Who Can Beat McCain?

Lotta folks on this site hating Hillary because she's a woman. Lotta folks on this site loving Hillary because she's a woman. Makes me think that, in some quarters, men have been uncomfortable with women a lot longer than whites have been uncomfortable with blacks.

Sometimes I honestly believe that a racist white guy would vote for Obama over anyone like his wife or mother. A woman as Commander-and-Chief? Uh-uh, they say.

How sad.

Lotta folks worried about Obama's level of experience. Whatever you do, don't buy into that Republican bullshit. Obama is FDR compared to this Bush. The GOP committed every possible sin in order to get Bush elected. They forged a whole set of new ones to get him reelected. Everyone around the world recognizes that America is in real trouble. Most Americans do, too.

The past eight years have been the moral low point of the American experience.

I have said in these pages before that either candidate has the potential to make a very good president. Clinton is smart and shrewd in ways that will serve her well in office. I think she would play a Democratic Congress like a violin. Obama will have the great fortune of being able to attract his own version of the "Best and the Brightest", an army of brilliant and capable reform-minded people who would normally abjure political careers as the result of their inherent cynicism.

Who can beat McCain? That is all that matters.

McCain is another right-wing, retro, deficit-loving, never-seen-a-defense-appropriation-I-didn't-like tool. But there are a lot of people in this dumbed-down country that will buy that. They want to turn the clock back. To what, I don't know. Which Democrat will give a critical number of Americans the courage to move forward? This election represents a turning point for this country, not only internally, but regarding our future among the other nations of the world. America will begin to, albeit slowly, irreversibly go down if we do not get this right.

It is wrong to assume that either of these Democrats is less qualified than the other. But Democrats must think like Republicans, now more than ever. Who can win?

You think major GOP fundraisers sat back and clucked over the nomination of Bush in 2000? You must be joking. They held their noses and went along for the ride because Republicans like James Baker and that maniac Richard Mellon Scaife have their hands on the money valve and they anointed Bush. The GOP plays to win. They don't have good candidates all that often, but they don't let that stop them. Everyone digs in and puts their shoulder behind even the lamest nominee.

If you want to advocate for Clinton or Obama, do so in the context of how they will defeat McBush.

PS: One possible consequence of an Obama presidency? Supreme Court Justice Hillary Clinton. Dang, that sounds good.

Comments

[ElIngeniero]

HRC as a Supreme?

Yet, this could be an interesting play ... along the lines of keeping your friends close and your enemies even closer.

But .... Our HRC that was on the Wal-Mart Board of Directors? Our lady of the Rose Law firm and whitewater and all that? Our ex first lady that became a fat cat, and years ago forgot what it is to be without influence? Our candidate that's demonstrated a tenuous grasp on the truth and and a willingness to play political beanball?

Naaaah. I think not. There have got to be hundreds of better qualified people out there, from both the aspect of legal scholarship and having a heart. I want another Ginsburg in there, or even a Sandra Day O'Connor would be almost OK.

[WillBFair]

The dems have an ace in the hole. It's that most people know the war was a mistake. That could change if Iraq stabilizes. But for now, the ace should be enough to elect our candidate. It won't be enough for Obama to deliver on his feel good rhetoric.
The question remaining is who's qualified. For that, I judge by knowledge and achievement, and the Clintons created legislative agendas that reversed damages of three republican administrations, turned deficit into surpluss, and launched an economic boom. The only policies giving Obama legitimacy, healthcare, fiscal restarint, and bipartisanship, were taken from the Clintons. His own ideas are either vague fanatsies like uniting the country (while his supporters help the media replace policy debate and adult conversation with name calling, empty rhetoric, and nonstop smears), or far left cliches (like campaign finance reform and dictator parties, also known as the darling baby lambkins theory of foreign policy), all which have a snowballs chance.
I also judge by policies, and Obama's are totally weak. Hillary's are practical. the Clintons have always had excellent political instincts, and they don't make extreme promises they can't keep just to fire up the naive and inexperienced.
I want someone in office who can do more than recite the liberal wish list with a deep voice and sing song delivery. I want someone who can fix real problems.

[TheyAllSuck]

Hillary is a demonstrated liar, for something as stupid as taking sniper fire. MORE important, she lies about what position she takes on NAFTA. For all your analysis, you fail to see that she talks about spending more for education, universal health care, veterans, lower middle class taxes, etc.. What will she actually COMMIT to spending? What are lies?

Hillary supporters presume she will work to withdraw the US from Iraq. There is nothing in her political record that indicates that. She voted to invade Iraq. She kept saying how the US needed to stay the course in 2004. She voted for the same type of legislation to attack Iran. How much do you want to pay, on top of new domestic spending and the current Iraq tab, for new "stabilization" spending, while leaving American soldiers for years vulnerable to IEDs?

Conclusion: Even if Hillary managed to be elected President, I have no reason to believe she is capable or willing to make significant change to the way America is currently run. She cannot even muster a majority, popular or delegate, in the Democratic party; she can't mobilize national change. I have no reason to believe ANYTHING she claims to commit to. Other than rhetoric, she does not differs from McCain. Given a choice between voting for a "McCain" that lies and stays status quo, or a McCain that never demonstrated stupid lying, has more experience, and passed McCain/Feingold, the red states go for the latter.

[ntmessage]

These dopey attacks against Clinton are mostly false and irrelevant anyway! This stuff may work during a primary, but Clintons negatives are already built in and people still vote for her anyway.

Many Obama supporters have been trying to define someone known by the country for 35 years as if they just came onto the scene. It has no material impact on behavior - how people vote - as opposed to polls - what people say at any one point in time.

It is Obama that has a huge exposure and risks being defined, just like Kerry. Both people unknown by the voters, especially those than need a reason to vote for someone before they will vote against someone.

[TellingTruth2Kooks]

Alec, regardless of who wins this election, we all, as a Nation, are Screwed!!!

Senators make the Absolutely Worst Presidents, and here we are down to 3 of them, and Not a Nickel's worth of difference between them.

Just what Magic Powers do you believe the New President is handed once the Oath is Recited, and the handshakes are over?

No matter who is elected, just assemling their cabinet takes almost a full year, and those cabinet members don't just dive into their New Positions, arms flailing and start kicking, their way to the Finish line.

Some Maniac in the world will do something spectacular and the MSM will loop it endlessly, constantly berating the New President for not acting fast enough, to whatever happened beyond his/her control.

Or some other Natural Event like a Volcanic Eruption in Yellowstone, and throw a couple hurricanes and tornadoes, and whoever is sitting in the Oval Office will be vilified as the Anti-Christ, calling for his Impeachment on the Grounds of Massive Stupidity!!!

There can only be one reason to go thru all this nonsense, Secret Swiss Bank Accounts!

[ntmessage]

To discredit the Clinton understanding of transitioning into office compared to Obama is ridiculous! Of course Clinton will move faster, be more effecting and effective.

All comments to the contrary are misinformed people that either are trying to present the no bog deal argument and blind confidence for someone with little national experience and almost no global experience.

There is no better experience than experience, time spent in the arena is significantly more important than not knowing where even the bathroom is. Com’on.

[julianne]

Can we add to the question of who can beat McCain, who can (also) carry the House and Senate? I don't know if we can have it both ways, but it would be very nice for the (Democrat) President to totally close down, with extreme prejudice, everything the Republicans have constructed. This would include the corporatist, mentally ill freaks Bush and his good-cop father placed on the Supreme Court. This would also include a reinvestigation into 9/11 and the November, 2000 Presidential election in Florida. And let's not forget the war crimes. The excuse not to pursue the vast crimes of the Bush-Cheney syndicate because it will keep us from "unity" or "just cause more harm" should be tossed aside by the next President. I find it hard to vote for anyone who wants to "reach across the isle", etc. What's spooky are the people who say that if the Democratic candidiate of their choice is not nominated, they will vote for McCain. Statements like that are why citizens flee the nation on a daily basis.

[ntmessage]

Without the bully pulpit, Democratic advantages achieved at state and congress will be short lived. The exact same thing happened in a surprisingly similar environment from 1978-1982.

[delysia]

If I were Barack, I wouldn't have Hillary anywhere near me. The way she's carried herself throughout this campaign indicates to me that she's not a person to be trusted; and, that she will sink to any low in order to get what she wants. I would never allow her to be in a position where she could quickly and quietly find some way to stab me in the back in order that she could rise to the position that she so covets. As a Supreme Court Justice, my only concern is that she knows nothing about the truth; she's been dealing in lies, deception and conspiracies far too long. If I were Sen. Obama and I, indeed, won the presidency, I'd really have to think long and hard about where I'd place a Hillary Clinton, in government, if anywhere.

[Liberty2008]

Wow, Alec Baldwin, you can write -- my first time checking you out. :-)

[Mariel]

if I have to have either one of them I want both of them. They should knuckle under to that concept. Obama keeps saying he'll be Hillary's friend after this is over. Why not invite her on board? She might not accept. Who knows? Her husband might not accept. Chelsea Clinton said her mom would be a better prez than her dad. I like Hillary much better than Bill. Too bad we have to think of them as a package, but I suppose they are. What a frightful election this is.

As you say, Mr. Baldwin, anything but McCain.

[moonmaidendragon]

It would be great to see Obama and Clinton run on the same ticket! I think we all know that Obama will more than likely be our next president.I would have voted for HRC,and not because she's a woman.I've seen what she can do! Whoever is elected,they've got their work cut out for them! This country is in really bad shape and I don't think some people realize how bad things really are and what's really going on.The only good news is that time is running out for that prick Bush! Mr.Baldwin posts alot of blogs and I'll give him this,he knows his subject matter.I've never been a fan but his views and thoughts on politics captivate me.He takes the words right out of my mouth! On My Space,he has several sites.I had heard,through the grape-vine,that this one site,(He's holding a dog and has a really hostile blog)was dedicated to the cause.Since sent mail,if un-answered,is deleted after 14 days,I never got a reply.And I tried three times.So,maybe he's just an actor that likes to blow his hot air and thinks people will listen because he's a celebrity.I'm writing the site one more time and if I get no response,I'm right about this man's sincerity.

[WillJRA]

Who has the best chance to win in FL, PA, OH, MI or MO.

[ntmessage]

EC arithmetic. Hillary runs strongest in new swing states like OH,PA,NJ,A­K,TN,FLand­WV (105EVs/270). Obama may bring in CO and WA (20EVs/270). Clinton has a Political advantage over Obama in FL/MI representing 16% of EC. Obama is tied to the DNC decision. MT, NV, NH, IA etc donot have mojo or size to risk flipping.

[cybersense]

Yep. Or the other way around. Obama has some turf to stomp first. No, I don't think Hillary is such a liar.
Those of you that have read the books that Obama wrote, I can find some pretty interesting "non facts".
Some that would not mistakes, but pretty funny. I found a reporter talking to Obama about his politics in Chicago, and he couldn't answer the question. Just redirected the question back to Hillary. The reporter that did the story did not believe him.

I don't believe we should play on this. So, my suggestion to most of the posters here is to step back and quick reading all the hyper headlines and get a grip. A real one.

[deejsmom]

you clinton supporters need to get a new tack - it just isn't working anymore - everytime your candidate gets busted - it's pointy, point, point - hey, look over there, where? there, at Obama, and hope that we will be distracted - sorry - after Ohio and Texas - we're all on to you and your candidate - it's tired, it's old and it's stupid

[elbowguts]

Regarding those "non facts" you say you found: Don't be shy, whip 'em out. Please share and let us judge for ourselves.

[NABNYC]

Why would anyone put Hillary Clinton on the Supreme Court? Her legal career was devoted to representing real estate developers and S&L con men. Her political career, and her "wife" political career, have been marked with scandal, controversy, perjury by her husband, "disappearing" billing records, and a strange imagination that lets her announce to the world that she's just back from Bos, recovering from her wounds, meda-vacked from the front lines.

The Federalist society is one of the groups formed in about 1980 by conservative nazi rich people intent on turning this country into a fascist state. This requires scholars and judges to support nazi assaults on the constitution, such as so many we have seen from the Bush administration: kidnapping, torture, murder, denial of counsel, no right to charges, no habeas corpus, secret prisons, presidential freedom to declare war on anyone, elimination of remedial efforts to help the excluded women and minorities.

We need principled, decent, progressive judges in the Supreme Court. It should not be given away to party loyalist hacks whose primary allegiance is to lobbyists, foreign governments, and right-wing media moguls.

And for those same reasons, don't vote for Hillary. If she steals the nomination, write in Obama. We cannot accept a union-busting lobbyist-owned corporate hack as a "new" government. If that's the best we can do, then we deserve the final destruction of this country which will likely result from McCain's rule.

[MElmore1965]

Hottie...why don't you interact...?...you promise to on your site...we have a great debate going on on our site...you should answer...

[coloneblog]

If Democrats lose in November, they should turn in their charter as a political party!

[hinnis]

If Obama is the candidate, we will lose in November, and Obama will leave a fractured party and damaged race relations in his wake.

[deejsmom]

if anyone is fracturing the party, it is the clintons with their gutter politics - if you are going to make such statements - back them up....

Hillary is an on camera liar, proven again and again - I have spent 2 weeks researching Obama after dumping Hillary for endorsing McCain as more qualified for CiC - lying about Africa, NAFTA, Bosnia, and Rev Wright so please tell me again how he is fracturing this party, because you are misinformed.

[ohdear08]

What in the world did Obama do to fracture race relations that weren't already fractured but only exposed as such on a national scale? Find me, please, the black American that invented racism.

[peorgietirebiter]

Dear Mr. Baldwin Baldwin,
I'm a 55 year old white guy and I'm an enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I really believe that the gender and race bias accusations being constantly bandied about are over-blown.
My anti-Hillary bias is a function of feeling betrayed by her husband and her husband in the late 90's.
I simply don't trust her and I can't think of anyone I don't trust that I like. Simple as that and I don't think I'm alone. If she secures the nomination I will be extremely disappointed, I won't volunteer or contribute but I will vote her barring a last minute independent. And it all comes down to the supreme court, while I don't think McCain would go hard right, I'm not willing to chance it just to keep her out.

[hinnis]

Mr. "Peorgietirebiter": I perfectly understand how you could have been so disappointed in Bill Clinton in the late 1990's. All those years of peace and prosperity; what a drag. All those years where the world had respect for this country and actually liked our President; terrible! The Bush years were so much better -- right? Well, not everyone can be as perfect as you. If only you could have been President, instead.

[MElmore1965]

..yes..all of those years of avoiding what Bush finally had to confront...all of those years of sticking our head in the sand...you should have been in West Germany in the 90s...Bill Clinton was easy on the military..but, was that the best for our country...­?...should we have confronted Bin Laden earlier?..when we had the chance...a peaceful military doesn't equal a peaceful country..

[anelder]

Oh that last bit sounds just delicious.
Do I give you dudos so often because I'm surprised this all comes from an actor? nope, came to the conclusion I cannot figure out why your an actor.

Good sense young man. I never find you jless than intelligent and interesting.

[4gloria]

We Dems should have been making "Who can beat the Rep. nominee" our #1 priority since Bush won in 2004. I feel confident that we can win with Obama, but I plan to support either as our nominee 150%. I find it disturbing that Dems are threatening to cross over and vote McNasty, Nader, or not at all if their candidate doesn't get (or fairly win) the nomination.

I LOVE the sound of Supreme Court Justice Clinton! Gave me butterflies.