That's the question her Democratic opponents want to raise - and one some voters, even some who support the New York Senator - are grappling with, reports M.E. Sprengelmeyer.

"Like many of you, I don't happen to believe that just any person we nominate in 2008 is automatically going to be elected by the people of this country," long-shot Sen. Chris Dodd told the attentive Democratic die-hards. "Even though people want change, we Democrats have to have a candidate that's electable."

It's a theme heard time and time again from Clinton rivals like former Sen. John Edwards, not to mention from rank-and-file Democrats with painful memories of the party's past two demoralizing defeats in the 2000 and 2004 contests.

The average folks are a bit more blunt.

"I'd like to see her make it," said Genie McCliment, 72, of Iowa City. "But I think in this country, I think a woman is unelectable yet."

Some woman, maybe, other voters figure. But many Democrats wonder if Clinton, who became a polarizing figure during eight years as former President Bill Clinton's first lady, might be the one factor who could mobilize an otherwise fairly disenchanted Republican Party base.

So McCliment is trying to decide between Obama and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, a man who, she said, "always seems to have the answers I agree with."

Clinton has opened a 21-point national lead in the latest Associated Press poll and the Des Moines Register's poll released Sunday showed her with a six-point lead (29-23) over previous frontrunner John Edwards.

At an Iowa campaign event Saturday night, Clinton was endorsed by former Sen. George McGovern, the party's anti-war standard-bearer in 1972, who was plowed under by Richard Nixon.

"I hope I live long enough to see a black president in the White House," McGovern told the crowd, alluding to Clinton's leading rival, Sen. Barack Obama. But McGovern quickly added: "We have an old rule of courtesy in the United States: Ladies first!"

McGovern's crackling voice brought the house down because he's a progressive movement icon, fondly remembered in this crowd for his anti-Vietnam War stand and for taking on one of the most reviled Republicans in the 1972 presidential contest.

But some also remember that in that election McGovern suffered one of the most lopsided defeats in U.S. history, leaving Nixon in the White House and Democrats demoralized.

 

READER COMMENTS

This spectacle of "politics as usual" has built up a backfire in the country at large which is causing pain and anguish on Capitol Hill. Seldom has Congress been held in greater disesteem.
The Atlantic Report September 1942

Regardless the party, the person I will support will step forward now... today...and publicly commit to:
Promise to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Eliminate any federal program which exceed the initial set up by our forefathers.
Identify and stop any government action that may jeopardize the rights of its people to enjoy and defend their life, liberty, and opportunity to acquire, possess and protect their property.
Not make any new law before first making certain enforcement of all pre-existing laws has been excercised fully.
Before signing into law, make certain each party who will be impacted has been equally considered and consulted with.
Amend ESA.
Reject "LOST."
Keep our identity as the United States of America. No disappearing into a North American Union.
Reinforce our legislative process of policy making. Neither the U.N. or the European Union should ever, ever have opportunity to usurp our legislative process and make laws in America.
Work with labor unions to bring back the good purpose they began with, and stomp out corruption.
Demand moratorium on any federal takings (eminent domain) of private property...including land and water.
Recognize that income tax has become a safe haven for government thief, greedy grant seekers, public abuse, undue influence, and criminalizes good people. Come up with a workable "fair tax."
Do not acquire any more federal land. Instead, identify all federally owned land that is burdensome on our budget, and sell it back to private entities.
Show compassion to the "caretaker citizens" of our nation, and lighten their load by enforcing all laws including immigration.
Support American resource production like, logging, agriculture and mining. Encourage farmers markets, and never let us become vulnerable to un-friendly nations for our food.
Recognize that while we can produce more from one acre, we should never put America in the position of having to feed us from window-sill gardens.
Refuse anything that remotely resembles socialism. If I don't get to be a part of someone's decision making process, then I should neither be penalized or reap the rewards of their actions.
Activate a campaign finance reform made up of: Full disclosure of an individuals contributions with a running tab and cumulative ceiling...to a candidate.
Be...and stay...well mannered. Manners are fun, and all that goes with having "good manners," deserves embracing.
Bring civility back into popularity.
Tell us about yourself. Don't tell us what you think about the other person. That's rude.
Bring grace back into our culture.
Be a leader and healthy role model of goodness to our young.
Who ever steps up first, and makes these commitments...on a handshake... will have my eager support.
Posted by Roni Bell on October 8, 2007 05:09 PM

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Roni,
Yes.  I think we agree.
 But I'm not so sure you should diss a North American Union yet that may be the only thing helping us form a stronger trading bloc to counter other trading blocs out there in the world. While USA can and should run alone on some things, it may need a larger presence concerning others. Depending on how an NAU is set up, it could be better than people might think.
 As with anything else, the devil is in the details.  The People need to find them out.
 Yes she (Hillary) is -as long as the GOP remains asleep at the wheel.  EC