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Loading ...I don’t expect Hillary Clinton to take my advice. In fact, I fully expect her to keep forging ahead, putting out negative ads against Barack Obama and push for the delegates of the rule-breaking states of Florida and Michigan to be counted. I think the intensity of 35 years of waiting and wanting to run for president will take over and make her not see logic that she basically can’t win the nomination sans an Gary Hart-like Obama implosion. And there are no signs of that happening. I fully expect her to pull no punches and either she or her surrogates will attack Obama viciously, making him all the more vulnerable come November.
Disclosure: I worked back in 1992 for her husband’s presidential run. Worked in seven states. Something I’ll never forget. A blast. Makes me patriotic just thinking about it. Running around New Hampshire. I’m an independent though. And more of a centrist. Hillary (and Obama) are definitely to my left. McCain, whom I respect, is to my right.
Hillary turned me off with part of Hillarycare. On something so large an encompassing, you start off in the center or center-left. Not hard left. I remember a provision that would force organizations to enroll in insurance that would provide abortions services. Organizations such as the Catholic Church. When the Church objected to this provision, the answer came back: tough shit. As a Catholic who is slightly pro-choice, I was offended. There’s a stark difference between allowing an action (an abortion) and forcing an entity to pay for that action if it is completely against it’s principles. Thus, Hillary turned me off.
Two days ago, I read a post on TechPresident written by Liza Sabater. She pointed to a blog entry written by Erin Kotecki Vest, the Queen of Spain. 
The Queen, a former supporter of Hillary, makes a passioned plea for the Senator from New York to step down from the race. That’s because the Queen sees Hillary now as a polarizing figure, one that divides. She defends Hillary in the end, however, in that she sees this polarization largely as the result of the mental makeup of those that Hillary turns off:
If you firmly believe that there is still time for you to change the hearts and minds of those rude and stubborn Americans who are voting with their gut when they see “Hillary” on the ballot-then please, prove me wrong.
Ewww. Queen, you disappoint me. Rude and stubborn. When will some people learn? One must be careful when considering the motives of others when they vote. But you are still my favorite Queen!
But I’m here not to trash Hillary, but to help her. To help her save her brand. In fact, I disagree with the Queen’s appeal. You see, I’m not a fan nor a hater of Hillary. But I can cetainly understand why she has legions of both. To me, she’s performed admirably as a Senator. She wasn’t an idealogue like many expected her to be. And she’s been given high marks by Republicans for her ability to work with them. Yes, she has the ability to reach across the aisle. We need that and she’s not been given a fair shake on that issue.
So, here goes. Hillary, accept the fact that you have almost no chance of winning the nomination. Accept the fact that a flurry of negative ads by you attacking Obama will only turn millions of Democrats off. Off of you personally. Accept the reality that if you fully try to have those delegates in Florida and Michigan count, you’ll tear apart the party and appear to be desperate and sinister in what would look like a fanatical desire to become president. Nixonian.
Instead, campaign your posterior off in Texas and Ohio. And let’s not forget Vermont and my native state of Rhode Island. Strictly in a positive manner. Don’t show that lack of graciousness as you did when you didn’t publicly acknowledge Obama’s continual sweeps. No bawdy negative attacks. Lay out your ideas passionately. Advance that agenda that you believe in. Find that voice. Give it your all. Make some of those “rude and stubborn” people think twice. And do it knowing the whole time that there’s a 3% chance that you’re going to be the nominee.
And when and if you lose these primaries, bow out graciously. Congratulate Barack Obama for his hard fought victory. Acknowledge that he has indeed touched something in many an American soul.
Right now, you look like the Bad Hillary. The power hungry, it’s all-about-me Hillary. The one that causes people to vote against you because of their gut.
By campaigning in a positive manner, you will be closing out your campaign and you’ll leave a positive taste in the mouths of Democrats anywhere. They’ll see your passion and ideas as you lay them out and perhaps lead legislatively in 2009. They’ll see you as you should be, the Good Hillary.
You see, Barack Obama, the likely nominee, while inspirational, is still vulnerable. Ask Texas state Rep. Kirk Watson. Barack Obama’s lack of national experience may prove to be too much for voters. I’m not saying that should be the case…I’m saying that it could be. And come November, we could see yet another Republican take the presidency.
All of which would make you the front runner for 2012.
That’s if you stay positive and show passion.
But I doubt you’ll do that. Because it’s my guess is that you’ll show the Bad Hillary that have turned so many off, causing them to become rude and stubborn. And it will be unfortunate if that ends up being your legacy.
Filed under: 2008 Elections, Brand, Brand Advocacy, Brand Promotion, Brand Protection, Brand Reputation, Branding, Election Strategy, Political Strategy
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I totally agree. I think she needs to rise above the bad Hilary negative, divisive stuff she’s known for, and pull out of the race for “the good of the party” -then she’s be everyone’s heroine.
I have to agree with you too Negative doesn’t work - not in the democratic party at this moment. It is after all why so many people I know speak about the positivity of Obama even more then the negativity of Hillary. What needs to happen is for the Democrats to strengthen as a party and that is what can come out of a positive campaign. Forget the individual think about the greater essence of the goals - they are after all the same. Both Obama and Hillary want to contribute to creating a stronger, happier and healthier America.