Reasons Why Hillary Rodham Clinton Cannot Win the Presidency in 2008

It's official now - Hillary Rodham Clinton is running in the 2008 Presidential election. Of course, most people figured this would happen for months now, but after Obama decided to announce his candidacy, she was forced to announce hers as well. The question is, can Hillary win in 2008? In my opinion, she cannot. Here are the reasons why I do not believe she can win:

1. Hillary has too much past "baggage". I do not believe the country is ready to deal with another Clinton in office. Unfortunately, her name conjures up images people do not want to remember in regards to both her and her husband. The first thing I think of is that famous photo of President Bill Clinton hugging Monica (and I also get visions of the little Gap dress). I also recall billboards I saw back then about how Hillary was trying to nationalize our healthcare system. Then, I remember the whole Whitewater incident and other indiscretions from the former Clinton presidency. Seriously speaking, Hillary cannot help her husband's infidelity, but why stay married to a man who can't keep his pants zippered around twenty year old interns (especially when he didn't strike me as truly sorry)?

2. The country is not ready for a female president (especially Ms. Clinton). When the gun-toting men of the mid-west are ready to vote for a woman as President, it certainly won't be her. Come on, what white "all American" male who drinks beer, hunts, and is a card-carrying NRA member is going to even consider voting for Hillary Clinton?

3. Hillary is way too polarizing already. The actual campaign has not even started and in an ABC News Poll (and ABC is hardly a conservative news outlet), 48% of Americans view Ms. Clinton in an unfavorable way. That's huge, and will be extremely difficult to overcome. To top that off, 53% said she should not even run for President.

4. Unlike Bill, Hillary does not come across as sincere. People voted for former President Clinton because he "felt their pain." The same public is almost scared of Hillary. She does not come across as warm and caring the same way that her husband did.

5. Her policies frighten many Americans. Americans were not ready for her health-care plan when her husband was in office, and the majority is not ready for it now. She is now trying to play herself as more to the "center", but she is not. Many Americans do not trust her at all.

In conclusion, if the Democrats hope to regain the White House in 2008, I feel they will need a stronger candidate than Hillary Clinton. Most of America is not like New York State-they will not elect Ms. Clinton to the Oval Office.