Alter: Hillary thinks Obama is a loser, may run for Governor of NY to get exec. experience for 2012

[Herman Munster]

http://www.newsweek.com/id/129399

In the event that Paterson had to resign, the New York State Constitution calls for a gubernatorial election this November. Clinton would be the favorite in that contest if she were interested. Were a politically wounded Paterson to serve out Spitzer's term, which ends in 2010, Clinton would no doubt be a strong potential candidate to succeed him.

Under the scenario sketched out by the insiders, serving two years as governor would give Clinton the executive experience to become the prohibitive favorite for the 2012 Democratic presidential nomination. Clinton believes that Barack Obama may well lose this year to John McCain, who would be 75 in 2012 and a possible one-term president. Clinton would arguably be better positioned to replace McCain in the White House as a governor than as a senator.

[anonymous171]

I totally wouldn't vote for her if she did that.

I would work so fucking hard to keep the nomination from her if she did that.

[angie_love]

second, I won't vote for her if she did it. If Obama loses alot of ppl

rightly or wrongly with blame her for him losing. And she won't get the support necessary to make another run in 2012. Sorry but its true. Her best bet would be to make a deal with Barack to drop out and he'll put her on his staff, OR maybe as supreme court judge.

[frogcycle]

18. go take a civics course

Supreme Court Justices are not on the President's "staff"

[angie_love]

24. I forgot to include "or", go take a chill pill.

[niceypoo]

42. If Obama loses it will be his own fault...

for running a campaign devoid of issues and policy

[angie_love]

48. "devoid of issues and policy" LOL!

Thats why hes made all those economic and iraq speeches? thats why he has tons of policy plans on his website for anyone to read?

You are delusional. But whatever makes you feel better

[indimuse]

75. empty suit!

with TONS og baggage...hence Rezko..Auchi...WRIGHT! There IS more....ha!

[angie_love]

83. so gross.

[merh]

51. why don't you go do some real reading

http://www.alternet.org/audits/80623/?page=entire

[MattBaggins]

89. How many times will we have to say this

The Right will never allow her to sit on the Supreme Court. If you think Harriet Miers sank fast, wait until Hillary's name gets suggested.

[GoldieAZ49]

94. If Obama loses it is his own fault no one else's

blame anyone and everyone, don't take responsibility for anything

not much of a 'uniter' is he?

sounds like a loser already

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

84. I'm sure that Patterson would be "helped" out of the office

if it was needed for Hillary.

[tabasco]

1. She'll be lucky to keep her Senate seat

after her smear campaign backfired on her.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

21. how would you know ...you're not a NYer

[angie_love]

25. Oh but I am and I feel bad that I voted for her twice.

[anamandujano]

34. So you feel you've been hoodwinked. Wait until you wake from

your Obamacoma.

[tabasco]

28. I lived in upstate New York state for a ling time.

Plus, when politicians anywhere get exposed as lying cheats, it generally hurts their chances at re-election.

Any more dumb questions?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

37. there is no such thing as a "dumb question" only dumb answers.

[tabasco]

38. I disagree.

Ignorance is ignorance but strident ignorance is stupidity.

[Mooney]

62. I'm a NYer. She sucks.

On her best day, she's a fourth-rate Al D'Amato.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

78. I'm a NYer and she is GREAT

[Mooney]

80. Daniel Patrick Moynihan was great.

Hillary Rodham Clinton... not so much.

[mdmc]

85. Moynihan was the BOMB

hillary is half the senator.. Moynihan was really a God. During his first run for the senate his opponent called him a ivy league intellectual. Moynihan warmly replied, "I see the mudslinging has begun!"

[Mooney]

90. You're being generous

calling her half the senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan was.

[Joe the Revelator]

2. No matter if Obama wins or loses, Hillary will never be "the prohibitive frontrunner" again

Her ship has sailed.

[CalGator]

3. Obama won't lose, but she can run for NY Gov

That would be fine by me. The sooner the better. The longer she stays in it the more bitter her partisans will be when she loses the nomination.

[DJ13]

4. After electing her twice, I think NY deserves her as governor

:think:

[WinkyDink]

5. What's the problem? She shouldn't try to further her career?

[Thrill]

6. She still wouldn't win the nomination. If Obama were to lose. Which I doubt

She wouldn't beat Mark Warner for the nomination

[gateley]

7. She might not be able to garner

the votes of those New Yorkers who supported Obama.

I heard somewhere that she should have run in (Edit to add FOR PRESIDENT) 2004. I think she could have taken on Bush handily. Did she not because she'd just gotten the Senate seat? I would have voted for her in an instant.

[Nine]

30. yes, she had promised to serve out her full first term

unlike Obama who broke his similar promise

[gateley]

47. Thank you.

And the Obama jab wasn't really necessary.

I don't understand when I ask a sincere non/agenda/neutral question why people insist on getting in a dig.

No matter, didn't work. Not changing my mind - but hope you feel good about yourself for trying to enlighten the masses.

[blogslut]

8. So, even Hillary realizes she's not experienced enough?

Fascinating

[JoFerret]

9. OoooYES! Another hate thread opportunity

(I don't think Paterson will be resigning. And probably nodody can fix Albany. Not even Hillary.)

[surfermaw]

10. Honey just because Obama lies about Hillaries experience doesn't make it true, in fact he lies

Seh has more experience than he will ever have.

[surfermaw]

12. I am tired and every one else is tried of hearing about you holidn back your 11 %

[Yael]

19. Why are you talking to yourself

And if nothing else, please do come back and answer your question.

[Warren Stupidity]

33. Dang you wrecked it.

It was a fascinating exchange while it lasted.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

15. Obama has more legislative experience than Hillary.

And imaginary sniper fire doesn't belong on a resume.

[anamandujano]

35. Emil Jones handed him his whole career on a silver platter, including

the videotape confession legislation.

Obama has not worked for even his puny resume.

[DerekJ]

52. Explain that to me please.

[GoldieAZ49]

96. so true, and he paid for it with earmarks

our tax dollars at work

[cali]

71. contemptible as always

that's all the things you post are. Obviously, age and wisdom are divorced where some are concerned.

[izzybeans]

77. Whose the liar again?

[NJSecularist]

11. If Obama won the election, I could see her running for governor in 2010

But if Obama loses, she will keep her Senate seat and run in 2012.

[gateley]

13. NOT Flame bait, but I have a question

that's been nagging at me for awhile. If Hillary has such a strong negative rating among Republicans, what makes her think she'd be able to pull off a win in this election? It surprises me that she thinks Obama may well lose, and he doesn't have that neg to to overcome like she would.

[Mooney]

66. She won't.

She'll get her ass handed to her in a general election. I say this over and over again when people talk about how popular she is, and it's like they're hearing for the first time that people can't stand her. I have never seen such a case of selective amnesia in my life. For a bunch of people who are so nostalgic for the 90's, you'd think they would have some recollection of how universally reviled she's been for the last 16 years.

There is no sales pitch that she can give where she doesn't end up looking like a gnat compared to John McCain. She's running on her experience and her foreign policy credentials, which are exactly the two areas where John McCain is uniquely qualified to eat her alive. She will not lose narrowly. And to say that she has no coattails is being generous. It will be a fucking bloodbath.

[Eric J in MN]

67. There was a SUSA 50 state poll a few weeks ago, which had...

...both Obama and Hillary Clinton winning (if public opinion stayed the same), with Clinton doing it by winning Florida and Obama doing it while losing Florida.

[frogcycle]

14. hey if it gets her to fold her tent, who's complaining?

I saw the bit - Alter claimed a "very high-ranking" dem has proposed this, or offered it, or something. I don't know who that would be - Dean, maybe Gore, Kerry or Kennedy might have suggested that - the fact they've committed does not preclude their having done some creative thinking...

Anyway, regardless of the mystery source's identity, it is not a bad scenario. If she takes the out and Obama wins, well, hey, she is governor of a major state and that's not a bad career move. And if he does lose, if there is still a country in four years, she'd be positioned well. Even if muckain ran for a second term, or his veep ran (or had succeeded him by then) she'd have a good shot at it, assuming she does some fence mending.

[DerekJ]

53. "if there is still a country in four years,"

That's the keyword.

[Yael]

16. She is really in an alternate universe, isn't she

I would be shocked if the good people of New York would see fit to elect her street cleaner after her antics the last several months.

[musicblind]

55. She is a universe where an OUTSTANDING number of American's like her.

She is also very popular in NY. Would you honestly tell me that if NY took a popularity poll, right now, on how they feel about Sen. Clinton that she wouldn't get at least 51% positive? Given that she gets about around 42 (her lowest number) to around 48% of people choosing her in the rest of the country? If you really think she couldn't keep her Senate seat, or couldn't win another office in the state of NY you aren't living in reality. She may never be president, but a majority of people in NY like her. That is all it takes, a majority, no matter HOW slim.

[Mooney]

68. Nope. Dead wrong.

Unless you consider extreme Democratic partisans to constitute an outstanding number of Americans.

And no, she is not "very popular" in New York. She was in the right place at the right time. She couldn't have run against a sitting senator like Moynihan and won, and she wouldn't have beaten Giuliani in 2000. She was just very lucky that he got cancer, and so she got to run against a total lightweight at the last minute. There was absolutely no demand that she run here, and if she left the senate tomorrow nobody would miss her.

[Middle finga]

17. Hillary is a carpet bagger, she's using NY as stepping stone

to fulfill her ambitions, NY should pick someone who grew up in the state and truly care about the state.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

23. I disagree....Hillary has done good by NY

I sure hope you don't choke to death on your Hatred

[musicblind]

56. Which is why she ditched her first term Senate gig in 2004 despite promising

not to... just so she could run for president a little earlier.


:sarcasm:

[Edgewater_Joe]

20. Hillary Would Be Wrong

Obama's gonna be a damn good President - and he'll clean McCain's clock once she steps aside.

At least that's what I think.

[frogcycle]

22. hot damn, a whole slew of additions to the old 'ignore' list!

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

26. If Obama is a loser, what does that make Hillary?

I mean, considering he has all but beaten her in the primary?

[rateyes]

27. You know what, Herman? I've think you've got something there.

Hillary should drop out of the presidential race now, and concentrate on becoming New York's governor. Why don't you write her and ask her to do that? Hell, I'll even follow up with a letter of my own.

[bowens43]

29. You can bet that hillary will do everything she can to ensure a McCain victory.

HIllary cares only about hillary and she will gladly sacrifice , her party , her country and the lives American service men and women if it means that she gets a shot at the nomination in 2012.

Hillary is scum. She is at the very bottom of the barrel in politics.

[saltpoint]

31. New York HAS a governor. A solid candidate for the job at that.

Mrs. Clinton needs to take a seat and hush for a spell. There are oodles of other Democrats I'd rather see as "prohibitive" favorites for the 2012 nomination, including the INCUMBENT, Barack Obama.

[CatnHat]

72. The new Gov. of NY

was on stage with the Bill and Hillary Clinton recently. Obama would fare better in Idaho or Utah.

[saltpoint]

79. Obama will be our nominee in Denver and he'll carry New York just fine.

The Clintons are yesterday's news.

Paterson and Spitzer were both in HClinton's camp early on, quite a smart local political move given that she represents the same constituants they do.

As we move on in the weeks of springtime, though, just watch and you'll see a steady bleed of support away from "the Clintons" and toward Senator Obama.

[CatnHat]

91. Are you serious---

Obama hasn't fared well in most "democratic" states. What makes you so sure that he can take NY? Obama recently dropped in independent voters, let's forget the crossovers--so who's left. One half the democratic voters--ok, 3/4 maybe--will not secure him as a winner in NY. Simple as that. With the split in the democratic party--a rough estimate of 10 or 15 percent of Clinton supporters--my estimate even lower than the polls--Obama just cannot win.

[anonymous171]

97. Are you serious? Since when do democrats not vote for the democratic nominee?

When they stop being democrats. The blame will be on Clinton if this happens.

[CatnHat]

99. Wrong again---

the blame is Obama. If he can't win the nomination with a comfortable margin that's his problem; not Clinton's.

If and when the democratic party and the Obama campaign get their act together--and stop with their rant about Clinton quitting; instead of having ALL the votes count; including FL and MI; many, many democrats will sit this out.

If Obama loses, it will be by HIS own mistakes, not Clinton's.

[Warren Stupidity]

32. Munster admits the Clinton Campaign has terminated. nt.

[Double T]

36. HRC would make a GREAT GOV for NY................

and I'm certain she would make a GREAT PRESIDENT AFTER President McCain leaves office. BO will fade into the obscure.

[DerekJ]

54. listen to yourself, you ********

4 years of McCain and the U.S will be a third world country with nukes.
Wake the fuck up.
You are already way down on the list in almost every social aspect you can measure.

You are going hand in hand with third world countries on the status of women, spending on education, most livable countries, etc...

I now understand why.

[OHdem10]

39. C Todd said this could have been set up by Obama Campaign

to create a wrong impression.

He further explained that NY is no longer a good place to launcyh
a Presidential Campaign.

Hillary is here to stay.

[jillan]

40. Wow - what happened to Todd?

He's finally telling it like it is, and not using the GE talking points. :P

[Warren DeMontague]

41. Good. Then she should end this stupid fucking charade and get out of the Nomination race. nt

[grantcart]

43. I am surprised you posted this because these types of rumors actually hurt Hillary

if they become widely believed they will have an impact on fund raising - people won't donate if they think she is even thinking like this.

the interesting thing that alter said on KO was that it was being circulated by a 'very senior democratic source' and you had to think Gore.

he also said that Bill is 100% against it and I agree.

With declining property rates state taxes are going to take a hit and all states are going to be in budget wars for a few years. I don't think Hillary is interested in this at all. Actually think it is being spread by people trying to undermine her campaign.

[BeyondGeography]

44. Earth to Hillary: Experience isn't the issue that's killing you

:eyes:

[VolcanoJen]

45. Well, at least you seem to have reached the "Acceptance" phase of grief.

And, in your scenario, who's the loser, again?

[Tresalisa]

46. I've also heard the buzz

that Rudy Giuliani is thinking of running for governor of NY. IF he does, and IF Hillary also runs, she'd beat him easily. Yes, I know what happened last time with Rudy's cancer, but she'd still beat him.

Edited for link to NY Post:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03282008/news/regionalnews/giuliani_weighing_special_run_for_gov_103843.htm

[nsd]

49. What really would be the point of this if Clinton is only interested in the 2012 presidential race?

Even if she were elected NY governor, Clinton wouldn't take office until January 2011. Within half a year she would have to start her 2012 presidential campaign. That's hardly a big resume-building exercise. She should only run for governor if she actually wants the job and is ready to see it through.

[DerekJ]

50. So thaaaatttttsss why they are praising McCain!!!!

[goclark]

59. On Cafferty: What is McPain's Social Security Number?

Answer: 3

Who would be 1 and 2?

Answer: Adam and Eve

[whistler162]

57. Hate ta' tell you...

but if Gov. Paterson is forced to resign for any reason it will be a Republican win. It maybe anyway with the mess Mr. Spitzer left.

[quakerboy]

58. New Yorks loss

would be our gain

[Ysabel]

60. as a "consolation prize" wtf are we running here a circus!? (n/t)...

[Mooney]

61. It would be my privilege and honor to vote against her for governor.

Paterson's been in office a week and a half and she's already plotting his political demise for her own personal gain.

Why doesn't she do something useful, like go away?

[dailykoff]

64. Thanks!

We're counting on you guys to give her the bum's rush. :hi:

[TheDeathadder]

63. Well Obama is a loser

but she won't be running for Governor of NY. People in the Clinton circle have already said that's not in the cards for her.

She's going to be President once she kicks Obama's can at the convention and then buries McCain in the GE.

[Crunchy Frog]

65. Yeah, it's pretty clear that she wants Obama to lose to McCain.

I wonder how far she's willing to go to try to make it happen. If this particular scenario does play out, there is no way in Hell that I will vote for her in 2012, not even if she were running against Satan himself.

[JVS]

69. How conveniently the whole Spitzer scandal works out for her.

[loyalsister]

70. Interesting

That would steer her path toward the trajectory of FDR's timeline with obvious exceptions......


1 Personal life
1.1 The family name
1.2 Early life
1.3 Marriage and family life
2 Early political career
2.1 State Senator
2.2 Assistant Secretary of the Navy
2.3 Campaign for Vice-President
2.4 Paralytic illness
3 Governor of New York, 1928–1932
4 1932 presidential election
5 First term, 1933–1937

etc.......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Roosevelt

[book_worm]

73. "prohibitive favorite for 2012" wasn't she the"prohibitive favorite for 2008"???

[GodlessBiker]

74. Why would Patterson have to resign?

I like him a lot and I am looking forward to another term.

[Vinca]

76. I think she needs to drop out of this race and focus on her

new governor's race. Every minute counts.

[eilen]

81. Joe Bruno would eat her for lunch

I don't think she has a chance of running for governor and serving a successful term in NY, we already consider her a carpet bagger. William Weld couldn't do it, neither can she.

We all remember her listening tour... like we would believe anything else coming out of her mouth. Anyway, in both races, she had no competitive opponent. And she doesn't even compare to D'amato--Senator Pothole, he might have been a Republican but that's a NYC Republican which in the Midwest is somewhat equivalent to a conservative Democrat if only he hadn't endorsed McCain.... If she had run against Cuomo or Koch, she would have lost. I think Tom Suozzi could give her a run for her money since he has more experience and has run a county.

Paterson has already defused his personal behavior bombs. I'm looking forward to seeing his style and substance. He, of course, was a Hillary supporter--why do you think he was Lieutenant Gov? He was positioned for appointment. Now he's the Gov. things are different.

[mdmc]

82. Paterson ain't gonna resign

Sex, drugs and rock and roll won't bring this man down. Hillary could bring him down, but I doubt she would do such a thing.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

86. Andrew Cuomo and Rudy

[lolamio]

87. So she would presumably be elected Governor in 2010...

And then only serve for two years, both of which would be leading up to the 2012 election so she'd also be campaigning? As a New Yorker that really, really bothers me a lot. First of all, I think Governor Patterson should be given a chance to prove himself. Second of all, the thought of her working along side Joe Bruno and Jim Tedicso in Albany is a nightmare scenario. I can't imagine worse leadership for New York State after what we've just gone through with Spitzer. I really want to give Patterson a chance here.

These pundits are talking through their hats.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

88. another Obama tool weighs in

[GoldieAZ49]

92. I thought I heard today that Rudy was thinking of running for that also

sheesh, it is like a time warp back 8 years over the senate race

[anonymous171]

93. Battle of exaggerations:

"I dodged sniper fire in Bosnia" v.s. "I single-handidly held up the twin towers and helped thousands escape"
Tough choice...I'll go with the one who isn't a repug.

[dkf]

95. Ye gads. I feel for you NYers if Hillary becomes your Gov.

After seeing her awful campaign, I'd be afraid for your budget.

[Raine]

98. and Clinton is right in

there to help make sure that Obama loses to MacCain so she can run in 2012. Anymore that seems to be common knowledge.