Thoughts on the NH results

[Tab]

I live in NH, and obviously don't speak for everyone, but I do get a general feeling at least from where I live. The media isn't necessarily on the mark here.

- They're making a big thing about Hillary's "show of emotion" on Sunday or Monday. Maybe it affected the woman voters. I didn't really care - she obviously believes the country is going the wrong way and cares. Media made all sorts of stupid articles about her "weeping" and whatever. Stupid crap.

- I, and those I know, voted for Hillary because we think she has the political machinery to see her through to the end. The right-wing used the Clintons to divide the country and to demonize her, but they were the best years, presidentially, since probably JFK. Of all the candidates, I think Hill (with Bill) can fight it out. Plus, she's been vetted up the ying-yang. There isn't going to be anything to be "found" that hasn't been found already.

- Race has nothing to do with Obama. We like Obama. We're really encouraged by his ability to energize the voters and get them excited, and we like his message. That said, we generally feel he needs a little seasoning - maybe a stint as a VP first. We'd like him to be president in the future, but aren't ready to bet all cards on him yet. Plus, the GOP has been going easy on him. An old tactic is to marginalize ("weeping") the candidate that scares you the most and manuever into position (e.g.: Kerry, now Obama) the candidate you'd want to run against. Once Obama gets the nomination, then all the gloves come off, and we're not sure he has the political machine to beat that. This is not the election to be screwing around. We have to win.

- McCain. McCain has been around New Hampshire for a long time and is a known quantity. You may not agree with his positions, but for the republicans here Giuliani is just too weird, the religious position of Mitt Romney is kind of hard to take, and no one knows what to make of Huckabee. I'm not surprised McCain got through. He's the one they felt safest with.

- Edwards - A lot of people here like Edwards, and I know he's a successful lawyer and a good fighter, but like a good lawyer he works very hard not to come across as too aggreessive, even though he really is. This works in the courtroom - you can charm a jury while being as calculating and sharp as anyone - but for the electorate he comes off as "too nice a guy" even though his message is great. I know he will be a good fighter, but he doesn't project that, and I think that worked against him.

People voted for Hillary because they thought she can close the deal. She has the political machinery, and with Bill, the star power. And unlike the current chimp, she won't need any on-the-job training. No one cares that Obama is black, it bothers us that he, despite his enthusiasm, needs a bit more experience under his belt to be a success. We all feel this is not the election to be taking chances. It needs to be a slam dunk. Pundits be damned.

[k8conant]

1. Sometimes machinery is just machinery...

Tab said: "People voted for Hillary because they thought she can close the deal. She has the political machinery, and with Bill, the star power. And unlike the current chimp, she won't need any on-the-job training. No one cares that Obama is black, it bothers us that he, despite his enthusiasm, needs a bit more experience under his belt to be a success. We all feel this is not the election to be taking chances. It needs to be a slam dunk. Pundits be damned."

Cut the experience stuff. We've had it with Hillary's echoing "35 years". She can't be meaning relevant experience and it would behoove her to lay off. Any of us over 55 can claim 35 years of experience. Even my right-wing Republican bricklayer/carpenter husband has that, and I sure as hell wouldn't want him as president.

[Tab]

2. I didn't mention experience per se

I meant, they have the connections, the infrastructure, and the knowhow to get to the White House.

[windbreeze]

3. but see.....

it's what she does once they get there, that worries me....we can't go back and relive the past....it's over and done...the Clinton presidency has been in the past for almost 8 years now...but...I get the feeling that people still want to believe that IF they nominate/elect Hillary, it's electing Bill again...and it isn't....the office is NOT owed to her, it is NOT necessarily her time, nor her turn...she needs to earn it, not act like it's been promised to her...so what if she was first lady, or Senator...I could care less...those ARE NOT the position she is auditioning for...

Considering all the job losses, and the controlled media we have now, thanx to Bill...I am not so damned sure we want him in the WH again, in any case...I hate feeling as though I am being manipulated...but it's exactly how I feel regarding Hillary...and Bill...I don't want her as my president..period!!...I don't want everything * has done, swept under the rug and forgotten...disclaimer: mho...no intention to upset or malign anyone, including Hillary or her supporters...I don't especially like the Clintons...and I don't want them in the WH again...eos...wb