Monday, November 21, 2011

The Case for Presidential Nominee Clinton

"We write as patriots and Democrats—concerned about the fate of our party and, most of all, our country. We do not write as people who have been in contact with Mrs. Clinton or her political operation. Nor would we expect to be directly involved in any Clinton campaign.

When Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson accepted the reality that they could not effectively govern the nation if they sought re-election to the White House, both men took the moral high ground and decided against running for a new term as president. President Obama is facing a similar reality—and he must reach the same conclusion.  

He should abandon his candidacy for re-election in favor of a clear alternative, one capable not only of saving the Democratic Party, but more important, of governing effectively and in a way that preserves the most important of the president's accomplishments. He should step aside for the one candidate who would become, by acclamation, the nominee of the Democratic Party: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 

One year ago in these pages, we warned that if President Obama continued down his overly partisan road, the nation would be "guaranteed two years of political gridlock at a time when we can ill afford it." The result has been exactly as we predicted: stalemate in Washington, fights over the debt ceiling, an inability to tackle the debt and deficit, and paralysis exacerbating market turmoil and economic decline.

If President Obama were to withdraw, he would put great pressure on the Republicans to come to the table and negotiate—especially if the president singularly focused in the way we have suggested on the economy, job creation, and debt and deficit reduction. By taking himself out of the campaign, he would change the dynamic from who is more to blame—George W. Bush or Barack Obama?—to a more constructive dialogue about our nation's future."

~Patrick Caddell and Douglas Schoen in today's WSJ, "The Hillary Moment"

20 Comments:

At 11/21/2011 5:55 PM, Blogger Benjamin Cole said...

I doubt Obama wil quit to let an old bag like Hilary Clinton sink the D-Party.

Obama may be a feeble president,---but he looks like Atlas when lined up against the GOP field.

Let's say Obama is Marv Throneberry and the GOP field is the Three Stooges.

I bet on Marv to win the fight---but you never know.

 
At 11/21/2011 6:16 PM, Blogger Hydra said...

The rest of Congress should step aside as well.

New elections in Feb. Would ss e the country billions in mostly wasted campaign spending, which could then be used for productive investments.

 
At 11/21/2011 6:52 PM, Blogger Bobby Caygeon said...

The GOP winner will beat whomever the D's decide to run.

BO doesn't need Hillary to sink the D's, based on the last 3 years (especially the last few elections) he is doing a miraculous and efficient job himself.

Never thought I would see anyone that could make Carter look like a world beater.

 
At 11/21/2011 6:58 PM, Blogger kmg said...

Will never happen.

1) Obama is too much of a true believer in socialism.
2) In this day and age when an ex-president can cash in on $100M+ in speaking and consulting fees after leaving office, this would harm is prospects, particularly as a young man with 3+ decades of life remaining.
3) Michelle Obama won't allow it.

 
At 11/21/2011 7:25 PM, Blogger kleht said...

"When Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson accepted the reality that they could not effectively govern the nation if they sought re-election to the White House, both men took the moral high ground and decided against running for a new term as president. President Obama is facing a similar reality—and he must reach the same conclusion."

Dwight Eisenhower, Republican, succeeded Harry Truman, Democrat.

Richard Nixon, Republican, succeeded Lyndon Johnson, Democrat.

From a Republican view President Obama should step down too - for the same result, I presume.

 
At 11/21/2011 7:26 PM, Blogger arbitrage789 said...

If he wins re-election, we'll get to hear four more years of soak-the-rich rhetoric.

What's not to like?

 
At 11/21/2011 7:28 PM, Blogger kleht said...

How about "four years to soak the middle class and the poor?

 
At 11/21/2011 7:28 PM, Blogger Marko said...

Nothing will really change until real conservatives gain control of the legislature and the executive. Even then there is a chance nothing will change. Frustrating.

 
At 11/21/2011 10:01 PM, Blogger arbitrage789 said...

Kleht @ 7:28

Let’s assume that Obama were able to squeeze $60B/year out of the evil rich.

Divide that among 300 million people, it doesn’t amount to diddly squat (about $200/person).

 
At 11/21/2011 11:08 PM, Blogger Larry G said...

the current crop of GOP candidates will beat Obama?

really?

I'm having fun watching the fur fly with the current crop of misfits and the clear angst of the right wing with regard to Romney and Huntsman.

It's pretty clear.

if the right wing gets their way it's good night Irene for the GOP.

But I'm wondering if Obama is going to pull a rabbit out of his hat by having Hillar run as VP and the heir apparent for the next 8 years ...

Biden would become Sec of State.

Crazy?

 
At 11/22/2011 8:17 AM, Blogger polskababe said...

There is no difference between Obama and Hillary Clinton. Both are partisan, socialists at heart, Saul Alinsky admirers who agree on most if not all policy decisions. If Hillary Clinton were to replace Obama, what we would have is people electing her because she is a woman, just like people elected Obama just because he was black. Honestly, this whole topic should be a non-story because Obama and Meeeechelle would never contemplate it.

 
At 11/22/2011 8:30 AM, Blogger Larry G said...

I dunno... I hear people who are opposed to Obama saying they could stomach Hillary.

I admit that it's probably not folks on the right nor those inclined towards Libertarianism.

but I've come to the belief that elections are not decided by bases (unless they don't show up) but instead by people in the middle who are either genuine independents or "lean" a bit left or right.

Few of the current crop of Republican candidates seem to appeal to folks in the middle - at least right now but many in the middle - especially women seem to hold Hillary in higher regard than Obama.

Hillary is also perceived as much more a hawk on international affairs while Obama is perceived as flabby....

If Hillary is on the ticket and perceived to be a viable future candidate for Prez - will she pull votes from the Middle?

I think it's plausible but possibly also "crazy".

If the Republicans come up with a Jeb Bush type (instead of one of the current crop) to run - it may force Obama to pick Hillary to stay competitive.

 
At 11/22/2011 9:46 AM, Blogger Paul said...

"but I've come to the belief that elections are not decided by bases (unless they don't show up) but instead by people in the middle who are either genuine independents or "lean" a bit left or right.

The same people who don't pay attention to politics until 2 weeks before the election.


"..especially women seem to hold Hillary in higher regard than Obama."

Buyer's remorse. Obama would now be seen as the savior if Hillary had won the nomination. She would have been just as disastrous.

"Hillary is also perceived as much more a hawk on international affairs while Obama is perceived as flabby...."

That's only because of her personal demeanor. She's a nasty, angry b*tch, but she was telling us how Assad is a "reformer" just a few months ago.

 
At 11/22/2011 9:52 AM, Blogger Larry G said...

choose one:

1. Hillary
2. Pallin
3. Bacchman
4. Write-in

;-)

 
At 11/22/2011 10:01 AM, Blogger Junkyard_hawg1985 said...

"Let’s assume that Obama were able to squeeze $60B/year out of the evil rich."

That is the same amount we spend on "negative income tax rates" (where tax refunds exceed the amount of income taxes paid).

 
At 11/22/2011 11:17 AM, Blogger morganovich said...

kmg-

i'm not so sure about your analysis.

obama does not like being president. michele does not like being the first lady.

by all indications, obambi cloisters himself in his office, speaks and meets with few DC leaders, and feels overwhelemed and unappreciated.

what else could one expect from a spoiled brat who has had everything handed to him and never actually accomplished anything other than winning elections.

he needs to look like he will run now to build up a war chest. if he then retires, he can, in time honored tradition, trade that war chest to other pols or the dem party in exchange for all manner of favors, sinecures, and jobs.

to my mind, the real question is whether hillary would even consider running, something she has gone way out of her way to say she has no interest in.

the dem nomination this year is a poisoned chalice, and she is far too astute not to know it.

further, she looks like hell. the last coupe years of sec state have really taken a toll. she has aged visibly. i doubt she has the interest/vigor for a pres campaign.

besides, we saw what happened the last time the clintons went up against gingrich...

 
At 11/22/2011 12:49 PM, Blogger VangelV said...

Wonderful. What the country needs is another corrupt insider who listens to the 'right' people. Are these guys stupid, insane, or part of the establishment?

 
At 11/22/2011 7:29 PM, Blogger Ian Random said...

I'm a conservative Republican and I was willing to vote for Hillary just to keep BO (Jimmy Carter II) out of the Whitehouse. The scandals alone BO was involved in before the election scared the crap out of me. Hillary would have been 10x better than BO on his best day. I feel that she truly understands that the world is more like elementary school with bullies and not like college where people can carry on civil discourse.

 
At 11/22/2011 7:55 PM, Blogger Pulverized Concepts said...

Mrs. Bill Clinton is unqualified to be sec. of state, much less president.

 
At 11/22/2011 8:08 PM, Blogger VangelV said...

I'm a conservative Republican and I was willing to vote for Hillary just to keep BO (Jimmy Carter II) out of the Whitehouse. The scandals alone BO was involved in before the election scared the crap out of me. Hillary would have been 10x better than BO on his best day. I feel that she truly understands that the world is more like elementary school with bullies and not like college where people can carry on civil discourse.

Are you serious? Do you really think that there was much of a difference between Bush, McCain, Hillary, and Obama? They are all corrupt insiders who were attracted to power.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home