The flaws of any president are influential in choosing a successor. Bush's record for being polarizing, having little or no vision or ability to plan and manage, and for having no political integrity couldn't be much worse. That's why most of us -- no matter the party -- say we're looking for an honest broker who's competent and statesmanlike, farsighted and non-partisan. At least, that's what we're saying to each other, what we're writing in blog comments, what we respond to everyone but (apparently) poll-takers.
There is something not entirely believable about Hillary Clinton's substantial lead. But rather than try to find a conspiracy responsible for her success, maybe it's time to look at what people are saying about her. Is she really unstoppable? Is she a polarizer? Do most believe she is honest and forthright? What is her vision for America?
The Des Moines Register showed her leading with 29%, with John Edwards on 23% and Barack Obama on 22%...
...They will find comfort in the element of the Des Moines Register poll that found that of those caucusgoers who are not supporting Ms Clinton, 63% said her polarising reputation had influenced their position. She also recorded a lower rating for integrity and vision than either of the other two candidates.
But part of the difficulty for Ms Clinton's rivals is that she is so assured in her campaigning.
"Clinton's tour has been scripted and smooth," is the conclusion of the Politico blog, "leaving intact the conventional wisdom thus far that she is the one to beat."
Are we doomed to accept a successor to the presidency of George W. Bush who has a similar reputation for being a polarizer, who is seen as more of a pol than a visionary, and who has a lower integrity rating than fellow candidates? Are voters really likely to fall back on the slickly-packaged candidate even though they cling to the dream of "plain-spoken" and "honest" and "forthright" and "tells it like it is"? Is "electability" (a quality determined by the media) so seductive that it overrides everything important to us?
- Discussion about the candidates, their financing, and the race at 10ET here.