All this stuff about Hillary is not really about Hillary. It's an attempt by the GOP to frame the 2008 election as a campaign against the Democrats.
Remember the 2004 election. Rove convinced the country that the election was against John Kerry, when it was really about a radical, dishonest, and corrupt incumbent President.
It worked in 2004 and they are trying it again in 2008.
I beg you all: Don't let the GOP set The Hillary Frame.
The confusion that many Democrats have is that by criticizing Hillary, they are somehow helping other Democratic candidates. This is totally wrong. Any critiques of Hillary at this stage hurt all Democratic candidates.
There will be plenty of time to sift through the Democratic candidates. It will be a good primary season as always.
But the challenge we all face right now is to stop the GOP from framing THE ENTIRE 2008 ELECTION.
Make no mistake: the GOP is afraid that they will lose in 2008. Why? Hmmm. Let's see if we can think of any reasons...oh yeah:
Because a Republican President has completely messed up this country.
Even if Hillary takes fifty giant steps towards "the center," that should not change our committment as progressives to framing the 2008 election in terms favorable to a Democratic victory.
So, how do we do that? We all know how: Whenever we are faced with a criticism of Hillary, ask ourselves (out loud if necessary) what this election is really about? Is this election about Hillary Clinton's liberalism? No. Is this election about Hillary Clinton's stance on women's rights? No. Is this election about Hillary Clinton's marriage to a former President? No.
This election is about protecting the American people.
This election is about restoring the American economy.
This election is about the health of American children.
This election is about the future of American schools.
I have so much respect for this community here at dKos, and I know that everyone here is a free and independent thinker. But I beg all of you--I am down on one knee begging: Please do not get tangled up in the Hillary Frame. It is destructive to Democratic aspirations in 2008 and it is destructive to America.
We owe it to this country to set the frame for what this next president election is really about. And we owe it to this country to take the lead in holding that frame.
I believe we can do that.