November 10, 2004
Hutchison for President in 2008?
By Byron LaMasters
Dave McNeely has his take on the musical chairs for Texas Governor and downballot races in 2006 -- pretty much the convention wisdom for what's going on the Republican side with the Hutchison/Strayhorn/Perry trainwreck looming (and don't leave out Don Evans). But this caught my eye:
Some friends say Hutchison would like to be on a presidential ticket in 2008. Her Senate credentials, her position on the Appropriations Committee, her high seniority and her being a woman from a large state are pluses — particularly if fellow Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is the Democratic presidential nominee.
But Hutchison reportedly thinks governors, who get to demonstrate and practice executive leadership, have a better shot at the presidency than senators. And her husband ran for governor 26 years ago. It's in the family.
The senator must also decide whether she can raise enough money to run against Perry, particularly if she's prohibited from transferring her Senate money to a gubernatorial campaign. Also she must decide if a brutal race spotlighting her moderate abortion stance would hurt her chancesin a nationwide race.
I think I speak for most every Democrat in this state when I say that I'm salivating at the idea of a Perry / Hutchison primary. Perry calls Hutchison a baby-killer. Hutchison attacks Perry over for just being an overall complete moron... ya know. Good times.
Posted by Byron LaMasters at November 10, 2004 11:06 PM
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That would be good times.
What is it with people and the Hillary '08 stuff? Sen. Clinton is not running in '08 and probably not '12. I'm willing to put money on that.
Besides, even if she did, I don't think she would make it out of the primaries. She attracts instant negative press and she knows it.
More than likely, Carol Mosley Braun was her dark horse to test the waters on a female nominee and she got trounced badly. The water is still too cold.
Well - I think comparing Hillary to Moseley Braun isn't fair. Hillary would be a serious candidate for President, Braun was running more to restore her reputation and get some sort of a national platform than for any other reason.
Having said that, the Hillary '08 press is majorly overblown. She's just such a polarizing figure that I don't really think that she could win, and even if she leads some early polls, it's just because of name i.d., I don't think that most Democrats actually want her to run -- I doubt that she'd make it out of the primaries either.
I think a woman has a chance as a Presidential candidate in general, but Hillary wouldn't be a good idea. I hate to admit it, but Hutchison would probably be the best test for the waters, with her credentials and conservatism.
sidenote: Did you catch her on Frontline's "The Choice" as a wide-eyed reporter? I got a few laughs at that.
I think you're right on Hillary, Byron. If you thought the negative press on Kerry was bad, then you won't believe the attacks that will be thrown at Hillary. The GOP fears her becoming President, not because she might win, but because of what they think she might do in office.
As for Hutchinson, I would hope that Prsident Bush steps in and sets his home state in order. Broker a deal. Send Perry to the Senate, and let Hutchinson kick the crap out of Strayhorn in the primary. In my opinion, that would be ideal.
Salivating?
No, I'm really worried about having Kay Bailey in the governor's mansion, as I suspect it would bump her up for a serious presidential bid. In fact, I've told other democrats, that if she runs, I'll vote against her the republican primary.
