Playback Editor on 02/17/07
Former Clinton political strategist Dick Morris has a tremendous inside track when it comes to analyzing the inner workings of Hillary Clinton's campaign. From way before Clinton announced her candidacy, Morris warned that Hillary was entering highly uncharted waters. Morris claims that Clinton has consistently managed to insulated herself on the campaign trail as a senator, a strategy that will never work on a much larger scale presidential campaign.
Hilary has had a dream ride as both a senatorial candidate and as a senator in New York. As a candidate she crushed a completely lightweight opponent. She seamlessly rode the huge wave created by the highly liberal New York media's Bush blow back. For years as senator she has been able to bask in front of an adoring public that looks back at the days of the Clinton administration as a 1990's form of Camelot.
In addition to all of the above, Hillary has played it smart. She is tight to the vest. In her public image she is patient and calculating. She has a wealth of coaching and no small bit of experience. All and all she has managed to keep it together and emerge as the overwhelming democratic candidate for president in 08, an election where the democrats will be overwhelming favorites to win.
There are several major rubs she will come up against. The first is that the democrats are peaking way too early. They will now have to produce in a major way or lose their current momentum. They cannot just blame George Bush for everything and force the war to collapse.
Another is that she will more than likely end up running against Rudy Giuliani, a far more battle tested combatant than herself. Giuliani, a former highly successful New York city mayor, a national hero, and a former standout district attorney is the real deal. He will massacre her in a head to head debate. One has lived in the bleacher seats and the other on the field. It will be a tough go for Hillary.
The third and biggest challenge is the one Morris has been pointing out for over a year. The left eats its own and it will turn on Hillary. There will come a time in this campaign where the kids gloves will be off, the love fest over and she will be heavily scrutinized. Then we will see if Morris is correct and see if Hillary can handle the scrutiny standing out on her own.
HILL'S WEAK SPOT
SHE'S SENATOR STUBBORN
By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN McGANN
February 17, 2007 -- SORRY seems to be the hardest word for Hillary Clinton.
The New York senator is not used to being challenged on either her policy positions or her votes - especially when it comes to Iraq. For the last six years, she's operated in a protective bubble - insulated from the press and the voters.
Those days are over.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02172007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/hills_weak_spot_opedcolumnists_dick_morris__eileen_mcgann.htm
