While researching a future blog post I ran across this quote from David Axelrod given to Michael Slackman for a New York Times piece. Axelrod said of Hillary Clinton:

The theory, said David Axelrod, a Democratic political consultant based in Chicago, is that while a polarizing figure like Mrs. Clinton may motivate the opposition, she could also expand the Democrats’ base. ”If you accept the premise that we are a polarized country then part of the challenge is to maximize your base,” Mr. Axelrod said. ”I think she, as much as anybody, is in a position to do that.”

This picture obviously contrasts a bit with Axelrod and the Obama campaigns primary theme:

I would be the first to say a lot of those attacks against her were unfair and were a manifestation of an ugliness in our politics. But the fact is, she is a polarizing figure in our politics.

And if she were the nominee she would go into the general election with the highest negatives of any nominee that we’ve had in history. (Axelrod quoted by CBS in 2007)

Axelrod also offered the following advice:

Mr. Axelrod was an adviser in the presidential campaign of Senator John Edwards of North Carolina.

PRIORITY — Get re-elected. Create a vision for the future. She must help the party redefine itself by focusing on issues, like globalization, as they relate to the middle class.

She should dive into health care as an offensive and defensive maneuver. This issue will be used against her. She can’t run away from it. We’re hurtling toward a crisis and she can say, ”I may not have approached this in precisely the right way, but I had no doubt then or now that health care is a crisis we have to face.”

ABORTION — Exit polls show Americans are moderately pro-choice. She should promote adoption and, yes, abstinence as part of an array of options through which the government reduces the number of abortions.

GAY MARRIAGE — Sixty percent of the voters said that they supported civil unions or gay marriage. It’s not the killer issue some have painted it as.

TERRORISM — If you’re trying to be the first female president, a premium will be attached to proving yourself as thoughtful as anyone on this issue. She’s got a wonderful platform on the Armed Services Committee.

CHANCES — There is a caricature of her out there, and she needs to introduce America to the real Hillary Clinton.

But she’d be the person to beat if she ran. Once you have the nomination anything can happen.

SUGGESTED THEME — ”Keeping America and the middle class strong in a changing world.”