"Whether it's fair or not fair, the fact of the matter is that my colleague from New York, Sen. Clinton, there are 50% of the American public that say they're not going to vote for her. I'm not saying anything that people don't know already. I don't necessarily like it, but those are the facts. We as a party certainly have to take that into consideration." -- Sen. Chris Dodd, Oct. 30 Democratic candidates' debate
Republicans want to run against Hillary, they believe that a Clinton nomination will unite their party and ignite their base. Here's a prominent conservative blogger
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/...
"A run against Hillary relieves a lot of pressure from the GOP. No one believes that Hillary can inspire people out to the polls like Barack Obama. Her negatives run far too high for that kind of reaction to her candidacy. Republicans worried more about Obama because he changed the dynamics of presidential races, where experience and strength may have turned into liabilities rather than assets. Hillary hasn't run that kind of campaign, instead emphasizing her "training" as First Lady as experience and strength unmatched by her opponents.
But 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 the Democrats didn't see this, they will have made their biggest mistake since John Kerry reported for duty and lost the Democrats an election they easily could have won."
In fact, Republican presidential candidate Rudy Guiliani has said "it seems like Republicans are just waiting for her to be the candidate so they can vote against her" and that she is probably "the best fundraiser for the Republican Party."
http://www.news24.com/...
A Hillary nomination "may spell good things for Republicans" because "Republicans could have an easier time of things in the general election." She's "erratic and unliked, and capable of great gaffes that swing the electorate one way or the other on a daily basis" so that an "unstable Hillary nomination could be a Republican's dream come true."
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/...
And this isn't just seen in the articles. The polls bear this out too. Hillary has the highest negatives in the polls of any candidate. In a recent poll, 31% of respondents had a STRONGLY negative view of her (compared to 16% Edwards, 14% Obama). When it comes to appealing to independents, 31% of those voters have a STRONGLY negative view of Clinton (compared to 18% Edwards, 4% Obama). And Hillary gets the most passion out of Republicans -- meaning they are most motivated when given a chance to vote against her -- with 57% of Republicans with a STRONGLY negative view of her (32% Edwards, 18% Obama). Hillary has the least room to expand her voting base, and energizes those who want to vote against her the most.
http://www.diageohotlinepoll.com/...
So, when it comes to getting another Republican in the White House in 2008, Hillary is their best bet.