MyDD :: The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY

The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY

by LibDem, Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:30:57 AM EST

New York Democratic pols are already thinking up exit strategies for Sen. Clinton. This according to Jonathan Alter on Countdown (without Keith Olbermann today).

It is clear that while the nastiness of Sen. Clinton's attacks are hurting Obama, it is hurting her even more. Not only can Obama come out of this a wounded candidate, Sen. Clinton might end up embittered herself and isolated in the Senate. So it is sensible to think of alternatives.

If the dream ticket Obama/Clinton were viable, it would solve everything. But now that Obama is pulling ahead in the national polls, ahead in delegates, getting superdelegate endorsements every other day, why does he need her? And why saddle himself with all that Clinton baggage?

A return to the Senate is out of the question: so many colleagues have stabbed her in the back. Even Judas did not go that far. He only endorsed Satan. So Sen. Clinton's supporters are quietly eying the possibility of her becoming Governor of New York.

Having not been Governor before, the newly elevated Paterson is just not qualified to be Governor. Being married to the Governor of Arkansas, Sen. Clinton brings a lifetime of experience in judging pumpkin competitions to the table. Bill really did consult her on every major issue. She once was water melon seed spitting champion of Little Rock. You just can't fake experience like that.

Surely, Paterson will fold once his moronic supporters realize they are being hoodwinked by a silver tongue.

What if he doesn't? What if, contrary to all wisdom, he hangs on shamelessly to the office till 2010 and then have the audacity to run for re-election?

A Plan C is needed. The hamlet of Chappaqua where the Clintons reside is not big enough to have a mayor. So Sen. Clinton will make a run for Town Clerk. The incumbent is vulnerable. It appears that she has several outstanding parking tickets. Surely this indiscretion will cost her dearly. An agitation to get the Town Council to remove her and order a special election will be easy to organize. The dream team of Penn/Wolfson is already making drafts of the commercial which will run on channel 92, the town's cable channel.

It is 3am. Somewhere in the town hall a phone is ringing. It is a goose emergency. The gander in the town pond has gone AWOL. It is rumored that he has taken up with the goose in the next pond. He needs to be caught and returned. Who do you want to answer that call?

But the Town Clerk might not succumb to pressure. Mark, bring out Plan D.

Dog Catcher. Who better than the charming Sen. Clinton to control the puppy population and manage turnover at the pound? You need a tough individual to do that. May be she can make a nice pant suit out of the puppy's coats. Now that is one tough lady.

We have prepared also contingencies for
Plan D: Crossing Guard.
Plan E: MayTag repair person.

Poll

Votes: 12
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Governor of New York, Town Clerk of Chappaqua, Dog Catcher (all tags)

Permalink :: 50 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY (2.00 / 2)

I don't put much weight on Alter, anymore. Even though the "media bias" strategy is overblown, he's pretty transparent. I've even heard the people on MSNBC joke about it.

No way. No how. No McCain.

by freedom78 on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:34:00 AM EST

Jonathan Alter brings a lifetime of experience (2.00 / 2)

Of course it is Bullshit.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:36:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm sure that time will treat her well.. (none / 0)

After all, she is trying to serve her country, not herself.

Unlike that other candidate....

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Ep isode.aspx?sched=1242
Confused by the 'Bailout' Lies?
Listen to NPR's The Giant Pool of Money

by architek on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 10:56:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

She will have a lot of time on her hands soon (none / 0)

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:13:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY (2.00 / 1)

Yes, after Obama rides off into the sunset after having fully and completely decimated a good Democrat, there has to be an exit strategy, or some sort of stupid bunk like this from the MSM who lives and breathes just for this type of crap.

Hell, it sounds like Bob Johnson to me.

Obama ain't no John Wayne.

Hell's bells, even the GOP didn't have to crucify Eisenhower's record in order to make Reagan their 'saint'. We can have two great ones, you know?

by emsprater on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:41:38 AM EST

John Wayne brings a lifetime of experience (none / 0)

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:44:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY (none / 0)

You know, I think most reasonable people would argue that all the candidates for the Democratic nomination this year were, "good Democrat"s. I would say the only people not being "good Democrats" are the ones who take the race for the nomination so seriously they vote for the REPUBLICAN nominee.

by TheSilverMonkey on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 03:23:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY (none / 0)

Or suggest that the Republican nominee is more experienced than their Democratic colleague.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 08:26:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama said that the GOP had good IDEAS.. (2.00 / 1)

Clinton said that some of them, although MISGUIDED, were good PEOPLE.

BIG DIFFERENCE....

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Ep isode.aspx?sched=1242
Confused by the 'Bailout' Lies?
Listen to NPR's The Giant Pool of Money

by architek on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 10:57:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Sen. McCain brings a lifetime of experience (none / 0)

I bring a lifetimes of experience
Sen. Obama brings a speech.

These words will haunt Sen. Clinton for ever. As will the Iraq war vote. And the shabby treatment of Congress by her husband (triangulation).

Other than the war vote she has been a good Senator though. Just not presidential material.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:16:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama said that the GOP had good IDEAS.. (none / 0)

He said they were the party of ideas, not the party of GOOD ideas. He even stipulated that people voted for Reagan against their own interests - implying that they were faulty policies. Obama called Reagan a gifted and transformational politician, and if you disagree with that statement maybe you need to review the reults of the 80 and 84 GE.

by TheSilverMonkey on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 06:59:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY (none / 0)

Likewise, I remember well over at the orange site when the hue and cry from some Obama supporters was that they would not under any circumstances ever vote for Clinton, and would either vote for McCain (should he be the nom, which at that time was not clear, because he was seen as less evil than the other GOP contenders) or simply not vote. It's still a topic of discussion, with even the candidate himself stating that he can get the majority of the Clinton voters, but she cannot claim the same for his supporters.

So your attempt to smear all Clinton supporters is hypocritical, at best, and slimy at worst.

Hell's bells, even the GOP didn't have to crucify Eisenhower's record in order to make Reagan their 'saint'. We can have two great ones, you know?

by emsprater on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 12:37:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sen. Clinton is a Democrat, as far as I know (none / 0)

I taker her word at it. I mean, I have no reason to doubt it.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:29:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sen. Clinton is a Democrat, as far as I know (none / 0)

How civil of you.

After all, she does openly run as a member of the party, she has been elected as a member of the party, and actually governs like many members of the party.

As for your implied swipe, religion is a matter where one absolutely does have to take a person's word for it, and she did. The machinations of the folks on your side who wanted to castigate her for lack of a more forceful statement are disingenuous, because nothing she could have said would have made you content. Nothing.

Hell's bells, even the GOP didn't have to crucify Eisenhower's record in order to make Reagan their 'saint'. We can have two great ones, you know?

by emsprater on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:48:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The best strategy $237000 a month can buy (none / 0)

I am qualified to be President. Sen. McCain is qualified to be President. As for Sen. Obama you have to ask his campaign

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 03:11:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sen. Clinton is a Democrat, as far as I know (none / 0)

"After all, she does openly run as a member of the party, she has been elected as a member of the party, and actually governs like many members of the party."

So how does this differentiate her from Obama, as far as being a "good Democrat" is concerned. And he's "decimated" her by beating her thus far in the nomination contest? Should no "good Democrat" ever run against another for office?

by TheSilverMonkey on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 07:05:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

So qualified to be Dog Catcher (1.00 / 1)

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:44:20 AM EST

No one has "stabbed her in the back" (2.00 / 4)

If she can be friends with the Republicans who said she and her husband were criminals and traitors to the country, then she can repair whatever issues she may have with Dems that endorsed Obama.

They are pros. It's politics, (usually) not personal.

by highgrade on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:47:13 AM EST

It is the sniper fire that is the real problem. (1.00 / 4)

Duck. Run. Cover. Bullets everywhere.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:50:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Riiiight (2.00 / 2)

Like people in the Clinton campaign are really speaking to Jonathan Alter. . . .

by Trickster on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:51:38 AM EST

For $237000 a month Howard Wolfson has to do (none / 0)

something. This is the same quality he brought to the Post Super Tuesday strategy.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:53:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Riiiight (2.00 / 1)

seconded - JA is a douche and certainly HRC or her camp would whisper exit strategies to him of all people. more msnbc nonsense - even chuck todd said after that its likely the BO camp is floating this idea.

"Democracy! Bah! When I hear that I reach for my feather Boa!" Allen Ginsberg

by canadian gal on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:55:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Math has an anti-Clinton bias. Major in miracles (1.00 / 2)

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:05:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Switching to Decaf works wonders. Or Chamomile. (none / 0)

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 01:54:40 AM EST

Chamomile Tea helps you survive sniper fire (1.00 / 3)

Nothing funny about sniper fire. Serious stuff. Duck. Cover. Run.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:02:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Clinton (none / 0)

Clinton and Obama will both be full time Senators again after November because neither of them at this point is beating McCain. Its not that I think its good I am just a realist

by rossinatl on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:24:35 AM EST

Clinton will then become Gov NY to run in 2012. (none / 0)

Governor gives her better claim of experience.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:28:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton will then become Gov NY to run in 2 (none / 0)

Actually, I thought this diary was snark, but you all seem to be taking it seriously.

I don't know who this Jonathan Alter guy is but I did hear a bit of this story today and I actually thought it made sense, if, and only if, Hillary was going to drop out of the race. Senators typically aren't elected President, because they don't have experience running anything, only at representing their state. Hence, even a young governor with not much foreign policy experience (like Bill Clinton or Bush) tends to be considered more electable. Hence, if Hillary was going to drop out of the race, and particularly if she wanted to set herself up for another run, she'd be a lot stronger doing so as a Governor than as a senator. Paterson has stated that he has never wanted to be Governor. He was actually hoping that Spitzer would appoint him Senator if Hillary won. So in essence they would be switching places.

So though I guess the guy who was talking about this isn't all that credible, don't throw the idea out with the messenger. If Hillary thinks she is going to lose at any point, this would probably be the very best way for her to set herself up to run again. Ok, not as powerful as Senate Majority Leader, but I really don't see Reid stepping aside for her.

by JackieinCA on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 06:50:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Now that the diary is off the Front Page (none / 0)

I admit it was meant as snark. It says a lot about the state of mind of Democrats that the irony was missed.

I am an Obama supporter. But I think Sen. Clinton would have been a credible nominee, I just feel Obama is better. And I don't like her campaign tactics. Her likeability rating is less than the percentage of people who vote for her. So there are still many people who vote for her although they many not like her personality. I am one of those people: I voted for her twice in NY Senate GE. I don't think a politician has to be warm and fuzzy to be effective. But it helps. Obama has it all. If he were not in the race I would be gladly supporting Hillary Clinton.

But I despise the kind of rumor mongering that Jonathan Alter is indulging in. He is being used by a turncoat within the Clinton camp to undermine her. I was simply extrapolating it to a ridiculous extreme.

Hillary Clinton would make a good Governor. But Paterson is there and if she schemes (or is seen as scheming) to remove him it will backfire on her. Someone is setting her up to destroy her in NY. She is too smart to take the bait. I hope.

NY State politics is a cesspool. No one, not even Mario Cuomo has come out of NY Gov to anything higher in recent years. The political culture he is corrupt and it just sucks the lifeblood out of people Sen. Clinton should have the sense to stay out of it.

She can stay in the Senate and be the next Ted Kennedy. Enacy Health Insurance. Make a
difference in the lives of the millions who support her.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 08:38:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

"would have been a credible nominee" (2.00 / 1)

That you say that, in the past tense, makes me doubt your own credibility..

I just don't think Obama is electable at this point. He had his chance to make a credible case and he has not done it.

He looks too much like a right winger for me to see him as a credible progressive candidate.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Ep isode.aspx?sched=1242
Confused by the 'Bailout' Lies?
Listen to NPR's The Giant Pool of Money

by architek on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 11:00:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Lucily the primary season is coming to an end (none / 0)

SuperDelegates will settle it for Obama even if no one likes things to end that way.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:19:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton will then become Gov NY to run in 2 (2.00 / 1)

jackie - not knowing who this guy is precisely the point.

JA is a ardent HRC basher who called for her to withdraw BEFORE Texas and Ohio - its clear someone in the BO camp is floating this idea to simple people who if are interested - i have some land up in FL for you.

"Democracy! Bah! When I hear that I reach for my feather Boa!" Allen Ginsberg

by canadian gal on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 10:39:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY (2.00 / 3)

Jonathan Alter?

I used to think that Jonathan Alter was Republican because he HATED THE CLINTONS THAT BADLY. That was in 1998. His hatred of them has NEVER gone away. You would think he would get therapy. Instead, he's gotten phony omnisience.

What a huge laugher.

by Sensible on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:55:08 AM EST

Re: The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY (2.00 / 3)

How do you troll rate a diary?

On to the Convention Floor!

by oh puhleeze on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 03:02:42 AM EST

Re: The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY (2.00 / 1)

If ever a diary deserves to be deleted, or a diarist deserves to be banned, this is it. This is, simply put, trolling. As I've noted before, I'm fine with Obama. I don't think he's the better candidate, but I'm fine with him. That said, this is just ridiculous. This is the type of diviseness that is just ridiculous and inflammatory.

For half a second, I'll pretend that maybe this diarist really believes what he types. If that's the case, I wonder if said diarist recognizes that, if people in the Democratic Party did try to push HRC aside as much as he would desire (and they wouldn't, but it's 3 am), there would honestly be more issues for the Democratic Party to face than a potential credentials fight.

by toonsterwu on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 03:11:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Judas! How dare he ridicule the Queen of Mean? (1.00 / 1)

The little people (i.e., not significant people) are showing such audacity. Ban them. Delete them. Divisive! Inflammatory!Ridiculous!

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:39:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

" Queen of Mean?" TRIPE ALERT! (none / 0)

Yes, how dare anyone who claims to be a 'liberal dem' stoop to such demagoguery.

Your bridge is lonely without you underneath it waiting to accost passersby.

Hell's bells, even the GOP didn't have to crucify Eisenhower's record in order to make Reagan their 'saint'. We can have two great ones, you know?

by emsprater on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:58:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The Little People are not Significant (1.00 / 1)

Only Campaign staffers who make $237000 a month are significant.

Its my Dem party and I will cry Judas if I want to
cry if I want to...

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 03:02:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Clinton Exit Strategy: Governor of NY (none / 0)

How do you troll rate a diary?

You hold the ctrl key down and press the C key at the same time. Repeat until desired effect.
Please make sure you are wearing an aluminum foil hat to scare away the troll.

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 03:05:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama Exit Strategy: Governor of IL (2.00 / 1)

Obama should learn how to govern, and if he can prove that he can govern, he can come back in 2016 and try again

Welcome to a Landslide without white Working class, Latinos, Women, Seniors and holding-on sweeties

by engels on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 06:28:06 AM EST

I think you missed the irony. (none / 0)

No need to be so bitter. Junior Senator from New York is not too bad.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 08:42:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Everyone should read this diary (2.00 / 3)

This is an instant classic. The tone is so sarcastic and demeaning to the Clinton family and their supporters. This diary is emblematic of the Obama movement (I assume the diarist is an Obama supporter). This is precisely why, myself, a life long incredibly loyal Democrat, am considering sitting out the 2008 presidential election if Obama gets the nomination. I could not bring myself to vote for McCain as I have never voted Republican. But, to see how the Democratic party has been taken over by disrespectful, self-centered, immature, and misguided individuals will make it very hard for me to become an active player in the Obama campaign. This means no lawn signs, donations, or any kind of grass roots support at all for Mr. Obama.

by bluestatedude on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 09:12:19 AM EST

Re: Everyone should read this diary (2.00 / 1)

Worth rec'ing, simply for this.

by Si Ella Puede on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 10:36:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Everyone should read this diary (none / 0)

Worth rec'ing, simply for this

Thanks. Please get your friends and neighbors to recommend too.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:25:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Everyone should read this diary (none / 0)

This is an instant classic.

I blush with pride. Really it is this kind of appreciation that makes all the hard work worthwhile. Thanks again.

by LibDem on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:23:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.