WaPo: October looks crucial for Hillary Clinton

[portlander23]

WaPo: October looks crucial for Hillary Clinton

Already, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is drawing far larger and more enthusiastic crowds and sapping Clinton’s shaky support on the far left. Biden’s entry could compound Clinton’s difficulties in consolidating the remainder of the Democratic base — as well as her claim to being the most experienced candidate.

The month began with sobering news. Clinton raised barely more in political donations over the summer than Sanders, her stronger-than-expected challenger, despite a formidable campaign organization and the mantle of national front-runner. The figures released late Wednesday add to the reality that Clinton is running behind or even with Sanders in the latest polls from Iowa and New Hampshire — even though the campaign has invested heavily in time and money in those first two primary-season contests.

Additionally, Clinton’s favorability ratings have sunk to near their lowest point ever, amid a controversy that has boiled for months over her decision not to use a government e-mail account while she was secretary of state and rely instead on a private account and server.

Sanders raked in $26 million in the third quarter, despite a smaller and less expensive fund-raising operation. Moreover, he did it with an explosion of small contributions, a measure of the enthusiasm he is generating among rank-and-file Democrats.

In an effort to put the e-mail issue behind her, Clinton has embarked in recent weeks on what her campaign acknowledges is an effort to present herself as more warm, open and accessible.

Clinton aides say that they have studied Sanders’s past debates, and note that he is forceful and skillful at sparring.

Sanders has avoided any personal criticism of Clinton, and his advisers say that will not change during the debate. Democratic campaign veterans predict that none of her opponents is likely to bring up the e-mail controversy before a Democratic audience, for fear of looking like they are echoing the attack lines of the Republicans.

Eight years later, it appears that Sanders is the closest thing to a candidate who can generate that kind of electricity. The Iowa dinner will be an early indication of what Clinton has to offer in response — and what lessons she learned from her 2008 defeat.

[DURHAM D]

1. Oh Karen, thank you for your concern. nt

[OregonBlue]

2. You'd think the election was next month the way the press goes on. It's totally

ridiculous making these asinine statements like "October crucial for Hillary Clinton" at this point in the process. Election Day Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

[roguevalley]

3. those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. she had better be

worried and time isn't her friend. most of her donors are maxed.