Why Do Republicans Think Hillary Clinton Will Be Nominated?

[DrFunkenstein]

Poll question: Why Do Republicans Think Hillary Clinton Will Be Nominated?

Virtually every time one of the GOP candidates opens his pasty trap, they take for granted that Sen. Clinton will be the Democratic nominee. In fact, they often try to differentiate themselves by attacking Clinton instead of each other - it's following the Reagan quip about never attacking "thy fellow Republican."

There seems to be two possible explanations for this phenomenon:

1. They are preparing themselves for the inevitable. Polls and endorsements don't lie.

2. They are invoking the Clinton dynasty to whip up the spirits of demoralized conservatives who long for someone to focus their personal frustration on. Not only are they trying to stir up some sort of focal point for the embodiment of all that is evil, but they are making a pretty calculated effort to drive up fundraising.

On our side of the coin, Democrats invoke Dick Cheney or Ann Coulter anytime they want to get some spare change. Remember the good old days of hating Tom Delay? Good times. Putting the "checks" in "checks and balances" and what have you.

Not being a manichean zealot, I'd assume there is a little of both going on. Clinton is the frontrunner, after all.

That too is a simplification, though, since it would be like the classic claim that both Dems and Republicans took money from Enron. There is something to be said for clarifying proportion (wouldn't be nice if the media understood this principle?).

So, without trying to say these are mutually exclusive possibilities, I'm asking which you believe is the stronger rationale for invoking the name of Hillary Clinton, Hillarycare, etc.

Explanations are always welcome, naturally.

[rucky]

1. Can I vote for both?

they don't really have much control over it, but they'll always find a way to capitalize on anything. call them the eternal optimists.

[zulchzulu]

2. It should be "Wish" and not "Think"

The best thing for the Republicans is to have two Clintons to run against. It's what they want. Otherwise, they are sunk.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. That's Why Newt Gingrich Says She Has A 80% Chance Of Winning

And Dick Morris and Neil Bored were discussing an HRC candidacy as a fait accompli...

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

4. Because their rightwing media is trumpeting her.

She's the pick of the right.

[illinoisprogressive]

5. because the media anointed her so a year ago and have been pushing her ever since

[seasat]

6. Because they're still stuck in the 90s.

They feel their influence slipping away and are trying to turn back the clock to 1990 when they still held some sway. They haven't any real policy to run on other than a retread of the 2004 theme of Al Queeda is hiding under your bed. They can't run on dingleberry's record since his poll numbers and policies are toxic. They can only hope to revival of the Bill Clinton is evil theme by attacking Hillary. They're really setting themselves up for a fall if Hillary slips up and another one of our candidates ends up with the nomination. They'll have already geared up for Hillary attacks and it'll take some time to regroup and coordinate a new attack on a different candidate.