Hillary can win.

Hillary can win. I am not sure I want her to even run. But she can win. Too many Democrats are bent out of shape about a "Hillary" candidacy. There will not be a "Hillary" candidacy. There will be a "Clinton" candidacy. And let me postulate that the excitement on the Right at the prospect of the Democrats nominating her is largely fake. The truth is those who know how to win elections (which is to say the GOP) understand a real threat when they see one. The early assault on her from the Right by people like Chris Matthews is reality based fear. It is also tactical. And pretty good politics. Tag her as "angry" and hysterical early and often. Frame the debate about her around anger and the word "Hillary".
"Anger" from a female loses. Sexist, but true. The Right wing creation called "Hillary" loses. To any number of Republicans.

"Clinton", however is a winner.

Democrats have got to understand something basic, after all the good work being done with the "grassroots" and more and more Democrats being willing to hammer Bush, AND - bless my soul- a party that is FINALLY attacking on issues like healthcare and foreign oil - in the final analysis, Presidential elections are ABOUT BRANDING.

Bush=strong
Kerry=weak.

In those four words Bush got a second term. The majority does not and did not like Bush. The majority did not and does not agree with most of Bush's policies. Still he won. Kerry was branded in August of 2004 in almost the exact same way Dukakis was branded in the public mind in August of 1988. Neither had the basic political sense to brand Dad or son Bush. Or even respond for weeks. Just replace Atwater with Rove. Same election.

Let me make the obvious painfully clear: "CLINTON" wins. Twice already. Not always, but with astounding consistency, the Bill Clinton brand was controlled by Bill Clinton. It still is. Monica got him impeached. All the while his poll numbers kept going up. The economy helped but a lesser politician would have been removed. Dismissing "Hillary" is easy. "Clinton" is another matter.

Senator Clinton could also lose. The election is far away. The Republicans are ruthless in ways Democrats are still unwilling to come to terms with.

My brief take from this far out: 40% will vote for ANYONE who runs against her. But 30-35% will vote for if she is the candidate. That leaves a dog fight for 20%. If the election were today? She would be slaughtered.
3 more years of GOP trainwrecks, trials, scandals, and wandering in Iraq - the Clinton Brand is going to be hot.

If, by then, we also add in a sour economy - then Bill smiling and waving behind the Senator looks damn good.
She will give even the best GOP ticket a hell of a fight.

"Hillary" is a bad choice for Democrats in 2008. Senator Clinton has the brains, chops and team to win.