2016

I have elsewhere warned about the next presidential election providing the country with a continuation of the Chicago-bred line of candidates.  In case anyone's missed it, rumors abound that the Democratic dream ticket in 2016 will be Cankles for president, Rahm Emanuel for vice president.  This would, from a sociological perspective, prove to be formidable:  The first ever female president and the first ever Jewish vice president.  Combine that with their know-how and political savvy and it may well prove indomitable.

At least that't the thinking.

Meanwhile, Cankles is doing everything she can, unwittingly, to sink her as yet unborn campaign on her book release tour.  So far, she's made stupid comments, argued with Diane Sawyer and NPR and written a book that many are calling boring.  What she may provide in terms of novelty she's undercutting with a surprisingly inept lack of preparation and self-control.  Her husband is a far better politician than she is, but one would have thought that some of that would have rubbed off on her by now.

Her popularity is being eroded, although with more than two years to go before the Democratic National Convention, that could change.  The problem is that, with enough baggage already packed, she's adding more baggage with each press conference, each appearance at a book signing, each revelation of what is in her book.  She's not doing herself any favors.

In an eerie presage of things to come, Cankles visited her hometown -- the one she had before she became a New Yorker -- of Chicago to appear with none other than Rahm Emanuel.  Mr. Emanuel is already supporting Cankle's presidential bid, raising money for something called Ready for Hillary which, to my mind, is nothing but a transparent attempt to lobby for the running mate nod.

Give Mr. Emanuel this:  He knows politics.  Just days after Cankle's horrible attempt at portraying her and Slick Willy as Everyman by claiming they left the White House dead broke, Mr. Emanuel's first question to her was, Hillary dead broke.  Really?  That gave Cankles the opportunity to walk her comment back and admit she's perhaps made a poor choice of words.  Slick, Rahm, slick.

Those that will vote for Cankles and Mr. Emanuel come hell or high water will do so regardless of this self-immolation tour.  Women may vote for Cankles just as blacks voted for Mr. Obama out of a sense of pride, irrespective of party, competence and other factors.  Jews may vote for the ticket to see Mr. Emanuel in Blair House.  Of course, loyal Democrats will vote the straight party ticket as well.

But the independents who might otherwise be swayed have to be a little disappointed by the showing Cankles is making.  Her blunders are both worrisome and troubling.  Given that judgment has sorely been lacking during the Obama presidency, what is needed is someone who is going to work with members of both parties and make the right decisions.  Cankles, while secretary of state, made horribly wrong decisions and is now running from them.  She is a polarizing figure that many hate.  And worst of all is her surname.

It's high time that this country had a female president, but this woman isn't it.

And as for Mr. Emanuel, it's not wise to make the transition from being a despised mayor of the third largest city in the country to a position that is largely ceremonial but which is seen as a launch pad for the presidency, especially since the vice presidency doesn't do anything to clean up a woeful record as mayor.

The problem with both of these people is that for neither of them is it love of country but pure ambition that is driving both of them.  The country needs better than them.

(c) 2014 The Truxton Spangler Chronicles