For starters, Mrs. Clinton’s reasons for running are a mystery. Does she really want to be a senator, or is this just a midlife crisis? She’s never lived in New York–and it is a bit of an insult to the state’s voters that the Democratic Party thinks no one in the state is up to the job. We wouldn’t even have to resort to negative ads to plant this thought–once she starts touring the state, her ignorance of homegrown issues like upstate dairy-price supports will become apparent. Her late introduction to New York’s thorny politics would be obvious next to an experienced native opponent like Giuliani. Her opponent should let his local expertise shine while she fumbles.
Even after her years in public life, people still don’t know what Hillary Clinton believes. Her personal views have often taken a back seat to her husband’s. She did take a strong role in one major issue: health-care reform. The results were disastrous. Now she will have to define her views on a multitude of issues. Though Mrs. Clinton is personally well liked, her politics might be a little to the left of what New Yorkers want. A smart opponent would find issues like the death penalty, where Mrs. Clinton may take more liberal-leaning stands, and emphasize them in the campaign.
I would not advise attacking Hillary directly. It would only make her stronger, letting her play the martyr role she’s perfected. Instead, leave it to New York’s vicious tabloids to do the dirty work, reliving the Clinton scandals and reminding voters of the things they don’t like about her. Of course, Mrs. Clinton could still come out full of confidence and say all the right things. If that’s the case, she would be a very formidable candidate. Even so, she would still have to convince New York’s skeptical and sophisticated voters that she’s in it for them, and not just for herself.
