… Hillary Clinton?
Seems to be the popular speculation at this point.
Since my blood has run Democrat blue for as long as I can remember, I would vote for Senator Clinton if she ends up being the Democratic nominee in 2008, but I think the chances are pretty slim this country is truly ready for a woman president, let alone someone who has been as polarizing as Hillary.
In any event, in recent times, Senators have had a rough go getting elected to the White House. Voters, for whatever reason, seem to like governors — George W. Bush (go figure), Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon.
So I say, the woman to keep your eye on is Kathleen Sebelius, the Democratic Governor of Kansas.
Yesterday, Sebelius was named the first woman to head the Democratic Governors Association, which is tasked with, among other things, helping other Dems get elected nationally and taking back the White House in 2008. Depending on her level of success, there will be a lot of chits she’ll have built up she’ll be able to call in when she’s ready to leave Topeka.
More importantly to Sebelius’ national electability, Kansas is a VERY red state — think Bob Dole and Sam Brownback. If she has been able to convince the conservative Republicans there that she is a “good” Democrat, then she’s a gal the party ought to be paying very close attention to as a model.
Having lived in the lovely Sunflower State for six years (Rock Chalk Jayhawk, go KU!), a token spot of blue in a very flat field of crimson, I can tell you it is no easy feat for a Democrat to get elected to statewide office there. So with her two-term success as governor, Sebelius already has the imprimatur of many of the Midwest’s less-than-liberal voters as a Dem they can live with. Her views are across the political spectrum — pro-choice, anti-gay marriage and opposes allowing gun owners to carry concealed weapons, among others — a little something for everyone.
So keep your eye on this Sebelius, as we start hearing all the hype about the Democrats hopes for the White House in 2008 or 2012. She could just be the stealth candidate who could go all the way.
And, of course, I’d love to see Baby Jayhawk visiting the Oval Office!
December 7th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
I think you’re on to something there. I would vote for Hillary in a heartbeat but people either love her or HATE her.
I didn’t know you were a Kansas fan. I’m a Nebraska Cornhusker by proxy, so I’m supposed to root for everyone in the Big 12!
December 7th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
ITA with lawyer mama. People either love or hate Hillary and the people who hate her really hate her with a passion. She is not my favorite – no way does she have the charisma of her husband. But she has done better than I thought she would as Senator.
So thanks for the heads up on other possibilities!
December 7th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
Wow, how surprised I was to click on your blog and see our governor’s pic. She has done some great things in KS and as you said, getting a democrat elected in possibly the reddest state is no easy feat. Although this past election we did also elect a democrat as attorney general but he doesn’t really count because he used to be a republican….
and red blooded husband says he would vote for Hillary and that shocked me.
December 7th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
Flybunny, I didn’t know you were from Kansas!
December 7th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
I agree with your observations — the country isn’t ready for a woman president, and I would also vote for Hillary in a heartbeat. Anything to get back to the glory days of a Clinton Administration again.
Good point on the governors – I think it might have soemthing to do with a deep-seeded mistrust of the govt in Washington and we all see them as a part of the larger conspiracy to screw us. Maybe for some reason we see governors as more “local boys” that are not yet tainted (even though we both know that is not true).
December 7th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
I think you are right about Hillary Clinton, as much as I would like to see a woman as President. I will definately keep my eye out in 2012! It’s just gotta happen eventually!
December 7th, 2006 at 9:26 pm
The reason Senators flop and Govs win is because Senators have a paper trail of past votes – which their opponents use to throw in their face. Ala John Kerry, the most recent example.
Hillary….what a way to galvanize EVERYONE that isn’t a Dem. Ugh.
December 8th, 2006 at 8:46 am
I’d probably vote for her but I’m not a big Hilary fan. Stand by your man? Ick.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:19 am
PM,
Knowing what I know about the Governor of Kansas, I could probably support her. What I couldn’t support would be a Hillary Clinton candidacy, nor do I think that most Democrats would support such a candidacy.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d vote for a rusty bucket before I would vote for 99.9% of the Republicans on the planet, but Senator Clinton isn’t that far from being a Republican right now.
My take is that no one can have my vote if they thought it was alright to invade Iraq.
No one can have my vote if they think the answers in Iraq have anything to do with increased troop levels.
This is the problem with Senators, they collect and swap votes for favors… even when the price of said swap is the life of one of our soldiers or uncounted civilian deaths.
Hillary Clinton will never get elected, because she will NEVER get the party’s nomination… for which I thank God.
Besides, she is shockingly boring to listen to.