aTypical Joe: a gay New Yorker living in the rural South
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Hillary Clinton’s got grit
I’m still as big a Hillary supporter as ever—though with posts like this one from yesterday you’d be forgiven for thinking I’d given up.
It bugs me to see people site that poll comparing Hillary and Obama vs. McCain. As if such a poll tells us anything at all. Remember Giuliani’s numbers??? And look what happened to him!!! Speaking of which, imagine Giuliani or Romney in her situation right now? Seriously, imagine it. They got no grit!
This woman’s not only got grit, she wears it with great style. And right now is precisely the test. Let’s watch how this plays out. I certainly think she’s got a shot. If she wins it she’s earned it fair and square. No matter what the loser’s supporters will inevitably say. She’s been called things before. Obama’s taking the high road but not all of his supporters are. I know from experience.
So how Could she do it? How could she go on to win this? Democratic consultant Tad Devine on The Newshour tonight suggests:
She’s got to define herself, and I think she needs a big contest on big ideas. There are big ideas and big issues on the table, the economy, who’s best to get us out of Iraq, health care and other domestic concerns. If she can have a contest of ideas with Senator Obama, that’s a better contest for her… for example, going to a place like the University of Texas or Ohio State and having a big speech, a long speech, where you discuss in some detail your differences on the economy, how you’re best to get us out of Iraq, not just some aspects of your health care plan, but details of it.
And I think that speech then becomes the debate. And I think the debate becomes a slogan and a sound bite.
And, ultimately, if you can capture that and explain those differences—and they’re not personal differences. There’s nothing mean or nasty here. They are substantive differences in policy. And if she can lay those out clearly, I think she’s got a chance to push him back.
