James Joyner: (Link repaired)
Reason‘s Dave Weigel [1] takes to the pages of The American Conservative to warn Republicans that they’re not going to win in 2008 simply by bashing Hillary Clinton.
…
While negative campaigning and pointing out the weaknesses of one’s opponent can be quite effective, there hasn’t been a presidential election in my lifetime decided on that basis.
Reader “Floyd” differs with James… and rightly, to my memory:
James; How do you think Carter got elected?
All we heard was,,, “Ford wasn’t legitimately President.”& “Ford pardoned Nixon”
But here’s the take away for the coming election… I respond to Floyd:
Interesting.
I was about to say the reverse in the defeat of Carter… Negative campaigning was huge in Regan’s victory… the difference being it was negatives he didn’t have to spout… the American people decided on those negatives themselves… 21% inflation, Iran Hostages, gas lines, interest rates through the ceiling and the economy in the WC.
Reagan didn’t have to go negative, because the American people already knew what the negatives were, and were wrestling with them daily.
[2]That seems to me to be of great import in this coming election. Given the recent polling which suggests that 50% of those polled would never vote for Hillary Clinton, my guess is the American people know what her negatives are, as well, and without being told.
The results of an election with her as the Democrat candidate, would be Carteresque, I think. Irony abounds… that would be true, regardless of her winning or losing… but I think that she’ll lose.
Addendum: (David L)
Agenda, we have have an agenda, and its ever growing, Mrs. Clinton’s agenda. Earlier today, I linked to video of Frank Luntz focus group. One member pretty much nailed Mrs. Clinton. She has an agenda and at no point does her agenda put advancing the interests of the United States first.
Rudy made the point, that Mrs. Clinton has a million ideas, all of which involve spending taxpayers’ money and none of which we can afford.
Fred made the point, that you are better able to decide where to spend your money than Mrs. Clinton is.
Rush made the point on H&C that Mrs. Clinton’s only real experience is quelling bimbo eruptions.
Finally how can a woman who did not protect our nation’s women from her predator husband and will not protect her marriage, be trusted to protect our country?
We have an issue, and Mrs. Clinton is the issue.