Saturday, February 15, 2014

"Is Hillary Clinton Too Old to Run?"

Before Obama and Bush 43, there was the Clintons, as Rand Paul so cleverly (some would say deviously) reminded us, of the Clinton Fatigue, almost everyone who follows politics, admitted having at that time. The days that turned into months, covering the Monica Lewinsky chapter, of the Clintons life in the public eye. Those days may have long passed into the recesses of our minds. Do we summon the energy to recover them again, a la Mia, Woody and Dylan, or do we let someone else, with youth and vigor, have a chance to run and make new richly entertaining mistakes?

From a National Journal Article...
Is Hillary Clinton really a 100 percent lock to run? I think it is a pretty good bet, maybe 70 percent chance or so; but that also means there is an approximately 30 percent chance that she doesn't throw her hat in the ring. The current political environment certainly argues on behalf of a Clinton run, and it would be very difficult—but not impossible—for anyone to beat her for the nomination. However, these choices can never be considered 100 percent political decisions. Clinton turns 67 this October. At that age, she will likely be making her candidacy decision, and if nominated Clinton would turn 69 two weeks before the 2016 general election, notably the same age Ronald Reagan was when he was first elected in 1980. The choice to run for president is effectively a nine-year commitment: one year to run, another four years if she wins a first term—finishing up that term at age 73—and then, assuming she runs for reelection and wins, serving four more years to end a second term at 77 years of age. None of this is to say that the age issue could successfully be used against her. After all, Reagan won the presidency at the same age. But how many 67-year-olds make nine-year commitments, and what concerns have to be addressed if they do?

According to The Atlantic, during her tenure as secretary of State, Clinton traveled for 401 days to 112 countries, totaling 956,733 miles, a distance equal to more than 38 times around the globe; wags have taken to calling it "odometer diplomacy." But also worth noting is how in Secretary Clinton's last year at her post, particularly the last few months at the State Department, the position clearly took a toll on her health; she experienced an episode of fainting or passing out, and suffered a head injury. None of this necessarily is to argue against her running, but she would be undertaking something that, as she well knows, is considerably more physically demanding even than her previous position, and at an older age. This is not necessarily an end-all-be-all argument that she should or would not run, simply that she likely would have to think long and hard as to whether she is physically up to the rigors of running and serving in office. Having run for president once before, and enduring two presidential campaigns and terms as a spouse, no one understands more clearly than Hillary does what the position demands. Do all of the people who say that she absolutely will run know and appreciate this as much as she obviously does? READ MORE 

68 comments:

The Dude said...

She can party and golf even at her advanced age, so I welcome our gyno-overlord. Lordess. Whatevs...

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Whatever we may say about how terrible Obama is "running" the country at least we cant say... you know.
The idea of having Bill back in the White House toasting porn stars at the White House and what not...

Clinton Fatigue.

Revenant said...

The current political environment certainly argues on behalf of a Clinton run

I don't quite get that sentence. What about the current political environment says that?

Hillary Clinton's *age* argues on behalf of a run -- if she doesn't run in 2016, she never will.

AllenS said...

Reagan at 69 was still riding horses. Hillary as Sec of State was sitting on her ass while someone else flew her flabby ass around on a plane.

ricpic said...

If this bitch is elected, er...crowned, she'll go into "We are not amused" mode on day one.

Amartel said...

It's a side show to keep the Republicans on defense for as long as possible with the spectre of Inevitable Hillary! and the Awesome Unbeatable* Clinton Machine of Destiny.

*Erm, no. (See, e.g., 2008.)

Bonus: it gets conservatives to say dumb off-putting stuff about women which can later be used for WarOnWomen purposes. Rand Paul is going about it the right way.

Unknown said...

Never to old for a media-hyped revenge seeking power hungry shrew.

Icepick said...

Hillary, if elected in 2016, would be just about eight months younger when sworn in on Jan 20, 2017 than Reagan was when he was sworn in in 1981. Yeah, she's that old.

Icepick said...

Oops, I see the NJ did mention that. But she will be really old.

Icepick said...

Old, old, old, old. In the party that worships youth above all else.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

Personally, I'm hoping that she runs, gets the nomination, then has a permanently crippling stroke during one of the debates on live television.

Probably not very nice, but hey, everybody is entitled to dream.

Unknown said...

I'd like to ser her run just to watch her go down in flames once and for all. the media will pull out all the stops to promote and protect her. You think the media are in the tank for Obama? We ain't seen nothing yet.

edutcher said...

Maybe the Hildabeast can host a nap-over with Ruth Ginsburg.

(imagine dreaming of Huma and waking up next to that)

The Dude said...

Run, she's so old she can barely walk!

Lydia said...

Defeated in 1945, Winston Churchill came back as prime minister in 1951 at the age of 77 and served until 1955. Not saying Hillary's of the same mettle, but some of the ones who've been around politics forever just go on and on.

The Dude said...

What I wrote was unfair - she is still spry enough to dodge sniper fire, so run, Hil!, run!

sakredkow said...

it gets conservatives to say dumb off-putting stuff about women which can later be used for WarOnWomen purposes. Rand Paul is going about it the right way.

This is exactly right IMO. But things are changing, changing so much the GOP is going to change, too.

I think the Ted Wells report released yesterday or today is one of the key barometers of how much we are changing. Even though it's not getting any attention and it was apparently released on a weekend to avoid the new cycle, it's going to be hugely influential in accelerating the changes we're going through.

The gender police, the anti-bullying police, they're going to be up in everyone's ass so far, people who dare now won't dare by the time 2016 comes around.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

Phx, the Ted Well's report means jack shit. Nobody feels sorry for a 6'5 320 pound millionaire, even if his skin happens to be black, and his parents happen to be employment law attorneys

I has absolutely zero to do the national mood, particularly on gender and/or real bullying.

But pushing political correctness police on the population absolutely will make them rush to the voting booths to pull the lever for more PC gestapo, please advocate for it.

sakredkow said...

I think there will be big punishments levied by the commissioner. They are getting ready to welcome gays into the fold, and they want to make sure the words "workplace bullying" don't apply to them anymore.

Martin has a nice lawsuit if he chooses.

sakredkow said...
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sakredkow said...

You no learn Bye-bye.

Icepick said...

PMJ, that guy isn't a millionaire, not yet. His contract is in the mid six figures. Take out agent fees and taxes.... Not a millionaire, all I'm saying.

Trooper York said...

American's are not impressed by pussies. Certainly not by pussy football players.

If he can't stand up to somebody busting his balls he should be cut. If the NFL kowtows to the bullying hysteria they deserve what they get when the fans revolt.

The Dude said...

Football fans are already revolting.

sakredkow said...

The world is going one way Troop, and you are going another.

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

Sixty Grit said...
Football fans are already revolting.


Didn't Marie Antoinette say the same thing about the peasants, although it may have been Mel Brooks.

The Dude said...

The world? Really? I understand that you and the mullahs and imams are on the same page, but "the world"? Some people actually want more freedom and less government oversight, taxation and surveillance.

But since you fancy that the state will never come after you, keep working towards your socialist utopia.

sakredkow said...

But since you fancy that the state will never come after you

What are you talking about?

Trooper York said...

I think you are dead wrong phx. The fact is the world is going about it's business working. But you know that the strong always beat down the weak. Fostering weakness and feminine values has its place. Just not in certain areas. The military for one. Football for another.

Anyone that does that is going to lose. Big time. If that's what you want this country to become just shut out the lights because the parties over.

Trooper York said...

Martin might sue and make some money because of some old women in a dress on the bench will want to fix his boo boo but no football team would ever sign him again. Nor should they.

sakredkow said...

Fostering weakness and feminine values has its place.

Read the report. It's really not about being tough or locker room antics. No one is saying calling your teammate a pussy or a c*nt is harassment. It's about the context, picking on one or two because they won't respond they way you think they should. There's a difference between fostering manliness and masculine values and being a bully who's intentionally hounding someone in the workplace.

sakredkow said...

If the GOP can't understand those values and make it loud and clear that they do then they deserve to be tied to guys who think those behaviors are ducky.

Bye bye.

Trooper York said...

Did you every play sports phx? Hang out on the corner?

When I was a yute I used to go to various playgrounds to get into pick up basketball games. I was a decent shot for a white guy. I bet you never did.

If signing on for the pussification of America is the price you pay for political power than count me out. I think you are dead wrong though. Time will tell.

Trooper York said...

Nobody hounds people in the workplace more than the oppressive force of the politically correct. They even want you to change the name of your team because it makes their vagina hurt.

Trooper York said...

Tell you kids to stop with the play dates with the helicopter parents and put down the video game and go out on the playground and mix it up. Jeeeez.

sakredkow said...

When I was a yute I used to go to various playgrounds to get into pick up basketball games.

The values of grownups are different than the values of unsupervised children on the playground. It's hard for people with arrested development who never grew up beyond childhood (Richie Incognito, Rob Ford, and all sorts of other people you must admire). I understand that. That doesn't mean we should reduce ourselves to your lowest common denominator.

I'm not arguing for society to change. It's changing, no worries there. It's still a good thing if the clueless can be made to understand why they lost.

Trooper York said...

You have to understand that not everyone accepts your parameters that everything should be feminized into tea parties where never is heard a discouraging word.

In sports it is often who imposes their will that determines who wins the game. There are many very talented but weak players who turn into losers. The history of the game is replete with them. Hell. The history of history is as well.

If you can't stand up to some taunts and name calling then you are never going to impose anything. And you will lose to those who will impose their will. Whether it be on the offensive line or the South China Sea.

You forget that at your peril.

Enjoy your cocoa buddy. I hope those pajamas are warm on this cold February day.

sakredkow said...
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sakredkow said...

You have to understand that not everyone accepts your parameters that everything should be feminized into tea parties where never is heard a discouraging word.

You can't understand the issue.

Trooper York said...
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Trooper York said...


I understand it totally. You have a dude whose parents are lawyers. That is all you need to know right there.

He was bullied. No doubt about that. Incognito is a major league asshole. No doubt about that. To say that I admire him is just stupid. If I was there I would be the first one to tell him to shut the fuck up and cut the bullshit. But the way to beat a guy like that is not to cry like a bitch and quit. That is where we differ. That is the issue.

Trooper York said...

My America is the America of Harry Truman.

Your America is the America of Truman Capote.

That is where we differ.

Trooper York said...

That is not to say that we don't need our Truman Capotes.

They have their place in our ecosystem. At tea parties and brunch. Those watercress sandwiches will not get eaten all by themselves.

Trooper York said...

I value your comments phx and enjoy our debates.

I certainly don't want to bully you.

Trooper York said...

See you stand your ground and come back swinging.

Something even a football player can learn from you. Just sayn'

sakredkow said...

I feel the same way Trooper. You're always good with me.

Trooper York said...

I want you to comment on my blog. I think you might enjoy my Doc Holliday stories. Right up your alley. Mindless sex and violence.

With health care problems thrown in.

You got my invitation right?

Lydia said...

If you can't stand up to some taunts and name calling then you are never going to impose anything. And you will lose to those who will impose their will. Whether it be on the offensive line or the South China Sea.

Tiger Mom couldn't have said it better.

Trooper York said...

That is what we are dealing with in the real world Lydia. The real world. Not the world that Obama and Hillary think we live in. Just sayn'

sakredkow said...

I don't think I got any invitation.

sakredkow said...

If you can't stand up to some taunts and name calling then you are never going to impose anything. And you will lose to those who will impose their will. Whether it be on the offensive line or the South China Sea.

Well we don't know for sure yet but in the battle of the survival of the fittest, I believe Martin wins, Coach Turner it out of a job, and Icognito and his "Free Hernandez" pals are dropped.

sakredkow said...

This is definitely a game of evolutionary advancement - them who can't evolve don't advance.

Lydia said...

Trooper, I actually admire Tiger Mom, and sort of wish I could have been more like her with my daughter. But I weenied out.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

Martin will never play another down in the NFL ever again.

Incognito will probably be resigned somewhere, although he already has 12 years in the league and is past his prime.

What you don't understand Phx, and probably partially because you never played contact or any other sports (I noticed you ignore that question) is why the vast majority of the players took Incognito's side. Even the black ones, especially the black ones.

Martin has mental problems, and they are brought on by his pussy liberal parents who told him his whole life how special he was, and shielded him from the real world.

sakredkow said...

I don't think it's relevant why or even whether the players took Incognito's side (although that's not what the report indicated about the Dolphins in any case).

I think you're just making up stuff about "mental problems" because it sounds good to you.

sakredkow said...

But I'm open to a link or other evidence of Martin's "mental illness."

Trooper York said...

Phx you had to send me an email at trooperyork@hotmail.com

Then I would send you an invitation that lets you sign in. Check your spam after you send it as it sometimes goes there. I keep all email addresses strictly confidential any never divulge anything about anyone.

I truly value constructive criticism. Sixty and chickie have been extremely helpful in my Doc Holliday saga and I would welcome your point of view. Especially in the Joey Gallo segments as I think you have something to offer there.

Thanks.

Trooper York said...

Oh and by the way the only place that Martin will ever get to play again is in "The League of Extraordinary Sensitive Gentlemen."

sakredkow said...

It's totally up to Martin. The Commish wouldn't dare deny him or the lawsuit would just get bigger and bigger. Given the report the Wells report and the climate we're in, we're talking disaster for the NFL.

The question is does Martin want to play or just stay home and read Shakespeare and newspaper accounts of how his suit is coming along.

Trooper York said...

No one is going to sign him phx. He is not that good number one and the circus he would bring is just not worth it. Unless the NFL forces a team to do it he will never play another down in the league.

However I forsee a great future for him in the WNBA.

On second thought those ladies might be tough for him.

Think bowling. No too white.

I don't know. I think Martin is shit out of luck.

Trooper York said...

Hey I figured it out.

He has a great future in Rupal's Drag Race!

That's like a sports thing right?

sakredkow said...

The NFL would definitely force the team. The only way out of this for them is to pay a lot of money to make him go away.

He didn't do anything wrong.

sakredkow said...

The NFL would definitely force the team. The only way out of this for them is to pay a lot of money to make him go away.

He didn't do anything wrong.

sakredkow said...

It's called a hostile work environment.

Trooper York said...

A football field? Really?

Somebody calling you names and busting your balls and testing your will is a "hostile work environment" on a football field?

It's been a long time since I played sports on an organized basis but has it changed that much?

Trooper York said...

On the other hand my grandfather told me this would happen when Joe Namath first put on pantyhose.

So maybe you are right.

Revenant said...

Another reason to not watch the NFL. Why would I want to give ANY of these people money?

rcocean said...

Hillary is never too old to have the runs.