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Calculating Clinton Can't Rally Nation

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The Tampa Tribune Editorial Board

Published: January 11, 2008

New York Senator Hillary Clinton found her voice in New Hampshire last week and after wiping an eye, said she was right and her opponents were wrong.

Even in a candid moment, the former first lady remembered to go for the kill.

Hillary Clinton has done some good things in her life, no question. She's been a champion for women and children around the world. And most New Yorkers say she's done a pretty good job in the Senate. And while we believe her plan for universal health care would create an enormous bureaucracy, at least she's talking about the problems that are frustrating patients and providers, and breaking the backs of businesses.

But if Democrats want to win, they shouldn't nominate Clinton.

Supporters say Clinton's experience as first lady and junior senator distinguishes her in the Democratic field. But serving as first lady for eight years doesn't give someone the qualifications to be president. If that were the case, Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush would be on the ballot.

Despite her softer voice, Clinton leaves people cold. Polls show half the country will never vote for her. In Iowa, 71 percent of Democrats wanted someone else.

Clinton lost many rank-and-file Democrats at the start of the campaign when she refused to admit she'd made a mistake in voting for the 2002 Senate resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq. Many people believe Clinton never supported the war, but made a calculated vote for political expediency. Her husband didn't help recently when he said he was against the war from the beginning, though he never said so at the time.

Clinton refused to say she'd made a mistake. Rather, she talked about knowing then what she knew now. This calculation, likely made with an eye on the general election, could be her undoing in the primaries. Because for many Democrats, she's proven that experience does not equal judgment.

Clinton's candidacy represents a return to the past, not the change people crave. People are weary of lines about "the politics of personal destruction" or "a page out of the Republican playbook." Could the "vast right-wing conspiracy" be far behind?

Clinton is scarred by politics and it shows. She may speak softly today, but tomorrow she'll be back saying her opponents are wrong, and only she knows best.

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