Obama Gets Snookered by Clinton's Attack on Experience

Barack Obama fell for it. Bill Clinton attacked Obama's timing, his readiness, his experience, and Obama answered by quoting Bill Clinton.

What did that little exchange accomplish? For Clinton, a lot. He got Obama talking about what Clinton wanted him to talk about. And, let's face it, experience is not Obama's strongest suit. As many of us have said, if experience were the key, Richardson (called by James Carville, "the most qualified person ever to run for President"), Biden and Dodd would be the three frontrunners, each of them having more experience in public office than the three frontrunners combined.

What did that accomplish for Obama? Nothing, indeed by continuing to mix it up with the Clintons, Obama gives Edwards a bye making him appear the non-contentious candidate, accomplishing what Hillary wants, an Edwards resurgence to blunt Obama.

Obama got snookered into playing Clinton's game. And, when Bill Clinton says something, Democrats usually take notice, so it is understandable. Understandable, but ill-advised.

Instead, Obama should have talked about experience by repeating his own comments about Hillary's votes on Iraq and Iran, and peppered it with something else -- her vote (along with Edwards') against the Levin Amendment that would have forced Bush to come back to Congress if the UN did not authorize the Iraq War (which it did not). He should have stated his commitment, except in an emergency, not to take this country to war unless authorized by Congress, and challenged her to agree with that or not.

Then, he should have pivoted, as only he could do, and remark that the establishment always tells those not part of their game to "wait", to "go slower", to "be patient". He could have then used a rhetorical flourish to talk about Americans wanting real change that transcends the old politics, that the American people do not want to wait, and that the only way that can happen is when new people do not sit quietly by, but take up the mantle.

He could have ended with a simple observation: unlike the others, he did not enter the race and seek support. There was a groundswell that propelled him into the race.

Obama had a great opportunity, offered up to him by Bill Clinton. He could have hit it out of the park, and make the Clintons circumspect about just how to attack him in the future.

He could have; but, he didn't.

Comments

[SamanthaJaneSalem]

I think Paul Abrams got snookered by quoting James Carville!

[Professornitpick]

So you agree that he is not ready for big leagues. Such an amateurish folly!

[LeeFromVA]

Are you kidding? Obama did hit that out of the park. He kept his cool, he didn't attack, he just quoted Bill Clinton saying the exact opposite of what he's saying now. And he left it alone. A perfect comeback.

I used to be a big Bill Clinton fan, but I am begining to realize the only reason I liked him was because we had the Republicans as a common enemy. It's clear now how devicive he really is, and all this time I soley blamed the Republicans (they didn't help either). We haven't had an uniter in recent memory. What is it with the Bush's and the Clinton's. They keep the country at each others throat and yet they seem to be routing for each other. Maybe in 8 years the Clintons will endorse Jeb.

[RuthieM]

I disagree with writer here. I think Obama did best by quoting Bill Clinton showing how disingenuous he really is, turning his own poison on him, good. Obama reiterates time after time about Clinton voting for Iraq, her Iran vote, same for Edwards, voting for Iraq, saying it was the best way to vote then and now that he's running for president, saying he made a mistake. Mistake? Thousands and thousands of our soldiers killed. Thousands and thousands of our soldiers wounded. Iraq in shambles, and on and on. I think Obama needs to begin again driving that point home, the differences, the real experience which he has, the judgment which he has, the leadership which he is.

[SeanGardner]

One of HUFFPOST's posters name bigtimernc, posted this last week:

"...its not the 35 years of experience that turn me off with Hillary Clinton, its the lack of quality it has. Let me explain: In five years as the most influential Democrat in the Senate, Hillary has managed to get the following laws and resolutions enacted:

Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site

Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month

Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor

Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall

Name courthouse after James L. Watson

Name post office after John A. O'Shea

Designate August 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day

Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day

Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death

Congratulate the Syracuse University Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.

Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins
Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship

Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program

Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda

Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death

Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty.

- Only five of Clinton's bills are "substantive":

Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11

Pay for city projects in response to 9/11

Assist landmine victims in other countries

Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care

Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the Wilderness Preservation System
_________________________

bigtimernc is RIGHT!!! Compare that with Obama's record in just less than 4 years in the U.S. Senate: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x3132998

OBAMA baby!!!

[lemonv]

I wonder what these Obama supporters might have been thinking when he was attacking and disparaging Hillary? That it was an attack on the issues? Remember that he did it 1st.

[Lazslo]

I didn't take Obama's response as that he was snookered. Instead, I took that (what I believe was intended) moment as Obama using Clinton's own words to make Hillary's current words hollow and meaningless, when she talks about experience. Beyond that, I thought that quoting Bill Clinton is possibly not a smart thing to do, because Bill Clinton is sounding a little wacky these days. He's a rogue lately with his verbosity out on the campaign trail, and Hillary's team is trying to tighten his leash. As for Hillary, she is putting forth a full court press, even here on this blog, inundating it with attacks on Obama. Obama is getting hit on all fronts this week, with slimy accusations. He's got to endure this and stay on top to win. To do this, Obama needs to go back to her record and keep hammering on that and her pro military-industrial complex platform. In addition to that, Hillary is flaming out with the press by refusing to answer questions and being hostile in her tone with the press. This is another avenue of defensive attack Obama can use.

[daveny]

Say, LIR, how's things over at Hillary Headquarters? Have you considered dropping an "A" into the screenname? Might make the sock-puppeting seem a little more honest.

[DudeE]

Interesting - and understood you are reciting Obama talking points - but Clinton was one of 18 Dems to vote for the Byrd amendment in 2002 which limited Bush's authority for military action in Iraq...

[fullkelly]

Yeah, BO could have did a few things with the comittee he is chairman of in the senate. However he preferrs to sit on his laurels and has accomplished ZILCH.

So how does he intend to run a nation? Like Bush? Surround himself with smart people just as Bush said he would do where he lacked EXPERIENCE! No thanks BO, the U S of A has had enough of that bad smell for the last seven years.

[eaglecapri]

Mr. Abrams,

This is chess not checkers!

Sometimes the best strategy is not always the 'obvious' or the most direct. You need to take a seat and watch the genius of Obama.

Firstly, Bill is not running for president nor is he Obama's daddy! If Obama had responded to Bill as you advised, it would have taught Bubba that any statement he made about him he'd have to answer him, Bill. Who the hell is Bill? He ain't nobody! Instead, Obama shut him down!

Bill's strategy was to put 'Obama on the run'. It failed. Instead, Obama fired back with Bill's own words. Now, anytime Bubba wants to put these 'ideas' and 'words' out in the media, he'll be forced to review every transcript, press conference and anything he's ever written to prevent his own words being thrown back in his face! He'll definitely think twice....just like Hill will think twice about mocking Obama again (i.e. 'I look forward to you advising me')....next time he opens his mouth (Wow, for whatever reason I just thought of Monica Lewinsky!).

What Obama did was reminded people that Bill - like his wife - is calculating, dishonest, backtracks, uses the press to try and manipulate the people and changes positions like the wind. They cannot be trusted. And, from now on, we know not to listen to anything they have to say about him (Obama).

So you see, Mr. Abrams, sometimes it's what you DON'T say that makes the difference. Bill may be smart, but he ain't clever!

[Kane]

Too bad for Obama.
If only he had you for his campaign advisor, he would be leading in the polls and the momentum would certainly be his.

Oh yeah, he's already leading in the polls and he has the momentum.

Considering all the attacks coming from all angles, those from Hillary, Bill, members of the Clinton campaign, Clinton loyalists, and media allies, Obama has handled himself quite well. He has taken the best punch the Clinton Machine has, and he shaken it off with relative ease.

[jpshotwheels]

Off topic but everyone who reads this please go to Wexler's Impeachment of Cheney Petition online and sign it today, 3 more Democrats came out against the Crimes of Cheney, they want Hearings. Sign it and help him.


After Obama's speech with Oprah, he stated he will turn back all the Executive Orders Bush has enforced over the last 7 years, restore Habeaus Corpus and the Constitution, Close Gitmo. He can do all of this without going through Congress. He said he will have us out of Iraq in 18 months after he enters the White House and wants to change the mind-set of America. Bring the teaching of Civics back to the Classrooms and get rid of No Child Left Behind.

Now, we all know he can't do this overnight and it will take some time, but the fact is we need a complete turnaround in Washington and quickly. If anything good comes out of the Bush Administration, it will be the fact that Americans are waking up and paying attention now. That will be the only good thing.

[RAMHaiti]

Obama and Edwards should be running for college class president

[sufi66]

There is some truth to Obama's lack of experience. His pandering to Oprah would not have been done by a more experienced
man. But he's looking at his next book contract and an appearance on her show to up sales.