2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumThe winner of 2015? Hillary Clinton
In a year that saw the rise of Donald Trump and the surprising emergence of Bernie Sanders, the real winner for 2015 is actually a more conventional name: Hillary Clinton.
This might seem like a surprising choice. What about her e-mails and her private server? What about Benghazi? What about the lack of enthusiasm for her candidacy or her struggling poll numbers?
Those were problems, but the e-mail scandal has largely faded from view. As for Benghazi, Clintons appearance before a congressional committee largely put that issue to bed and gave her a chance to shine before a national audience. While Sanders challenge remains an issue, Clinton has shown in the three Democratic debates that she is on top of her game and is by far the best politician running this cycle. Five weeks until Iowa, Clinton has a double-digit national lead over Sanders and is almost certainly going to be the Democratic nominee next year.
If anything, Sanders challenge has probably been more helpful than harmful, by forcing Clinton to sharpen her message before the harsh glare of a national campaign.
But the other major reason why 2015 has been such a good year for Clinton . . . is Donald Trump. The fact is, you cant beat something with nothing, and right now Republicans are looking increasingly likely to nominate a presidential candidate who has little chance of beating Clinton. Considering the Democrats presidential advantage and the increasing radicalism of the GOP, this election was always going to be a tough haul for Republicans. But if Donald Trump or Ted Cruz is the nominee, it gets that much easier for Clinton. If Trump wins the GOP nod, Republicans can pretty much write off minority voters. The party will also struggle mightily with women and face abandonment from blue- and purple-state Republicans. Cruz, though not as toxic as Trump, has virtually no appeal outside of his conservative base. Hes not going to be able to attract wavering Democrats, and will face many of the same problems as Trump with minority and women voters.
Whatever doubts Democrats might have about Clinton will surely disappear in the face of a Trump or Cruz nomination. Put that all together and Clinton couldnt be in a stronger position to win next November.
Sometimes in politics its more important to be lucky than good. For Clinton, shes got both working for her.
http://tinyurl.com/zx3kdwf
bvar22
(39,909 posts)Too bad the election is in 2016.
What did she "win" by "winning " 2015?
Nothing.
Nothing at all.
Hillary also "WON" 2007.
How did that work out for her and her supporters?
Blue_Adept
(6,399 posts)"I aints gonna vote for that "d"emocrat"
bvar22
(39,909 posts)Are you familiar with "Projection", because that must be the problem here.
You see, I'm not the one stomping my feet by pointing out historical facts.
If you don't like these Historical Facts....go ahead and stomp YOUR feet and let the spittle fly.
I assure you the your acting out won't affect me in the least, but your mother may give you a Time Out.
jalan48
(13,878 posts)Alfresco
(1,698 posts)DemocratSinceBirth
(99,710 posts)Alfresco
(1,698 posts)406-Boz
(53 posts)Any national primaries coming up? 2015 means zip, soon it's history.
That Guy 888
(1,214 posts)Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)mr_liberal
(1,017 posts)saying she got schlonged and was disgusting in the bathroom. You cant whine and get weepy and complain about bullying if you want to be commander in chief. Voters are not going to trust her to keep them safe against Putin, North Korea, Iran etc.... if shes get weak just because someone said she got schlonged.
She better learn from this and not do it again. In the GE this show of weakness could cost her the election.
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)Blue_Adept
(6,399 posts)But hey, when she's aggressive, she gets called out for that too. Go figure.