Clinton Attacks On Obama Have Little Effect In Wisconsin

Newsweek:

For weeks, Hillary Clinton's campaign has argued that it would be irresponsible--reckless, even--for Democrats to nominate Barack Obama because he hasn't endured enough scrutiny. So in the days ahead of the Wisconsin vote, the Clinton campaign stepped up its attacks, unleashing several negative TV ads against Obama. Clinton aides also successfully pushed two days of news coverage suggesting that Obama had "plagiarized" a couple of lines from his campaign co-chair, Deval Patrick, the Massachusetts governor.

Nothing stuck. According to exit polls, Obama won big among men and drew almost even among women in Wisconsin. He won among lower-wage earners, who were Clinton's most reliable supporters less than a month ago. And he drew even among high-school graduates,
while still maintaining his support among higher-earners and those with college degrees. Clinton won among white Democrats, but lost heavily among independents; she won seniors, but lost older, middle-aged voters that have previously swung behind her.

Read the whole story: Newsweek

Comments

[AnninCA]

Hillary most definitely has lost this argument. He won through the 90's Republican tactics.

And so, we will end up with a president, most likely, unprepared.

AND.....in 4 years, I have no doubt that the same people will claim it wasn't their fault.

Just like they are disowning the vote for the war.

Welcome to America.

[mcfried]

AnninCA, thanks for having the grace to concede the inevitable ... At this point I assume it would be too much to ask if you would like some "KoolAid", but be assured there will always be some available for you :)

[Bobaloo]

the more she attacks the worse she makes herself look-wake up Dems she is a divider not a uniter.

[wm1066]

For the majority of Americans the enemy isn't another Democrat, but Bush and his policies.
Clinton has voted with Bush so many times she can't attack Bush. But then to compound the problem she stupidly attacks Obama. She has lost her way.

[Independent voter]

Just keep on slinging the bullshit hillary. It's eventually going to stick to something - and that something hapens to be you.

I recommend that you exit the race quickly and as gracefully as possible before you alienate the rest of America with your dirty, back biting style politics.

Many try to become president, most don't make it - but there is no shame in this if you walk away with your head held high and support the nominee.

[Ouroboros]

Elsewhere on HuffPo, I read a comment from Bill Clinton about Hillary surviving Obama's "attacks" longer than the others who dropped out because of her Grass Roots Support. Is this what grassroots support looks like? A few filthy rich people with money to blow?

[BrickSykes]

Apparently no one has told Ms. Clinton that the more she bashes Obama the more the American People DON'T Want to Hear From Her ANYMORE!!

She doesn't know this, but Hillary Clinton is Ruining the "World of Pushy Girl Lawyers" beyond any chance of recovery. Yes, this is Sexist, but the sooner female attorneys learn that they needn't sound like male attorneys to be successful, the sooner they'll be considered on par with them. Not before.

Brick

[Grunty1]

It is an effect of Obama's campaign. When he campaigns on cleaning up politics and Hillary insists on repeating the old way of attack ads, he has responded both strongly, yet consistant with his message.

One would think that after all these months, the Hillary organization would have realized that the attack adds are hurting her far more than Obama.

[mrcontinental]

People are sick of politics as usual. If she would stay out of the gutter she would have a shot but she just can't seem to do that. Obama is genuine, almost bordering on naive and people don't like to see him smeared. He's like the good friend who you can trust with anything; we all have one, and we are loyal in protecting them.

Let the GOP manufacture the bogus crap but the Dems should keep it clean when doing battle. Once you sink to the GOP's level you are no better than the GOP, and who wants that?

[konradarnok]

We'll see if Hillary can salvage a legacy thru Texas and Ohio. If she goes hyper-negative, for both Bill and Hillary, it will be a sad implosion of a fairly solid legacy.

[ProfessorZ]

I like Hillary, but her attacks on Obama are misguided--they may hurt him a bit, but they will hurt her more.

Think of the negative stereotypes about Hillary: that she is calculating, ruthless, and will do anything for power.

And think of a positive stereotype about Obama: that he is committed to "a new kind of politics" that renounces mudslinging and personal attacks, and that aims to bring people together to work for the common good.

By trying to tear down Obama personally (by blowing up charges of "plagiarism" and dismissing him as all rhetoric and no substance) Hillary is confirming some of the most negative stereotypes about herself.

It also makes Obama's style of politics look good by comparison.

Hillary should focus on persuading voters she is more likely to beat McCain, and would be a better president than Obama.

But I am afraid her personal attacks on Obama may hurt her more than they hurt him.

They definitely hurt the Democrats' chances at the White House.

[Plowboy]

1. If the issue she brought up was the most she could hit him with, he is a remarkably clean politician!

2. I believe her attacks hurt her. People are tired of divisiveness, want someone who can reunite the nation. That is now probably Obama's greatest strength.

[OtayPanky]

"Clinton Attacks On Obama Have Little Effect In Wisconsin"

===

As the venerable Bart Simpson would say, "Au contraire, mon frere".

They increased Clinton's negatives, as the exit polling clearly showed.

So my recommendation to the jolly crew on the good ship Hillary is: Double down, folks. Pull out all the stops. Accuse Obama of being a pedophile, or an anglophile...or ANYTHING.

Let's go crazy. Let's go nuts. Let's party like it's 1999, so we can put this thing out of its misery and get on with the serious business of sweeping the White House and both branches of congress.

Then, with that kind of a mandate from the people, we'll get some good stuff done.

[V4Vigilance]

Very good point.

Hillary is a one trick pony (which, I guess, makes Mark Penn the horses ass, LOL) stuck using Karl Rove's play book while most of the electorate has tired of those games and moved on. Stick a fork in her, she's done...

OBAMA '08

[oshpd1]

If the Democrats want to take back the White House it would be a mistake to have Hillary Clinton on the ballot. There are too many Hillary haters in the Democratic party to vote for her for president. I have talked with many of fellow Dems and they would vote for McCain and not Hillary if she gets the nomination. Their reason is McCain is trustworthy than Hillary. And with her list of earmanks she has shown she has too many special intrest groups to cater to. If the Democrats want the high office, Hillary is not the one to take it. The choice is ours. Take back the White House or give it up for another four years.