Both the Wall Street Journal and USA Today slashed at the Democratic front-runner today because the last thing the press wants is a “coronation” of the former First Lady as the Democratic nominee.A coronation, in fact, is the last thing this country needs. It’s good that Hillary’s honeymoon is over. Her media “star power” has overpowered the many worthy candidates-both Democrats and Republicans-- who are vying for the prize. Let’s put other candidates on the stage for a look.
Voters hunger for news from the Mike Huckabee campaign trail and updates from the John Edwards’ tour of the heartland. What’s John McCain up to these days? Is Chris Dodd or Joe Biden still in the race? Did Rudy Giuliani really, really, really receive the endorsement of Pat Robertson? Was Dennis Kucinich kidding when he said he saw a UFO?
Hillary has sucked way too much oxygen from the campaign.
The Journal’s John Harwood wrote though Democrats hold powerful political advantages, they face a tough road to the White House if Clinton is the standard-bearer. He notes that Barack Obama and Edwards are ratcheting up attacks on the New York Senator to exploit accusations that she is evasive and a master of double talk. She may be guilty on both counts.
USAT’s Jill Lawrence bizarrely notes that more than eight in 10 Republicans and more than half the married men in the country say they definitely would not vote for Clinton. Note to Lawrence: If Clinton is forced to court Republicans and married guys the election is lost before it even begins. Clinton pollster and Burson-Marsteller CEO Mark Penn gamely told Lawrence that his client’s appeal among GOP women is rising.
USAT notes that Clinton’s unfavorable rating is 43 percent. That is better than President Bush who had a 48 percent “disapproval” rating when he was re-elected. Hillary has a fightin' chance after all.