Why Hillary is not the answer, and probably never was . . .

There is so much Hillary mourning still out there that Kubler-Ross might have to revise her grief cycle, if she were still alive. Some Clintonites forget the negatives.

It’s easy to think that her assertive/aggressive nature would be just the ticket to counter McCain-Palin (although Hillary did a lot of loving on him). However, those same characteristics, if tapped and let loose, would have enhanced the negative stereotype of Clinton and the Clintons that have necessitated her walking a fine line. It would have been "big bad Hillary picking on poor sweet Sarah, boo hoo", doncha know. Or we can fantasize that a perspicacious public would wake up and note the significant difference in experience, knowledge and [some would say] character that differentiates the two and say, whoa, I gotta run right out and register Dem. I doubt it would work that way.

If they hate Obama because he's black and he's got a "Muslim" name, they hate Hillary because she's an aggressive woman and got a Clinton name.

Really it has less to do with the individual than the image of that individual that can be successfully projected, and protected. And the repubs are light years ahead because that's ALL they care about and work on. Image, not substance.

McCain still reaps the benefits of the [perhaps] decade old reputation of being a maverick and a "straight talker" although he hasn't been either. Public perceptions are hard to change, especially when they reinforce some deep-seated wish in the psyches of the abused electorate. Invoke the scapegoat. Usually works.