US President Hillary Clinton?

If Hillary Clinton becomes the next president of the United States, a two minute video clip will go along way to explaining how she won over the American People. It was a transformational moment.

To me, it was not the delivery -- the teary eyes -- that moved me, nor her sincerity, but the merit of her message. I sensed Hillary Clinton was passionate about something larger than herself. This is how I would paraphrase her concern:

Americans are in a fight for the soul of this country against right-wing extremists. I'm worried not so much that my campaign is about to collapse, but that if Barack Obama should win our party's nomination, the country will find itself with a president who is simply not prepared for the fight ahead.*

One thing I'll say for Hillary: she knows a thing or two about what it takes to confront the party of President Bush -- the gang she once referred to as "the vast right wing conspiracy." Hillary understands precisely who she is up against. She harbors no illusions about them. She knows many of them personally. She knows their games. Moreover, her chief ally is the best politician in the country, the best US president in recent memory.

On the other hand, with respect to Barack Obama, there is so much the young man still has to learn. He can't possibly know the ropes the way Hillary Clinton (or John Edwards) does.



Video: TPM
* Also see this video.