Hillary Down...but not out!
When yours truly made it to the Church Street Marketplace in Burlap this afternoon, Anne O'Brien of Richmond had already been on the street more than three hours. The Democratic "activist" from the Burlington 'burbs showed no sign of being down after her candidate, Hillary Clinton's third-place finish in the Iowa Caucuses behind Sens. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards.
"I think it was great," O'Brien told yours truly. "I think Obama's great. John Edwards is a good guy. And Hillary will be the nominee," she added. "I'm just sure of it."
[Wonder if a person so gifted with certainty goes to Saratoga in August?]
Why is she behind Hillary Clinton?
"She’s smarter," said O'Brien. "She has the resume, aside from everything else. Take away race, gender Put up the resumes for who you want to be the CEO of the country - she’s it!"
Think we can handle a woman president?
"Absolutely. We need one."
Anne then asked a passing mother and daughter if they'd sign the petition to get Hillary on the Vermont Primary ballot.
Jane Helmstetter, 55, of South Burlington was happy to sign [right]. What was her reaction to Hillary's surprisingly poor Iowa finish?
"I was shocked a little bit," she answered frankly. "Surprised, certainly, that she didn’t come in ahead of Edwards." But she noted that, "Iowa doesn’t always signify what’s going to happen later on."
Her daughter Maria Diferdinando, 22, [behind her] also signed on.
"I think people find it easier to slander Hillary," said Maria. "That’s why she’s having a harder time. It's easier to say bad things about her because she’s been in the spotlight. There’s been more stuff about her out there and decisions that she’s made."
And what If Barack were the nominee?
"I’d be fine with that," replied O'Brien the Clinton for President volunteer. "I will vote for the Democratic nominee."
Don't you love how these people spend months trudging around Iowa and then when they lose they say Iowa doesn't matter? Some people you CAN fool all of the time.
Posted by: oy | Saturday, January 05, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Agreed, oy. Iowa was a major blow for Camp Billary, and she's going to lose NH, too.
Yes, she's smart and she's an experienced politician, but Clinton would be a disastrous candidate and president. People don't find it easier to "say bad stuff about her because she's been in the spotlight." They say bad stuff about her because her personal ambition is blindingly rabid. In last night's debate she came off sounding pissed off and defensive. The Republican electoristas are chomping at the bit to take a whack at her and she's a painfully easy target. They will not, on the other hand, have a blessed clue about how to run a campaign against Obama.
Yup, I'm fired up...
Posted by: trout | Sunday, January 06, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Most Democrats I know, including myself, belong to the ABC Club: Anybody But Clinton. The fact that her fantasy 35 years of experience is finally being exposed and recognized is a good for the party and an even better thing for America.
Posted by: tomdovich | Monday, January 07, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Yeah, Hillary claiming White House "experience" is right up there with the White House chef claiming White House experience.
Posted by: N. Eci | Monday, January 07, 2008 at 10:45 AM
If people were really concerned about experience (i.e. "resumes"), Bill Richardson would easily be the choice. He has 14 years in Congress, was Secretary of Energy, Ambassador to the U.N. and state governor. That he has so little support demonstrates that the presidential race has nothing to do with substance and everything to do with cult of personality and whomever the clique of political reporters happens to like best.
Posted by: Steve | Monday, January 07, 2008 at 12:21 PM
A woman for a change?
Posted by: Douglas Supporter | Monday, January 07, 2008 at 05:03 PM
Hillary's emotional melt down the other day shows why she isn't the person we need to become the first woman president. Empathy and emotion are things that are needed, but they also need to be kept in check. Imagine, Hillary sitting down for negotiations with Iran and breaking down in tears. Sorry, although I think we will see a woman president in the somewhat near future, Hillary is not the one. And, neither is Obama. He has skipped every tough vote there has been. Besides being irresponsible, it shows he is more concerned with only making decisions when the outcome is popular then making the tough decisions that our next president needs to make. If I had to support a democrat, thankfully I do not, I would go with Edwards. He is far and away the most decent and well reasoned of the bunch.
Posted by: JPC | Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Jpc, Give me one example of a modern President that has been 100% Mr. Stone Face.
Posted by: bigbadbrad | Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Instead of meltdown, it could be acting.
I mean, what was with the "Martha Stewart" ad on TV..
barf..
Posted by: where's the beef? | Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Please help elect Hillary Clinton for President. Visit http://www.hillaryforvermont.blogspot.com/ to find out more information on how you can help in your community.
Posted by: Patrick | Monday, February 18, 2008 at 12:22 AM