On to South Carolina: Hillary gets back on track
But it’s all still to play for, says James Forsyth. Senator Clinton’s astonishing comeback does not mean that Obama is finished by any means -— and John McCain has injected much-needed energy into the Republican primaries, too
What makes the Republican race so wide open is that the Reagan coalition of fiscal, social and national conservatives is broken. Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, attempted to turn himself into the lowest-common-denominator candidate for the coalition, but he got found out for what he is: a man who will say almost anything to get your vote. In the Republican debate on Saturday, the other candidates delivered blow after blow to a man they clearly viewed with contempt. Their attacks were not strategic but motivated by distaste. Indeed, Romney’s pandering is something to behold. At an event on the eve of the New Hampshire primary he told the crowd that when he was running the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics he saw only American athletes putting their hands on their hearts during the national anthem.
Every other serious Republican candidate loses part of the Reagan coalition. Mike Huckabee, the Christian populist, loses fiscal conservatives who dislike his tax-raising record and hawks who worry about the naivety of his foreign policy. Giuliani, with his socially liberal positions and three marriages, is unacceptable to social conservatives. And John McCain irritates anti-tax zealots who object to his refusal to sign a pledge not to raise taxes. The fact that he has never voted for a tax increase in his entire career seems not to be enough for them. Social conservative leaders, meanwhile, dislike the impact that the McCain-inspired campaign finance reform legislation has had on their fundraising. However, McCain’s biggest problem in the primary is his position on immigration: he believes in a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants without a criminal record, which is at odds with the Republican base. However, neither Huckabee nor Giuliani — who both were moderates on the issue — seem inclined to attack him on it. So if McCain can see off Romney in Michigan on Tuesday then the issue should fade.
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K.Vijayakumar
January 10th, 2008 10:39amIf sentiments made a significant number of voters to vote for Hillary in the NH primary thereby ensuring her win,it should be a matter of concern to the male contestants. In the very nature of things, women will be better placed than men to cash in on sentiments. Obama, beware!
Samantha Smear
January 10th, 2008 10:43pmIt seems the lady whose question made Hillary Clinton (weepy in the manner of a child threatened with having its lolly taken away?) went on to vote for Senator Obama because one of his speeches made her weep with emotion. On this form let us pray that when it comes to the wire in November the Anmerican people remember where they are and elect John McCain.
Was this article, by the way, worth publishing? One appreciates that it had to be written or revised in a hurry, but one read better and more stylish analyses in the common prints the morning after.
Robert Sawyer
January 12th, 2008 1:42amAn insignificant "win," in a media, non-event.
Apropos of what was gained. Each took with them seven delegates as this primary goes on and on ad naseum. It's important that we keep in mind, that the Bill Clinton named the "Come back, Kid" was 45 years old, arguably a kid, Senator Clinton is a tired and soon to be worn out, 60 year old woman.
David L Nilsson
January 12th, 2008 9:25amLike everyone in the dead-tree media, Forsyth fails to notice the one candidate who unites rigid respect for America's traditions with a vision of its future that is exciting thousands of real voters, from all parties and none, and attracting millions in contributions from little people. Despite a blackout from the monied interests that are terrified of the consequences to their bottom lines of the USA ceasing to be the world's bully and welfare wagon for immigrants, this candidate got more votes than Giuliani in one state and almost as many in the other. www.ronpaul2008.com