The Hillary locomotive

Yesterday we attended the Chamber of Commerce Economics Club meeting at which Bob Jensenius from the Chamber did an informal poll on the presidential election.

Fascinating. Jim and I get into discussions all the time about whether Hillary Clinton is electable, even though she has been the frontrunner among the Democrats so far. On the plus side there's the perception that she's the most Republican Democrat running, and the Republican pickins are slim this go-around. On the minus side there's the whole legacy from Bill Clinton's administration that had its victories, but also its share of icky (that's the technical term) publicity.

Back to the informal poll. This was a group of businesspersons, and the tone of the room said they were mostly Republicans. When the whole room was asked by show of hands who would be the Republican presidential nominee the majority clearly said Rudy Giuliani. When asked who the likely Democratic nominee would be they raised hands for Hillary's name loud and clear. And when asked who they thought would be the next President of The United States the group said resoundingly Hillary Clinton.

I've been hopeful before (Al Gore, John Kerry) about getting another Democrat in the White House. If yesterday is any indication it sounds to me like the Hillary locomotive is genuinely under way even outside the Democratic Party and it'll take a big event to derail it.