Does Hillary Need A Fight?

For those of you who haven’t seen her “interesting” logo, Hillary Clinton is running for President in 2016. Yes, a second time, but unlike 2008, there is no Barack Obama at this point in the primary. In other words, no serious Democratic contender has declared his or her candidacy and ruffled Hillary’s feathers. Some say that she desperately needs someone to run from the far left while others think Hillary should win the Democratic nomination without breaking a sweat. And, I want y’all to know what implications this competition or the lack there of could have on the election as the season unfolds.

To make more sense of the pros and cons in this situation, let’s approach the issue from a business standpoint: competition is good. A serious contender could bring considerable benefits to whoever wins the primary come next year.

More than anything else, a contender will put more pressure on Hillary’s campaign, making her perform. And, as we know, practice makes perfect. Competition will push the candidates to better themselves in raising money, in brushing up for the debates, and in becoming more personable. Ultimately, the enhanced performance will prepare the eventual Democratic nominee for the general election.

Further, with a more heated primary, Hillary’s campaign could receive significantly more media coverage. Attention, whether on social media or on cable television, has a disproportionate influence on the election and its sway. During the 2008 presidential election, the fierce competition between Obama and Hillary left the Republican nominee McCain sidetracked on the national spotlight. Compared to the Democratic primaries, McCain had coasted on through the Republican nomination, and although that benefited him in the short-run, Obama became more of a household name than McCain. This disparity made the election results all the more predictable.

But as always, regulation must also play a role in any business sector. Hyper-competition can completely ruin a campaign. Bloodied and pulled too far from the center during the primaries, Romney struggled to gain footing in 2012 as did Mondale and Dukakis in past elections. If a populist candidate were to enter the race for the Democratic nomination, whoever wins will have to impress the far left. And there will be no turning back. The average American does not want an ultra liberal; that is just how national politics works.

Aside from polarizing the candidates, extreme pressure in the primaries can stifle any benefits of competition whatsoever. The money raised must be spent on the primaries. The debates can look like cat fights. And the candidates will lose ethos. These are all concerns that we must contend with in the event that the fight for the Democratic nomination escalates.

Through it all, we have to recognize that balance is important in every facet of life -- even presidential elections. Too little or too much competition can prove disastrous in 2016. As such, Democrats, especially the party leadership and those considering candidacy, should weigh the pros and cons of this situation, finding the precarious balance for a decisive victory. But most importantly, I want y’all to keep your eyes peeled for any developments on this issues. Paying attention is the only way to preserve our democracy.