It was a windy and cold night in Manchester, NH (and I mean really cold – somewhere between zero and minus one) when Roger Simon and Claudia Rosett emerged from the WeDu PR firm where they had just completed a video interview of a surging John McCain. Earlier in the day, at the nearby Segway Plant, they had interviewed the redoubtable Rudolph Giuliani (look for forthcoming video footage of RS aboard a Segway – no he doesn’t fall off). It was time, they agreed, to attempt the trifecta of high profile American politics and head off to…
Hillary Headquarters.
Yes, this would be the same headquarters where not long ago some delusional lunatic had attempted a kidnapping. And, yes, we realized that Hillary would not be there, but what else is there to do in Manchester NH at ten o’clock at night on a Thursday in subzero temperature? With the help of some frozen fingers on a rented GPS we were soon at the door.
The lights were on, as luck would have, it, but the place was not jumping, even though La Hillary would soon be there (the next day). No, perhaps three dozen young volunteers were huddled around the largest TV screen we had seen thereabouts (60 inches or more – this campaign was well financed), heads bowed as if they were attending a wake.
Dominating the giant screen was Hillary herself, making a speech and trying to make a third place finish in Iowa sound like a victory for Democrats. Looking around the room, the volunteers shuffled nervously, not knowing how to react. On screen, Madeleine Albright looked glum. Bill tried to force a smile and clapped perfunctorily. I imagined what he might be thinking: What will I do with the rest of my life if she loses? How long will this marriage last? Do I want it to? Something like that.
A young volunteer came up, asking who we were. “From Pajamas Media,” I said and presented my card. “We’ve been doing interviews with the candidates. Giuliani and McCain today. We’d very much like to interview Hillary.”
The volunteer smiled pleasantly and took the card.
“…heads bowed as if they were attending a wake.”
They were attending a wake! Hillary Clinton can only hope that Barack Obama does something stupid. She is also too proud to run as his VP. That dubious honor will likely go to John Edwards. The Democratic Party primary season ended tonight. The Republicans still have to sort things out. Rudy Giuliani will probably win the nomination.
Edwards as Veep for two different candidates in a row? I’d laugh. It won’t happen, but, if it did, I’d laugh.
And, you know, he’s enough of a political slut that he’d probably say yes.
to me, the interesting aspect has been that Race has been of little account (except in scattered self congratulations after Obama’s win); but Religion has been front and centre of the debates.
What does this mean, anyway?
Obama is too smart to put an anchor like Edwards in the two spot. My guess would be Richardson (because he would appeal to more conservative Democrats and independents.)
“Obama is too smart to put an anchor like Edwards in the two spot.”
Your point is well taken. Indeed, someone like Richardson would be the wiser choice.
Hillary Clinton believes that she is owed the presidency. The zeitgeist of our era wants her to be our next leader. Barack Obama must therefore be some sort of scum bag deserving of destruction. No, this lady will not quietly disappear into the night. We are now going to see the real Hillary!
Huckabee won?
WTF?
Actually, the lunatic was in Hillary’s Rochester NH office, not Manchester. Easy mistake for a Californian to make, but you were probably safe.
You should post your NH schedule! I’d love to score an autograph on one of my Moses Wine books.
This is a victory for the Democratic party. Yeah, in a snarky way, it’s a win in the sense that Hillary or Edwards would be far easier for a decent republican to beat (assuming said decent Republican exists). It’s a win in two senses. First, the Dems have made the generational transition. They’re not re-fighting the battles of the 80′s as Edwards is, and they’re not re-fighting the battles of the 90′s as Hillary does.
Second, looking at the demographics last night, Obama did something really impressive. My generation has always been long on talk but short on actually voting on election day. Obama managed to get young people who had never caucused before and who statistically would never do so to actually show up and caucus all night for him. This is totally unprecedented and if he can repeat this nationwide could secure him and his party a governing coalition.
Even if Huckabee isn’t nominated, his rhetoric is designed to shatter the GOP’s coalition. He’s explicitly attacking the libertarians and economic conservatives. He’s a no-show on foreign policy. He takes an aggrieved tone on behalf of the religious right at a time when they are stronger than they’ve ever been. This win won’t help him take the nomination because I don’t think he can break out of his faction.
It’s ironic because christian conservatives have tons of options this year– even the libertarian candidate is pro-life. For them to jump ship now is unbelievable, but that seems to be how it’s playing out– assuming voters in other states act like the ones in Iowa. People will be dissecting what happened in this election for decades.
Obama Buster Douglas(ed) Hillary.
Expect Obama to be getting an IRS audit notice.
Wellspring
Excellent comment, except for this : “..assuming voters in other states act like the ones in Iowa”.
They won’t.
For an outspoken Christian, Huckabee’s serial violations of the Golden Rule are deeply disturbing–all the more so because of his cynical and half hearted attempts to justify them. If the religious right buys his Elmer Gantry act, they will become the liberal caricature of their religiosity.
Hillary was selling her identity, but last night Obama’s identity was the more compelling.
Hillary has got to change gears pronto.
In the mean time Chelsea could announce she’s pregnant or something.
Huckabee strikes me as the perfect candidate — for the religious left. A GOP Jimmy Carter. No thanks.
Iowa was the ideal place for him to campaign in, it will get harder from here on.
Huck’s tax hike would make Bush 41 tax hike look like a suggested donation to get in at the Museum.
Huck socks.
LetÔøΩs not forget to mention that there will most likely be an outbreak, sonewhere along the line, of CMFS (Chronic Media Fatigue Syndrome).
Iowans are just now getting over the lesser form know as CPFS, but expect it to go national before November with full blown CMFS.
I noticed this personally in 2006, when the overdose of media spots by candidates was more likely to turn you against those running the ad.
Yes Virginia, there is a limit to how much money will do you any good (without actually handing out dollar bills).
Wall street woke up to Huck and Obama and sued for seppuku.
Sorry, Hillary. I’m afraid you’re yesterday’s news. “Change?” “Experience?” Both? Neither? We’re all so tired of the same old blather, the same faces, the same husband whose interest is first and foremost himself.
You’ve remarked that only “you” would be President if elected. Really? Do you honestly think anyone believed that?
I’m investing in change: go, Barry!
I imagined what he might be thinking:
I get 1st dibs on Eliot Spitzer’s job!
Many in the MSM love Huck because he is a sure loser next Fall. They’ll love him all the way till July/August and then he’ll be the dangerous doofus.
Currently the MSM wants to sell papers and TV ads, so whatever makes for conflict and exciting surprises will be pushed hard until it smells like spoiled milk. Hillary as comeback kid 2? Right now the pundits are wet dreaming Obama (even “conservative” pundits like Brooks). At this point, he has no where to go but down. Roger has mentioned several times that Obama seems like an empty suit. Either we’ll elect Chance the Gardener or he’ll show more than he has so far or Billary will slice & dice.
I get 1st dibs on Eliot Spitzer’s job!
JM, Of course if Hillary won Bill would want her Senate seat. No term limits…