Hillary could lose, you know

LARRY ANDERSON
Larry Anderson

As everyone is aware by now, Hillary Rodham Clinton (HRC) is the presumptive nominee for president for the Democrat Party in 2016.

This is presumed because challengers are frowned upon at this point by said party and because Clinton sees the nomination as her birthright.

Hillary hasn’t announced officially, but she acts as if she has.

Arrogance has predictably blossomed.

A few weeks ago, I would have agreed with anyone putting forth the argument HRC is unbeatable by virtue of her creds as a bossy, overbearing First Lady for eight years, as a Senator from a state not her own, and as a secretary of state of questionable skill, but of hefty moniker.

Yup, certainly more qualified than Obama during his campaign days.

Today, I am not convinced the ol’ girl is invincible. Here’s why, based on reflection and an accumulation of fluid factors:

The Republicans are showing decent signs of resisting liberals’ insistence that Lefties know best.

A budget proposal went smoothly through the House and Senate with a protracted plan for balancing the books. Some political expertise has been demonstrated and there has been a semblance of cooperation between parties no longer cursed by the obstructionist behavior of the soon-to-be-gone-and-easily-forgotten Harry Reid.

This rise of Republican resourcefulness works against HRC, but conservatives must still produce a stream of results to counter the appeal of Leftist arguments for the victim class. I believe Republicans will, but a covey of presidential vetoes will follow. A veto stream assists poorly for one seeking to fill presidential shoes.

In 2016, HRC will be 69 years old, as was Ronald Reagan when he took office in 1981.

Much was made of Reagan’s age then, so shouldn‘t the same concerns surface again? Does she have the stamina for the job?

Also, new voters want someone youngish, dynamic, and photogenic, not matronly or pedantic. Nor do they wish to hear failed talking points hanging on from a generation not their own.

For HRC, much depends on her success in attracting the female vote, which, I think, she believes she has sewed up. She will get many votes from gender loyalty, but can she get enough?

Americans tend to run center-right, not center-left. That means many conservative women are going to vote the issues over gender, as they should.

The “Vote for me, I’m a woman” presentation does not have strong legs for voters wanting more. Potential disappointment looms.

The pro-abortion faction is losing ground. Bad news for HRC.

Most women do not see themselves as victims of anyone. At least the strong ones don’t. Problem for HRC.

The Democrat Party has long assumed the black/Hispanic vote will come their way with little campaign effort. I think they assume too much. HRC alienated much of the black vote with her condescending manner in 2008.

Conservative blacks, and there are many, will be looking for someone genuine, and Hillary doesn’t fit that description. No voter block likes to be reminded where their loyalties should lie.

Latinos are more conservative than liberals hope. Their vote isn’t guaranteed for anyone.

HRC’s campaign abilities are hardly legendary. She comes across as stiff, programmed, and aloof. She exudes the warmth of a leftover potato on the bottom shelf of the frig.

A good debater on economic/domestic issues could beat the pantsuit off HRC, but that same candidate must be prepared for a contest when it comes to foreign matters.

That will be a strength for her, but as messed up as the world is, domestic issues matter far more to most Americans.

An HRC campaign invites comparisons to Bill Clinton and a resuscitation of many issues and policies both would like to see buried.

Monica could suddenly appear on talk shows. Potential distractions abound.

If Hillary speaks in generalities as Obama did in two elections, it could backfire big time.

Obama got away with it because he was new; Hillary isn’t new, and she is a pedagogue of boring proportions.

Specifics are required.

Also, Clinton lacks Obama’s panache.

Clinton comes with much political baggage to be exploited: Benghazi and the email scandal will be rightfully revived next year. Tough points to defend.

Finally, I suspect Big Media is getting tired of the Clinton brand which dates to 1992.

If BM senses a bigger story somewhere else — as it did with Obama nearly seven years ago — Hillary could be left in the dust for someone with youth, energy, and a quotable presentation BM can glom onto. Elizabeth Warren could rise quickly with the media behind her and HRC‘s backers fickle.

Anderson‘s novel, I, Eugenius, is now available through Amazon.