Hillary Clinton Could Be Her Own Worst Enemy in 2016 …

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks to the National Automobile Dealers Association meeting in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 27, 2014.

Cast about for Democratic presidential hopefuls in 2016, and there arent a whole lot of names that come up other than Hillary Clinton. Most of her potential opponents have already endorsed her as-of-yet-non-existent candidacy. And the few weighing runs arent serious threats, such as former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

(MAGAZINE: Can anyone stop Hillary?)

But if the epic 2008 primary fight was any indication, Clintons greatest challengein a potential presidential bid isnt another candidateits her own candidacy. She entered the 2008 race as the front-runner and the campaign was hers to lose. Now, as it was then, she already wears the thorny crown of inevitability. But she has yet to show that shes learned from the mistakes of her last campaign debacle. Here are six reasons Clinton might be her own worst enemy.

Inevitability

Comfort breeds laziness. Last time around, Clinton didnt log the hours of retail politics needed to win Iowa, and then was shocked when she lost it. A month before the caucuses, shed been to less than half of Iowas 99 countiescompared to John Edwards, whod visited all 99, and Barack Obama whod been to 68. Part of the reason she lost the last time was because she ran as if she were the incumbent and she campaigned from behind the rope line as if she was in the White House, says one of Clintons top fundraisers. So she needs a complete attitude shift.

Out of touch

In 2008, Michelle Obama pooh-poohed the idea that her husband would run again in 2012 if he failed in 2008. Why? Because they would be too far removed from reality by then and not in touch with everyday Americans. Mitt Romney was hammered in 2012 for saying that while he didnt watch NASCAR, he had a lot of great friends who are NASCAR team owners.

And Clinton should know, since her husband used the presidential bubble against George H. W. Bush during the 1992 campaign. Clinton mocked Bush for not knowing the price of milk. So, perhaps Hillary should not be admitting that she hasnt driven a car since 1996, as she did at the National Automobile Dealers Association meeting in New Orleans last month.

Link:

Hillary Clinton Could Be Her Own Worst Enemy in 2016 ...

Related Posts

Comments are closed.