Cole links to a comment on his site:
Looking over the race, how much of Obama’s criticism of Clinton have been of the nature that would harm her and the party’s chances in the general election? I seriously cannot think of any. While everything — EVERYTHING — coming out from the Clinton camp is stuff that can be picked up and used by the Republicans in one way or another or is designed to damage him as a candidate going forward as much if not more than it impacts him now…
He seems to have stuck more or less to contrasting the two of them before Democrats while she goes on stage last night and claims he’s not ready to be President.
Absolutely. The context for that post, by the way, is that the Clinton camp is creating a new 527 to attack Obama. Joy.
February 20th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Ok, I don’t think it’s a fair characterization to say that “the Clinton camp is creating a new 527 to attack Obama.” The fact that they support Clinton does not equal them being part of the official “Clinton camp.” And while I agree that Obama’s public jabs against Clinton have been less likely to undermine her in the general election, some of the stuff Obama’s campaign is doing under the radar is just as bad.
February 20th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
First, yeah, probably not the best wording. I didn’t mean to imply it was the “official” clinton camp. But, to think that this group doesn’t have any ties to major Clinton fundraisers is probably naive. By definition, these are major Clinton donors who feel like they can’t do enough within the confines of $2300 donations and dinners.
Second, don’t think I’m a blind, happy Obama supporter who thinks he walks on water (I’m not sure how many of those actually exist, anyway). I agree that misleading mailers suck, but the reality is that his plan doesn’t require universal enrollment. It’s an actual policy difference, and as such, not phony. He disagrees with her, and his plan is consistent with that.
On the other hand, Clinton is going negative and personally negative. I think that’s undeniable. Talking about how he’s an empty suit and just hot air. Also, the whole rule changing thing with Michigan and Florida really bother me.
How do you feel about those?
February 21st, 2008 at 10:50 am
Frankly, I’m not a fan of the way either candidate is conducting themselves (and my concern with the Obama mailers has more to do with the fact that he’s claiming Clinton will require insurance that people can’t afford, rather than the universal enrollment aspect of it). As for Michigan and Florida — I think it was ridiculous to strip them of their delegates in the first place. But I agree that Clinton should have taken her current stand *before* those primaries.
As for the “Clinton camp” discussion. I agree that it’s probably major Clinton fundraisers… But again, that does not necessarily mean that Clinton and her senior staffers (who I consider to be the “Clinton camp”) are involved. In fact, it would be illegal for them to be involved.
February 21st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
The “require insurance people can’t afford” part is directly related to the universal enrollment piece, though, right? or am i misunderstanding? From what I read, it seems like the flier was misleading by omission (ignoring the sliding payment scale part of the plan) as opposed to whole hog BS.
Anyway, I think I’m agreeing with you, just maybe not on the severity of the offense…
February 21st, 2008 at 3:09 pm
That part is related to the universal enrollment piece, but it just plays into Republican talking points a bit much for me. Of course, it’s no worse than the regular Democratic firing squad, and at least the Republicans are indulging in a bit of their own this year….
February 21st, 2008 at 3:09 pm
That should be “circular” firing squad.