The aura of inevitability continues to swell around Hillary Clinton's campaign for the Democratic nomination as popular California Sen. Diane Feinstein formally endorsed her today. Scott Martelle has the story for the LA Times:
Citing Hillary Rodham Clinton's "hard-tempered" experience as first lady, popular California Democrat Dianne Feinstein endorsed her U.S. Senate colleague's White House bid Wednesday, adding another significant name to Clinton's list of West Coast political backers.Both senators referred to the history-making potential of the election -- Clinton, should she win, would be the nation's first female president. Both also sought to emphasize Clinton's credentials as a two-term senator with eight years of proximity to the Oval Office while her husband, Bill Clinton, was president.
"The position of America today really warrants someone in her shoes, and the fact that her shoes maybe have an inch or two of heels doesn't matter," Feinstein said in a conference call with reporters.
Read the rest of the article at the above link. When the leading officeholders begin endorsing the frontrunner after having remained neutral this long, it indicates they believe the race is effectively over. No one wants to jump in with a late endorsement of a candidate who then loses, because it can only complicate relations with the winner. With four Senate colleagues vying for the nomination, the safe and easy position for Feinstein was to stay uncommitted.
Hillary isn't going to self-destruct. She spent much of her time as First Lady under heavy fire, which tempered her instincts. The Clinton campaign machine that won two general elections has been substantially reconstituted for her, and she won't be out making unscripted comments or giving interviews to adversarial reporters.
Her rivals' big chance to head her off at the pass was in the debates, and none of them have shown the mettle. Only Biden has consistently demonstrated he deserves to be on the same stage with her, and he never had a prayer anyway. Obama's popularity and fundraising success show there are serious doubts about Hillary's electability, but not enough to stop her. He will be in an excellent position for 2012 if she loses the general election, though - or 2016 if >gasp< she wins . . .
Permalink | Send To A Friend | Linking Blogs | Digg this!
Filed under:
2008 Presidential Race, Democrats, Hillary
Tags: Democrat, endorsement, Hillary Clinton, presidential campaign
Comments (2)
Look, Ca. is gone to the Pu... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Glenn Koons | July 26, 2007 4:02 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Look, Ca. is gone to the Pubs forever. DiFi and Boxer will get props here for endorsing Hil. Hil will win the nomination. If she is smart, she will select Bill Richardson as VP but if she is cleverly shady, she will select BO for VP. Either way she keeps a real chance for election. It of course depends on whether the GOP purists will stop whining and support the only person who can beat her, Rudy, perhaps Fred but doubtful, and whether Rudy then chooses Fred for his VP choice. That ticket could get the 272 electoral votes needed. Close , of course, but still winning. That is all I care about. And talk of punishing RINO's now, is not as important as saving the nation from the socialist pacifism that will be Hil's legacy.
1. Posted by Glenn Koons | July 26, 2007 4:02 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 26, 2007 16:02
2. Posted by Jim Addison | July 26, 2007 4:22 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Boxer is remaining uncommitted for now - although we know her heart belongs to Kucinich and her brain belongs in a jar marked "subnormal."
You are correct that California is lost for the foreseeable future. The only reason the 2000 election came down to Florida recounts is that Bush listened to advisers who suggested he cancel Florida stops because the state was "safe" (ha!) and spend some time in California. It was suggested he could definitely help the down-ticket and perhaps even force Gore into spending some more resources there. Didn't work out that way . . .
Obama doesn't bring anything to Hillary's ticket. She will be guaranteed 90% or more of the black vote already, by virtue of the "D" after her name on the ballot and being married to the "first Black President." Illinois is as dark blue as California, so he wouldn't bring a state, either.
Richardson, OTOH, is Hispanic, would lock down New Mexico (which has been very close the last two elections), and put Nevada, Colorado, Florida, and maybe even Arizona in play as well. As a western Governor, he also "balances" for Washington, and he brings a long and varied resume of experience.
2. Posted by Jim Addison | July 26, 2007 4:22 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on July 26, 2007 16:22