Tote Board Column 2/14 -- Losing It?

The Tote Board on FNX!

For Clinton, It's Win Ohio and Texas on March 4 -- Or Else

2 Comments

• LorenzoJennifer said:

  Hillary Clinton's new campaign manager is an old friend from Arkansas days whose never before managed a political campaign of any kind.  Old friends are wonderful as personal advisers but not as rookie campaign managers.

  Bill Clinton should stay out of the primaries. Hillary finally found her own political identity in 2000 with her  NY US Senate race and victory.  After the 2008 NH primary, she stated she had found her own voice.  Bill's continually pushing her off the campaign stage and hogging the headlines diminishes her individuality.  She, not he, is the candidate.  While she clearly cannot limit him to their bedroom, she should at least limit his participation on the campaign trail. Somewhat beneath the conduct of an ex-President to, say, place the race card after the South Carolina primary and then apologize. The GOP will love to make the 2008 campaign a referendum on Hillary and the less attractive aspects of Bill's presidency. His continuing involvement only assures that will occur.  Bill Clinton should not come forward until later in the year to defend his administration against the GOP attacks certain to come.

  Would think that Hillary's 2008 campaign outfit is indeed intended to blunt any gender animus.  Her ubiquitous pantsuits (not worn anywhere near as often during her First Lady years), short styled 'do, minimal makeup and jewelry, direct gaze and slow affectless speaking voice create a gender-neutral image. Compare Hillary's appearance with Nancy Pelosi or New York's Jeannine Pirro. She's more traditionally mannish than Barack Obama and John Edwards combined!  Her "gravitas" as First Lady, combined with a no-nonsense manner have frustrated any effort to dismiss her as a frivolous female.  Her staunch refusal to not recant her Iraq war authorization vote may be interpreted as her being one woman who does not change her mind.  Her constantly referencing her effort to be  America's first woman president only re-introduces the gender issue. Gender bias is very deeply ingrained in the American electorate and may prove her undoing when voters are guided by their personal preferences and prejudices in the privacy of the voting booth.

  February 16, 2008 1:49 PM

• LorenzoJennifer said:

  Hillary Clinton's calling for more and more debates with Barack Obama may be an effort to keep him off the campaign trail and away from direct contact with voters.  Hillary is so well known that she campaigns on her first name alone.  Barack is simply not as well known.  He's better able to define himself in his personal appearances rather than have Hillary define him on television. Barack's charisma, so clearly evident in his campaigning, diminishes on TV.  He, at times, meanders while also stumbling on his words.  Hillary is more self-controlled by far.  Clinton's spin machine looks better developed than Obama's.  Barack recently suggested that the US President meet one-on-one with overseas leaders whether friend or foe, such as Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  Hillary rapidly rebuked him.  Persons with only a casual political interest were more aware of Hillary's rebuke than of Barack's comment.

  February 16, 2008 10:12 PM

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