Clinton Could Lose Nomination If...

AP via SFGate ^ | 10/25/7 | Nedra Pickler

[SmithL]

Memo to the Democratic presidential candidates: You can still beat Hillary Rodham Clinton, but you better act fast.

The former first lady looks more likely to win the nomination every day, showing strength in polling, fundraising and setting the campaign agenda.

She's so strong, in fact, that the race has become about her. And Democratic operatives from presidential campaigns past and present say the only way for any other candidate to win the nomination is to make an even stronger case against her.

"If this were a wedding, we'd be at the 'speak now or forever hold your peace' part," said Steve McMahon, who advised Howard Dean in 2004. "If you're a candidate hoping to get past her, the time for nuance and veiled references has passed."

There is always the chance that Clinton could make an error in the next couple of months that would hurt her chances. Some argue that her vote against Iran at a time when anti-war Democrats are concerned about war there has the potential to damage her standing.

But Democratic insiders, including some working on various 2008 campaigns who spoke on condition of anonymity, agree that barring a major stumble, Clinton is all but sure to win the nomination if she wins the opening contest in Iowa. She is polling well in the states that follow, and no one else would be able to challenge her unless an Iowa loss made her look vulnerable.

"If Hillary wins Iowa, she can practically start shopping for a running mate," said California-based Democratic strategist Dan Newman.

But that's a big if. Clinton has called Iowa her "hardest state," and it's the best — some say only — chance her opponents have to get past her.

[SmithL]

EDITOR'S NOTE — Nedra Pickler covers the Democratic presidential race for The Associated Press.

[Red Badger]

Clinton Could Lose Nomination If.......Hell froze over?...........

[gridlock]

Hillary! could get caught robbing a bank and she would still win the Democrat nomination.

Give it up, 'Rats. You're stuck with her...

...And you deserve to be.

[spacejunkie]

ok...which R candidate is Rove going to work for? I’m sure he’s beside himself looking forward to the opportunity to go after her.

any clue?

[fantom]

Yes. She is the one they will get. They deserve her.

[Red Badger]

Rove is probably going to wait “in the wings” until the convention is over and the nominee is certain.................

[RobRoy]

>>Give it up, ‘Rats. You’re stuck with her...

...And you deserve to be.<<

My sentiments exactly.

[MovementConservative]

I hope she does win the nomination. Nothing like a polarizing figure to fire up the base.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Then the expose can begin. She and Bubba have enough “room temperature” associates (who died of suspicious suicides; Vince Foster for one) that they could populate an entire cemetery.

[fantom]

Rove will work for any big spending , open border rino. Hell he will probably end up working for cankles..

[Liberty Valance]

NOBODY on dem side is going to say a thing about Hillary. The only thing they will question is which one will Hillary pick as VP. I’m guessing Obama Hussein Barak.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

...she dies before November 4, 2008.

[Ender Wiggin]

if Nedra went after Hillary Clinton, exposing fundraising irregularities and attempts to dodge questions or squelch publicity, she would not get the nomination.

Same for other media people, who are acting en masse to assure a Hillary-Rudy showdown, with a strong Clinton bias.

[MrB]

Though I would hope the Democrats nominated a more openly “progressive” candidate instead of a stealth Marxist,

if they came out and campaigned that way now, they’d just make her look more reasonable to those who aren’t paying that much attention.

[SmithL]

I hope she does win the nomination. Nothing like a polarizing figure to fire up the base.

Unless it's a Hillary vs Rudy match-up and all the conservatives bolt, leaving Hillary as Queen.

[Revolting cat!]

With the info that’s already out there the mediots could destroy her in a week, like they had done to Gary Hart and many others.

[Miss Didi]

if Nedra went after Hillary Clinton, exposing fundraising irregularities and attempts to dodge questions or squelch publicity, she would not get the nomination.

Rush on the Drive-Bys & Mrs. Clinton's "flawless" campaign:



This Is a "Flawless" Campaign?

[George W. Bush]

Edwards doesn't have the guts to attack her.

But Obama might. Collecting all that money and possibly missing his only chance to win the nomination can't sit well.

Obama is very stubborn. If he gets it into his head to really go after her and not play his assigned role as an overseer on the Dim plantation or take an offered VP slot (not that she'll offer it to him), he might grow a big pair and really start tearing her up.

She's not unbeatable for the Dim nomination. Yet.

I hope Obama goes for it. He's got the money to take her down. And he's still not as dangerous as a Xlinton.

[Holicheese]

“said Steve McMahon, who advised Howard Dean in 2004.”

Boy that worked out well didn’t it.

[bassmaner]

Clinton Could Lose Nomination If.......

Nobel Peace Prize Winner Algore enters the race.