What a terrific analysis by the New York Post’s Maureen Callahan.
Ms. Callahan has written a piece about Hillary Clinton that every Democrat who wants the party back in contention should read, and read again.
Let me show you the first paragraphs – after which, I urge you to use the above link and read the rest:
Since losing the most winnable presidential election in modern American history, Hillary Clinton has, among other things: given a series of high-profile speeches, joined Gov. Cuomo at his public unveiling of tuition-free college, refused to rule out a run for mayor of New York and issued an online video message exhorting fellow Democrats to fight on in her name.
“The challenges we face,” she said, “as a country and a party, are real.”
Clearly, Hillary still sees herself as the leader of the Democratic Party. And why shouldn’t she? Democrats have been locked in an abusive relationship with the Clintons for decades, enabling, explaining, convincing themselves that next time will be different. Party faithful hew to Hillary’s excuses for losing to Donald Trump: It’s James Comey’s fault, plus the Russians, white supremacists, misogynists, the deplorables and immobilized millennials, among other things.
Her losses in 2008 and 2016 have been framed as things that happened to Hillary — not one, but two Black Swan events that stymied her historic destiny.
How is it that Democrats have fealty here, let alone sympathy? How is it that Hillary routinely walks into standing ovations at Broadway theaters? Where is the realization that Hillary is to blame or the rational rejection of a two-time loser?
How completely has Maureen Callahan nailed the problem? To me, it’s nearly perfect.
As long as Hillary Clinton, a serial presidential loser who will be 70 years old this year, remains the (in)effective leader of the Democrat Party – and Democrats continue to enthusiastically endorse her as such – their fortunes are unlikely to change.
And if you’re expecting any dynamic new ideas from the congressional leadership, you can kiss it goodbye. They’re even more entrenched than Hillary.
Consider House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (77 years of age) , House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (77), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (66) and Minority Whip Dick Durbin (72). What do you have?
Their average age is 73. Their average time in office is 30.5 years.
The median age of the United States? 37.8. That means about half the country, and a very large majority of the voters, do not remember a time when any of them weren’t there.
I assume you can see the problem. Why can’t they?
