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01/09/2008: "All Hail The "Boo Hoo Bounce""

Well, once again yesterday we learned just how little those who claim to be experts really know about elections. John McCain, dismissed by the pundits as a relic from elections past, soundly thumped his Republican rivals. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton - whose campaign was said to be in tatters after Iowa and was shown as trailing by double digits by multiple polls the night before the elections - squeaked out a thin victory over Barack Obama in the winner-take-all New Hampshire primary. Three states into the process, and it's neck-and-neck for both parties.

The McCain victory isn't so hard to understand, considering he won the state in the last election. But how can so many be so wrong about Clinton? Every major poll showed her to be trailing Obama by anywhere from 6 to 15 points two days ago, and the media drilled her for her "breakdown" while speaking on Monday.

Wait a minute ... you don't suppose that the people who watched her tear up saw it not as weakness but rather as compassion? I certainly agree it would be a double standard to criticize a woman for an emotional outburst that you wouldn't equally debunk were it a male candidate. At the same time, though, for people to believe such an outburst make the candidate seem more human is just as wrong - but brilliant politics.

I see the hand of Bubba at work ...

Replies: 2 Comments

On Thursday, January 10th, Rav Tan said:

Is that Bill (the "great communicator&quot ?

Or is there a "Bubba" I don't know (quite likely )

On Thursday, January 10th, MarlinNut said:

That's the one - say what you want about the man, but he's the consummate politician. If anyone can make Hillary look sympathetic, he can ...