To all those that say Hillary is divisive and unpopular....here are facts

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/nation/10161310.htm

WASHINGTON - New polls show the public's image of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., gradually shifting from sharply controversial first lady to centrist constituent-minded senator. Although still a polarizing figure, the first-term lawmaker could use the makeover to position herself for a White House run in 2008.

Political strategists say Clinton has impressed Senate colleagues and constituents by working methodically on New York issues while taking moderate or conservative stances on controversies such as the war in Iraq.

"A majority feel positive toward her," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. "She's being seen as being more effective and sticking to her job. She's managed to shape her role in a way that's more acceptable. She's in a transition."

A national survey of registered voters by the Marist Institute conducted directly after Election Day showed 54 percent of respondents view Clinton favorably, with 43 percent viewing her unfavorably.

I can't understand why people here recoil in fear at the thought of having a candidate the right-wing doesn't like. They never ONCE consider whether THEIR candidates are polarizing.

Hillary Clinton is the most popular woman in America, and one of the most popular politicians. That the far right hates her is a plus in my book.

Don't get me wrong. As first lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton was decidedly more Christian to her opponents than some of the louder types in Congress (Remember how she received both Newt Gingrich's mother at a White House visit and Senator Jesse Helms at a state dinner?). And of course she won the New York Senate seat after getting out to all the counties. As a senator, she's also made a real effort at bipartisanship, and the sour GOP senators who were tut-tutting about her coming to the Senate have responded well to her charm offensive.

That said, however, NEVER overestimate the fairness or the sanity level in this country. There are a lot of clowns out there who bought the Al-Gore-as-liar nonsense and the various smearings of other candidates. The GOP would love to give itself over to a full-scale attack on Hillary Clinton. It's what they do! I'm not saying it's fair, but they've gotten away with worse.

HRC in and of herself would be a good presidential candidate, but in the current political climate, I wouldn't want to see it. Maybe when Karl Rove is on a spit in hell things will improve a bit.

is they will do that to ANY candidate. There simply is NOBODY they will not demonize, so let's not even consider it. We know they'll do it to anyone.

Hillary has ALREADY been investigated more than most any politician in America, and come out smelling like a rose. Why let the other side choose our candidate for us?


As I said, they never give two shits about whether THEIR candidates are polarizing, and they keep winning. So let's do the same thing.

She'll never get past Iowa. But let her try, just to shut the Freeps up.

if she runs for the nomination, you really have been drinking the kool-aid too long.

She'll have the most money, the best organizatino, and Bill Clinton stumping with her everywhere she goes.

problem....

No thanks Mr. Blue dress...he just burned his capital with me.

and as far as Kool-Aid is concerned...no thanks, I'll have a Clark Bar instead.

There's DLC organization and then there's grass roots organization. I'll take Clark over Clinton in Iowa and New Hampshire anyday.

It won't be candidates that stop her, voters will along with grass-roots democratic support.

She is rife with issues to attack, so bring her on.

Not Saddam's mind you but ours.

Oddly, Kerry was my pick for VP in 2000. So that might bode well for Hillary.

You mean, this divisive carpet-bagger is going to come to NY, a state she never lived in and win in upstate?

well, you saw what happened there.

People are fools if they underestimate her.

We need to stop playing catchup on the election and set the stage for the next chapter. Hillary will embolden the party in ways Kerry never could.

just watch and see...


Early in her Senate career, Clinton's popularity among New Yorkers was shaky at best. But she logged countless hours combing New York's 62 counties "and made a real effort to be around," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "She goes to things. She does what a senator ought to do."

According to a Quinnipiac poll of New Yorkers, Clinton's approval rating has steadily risen from 38 percent on Feb. 14, 2001 to 61 percent on Sept. 14, 2004.

"She's not the caricature that people thought," Carroll said. "She's not a '60s lefty. She's not a loony leftist, and she works. She's a reasonably centrist liberal."

I loved her as First Lady.

I loathe her as my Senator.

I would vote for her only as a last resort for president.

would poll the same in the heat of an election. I like Hillary, but would be hesitant to support her for president for three reasons. First, in a national campaign, her negatives would preclude victory. Two, her senate career has not produced anything yet that would remotely qualify her for president. And three, the American system was supposed to discourage the concept of dynasty. Much like George W. Bush, most of her political life has been defined as being a family member of a talented politician.

I like Hillary. I had the opportunity to chat with her recently in upstate New York. But unless there is something that comes up in the next few years, I would question why she would be considered as a serious presidential contender. I'd certainly be willing to listen to any serious opinions, with an open mind.

what he does in the next 4 years, he could become a perfect candidate for the Dems. After serving such a short time in the Senate, I agree Hillary will not be qualified to be President, at least not in my book. But, what the Hell do I know; I have said from day one that Bush is not qualified, and after doing 4 years, he's even less qualified today. Go figure.

and I would so again if she ran for Senate. Live 10 miles from that Bush wimp Lazio's district. No way. But I really doubt the "moral majority" would EVER vote for her.

BUT think RUDY. The rest of the country has NO CLUE about Rudy. They just know him from 9/11 and BUSH'S campaign propaganda. ON MANY ISSUES RUDY IS CLOSER TO HILLARY THAN GEORGE W. BUSH. I won't tell if you won't. lol

I get the feeling that any Democrat who wins will be labeled a "polarizing figure".

Look, before you flame me, I'm just telling it the way it is as I see it, not the way it should be.

Kentucky huh?

IWR
patriot act
supports parental notification laws
voted yes to restricting personal bankrupcy laws

it goes on and on. HRC is a female JFK. She would be a sure loser.

I will not support her, or vote for her.

and let me add, I don't like HRC. Never did. What's more, I think we'll watch her continuing march to the right for four more years.
As a liberal dem, I'll fight against her getting the nom.