Something I don't understand about opinions on Hillary & Bernie

[Blue3]

When Hillary was polling far ahead, a lot of people (especially on this site) complained about how everyone treated her as inevitable.

Now she's basically in a tie with Bernie Sanders in the two earliest states (while still winning everywhere else, and having the most campaign cash and endorsements)... so still a very strong position but no longer inevitable... yet now those same people are saying she's a loser and her campaign has fallen apart.

Is it possible for Hillary to not be inevitable, and not be a loser whose campaign is falling apart? Why does it have to be at one of the extremes?

Can't we just say it's a competitive race in the early states, between Hillary and Bernie, right now? And why can't people be happy about that?

[/]

'Tis a good point. There's a large space between being inevitable and being Rick Perry, and I think Hillary definitely falls somewhere on the spectrum (of course, that may change within due time).

[Famous Mortimer]

The fact that she's leading "everywhere else" is meaningless. Campaigning has not really started. Lieberman and Guliani were leading "everywhere else" at this point. It's just name recognition. She is running a terrible campaign. She may still win though but it will be despite herself.

[Blue3]

The fact that she's leading "everywhere else" is meaningless. Campaigning has not really started. Lieberman and Guliani were leading "everywhere else" at this point. It's just name recognition. She is running a terrible campaign. She may still win though but it will be despite herself.

If you want to see "running a terrible campaign," look at everyone below the GOP's top 3 (and even that's arguable).

When I think of "terrible campaigns" this cycle, I think of Rick Perry and Scott Walker.

Hillary is not even close to those 2.

[Figueira]

People are generally saying her campaign is falling apart because of the email scandal and the fact that she's losing the GE in some polls, not because she's in a somewhat competitive race against Sanders. Obviously if she beats Sanders, Sanders's performance will become irrelevant assuming he endorses her (which I'm sure he will).

[WVdemocrat]

I have friends, Bernie supporters, who are convinced he will be the 45th President of the United States. I constantly try to explain to them - he's leading only in New Hampshire and Vermont, and is tied in Iowa. But it is to no avail.

Hillary is still beating GOPers and is still beating Bernie (and her other rivals), so it's important to be realistic and not get carried away.

[Figueira]

I have friends, Bernie supporters, who are convinced he will be the 45th President of the United States. I constantly try to explain to them - he's leading only in New Hampshire and Vermont, and is tied in Iowa. But it is to no avail.

Hillary is still beating GOPers and is still beating Bernie (and her other rivals), so it's important to be realistic and not get carried away.

I mean, I guess it's good to feel optimistic about your candidate's chances.

[TJ in Oregon]

Hillary will still almost certainly win the Democratic primary, barring getting indicted or the entry of another serious candidate. The Democratic Party apparatus still has enough clout to ensure that, no matter who wins Iowa and New Hampshire. The rest of the semantics are simply media talking points, which almost always overstates the mood.

[Xing]

People hate inevitability, and long for excitement. The narrative of Hillary "falling apart" is entertaining for a lot of people, so they go along with it. Hillary's not my favorite, and she could theoretically lose in the primaries, and could definitely lose a GE. However, it's hard not to see her as heavily favored to win the Democratic primary and (considering the Republican field) at least even money to win a GE.

[Why]

Hillary will still almost certainly win the Democratic primary, barring getting indicted or the entry of another serious candidate. The Democratic Party apparatus still has enough clout to ensure that, no matter who wins Iowa and New Hampshire. The rest of the semantics are simply media talking points, which almost always overstates the mood.

Pretty much my view as well, she has displayed some weakness but Sanders will not be able to take advantage of it, Biden might be able to do so.