So, if launching blistering attacks on Hillary Clinton isn't working for John Edwards, why would Barack Obama try the strategy on for size? And is the Obama camp preparing to go all netroots nuclear on Hillary? From the WaPo this morning:
"I think it is fair to say that I believe I can bring the country together more effectively than she can," Obama said. "I will add, by the way, that is not entirely a problem of her making. Some of those battles in the '90s that she went through were the result of some pretty unfair attacks on the Clintons. But that history exists, and so, yes, I believe I can bring the country together in a way she cannot do. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be running." ...
... "Her argument is going to be that 'I'm the experienced Washington hand,' and my argument is going to be that we need to change the ways of Washington," he said. "That's going to be a good choice for the American people."
Saying that Bill Clinton's presidency was good for America, he added: "The question is, moving forward, looking towards the future, is it sufficient just to change political parties, or do we need a more fundamental change in how business is done in Washington . . .? Do we need to break out of some of the ideological battles that we fought during the '90s that were really extensions of battles we fought since the '60s?"
Obama never used the term "polarizing" to describe Clinton but made it clear he has studied polls that show that many people have an unfavorable opinion of her. "I don't think there is anybody in this race who's able to bring new people into the process and break out of some of the ideological gridlock that we have as effectively as I can," he said.
Okay, but the problem for Barack is that Bill Clinton won the ideological war he fought with bloodthirsty Republicans in the 1990s - he won it on the economy, on competency and on "peace and prosperity." And he won it on impeachment. Democrats aren't shrinking from an ideological war with the new iteration of the GOP -- the neocon war party, bathed in corruption and incompetence -- most are relishing it.
I also think Barack risks becoming shrill, at at time when Democrats need to be united to win. Not a good look for the candidate of hope.
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%>
Tell a friend
<%
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'sets variables
dim email, sendmail
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sendmail.Subject = "Check out this website"
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dim url
'url = Request.ServerVariables("HTTP_REFERER")
url = "http://www.aspbasics.net"
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%>
"[T]he practice of arbitrary imprisonments, have been, in all ages, the favorite and most formidable instruments of tyranny.' Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 84, August, 1788