Hillary Clinton took the stage at the DNC convention yesterday, once again reminding us that some political ghosts refuse to be exorcised. With the trademark Clintonian blend of self-righteousness and calculated charm, she delivered a speech that seemed to overlook one glaring truth: the Clintons are not the electoral assets the Democratic Party wishes they were.
It’s as if the Democrats have an uncanny ability to misunderstand their own political fortunes. The Clintons, once the golden couple of Democratic politics, have become something akin to political kryptonite. Poll after poll has shown that Hillary Clinton, in particular, is far from popular with a vast swath of the electorate. And yet, the Democratic Party insists on parading her out like a relic from a bygone era, much to the delight of Republicans and the dismay of any Democrat with a keen sense of history.
Let's take a brief stroll down memory lane to the 2016 election, a contest that should have been a layup for the Democrats. After all, they were running against a reality TV star with a flair for controversy and a penchant for saying the quiet parts out loud. But what happened? Clinton lost decisively in the Electoral College—a defeat so stunning that even now, Democrats are still trying to figure out how they managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
The polls leading up to that election weren’t ambiguous. Sure, they showed a tight race, but they also consistently revealed deep-seated skepticism and outright dislike for Hillary Clinton. Her approval ratings were under water, and her unfavorability ratings rivaled those of her bombastic opponent. Voters didn't see her as trustworthy or relatable—qualities that are, quite frankly, essential for anyone seeking the Oval Office.
And yet, here we are in 2024, with the Democratic Party acting as if none of that ever happened. They roll Hillary out, expecting her to inspire and unite, seemingly oblivious to the fact that for many voters, she is a reminder of one of the party's most glaring failures.
It's as if the Democrats are so entranced by the Clinton mystique that they can't see the electoral map for what it is. The truth is, the Clintons—both Bill and Hillary—are liabilities. Their time in the sun has long since passed, and their continued prominence only serves to alienate the very voters the Democrats desperately need to win over: independents, disillusioned Republicans, and, yes, even some of their own base.
Polls from reputable sources, including Gallup and Pew Research, have consistently shown that the Clintons' star has faded. Bill, once the charismatic Southern charmer, is now viewed with skepticism due to past scandals and a shifting cultural landscape that no longer excuses his behavior. Hillary, meanwhile, is seen as the embodiment of the establishment—an establishment that many voters, particularly in the Rust Belt, have grown to despise.
The Democratic Party's insistence on clinging to the Clintons is not just a strategic error; it's political malpractice. In an era where populism and anti-establishment sentiments run high, parading out the face of the establishment is not just tone-deaf—it's self-sabotage.
The Democrats would do well to remember that elections are won not by reliving the past but by offering a vision for the future. And that vision, if it is to be successful, must be free of the shadows of elections past. The Clintons, for all their contributions to the party, are part of that past. The future belongs to those who can read the room and understand that the electorate has moved on—even if the Democratic Party has not.
Senate Ballot Box Scores
Comments