Did Rush underestimate Hillary?

Bob Krumm has an excellent post regarding the Democratic Primary and the fact that Obama, not Hillary, would be the easiest for McCain to beat in November.

As only Rush Limbaugh can do, he made headlines over the last week or so, encouraging Republican's to vote for Hillary in Texas and Ohio. I was under the assumption that he was saying that, not so much for her to be the nominee, but only to keep Obama from winning to extend the primary battle. Either way, some exit polling data suggests that it worked, especially in Texas.

I, too, have been on the side that Hillary would be the best candidate for McCain to face, given her negative polling...nearly 50% have a negative view. People know Hillary and that negative view isn't likely to change. I also think that she can do a better job at uniting Republicans than John McCain. Not so much as a knock against McCain as much as it is an indictment of how much Republican's dislike Hillary.

If Hillary is the nominee, then the whole campaign theme of "change" goes out the door. By nominating Obama, he could corner the market on "change" given McCain's tenure in Washington. However, if Clinton is the nominee, she cannot promote the "change" of an outsider that Obama is preaching. I think that has been the whole appeal of Obama, hope and change.

What we are seeing now though, is the kinks in the Obama armor. I mentioned this after Tuesday's primaries. Even more importantly, we've seen how poorly Obama responds to questions and criticsm. Which in reality, during a primary is friendly fire. It's going to get a lot worse for "Barry O" in the general.

Also, I don't think it's wise to underestimate the bad blood that is going to exsist once the Democratic Primary is settled. The way things are shaking out right now, Obama is going to have more delegates, so Hillary would have to win over the super delegates. (Kind of like Gore winning the popular vote in 2000, but losing the electoral college, to which Democrats have never forgotten, just ask one.)

If Obama wins, Hillary, and the Clinton machine, is not going to be too happy with giving up to Obama, what was seen by many as rightly hers just 6 months ago.

I still feel like Hillary is who Republicans want to face, but Krumm's column does have me thinking. Truthfully, I've seen, heard and said many times, never, ever count out the Clinton. Hopefully Rush, or myself, won't regret saying Hillary should win.

Others saying Obama would be better...

Jim Geraghty

David Brooks

Jonathan Martin