It would be anti-reality to pretend that a very cohesive and organized support system for Hillary Clinton is not already in place that has so far done a very good job of pushing through the following messages:
Hillary is electable. Hillary beats everyone in the polls. Hillary has the best resume.
Who could disagree with any of the above? I certainly don't.
BUT what I do disagree with are all the champions who act like: Hillary is Inevitable and that I as an individual Democratic voter just need to accept this fact because why would anyone be so dumb as to question a Democratic gift horse in the mouth?
Well, folks, I guess I am that dumb. I do question. I have questioned since I was a small child when "Because I said so" from my parents no longer satisfactorily explained the order of the universe to me.
As an undecided Democratic voter I am somewhat concerned that Hillary and her supporters might be guilty of complacency and may not run the same campaign that they would if Hillary were an unknown trying to gain a toehold based primarily on her views and her policy positions. In other words, I am wondering how far name recognition and resume can carry Hillary. I almost get the impression that some of her supporters seem to think that it can take her all the way to the top.
I don't think that's a winning formula. Personally, I also don't think that appealing to bi-partisanship and the ability to negotiate and to strike deals and to bring all sides together will work any more for Hillary Clinton than it did for Barack Obama, particularly in a period of such political divisiveness such as we are now experiencing.
We are in a struggle for the hearts and minds of the country and the literal survival of the poor, working and middle classes. We are in a time of great inequality and social upheaval, and a time when hard work no longer pays a survival wage, let alone a living wage, for large numbers of Americans.
Into this climate, I, and I think many others, are looking looking for a fighter for the 99% and someone who will at least make a stab at addressing the imbalances and inequalities of our society.
This person could be Hillary Clinton if she chooses to be that person. I don't know if she has the will or desire to be that person, it remains to be seen.
So, if and when we do get down to brass tacks and a campaign commences, this is how I personally plan to evaluate Hillary Clinton:
If ANY other Dem candidate just said what Hillary just said, would I:
be for it?
be passionately for it?
or
be against it?
be passionately against it
If the against s start to mount up, I will ask myself:
Would I support any other candidate who did not reflect my views to this level? If not, why am I giving Hillary a pass?
Of course, if the fors mount up, no problem.
Bottom line is that I will treat Hillary Clinton like any other candidate and either support her or be against her based on the views and policy positions she takes.
I will be more than happy to vote for Hillary after she earns that vote. I just don't want her or her campaign to think it will be earned through name recognition or resume or because it's her turn or any other "Just Because" explanation. Fight for me Hillary, and then maybe I will fight for you.