Hillary Clinton underestimates challengers
Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MCT
May 2 could potentially conclude grueling months of training for boxers Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in preparation for their highly anticipated title fight. Presidential campaigning, much like the sweet science, is fundamentally an individual sport. Similar to boxers, politicians build a team of corner men, develop a fight plan and hone their skills through months of training. Likewise, both contests require individuals to face their opponents mano a mano. If Hillary Clinton follows a prize fighters training regimen, she is nearly unbeatable. Fortunately for Republicans, the former secretary of state seems incapable of preparing herself for a shot at the title.
Even in individual sports, building an impressive team is key to victory. Clintons previous campaign experience, both as a candidate and first lady, connects her to a seemingly endless network of political consultants, campaign managers and donors. Simply put, she can get the best trainer and cut man in the game. Unfortunately for Clinton, this is where her strategic advantage over a red corner opponent ends.
Floyd Mayweather is one of the greatest counter punchers to ever live. Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiaos grandeur is defined by his Energizer bunny-like ability to throw punches without tiring. Knowing their opponents strengths, both fighters will devise advantageous strategies. The necessity of developing a targeted fight plan reveals Clintons first major dilemma.
For the first time in 50 years, the Republican Party has no frontrunner. Such an open field raises the question: who will Clinton face in her Nov. 8 bout? Will it be a political counter-puncher like Jeb Bush? Perhaps a brawler like Rand Paul? A politically balanced boxer-puncher like Scott Walker? Or maybe an unorthodox southpaw like Ben Carson? Clintons inability to identify an opponent presents a challenge. It is nearly impossible to develop a winning fight plan without first understanding your opponents strengths and weaknesses. Every day that passes without a presumptive Republican nominee weakens Clintons ability to adopt a focused political strategy. Such a problem is compounded by Republican candidates abilities to sharpen their own game plans to defeat Hillary, as she will almost certainly be the Democratic nominee.
From the moment leading up to their ring walks to the day they sign their contracts, Mayweather and Pacquiao will train tirelessly. They will put in days-worth of roadwork, spar with the best partners available and work the heavy bag to seemingly no end. Even minutes prior to the fight, both boxers will vigorously work the mitts in order to break a sweat. In boxing, much like politics, you never enter the ring undertrained or without a sweat; doing so poses a real threat of getting knocked out cold. Clinton is discussing delaying her exploratory committee until this July, and will face seemingly no legitimate primary competition. To put it in boxing terms: she is training less than her opponent and sparring with poorer partners, if any at all.
Clinton is anointed by many as the next president. However, great fighters never cut corners in preparation for a title fight. Contrary to popular belief, Clintons belt is not a forgone conclusion. There are Republicans already training, and an extensive primary season will illuminate a candidate who has sparred with the best partners available. I may not be a boxing expert, but come Nov. 8, 2016 I will not be betting on the blue corner.
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Hillary Clinton underestimates challengers