The strategic issue facing Clinton isn’t whether she could get the nomination. Barring something shocking and unexpected, it’s hers for her taking. The question is how far she would have to tack to the left to capture some of the enthusiasm that Warren’s populist message has engendered. In a general election, against a well-financed Republican opponent, Clinton would need to have all those Warren supporters knocking on doors and posting on Facebook for her. But, at the same time, she would have to be wary of alienating moderates and independents. Judging by what we know about the contents of her new book, and by her recent embrace of Bill de Blasio, Clinton’s answer to this dilemma is double-edged: she would run as a liberal at home and as a hawk abroad. When it comes to the economy and other domestic issues, she would reprise the role she adopted after falling behind in the 2008 campaign: Lunch-pail Hillary, passionate defender of the working stiff, and critic of the rich Wall Street types that use the federal government to do them favors. On issues of national security, she would be running as Iron Hillary—a combative and inexhaustible global stateswoman, who is perfectly capable of standing up to Vlad the Bad and other foreign villains.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 11:35:09 +0000
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