Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton?

Hillary Clinton is running for the US Senate from New York. Well, officially, she is "exploring the possibility" of running, but if she's not a candidate then the Statue of Liberty isn't green.

Unless she changes her campaign style, however, I think her candidacy is doomed. New York is the home of in-your-face, confrontational, personal politics. Hillary Clinton seems to prefer the aloof position of making pronouncements from the mountaintop. The press has widely reported that whenever she holds a "public meeting" the room is packed with her supporters in order to avoid any hard questions from those who might disagree with her. She also has not entertained any questions from reporters; the press has only been allowed to observe and report on the heavily orchestrated proceedings. That, in my mind, is quite heavy-handed and ethically wrong, but if that's what she wants to do she, of course, has every legal right to do it - if the room is a private one. But when the room in which she is appearing is in a public institution, such as a State University campus, which is owned by the taxpayers, I don't think she has the right to exclusively select the audience. Few would object if she limited the audience to students and faculty in such a venue, but all students and all faculty, regardless of their political views, should be invited. And if she is going to open it up to the general public, then anyone who wishes to attend should be allowed in.

Ethics and legalities aside, however, her exclusive style will quickly get her into political hot water in New York. If New Yorkers sense that she is anything less than forthcoming she will quickly become political dead meat. The New York press is every bit as demanding as the electorate and they will continue to report anything they perceive as chicanery. My advice to her, if she wishes to have a chance at becoming senator, is to open up her "town meetings" to everyone who wishes to attend and to field all questions, whether they are from supporters or detractors. There is no other way to win here.


This is my opinion. What's yours? envelp.gif - 1664 Bytes rcasaly@albany.net