4 Takes on the Clinton Win

Ink barely dry on NH results, scribes start in on meaning
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 9, 2008 2:07 PM CST
4 Takes on the Clinton Win
A Japanese man watches a TV program showing a live broadcast of Hillary Rodham Clinton awaiting the results of New Hampshire's Democratic primary at a Tokyo electronics store Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. Clinton won New Hampshire's Democratic primary Tuesday night, Jan. 8, 2008, in a startling upset, defeating...   (Associated Press)

What's the take on the Clinton upset, the morning after? Four responses from across the spectrum:

  • Obama-supporting rightie Andrew Sullivan says a media pile-on on Hillary Clinton sparked “voter backlash.” He’s partly “crushed,” but also excited that the candidates will now fight “a long slog” that will bring out their real strengths.

  • At the Weekly Standard, Fred Barnes is embarrassed to have counted the Clintons out: “We should have known.” Hillary’s “found her voice” shtick, which the press can't resist, could even carry her through Feb. 5, he opines, but then again Obama’s savvy enough to counter.
  • Kos of Daily Kos says “women turned out in droves” to reject sexist double standards. The venerable blogger found himelf “half-rooting for her given the crap” sent her way—and applauds the “calculated” decision to reveal her warmth. But he’s still with Barack.
  • The New Republic’s Jonathan Cohn says Clinton's near-death experience turned her into a populist—that her rivals made her a better candidate. Cohn had “figured this race was over”; he’s pleased that it’s not, reasoning that a longer race will fortify the front-runners.
(More Hillary Clinton stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X