Clinton's strong debate is general election warning for GOP

[webfact]

Clinton's strong debate is general election warning for GOP
By JULIE PACE

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton's polished performance in the first Democratic debate did more than send a message to her primary rivals. It was a warning to the chaotic Republican field about her likely strength in a general election.

Clinton solidified her shift toward more liberal positions on trade, gun control and immigration, but still stayed largely in step with the battleground state voters she'll need in November 2016. She also positioned herself as heir to the coalition of women, Hispanics and black voters that propelled Barack Obama to the White House, and she potentially held off a late challenge from Vice President Joe Biden.

"I'm a progressive," she declared before a television audience of more than 15 million people. "But I'm a progressive who likes to get things done."

The Republicans' raucous first two debates, meanwhile, exposed the party's deep divisions and the pressure on GOP candidates to appease conservative primary voters. That could again leave the eventual nominee scrambling to recalibrate on issues including immigration and women's health in order to win over a national electorate that is more racially and ideologically diverse than primary voters.

It's a familiar conundrum for the party, yet one potentially deepened by the rise of Donald Trump and Ben Carson, candidates whose inflammatory comments seem to only boost their standing in the primary. Candidates who are favored by more traditional Republicans, like Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, risk being associated with the rhetoric of their rivals — or never find a way to overtake them.

The GOP contenders scrambled Wednesday to blunt the notion that Clinton has positioned herself as a general election force. Rubio said Clinton was locked in "a race to the left to see who could be the most radically liberal, the most big-government." And Bush cast Clinton as the beneficiary of a Democratic field that sidestepped confrontations over her private email use, a controversy that has dogged her campaign for months.

"I would have taken her to task for that," Bush told Fox News. "If she wins the nomination and I win the nomination, trust me, this is not going to end."

Added Trump, "I think the Democrats, frankly, I think they are protecting her."

Clinton aides insist the former secretary of state isn't taking the Democratic nomination for granted. While her strong debate performance may have hardened her standing as the party's front-runner, she still faces tough competition from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent and self-proclaimed democratic socialist.

Yet Clinton left no doubt that she's setting her sights on the GOP field.

"I can take the fight to the Republicans, because we cannot afford a Republican to succeed Barack Obama as president of the United States," she said. She referenced Republicans a dozen times during the two-hour debate, even putting the party alongside the Iranians and National Rifle Association on a list of enemies she was proud to have made.

David Plouffe, an architect of Obama's two campaigns, wrote on Twitter that Clinton looked like a candidate who could win the general election.

"That is a test for GOP," he added, questioning who in the party can attract voters in Ohio, Colorado, Virginia and other general election battlegrounds.

To be sure, Clinton remains a flawed candidate. Her evolving policy positions leave her open to charges that she shifts with the political winds. She's a Washington insider in an election cycle where voters have shown more interest in outsiders. And she continues to grapple with questions about her email practices at the State Department.

Yet Clinton has been handed two gifts on the email issue from her political opponents. She often brings up Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's boast about the political damage to her campaign caused by the congressional panel that uncovered her email practices, citing it as evidence of partisanship. And the frustration Sanders expressed in the debate with the amount of attention focused on the emails blunted the prospect that she'll be challenged on the issue from within her own party.

Republicans argue that Clinton still has vulnerabilities that would hurt her in the general election, including shifts to the left on major issues — a version of the problem the GOP contenders could face after focusing on the right for their primary.

"She is now firmly outside the mainstream of the American electorate as part of her calculating efforts to satisfy the liberal base of her party," said Kevin Madden, who advised 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney's campaign.

Democratic strategists, however, argue that what were once viewed as liberal policies are increasingly becoming mainstream. Public polling supports that assertion on some issues.

On immigration, a CBS News/New York Times poll last month showed 58 percent of Americans said people living in the U.S. illegally should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship, a position Clinton supports.

On the contentious issue of gun control, Americans overwhelmingly support expanding background checks for ownership, a proposal Clinton touted in the debate. A Pew Research Center poll from July showed 85 percent — including 87 percent of respondents in gun-owning households — support broader background checks.

Majorities of Americans also support government efforts to combat climate change, and they approve of gay marriage, positions backed by Clinton and other Democratic presidential candidates.
___

AP News Survey Specialist Emily Swanson contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-10-15

[Jingthing]

She hit a grand slam.

Get used to her.

[AlexRRR]

Polictical mombo jumbo....say what they want to hear...not what should be done........they do it everywhere

[JakeSully]

She lost the debate imho. Sanders stomped all over her except on guns.

But the pundits will be pundits and they often get things wrong.. like Romney will beat Obama in a landslide..

The people will have to decide for themselves ofcourse but 1 thing is clear.. Sanders can stand his own against her and Hillary is a total farce.. "I stand my ground on the issues".. how many times has she switched on the issues?

And 1 thing is clear.. DeMint, O'Malley and Chaffee are a waste of time.. I'd rather it be just 2 candidates or 3 with Biden.

[Credo]

Clinton was great, but Bernie Sanders was fantastic and he is very authentic. I doubt that Sanders can get the nomination, but he was impressive.

Clinton is well connected, knows the ropes and would make a great president.

[Usernames]

The media pundits, hosts, and whores think Clinton won. But the fact remains that the more the public sees and hears of Hillary Clinton, the less they like her. She is a hectoring, sneering person who thinks she is entitled. People see that--and feel it.

[Katipo]

Clinton was great, but Bernie Sanders was fantastic and he is very authentic. I doubt that Sanders can get the nomination, but he was impressive.

Clinton is well connected, knows the ropes and would make a great president.

I agree. They both did very well, I wonder if we will get a Sanders/Clinton or Clinton/Sanders ticket in the White House? Either would be preferable to the farce that is the Republican party.

I wonder ifthe american's in Thailand would pretend to be Canadians again if Trump/Bush got in hue hue hue

[Pinot]

Do they hear that sound in Wingnuttia? It's HRC Express that's coming roaring into town.

The GOP just had one of the worst weeks in the history of American politics with the Boehner fiasco/McCarthy fiasco/Paul Ryan Fiasco/Planned Parenthood fiasco/Benghazi fiasco. Let's just call the GOP a complete fiasco.

I've said it all along, Hillary is a slam dunk.

[Berkshire]

She lost the debate imho. Sanders stomped all over her except on guns.

But the pundits will be pundits and they often get things wrong.. like Romney will beat Obama in a landslide..

The people will have to decide for themselves ofcourse but 1 thing is clear.. Sanders can stand his own against her and Hillary is a total farce.. "I stand my ground on the issues".. how many times has she switched on the issues?

And 1 thing is clear.. DeMint, O'Malley and Chaffee are a waste of time.. I'd rather it be just 2 candidates or 3 with Biden.

Hmmm, would have to disagree. I am no fan of Hillary, but she was easily the most polished, best informed on the stage. In short, she kicked those dudes ass. What's more, she can easily trounce any GOP candidate. It won't be close. I like Bernie, but Anderson Cooper had it right--no way a "socialist" can win the general election.

The refreshing thing is that the Dems talked substantive issues, unlike the Republicans. Most of America doesn't want to talk about Planned Parenthood, the Iran deal, or a freakin wall. And the smart ones know that the e-mail issue is not an issue at all.

[Pinot]

She lost the debate imho. Sanders stomped all over her except on guns.

But the pundits will be pundits and they often get things wrong.. like Romney will beat Obama in a landslide..

The people will have to decide for themselves ofcourse but 1 thing is clear.. Sanders can stand his own against her and Hillary is a total farce.. "I stand my ground on the issues".. how many times has she switched on the issues?

And 1 thing is clear.. DeMint, O'Malley and Chaffee are a waste of time.. I'd rather it be just 2 candidates or 3 with Biden.

Hmmm, would have to disagree. I am no fan of Hillary, but she was easily the most polished, best informed on the stage. In short, she kicked those dudes ass. What's more, she can easily trounce any GOP candidate. It won't be close. I like Bernie, but Anderson Cooper had it right--no way a "socialist" can win the general election.

The refreshing thing is that the Dems talked substantive issues, unlike the Republicans. Most of America doesn't want to talk about Planned Parenthood, the Iran deal, or a freakin wall. And the smart ones know that the e-mail issue is not an issue at all.

There aren't any smart ones. They all watch (worship at the feet of) Fox News.

Edited October 15, 2015 by Pinot

[CaptHaddock]

Clinton was great, but Bernie Sanders was fantastic and he is very authentic. I doubt that Sanders can get the nomination, but he was impressive.

Clinton is well connected, knows the ropes and would make a great president.

I agree. They both did very well, I wonder if we will get a Sanders/Clinton or Clinton/Sanders ticket in the White House? Either would be preferable to the farce that is the Republican party.

I wonder ifthe american's in Thailand would pretend to be Canadians again if Trump/Bush got in hue hue hue

Clinton/Sanders isn't going to happen. If she gets nominated she won't have to appeal to the liberal wing anymore since they have nowhere else to go. It would make more sense to take someone like Webb who is ex-military and from the South to reassure the more conservative voters in the general election.

[Konaboy1]

the republicans are in real trouble.

they need to do something now, but I have no idea what can save them from their past.

[Credo]

Clinton was great, but Bernie Sanders was fantastic and he is very authentic. I doubt that Sanders can get the nomination, but he was impressive.

Clinton is well connected, knows the ropes and would make a great president.

I agree. They both did very well, I wonder if we will get a Sanders/Clinton or Clinton/Sanders ticket in the White House? Either would be preferable to the farce that is the Republican party.

I wonder ifthe american's in Thailand would pretend to be Canadians again if Trump/Bush got in hue hue hue

Some of us have dual citizenship, so we don't have to pretend!

[RidgeRunner]

I will predict that Hillary will choose Jim Webb for the VP spot.

It is a shame that a good guy like Sanders probably won't make it.

[RidgeRunner]

the republicans are in real trouble.

they need to do something now, but I have no idea what can save them from their past.

They are backed into a corner now.

Still have support from all the old, white, religious, hostile, isolated, fanatic, misinformed FOX viewers in the US.

[Credo]

I will predict that Hillary will choose Jim Webb for the VP spot.

It is a shame that a good guy like Sanders probably won't make it.

Jim Webb? Was he the guy on the end who acting like he was holding a spot for a real candidate?

[JakeSully]

I agree. They both did very well, I wonder if we will get a Sanders/Clinton or Clinton/Sanders ticket in the White House? Either would be preferable to the farce that is the Republican party.

I wonder ifthe american's in Thailand would pretend to be Canadians again if Trump/Bush got in hue hue hue

Not happening.

Julian Castro is Hillary's VP but since I want Sanders I wonder who he would pick.. he's probably taking it step by step.

[Berkshire]

Clinton was great, but Bernie Sanders was fantastic and he is very authentic. I doubt that Sanders can get the nomination, but he was impressive.

Clinton is well connected, knows the ropes and would make a great president.

I agree. They both did very well, I wonder if we will get a Sanders/Clinton or Clinton/Sanders ticket in the White House? Either would be preferable to the farce that is the Republican party.

I wonder ifthe american's in Thailand would pretend to be Canadians again if Trump/Bush got in hue hue hue

Clinton/Sanders isn't going to happen. If she gets nominated she won't have to appeal to the liberal wing anymore since they have nowhere else to go. It would make more sense to take someone like Webb who is ex-military and from the South to reassure the more conservative voters in the general election.

Actually, I was watching a post-debate CNN show and someone mentioned that Hillary should choose John Kasich as her running mate. That would be intriguing.

[JakeSully]

the republicans are in real trouble.

they need to do something now, but I have no idea what can save them from their past.

They are screwed for at least 2 generations.

Remember how the Republicans screwed up and caused the Great Depression and FDR/ Truman/ JFK/ LBJ reigned supreme. The only aberration was Eisenhower but he was a special case.

Now the Republicans screwed up and caused the Great Recession and have xenophobes out in force alienating every minority and LBGT person in the country. People who were in school/ working/ retiring during 2008 won't forget that so easily and that electorate will remain relevant for a good 40 years or so.

Also the electoral college favors democrats. Florida, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon are turning blue and they're growing in population. The only red state that's gaining electoral votes is Texas but even there they are saying the state will turn blue in 20 years due to the increase in minorities.

[CaptHaddock]

Clinton was great, but Bernie Sanders was fantastic and he is very authentic. I doubt that Sanders can get the nomination, but he was impressive.

Clinton is well connected, knows the ropes and would make a great president.

I agree. They both did very well, I wonder if we will get a Sanders/Clinton or Clinton/Sanders ticket in the White House? Either would be preferable to the farce that is the Republican party.

I wonder ifthe american's in Thailand would pretend to be Canadians again if Trump/Bush got in hue hue hue

Clinton/Sanders isn't going to happen. If she gets nominated she won't have to appeal to the liberal wing anymore since they have nowhere else to go. It would make more sense to take someone like Webb who is ex-military and from the South to reassure the more conservative voters in the general election.

Actually, I was watching a post-debate CNN show and someone mentioned that Hillary should choose John Kasich as her running mate. That would be intriguing.

Clinton/Kasich is not going to happen either. That would put the Repubs a heartbeat away from packing the Court for the next 30 years. It will be something like Clinton/Webb vs Rubio/Carson or Rubio/Fiorina, either of which would be a gift to the Dems.

Edited October 15, 2015 by CaptHaddock

[Thaidream]

Mrs Clinton is no Bill Clinton but she has his support and his political machine. She talks the talk but she will never follow through and give Americans what they need which is lower prices and increased incomes; a real healthcare system like the rest of the developed World has; universal college education or vocational training and tax reform. She can't do any of this because she is beholden to the wealthy and business interests that run America. I doubt she even really wants to do any of it. She will try and make her bones on foreign policy which will divert Americans attention away from all those things that could make their lives better because they are afraid of that terrorist behind every door that politicians like to bring up. No doubt, Bernie Sanders is a better choice- but he lacks charisma and most Americans can't understand his programs which are democratic socialism.

Donald Trump is probably the only one, if elected, who could really do anything significant. However, once in office, he would take care of the wealthy and his business friends. He would probably throw some crumbs at the working classes to keep them relatively benign but nothing would actually change.

The bottom line is that there is not one of them who actually understands what really needs to be done to alleviate the suffering of the poor; give middle class Americans a chance to climb out of the incredible debt they face; and redistribute the massive wealth that business and the wealthy have accumulated over the years. This will continue until someone emerges who really doesn't care if he/she gets re-elected and is not beholden to any group and restructures America in a way that money cannot continue to buy elections.

[chuckd]

All this talk about Hillary omits one interesting viewpoint.

Hillary is beatable particularly, when she is tossed anything other than softball questions.

How will she respond having to answer questions relating to her many scandals? She is a very flawed candidate.

You good folks do recall Anderson Cooper is listed as a "guest" of the Clinton Global Initiative. They previously called him a "member" but changed that to "guest" in 2012.

Of course Cooper denies any collusion with her campaign. However anchors have been known to lie a few times just like politicians.

[Scott]

A troll post has been removed.

[Jingthing]

She will be the nominee. Yes it's not too early to speculate about her VP pick. Sanders no way. Kasich no way even more so. Julian Castro. Maybe. He has charisma which she lacks but people would be concerned about the heartbeat thing as no foreign policy experience. Of those on the stage possibly OMalley. Boring but solid. I think more likely none of those. More like a big surprise.

Edited October 15, 2015 by Jingthing

[CaptHaddock]

She will be the nominee. Yes it's not too early to speculate about her VP pick. Sanders no way. Kasich no way even more so. Julian Castro. Maybe. He has charisma which she lacks but people would be concerned about the heartbeat thing as no foreign policy experience. Of those on the stage possibly OMalley. Boring but solid. I think more likely none of those. More like a big surprise.

I am not looking for a surprise VP pick on the Dem side. That's a desperation move for a one-down already candidate like McCain. Hillary would have more to lose than to gain. It would have to be someone with a track record, already vetted by the public, but without major negatives.

The Repubs will face the huge disadvantage of a first-time female presidential candidate who will definitely pull some Repub women because of the historical nature of the event. That's part of the reason she emphasized the Repub threat to Planned Parenthood. So, look for Rubio (on whom the billionaires are already settling) to pick a woman or a black or even a black woman.

[thaiturkey]

CLINTON'S TERRIBLE IMPEDIMENT

She is "in the pocket" of MONSANTO, whose improperly tested GMO crops, together with overuse of Roundup herbicide, is possibly the greatest worldwide threat to human health.

Monsanto corrupted and manipulated the FDA in order to "push through" it's GMO crops at any cost. Furthermore, GMO crops were deliberately mixed with normal crops at storage facilities, making Non GMO samples very difficult to source. They are forcing this dangerous crap down the throats of a large part of the world population....DESPICABLE!

[MZurf]

She will be the nominee. Yes it's not too early to speculate about her VP pick. Sanders no way. Kasich no way even more so. Julian Castro. Maybe. He has charisma which she lacks but people would be concerned about the heartbeat thing as no foreign policy experience. Of those on the stage possibly OMalley. Boring but solid. I think more likely none of those. More like a big surprise.

I am not looking for a surprise VP pick on the Dem side. That's a desperation move for a one-down already candidate like McCain. Hillary would have more to lose than to gain. It would have to be someone with a track record, already vetted by the public, but without major negatives.

The Repubs will face the huge disadvantage of a first-time female presidential candidate who will definitely pull some Repub women because of the historical nature of the event. That's part of the reason she emphasized the Repub threat to Planned Parenthood. So, look for Rubio (on whom the billionaires are already settling) to pick a woman or a black or even a black woman.

"So, look for Rubio (on whom the billionaires are already settling) to pick a woman or a black or even a black woman."

You mean female, black republicans actually exist?? And if they do and one was put on the ticket do you think blacks would flock to her or run away from her? I know what my guess would be.

[JakeSully]

[Jingthing]

Those instant polls are unscientific.

They are biased towards younger voters who prefer Bernie already, are much more likely to vote in instant online polls, and in real life, mostly don't vote.

I'm sure scientific polls will show differently.

I pity people who actually think an avowed socialist has any chance to be a U.S. president. Stop wasting your time even hoping about Bernie and MOVE ON.

Edited October 15, 2015 by Jingthing

[rethaier]

She did not win. Bernie did.

http://usuncut.com/politics/6-reasons-bernie-sanders-actually-owned-the-debate-despite-what-pundits-claim/