Pollster Scott Rasmussen has some good news for conservatives who fear "Clinton III: The Return of Hillary."

Only 39 percent of voters would choose her for president in 2008, while 46 percent would back any Republican who runs against her, according to a Rasmussen survey conducted December 3 5.

While polls against any generic candidate typically change when the candidate is named, polling below 40 percent is not a good omen for Hillary.

Indeed, her favorable rating barely edges her unfavorable, by a margin of 45 percent to 42 percent - despite the fact that she has earned decent marks as a senator and is trying to move to the center on issues such as immigration and national security.

The fact that 87 percent of voters already have an opinion about her is perhaps the most telling factor.

Rasmussen has bad news for John Kerry as well.

The same poll indicates that 42 percent of Democrats would like to nominate Hillary in 2008, compared to a mere 16 percent who would like to give the Massachusetts liberal a second chance. Fifty-one percent of Democrats believe that they need a centrist candidate in 2008.

Link: http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/12/15/104727.shtml

This article really doesn't point out anything new. I think running Hillary is a horrible idea. And although I am not exactly a centrist(on most issues im center-left or liberal), I support the national platform of the party becoming more centrist. It is the only way we are going to get back in the game. We have to inspire like our forefathers, the party of Roosevelt and Kennedy. As much as it might hurt for some of us Democrats to admit, the current tendency to talk down to middle America just won't work. We are going to have to compromise.

Earlier on I felt the other way, that we needed a push to the Left, but I realized something. America is on the Right and Center, and is willing to accept a Center-left candidate(like Clinton) if they are charismatic. Kennedy of course does not count, as that was an entirely different political era and has little bearing on the state of affairs today. In my opinion, the perfect ticket for 2008 would be Joe Biden/Bill Richardson. And I would like to see that Roamer(sp?) guy become the DNC chairman rather than Dr.Dean(although I still have tremendous respect for the man). I essentially agree with what he said on television the other day, that we need to be more of a "big tent party" like the Republicans and have a less uniform party view on issues like abortion. Just look at some of the clashing views within the Republican party on various issues.

That is my $0.02.

I prefer my pollster:

Hugh K. Ayers

:D

My thinking is, if Hillary runs, she will get the democratic nomination, but no way in hell she will win.  No more northern socialists, please.

It's funny, but only the Republicans seem to watch Hillary at this point and keep putting her up as a serious contender in 2008.  Republican paranoia is just rampant, if it isn't the Clintons, it's the UN, or the hippies, or some other imagined threat to their "values"

It's funny, but only the Republicans seem to watch Hillary at this point and keep putting her up as a serious contender in 2008.  Republican paranoia is just rampant, if it isn't the Clintons, it's the UN, or the hippies, or some other imagined threat to their "values"

"Values" that only receive lip service when they're running for office!
::)

And Hillary is no "socialist."

As much as it might hurt for some of us Democrats to admit, the current tendency to talk down to middle America just won't work. We are going to have to compromise.




I agree that talking down doesnt work, but that doesn't mean drifting to the right.  That isn't going to win over the hard core christian right, and it will alienate the center/left.  The trick will be to redefine values, to convince the disappearing middle class that "family values" have to do with people being able to live a decent life, live in financial security, be able to get their kids off to a good start, and look forward to a secure retirement.  We also need to convince people that the extension of rights to minorities NEVER adversely impacts the rights of majorities.  Bush is drawing some of those battle lines, and the opposition is already forming.

As to Hillary, I think its MUCH to early to evan think about it.  In three years or so we can begin that discussion.


"Values" that only receive lip service when they're running for office!
::)

And Hillary is no "socialist."


To be sure.  Evan Bernie is no socialist, but then, GWB wouldn't know a real socialist if he slept with one.