Hillary Rodham Clinton (aka just "Hillary") has finally admitted her presidential campaign is underway. Long-time advisor Terry McAuliffe is handing out spin to the British press.
Hillary Clinton is to be presented as America’s Margaret Thatcher as she tries to become the first woman to win the White House. As she entered the 2008 presidential race yesterday, a senior adviser said that her campaign would emphasise security, defence and personal strengths reminiscent of the Iron Lady.“Their policies are totally different but they are both perceived as very tough,” said Terry McAuliffe, Clinton’s campaign chairman. “She is strong on foreign policy. People have got to know you are going to keep them safe.”
No response yet noted from the genuine Iron Lady, but Mark Steyn wonders if toughness is really the right sales pitch anyway.
Barring another direct attack on the US mainland (ie, not Bali nightclubs, London Tubes or US targets overseas) I don’t think in 2008 the American people will be looking for someone who can “stare down jihadists.” If anything, it was already clear in ’06 that huge numbers of the American people have psychologically checked out of the war. I would wager that by 2008 the consultants will be advising that words like “jihad” test badly with the focus groups. Democrats and increasing numbers of Republicans will attempt to paint the war as a kind of geopolitical Monica – an issue that goes away when the incumbent does.
Dunno if Hillary can be packaged as our Mommy-in-Chief.
Posted by Alan at January 21, 2007 01:28 AM