Food For Thought: Anyone but a Bush or a Clinton
by Pamela LeaveyIn 2008 it really is time for a change. And change, some think means putting an end to the “era of Bushes and Clintons.” In a look at the possibility of Hillary Clinton winning the presidency, James Burkee, an assistant professor of history at Concordia University Wisconsin notes, if Hillary “secures the Democratic nomination, wins and serves two terms, by 2017 the United States will have been governed by either a Bush or a Clinton for 28 years.”
That’s three decades governed not just by the same two families but much of the same supporting staff. As Dick Cheney is a name familiar to both Bush presidencies (as George H.W. Bush’s secretary of Defense and his son’s vice president), so too may a Hillary Clinton presidency resuscitate familiar names such as Harold Ickes, Paul Begala and James Carville.
And it might not end there. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, encouraged by Republican leaders and the current president (who said, “I would like to see Jeb run at some point”), has not ruled out a White House bid or a vice presidential slot on the ticket in 2012 or 2016.
If Washington’s caustic, partisan atmosphere is to change, the era of Bushes and Clintons needs to end in 2008.
How’s that for food for thought. Those voters hungry for a change don’t seem to see that change coming from a Clinton presidency. On the contrary, “recent polls suggest that a significant body of Americans, perhaps 40%, will not vote for Hillary Clinton under any circumstances — so it is unlikely that she could enter the Oval Office with a strong electoral mandate.” And if that should happen, what we would end up with would be, “a Hillary Clinton presidency — weakened by low approval and beset by partisan sniping,” that would “mirror George W. Bush’s presidency.” Think about it…
As Dotti noted below, USA Today reports that not all Democrats are convinced that Hillary can win. Perhaps some of that doubt is mired in concern of perpetuating another political dynasty instead of reveling in true Democracy.
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If you enjoyed the Editorial by James Burkee, today, you should also check out the bipartisan political action committee that he started with a collegue, Americans for Responsibility in Washington (http://www.responsibilitypac.org). You should let me know what you think.
They say today is the most depressing day of the year, please note I am not trying to give you all the blues. This is only for thought:
Many of us support JK and really are hoping that he will jump into the ‘08 race. However, I’m sure many of you know we have so much work to do to get the media channels (blogs, TV, radio…) to stop negatively influencing the grassroots. I do feel JK still has a strong base of supporters but with the media constantly regarding the ‘04 elections as something Dems should run from & forget, it leaves many concluding that that means run from JK.
It causes me to grind my teeth hearing Al Franken and a guest saying basically let’s not look back and referencing the bothched joke again. While Franken & guest did admit that everyone knows Kerry has the best intentions for our troops and no one believed this bogus spin, it still created a negative scenario. This huge pile of negativity lumping our great senator with – past defeat and the fear of future defeat.
While this is a tough web to untangle, I know many of us will be with JK to the end to rewrite this negative script. Still pisses me off that people conveniently never have his back. Over and over its easier even for our own party to dismiss his critical work.
As many of you know his hard work is immediately overshadowed and someone like Hillary who has waited for the most politically accurate time to address important issues gets all of the glory.
While I respect the senator from NY and am grateful that our party has history-making diversity in candidates, I don’t want us to run from the real issues and real sincerity. I will be patient and accept that much of this hype will die down in the months to come. However, I know Kerry’s team must be looking and these and many other issues as they consider his run. Not only the celebrity of some of the candidates but also the negative perception of ‘04 that has to be overcome.
Kerry can do it and he can flip this script – he is definitely battle-tested and has to let the public know (this time on a larger scale) that he won’t be defined by the spin against him – spin outside of AND WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY! His way back into this race has to be overwhelming – this race is different from ‘04. His sincerity & long record of commitment should be his winning angle.
I want the next President to be a Democrat so I will vote for whoever the nominee ends up being. I have preferences but it’s anyone but a Republican as far as I am concerned.
Sorry so long on last post…will revise next time.
DAS writes: “Kerry can do it and he can flip this script – he is definitely battle-tested and has to let the public know (this time on a larger scale) that he won’t be defined by the spin against him – spin outside of AND WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY!”
That’s the biggest obstacle, within his own party. I think the Democratic PTB are aligned with either Clinton or Obama. And the way they abandoned Kerry last October during the “botched joke” episode suggests he would have to run a Dean-like, outsider insurgency to capture the nomination.
What’s PTB mean? Did Obama ever comment on the joke. I know Hil did and it was just plain evil of her to say that.
PTB = Powers That Be? That’s what I thought but Todd Mitchell can clarify.
I do recall someone else being asked about the joke besides Hillary? Not sure? But I don’t think it was Obama.
Looking over at rawstory (2nd headline) the RNC is already bashing Clinton & Kerry. The mudslinging is starting so early – it is going to be insane. They have coined a term “Kerryoake” like karaoke blaming Clinton of imitating Kerry with her latest stance on war. THE MADNESS – THE MADNESS…one good thing, they still can’t get over John Kerry. Even more reason for him to stomp them out this time around!
DAS- I agree the dem leadership in particular and some in the party along with the msm will be the biggest hurdle for JK.
He will have to run a guerilla campaign but heck if he could dock a boat, charge up shore and shoot the enenmy in vietnam he can do it again.
He has to because if hillary, edwards or richardson, biden gets the nom the party will loose and yes, oboma would get eaten alive and then have a taint on his record which is why in my humble opinion he should wait.
Hillary’s people are like the bushes they are the worse form of vultrues and they will be picking apart everyone no matter what side they are on.
After what that witch did to JK after the so called joke I’d die before I’d vote for her.
She has no core and she will sell this party out like her husband did when he didn’t get his way. That’s why we can’t have another 8 years of clintons in the whitehouse. they would bleed the party dry.
She’s talking about energy independence, redeployment of troops all this Kerry has spoken about for years and the msm acts like Hill and obama and edwards are the first to speak of it. Puleeze-
Sad part is they are thanks to the media getting credit for positions that Kerry took first. There are those out there that don’t know what Kerry has been doing because the msm won’t report the truth on him. recent example the duke cunningham provision in the ethics bill how many msm whores said it was introduced by Kerry?
In the end we can’t depend on the party, the DC loeadership, the media or anyone else to get Kerry’s message out there.
He has to do that and we have to help any way we can.
I’m just tired of the way the dem party treads on Kerry and he doesn’t deserve the treatment he’s gotten from this party. Damn shame he doesn’t have the money to say the Heck with them and run as an independent.
pen,
You makes excellent points as always. The PR has to find some way to work around the media and backstabbing DC Dems. They didn’t have his back when he conceded, yet lefty freepers (and Democrats) still blame ONLY Kerry (not McAwful) while other Democrats get free passes for not even mentioning election fraud/irregularities and Kerry is expected to solve that and do everything else by himself, and take heat from the lefty and righty freepers for doing so.
And did you know that CNN had backbone and debunked the Obama smear? Where were they three years ago, when the Swifties made their rounds? They just sat back and let them lie. Shame on the left leaning pundits also.
I totally agree! The prospect of electing the Bush’s and the Clinton’s to control the executive branch for 28 years, smacks more of a monarchy than a democracy. It’s really time for a fresh start.
I would certainly vote for Hillary if she were the nominee. However, I truly feel the Democrats are setting themselves up for a third consecutive loss if she is their standard bearer. Believe me, I am not saying this because she is a woman. She would just bring too much excess baggage to the White House. While her husband, despite his affairs, was generally charasmatic, Hillary often appears to be abrasive and mean spirited. Repeated leaks, have revealed that even her personal staff have difficulty in their dealings with her. Also, many women still resent that she maintained the, “Stand By Your Man” mind set while Bill had his fun.
What this country needs is a new, young, dynamic, energetic, intelligent, and chrasmatic democratic nominee–and that person is Barack Obama. Anyone who doubts his intelligence, common sense, and charisma should just read his best selling book, “The Audacity of Hope”. Please don’t let the lack of experience argument sway you. In his short political career, he has had twice the experience of George Bush when he entered the presidency in 2001. Although past Govenor of Texas, Bush’s role as Govenor was largely ceremonial. (kind of like Queen Elizabeth) In Texas the legislative branch and not the executive really calls the shots.
So, I simply feel we are headed for another loss if Hillary, who seems to excell in dividing instead of uniting the electorate, is choosen. Although I voted for and strongly supported Senator Kerry in 2004, most American’s would unfortunately view him as a recycled choice. We need to, “Rock with Barack”!
Yes, PTB is Powers That Be. It seems as though the major power brokers in the party are aligning with either Clinton or Obama (but it’s still speculation on my part).
I believe Obama distanced himself as well after the “botched joke”, but can’t remember exactly what he said.
Buzz,
I also think Kerry (if he runs) is also going to have to change the perception that he is “recycled” or “damaged goods” I like Obama, but now I don’t know. He would be good as VP, but not with Hillary. Even though Hillary/Obama that’s dream come true with black voters.
Personally I would like either an Edwards/Richardson ticket or an Obama/Richardson ticket. And I think either can win. Richardson is a foreign policy heavyweight and he would balance what Obama and Edwards do not ahve in that area.
As to objections to the Clintons, I think Bill Clinton was an excellent president. He should have realized that there’s more public attention than there used to be but that’s between him and Hillary. I think she’s incredibly comepetant as it happens and that’s true even though I haven’t forgiven her for her position on flag burning. But I don’t think she can win. Calling her a bitch per one of the comments above isn’t useful …
Obama, yes. Richardson or Hillary, no.
I called her a witch and after her cowardly stunt with throwing Kerry under the bus for the botched joke.
In fact calling Hillary a witch for that stunt is slanderous to witches.
Bottom line no more clintons no more bush’s End political dynasties.