Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Can Clinton Save The GOP?

Unfortunately, I have to agree with Andrew Sullivan (http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/01/can-clinton-sav.html)on as to what Hillary as the Democrat nominee will mean for the GOP. She will unite the factions within the GOP like no one else. Moreover, should the GOP end up with McCain as its nominee, I suspect that he would beat her in November, 2008. I would be tempted to vote for McCain myself (I favored him in 2000 and he is a good friend of a mutual friend who spent 7 years as a POW in Vietnam) since I think he would usher in more change in the way government is conducted than would Hillary. This would be especially true if Obama supporters stay home out of disgust or and inability to vote for Hillary and bring in another 4-8 years of Clinton scandals redux. Here are highlights from a conservative blogger that Andrew correctly quotes:
Everyone, Republicans and Democrats alike, know why the GOP wants to face Hillary in November. It's not because they like the Clintons, but because the Clintons unite the Republican base like no other Democrat -- and perhaps like no other Republican. Hillary will star in thousands of mailers, television ads, and websites, all cajoling Republicans to open their wallets, organize, and get to the voting booth.

And -- it will work. Even in a year where the fractures among the Republican coalition have been painfully evident, everyone will unite to keep the Clintons out of the White House. While Obama may have won some moderate Republicans to his side just based on his personal appeal, none will endorse the Restoration. Fredheads, Log Cabins, evangelicals, small-L libertarians, and hawks will all find a truce to battle Hillary to the last vote.
If Democrats want real change (plus a better chance of winning in November, 2008), Hillary is not the one to win over independents and moderates. I am not saying that any of it is necessarily Hillary's fault - it's simply the reality.

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