In a December 4 front-page New York Times article, staff writer Carl Hulse asserted that “the possibility” that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) will be the Democratic presidential nominee “is already generating concern among some Democrats in Republican-leaning states and Congressional districts, who fear that sharing the ticket with her could subject them to attack as too liberal and out of step with the values of their constituents” and reported that “House Democrats do not like to discuss the idea of reverse coattails for fear of giving it too much credence and angering the Clinton camp.” However, while Hulse quoted several Republicans supporting the theory that Democrats have something to “fear” from Clinton becoming the party's nominee, he quoted no Democrats, by name or anonymously, who said they “fear ... sharing the ticket” with Clinton.

In his article, headlined “Vulnerable Democrats See Fates Tied to Clinton,” Hulse quoted only three Democrats: Reps. Nancy Boyda (KS) and Chris Van Hollen (MD), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson. However, none as quoted supported Hulse's assertion that “some Democrats in Republican-leaning states and Congressional districts ... fear ... sharing the ticket” with Clinton. From the article:

Advisers to Mrs. Clinton, who has long sought to parry concerns within her party that she is too polarizing, dispute the idea that she could hinder Democratic candidates in Republican districts. They note that New York Democrats gained a net of four House seats in her two Senate elections and that she campaigned actively for House contenders in both.

“Anyone can speculate, but there are a set of facts that tell a very different story,” said Howard Wolfson, communications director for the Clinton campaign. “The actual evidence makes clear that she is an asset in tough districts.”

[...]

Ms. Boyda, who is trying to establish a political identity as independent, said her intent was simply to show the voters of both parties in her district that she was delivering for them. Of the presidential race, she said: “It is something I have no control over, quite honestly. They will demonize any Democrat who becomes the nominee. I just put my head down and work.”

She said she was putting her faith in Kansans' willingness to split tickets. “Kansans are very practical people,” she said. “They just want people who will get the job done.”

[...]

Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, says incumbent Democrats in generally Republican districts proved very capable of holding on in the last presidential election. He says the national race gives House candidates a chance to emphasize their independence by breaking with the presidential nominee when they differ.

“This is an opportunity to distinguish themselves on the issues from whoever the nominee is,” Mr. Van Hollen said. “If they approach it right and tell their constituents where they stand, it enhances their credibility and independence.”

By contrast, Hulse quoted two Republicans asserting that Clinton would hurt Boyda's chances of re-election if she were the Democratic nominee: Patrick Leopold, campaign manager for Kansas state treasurer Lynn Jenkins, who is running against Boyda, and Pottawatomie County Commissioner Tom Doperalski. But while Doperalski stated that "[t]he people I talk to, they just cannot imagine a worse scenario" for Boyda than having Clinton as the Democratic nominee, Hulse also reported that Doperalski “says any antipathy toward Mrs. Clinton will not necessarily mean enmity toward Ms. Boyda.” From the article:

But Patrick Leopold, campaign manager for Ms. Jenkins, said a Clinton nomination would work in favor of either his candidate or Mr. Ryun, the other prospective Republican opponent of Ms. Boyda. “Whether you are a moderate Republican or a conservative Republican in Kansas, you are pretty much of the same mind on Hillary Clinton,” Mr. Leopold said. “There is no question Hillary is going to be a drag for Boyda.”

The mere mention of Mrs. Clinton's name as a potential president drew a strong reaction from Tom Doperalski, an official in rural Pottawatomie County who had just finished meeting with Ms. Boyda about how to contend with growth issues arising out of the increase of troops stationed at nearby Fort Riley.

“The people I talk to, they just cannot imagine a worse scenario,” said Mr. Doperalski, a Republican who heads the county commission. “They just don't think she can be trusted.”

[...]

And Mr. Doperalski, the county commissioner, as well as his two fellow Republicans on the three-member board, says any antipathy toward Mrs. Clinton will not necessarily mean enmity toward Ms. Boyda. “She will be judged on the job she does,” he said.