While Clinton and Obama flacks debate the word "monster" all weekend, we might take a moment to look at a much more offensive comment ex-Obama advisor Samantha Powers made to The Scotsman. Said Ms. Powers of Senator Clinton, "You just look at her and think, 'Ergh'. But if you are poor and she is telling you some story about how Obama is going to take your job away, maybe it will be more effective. The amount of deceit she has put forward is really unattractive."
Yeah, nothing says smart politicking like Obama's Ivy League think-tank advisors berating the working poor for their man's inability, over and over again, to connect with lower income voters. How condescending a statement is that to the working poor of America? Or maybe it's simple frustration on the part of Obama's campaign when the "magic" and "hope" just don't play when the issues are paying the rent and health care, or having to choose one over the other.
And does the "deceit" in Ohio that Ms. Powers mentions include Obama's reported backchannel talks with Canadian pols that Obama won't change NAFTA, even while telling "poor" voters he will change it? Maybe the problem isn't so much Clinton's negativity, but Obama's inability to convince people he cares about their jobs. Until he answers all the questions he's being asked, it sure looks that way. He spiked himself in Ohio with his own arrogance. Hillary's phone call ad was minor in comparison, because the issue there was jobs.
Obama's elitist, above-the-fray stance makes him look like John Kerry II, as do condescending comments like Ms. Powers'. I keep hearing people say, "Oh, Obama won't get swift boated. He'll swing back." Yeah, when? He just took two big losses that could have closed the deal for him. Why? Because Hillary Clinton's tougher than he is. Does anyone think the GOP will hesitate to hit him twice as hard? Sorry if it's unseemly to pundits and professors alike, but the Presidency is worth a fight. To quote Tina Fey, bitch is the new black. Bitching about losing isn't.