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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

How Hillary Clinton might run in 2012 against Obama

Posted on Friday, August 05, 2011 at 08:30 AM

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I was asked on a radio show in Ireland yesterday was there any way I could see Hillary Clinton running for president in 2012.

No, I said, with one small exception.

That is a 1968 scenario where a deeply unpopular president, Lyndon Johnston was forced out of the race after a complete outsider, Senator Gene McCarthy,ran him close in the New Hampshire primary, 49 per cent to 42 per cent.

Soon after, Johnston, wearied from the Vietnam War debacle, announced he was not running,

Hillary is not Gene McCarthy in that scenario, rather she is Bobby Kennedy, who tragically, saw the McCarthy opening as an opportunity for him to jump in, a quest that ended tragically with his murder in California later that year.

If the economy continues to tank and Obama continues to roll over for Republicans then a McCarthy scenario becomes more likely.

Last week's crisis revealed Obama as a show horse rather than a workhorse,searching only for a deal to mollify the Republican right.

He did not stand up and fight for the people who elected him who will now be hit with the trillions in cutbacks.

As a result there is now a profound unease about him in Democratic party circles.

Thus,a New Hampshire opponent is not as unlikely as it might have been a few weeks ago.

There is an obvious McCarthy-type person, Vermont independent senator Bernie Sanders from a neighboring state who has been deeply critical of what Obama has been doing.

He'd have to change his affiliation and there is certainly no guarantee that he would fare anything like as well as McCarthy did.

But with the economy tanking by the day and Obama seemingly in professorial mode listening only to the Harvard clique surrounding him it is not impossible.

He seems deaf to those who elected him, and they may take a measure of revenge.

In which case Hillary might well be back in the game.

Listen to Niall O’Dowd on Ireland’s Newstalk 106 on In Discussion with Eamon Dunphy here (31st July and 7th August)

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47 comments

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crazylune | Sep 08, 2011, 10:59 AM EDT

@falconflash - I would love, LOVE to see someone like you make a poignant remark about politics without using GOD as a reference. Coming from a believer of GOD, I am sick and tired of every politician's political platform revolving around religion. This is a country made up of many religions, and we as Christians need to be more tolerant and realize that politics and religion are a volatile mix. Look at the Middle East. Keep your politics in Washington and your religion in the church. If a "baby killer" can save this country, than so be it. I would prefer that over someone posing as a "good christian" and against everything that is currently a hot topic with the christian community.

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skigrl88 | Aug 17, 2011, 10:05 AM EDT

Sign the petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/hillary-clinton-for-president/signatures.html

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Springfield9 | Aug 09, 2011, 09:32 AM EDT

Hillary could put the bite on Ed Mezvinsky (her new in-law) if he's not in Federal Prison.

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peterson | Aug 08, 2011, 08:22 PM EDT

Well, they sure have lots of lady wannabees. You know what they say --- If you want the job done right, have a woman do it !!!!

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falconflash | Aug 08, 2011, 12:58 AM EDT

The Irish usually have a strong reaction to injustice yet many silently accept the slaughter of unborn babies......

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seanomelbourne | Aug 07, 2011, 06:53 PM EDT

Hillary has had her chance and failed.

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seanomelbourne | Aug 06, 2011, 07:41 PM EDT

falconflash should fly away.

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ladyBoru | Aug 06, 2011, 06:36 PM EDT

I wanted her in the first place--I had the opportunity to meet her in 92 and I saw a warm and caring person but I also believe she has what it takes to get the U.S. back on the right path! I say go Hillary!

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PaulFagan | Aug 06, 2011, 01:45 PM EDT

Agree with Niall

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themurphia | Aug 06, 2011, 03:52 AM EDT

Get your boots on Hillary...!

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falconflash | Aug 05, 2011, 11:25 PM EDT

Another baby killer for President? No thanks. First and most important job of a president: protect our families (don't abort one million babies per yr.... but there is a just God)

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ciarrai | Aug 05, 2011, 08:14 PM EDT

If Obama had Hillary's balls, that would be the ideal candidate.

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seanomelbourne | Aug 05, 2011, 07:34 PM EDT

The billionaires hate Obama and his genuine concern for the middle classes.

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peterson | Aug 05, 2011, 06:55 PM EDT

The months ahead will be very interesting. America has to do something drastic as obumma has made them a 2nd rate country !!!

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1IrishMedic | Aug 05, 2011, 06:35 PM EDT

If Hillary went for it I would work for her campaign, Obama has let us down and folled over for the feckin republicans I'm sick of his approach. Actually Hillary should have been the front runner last election, she has OVARIES!!!

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