How many more Hillary for President stories will be touted by the media between now and when the campaign actually starts? It seems as though the moment after John Kerry's defeat there has been a steady diet of articles and polls all promoting the idea that Hillary is a lock for the Democratic nomination for the 2008 run. I guess one of two things is at work here. She is either the best organized, media friendly and media savvy of the wannabe’s or she has already been ordained by the left wing press as the candidate of choice for the party.
It is interesting to note that almost none of these articles mention anything at all as to why, how or what would qualify a first term senator from New York to become the President of the United States.
Paste the following address into your browser and let's take a look at her White House biography.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/hc42.html
She certainly has fine educational credentials but other than 8 years as first lady and serving on some boards in Arkansas what more has she done than serve in a small law practice? Is there anything to indicate that she has managed anything larger than the White House domestic staff?
How does hosting a state dinner party equate to having foreign policy credentials? Her lack of foreign policy experience is surpassed only by her complete lack of exposure to the military. Could anybody call Hillary Clinton commander in chief with a straight face?
The most troubling aspect of all this media time and speculation devoted to Senator Clinton is that it prevents serious discussion and speculation on candidates who might actually be qualified and have a greater chance at restoring the Democratic party to a higher level of national elective achievement.
By soaking up all of this press attention, Democrats with a resume suited for leading the nation are denied the public vetting process and excluded from “buzz” generated by the press. I mean suited by this definition, non-congressional politicians since it is a rare event indeed for a senator or congressperson to be elected president. Governors represent the most common pool of seriously considered candidates for president.
If actual government experience counts for anything then why isn’t Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico on all the lips of the pundits? Richardson’s resume is chock full of reasons why he might lead the country. He has been a congressman, our ambassador to the UN and Secretary of Energy in the Clinton administration. Add to that a couple of nominations for the Nobel Peace prize and you end up with a candidate with some substance.
In addition there are two other Democratic governors with credentials worth taking a look at as possible contenders. Iowa favorite son and Governor Thomas Vilsack and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle should both get early attention in the presidential sweepstakes if there is any room left.
These are just three examples off of a roster of Democrats who could be far more qualified and potentially elect able than the most polarizing figure that Hillary Clinton is. It will be interesting to see whether the media allows any of them to be examined as presidential timber in a serious way that would enable them to be viable entries in the primaries.
Yes, Mrs. Clinton gives a good speech and she is a very good fund raiser but by any objective measure she is not qualified to be the President of the United States. If Hillary Clinton is serious about restoring the Democratic Party to its former prominence she should use her skills to advance Democrats nationwide instead of advancing Hillary. Perhaps her run at the presidency will come when she has earned it.
