Reid: Hillary Clinton Might Not be Best Candidate
 |
James Joyner | Thursday, July 7, 2005 |
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s comments yesterday that Alberto Gonzales is absolutely qualified for the Supreme Court got lots of coverage, including this Reno Gazette-Journal piece. Buried in this story, though, is a comment that may be even more noteworthy:
Reid is wary of Clintonâs bid for president, saying there are other Democratic senators and governors who might be better candidates.
âIt is a wide-open field,â Reid said. âThe person who is leading at this stage is Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton, of course, has lots of money. She comes from a state with lots of people in it, but she still has a few ties to Arkansas. I think she is the person to beat, but that doesnât necessarily mean she is the best candidate.â
The man’s two-for-two. Indeed, this is the Harry Reid I thought we’d be seeing when he replaced Daschle. Instead, we had been getting Daschle in a Harry Reid mask. One wonders if the reversion to form is an aberation.
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia.
Follow James on FriendFeed | Twitter | Digg
- None Found
- McCain Outs Obama Iraq Trip, Trying to Get Him Killed
- OTB Latenight - The Clash
- 100 Most Influential Slogans
- McCain Working for Dollars, Not Votes?
- Hillary Clinton Buys 2012 Website!!
- Conservatives for Obama II
- McCain Collects Social Security
- Heller Denied D.C. Gun Permit
- Caption Contest Winners
- Bob Barr Conference Call
- Slant Point linked with Harry Reid: Hillary Not Best
I really can't figure this one out at all. I understand the comment about Gonzales. Say anything that would make the Democrats sound reasonable, knowing that Gonzo is a Bush buddy and also knowing that he really isn't favored among conservatives. But putting a verbal kink on Hillary's march to the White House is something I didn't expect. Is Harry Reid the type of senator that suffers from verbal diarrhea or a graduate of the school of loose lips? Or is this a small calculated indication that many Democrats don't intend to give Hillary a free pass as their leader for 2008.
Maybe he actually means what he's saying here? Many Democrats understand that while Hillary is the odds-on favorite to win the nomination, she faces serious obstacles in a general election battle. I don't underestimate her--she could win the whole shooting match--but a moderate Southern governor with defense credibility would have an easier time of it.
I don't really see anything outrageous about this, and not just because I agree with this. It's 2005, the field IS open. There's no contradiction is saying this now and then supporting Clinton's candidacy later, if he wanted to. It's cagey.
Let us not forget that Harry Reid is the leader of the Democratic Party (at least the federally elected wing of it). Should he come out and say Hillary Clinton is the person that we want and everyone else should stand down? Absolutely not. The more Democrats stand down from rallying behind one candidate too early is better better. If every Democrat flew behind the supposed candidacy of Clinton, the more the right wing would go after her - or any person the party rallied behind.
Reid may awake soon and find a horse's head in his bed.
At least he din'dt call her a skanky ol hag.
Comments are Closed
