Hillary has one vote to be first U.S. woman president (Chills & Shivers Alert)

The Free Lance-Star ^ | Sun, 01/05/2003 | DONNIE JOHNSTON

[livesbygrace]

America may be ready for a woman president, but is it ready for a second President Clinton? Hillary may be the answer for downtrodden Democrats in 2004.

THE TIME IS RIGHT for America's first woman presi- dent. But will Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton run in 2004?

I hope so.

In my opinion, Ms. Clinton could be the stabilizing force this country needs--a leader who might get our economy back on track and help revamp our tarnished world image.

At worst, she would be the best-looking president this nation ever had.

A faltering economy is not winning President Bush any fans, and a drawn-out war with Iraq could wreck his popularity.

While Bush uses tax dollars to build bombs with Saddam Hussein's name on them, unemployment lines in this country grow longer and the threat of deflation looms as an economic possibility.

Historically, hard times have a way of changing Republicans into Democrats, and 2004 may be no exception.

Republicans have traditionally been viewed as "the haves" and Democrats as "the have-nots," and the latter group has been steadily increasing in number since the Bush administration took power.

Still, the Democrats will need a strong candidate to unseat Bush, and I don't see a man in the ranks who is up to the task.

Hillary Clinton, however, could pull it off. She has charm, charisma, common sense and plenty of political savvy. This woman could be the right man for the job.

During the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Ms. Clinton proved her character by remaining cool when the world seemed to be coming down around her husband and her marriage. With quiet dignity, she endured every assault and walked away a much stronger woman.

Now, as a senator from New York, Ms. Clinton is perfectly positioned to run for president. Some believe the 55-year-old former first lady can have the Democratic nomination almost for the asking.

It may be a little tougher than that, but Hillary Clinton would make an excellent presidential nominee. Ms. Clinton is what the feminist movement of the 1970s was praying for, and she is the most viable female presidential possibility to emerge since the first liberated woman burned her bra.

Ms. Clinton, however, should not be viewed simply as womankind's best chance to finally conquer the highest political office in the land. Rather, she should be looked upon as a quality leader and her party's strongest hope for returning a Democrat to the White House in 2004.

It should also be noted that Hillary Rodham Clinton is not Bill Clinton, and she should not be held politically accountable for any of her husband's sins, either real or perceived. She is now and always has been her own person.

Should Hillary Clinton be elected president, it is highly doubtful that her husband would return to the White House as first gentleman. That possibility, however, may be the senator's biggest obstacle in any bid for the presidency.

With primaries looming next year, Ms. Clinton should give every consideration to seeking the job her husband once held. She may well be the person to bring peace and prosperity back to America.

Besides, she already knows White House window measurements and could have curtains ordered the day after she is elected. Why, she may have even tucked the old ones away in anticipation of a presidential run, a fact that could save taxpayers decorating money next January.

Could Bill Clinton hold President George H.W. Bush to one term and Hillary Clinton do the same to his son? Only time will tell.

The first time I saw Hillary Clinton interviewed on television, I said, "Now there is a woman I would vote for if she ran for president."

Nothing has happened in the last 12 years to make me change my mind.

DONNIE JOHNSTON covers the Culpeper area for The Free Lance-Star. Write him at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or by fax at 540/373-8455.

Date published: Sun, 01/05/2003

[Two-Bits]

HILLARY CLINTON

[Arpege92]

Donnie needs to stop wearing women's underwear....

[livesbygrace]

If Hitlery had to run in the primaries, she would be skunked! However, if she stays out of the fray, she can slink into the convention and be drafted because there are toooooo many people running for the spot and NONE OF THEM WILL HAVE A MAJORITY! She will appear as the "savior" of the party.
Yet another person who agrees with my theory:
She will let them all fight it out and muddy each others policies, then she will come riding in on the proverbial white horse...
Sometimes it seems like the democrats have so much power, they have the media , after all. But if you think about how many things happen that WE have no control over that help things go our way, like Daschle making his huge miscalculation on blaming a right wing media, Senator Frist taking over for Lott (backfire on the dems), then Frist happening on that car accident, Saddam's big speech drowning out the dems' economic plan tomorrow, too many more to mention...It does seem that the tide has finally turned or maybe that it truly is God's Hand...

[Bullish]

At worst, she would be the best-looking president this nation ever had.

An ugly witch in a crusty pants suit.

[CyberAnt]

I tend to agree that God's hand is apparent.

And ... even if Hitlery manages to get "drafted", she will then have to campaign against a very popular president. Just like Ann Richards said, don't ever underestimate George W. Bush.

But ... Hitlery will - and it will be her downfall.

[wingnuts'nbolts]

Too many doobies. Gotta be a real girly boy! I sincerely hope there are only one or two of these mentally challenged idiots.

[wingnuts'nbolts]

I think that God's hand may be seen. Any country that's currency says In God We Trust must have gotten his attention.

[speekinout]

hill won't ever campaign against a "popular President". She will wait until the convention in Aug, and if Bush's numbers are down for any reason, she will "ride to the rescue". She'll take over for whoever the front runner is.

And if his numbers are high, she'll wait until 2008.

[ladyinred]

At worst, she would be the best-looking president this nation ever had.

HUH???? I think not! What this moron fails to recognize is that far from not being responsible for the policy failings of her husband, Hillary was the policy maker in his administration. She has already been President Clinton, therefore she is not eligible to run again! :>)

[BIGZ]

Which one is Hillary?

[NWOhioGirl7O7]

look at the disgusting makeup on that! overdone, like a clown in the circus. oops, 'nuff said.

[CyberAnt]

Well ... I don't think she cares what Bush's numbers are. I think she is arrogant and greedy enough that she will try to destroy Bush's numbers while making a run for the WH.

I'm fairly confident she will not win in 2004 - no matter what she does.

However, 2008 will be another matter altogether. Unless the GOP can come up with a dynamite candidate, and the GOP also does terrible in the 2006 election, then she might have a chance in 2008.

[mathurine]

As Redd Foxx put it, beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes right to de bone.

[BrucefromMtVernon]

I called her "Hillarrhea" on one occasion and then another FReeper claimed to have copyrighted the name I made up for that vile Rodhamite.

[BrucefromMtVernon]

Hillary Rodham Clinton is a shape-shifting reptile. Seriously, she's hardly human.

[speekinout]

This all does depend on Bush. He could survive another terrorist attack, or a setback in Iraq or North Korea. Because most people really believe that he is doing the best he can to protect us, and not to protect his political career.
It would be even clearer if he got re-elected in 2004. Then he wouldn't have any re-election to think about. If he is still popular then, he could pick his successor, even if it wasn't his VP. Frist, Condi, even Jeb-

But it's his performance that matters, and I have faith in him.

[CyberAnt]

"I have faith in him"

So do I - in spades!!

[snowstorm12]

b

[Balata]

During the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Ms. Clinton proved her character by remaining cool when the world seemed to be coming down around her husband and her marriage. With quiet dignity, she endured every assault and walked away a much stronger woman.

Wait, what about the broken lamps she threw at BC, the little people she chewed up and spit out, the pathetic performance on NBC with Matt Laourer etc...

[rodeo-mamma]

Yes, you are right to point out that people should never underestimate George W. Bush. The only problem is that you can't underestimate Hillary either. And that will be a big challenge.

Hillary can seem like a hateful socialist one day, and the next day appear as a bright shinning star.

That's scary, because both personalities contradict each other, it's confusing, and it will lead many people to doubt their original concerns about her. This is how Hillary might be able to win.