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Hillary Clinton's next chapters

Rocky Mountain News

Published August 28, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Even though she finished second for her party's nomination, Hillary Clinton remains one of this nation's most remarkable politicians. And even though Barack Obama's people might wish otherwise, Bill and Hillary Clinton will remain formidable fixtures in the Democratic Party. Their approval ratings with the Democratic faithful hover around 80 percent.

She came achingly close to being the first woman to be the presidential nominee and retains a dedicated base of support and impressive appeal to blue collar voters.

Recall that she survived scandals - Filegate, Travelgate - that would have sunk a lesser mortal and then went on to win a Senate seat in a state, New York, notorious for its convoluted politics, where she had never lived and had no real connection. Her effortless re-election was a sign that she can have the Senate job as long as she wants.

If she does stay in the Senate, she might choose to take up the torch that Sen. Ted Kennedy is passing as that body's great liberal lion - in her case, lioness. She has said she looks forward to passing universal health care and having Obama sign it. And the fact is that Obama, who was less collegial with his fellow senators than she, will need her advocacy in Congress.

A chapter in a gripping American political biography is closing in Denver this week, but it is far from the final chapter.

Comments

  • September 2, 2008

    1:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Don_Lopez writes:

    This is a joke, right?

    Her New York Senate seat was a gift from a penitent husband seeking redemption. The fact that he was also a wildly popular sitting president and all primary opposition politely bowed out after genuflecting in her direction didn’t hurt either.

    Her “effortless” reelection had more to do with the power of the incumbent than her political skills. The few political skills (?) she does possess were on display during the presidential primary where she managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

    Let’s not make her into something she isn’t: a skilled politician.

  • September 2, 2008

    2:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    rambam1776 writes:

    Don_Lopez -

    I bow to nobody in the extent of my dislike for Hillary Clinton, but if you want to pretend she isn't a skilled politician just 'cuz you don't like her, you are fooling yourself. She isn't Al Davis, she is Bill Bilichik. Dismiss her at your own peril.

  • September 4, 2008

    9:43 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rjnova writes:

    Anyone who thinks NYC is representative of the rest of the country is kidding themselves. Winning liberal NYC is the only challenge. She was not very popular in upstate NY, which is somewhat like the rest of the US.

    Hillary's problem is her negatives are too great to ever be elected by the general population. She does not represent normal values but is a grasping politician who will withstand the personal humiliation so long as if furthers her ambitions. But President---no way.