Borderless thoughts on Politics, Public Affairs, the media and anything else that matters from Conall McDevitt, SDLP MLA for South Belfast
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  • Another comeback Clinton

    Posted on January 9th, 2008 Conall McDevitt 4 comments

    It’s seems the female vote swung it for Hillary Clinton who pulled off a serious turn around in New Hampshire last night. Although her victory was by the narrowest of margins her achievement was very significant leaving the democratic race wide open as the campaigns head for where else but Las Vegas (Nevada) on the 19th and then on to what the serious pundits believe will be a key hearts and minds battle in the South Carolina on the 25th.

    Turnout went through the roof for the second primary in a row suggesting Obama continues to reach out to independents and some liberal republicans. Clinton on the other hand is appealing to committed democrats. Clinton got the women of New Hampshire but Barack Obama got the under 30’s.  O’Conall street believes two big issues will emerge in the coming days. The Clinton’s will want to focus on experience highlighting their greater track record, Obama’s campaign will want to talk about appeal and electability emphasising apparent appeal to new and independent voters. Then there is the race questions and the Bradley Effect, which suggests polls often overstates black candidates appeal.

    There is no doubt the media played a big part in Hillary’s turnaround. Scanning the major networks over the past few days she had the lions share of the coverage and was on message focussing on experience and often taking ten minutes to answer a single question. No doubt about it this woman knows her stuff.  

    And then there were the tears (see above). Many of the US based pundits this morning are certain this had an impact on the female voters in the white liberal, north eastern state.

    Next up Michigan where Hillary has already won (more here, only in America), the Nevada, South Carolina and on Feb 5th, Super Dooper Tuesday when 20 states go to the polls. It’s all to play for and proves the point that elections are like buses. You wait for ages for decent candidate to come along then two appear at once!

    Business, Current Affairs, Politics, Public Affairs, The Media
     

    4 responses to “Another comeback Clinton”

    1. Tomaltach January 9th, 2008 at 10:31

      You’re right about the two candidates. This will be fascinating. The NY Times editorial suggested that after Iowa the Clinton campaign began to show a nastier side by bringing race into the debate. Mrs Clinton apparently said that Martin Luther King may have called for change but it took a president to make that change. According to the editorialist, “It was hard to escape the distasteful implication that a black man needed the help of a white man to effect change.“. Another US commentator on Ch4 last night talked down Obama’s success by saying that so far we are looking at whiter liberal states where black politics have never been a huge issue. And he said that unfortunately, down south it may get a lot nastier. But regarding the primaries, how far can the Clinton campaign take the race issue? I would have thought not very far? Am I naive about what is still acceptable from a democratic candidate?

    2. Pól January 9th, 2008 at 16:15

      Not so much a case of Mná na hÉireann as Mná New Hampshire?

    3. DC January 9th, 2008 at 16:50

      Likely Barack’s foreign policy stances rattle with high vision yet lack the deep diplomatic circles to make it an immediate success. This may pull down his own wider campaign in contrast to Hillary, who should be able to mitigate a poor start with proven grit and determination coupled with prolific national contacts in all the right places, thanks no less to hubby Bill’s bottomless pit of charisma.

      What better way to rectify Bush family mistakes by swapping one dynasty witn another- the Clintons.

      Hillary Clinton as president is likely to make better bad affairs currently experienced with certain countries and indeed throughout other areas of the world, areas that Bush had shown military high-handedness towards and, at worst, complete disregard by lacking sustainable solutions.

      Barrack, while on the domestic front, may well be a charmer, but Americans realise that in international affairs nothing succeeds like success.

      Clinton or Barrack, I think from an EU perspective looking over to America the view may be tainted with Clinton appeal but will Americians place domestic issues first or seek redress for the existing foreign affairs mess?

      Clinton as president for one term may well prove to be a perfect primer for a better and more prolonged Barack presidency .

    4. DC January 9th, 2008 at 16:54

      My NI experience is affecting my Barack’s :-)

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