Open Thread

December 29th, 2007 10:12 AM

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Peggy Noonan says "[Hillary] Clinton is the most dramatically polarizing, the most instinctively distrusted, political figure of my lifetime."

My central problem is that the next American president will very likely face another big bad thing, a terrible day, or days, and in that time it will be crucial--crucial--that our nation be led by a man or woman who can be, at least for the moment and at least in general, trusted. Mrs. Clinton is the most dramatically polarizing, the most instinctively distrusted, political figure of my lifetime. Yes, I include Nixon. Would she be able to speak the nation through the trauma? I do not think so. And if I am right, that simple fact would do as much damage to America as the terrible thing itself.