Will Hillary Clinton Pull a Ted Kennedy on Barack Obama?
Hillary for President in 2012? Ted Kennedy VS Jimmy Carter All Over Again?
It's a brave, or self destructive politician, that challenges a sitting President from their own party. Ted Kennedy did it to Jimmy Carter back in 1980, and there's more than a few scholars who feel Kennedy chipped away enough votes to enable Ronald Reagan's victorious election as President.
Kennedy became the 'The Lion of the Senate', proving there's always second, or even third acts in political lives. Still, would Hillary even consider such a "take no prisoners" move, especially since she's become a loyal part of Obama's administration?
Or, as safe money bets, will Hillary bide her time to wait for a chance at running for the oval office in 2016? Despite those who say it's unlikely, that her ability to campaign as hard as a presidential candidate must is now over, history's on her side. In 2016 she'll be 69 years old, a year younger than Ronald Reagan when he assumed the presidency.
History also shows what can happen when an incumbent president is challenged by a powerful figure within their own political party. For Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy become a real nemesis, that according to Carter killed a healthcare bill that Kennedy at first had pledged support. In his new presidential memoir, White House Diary, Carter writes, "Kennedy continuing his irresponsible and abusive attitude, immediately condemned our health plan. He couldn't get five votes for his plan."
Hillary Clinton hasn't provided a clue as to how she'll face her political future. For now, she excels in the role of Secretary of State. Yet both supporters and critics speculate if she'll go for broke in 2012, or patiently wait until a less confrontational time to try for a job that's the pinnacle of public service.
http://www.amazon.com/White-House-Diary-Jimmy-Carter/dp/0374280991
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/16/60minutes/main6872344.shtml
Published by Will Stape
Will is an Emmy Award nominated screenwriter. He also writes extensively for magazines and the web. Will penned episodes for the TV shows, Star Trek: The Next Generation & Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.... View profile
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6 Comments
Post a CommentDon't know the answer to that but I'm not sure she is the candidate I could get behind. But then, I'm not behind anyone as of now; certainly not Sarah Palin, John McCain or Newt Gingrich. UGH!
Interesting. I never really thought about the implications.
I don't really like Hillary, but this made a lot of sense.
Jon raises good points, but I can't see Biden - nor Obama most importantly - conceding that his VP had been such a big failure. No matter how much Biden feels Secretary of State may be exciting, or a better fit, the whole deal of "switching places" smacks of a wacky political comedy. Besides, after 8 years of Dems, the likelihood of a Dem getting elected & also being the first woman is pretty poor odds.
Everyone in New England expected Ted to run in '76 (I remember KENNEDY IN '72 bumper stickers in Boston, but that was too soon after Chappaquiddick), but he didn't. He might have been a great President. What pressure! The Kennedy dynasty was just a fantasy.....
She can't. If she alienated the African American voting base that provides a quarter of the Democrats' vote in Presidential elections, she doesn't have a prayer of beating even Sarah Palin. Teddy Kennedy was a leftist/liberal (unlike the center-right Clinton) who would not have alienated the Democratic base had he won the nomination. It's a shame Ted didn't run in 1976 and become President, but the burden he was under (the constant threat of assassination) was so heavy....thus, the politically suicidal bid in '80 (when he couldn't win -- "regicides" in electoral politics don't win -- think Teddy Roosevelt in 1912), when he cashed in his obligation but didn't get elected (and thus, court a real "suicide" by some potential assassin). The more likely scenario is for Hillary to become vice President (replacing the buffoon Biden who might go to State) to try to shore up Obama.