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April 11, 2008 at 17:05:31

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Hillary Will Withdraw and Her Stature Soars

by Brent Budowsky Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Ignore everything you hear on cable talk shows. This is what will happen, and why.

First, sometime between the days after the Pennsylvania primary and the days after North Carolina and Indiana, Hillary Clinton will drop out of the presidential campaign, endorse Obama, and watch her stature among Democrats and independents soar.

Second. The campaign is over. Period. The only way that Hillary can win is, to quote a former Louisiana governor, if Barack Obama gets caught in bed with a live man or dead woman. Nothing is impossible, bad news could strike either candidate, but is it highly unlikely and nothing Hillary can do would change this equation.

Third. The Clintons know this. Any pundit talk to the contrary is pathetically out of touch with reality, as most pundit talk on television is. What is happening now is a Clintonian exit strategy. If Hillary does withdraw as I predict, when I predict, her popularity skyrockets and her negatives among Democrats and many independents fall substantially. In the unlikely event lightning strikes against Obama, Hillary is still around with far higher positives.

Fourth, Hillary only hurts herself by attacking Obama with questionable tactics. Her negative ratings go through the roof. Presidents cannot be elected this way. Period. End of discussion.

Any ignorant or trite talk to the contary from the pundit class, who have so often praised negative tactics as brilliant that were totally destructive to Hillary, are nothing more than gaseous emissions that contribute to global warming.

I repeat: Hillary's negative attacks against Obama hurt her numbers more than Obama's.

Fifth, there is a very clear pattern to the polling over the last three months almost without exception.

When Hillary takes cheap shots at Obama, Obama remains nearly even to slightly ahead of Hillary, while both candidates lose to McCain.
When Hillary avoids the cheap shots, which to her credit she has been doing the last few days, the Obama lead over Hillary rises, but both Hillary and Obama defeat McCain.

Sixth, any discussion that Hillary might prefer McCain defeat Obama, which some of her attacks give credence to, are politically deadly to Hillary's ambitions long term and short term.

Conversly, if Hillary drops out as I predict, when I predict, not only do her favorables move far up and her negatives move far down, but she would get a fair share of credit for an Obama general election win, with no risk of blame for a McCain win that would be politically deadly to Hillary.

Many (but not all) Clinton insiders generally agree with these assessments, and anyone who says anything to the contrary on the talk shows is either lying or not wired in.

Obviously events can change the fortune of either candidate, any day, but the most likely scenario is that Hillary drops out within the month and later concludes it was the wisest decision she would ever make.

For Hillary the presidential dream is not dead. This is not her year. If Obama loses, with the scenario descibed here, she has a huge shot in 2012, without Hillary being blamed for 2008. If Obama wins, under my scenario, Hillary has a very good shot in 2016 and many very good career options between now and then.

Cross posted from THE HILL, where you can also comment

Brent Budowsky is a regular columnist on thehill.com. He served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, responsible for commerce and intelligence matters, including one of the core drafters of the CIA Identities Law. Served as Legislative Director to Congressman Bill Alexander, then Chief Deputy Whip, House of Representatives. Currently a member of the International Advisory Council of the Intelligence Summit. Left goverment in 1990 for marketing and public affairs business including major corporate entertainment and talent management.

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10 comments

The world we create is the world we live in.
Thomas RichardsThe world we create is the world we live in.

Obama's Nefarious Affiliations

There is no way a white man with the same background and credentials as Obama could ever be elected to any office in this country.

Look at Obama's affiliations:

- Senator Meeks who openly hates whites and gays and is listed on Obama's campaign website as a major Obama supporter and backer and is one of Obama;s super-delegate. Mr. Meeks has been integral in helping Mr. Obama succeed in politics.

- Larry Sinclair claims in 1999 Senator Obama's arranged to meet him in a limousine, sold Senator Obama cocaine and then gave Senator Obama oral sex. Subsequently Larry and Obama went to a hotel and preformed oral sex again. Mr. Sinclair is testifying in court under oath that these allegations are true.

- Mr. Auchi is an Iraqi billionaire and major financial sponsor for Obama's rise to power throughout the past years.

While working with Saddam Hussein, Auchi made his fortune through the selling of arms in Iraq and the funneling of money from the Oil for Food program (no wonder Obama voted against invading Iraq). Mr. Auchi should have been tried along side Saddam Hussein for his crimes against humanity.

- Mr. Wright is a racist who hates America and whites with Hitleresque triads. Mr. Wright has been Mr. Obama's spiritual mentor for over 20 years. Before the media exposed Mr. Wright, Mr. Wright was on Obama's campaign staff as Obama's chief religious advisor. Mr. Wright and Mr. Meeks are ideologically closer to Karl Marx and Black Nationalism, than to Christianity.

- Mr. Rezko is Obama's long time friend and a major mob figure. Rezko is NOT known for his civic sense of duty and does not do favors without asking something in return.

- Mr. Ayers of the Weather Underground, a group that killed police and tried to bomb the US Capitol, served with Obama on the board of the leftist foundation called the Woods Fund.

- Mr. McPeaks is Obama's military adviser and national campaign co-chairman who claims that American Jews are the "problem." and "Christian Zionists were driving America's policy in Iraq to benefit Israel."

- Michelle Obama trumpets Obama as "the second coming of the messiah," and also states that she "has never been proud to be an AMERICAN in her adult life".

The list goes on...

How can Obama's bad judgment to choose to affiliate with criminals and fanatics be justified?

Had Hillary Clinton had any of the above ghosts in her closet, she would have been thrown out of the election long ago.

Hey everybody - am I missing something here?

It is also interesting to note that Obama supporters seem to harbor anger and rage in their rhetoric; is this what they have learned from Rev. Wright? Are we ushering into power a new Mussolini?

by Thomas Richards (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 8 comments) on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 12:36:52 AM

Sandy Sand began her writing career while raising three children and doing public relations work for Women's American ORT (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training). That led to a job as a reporter for the San Fernando Valley Chronicle, a weekly publication in Canoga Park, California. In conjunction with the Chronicle, she broadcast a tri-weekly, 10-minute newscast for KGOE AM. Following the closure of the Chronicle, Sand became the editor of the Tolucan Times and Canyon Crier newspapers...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Sandy SandSandy Sand began her writing career while raising three children and doing public relations work for Women's American ORT (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training). That led to a job as a reporter for the San Fernando Valley Chronicle, a weekly publication in Canoga Park, California. In conjunction with the Chronicle, she broadcast a tri-weekly, 10-minute newscast for KGOE AM. Following the closure of the Chronicle, Sand became the editor of the Tolucan Times and Canyon Crier newspapers...

to see more of bio, click on member name

A ton of things are missing here

It's Hill's supporters who are engorged with rage and anger.

Tit for tat on every negative point you made against Obama, I can make against Johnny "GWB" McC. and one-up all of them, but I'm not going to bother.

Hill also come to the fight with black eyes, bruises and baggage.

Let's face it, no matter which dog we have in this fight, they all need flea baths.

by Sandy Sand (175 articles, 0 quicklinks, 223 diaries, 1503 comments) on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 9:52:42 AM

I do have writing credits in a major newspaper--long ago.
Currently, I write for online political boards with a
definite liberal bias. Proud parent, grandparent and
aspiring poet and novelist. I never stopped aspiring.
Finally managed to earn a BA degree in communications/ American lit. Love romantic fiction that also stretches
the intellectual muscles. And am mad about romantic
Russian composers. I take life seriously but tend to
look at it with a healt...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Marilyn FrithI do have writing credits in a major newspaper--long ago.
Currently, I write for online political boards with a
definite liberal bias. Proud parent, grandparent and
aspiring poet and novelist. I never stopped aspiring.
Finally managed to earn a BA degree in communications/ American lit. Love romantic fiction that also stretches
the intellectual muscles. And am mad about romantic
Russian composers. I take life seriously but tend to
look at it with a healt...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Oh, my, Thomas aren't you being....

I will use the 'R' word, which comes in handy when facts get in the way of campaign rhetoric. Most all the people you cite are minorities. Doesn't that make you a racist? Heaven forbid we liberals ferret out unsavory characters who might taint the image of the chosen one--Barack Obama.

Call me a Hillary devotee...or call me a sane, independent, unblinkered American who has checked out the field and made the best choice for POTUS. I owe that much to my grandkids and other children, bright eyed and hopeful looking to adults for guidance and protection.

I don't care about Obama's sexual proclivities were he not subject to blackmail; I do care about his judgement, which he will coyly ascribe to "bonehead" decisions. And they are mounting up like barnacles on a whale--apparently annoying but not fatal. The biased media will see to that! They will shepherd Barack into the White House without so much as a "sorry." Recall they saw Bush as folksy and applauded Cheney's gravatas--reasons to elevate their credentials.

Good Lord! What a way to pick a president. The world watches as we self-destruct, viewing us as crazy. And we must surely be. Or just maybe, that's the way they want it.

by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 191 comments) on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:14:55 AM

From your pen

to Hillary's ears.

by Sandy Sand (175 articles, 0 quicklinks, 223 diaries, 1503 comments) on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 9:46:08 AM

Oh, I forgot something

Forgot to mention to Mr. Budowsky that your little far-left leaning dream may be only that: Hillary's premature departure exists only in the mind of hopeful card-carrying members of the right/left political nexus whose real agenda is to remake the world in their own image asap.

And using the American electorate as a tool to that end wouldn't compute on the screens of those who can see no farther than the end of their turned-up noses. They are snobs of another color. Intellectual elites are no different than social snoots. But they think they are far superior. Hillary may possess many negatives but observe: it is the blue-collar working people to whom she is appealing and demographic that comprises her base.

by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 191 comments) on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:35:54 AM

Works as a psychologist in a public facility in northern Illinois. Active in local politics and concerned about the demise of the most beautiful system of government invented by mankind. Encourages all to get involved in some kind of grass roots effort.
michal54Works as a psychologist in a public facility in northern Illinois. Active in local politics and concerned about the demise of the most beautiful system of government invented by mankind. Encourages all to get involved in some kind of grass roots effort.

The 50/50 base?

Hillary appeals to the 50/50 cohort. Women over 50 years of age and those who earn less than $50 k a year. This, in my opinion, does not constitute a complete representation of the American citizenry.

Obama represents a variety of diverse groups as well as many nationalities and religions. His experience in foreign relations is extremely broad and deep. He appeals to a much broader base than Hillary.

by michal54 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 21 comments) on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 3:19:40 PM

Margaret Bassett is an 86-year old, currently living in senior housing, with a lifelong interest in political conumbrums. She hopes to hold out for one more presidential election. Bachelors from State University of Iowa (1944) and Masters from Roosevelt University (1975) help to unravel important requirements for modern communication. Early introduction to computer science (1966) trumps them. It's payback time. She's been "entitled" so long she hopes to find some good coming off the keyboa...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Margaret BassettMargaret Bassett is an 86-year old, currently living in senior housing, with a lifelong interest in political conumbrums. She hopes to hold out for one more presidential election. Bachelors from State University of Iowa (1944) and Masters from Roosevelt University (1975) help to unravel important requirements for modern communication. Early introduction to computer science (1966) trumps them. It's payback time. She's been "entitled" so long she hopes to find some good coming off the keyboa...

to see more of bio, click on member name

One thing we can say for Hillary

She knows how to take a new path. If that weren't true, she would be remembered as Goldwater girl. Or a First Lady in despair. Or a lot of other possible terms, not enlightening. If those who identify themselves sincerely have something negative to say about her, they usually also point out some of her best attitributes, which include intelligence, hard working, and persistent. I hope she will do as this article suggests. I, too, would like to see her as a major player in the next administration, but not necessarily in the Oval Office. Wrote a diary which introduces that notion.

By the way, when has it become possible to comment at OEN in such a inframatory way? I think Mr. Budowsky deserves better treatment. Thank you, sir, for your article.

by Margaret Bassett (33 articles, 2028 quicklinks, 30 diaries, 1356 comments) on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 1:07:08 PM

If this is "inflamatory,"

Apparently, you haven't been reading some recent posts. Mr. Budowsky mentored Randi Rhodes, presenting his insights almost weekly on her show at AAR. Could be he had overdo influence that pushed her into that vile, off-balance diatribe in San Francisco. Now that is what is referred to as inflamatory speech. Ironically, on this site, you will probably find as many comments defending her as denouncing her infantile, self-serving outburst.

And I retract nothing of my above observation. I have mingled with the far left ideologues, and while they had many excellent qualities, they were generally cliquish, rejecting other points of view. They will throw the country under the bus on the way to their revolution. In my opinion--and it is opinion--they paved the way for Bush 11 with their support of Nader in 2000. They gave the GOP cover while the votes were stolen in Florida; the Nader votes were the cover story, though the hijackers knew it was really a coup d'etat against democracy. Nader has never apologized for his involvement because he is so morally superior, he believes only in his own righteousness. As does Barack Obama, for even less reason: aka elitism.

These points describe the right/left nexus of which I speak. And welcome to Third World America.

by Marilyn Frith (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 191 comments) on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 2:50:54 PM

I Am an awakening God who believes that Christianity is the ultimate conspiracy theory

Traveler there is no path
Walking makes the Path Antonio Machada
Randje MitchellI Am an awakening God who believes that Christianity is the ultimate conspiracy theory

Traveler there is no path
Walking makes the Path Antonio Machada

Hillary Quit?

You're dreaming. Not the Hillary I know. Her and hubby both are pure Ambition-Powered, and she approaches the presidency as though it is her birthright. As though she was promised this long ago by the Powers That Be (which she probably has). The good of the party? Pardon my explosive guffaws. Did you not hear her recently cast herself as Rocky? Really. Conjecturing upon political events by what appears in the headlines is somewhat akin to forecasting the weather with tea leaves. If I were Obama, I would watch my back....

by Randje Mitchell (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 72 comments) on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 1:36:53 PM

56 year old African American middle class worker who usually votes Democrat )I voted for a Republican exactly ONCE). Moderate in most opinions (I think). Atheist.
jnik56 year old African American middle class worker who usually votes Democrat )I voted for a Republican exactly ONCE). Moderate in most opinions (I think). Atheist.

Hillary's looking ahead to 2012

If she can't get the nomination , she'll make damn sure Obama doesn't win the election! She'd rather let McCain win this time because he might only have one term; then she will be in position to win next time!

If Obama wins, he might have two terms and Clinton can't wait that long!

by jnik (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 22 comments) on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 5:53:59 PM