Reply #204: Totally agree

[lakercub]

I will vote for Hillary, Edwards, Obama, or Gore (if he runs), without holding my nose. I know they are all better choices that Rudy McRomney or Fred Thompson. And I think most solid dems agree. The problem is that Hillary was already abused by the press during Bill's presidency, and she can't wash that away. Right now, one of our best weapons in 08 is republican apathy. They don't like their candidates that much, and most of them are down on Bush as well. Therefore, republican turn out looks like it could be really, really low. We want this. I would love to win in a battle of ideas where we show these folks the error of their ways, but I'm too realistic for that. Some can be swayed to our side, but most can't (at least not by 08). So just having the R's stay home is for the best.

Unfortunately for Hillary, she is the one candidate who can make even the most apathetic R turn out to vote. They hate her with such a passion, as does the press, that they will vote in droves against her, not for any of their candidates. The press will bring up Monica, the health care plan of 93, and anything else they can bloody her with which will sway independent voters. I still think she can win despite all of this, but it makes it a lot tougher, and the idea of a massive victory and clear mandate would be out the window. Even if she won, the fighting to stop her from getting anything done would damage the party to the nth degree. Also, if Bloomberg runs, which it now seems he might, he would be able to siphon away moderate and NY votes that Hillary would sorely need.

Again, if she is our nominee, I will vote for her. But I would prefer it be someone else.