by Frank James
Sen. Hillary Clinton really takes some political hits today. First, on his way out the White House door, Karl Rove, President Bush's chief political advisor, reputedly one of American politics' keenest minds who's announced his resignation, calls her "a fatally flawed candidate" though he did compliment her as the Democrats' likely presidential nominee.
Worth noting is he used two words, "tough" and "tenacious," that conjure up the cold, calculating qualities many people negatively attach to her. Rove is never off duty, is he?
Then the Associated Press ran a story whose premise is that many Democrats believe that should Clinton receive the nomination, she will be political poison at the top of the ticket for down-ballot Democrats.
The problem is her political baggage: A whopping 49 percent of the public says they have an unfavorable view of Clinton compared to 47 percent who say they hold her in high regard, according to a Gallup Poll survey Aug. 3-5.
Her negative ratings are higher than those of her husband, former President Clinton, former President George H.W. Bush and 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry at the end of their campaigns.A candidate's unfavorability scores almost always climb during campaigns. If the pattern holds, Clinton has a historically high hurdle to overcome.
"For Hillary, who has been on the scene for so long and has had perception of her so ground in ... there's no question it will be really hard for her to change perceptions," said Democratic pollster David Eichenbaum, who represents moderate Democrats in GOP-leaning states.
Her baggage is heaviest in those states. Private polling conducted in Colorado, for example, shows that Clinton's negative rating is 16 percentage points higher than her favorability score.
That Rove thinks she'd be a "fatally flawed" Democratic nominee probably helps her in certain Democratic quarters where Rove is held to tantamount to evil incarnate.
If Rove doesn't believe she can't win, that's a bet they're willing to take. In fact, it will help energize them.
Phil Singer, a spokesman for the Clinton presidential campaign, said in an e-mail response to my request for a reaction to Rove:
Given Rove's track record of predicting a landslide win in 2000 and GOP gains in 2006, we're not too worried about his analysis.
More troubling for Clinton are the Democrats who last November won seats in typically Republican-leaning congressional districts. Two Indiana congressional districts, the Eighth where Rep. Brad Ellsworth won and the Ninth where Rep. Baron Hill squeaked out a win with just 50 percent, went Democratic in part because of unhappiness over the Iraq War and Republican congressional scandals.
True, probably every Democratic presidential nominee of recent memory would have hurt Democratic congressional candidates in those districts. But some could do more harm than others and Clinton, with her high negatives, is likely one of them.
So we can expect if she gets the nomination, given her unpopularity, many Democratic congressional candidates will be distancing themselves from her greatly.
It might not get as bad as them saying "Who?" when they're asked about her. But a lot of Democrats certainly won't be using photographs of her in their campaign materials and TV ads. It will be Republicans who will be publishing the photos of her and Democratic candidates.
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Comments
Well, Hillary is a flawed candidate in many, many ways. Most of the so-called red states will not vote for her. Once again, it will come down to a handful or so of so-called swing states. And a lot depends on the GOP nominee and economy come next autumn. Regardless, it ought to be interesting.
Posted by: John D | August 13, 2007 12:25 PM
It is by no coincidence that the Republican Party and its operatives consistently rate Mrs. Clinton as "knowledgeable, experienced and tough", but they want her as a candidate because of her high negative ratings in various states. They constantly talk highly of Sen. Obama, because he is also a flawed candidate due to his inexperience and limited appeal to independents and Republicans, and because he is a potential "spoiler", causing votes to be split in the primary. They spend a great deal of time deprecating Sen. Edwards, namely because he is an issue-oriented, populist, vocal candidate speaking out against corporate interests, and comes from the South, all areas which could spell trouble to Republican Party interests. Sen. Edwards represents the core beliefs of independents and moderate Democrats, and it is evident that the media constantly try to minimize his campaign. By deprecating him and watering the seeds of a primary defeat, there will be a real loss to progressivity in American politics.
An Independent Voter
Posted by: Christopher Hahin | August 13, 2007 12:42 PM
This die-hard Democrat treads lightly here. I like Hillary. She has a smokin' I.Q. who articulate who know's the issues second to none.
And unless the Republicans nominate a full blown whack-job, I don't think she can win a general election.
My opinion has to do with her husband being a former president. If she were in the race minus that history I'd likely have a different opinion. But such is not the case.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 13, 2007 12:45 PM
"ROVE THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB"
STILL PROTECTED BY "EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE" QUITS THE WHITE HOUSE AUGMENTATION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
WELL ALL SUPERNATATURAL POWERS WORK IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS. MAYBE YOUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.
MAYBE AMERICA CAN STOP IT'S PARAPHRASE PATH OF DESTRUCTION AND MAKE AMENDS WITH ITSELF.
MAYBE BUSH IS NOW LISTENING TO THE VOICES.
THE VOICES OF THE SARGEANT AT ARMS, APPROACHING THAT OVAL OFFICE.
LIKE SAND IN THE HOUR GLASS THOSE ARE THE DAYS OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND ALL HIS CHILDREN.
CAN YOU SAY MONICA?
CAN YOU SAY SARA?
CAN YOU SAY MIKE?
CAN YOU SAY EMAILS?
CAN YOU SAY STOP CALLING MR. GONZALES.
LETS JUST HOPE HE IS NOT THE NEXT "SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY" COULD YOU IMAGINE, KARL ROVE, OVER YOUR NATIONALITY, AND THE FOUR BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TODAY IS LIKE WATCHING DOROTHY IN THE "WIZARD OF OZ" singing THE WITCH IS DEAD THE EVIL WICKED WITCH IS DEAD"
NEXT!
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 13, 2007 12:58 PM
The "architect" is a "thief" (FL, OH).
But you gotta give him credit for being a good thief - one that isn't caught.
As for Hillary, she's a part of the axis and so it will be 4 to 8 more years until we're fed Jeb and then maybe George.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | August 13, 2007 1:00 PM
Leave it to the the weenie Republicans to continue to blame all of THEIR problems on the Clintons.
Most people would be happy to go back in time to the Clinton days of Peace & Prosperity.
Posted by: John E | August 13, 2007 1:08 PM
"ROVE THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB"
STILL PROTECTED BY "EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE" QUITS THE WHITE HOUSE AUGMENTATION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
WELL ALL SUPERNATATURAL POWERS WORK IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS. MAYBE YOUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.
MAYBE AMERICA CAN STOP IT'S PARAPHRASE PATH OF DESTRUCTION AND MAKE AMENDS WITH ITSELF.
MAYBE BUSH IS NOW LISTENING TO THE VOICES.
THE VOICES OF THE SARGEANT AT ARMS, APPROACHING THAT OVAL OFFICE.
LIKE SAND IN THE HOUR GLASS THOSE ARE THE DAYS OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND ALL HIS CHILDREN.
CAN YOU SAY MONICA?
CAN YOU SAY SARA?
CAN YOU SAY MIKE?
CAN YOU SAY EMAILS?
CAN YOU SAY STOP CALLING MR. GONZALES.
LETS JUST HOPE HE IS NOT THE NEXT "SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY" COULD YOU IMAGINE, KARL ROVE, OVER YOUR NATIONALITY, AND THE FOUR BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TODAY IS LIKE WATCHING DOROTHY IN THE "WIZARD OF OZ" singing THE WITCH IS DEAD THE EVIL WICKED WITCH IS DEAD"
NEXT!
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 13, 2007 1:19 PM
Posted by: John D | August 13, 2007 12:25 PM
Hey little Johnny Manboobs, here's a couple pictures of your "pal", KKKarl, enjoy!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18167910@N00/146207335/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ripnread/1105014287/
Posted by: John E | August 13, 2007 1:21 PM
While John D and I differ on almost everything, I must agree that Mrs. Clinton's extremely high negatives align perfectly with the type of campaigning the Republicans revel in. (How Rove was able to get huge swaths of the American electorate to vote against their economic interests in two straight presidential elections is beyond me - and speaks volumes about Rove's ability as a political strategist and tacatician).
I believe that Mrs. Clinton's high negatives makes her unelectable (in the general election) - which is why the Republicans would LOVE to have her as the Democratic nominee.
Posted by: Buster | August 13, 2007 1:27 PM
What other options are there?? Sure, Hillary is disliked and has some negative baggage. However, she has just as much positive with her experience. As the recent debates have shown, Obama's inexperience is really hurting him right now, and will only become more visible with time. Hillary has the nomination in the bag . . . Rove probably just wanted one last parting shot at her. The MSM is likely to jump on it, given their penchant for favoring Obama and advancing any "newsworthy stories" that make Obama seem more desirable.
Posted by: RT | August 13, 2007 1:29 PM
Let's squash this meme right now before it gets out of hand. Exactly WHO (which Democrat) said that Hillary would be a drag on the ticket? This is the worst kind of 'some people said' journalism.
What ever can be said for Hillary as being a drag on the ticket works the same for every candidate. There isn't a candidate alive that does not have some sort of baggage that polarizes opponents. Plug in McCain's name and occupation opponents; or Guilani and anti abortion nuts. It's the same argument
I'm an Edwards supporter, but this kind of 'story' stinks no matter who you like.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | August 13, 2007 1:45 PM
Do those negative polls reflect Hillary Clinton or do they really reflect a horribly divided country with Old Dixie and a bunch of cowboy states out west against the rest of the country? Personally I'd like to see a regional or even a state-by-state breakdown.
Posted by: Jack | August 13, 2007 1:58 PM
All the GOP has to do in the way of commercials will be to run clips of Hillary giving a speech. Who wants to listen to someone scratching their nails on a chalkboard for four years? Think of all the poor dogs trying to cover their ears.
Posted by: Elston | August 13, 2007 2:10 PM
ROGER MORRIS,
WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET YOU TO TURN OFF THE CAP KEY?
ARE YOU A SNIKKERING MORON GETTING SOME KIND OF PERVERSE PLEASURE IN US GIVING YOU CRAP!
GET A GRIP! GROW UP!
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 13, 2007 2:10 PM
All the GOP has to do in the way of commercials will be to run clips of Hillary giving a speech. Who wants to listen to someone scratching their nails on a chalkboard for four years? Think of all the poor dogs trying to cover their ears.
Posted by: Elston | August 13, 2007 2:10 PM
Hey Elston, would you say that about Hillary if she were a rich, white Republican man (are there any other kind?) running for President?
I didn't think so.....
The Wingnut crowd isn't going to be able to "frame" the election this time around, you've already sold your soul out to the devil, KKKarl Rove, and his "swiftboat" crap in 04, it won't work for you again.
Posted by: John E | August 13, 2007 2:17 PM
Hey John E., I just love all your little pictures. It's basically the ONLY way you read, right? By the way, whether I have "manboobs" or not, at least the man part is right, more than can be said for an unemployed, still lives with mummy and duddy middle-aged loser such as yourself.
See Spot Run books too difficult for you, still? Go back to sleep, Johnnny E and sleep the rest of it off.
Posted by: John D | August 13, 2007 2:24 PM
Leahy to KKKarl Rove: Not So Fast Buddy...
Senator Leahy has responded to the news today that Karl Rove plans to resign from his White House post.
Rove ignored Leahy's subpoena for documents and testimony which set an August 2nd deadline for Rove's response.
Leahy offers Rove a little weather forecast as Rove prepares for his White House exit: Cloudy
Comments from Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,
On The Resignation Of White House Deputy Chief Of Staff Karl Rove
August 13, 2007
"Earlier this month, Karl Rove failed to comply with the Judiciary Committee's subpoena to testify about the mass firings of United States Attorneys. Despite evidence that he played a central role in these firings, just as he did in the Libby case involving the outing of an undercover CIA agent and improper political briefings at over 20 government agencies, Mr. Rove acted as if he was above the law. That is wrong. Now that he is leaving the White House while under subpoena, I continue to ask what Mr. Rove and others at the White House are so desperate to hide. Mr. Rove’s apparent attempts to manipulate elections and push out prosecutors citing bogus claims of voter fraud shows corruption of federal law enforcement for partisan political purposes, and the Senate Judiciary Committee will continue its investigation into this serious issue.
"The list of senior White House and Justice Department officials who have resigned during the course of these congressional investigations continues to grow, and today, Mr. Rove added his name to that list. There is a cloud over this White House, and a gathering storm. A similar cloud envelopes Mr. Rove, even as he leaves the White House."
Cloudy skies ahead for our friend KKKarl Rove...
Funny thing about this whole US Attorney scandal - I would be good money that it would never have gotten to this point if Alberto Gonzales had resigned immediately in February. But he did not and the scandal grew and grew...
Now Rove is resigning.
So does this mean that Karl Rove isn't as close to the President as Alberto Gonzales is? Did Bush have to pick between his two best boys? Does this mean that Karl Rove thinks it would be better to politicize government from the outside rather than trying not to get caught on White House grounds and/or does this mean that the House and Senate Judicary Committes are really starting to hit close to the bone?
Leahy it seems will continue to pursue the matters that put this cloud over the White House. That is good news folks.
Forecast: Cloudy & Stormy for little Turd Blossom KKKarl.
Posted by: John E | August 13, 2007 2:29 PM
Doug, this mini roll we're on continues: Please Roger Morris, in the name of sanity (though I highly doubt sanity is a concept you're familiar with), STOP THE CAPS!!!
Posted by: John D | August 13, 2007 3:46 PM
The reason the MSM have been touting Obama is because they know a 49 negative in polls that over represent N.E. Dems is fatal.
Posted by: whatnow | August 13, 2007 5:04 PM