News | Noticed in the Press 2016

Noticed in the Press – June 16, 2016

In the June 11-12 edition of The Wall Street Journal, a book review by Joseph Epstein: "History Meets Philosophy", under the series Masterpiece.

The masterpiece is: "Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline" by Montesquieu (1734).

 

In the same issue, a book review by Tim Blanning: "The Heart of Europe"  The book is "The Habsburg Empire" by Pieter M. Judson, Belknap/Harvard, $35, 567 pages.

 

In the June 16 edition of the Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet, an opinion piece by István Dobozi: "Hillary Clinton: történelmi resztauráció?"

 

In his opinion piece "Hillary Clinton: Historical Restoration?" Coalition member István Dobozi assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the presumptive Democratic nominee against Republican party opponent Donald Trump.  However, the unexepectedly strong challenge by her Democratic rival Bernie Sanders has exposed Clinton's serious vulnerabilities, mostly on ethical grounds, which Mr. Trump will exploit aggressively.  Her name means carrying a lot of baggage, particularly because she decided to involve her husband in her campaign.  Her platform lacks a focused and compelling message and appears to be a mere extention of the past eight years. For many, she also lacks personal charisma.  Moroever, Sanders has a considerable political capital to push Hillary left of Obama in exchange for bringing supporters, and the left generally, in line behind her.

Running on the status quo may not be a good strategy when two-thirds of the electorate believe that the nation is in the wrong track.  The Clinton coalition – black and Hispanic minorities, women and seniors – has been just enough to get her the party nomination.  But to win the presidency, this coalition needs to be broadened by attracting independents, most of Sanders supporters and even moderate Republicans.  This will be a high-wire balancing act for Clinton, especially with Sanders on her back.

 

 

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