Is the Devil in Petticoats the conservatives best bet?

We are all accustomed to conservatives who think that Hillary Clinton is – to borrow an eighteenth century phrase – “the devil in petticoats”, always supposing that anyone wears petticoats nowadays.  But suppose for a moment that she is not.  Could Hillary be the best Presidential candidate that conservatives could hope for.

The argument runs like this.  After two very narrow Republican victories, with the Republicans seeking a third term, there is a statistical probability that the Democrats will win in 2008.  That statistical probability is reinforced by the unpopularity of the Iraq War, which can hardly be blamed on Donald Rumsfeld alone, whom Senator McCain calls “one of the worst Secretaries of Defence in history”.

Assume then that no conservative Republican can be elected in 2008.  Rudy Giuliani is not a conservative on any of the conscience issues nor in his private life, and he is the frontrunner.  The choice that remains is Hillary or Barack Obama, the old moderate wing of the Democrats or a young liberal.  Many conservatives have reconciled themselves to the Clinton presidency itself – “a better President than a man” is a common enough view nowadays.  Why not accept that Hillary is the most moderate President who can get elected.  She believes in sound finance – which George W. Bush does not – and in the cautious use of American power – which the old George Bush also supports.  This is difficult for those who have hated Hillary for the last fourteen years, but perhaps they have “grown accustomed to her face”.

Comments

[Winchester whisperer]

The only reason to vote for Hilary would be the prospect of Bill as First Man.

[Robbie Rohan]

I would suggest to the Lord William Rees-Mogg, that the Americans are quite simply a complicated Nation. The selective nomination arguements between Hilary Clinton and that of Mr Barack Obama, is not one of policy but that of "first woman or first black President". Simple and complicated ramifications.

[Jeff Larsen]

What about Mr Webb and Mr Gore to name just two? there is a lot more talent there yet.

What exactly has Mr Giuliani done apart from not join Mr Bush and Mr Cheney in their respective bomb shelters?

[Josef Serf]

"She believes in...the cautious use of American power – which the old George Bush also supports."

Cautious? Really? That is news to most Americans - including most Democrats - since Hillary voted FOR the war in November 2002!

She publicly expressed support for the war in Iraq until quite recently.

She even continued to support the Iraq war AFTER no WMDs were found in Iraq.

Since her re-election last year, Hillary began the process of 'repositioning' herself over the war.

The only thing that Hillary is cautious about is paying attention to public opinion.

Most Democrats are suspicious of her which is why Mr. Obama is gaining so much support.

P.S. I am from New York City and have been a Democrat for over 25 years.