It should be obvious now that, for whatever reason, Hillary Clinton is the most polarizing figure in the Democratic Party, both internally and in relation to the other party. Her own actions have in great part made this so: her legendary defensiveness toward critics, her campaign's howitzer-firing at opponents, or the usual impenetrable bubble around the person herself (though this is a common phenomenon with mega-celebrities). Not only has this made it difficult for ordinary voters to appraise the substance as distinct from the image of Mrs. Clinton as a candidate, it has made it virtually impossible for the media to do so.
Her intensity, and the angst of those who dread the prospect of her candidacy or return to the White House, make it extremely difficult for the public to come to any reasoned judgment about her. Democratic voters in Iowa, New Hampshire and the following primary states have a responsibility to take this into consideration, as they think about supporting her. Do they want this kind of candidate to be the nominee, who must try to lead the national debate about the country's future, when it is hard for her and the rest of us to get past the debate about her? Will the election then really be about the country, and the profound changes that it must face, or will it be about her?
posted 12/19/2007 at 14:01:08
Her intensity, and the angst of those who dread the prospect of her candidacy or return to the White House, make it extremely difficult for the public to come to any reasoned judgment about her. Democratic voters in Iowa, New Hampshire and the following primary states have a responsibility to take this into consideration, as they think about supporting her. Do they want this kind of candidate to be the nominee, who must try to lead the national debate about the country's future, when it is hard for her and the rest of us to get past the debate about her? Will the election then really be about the country, and the profound changes that it must face, or will it be about her?
posted 12/19/2007 at 14:01:08
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