Hillary pt. 1 (Assets)

In the world of politics things can change fast. Six months ago Hillary Clinton looked to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for the White House. Today, she is locked in a very intriguing Cold War with the very charismatic junior Senator from Illinois for front-runner status. Six months from now, one may be looking like the nominee, or both may have been surpassed by one of the many other challengers.

A week ago neither of the two front-runners had made any move toward an official presidential run. Now, both have. Obama made the announcement that he is forming an exploratory committee (committees never tell candidates not to run, so once they are formed that means the candidate is in the race) on his website, followed mere days later by Hillary's announcement of the same.

Every candidate has assets and liabilities. Hillary is no different. Of course, she is unique among the Democratic hopefuls: the only woman, the only former First Lady (ever), the only one to have been a household name to Joe American for nearly 15 years (which in political years is like 87), and the list can go on. But just like the rest, she has assets to her credit, and liabilities that will snip at her.As I wrote last week, I'm convinced that those who think Hillary can't win are fooling themselves. So let's take a brief look at some of the things that belong in her "plus" column (note: these do not take into account whether any other candidate can negate these, or whether they might be liabilities at the same time; they are what they are--things that give Hillary an edge):

• Money, money, money: Most candidates have to spend hours on end making calls, shaking hands, attending fundraisers (events which give candidates an excellent chance to open mouth and insert foot). Hillary does not have to do that. She has a network of donors and fundraisers already set, and now set in motion, who can raise millions upon millions without her ever having to engage in the very daunting task of gathering funds.
  
  
• She's Fought the Freakshow (and lived to tell about it):In modern politics the media has every incentive to hype any misstep a candidate makes. Hillary has felt the fury of the Freakshow, and has been burned by it. By 1994 her name was a dirty word to Joe American. Yet she has reclaimed her image. She has earned her way back. Whatever doesn't kill you politically does indeed make you stronger. Anyone who can survive the Freakshow, has learned how not to get burned, and who has learned how to handle things that can blow up has built up a sort of immunity to the traps that can so easily befall anyone who's every move makes national news.
  
  
• The Establishment Ties: At any moment she can pick up the phone and call someone at nearly any interest group on the Left, any activist, any party leader, any high level strategist, and know the person on the other end of the phone. She has an astonishing base of connections from which to draw.
  
  
• Star Power: When Chris Dodd (D-CT) or Sam Brownback (R-KS) announced their intentions to run for President, Joe American took no notice. Even if he did it was likely followed by "who's that?". When Hillary announced everyone heard, and no one was surprised. This was one of the advantages that made then-Governor Bush such a powerhouse in 1999.
  
  
• The "Moderate" Factor: Like many (maybe most) I doubt Hillary's commitment to moderation. Nonetheless, she has done an amazing job of being not polarizing since entering the Senate in 2000. You may now be thinking, "but Hillary is polarizing". Agreed, but ask this question: is she polarizing because of her speeches/record in the Senate, or is it because of her years in the White House? I would argue that latter. In my analysis she has proven over the last 6+ years that she can be in office and not be the lightning rod. Remember, she voted for the War and has co-sponsored dozens of bills with the Red Team.
  
  
• Bill: He gives her a ton of advantages, and enhances some of the above:
  • He remains the best strategist in the Democratic Party
  • He is the "Fundraiser-in-Chief"
  • His is the power behind Hillary's vast cross-country political network
  • He provides charisma where she lacks it
  • People like him and some (though maybe few) will welcome her because of him
  • Is there a better advisor in the world on how to handle a race of this magnitude?
  • There are many, many more. Probably many more than I can possibly think of.
  
  
• Experience: No, not the experience of being a two-term Senator, but the experience of having been through two winning campaigns with Bill, two winning Senate campaigns, and purposefully watching how Bush 43 succeeded (and failed). She has been around the block and has been taking keen notes on how to win and how to lose. Even watching Kerry fail--which I believe she knew he would, or else she would not have sat on the sidelines--taught her the way to the top.
  
  
• Others: The only woman; smart committee assignments (like the Foreign Relations Committee, which gives her foreign policy credibility); a proven staff; her 2006 warm-up election; money in the bank that she can roll over to her next election.

Hillary Clinton is indeed unlike any other candidate. She has been a part of the political landscape of America for a very long time. She has changed her image over and over again, yet has survived. Though I do not like her politics, I must deeply respect what she has been able to do. Most anyone else would not have been able to rebound after her image exploded half way through Bill's first term. Most would not have been able to cherry-pick a state in which to run for (let alone win) a Senate seat. Most would have withered under the scrutiny of the Freakshow. Yet here she is, locked in a Cold War for front-runner status for the Democratic nomination.