From Bill to Iowa, why Hillary lost

Last Modified: 04 Jun 2008
By: Felicity Spector

How the Clinton name was turned from asset to liability, Felicity Spector looks back at a failed campaign.

"America, this is our moment. This is our time". This was always going to be a moment of history and now, as Barack Obama finally becomes his party's nominee, the United States can expect to a truly transformational election in the fall.

Not just the first black candidate to run on behalf of a major party - but at 46, Obama would be the fifth youngest President in US history, running against the 71 year-old John McCain, one of the oldest.

But as Hillary Clinton now considers her future - and the Democratic party struggles to heal its wounds - how did it all come to this?

As Matthew Dowd writes, he had that crucial cool factor: 'Obama was the ipod of this election, while Clinton was the Walkman.'

Read the script from a year ago and it was all supposed to be a straightfoward Clinton/Guiliani fight. Instead, as NBC put it: "This is the greatest political upset maybe in the history of American politics."

Back then, Mrs Clinton seemed unassailable. She was 30 points ahead in the polls. She had the backing of the party establishment. Her fundraising efforts were so successful she'd outraised all her rivals by two to one.

It seemed the right moment for a woman - and a Clinton - to take the mantle.

So what went wrong? Firstly, one word: Iowa.

The Clinton team tried to bypass it, and wrote off Obama's chances with disasterous consequences.

Proof, if it were needed, that those first in the nation states still have the influence to keep an underdog in the race.

Next, she found her voice too late. There was the stiff Hillary, speaking awkwardly to large crowds, laughing manically on cue, failing to engage. All that was to change, but by then, she had lost crucial ground to Obama, the natural communicator.

Democrats also cared less about experience than a desire for change: two thirds of them wanted something new. In any other time, the novelty of a woman candidate would have been enough. But not this time.

And the Clinton name turned from an asset, those who really wanted to see Bill back in the White House, to a liability. It seemed a backwards step when there was a compulsion to move forwards.

Bill Clinton's gaffes and clumsy insults rammed home the point that this family belonged in the past. If Chelsea had hit the campaign trail earlier it might have made a difference, but by then, it was all too late to change perceptions.

Now Obama looks like the candidate of hope, of aspiration, of the new century.

As Matthew Dowd writes, he had that crucial cool factor: "Obama was the ipod of this election, while Clinton was the Walkman."

So what next for the Democrats, and Senator Clinton herself?

One answer to the Democrats problems could be that old chestnut - the Obama/Clinton joint ticket.

Last night saw appeals for unity from both candidates, generous praise from Obama for his rival and her accomplishments: "Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with (her)."

And from Clinton, an appeal for respect for the 18 million who voted for her, and a promise: "I am committed to uniting our party," she said.

There is plenty of bitterness to overcome: calming the rage of Hillary supporters who insist they'll never vote for her rival, and of course a way that Obama can win over the support of those white working class voters, hispanics, and older people who he never managed to bring on side.

Eighteen per cent of Americans still say they feel uncomfortable with a black President, according to an ABC/Washingto Post poll - although there's still far more age prejudice, with 39% uncomfortable with the idea of a 72 year old first time President.

One answer to the Democrats' problems could be that old chestnut - the Obama/Clinton joint ticket.

Hillary herself suddenly seems pretty open to the idea, saying she's willing to become the running mate if that's what it takes to bring the party together.

It would certainly be popular and former White House counsel Lanny Davis has already started a petition, declaring "I believe he can win without her, but they cannot be beat with her."

There's lots to like about the idea, but plenty to worry about too - alienating those conservative democrats who worry both about supporting a woman and a black candidate.

And isn't it still about putting a Clinton back in the White House? What would happen with Bill?

But never mind the caveats, this is a moment of history, after all.

Despite his recent string of primary losses, Obama has proved he can still pull vast crowds, and inspire great swathes of new voters. He appears to represent a new America, to the country - and to the rest of the world.

Yes We Can, is his campaign mantra. Today he proved it so, by clinching the nomination. Now, he has five months to make the whole of his story come true.

Or as Bill Clinton might put it - a fairy tale ending for Obama's American dream.