Clinton says her supporters "not on a suicide mission"
LE MARS, Iowa -- Traveling around Iowa by helicopter today on the first day of a five-day tour, Hillary Clinton returned again and again to a new theme, one that offers a contrast with her leading rivals without mentioning them directly.
Some people demand change (John Edwards?), and some people hope for change (Barack Obama?), but she has 35 years of experience of actually working for change -- a message Clinton repeated at all three of her stops today.
“I think change requires persistence, perseverance and yes, some perspiration,” she said. “I’ve never known any other way.”
Clinton also offered an especially forceful response to a woman in Le Mars who raised the issue of her electability. Marlene Fitzpatrick said she’s received numerous calls from pollsters claiming that all of the top Republicans would beat the New York Senator.
Fitzpatrick, a retired schoolteacher, asked, “How do you answer that?”
Clinton explained that such calls are called push polls, and designed not to assess opinion but to influence it. She said she’s ahead in “big states we have to carry,” like California and Florida. Then she went on to cite her support from veteran Democrats in red or purple states, like Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe. She said she has been endorsed by nine fellow senators, while her rivals who are current or former senators boast no more than one endorsement each from a Senate colleague.
“Why would experienced and knowledgeable Democrats support me if they thought that was true?” she said. “They are not on a suicide mission. They want to win, and so do I.”
Clinton gave a big smile as she finished, as if she were exhilarated by her own answer. The crowd cheered.
Fitzpatrick said she will likely choose Clinton as her backup candidate, if her first choice, Bill Richardson, does not win enough votes to earn a delegate in her precinct. She was outraged by the pollsters’ questions. Yet she is still quite worried about Clinton’s electability.
“There’s a lot of polarization around Hillary,” she said. “A lot of my friends think she’s a witch.”
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It is sad that some people judge Hillary Clinton from hearsay, negative articles and comments by people who just hate her. I have listened on C-SPAN to speeches by both Obama and Clinton and have concluded that Hillary is more experienced to lead this country. Of course Obama's speeches are smooth and he is handsome, but I don't feel he is ready to shoulder the responsibilities of President of United States at this point. His speeches remind me of listening to the preacher, and feeling inspired. However, making serious decisions as voting for President requires that I don't just listen to my heart, but think with my head.
It is sad that some people judge Hillary Clinton from hearsay, negative articles and comments by people who just hate her. I have listened on C-SPAN to speeches by both Obama and Clinton and have concluded that Hillary is more experienced to lead this country. Of course Obama's speeches are smooth and he is handsome, but I don't feel he is ready to shoulder the responsibilities of President of United States at this point. His speeches remind me of listening to the preacher, and feeling inspired. However, making serious decisions as voting for President requires that I don't just listen to my heart, but think with my head.
Obama/Biden '08!
Senator Obama will win IA, NH, SC... and then maybe NV too... then on to Super Tuesday...
Fired UP! Ready to GO!
From the headline, to the point of view, to the quotation, this article is an obvious reflection of the decision by the editorial board to endorse Obama. However, I cringe at the willingness of this writer, herself a woman, to embrace a sexist meme under the pretense of journalism.
Electability is hugely important. And Hillary's answer is absurd: the democratic establishment has done nothing but back losers for decades (Bill required Perot to be elected). With this track record, their endorsement means nothing. Frankly its a bad sign.
She invokes huge hatred in Republicans and Independents and a fair number of Democrats (her Iraq vote was pure opportunism, while a majority of Dem Senators voted no on the Iraq war).
Let us not chance another defeat. Edwards leads other Republicans in the polls. He has much fewer liabilities than Clinton and Obama and a strong David and Goliath platform. Policy folks love his policies We need to win this eletion, so much is at stake.
Obama is the only one who can not only win the November election....he's the only one who can actually unite the country and get something done around here...without any hateful bickering!
Why do people keep on saying Obama is handsome??? Am I the only one who doesn''t think so??? LOL!! But REALLY that is the least of my worries about an Obama candidacy. He is just not experienced enough period. A friend of mine who lives in Illinois says he is a lousy senator. He has voted "present" on at least 7 or 8 important bills in the state senate regarding women's issues. This is the same as "not committing" himself. A president can not vote "present". A president has to make tough decisions.
Hillary Clinton is without a doubt the ONLY candidate who is experienced enough to handle the mess made by G.W. Bush on DAY 1!!! Just by her election, she wil immediately improve our standing in the world because she has been to 82 countries and is loved and admired globally.
Come election day November 2008, we will FINALLY see the first woman president elected and that will be Hillary Clinton!!