For the entry and discussion on Rudy Giuliani, click here

For the entry and discussion on John McCain, click here

For the entry and discussion on John Edwards, click here

As we continue along we jump back across the aisle to the Dems. Rumors of more candidates jumping into the saturated Republican field underscores the uncertainty in that grand old party. However, the Democrats seem to be a little bit more stabilized with 3 front-runners and the rest lagging painfully behind (insert AI comparisons here).

Who better to look at then America’s senator: Hillary Clinton. The sheer mention of her name is enough to provoke some 40 million Americans to begin pulling out their hair, rending their clothes and doing something akin to spontaneous combustion. Yes, she is that polarizing. But is she electable?

(Note: let me repeat that this is not intended to be an in-depth analysis of issues and positions. The comments can deal with that. These pros and cons deal with profile, aesthetics and electability. And let’s face it: electability and issues do not walk hand in hand in this country.)

Pros: A strong, widely recognized last name that carries a tremendous amount of clout; the deepest war chest with a tremendous ability to raise money; the first legitimate female aspirant to the presidency; Initiated the Children’s Health Insurance Program while first lady among other works; a champion of stopping violence against women; the power of Bill.

Cons: Far and away the most controversial and polarizing figure in the field who is absolutely hated by conservative Republicans; unspectacular Senatorial career; for the Iraq war before she was against it; does not possess her husband’s charisma or likability much less his ability to play the middle; past scandals and controversies (as all candidates do); does not have the clearly defined positions as her primary opponents do.

Analysis: Hillary is the front-runner for the democratic nod and it is her nomination to lose. It’s a long way until February and her constant sniping with Obama could deplete her coffers and pave the way for a third candidate (i.e. John Edwards) to break through.
However the power of her name and the presence of Bill makes her a formidable opponent and one that the GOP is scared to death of. There are still some who will make the contention that there is no way she could ever be elected. That’s denial at its finest.
However popular she might be and despite the cachet of the name, however, there are many blights on her record and the Dems must realize that she might not be the best candidate to reach out to middle America.
The prospect of seeing on a national scale the never realized Giuliani-Clinton showdown is tempting. She is polling well and is a money-raising machine.
But what does she believe? Who is she really? I don’t believe that she is the ultra-crazed liberal that the far right have painter her as. But I don’t believe she is the best candidate either.

Thoughts?