Let me first say that I am by no means, per se, a Clinton supporter. My personal politics tends toward being more openly progressive. Alas, I live in the real world and have the choices I have for president, the same choices everyone else has...
With that disclaimer out of the way, and with as much detachment as I can muster, I've gotta remark that Hillary Clinton seems well positioned to win this primary race, and is seems somewhat fit to do so on the basis of a single reason.
She's the hands down the best street fighter out of the three two leading Democratic candidates left. Even her most ardent critics would not deny that she is person who has managed to survive, even progress, in a world that has specifically been trying to scalp, specifically HER, for a very long time now.
For a moment, humor me and step outside of your self and your everyday predispositions and consider the following question: What if Hillary Clinton had some real power and authority? The kind of power and authority that only comes with a presidency.
After you've done that I'm sure there are many things that would leap to mind, and sure people will say what they like, but they must certainly admit:
- she is NOT a person repulicans would particularly look forward to fighting (given less fiesty options)
- given the upperhand, she will have absolutely no compunction about smiting them into the ever-lovin' dirt if they do
- she's not afraid of knockdown drag out fight if she believe the odds are anywhere close to even
- she's a proven survivor, which is important, because let's face it fighting isn't always about winning, sometimes it's about living to fight again. Retreat based on giving up the least ground possible is something that I believe she understands well. (and yes, it's easy to question whether she actually gave up the "least" ground possible in various situations in the past - I'm not asserting she's perferct)
In all seriousness my bet is that if this lady gets some power some might be very surprised to find some unexpected yarrrrgh in the White House. I don't think she is as nearly as soulless as she let's on.
As far as the pictures go, yeah not so flattering sure, but they also drive home the point about her not being mild mannered. Given the last 7+ years, I think I'd rather have a presidential candidate who verges on the side of buckwild than having one who is comatose. :-)
Finally, rest assured that I am not jumping into any sort of candidacy debate or particular advocacy for/of her. My only motive to write this diary comes from strongly believing that she WILL secure the nomination at some point, and from wanting to encourage people to be willing to support her if and when she does.
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Note: this is mostly a re-post of something I put up a few nights ago. My apologies if that annoys you, but the timeliness of this post seems much improved from when I first put it out there. :-)