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THE FIRST MAJOR stop on the road to the White House takes place for Democratic hopefuls tonight – and Hillary Clinton will be hoping she can withstand a barrage of criticism.
The clear front-runner in the race to succeed Barack Obama, Clinton (who is polling 42% of support among Democrats) must first secure her party’s nomination for next November’s election.
That race kicks off in earnest tonight in The Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, as CNN hosts the first debate of the Democratic primary season.
While the Republican debates have become big ratings grabbers for networks, the Democratic debate is expected to be more substantive, if much less exciting.
The debate will feature five candidates, barring a late entry from Vice President Joe Biden, with four hoping to break into the American mainstream consciousness while on a stage next to a Clinton.
They are:
Bernie Sanders – Senator, Vermont
He’s polling at 25% nationally and had a stellar summer, breaking his way into the race after being seen as too far to the left previously. But does he have the staying power?
The democratic socialist is fundraising well among small donors, but lacks the resources of a Clinton or Biden and that will hurt him over the Christmas and January periods.
However, a good performance tonight will see him continue dragging the Democrats to the left. He has avoided criticising Clinton, preferring to stick to the issues.
He will be loathe to get personal with the former First Lady, but will definitely outline where he and Clinton are different.
Will that be enough for American voters?
Martin O’Malley – former Governor of Maryland
O’Malley has never hidden his ambition to climb the ladder of US politics, but that doesn’t mean he’s an empty shirt.
He is staunchly liberal on gay rights, guns and inequality, but will appeal to moderates because of his zero-tolerance stance on policing while mayor of Baltimore.
He will emphasise his life-long party membership, a contrast to Sanders, and try to slot himself to Clinton’s left.
Expect him to come out all guns blazing – at just 1% in national polls, he needs a big performance to still be in with a chance when the first votes are cast in February.
Lincoln Chafee – former Governor of Rhode Island
Chafee, like O’Malley, has lost a lot of attention to Sanders.
Initially expected to be a disruptor in the race, he has fallen into a no-man’s land over the summer.
A ferocious debater, Chafee will attack Clinton on foreign policy and could be a wild card.
Polling below 1%, a poor performance could end his race.
Jim Webb – former Senator, Virginia
A decorated soldier and former Secretary of the Navy and assistant Defence Secretary, Webb will go after everyone in the debate on foreign and military policy.
Webb has been lost in the shuffle in a very small field, which doesn’t bode well.
Both he and Chafee will take hope from the example of Carly Fiorina in the Republican debates, who proved that a couple of good nights can lift a campaign.
Clinton
For Hillary Clinton, the challenge tonight is appearing presidential, but not evasive, engaged, but not condescending. It will be a tough rope to walk.
While many see the deficiencies in both parties making this a procession to a coronation, Clinton will know from 2008 how quickly a campaign can go south.
The debate kicks off at 1.30am Irish time.
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She was against gay marriage until polling told her otherwise. She was for the trade agreement until last week when polling told her otherwise. She has no views if her own and will veer to the right once she gets in. Alot depends on Biden if he come Into the race it will hurt her numbers. Bernie sounds great the powers that will be have him shot before he gets elected.
Hillary Clinton debating
Womens Rights!!!! Meet these poor Mexican Kids!!!! I fought China!!!! Reduce Costs!!!! Middle-Class !!
I told Wall Street to Cut it out !! Wait…what was the question?
What a horrid woman with a trail of dead bodies behind her.
https://tmq2.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/rat_trap.jpg?w=500&h=356
Frank, as Francis Underwood would say – “The road to power is paved with hypocrisy and casualties”. ;)
That’s not a trail… this s a trail…
https://whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/POLITICS/BODIES.html
http://www.amazon.com/Clintons-War-Women-Roger-Stone/dp/151070678X/?tag=wwwbreitbartc-20
“Hillary Clinton is running for president as an “advocate of women and girls,” but there is another shocking side to her story that has been carefully covered up—until now. This stunning exposé reveals for the first time how Bill and Hillary Clinton systematically abused women and others—sexually, physically, and psychologically—in their scramble for power and wealth.”
This woman Cheerleader the NATO lead murder of Colonial Gaddafi without trial, we also must remember the terrorist filled vacuum left in that country ever since.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmIRYvJQeHM
The same woman cackled at the very thought of Iran being nuked.
Be fair, Frank. She also had some glorious achievements in her time as Secretary of State, such as … well, there was that time when … um, yeah, but that was Obama’s fault really, and … ooh look at that, a squirrel!
Definition of a Zombie
https://i.imgur.com/pFM0nW5.jpg
This woman would s*** on her mothers grave to get into power.
“Is that a vibrator in your hand or are you just pleased to see me ?”
With apologies to Mae West
Cmon Bernie!
#feelthebern
Sanders will wipe the floor with her in the debate, she has no real positions, no integrity
exactly. wish they did more than 6. If they did as many debates as the republicans then ever more people would #FeelTheBern
Bernie = Legend, can’t wait to see the debate….
Hilary Clinton should be in prison. I can’t believe media don’t call her out on her criminality but instead paint her as the front-runner who has a hard road to the White House.
She’s just another psychopath yearning for power. She won’t get near the White House.
I wonder if this women gets into power…will she go” bomb bomb Iran” anyone agree? Even though she’s a democrat I’ve a feeling war could be possible with her.
“Bill Clinton rose to the White House proclaiming himself a supporter of women’s rights, but this shocking expose reveals a pattern of disturbing actions that render his rhetoric hollow. Combining in-depth research and first-hand accounts, Candice E. Jackson proves that Clinton used his political power to harass, intimidate and terrorize the women who got in his way. And while Jackson stops short of morally condemning the former president for his philandering, her research uncovers an undeniable link between his liberal beliefs and misogynistic behavior. It’s a discovery that should concern women everywhere, given that Hillary Clinton, his eager accomplice, might one day occupy the Oval Office.”
http://www.amazon.com/Their-Lives-Targeted-Clinton-Machine/dp/0974670138
Well, if her gambling skills are anything like her investment skills, the house will have banned her! ;)
I wonder will Clinton bring her friend Huma Abedin ?
Bernie Saunders v Rand Paul – now that would be a race.
Martin O’Malley = Tommy Carcetti
Can someone tell me which TV channel will be broadcasting this debate in Ireland?
Got to love her !!!!!
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