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

[tedbear]

The Obama camp OWES IT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO REMIND THEM OF WHAT THE CLINTONS REALLY ARE. THE CLINTONS ARE LIARS, CHEATS, AND HAVE NO MORALS WHATSOEVER. Of course, the Obama camp wouldn't have to do this if the media would do their job in exposing that half of the Democratic candidates.

They (the Clintons) have dirty big secrets. Right now they are involved in a lawsuit against them for fraud. Who knows what else? I THINK I'LL CHECK IT OUT.

OH YEAH, I am going to help out Obama by personally digging up and pointing out all the negatives on the Clintons. Well, there isn't enough space on the internet for all of them, but I'll try!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is my civic duty to inform the citizens of the nature of their Presidential hopfeuls. Just like the Clintons have been doing. And, it is the civic duty for everyone to consider the validity of the faults of the Clintons.

[HLMerkin]

Thank you.

[armadillious2002]

You saw what Obama intends to do last night. He has quit running against Hillary and started running against McCain. He largely ignored Hillary in last nights speech only congratulating her and then moving on to the bigger fish. Obama will do nothing to further polarize Dems as he will need them in the general.

Clinton however has pretty much guaranteed that she can not win the general as she has split the Dems down the middle. Many, including myself, will not vote for her if she somehow gets the nom.

[britethere]

I'm with you and will not only vote for Nader or Mccain but work for one if the Clintons steal the nomination

[dollphingurl]

i am an obama supporter, although i will concede that i wish he would show his teeth more -- he's seeming quite apprehensive, and i hope that gets cleared up.

that said, even if hill-LIAR-ry's right and she is the more conventionally electable of the two right now, if the SDs gave her the nomination she wouldn't be.

i do not believe they will. it's bigger than just the presidency, it's also about the ENERGY of the clintons and how that needs to go byebye -- nobody wants them to be the queen and king of the party.

[mgw]

Yeah, you are right, I noticed that he did start the campaign against McCain last night. But that is another sign of his audacity -- someone should tell him about counting his chickens before they have hatched.

[bobdob]

Hillary lost last night. It was her last chance to turn things around, but she needed to win by at least 20 points in order to do it. That didn't happen. So why should Obama bother with her any longer? Let her attack. Let her rail. Let her hold up the bloody shirt of 9/11 and Osama bin Laden. Let her continue to claim that the voters don't matter and that the superdelegates should overturn the will of the people.

It doesn't matter. Hillary is irrelevant. Let her swing in the breeze.

[gcswift2]

She has been exceedingly negative while he has shown Extraordinary restraint and deference to her. He has attacked her poilcies but has stayed away from scurilous personal attacks.

His campaign strategy is flawed because it allows her to look like she's fighting the good fight. It allows her to throw crap at the wall to see what sticks and claim its about "all the questions" surrounding Barack.

Personally I think he should go into his oppo and pull out the biggest nastiest claim that will come from the republicans and make her respond and say its just an example of "what the republicans will do"

But He's a better person than me. I've been saying this for months now... She has NOT been tested or vetted. When she claims that she has; she is telling everyone that you already know she's dirty.

[meltingpot101]

I don't think he needs to dig up her old dirt, most of us remember it anyway. And the younger voters who this would actually be news to are mostly supporting him anyway. I think he should high light and emphasize Hillary's new foreign policy, her umbrella of deteriant. She states that the US would use massive retaliation not only if Israel were attacked (thats not news) but any country within the region. The msm just start asking her about this on 4/21, Kieth Oberman and some others. Also what about Paul VS Clinton, isnt that on the docket now. No need to dig whenthere is so much here at the surface.

Besides that he needs to get back on message, afterall that is what put him in the lead. Ahead in delegates, popular vote, states won, and endorsements.

[kristin]

Here is evidence of complicity of Hillary high-profile enablers in the mainstream media: To those of you who believe Hillary when she says she has been fully vetted, see “Hillary’s Felony Misspeaking Never Challenged By The Media”

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

[DontBeFoolish]

I just can't believe this woman(Hillary Clinton). I also CANNOT BELIEVE Pennsylvania voters, following a couple of liars, like they are really going to do the right thing for us.. Year after Year, after Year, after Year we have heard politicians make promises to us, and each time our hopes were dashed. White men, White women. Why does everything in this country have to come down to race.

For all of the White man & White Women, Asians, Latinos, Indians and other ethnicities in PA that voted for Obama. THANK YOU. We must stay united, to show this STANKIN GOVERNMENT that they cannot divide us anymore, THEY CANNOT LIE TO US and believe that we are naïve enough to believe it. We the people UNITED are what make up AMERICA, not you, THE GOVERNMENT. Crap I am MADDDDDDDDD, you blew it PA.

[talkingclock]

Thank you and I second that

[lvdragonlady]

When you are poor, white, racist and uneducated you will believe anything anyone tells you because you do not know anything else.
There are many more out there just like them, there is nothing you can do about them. They just are.

[ndnndpendent]

umm, well, gee whiz......­......

[willowbarcelona]

Today's Cleveland Plain Dealer editorial re yesterday's PA election results:

Will the '60s never leave us - an editorial

http://www.cleveland.com/editorials/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1208939604325080.xml&coll=2

[meltingpot101]

Thanks for the read, my brother and I delivered the Plain Dealer when we were kids growing up in Shaker Heights, just ouside of Cleveland. My parents were part of that movement for civil rights and I wish they were here to witness this time in our countries history.

Though I am a strong Obama supporter, and believe every person should be judged based on their own merits....
I thought Hillary's victory speech was really good last night, her best even, but when she spoke of all that we take for granted becouse people evolving really, made me wonder how much proof do the american people need to realize Obama is a man of our times and the best possible candidate for president that this country has seen for a very long time.

I wonder if Geraldine Farrero still thinks he is lucky to be who he is???

[tedbear]

I am a baby boomer who just read the article in the Plain Dealer. I live in Cleveland.
I am not a supporter of the Clintons. I am old enough, and experienced enough in the world to know better than to support the Clintons. I have also had young kids and even middle aged kids tell me how "awful" my generation was. Well, we lived in a time which historically, I think, was unique. We came from "Leave it to Beaver" to Woodstock in a short period of time. We, most of us anyway, thought of the inadequacies and lack of compassion of the powers that be, and truly wanted to contribute something to help make things better. Yes, there were people who got caught up in the radical side of emotions. Now, we are older people. The Weathermen were a group of people who took things really seriously. I am not here to convict of defend them. The thing I question is President Clinton's pardon of members of this group.

The Clinton pardon of the Weathermen ,who had been convicted, needs to get the same press as the Ayers scenerio. Doesn't everyone think that is fair? Lets roll out all the shocking, unfortunate things in the lives of all political candidates and get it over with. It is simply shameful that the Obama stuff can be carried like wildfire, but the Clinton stuff doesn't get more than a mention. I thank the author of the Plain Dealer article.

[HLMerkin]

Thanks boomer. This GenXer will cut you the slack you deserve.

[kmdippenger]

I heard it over and over yesterday while canvassing in PA, " I'm voting for Hillary because Barack can't beat John McCain in Nov. because of Rev Wright and that other guy they were talking about on tv"...how interesting that they like Senator Obama but worry about his electability! time to point out exactly how unelectable Senator Clinton is. GO FOR IT!

[zelduh]

Moveon must do this for Obama! The Unions should do this for Obama.

[stateMachine]

Pennsylvania has 33 hate groups and a population of 12 million. For comparison, New York state has a population of 20 million and only 20 hate groups. How this election result is a surprise or a triumph is beyond me. Hillary Clinton = Elizabeth Stanton.

[richardgordon]

I sure as hell hope Obama will not fall into the same pig-sty that Hillary has fallen into. He's winning and can only win the hearts and minds of America if he can show the American public that he is totally different to the trash politics of Hillary Clinton and the Republican attack machine. Doe's Obama really want this? There is not much hope for America if Obama stoops to their level.

[DontBeFoolish]

Man richardgordon, it's going to be hard not too. Even the best American, can only turn his other cheek so many times. In other words. DON'T TREAD ON ME!

[AlwaysFairDem]

I would like to see him be as cruel as she has and jus take her off her knee cap and just embarrasses her with all her dirt but I don't think he is that kind of politician. Taking the high road is the better one.

[mntnguy]

I must admit it would be nice to see him take her out at the knee caps like that wipe that smug arrogant fake smile off her face! When this started I felt we had two very good candidates and that I would vote for either. After all this I will never vote Mc Cain but I will stay home in November because no matter how you look on it, Sen Clinton or Mc Cain both corrupt politicians! They both can not wait to get in there to make there money on the back end.

Go Obama 08 Yes We Can

[MouthFountain]

How about a new tact!

"She is one hell of a fighter! Can't win, but with that winning attitude, she is gonna go far."

As we move on to North Carolina, I for one am looking forward to the challenge of Obama fighting back Hillary to win in a large state. Indiana is going to be a challenge to, particularly with such a noble competitor. May the best candidate win!

[britethere]

OK OBAMA let's see if you can "elbow back" . Where are the 527 organizations when we need them?
Paul v Clinton is now on the docket...o­ne does not even have go back to :Filegate, Travelgate, Cattlegate, Fostergate, RonBrowngate, Sandy Berger-Gate, Mark-Rich-Gate, Steal-the-­antiques-g­ate.
With Bosnia sniper-gate and Peter Paul, Columbia trade, pardon papers, library contributor list , bomb the middle east 'umbrella",hanging around in the here and now.

[MsCjay]

http://www.paulvclinton.com/

Stop the Drama!

Vote Obama 08!

[S1m0n]

Obama doesn't "need" anyone's help. He's already winning handily under his own steam. Why would he do a thing differently?

[mcnairbo]

Obama already has dredged up the so called Clinton scandals via his surrogates at the Huffington Post and MSNBC.

[MouthFountain]

I would never stoop so low as to bring up rolling white waters, cattle, travel, prison deaths, women, lying to the man, or book donations to libraries. Who do you think we are?

[jozzo]

Why should Obama bring up Clinton history? Obama is in the lead. He does not need to act desperately. He will win North Carolina and Oregon and lose Indiana by a very small margin. He will have no trouble getting enough super delegates in Denver to win.

By bringing up her history he could jeopardize getting the voters in the general election that see him as a candidate for change. This would send Hillary voters over to McCain and we get a third term of George Bush!

[mntnguy]

very true and looking ahead most probably what will go down thought I disagree with Hillary voters going to Mc Cain. There is a slim number of Republican Females and racist white males that will go over to Mc Cain But I doubt the larger mass will sale out there democratic values to vote Republican especially the older voters they will vote democrat no matter what happens.

[ndnndpendent]

Can you believe we are discussing the 'white racist vote' .........g­ood grief!!!!!!!!!!!

[TWP]

Obama has already gone negative with a vengeance -- this blog and the media in general just try to ignore it. If you think about it, the 'kitchen sink' charges by the Obama camp is negative, as was Obama's (in)famous gesture recently -- sophomoric and, well, negative.
As for who's in the lead, that's debatable. If you count Florida and Michigan, and why not since they were regular and registered elections that the DNC just refuses to acknowledge, then Clinton is in the lead in the popular vote and she is so close in delegate count, it does not matter.
She also stands to win in three of the remaining states and may be able to stay close enough in the others to stalemate, or even 'defeat,' Obama by June.
We'll see.
In any case, name-calling, smugness, and dredging up the past is a dangerous business -- it alienates your opponent's supporters and it invites them to do the same with Obama.

[BryantG]

I agree. He can coast...pr­each his positive message and respond reasonably to any over the top negative attacks.

[AZM]

I recall an incident concerning a document that was subpoened but which could not be found, during the Clinton administration. Somehow, miraculously, it was found behind a copier a day after the statue of limitations (?) expired. She is one helluva clever woman!