another example of a mentality of "the rules of normal behavior don't apply to us, because we're special." And they'll go with the "untainted fresh face" of a Rubio or the antics of a Trump.

The stuff the GOP will throw at Bernie will appeal mainly to people who would not think of voting for a Democrat anyway.

And Bernie has long ago proven that he is political streetfighter (albeit a polite one), who can give as good as he gets.

[grntuscarora]

27. I have to agree.

The past week I've been canvassing in PA for signatures for Bernie's ballot access, and have been talking to lots of R's in my heavily red area. They can't sign the petition, but we often chat anyway.
And my take is, Hillary will have a whole lot of baggage to deal with if she makes it to the general. They honestly seem to like and respect Bernie, altho I know the R Party bigwigs will take the gloves off if he's chosen, too.
But the R rank and file in my area really hate Hillary, and have a whole laundry list of reasons.
One republican said he was planning to vote for Bernie, but if it comes down to Hillary vs Trump, he'll go with Trump. Go figure.

[Ron Green]

31. So to independents, the most valuable GE group, what's the scarier appellation:

"Socialist," or "liar?"

[TheSocialDem]

34. What Do they got on Bernie?

The best they got is he's old and socialist. I really don't think that can do much damage in the general. Sanders would cream and republican nominee.

[cannabis_flower]

40. Lots of people

are socialist and don't even know it.

[bettyellen]

36. Don't forget Vince Foster.... *sarcasm* Seen him brought up here too, LOL.

[ViseGrip]

37. What...will they go to 'town' on when it comes to Bernie? He's uncorrupted! Your logic is twisted.

[blackspade]

41. The "Bernie will get eaten alive" by the GOP meme is a load of crap.

There is no basis for it.
That this is the meme du jour by some Democrats is pathetic.

[AzDar]

45. Look, they are going to attack *any* Dem candidate.Good luck finding skeletons in Bernie's closet...

Hillary, however, has a whole goddamned GRAVEYARD.

[TCJ70]

57. Yeah, what are they going to say about him...

...that isn't easily countered?

[bklyncowgirl]

51. Whoever the Democrats put up will be a storm of vicious, (Hopefully) false attacks.

She or he will be called a socialist, commie, gun grabbing perpetrator of the nanny state and an enemy of freedom. They will be ratfucked and swiftboated. That goes with the territory.

Bernie Sanders as a self-proclaimed socialist is vulnerable. Hillary Clinton, because of her history is vulnerable. There are no superheroes here and even if there were you can better be pretty damn sure the Republicans will be mining extra special custom Kryptonite to bring him or her down.

The best thing is to have a good knock down drag out primary and get the dirt, if any out there. Are there any more bombshells waiting to go off in the Clinton e-mail scandal? Are there any dirty little secrets about Bernie? Let's find out before the nomination and also let's watch how our candidates respond to attacks because to be blunt, the Republican candidate is not going to hold back.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

52. She wants to go to war with the Republicans....

They aren't going to fight back.

[Avalux]

54. I think her campaign is expecting all Dems to vote for her no matter what.

It's a fatal mistake for Hillary's campaign to make assumptions and take for granted that enough Dems and Independents will vote for her to give her the win. There are so very many, especially our young people, who will simply stay home and not vote.

[onecaliberal]

60. ^^That^^ Cannot be overstated, because they won't. Not by a very long shot.

[GoneFishin]

72. Yep. I see many posts from those trying to convince themselves that this is not a problem. It is

a huge problem. Also, I know of no Republicans or Independents who are open minded about Hillary. Even those who are open to policy discussions look like the are getting nauseous when the topic of Hillary as President is brought up.

[kristopher]

58. The GOP website already has a her straddling the fence on guns.

Comparing and contrasting Hillary v.2008 with v2016.

It is unavoidable that she looks like a pandering liar.

Let me look for the page.

ETA: Here it is, ready to go.
https://www.gop.com/in-2008-clinton-attacked-obama-on-guns-from-the-right/
From
"Today, Clinton Launched A New TV Ad Touting Her Support For Gun Control."
to
"In 2008, Clinton Attacked Obama On Guns From The Right"

[actslikeacarrot]

59. Even if the talking point of....

...."Bernie will be slaughtered by republicans" is true, why the hell are we giving the repubs a vote on who we nominate?

[NurseJackie]

61. Nonsense.

[Eko]

66. Wow!

Great job cali, I'm sure any conservative rag out there would be happy to publish this and take you on as a writer.

[cali]

67. Oh come off it. They hardly need me.

[Eko]

68. no, you should be proud of it.

With a hit piece like that you would do well.

[The Traveler]

70. Here's the truth we all know

As soon as we have a nominee (and likely before) as vast propaganda and smear machine will be unleashed. Neither Sanders nor Clinton are immune from the attacks this machine will issue at a rate of 200 WTF/Minute. The attacks will be launched using radio talk, cable news, social media, and the church pulpit.

The machine will operate on the principle that the Big Lie does eventually become truth if repeated frequently and vigorously enough from enough sources. Vladimir Lenin and Dr. Goebbels understood this principle quite well ... and would only nod in admiration at the degree to which the technique has been perfected in the conduct American political discourse.

We all know this is going to happen. The content of the propaganda varies a little based on the target nominee ... but that matters little because the public response to the spew of venom we are about to witness is very unpredictable. I have become convinced of one thing after months of looking at polling methodologies, results, the inexplicable rise of Trump, and the ponderings of Nate Silver and various pundits ... there's a lot happening in the body politic which no one really understands.

For these reasons, I just don't see "electability" as being the big issue of the Democratic primary season. Both our candidates are "electable" ... and both are vulnerable.

I am a Sanders supporter. I can spend all day telling you why, and discussing my substantive issues with Ms. Clinton's policies and record. But I think it pointless to base our decisions on what the right wing will make of it, or the fear thereof. We should simply go with what our minds and hearts tell us, and make our case to the people. Personally, I am not particularly afraid of going forward with either of our candidates.

Trav

[Uncle Joe]

73. One thing about General Custer; he survived many battles during the Civil War

Custer was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment and was assigned to drilling volunteers in Washington, D.C. On July 21, 1861, he was with his regiment at the First Battle of Bull Run during the Manassas Campaign, where Army commander Winfield Scott detailed him to carry messages to Major General Irvin McDowell. After the battle, he continued participating in the defenses of Washington D.C. until October when he was sick and absent from his unit until February 1862. In March, he participated with the 2nd Cavalry in the Peninsula Campaign (March to August) in Virginia until April 4.

On April 5, he served in the 5th Cavalry Regiment and participated in the Siege of Yorktown, from April 5 to and May 4 and was aid to Major General George B. McClellan; McClellan was in command of the Army of the Potomac during the Peninsula Campaign. On May 24, 1862, during the pursuit of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston up the Peninsula, when General Barnard and his staff were reconnoitering a potential crossing point on the Chickahominy River, they stopped, and Custer overheard his commander mutter to himself, "I wish I knew how deep it is." Custer dashed forward on his horse out to the middle of the river and turned to the astonished officers of the staff and shouted triumphantly, "That's how deep it is, Mr. General!" Custer then was allowed to lead an attack with four companies of the 4th Michigan Infantry across the Chickahominy River above New Bridge. The attack was successful, resulting in the capture of 50 Confederate soldiers and the seizing of the first Confederate battle flag of the war. McClellan, termed it a "very gallant affair" and congratulated Custer personally. In his role as aide-de-camp to McClellan, Custer began his life-long pursuit of publicity.[10] Custer was promoted to the rank of captain on June 5, 1862. On July 17, he was reverted to the rank of first lieutenant. He participated in the Maryland Campaign in September to October, the Battle of South Mountain on September 14, the Battle of Antietam on September 17, and the March to Warrenton, Virginia in October.

(snip)

Custer was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment and was assigned to drilling volunteers in Washington, D.C. On July 21, 1861, he was with his regiment at the First Battle of Bull Run during the Manassas Campaign, where Army commander Winfield Scott detailed him to carry messages to Major General Irvin McDowell. After the battle, he continued participating in the defenses of Washington D.C. until October when he was sick and absent from his unit until February 1862. In March, he participated with the 2nd Cavalry in the Peninsula Campaign (March to August) in Virginia until April 4.

On April 5, he served in the 5th Cavalry Regiment and participated in the Siege of Yorktown, from April 5 to and May 4 and was aid to Major General George B. McClellan; McClellan was in command of the Army of the Potomac during the Peninsula Campaign. On May 24, 1862, during the pursuit of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston up the Peninsula, when General Barnard and his staff were reconnoitering a potential crossing point on the Chickahominy River, they stopped, and Custer overheard his commander mutter to himself, "I wish I knew how deep it is." Custer dashed forward on his horse out to the middle of the river and turned to the astonished officers of the staff and shouted triumphantly, "That's how deep it is, Mr. General!" Custer then was allowed to lead an attack with four companies of the 4th Michigan Infantry across the Chickahominy River above New Bridge. The attack was successful, resulting in the capture of 50 Confederate soldiers and the seizing of the first Confederate battle flag of the war. McClellan, termed it a "very gallant affair" and congratulated Custer personally. In his role as aide-de-camp to McClellan, Custer began his life-long pursuit of publicity.[10] Custer was promoted to the rank of captain on June 5, 1862. On July 17, he was reverted to the rank of first lieutenant. He participated in the Maryland Campaign in September to October, the Battle of South Mountain on September 14, the Battle of Antietam on September 17, and the March to Warrenton, Virginia in October.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Armstrong_Custer

But his ego got he best of him in the end as most people know

There is no such thing as total "inoculation" against attacks particularly when one consistently creates so many self-inflicted wounds.

Thanks for the thread, cali.