By , ,
Published January 10, 2017
Would someone please explain to me why is it that every time I turn on my television this past week and set it to a news channel, cable or otherwise; I've had to endure endless dribble about Hillary Clinton? Is she running for president in 2016? Is she tired? Does she need a break?
What do you think Newt?
Here's another question. Who gives a rat's hairy 'culeco'? I'm serious! This seems absolutely, if not astonishingly, premature.
Hillary Clinton is exceptionally wonky, brilliantly tactical and remarkably competent as a Secretary of State, but that doesn't make her a great politician
Such mindless conjecture when President Obama hasn't even been inaugurated yet, and us pasty-faced wonder boys and girls on the talking boxes are already starting our —(music up)— "This is special coverage of decision 2016."
Hillary, Hillary, Hillary. Such an insider topic, such a perfect illustration of the wide breach between establishment media folks and real folks. Do you think for one New York minute that in Manhattan, Kansas, or even New York for that matter, they are sitting around thinking about whether Hillary will run for president in 2016 already? No, they're busy trying to figure out how to pay their mortgage in 16 days.
But wait, before we chalk it up to bad news judgment or poor story selection, let's consider what else may be at play here.
It's called Hillarymania, a manic condition that occurs in four-year cycles to members of the mainstream media afflicting them with a bizarre and uncontrollable urge to help get Hillary Clinton elected President of the United States; no matter the facts or obstacles in the way.
Fact one: she doesn't want it! The Secretary of State recently gave an interview to Marie Claire magazine where she said she won't run for president in 2016.
Her reasoning seems genuine. "I have been on this high wire of national and international politics and leadership for 20 years," said Clinton.
"It has been an absolutely extraordinary personal honor and experience. But I really want to just have my own time back. I want to just be my own person. I'm looking forward to that."
Now, let's move on to fact two. She's not really that good as a presidential candidate. Fact is, Hillary Clinton is exceptionally wonky, brilliantly tactical and remarkably competent as a Secretary of State, but that doesn't make her a great politician, or more to the point, a shoe in as a presidential candidate.
Maybe it's just not in her DNA. In 2007, she was all but anointed —by her party, donors and the MSM. She proceeded to get stomped by a state senator turned first-term U.S. senator few Americans even knew.
After the Iowa primary in 2008, while working at a network that was very much enthralled and seemingly convinced editorially that Hillary had it in the bag, I questioned whether she could win after the Iowa caucus. You'd have thought I committed heresy. By the way, I was right.
This week New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is getting a bitter taste of that same Hillarymania backlash. He's being criticized by the MSM for not falling in lockstep with them. When asked about a Clinton candidacy, he complimented her by saying she's a woman of "great experience," but declined to endorse her because "it's a long way away." Not good enough.
The reaction to Cuomo's comment illustrates how heavy-handed the media can be in pushing an agenda and driving a consensus. Hillary Clinton may still run, may get the party's nomination and may even be elected president. Or maybe not.
What is clear to me is this: the American people, not the media, should decide.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rick-sanchez-hillarymania-why