Vicious Rants of an Angry Yellow Man

Hillary Clinton announced today, as expected for a long time, that she is running for president.  It is assumed that she will win the Democratic nomination in a walk away.  But there are potential traps along the way.  For one thing, she was the favorite to win in 2008 but a relative novice name Barack Obama chased her down.  This time there does not appear to be an Obama out there especially if Elizabeth Warren does not change her mind and stay out.  But still, Clinton cannot take things for granted.

Clinton did not do as well as expected in Iowa and New Hampshire in 2008.  Those states are relatively small where personal appearances can make a big difference.  In a state like California, media blitz trumps walking door to door because it is impossible to cover even a small part of the state.  In 2008, Clinton did not do the ground work necessary to confirm her status as the front runner.  Here lies the problem:  If you are expected to win, you better win or else you look vulnerable or worse, not viable.  Clinton is 40% point ahead of any possible Democratic candidate at this point so if she wins by say 20% or less, then there maybe doubts.  Already with Benghazi and e-mail gate, another possible scandal may cause people to think that she is just not trustworthy enough.  So it is important that Clinton goes to Iowa and win so convincingly that others may not challenge her.

If there is a legitimate challenge from the left wing then Clinton will have to move left to shore support, then she will be vulnerable in the general election if she gets nominated.  That is of course the problem of whoever wins the Republican nomination:  he would have to move so far to the right to win the nomination that he will have problem from the center in the general election.  If Clinton has no challenger, then it will be much easier for her in the general election.  So it is imperative that she wins a knockout early in Iowa and New Hampshire.

On the Republican side, I still think Scott Walker is their best candidate.  Jeb Bush may win the nomination but another Bush vs Clinton will be political fatigue.  Assuming no scandal from either side, I believe another Clinton will beat another Bush.  Walker is more of a fresh face.  Assuming he can handle the national stage, he will be a formidable foe for Clinton.

Now we are into the coin toss of the sports season known as the Stanley Cup playoff.  Last season, the LA Kings came out of nowhere to win.  With almost the same club, the Kins did not make the playoff this season.  This shows how much winning has to do with luck in hockey.  I think the post season in hockey and baseball are almost mostly luck, unlike the NBA and NFL.  So I don't even try to predict the NHL playoff anymore with the exception that neither of the top seeds in each conference will be in the Stanley Cup final!  So forget about it for the Rangers and Ducks.