Horserace
November 1, 2007 4:30 PM

Attack Clinton At Your Own Risk, Her Supporters Say

By
David L Miller
Topics
Hillary Clinton
(AP)
Hillary Clinton has been taking heat, from pundits and her rivals for the Democratic nomination, for what they've called vague answers from Tuesday night's debate on topics like immigration, Social Security and presidential secrecy.

But the only ones likely to suffer from this criticism are those dishing it out, says EMILY's List, a group known for raising money and providing support for Democratic women candidates. They cite a new poll that shows Clinton not only leads among women Democratic primary voters, but also that she is generating excitement and admiration.

"If someone attacks a person you genuinely admire, you will not like that person," said pollster Geoffrey Garin. "For the other candidates – the male candidates, frankly – it's not a free shot, in terms of how this base of voters may react to that. I'm not sure that all of these women will take it as a neutral act, these kinds of attacks."

To back up that point, another pollster behind the survey, Diane Feldman, pointed out that while women voters in the poll aren't backing Clinton explicitly because of her gender, 58 percent of them see electing her as a way to change society's perception of women in general.

"I think the attacks from the other candidates are both a risk to them and an opportunity for Sen. Clinton, because the image of her standing up to the attacks and moving forward unfazed when there are a dozen men attacking her or trying to gang up on her may well be enforcing the perception among Democratic women voters that electing a woman president would cause a change in attitude," Feldman said.

The survey was conducted Oct. 16-22, over a week before Tuesday's debate. It included 900 Democratic women primary voters, evenly divided between Arizona, Georgia and New Jersey, all of which hold primaries on Feb. 5, along with 19 other states. It had a margin of error of 3.4 percent.

Across the board, the survey found strong support for Clinton, who was backed by 57 percent of respondents. In a demographic breakdown, women aged 18-44 were the only group where Clinton did not command majority support – 49 percent of those women said they supported the New York senator and former first lady.

Garin noted that Clinton's efforts to appear tough yet also emphasize her gender seemed to be effective – women overwhelmingly believed that she both cares about children and would be a strong commander in chief. "Think about that combination of those two things," he said. "How many people can be those two things at the same time?"

EMILY's List, which in years past has been a fundraising and organizing force for Democratic women running for Congress, released the survey as it stands on the verge of getting deeply involved in a presidential race for the first time. On Nov. 19, it will launch a Web site aimed at Democratic women in Iowa who do not normally attend the state's caucuses, which are scheduled for Jan. 3. The goal is to get those women to participate and cast a vote for Clinton.

The effort may include sending paid staff to Iowa and, according to Maren Hesla, who is directing the program, it will feature extensive advertising. "It will be substantial and you won't be able to escape it," she said.

Add a Comment
by realpatriot1 November 2, 2007 12:48 PM EDT
juno912,

In spite of all the things you mention and the national polls Obama is currently dead even with her in Iowa.

See you in january!

Reply to this comment
by jack3213 November 2, 2007 11:54 AM EDT
Women in the 18-30 bracket are her most formidable admirers, whcih doesn''t say much about this groups experiance in the real world. She is using the "women card" because that is all she has, and sorry, baby, that isn''t enough to get you to win. Supporters of this broad are as evasive as she is, not something we need to lead this country.
Reply to this comment
by toddbudreau November 2, 2007 11:52 AM EDT
This is why the democrats keep attacking Hillary.


She is the easiest democrat to beat, negative poll numbers over 50% and the election isn''t for a year.

She will polarize the GOP. A hillary ticket means over $500 million in funds raised for Giuliani. The GOP isn''t exicted for their candidates, but they''d gladly put up half a billion to ''stop Hillary''.

The right wing media will blow her apart. Her negative ratings will be over 65% by November 4, 2008.

She will abandon her progressive principles in a heartbeat, the second her polls may go down. Look how fast she abandoned the $5000 baby bond idea.

She will alieante the progressive base who want real reform in washington. We know she will not stand up to corporations, insurance companies, oil companies, etc. She has taken too much of their money.

She is so polarizing that she may cost the democrats their majority in the senate just because conservatives want to prevent a Hillary president & democratic congress at the same time.
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by chirumbolo November 2, 2007 3:17 AM EDT
Good for Emily''s List. Add to then AFSCME''s organizational efforts in Iowa, Iowa Governor Vilasick''s statewide network on the ground, the Clinton campaign''s growing campaign apparatus, plus the Clinton advantage with cash-in-hand, and you''ll understand why Barack "Me, Me, Me,Me, Me" O-Bomb-A, and that phony Breck Girl don''t stand a chance.
Reply to this comment
by chucktruck2 November 1, 2007 11:13 PM EDT
Hillary is a female . Mitt is a respectful person and does not attack a person,he will only attack issues. Romney believes that the voters are smart enough to hear a person with a forked tongue. Mitt has changed to prolife NO FLOP.And he has always been for marriage between a man and a woman NO FLIP . " Evangelicals for Mitt " . Mitt''s perfect storm is now forming on the horizon .He is leading in :S. C. , Iowa , N. H. ,Mich. , Nevada........The line is drawn in the sand . Pick a side.
Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 November 1, 2007 10:06 PM EDT
memo to emily''s list...

F YOU!!

This is a democracy and no one should be intimidated into submission by a political action committee.

If your candidate can''t take the heat she needs to get out of the kitchen(we know how she hates to bake cookies but loves to stand by her man).
Reply to this comment
by butterbeanz November 1, 2007 8:20 PM EDT
I am dumbfounded at the polls showing Clinton with a massive lead.

I still don''t know one single Democrat in ANY state who will vote for her.

She is definitely the dream candidate of the Republican Party though and they are chomping at the bit for her to get the nod.

Thankfully, in the Democratic Party, polls at this point --- even when the candidate holds a massive lead --- mean nothing.

And as Clinton stumbles on the immigration issue as well as the bogus claim that she can''t have her records released, she will start the downward slide.

Regardless of what the pollsters will try to sell in their polls, my prediction is that Iowa Democrats will vote for Obama or Edwards.

Sorry Hillary, but with Democrats - you just don''t cut it.

No cackling please!

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