Obama Takes on the Queen of Hearts
At one heated point in Monday night's Democratic debate, a perturbed Barack Obama finally blurted out to Hillary Clinton what millions of others have been thinking these past weeks. After Clinton said that what her husband says might be different than what she says or what her campaign says, Obama disgustedly said "I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes."
Sorry it's come to this, but this Democratic primary nominating process has, indeed, become all about Bill Clinton. Thanks to Hillary Clinton.
The ex-president has been rolled out as campaign attack dog to bark, bite, snap and tear away at Obama in a way that Hillary -- as candidate -- cannot and will not.
Hillary can't have it both ways. You can't deploy the clout of your husband the ex-president in the middle of your campaign and then not take responsibility for every word he utters, every action he undertakes. Right down to his shameful direct intervention in a crucial polling place in last Saturday's Nevada caucuses.
But there's deeper point. Who exactly is Hillary Clinton anyway if not someone who has parasitically attached herself to the legacy and record of Bill Clinton? Without having been his First Lady, if not exactly his only lady, Ms. Clinton would be but a corporate lawyer turned junior senator from New York and with a less than sterling voting record -- including her authorization of the war in Iraq, approval of a war-mongering resolution on Iran and an inglorious bill to criminalize the national epidemic of flag-burning.
"Elections are about the future," Clinton said tonight, parroting the most moth-eaten of campaign clichés. But Hillary has made it strictly about the past as her only affirmative argument for the future is to resurrect the politics of the previous decade.
In Monday night's debate, all three candidates went at each other. But Obama finally opened up some cuts on the Clintons, calling out Hillary for lecturing him about supposedly being soft on Reagan. "While I was working in the streets watching those folks watch their jobs shift overseas," he said staring at Clinton and referring to those who suffered under Reagan's policies, "you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board of Wal-Mart."
It might be too little too late on Obama's part. But it was absolutely the right thing to do. Hillary has made Bill, his record, his approach to politics, his policies, his style and her embodiment of all the above the central issue in the campaign. The only honorable position for any opponent of Clinton's is to take her -- and him -- on.
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You know, even here on Huffpo, it's all about the horse race, and the issues and the candidate's positions go unexamined. No wonder Edwards is losing. No wonder Kucinich couldn't get traction.
Look, don't tell me about tactics until you've examined the candidates positions.
What's the difference between their health care plans? Does one of them lead to a single payer system? (answer yes -- Edwards' does or could). Does one of them not provide universal coverage? answer: yes( Obama's does not).
How about Energy? Who doesn't encourage clean coal (answer: Edwards).
How about Iraq? Who wants to get out of Iraq within 10 months and who says we may stay indefinitely? (10 months - Edwards; indefinetly Clinton and Obama)
But you get my point. Who gives a shit about tactics and horse race BS if the candidates aren't progressive.
I wouldn't say Obama was 'disgusted' but more frustrated. See for yourself. Here's what was said.
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I think this is just the same ole' idea that a woman is defined by her husband. I have absolutely no problem in figuring out that Bill Clinton's remarks aren't about his vision for the country, his policy, his strategies: They ARE about supporting Hillary vigorously.
There's an excellent article today pointing out that many people are tired of the Clinton name, but obviously many aren't. Hillary is winning traditional Democrats.
Even in the debate last night, Obama finally looked like just another candidate. It was refreshing. He actually had to defend his weak record, as well he should if he truly asks people for their trust.
My own personal reaction to Bill Clinton's emotional outbursts was to be surprised and pleased. I never thought he'd go to the mat for her in this way. I laughed when I saw the criticisms, particularly when I saw Al Sharpten's remarks today. He took Obama to task as much as Hillary for the racial overtones. Why? I suspect the time Bill Clinton spent on his show had a lot to do with it.
Obama NEEDS to explain his weak voting record, his policy ideas in more detail and knock off the whining. He NEEDS to be smarter than to laud Reagan if he wishes to persuade Democrats.
And now? With the economy tanking this badly?
Hillary's savvy in the business sector is exactly what may well pull in a different group of voters. Many businesspeople in the party may decide we cannot afford to take a risk on Obama, who seems to have a weak grasp of economic issues and absolutely no experience in foreign policy.
The country simply needs something more than "Hope" and "Faith."
Who exactly is Barack Obama anyway if not someone who has parasitically attached himself to the legacy and record of Bill Clinton?
Thanks!
Let's not forget that Clinton (Bill) had no problem lying to his staff, his wife, and the American people. While the whole affair may have been unfair....
Secondly, HIllary is notoriously confrontation, demanding strict loyalty, and surrounding herself with loyal Clintonite
My question is what myths is Bill telling in SC as he is busy knocking on doors..... that Obama is a muslim.
I am so over the Clintons..
All of this back and forth between the candidates was probably planned. All of them need to be the ones to get this out there in the primary so they can calm the waters pre general election and the Rovians come after them . Get this stuff vetted now. Let the American people hear it like this instead of from a Republican mouthpiece. No way those attorney lines werent planned --- by prob both camps. I do wish South Carolina would start John Edwards on the path to the nomination, but what fun would that be for the media.
What I find interesting is that a month ago all the comments were hughly against Hillary and madly in love Obama. The bloom seems to have come off O's rose. Hillary really knows what she is doing. Bill is her attack dog that keeps O in a defensive position while Hillary rebuilds her air of invinciability. All I can say is I am all for the Clintons. If they approach all our problems and the rest of world this way - we will really be in good shape when they get through.
Excellent points, Marc!
I love Bill Clinton. I think he was a terrific president, but he needs to step back. This tag-teaming against Barack Obama is getting out of hand, and it's going to come back to bite the Clintons if Bill doesn't quiet down.
It just may be too late....bu
You ask who is Hillary without Bill. I ask you, who is Obama without Hillary to trash on? Respect that millions of Americans STILL support Hillary to this very day even after Obama's momentum plateaued. The amount of hatred that is generated here and in the media is disgusting and unhealthy. Had ANY of the candidates DONE what Obama had done, it would've been political suicide for them.
This all reminds me of the slimest tactics of Limbaugh and Rove. Listening to you is like listening to Rush. That is all you feel out of Obama's HQ. Just ask yourself, what does Hillary have to gain by attacking Obama?? She has been the frontrunner and IS still the frontrunner for over a year. The old saying "Follow the Money" is also true in politics: "Follow the Leader". Obama is creating this artificial victimized bullshit after he has been attacking Hillary for almost a year under-the-radar in hopes of shaving away her lead. The Rovian tactics WORKED for awhile until people caught up to his act as evident in NH and NV. Obama is sneaky and more ambitious than anyone I know. It was Obama who constantly called Hillary Bush-lite, Cheney-lite, undermining and distorting Hillary's record and positions with half-truths and character assasination from day one. Were you as critical of him as you are now of Hillary? Of course not, they say love is blind, but I didn't know it applied to journalists. So what is Hillary to do? Let bullies like you get and say what you want? The only message I get from Obama is that we should all hate Hillary (or Edwards or McCaine depending on who is the leader) and that we are all suppose to give Obama a free pass or be accused of the most vile things. You can't FORCE people to hate Hillary or like Obama. People have a brain and respect their choice as they have graciously RESPECTED yours.
My God, what a breath of fresh air! Thank you, Marc. Finally, someone not afraid to tell the truth about what is going on!
I can't believe how the whole MSM has just laid down and said "Beat me master!" to the Clintons.
What do Bill and Hill have on you guys, anyway? Why does the media suck up the pro-Clinton narrative so carefully placed by that campaign and spit it out whole to the rest of us? Where is the deconstructive thought? Where is the analysis? Where is the examination of the source? WHERE IS THE INTELLIGENCE?
It's my belief that virtually every journalist who has been following this primary race knows that Obama would be an amazing leader for America at this time. But instead of telling that truth - about how remarkable he really is - we get all this race-related "polling" and such. What crap!
Just tell the f-ing truth!
As you did, Marc. Thank you.
And by the way, Hillary is the Queen of Diamonds, not the Queen of Hearts. The Queen of Hearts would be Barbara Boxer.
Elizabeth Edwards and Michelle Obama have been just as fierce attack dogs. What's the difference? CNN cameras show up every time Mr. Clinton opens his mouth. Hillary would be a fool not to use him to her advantage, and the media would be calling her a fool if she let him stay home. What a bunch of bull crap this whole thing is. He's a tremendous asset and if Obama can't deal with it then maybe he ought to reconsider whether he's ready to take on the Republican machine, which is much more ruthless than the Clinton one.
Give me a break! Barack is a whiner, and he makes a serious mistake going after the most revered figure in our party. We ALL know President Clinton's foibles - have known them since before he was elected. Barack is desperate.
Well said Mr. Cooper!
After the lawsuit in Nevada, the words of Bill Clinton through out the last few weeks and Hillary's inability to directly state facts rather than her distortion of them, I am now 100% in OBAMA's camp.
We can't go relive the 90's.
We need to look to the future.
Paul Begala was on the Today show trying to appear impartial but spinning for team Clinton nonetheless. He cited a number I found quite suspicious. He was trying to make the point that Obama might be barking up the wrong tree by going after Bill, because, after all, Bill has an "83% approval rating among Democrats.
How old is that number?!! I want see new polls numbers regarding Bill. After the last month or so, I'd bet the house he's not polling at 83% any more.
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