The Biggest Victim

On TPM, Greg Sargent says that Obama is "Winning Spin War Over Who's Victim."

I think this is right. Lately Obama is almost a poster child for the wronged. What is the biggest sin of the terrible Clinton attack machine? The suggestion that Obama said he likes Reagan? That Obama's anti-war record is exaggerated? Voting "present" in the Illinois State Senate? Ouch. Wow, this is "so unfair!." The Wal-Mart Rezko exchange, that began with Wal-Mart?

I'm sure I''m missing something here. But none of this strikes me as remotely rough stuff, compared to, for example, the relentless attacks on both Hillary as a candidate, and the savage portrayal of the last Democratic administration, not to mention that relatively mild but absurd suggestion that Hillary doesn't respect the achievements of Martin Luther King. Tonight on MSNBC Chris Mathews is claiming that "the Clintons" are terrible for reminding South Carolina voters that Obama is black. Huh?

But why would one want so desperately to be portrayed as a victim? Is that what the voters are looking for? I guess that's one theory of what the Democratic primary voters like. Maybe it's what campaigns think impresses the reporting classes.

In some sense, this makes sense. The press covered the Hillary-as-victim story for awhile, and she seemed to benefit. And as she began to respond to the incoming attacks, the Obama-as-victim story was the next wave. But at some point, if the Obama candidacy fails, it won't be the first time a politician was not elected president. Ditto for Clinton candidacy.

I have as much liberal white male guilt as the next guy, but at some point, I'd like to see a little less whining.

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Comments

[cblcar]

I, too, am tired of Obama's whining. If he can't take the heat from the Clinton machine, how in the world is he going to stand up to what the Republicans will throw at him if he's the nominee. Politics is a take no prisoners world. In that kind of fight, I'll take a Clinton any day.

[Tellmethetruth]

You are right - if Americans want a victim - let's take one of the Veterans of the Iraq war who has had their limbs blown off and elect them to be President.

Obama's "slights" and imagined offenses don't seem strong enough to lead the US at a time we are in 2 wars, have been attacked, take us through natural disasters, and financial hard times. We need a strong person, not a whiny - "you owe me" type of personality.

[IntrepidReader]

Crap, everybody in America wants to be a victim or a minority or, ideally, both. It's no wonder than presidential campaigns reflect this trend. And yes, the media loves stories about victims, no matter how specious they may be.

[1042173]

Here's what you're missing:

Bill dishonestly minimizing the differences between Obama and Hillary on the war.

Clinton surrogates making shady references to his days in Chicago doing "...whatever he was doing".

Attempts by Clinton supporting unions (certainly with campaign support) to invalidate the at large caucases in Nevada when it looked like they would favor Obama.

Please. These are inappropriate tactics for any campaign and Obama is defending himself against dishonest smears which are unfortunately all too often effective.

In terms of attacks on Hillary, you don't mention any specifics. Please list unfair claims by Obama on her.

[bauersox]

I agree. There should be less whining and more talk about the candidates' proposals to get America out of the mess we're in. Hillary Clinton returned to S.C. today, talked entirely about policy and the press seems to have taken very little interest. Sadly, the primary voters have little idea what they're voting for -- aside from a congeries of platitudinous slogans.

I'd also like to see the words "Karl Rove" and all declensions thereof banned from these blogs.

[1fliteup]

Personally I agree, however when you start looking up Obama,s voting record, why did he vote "present". His answer to that was vague at best, and he did start up the fight, and its not like his ties to that Chicago slum lord was not already known. So now he can play the old "Im black and Im a victim." routine. The blacks eat that up, I think the media pundits are eating it up too. Naughty, naughty, Hillary, how could you be so bold as to challenge our new anointed one. I think theres entirely to much testostorone flying around.

[thegaygardener]

You list some of the smear tactics from "the terrible Clinton attack machine" directed at Senator Obama.
Then you mention "the relentless attacks on both Hillary as a candidate..." but cannot attribute those attacks to the Obama Campaign & rightly so.
Obama is not smearing Clinton, nor distorting her (their) record, nor lying about votes & posistions.
It is the revolting, classless, Rovian, tactics of these 2 ego maniacs, the Clintons, that are attempting to destroy a fine man, divide the Democratic Party & ensure a Republican victory in the fall.