In today’s Washington Post, Robert Novak notes that many top Democrats are beginning to question the inevitability of Hillary Clinton’s rise to power:
The buzz in Democratic circles for the past two weeks has been over the decision to raise money for Sen. Barack Obama by two or three multimillionaire liberals from Hollywood who were thought to be supporting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for president. An explanation that this is the movie industry’s delayed reaction to some of President Bill Clinton’s policies is not credible. The real reason for the defection is more troubling for Clinton’s campaign.
In fact, the Hollywood defections have the same root as resistance to Clinton’s candidacy among less glittering Democratic activists throughout the country. A substantial number of them do not want to participate in a coronation of the former first lady because they still doubt her viability as a presidential candidate. They question both her positions on the issues and her skills on the campaign trail.
The other problem, ironically, is that Hillary may not be far enough to the left for some Democrats. She voted in favor of the Iraq War and continues to hedge when asked about that issue. She even co-sponsored a bill to ban flag burning.
If nothing else, it’s going to be an interesting race.
