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It is not the first time that Democratic politicians and voters have expressed the concern that the Queen of Cringe may do well in her own pursuit of office but will all but destroy chances for Dems in other races. Especially in places where conservatives are currently in office.

Edwards backers say Clinton spells defeat
By Matthew Franck
POST-DISPATCH JEFFERSON CITY BUREAU
10/20/2007

JEFFERSON CITY — The prospect of a Hillary Clinton presidential nomination had a few elected Democrats in Missouri sounding alarms Friday, predicting her bid could foil the party’s chances of winning everything from the governor’s race to county council seats.

“If Hillary comes to the state of Missouri, we can write it off,” said House Minority Whip Connie Johnson, D-St. Louis.

So does it hurt the Dems even more that one of their own is stressing the point in his campaign? He has made his campaign about two Americas since the beginning. He is pursuing those who feel left out and may be on the lower end of the economic spectrum. Clearly a strategy born out of the realization that it is the only venue in which he can compete. With Clinton’s poll numbers triple Edwards, what other option does he have? Then there is that pesky Obama who only has about half the strength in the polls compared to Clinton. Yup, Clinton has the lead among Dems and will probably keep it barring some disaster from which even sinister strategists cannot deliver a recovery. And yet there are plenty of leadership types in the D party worried that Clinton spells defeat and will sink the ship.

Democrats worry Clinton could hurt party
August 12, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) — Looking past the presidential nomination fight, Democratic leaders quietly fret that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton at the top of their 2008 ticket could hurt candidates at the bottom.

They say the former first lady may be too polarizing for much of the country. She could jeopardize the party’s standing with independent voters and give Republicans who otherwise might stay home on Election Day a reason to vote, they worry.

In more than 40 interviews, Democratic candidates, consultants and party chairs from every region pointed to internal polls that give Clinton strikingly high unfavorable ratings in places with key congressional and state races.

It’s gotta keep you up nights worrying about such things. You have the lead. Most agree you will maintain the lead. Many see you as a shoe in for the nomination of your party. Yet still so many others are concerned you will cause them all to fail. A rumor in the GOP ranks suggests Clinton is there choice for an opponent. Believing her history, the perception of a cold, unfeeling person who is only concerned about herself and all her other baggage to favor a GOP win. The reverse psychology of Karl Rove pointing out her negatives when leaving office to stir the pot. Some say he was hoping to increase her support from Dems to be the nominee. Setting up the rumored easier battle against a seriously flawed candidate. The final piece of the puzzle would be an all out, no holds barred campaign blitz focusing on the skeletons in Hillary Rodham Clinton’s closet. Who knows?

Democratic Strategists Wary of Overconfidence
By CARL HULSE
Published: October 19, 2007

The political environment has been looking good for Congressional Democrats in recent weeks. So good, in fact, that party strategists are warning it is not that good.

…some Democrats have been feeling downright smug, confident of not only holding their House and Senate majorities, but expanding them next year.

But November 2008 is not exactly right around the corner and the man responsible for overseeing the political fortunes of House Democrats is trying to recalibrate expectations. Not his, since Representative Christopher Van Hollen of Maryland says he is well aware of the difficulties ahead. But he wants others to put away any idea of a cakewalk.

Both Republicans and Democrats have little to cheer about if the truth is spoken. There may have been some upside for the average citizen during the GOP majority but the missteps all but made that period a wash. The Democrats are faring no better early in their current majority.

But the point made in the last reference, from the NYT, about the GOP learning some things while dominating the numbers in Congress may serve them well leading up to the next round of votes from the public. There was a hint in these articles that Democrats may be feeling a little giddy and still be hungover from the gains in the last election. But they should be thinking of how little they are accomplishing and how patient the public will be.

So the sum total of the chances of the Dems building on their recent election victories could be severely overestimated. Not that it is a sure thing for either side. To think that would be beyond silly. Even with defections here and there within the GOP, the overall effect of their countering the Dems has made a good showing. The same cannot be said for the Dems. From the failed 100 our agenda to the current inability to override the President’s veto, the Dems have not been very successful in the 110th. To this point, 2008 will at least offer some interesting moments no matter who you support. The only item that may be for sure is that one of the seven leading candidates for President will get elected. So we are already looking the next Commander-in-Chief. Just can’t tell which one yet.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 at 12:21 pm and is filed under Public Affairs, wordpress, Politics, campaign, election, Democrats, News Media, Clinton, Opinion, Edwards. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.