Obama Camp May Turn To Negative Clinton History

The Washington Post reports this morning via an anonymous Democratic strategist that the Obama camp may seek to remind voters of the less impressive days of the Clinton administration:

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's victory yesterday in Pennsylvania has only accentuated the quandary that Obama faces: Stay negative and he risks undermining the premise of his candidacy. Stay aloof and he underscores Clinton's argument that he will not be able to beat a "Republican attack machine" sure to greet him this summer....

With Obama clearly favored in North Carolina, even he has called Indiana the "tiebreaker," a state that adjoins Illinois but where Clinton voters hold sway in the working-class towns in the south. In the two weeks leading up to the Indiana primary, a Democratic strategist familiar with the Obama campaign said aides are likely to turn to the controversies of Bill Clinton's White House years -- Hillary Clinton's trading cattle futures, Whitewater and possibly impeachment.

Continue reading about Obama's Indiana primary strategy.

UPDATE: Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe has denied the report:

"We're not gonna do that," Plouffe said. "We have not talked about those issues in the campaign, and won't."

Comments

[dgscol]

Obama should step aside for the sake of party unity. He should not consider going negative. At any rate,
he has not had to do that because he incorporates others thinking in his own, and by that means assimilates them.

[Kingbreaker]

WTF?

Why should he step aside when he is still in fact winning by any legitimate measurement?

[gcswift2]

so he can run as a third party candidate.
This will allow him to paint HRC and JSM with the same brush. It would also give the country a choice between a Prowar Repub, a Prowar Dem, & an Anti War Democrat.
He can run against both of them as insiders who cannot be trusted.

[sfsj]

I have been a major Obama supporter since before he got into race and continue to be. His taking the high road has been important. But I am now starting to believe what my husband has been saying -- he needs to get in their and fight! This is all too important not to!

I do believe he can fight without Hillary's tone. When she says she's a fighter, you pretty much get a sense that she is a fighter -- but for herself.

Barack has been fighting, but in a nice way, for ALL of us! Such a difference between him and Hillary. He reminded us that when we get frustrated and feel like we're not heard, we get bitter and angry. I think he needs to think about that and take my husband's advice. HE NEEDS TO FIGHT -- LOUDLY! -- for us! These times are serious - as he says. We cannot let this opportunity to change our government and nation and world for the better!

All that said, it's clear the media has bought into her argument that "I've been vetted." So they don't question her, beat up on her, etc. In fact, I don't think any candidate could take the almost hour of slamming that Barack took in that crazy ABC tabloid debate! Not even fighter Hillary!

LET'S VET HILLARY!
LET'S VET HILLARY!

Let's have "vet Hillary" parties! In this 24/7 fast-paced news-cycle world, we the public forget and need reminders! It's only fair.

[Trinidad707]

If Obama plays dirty so can Hillary
Step 1. Shine light on the fact that the Rezko/Obama problem is really big, and he is on trial right now for government fraud , and the shady land deal where the monies Rezko used were loaned to him by Auchi...a former Saddam Hussein aide

Step 2. Point Out that Louis Farrakhan was the former owner of Obama's home, Obama met Farrakhan through Rev Wright

Step 3. Point out that 5 days after the PA primary their will be a fundraiser by Obama that Rev Wright will speak at

Step 4. POint out how Obama won the elections for state senator , and how he sytematically eliminated people so he would have no running mates

Step 5. Point out all the years Obama did nothing in the state senate until his last year, and that his ethics bill he touts was claimed in Rezko trial as a bill "Just for show"

[Kingbreaker]

Step 6. Cut and paste the same lame, factually challenged talking points

Step 7. Be ignored by anyone with a brain.

[escapee]

LOL!

Kingbreaker, you're funny!!

Thanks!

[ejay579]

Wake up. She has been in the gutter a long time.

[4wehttam]

We all know why she won PA........­........an­d the endorsement of the vast right wing conspiracy didn't help either. Why she ever switched parties is beyond me, the repugs suit her so well.

Obama can't go negative on her the way she has. He can't and won't stoop that low. She used fear-mongering and played against people's prejudices and that is not what Obama is about. Hellary and her say/do anything attitude will eventually ruin her reputation in the Senate, so let her drown herself. Good riddance.

[OrionGal]

article and video:
http://www.peterfpaul.com/
Trial to come up Thursday, April 24 in CA.

[inthecolour]

Step 1. Shine light on the fact that the Clinton's have a scandal ridden history (and present) via a 'mysterious' leak to the press suggesting that the Obama campaign will go negative.

Step 2. The media jumps on this story, lured in by the idea that Obama might go negative.

Step 3. Obama campaign denies ever wanting to rehash Clinton scandals .

Step 4. The media stays focused on Clinton scandals.

Step 5. The Obama campaign giggles.

[escapee]

inthecolour:

Brilliant point, beautifully written, too!

[IndependentPAVoter]

So beatifully devious, yet still giving her more respect than she now deserves. I love it though.

[meanguy]

like they haven't been already??? the 'news media' has been obama's beeeyotch from the start...

[olivia]

Obama should not dredge up Clinton scandals.

Obama should go back to doing what he was before Hillary lost her mind, about six weeks ago.

Obama should ignore Hillary and focus on McCain and his own message.

Hillary's old baggage is well known. Notice how the Rush Limbaughs are not bringing up Hillary's old baggage right now? They want her to win the nomination. Ask yourself, why is that?

[texassouffle]

During the "debate" last week Obama could have brought up the fact that the Clintons brought in Rev. Wright for " spiritual" counseling during the Monica fiasco but did not. Why? He is a decent person and quite the gentleman. Even though I would like to see him throw some mud I have greater respect for him because he doesn't.

[ndnndpendent]

Gee whiz......­..........

[Seral]

Don't worry, the liberal penmilitary forces will make sure Hillary's past is not going to be forgotten. I guess, that is what Obama camp is also trusting on, to deplete Hillary's base of support. You need to congratulate Hillary to fight all of those almost alone. Otherwise, it will only be negative against Hillary, as the media will definitely not ignore a single moment to diss Hillary, regardless of how or what she does.

[Hopeful2008]

Media Protects Hillary’s Role in Bill Clinton’s Civil Fraud Case in Los Angeles

http://www.peterfpaul.com/2008/03/05/media-protects-hillarys-role-in-bill-clintons-civil-fraud-case-in-los-angeles/

[talkingclock]

Barack Obama 08

[lvdragonlady]

If he does, he is not going to have to look very far. She is due in court in a couple of days.

[tedquinn]

all he should do is exactly what she will not do: namely, give us a detailed outline of his plan to end the war, provide jobs, healthcare and education, while his daily avalanche of supporters and supers continues to grow. stay above the fray with her. we need her voters in november. don't even respond to her bullsh*t. respond every time with a 'no comment' and then launch into a positive solution to one of our many massive problems as a nation. go obama. i gave another $25 last night. what are his numbers since the PA polls closed? hillary is boasting a pretty decent haul.

[adept2u]

Oooh I hate it, but I know you're right. I want to ask about Hillary's pastor, I want to know if she's about to be indicted for election fraud, I want to know what else John Huang got from the White House besides the use of it as a bed and breakfast, so many things. You're right though be cool Obama don't listen to me.

[ejay579]

I gave again as well. Since I donated five hours ago, there has been 14,000 contributions to Barak. Terry Mcauliffe this morning was claiming the Drama Queen raised $10million over night. I guess these were 140000 responses.

[zelduh]

Moveon.org MUST do this instead of Obama. If Moveone really wants Obama to win, Moveon must do the dirty work.

[JiminNC]

You mean Whitewater, Vince Foster and the trail of dead, Monica, Gennifer, Kathleen, Hsu, Peter Paul, Uranium mining, Dubai, Columbia, NAFTA, the Riches, other purchased pardons, Lincoln bedroom for rent, failure to catch Bin Laden, failure to pass any health care reform, cattle futures and things like that????

No Barack won't bring those things up.

[talkingclock]

I appreciate the updates:-)

[4wehttam]

Don't forget Goldwater, Vinod Gupta, drug cartel, Penn.

[denlong]

If any of you think that the republicans are going to forget all of those "issues" (?) you are living in a Fantasy-Land. EVERYTHING, the repubs threw at Clinton1 will be thrown at Clinton2!

[HLMerkin]

And more. The Republicans sat on information about Hillary in 1992 because she was just the spouse of the Democratic candidate. They are so excited to tell the world about her work at as an attorney in Berkeley working to free cop killers and Communists. They sure do not need it now as she serves the purpose of mucking up the Democratic race.