Clinton endorsed? Say it ain't so!

The Des Moines Register's endorsement of Hillary Clinton baffles Texas Democrats like me. With her high negatives, especially in red states, Hillary potentially could electrify the dispirited Republican base, jolting them from their apathy. Their loathing may cause her to have negative coattails that could sweep a number of Democratic legislators (such as East Texas Democrats) from their seats and undercut Democratic challengers around the country. Such an outcome could reshape the country for a generation to come.

State legislatures have the power to redistrict in ways that solidify the power of the majority party, as Tom DeLay’s allies in the Texas legislature demonstrated in 2003. DeLay's plan cost Texas four of five Democratic members of Congress targeted by redistricting. Blue state voters may underestimate the potential negative impact of a Hillary nomination on congressional and legislative races in red states.

If I’m right, a Hillary candidacy would be costly for the chances of Democrats to make gains needed in order to get their agenda through Congress. For a decade Republicans have diverted money previously invested in the health, education, and general welfare of Americans away from our own citizens into a bottomless pit to fight the global war on terror. If her nomination weakens the Democratic Party's control of Congress, as it might, whatever legislation Hillary is able to get through Congress is likely to look more like the Republican agenda than a Democratic one - assuming she can even win the election. That would be a real shame.