The Clintons’ Patronizing Strategy

I am no fan of Hillary Clinton, but I am so sick of every pundit being being so OBVIOUSLY ready to bury her for the sake of Sen. Obama. It really is getting ridiculous.

I am not siding with Clintons in this thing at all, but I am telling you that Obama is not the saint everyone thinks he is. And if he is having so much trouble absorbing a few volleys of friendly-fire from Bill Clinton then just try and imagine what is going to happen once the Republican war-machine gets a hold of him--we are not known for our subtlety.

As for the "distorting the truth" issue, well, this is politics people and that is how it goes. EVERYONE does and will continue to for all-time. And Barack Obama is as guilty as any of them--more so in my opinion because he is playing the role of saint and thus becomes hypocrit. If you want to see that both Clinton and Obama did their share of "shading the truth" then go here: http://www.newsweek.com/id/98083/page/1 It is a well-researched piece and while it does prove that the Clintons are going far afield with regards to Obama's comments on Reagan it also proves that Clinton's main complaint about Obama not taking responsibility for his own legislative record holds more water than I even suspected.

In the end, I guess it doesn't matter either way because I will be voting for the other guy.

It???s false to imply ??? as Clinton did ??? that Obama endorsed Republican proposals to set up private Social Security accounts or that he praised deficit spending. Obama said no such thing. More lies from the Clinton slime machine (kinda reminds you of the republican swift-boating of Kerry, doesn't it?).

They say Obama can't handle the attacks? Is it just me or is Hillary crying to big bad Bill for support? They are single handedly making Democrats look like fools. It is extremely embarrassing and unfortunate that they would do everything they can to tear down such a promising man, Barack Obama.

This scorched earth strategy by the Clintons will backfire in the general election, if not in the primary race. As a liberal democrat, I just can no longer vote for a return of the Clinton dynasty. We need change and change cannot come under the Clintons. They are a polarizing, power-hunger couple. We Democrats can do better than this; I sincerely hope that as a party we wake up before "Billary" becomes the nominee. If not, we will lose yet another election which we should have one. Neither Obama nor Edwards would cost us the election. But Hillary is certain defeat.

You know as Dems. We are getting exactly what we deserve. We know the Clintons are dishonest, but we sat back as we reaped the benefits. I am very dispritied by this campaign so far. I am beginning to understand why the Clintons are so hated.

I am disgusted with the current Clinton tactical approach. Although I am an Obama supporter, I had the utmost respect for both Bill and Hillary. Now, I'm afraid they have lost my respect. How could anyone in their right mind believe that Barack Obama would support Republican party ideals over the past 10-15 years? His entire career he has been a devoted democrat and I don't ANYONE can argue that. I am literally fuming, the Clintons are running one of the most dishonest and misleading campaigns I have ever seen with exception to George W. Bush. I hope the American people are smart enough to call them on it.

bb

You are right on, but this "patronizing strategy" may well work. Don't forget that George W. Bush was elected to a second term. The pundits often credit Bill Clinton for his political skills and acumen. The word genius is thrown around. Clinton is no political Einstein, just a gifted and somewhat machiavellian travelling salesman who could pick your pocket with a good ol' boy grin on his face and expect you to thank him for lightening your load. Hope the democratic and independant voters are ahead of the Republican curve on this one.

I agree with Alter. This level of campaigning by the Clintons is both insulting and demeaning. In fact, as much as I admired Bill Clinton in the past, I have lost all respect for him. I have always been ambivalent about Hillary but have come in the recent weeks and months to abhor her style of politics - much like the "swift boat" attacks of the 2004 election. Clearly, this country needs to go in a different direction and resist by our votes any and all attempts to take us down this path again.

I am not focusing on the strategies the clintons are using, however, my question is, they were in the whitehouse for 8yrs, and she has been in the senate since then, but they were not able to make fundamental lasting change in the direction of the country. Could it be that though they won election, they did not get the majority manadate needed to make lasting changes in the lives of ordinary people. Winning election is not the same thing as governing, and you can not govern without a sizeable mandate, and you can not get that mandate by being devisive. We all have to worry about the future of this country and our children and not the legacy of a couple that enjoy playing on the stage. We are the custodians of our future, so going back to yesterday does not prepare us for what is ahead. Let us move forward even as the clintons enjoy their games.

Twisting the facts is how George Bush got us into the Iraq war.
Is Hillary going down the same road? Vote for Honesty in 2008.

why are you constantly defending Obama? You are not writing about all of the ridiculous things he , or his campaign workers say. The man hasn't once, directly answered a question or a charge, he just spins it back, very Republican-Karl Rove-like. Your articles should deal with the issues of the country, not the nonsensical warring of the words

I was not long ago such a Bill Clinton fan. I'm so very disgusted with him and Hillary now. I've withdrawn my support for the Clintons. If they win the nomination based upon their dirty politics and smear campaigns it will be as sad a day as when W won his second term. I will not vote for Hillary if she is the nominee, I will cross over and vote Republican or write in. Their day is over and it is time for them to go away.

why are you constantly defending Obama? You are not writing about all of the ridiculous things he , or his campaign workers say. The man hasn't once, directly answered a question or a charge, he just spins it back, very Republican-Karl Rove-like. Your articles should deal with the issues of the country, not the nonsensical warring of the words

I am sick of this politics of personal destruction being practised by Hillary Clinton. I was disgusted by it when the republicans did it to Al Gore and John Kerry. It's unfortunate that Hillary is doing the same to Barak Obama now. The Clintons have figured that their message is not getting through to the Democrats. So, they changed their stragegy to go negative and get into a mud fight with obama. I hope it does not work for them. If Hillary becomes the nominee of my party, I am going to vote McCain (or Bloomberg?).

Alter, the only thing wrong with this piece is assuming that Bill bet that the voters were smart last time. He and his defenders, like you, made it about a blowjob when it was a sexual harassment suit and his relationship with Lewinski that he lied about. It was a pattern of sex and the favors it got you if you participated, he lied under oath about a material fact.. Why, do you insist on distorting that simple fact?

I am a registered Democrat and have never voted for a Clinton. Their behavior in this primary season only reinforces my perception of them as amoral people who will do anything to win. If I wasn't already an Obama supporter, the Clinton lies would push me into his corner.

I find the Clinton's behavior distasteful. I see Hillary distort the truth, and manipulate her answers to suit her needs. I hope that more people will see what a conniving, manifpulative person she really is. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.