Hillary Clinton's attacks on Bernie Sanders irk supporters, see her clout in Democratic camp diminish
America's history has seen instances where presidential candidates who failed to make it to the White House faded into oblivion in their own party in later years.
From Goerge McGovern to Walter Mondale to Michael Dukakis, the list has many names and it seems former first lady and secretary of state Hillary Clinton is the latest addition. Despite being a heavyweight, Hillary is increasingly losing her clout in the Democratic Party.
The 72-year-old, who ran the presidential election in 2008 and 2016 but failed on both occasions, was still predicted to be among the late entrants as the crowded Democratic fray continued to puzzle experts.
Hillary lost to Donald Trump in 2016 despite winning on the popular vote and it is something that still haunts her and her supporters. Speculation was that she could still join the 2020 race in the last minute to add weight to the stage but now that looks a distant possibility, thanks to her recent jabs at Bernie Sanders.
Hillary's criticism of Sanders draws flak
Hillary criticized Sanders, who she defeated in the nomination race four years ago, as someone who nobody likes.
She also alleged that Sanders could not unite the Democrats in 2016 and even went to the extent of saying, while promoting a Hulu documentary, that she would be reluctant to back Sanders if he goes on to win the Democratic nomination for the November 3 elections.
Hillary was clearly fuelling the civil war in the Democratic camp as the party's Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib booed the former last Friday, January 31, at a campaign event for Sanders in Clive, Iowa, which is going to the caucuses on Monday, February 3.
"You all know I can't be quiet. No, we're gonna boo," the Squad member who has endorsed Sanders this election, said. "That's all right. The haters will shut up on Monday when we win."
The anti-Hillary voices in the Democratic Party are giving enough hints that the veteran's acceptability on the national stage is waning fast. Hillary and her husband Bill brought in freshness in the country's politics in the early 1990s but in the three decades since, their clout has worn considerably, thanks to controversies.
After her shocking loss to Trump in 2016 and the second mission going in vain, not many had hoped to hear about the aging and ailing politician. Hillary did not take active participation in political events but she kept expressing her mind, even while promoting her book, jointly authored with daughter Chelsea.
It was being speculated that Hillary could still join her third presidential bid and make the battle against Trump stronger.
However, her attacks against Sanders have not gone down well with many Democratic supporters who feel that the main aim for the party now should be to see the back of Trump and not a civil war.
"If Bernie wins the nomination, we all need to work our asses off to help him win. If someone else is the nominee, we all do the same for them. Don't kick up this bullshit right before Iowa, especially after complaining about Bernie's lack of support in 2016," Tommy Vietor, a Pod Save America co-host and an official of the former Obama administration who worked on the 2008 Obama campaign, tweeted.
Hillary advised to heed to Reagan's advice
Democratic strategist Brad Bannon also did not take it well, saying Hillary targeting Sanders is something "uncalled for".
He also accused her of overemphasizing herself over the Democratic unity and advised her to follow what former GOP president Ronald Reagan had preached: "Don't speak ill of fellow Republicans."
"It may be bad for Democrats, but it may be good for the ratings for her Hulu documentary," Washington Examiner quoted Bannon as saying.
"There may be a part of this where there are definitely some resemblances between the Democratic race in 2016 and 2020. She may see that and maybe having 2016 flashbacks."
'Hillary's ego blinds her'
Republican strategist Brad Todd was more blunt in his observation on Hillary. He called it Hillary's blinding ego.
"Hillary's ego blinds her to the fact that nobody in either party wants to hear from her, and the fact that criticizing Bernie just reminds his supporters that the Democratic machine is out to get him," he told the Examiner in an email.
Hillary remained in the news until missing a lot of filing deadlines. Last fall, polls even showed her running neck-and-neck with Joe Biden for the nomination. She said with confidence that there is a need for a rematch and like in 2016, she could beat Trump "again".
In October, in response to a tweet from Trump inviting her to contest again, Hillary warned him not to "tempt" her to join the race.
However, her confidence irked liberal activist and Democratic analyst Michael Brooks especially when Sanders and the likes of Elizabeth Warren are on a rise.
"You got like Hillary Clinton getting spicy on Twitter, saying, 'Don’t tempt me to run again'. What are you talking about? You lost," Examiner quoted Brooks as saying.