# If she ran Chelsea Clinton would be a disaster for the Democrats **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 5, 2017, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107 "2017-02-05T21:48:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/1 "2017-02-05T21:48:57Z")
So says [Observer.com](http://observer.com/2017/02/chelsea-clinton-congressional-run-democratic-party/) whoever they be (don’t think it’s the British newspaper). > [@](#): > > Chelsea Clinton Is the Last Thing the Democratic Party Needs > > The only good would be for Chelsea to lose a congressional race, teaching Democrats a lesson they’ve continuously failed to learn > > Since Hillary Clinton’s presidential election loss, rumors have circulated that speculate about what she will do next. In trying to predict Clinton’s future—from running for mayor of New York City to hosting her own TV show—the idea has also been advanced that her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, may enter politics herself. Though being the progeny of the widely-disliked Bill and Hillary should disqualify Chelsea, the Democratic Party’s cultist obsession with her family’s access to a vast network of wealthy donors leaves any congressional race of her choosing open to Chelsea if she wants to run. > > This would be a disaster for the Democratic Party. Is that a reasonable assessment? I can see she’d carry a lot of baggage but surely by the time she’d run for Congress successfully it would be many years down the line before she’d have the chops to run for any higher office, eg the Senate or the Presidency, and one would imagine that she’d establish herself as a force in her own right then and any bad taste left by the Clintons in some mouths would have been considerably diluted. I know Americans frown on dynasties (other than the Kennedys) and as I said poor Chelsea has a lot to live down as well as a lot to be proud of in her parents but would she really be so bad for the Democrats, not now perhaps but in the future? BTW you can really see her mother in her in that photo. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/2 "2017-02-05T22:03:18Z")
You seem to be having trouble accepting that Trump won. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/3 "2017-02-05T22:07:17Z")
Predictions are hard, especially of the future, but it would have to be quite a long time before the immediate reaction isn’t "“cripes, another Clinton”. Bill’s coattails weren’t long enough for Hillary, despite his huge advantage in fund-raising. And the Dems may want to reconsider the headlock Bill and Hill had on their party. Maybe they can get Chelsea a Congressional seat. But she will have to run as an outsider, which isn’t plausible for a Clinton, or as an insider, which means baggage. The Dems certainly have to do something about their ringing lack of success at lower levels of politics, especially state level. But that would mean new blood and fresh faces - not Clinton v3.0. Is Hillary really thinking of running for mayor of NYC? Kind of a let-down. And a TV show? Come on. She doesn’t come across that well in venues like that. She’s a policy wonk - how many college lectures are people going to watch? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/4 "2017-02-05T22:08:04Z")
She can certainly run for Congress if she wants. She may win or lose, but I see little national consequence. Like Congressman Patrick Kennedy. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/5 "2017-02-05T22:57:46Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Predictions are hard, especially of the future… Deep. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/6 "2017-02-05T23:01:48Z")
As far as I can tell, Chelsea Clinton offers no compelling vision of a new America like Sanders or Trump did but is essentially running on her dynastic name. Of course, she’d be a disaster. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/7 "2017-02-05T23:07:29Z")
If she does something to imply why she is qualified, I could see her winning in a blue state or blue district. However I doubt people will just make a 36 year old with no real experience a senator or mayor of a large city anytime soon solely due to name recognition. As long as she doesn’t run for president, or try to become a senator or mayor of a major city her first try I don’t see the problem. Hillary never had a problem running for senate and she had more baggage. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/8 "2017-02-05T23:11:37Z")
It would be depressing if she ran, although it is always depressing when a spouse or any relatives of a politician seek to fill their shoes [with triple bonus points when a couple seek prominence as a pair; in America, the Clintons, in Britain, their equivalents, the Hamiltons]. However, although Hillary may be a moral and mental disaster — especially for the Democrats — there is no reason why she shouldn’t run again in 2020, just not for the Democrats. It is possible they didn’t really want to win last year, leading them to run her rather than Bernie or any one with a chance; but she would be a liability in the future. However she has the right to run, and it would be more fitting if she discarded the party that failed her, and founded a _New_ ( shiny, shiny, NEW ) Party dedicated solely to the Clintons, to perpetuate Bill’s legacy and her exciting new idea. The Peronista Party reborn for the 21st century, with Clintons for eternity. United States history and practice has far more in common with the rest of the Americas than is commonly recognised. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/9 "2017-02-05T23:27:56Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > It would be depressing if she ran, although it is always depressing when a spouse or any relatives of a politician seek to fill their shoes [with triple bonus points when a couple seek prominence as a pair; in America, the Clintons, in Britain, their equivalents, the Hamiltons]. > However, although Hillary may be a moral and mental disaster — especially for the Democrats — there is no reason why she shouldn’t run again in 2020, just not for the Democrats. It is possible they didn’t really want to win last year, leading them to run her rather than Bernie or any one with a chance; but she would be a liability in the future. > > However she has the right to run, and it would be more fitting if she discarded the party that failed her, and founded a _New_ ( shiny, shiny, NEW ) Party dedicated solely to the Clintons, to perpetuate Bill’s legacy and her exciting new idea. The Peronista Party reborn for the 21st century, with Clintons for eternity. > United States history and practice has far more in common with the rest of the Americas than is commonly recognised. That’s good stuff. I’m sure it will generate replies. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/10 "2017-02-05T23:36:59Z")
It seems like the real Clinton obsession is on the Republican side lately. She lost, Trump won. _shrug_ The only thing those of us who have some degree of empathy and rationality (i.e., the Left) can do is resist the legitimate (but idiotic) regime. We’re not talking about Clintons, really we’re not. Just like the “Obama the Savior” meme, it’s the Right that keeps it alive. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/11 "2017-02-06T00:24:52Z")
Of course no fool would suggest that Donald Trump should run for office because he will surely lose. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/12 "2017-02-06T00:54:09Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > It seems like the real Clinton obsession is on the Republican side lately. She lost, Trump won. _shrug_ The only thing those of us who have some degree of empathy and rationality (i.e., the Left) can do is resist the legitimate (but idiotic) regime. We’re not talking about Clintons, really we’re not. Just like the “Obama the Savior” meme, it’s the Right that keeps it alive. Actually I think that’s a fair point. Now that the soul-searching among the Democrats post-election-loss has died down somewhat it does indeed seem to be the Right that is the source of these stories, Clinton running for Mayor of NYC, starting a TV show, etc. FWIW I wasn’t consciously pushing the meme in starting this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/13 "2017-02-06T01:13:27Z")
Meh, if Trump had lost, there would be no shortage of opinion pieces pontificating on his making a come-back, entitled “_What Will Donald Do Now ?_” You can never leave the Game. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/14 "2017-02-06T01:19:34Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Of course no fool would suggest that Donald Trump should run for office because he will surely lose. Or worse, win. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/15 "2017-02-06T04:49:12Z")
She will handily beat George P. Bush. I’d make bets, but by the time you’d have to pay me off, I’ll probably be dead. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/16 "2017-02-06T06:08:12Z")
If she ran, some Trump wannabe would yell at her, “You’ve been in politics since the day you were born, and what have you accomplished?” ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/17 "2017-02-06T06:19:35Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > If she ran, some Trump wannabe would yell at her, “You’ve been in politics since the day you were born, and what have you accomplished?” …and he’d be… right? Is there any indication that Chelsea wishes to enter politics? ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/18 "2017-02-06T06:24:05Z")
It doesn’t matter who runs. Seriously, the GOP side gets its information from sources that are best described as “entirely fictitious.” Trump didn’t beat Hillary, he beat “imaginary Hillary.” We’re not longer in a world where the actual merits of the candidate matter one iota. Chelsea would be no better or worse than any other candidate in the post-reality world. But like others have asked: is this some paper masturbating, or is there the slightest inkling she’s even considering it? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/19 "2017-02-06T07:40:17Z")
We should take a moment to thank the OP for his warm concern. Thanks, we’ll take it from here. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107/20 "2017-02-06T08:09:24Z")
Wasn’t that the trouble this time ? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-she-ran-chelsea-clinton-would-be-a-disaster-for-the-democrats/779107.md?page=2)