Hillary Clinton is a damn fine politician - full stop

By Richard K. Barry

According to the Washington Post, when Hillary Clinton announces her intentions to seek her party’s presidential nomination, she is expected to “go small – real small.”

When the presumed Democratic front-runner announces her 2016 bid in the coming days, expect a Facebook post, a video, maybe some tweets. Then it’s off on the trail to meet one-on-one and in small groups with voters in the early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

The approach — described by Democratic strategists and advisers familiar with her plans — is intended to address some of the key shortcomings of Clinton’s 2008 run for the White House, when she often came off as flat and overly scripted before large crowds. The go-slow, go-small strategy, these advisers say, plays to her strengths, allowing her to meet voters in intimate settings where her humour, humility and policy expertise can show through.

People have been asking for some time if Hillary Clinton is any good at running for office.

Although I have my issues with her , particularly the right-ish ideological slant, I think the hand-wringing is bullshit. She’ll do fine, particularly in comparison to some of the clowns that are presented as having campaign skills, especially among GOP pretenders.

It may be a good idea to start off slow if only because the media will be looking to criticize her every move as soon as things start, so why not give them a smaller target?

The fact of the matter is that she is the best option the Democrats have, at least in terms of electability. She will campaign well and she will make a fine president. Those who are as frightened as I am of what has become of the GOP should get behind her early and enthusiastically.

And one more thing: The misogyny is going to be very annoying, just like it was in 2008. Count on it.

(Cross-posted at Phantom Public.)