Why Bill's Attack Will Hurt Obama

[Herman Munster]

http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/

People will be gossiping about the Bill Clinton - Charlie Rose interview for days, but make no mistake about it: Whatever its impact on the primary campaign, if Barack Obama emerges as the Democratic nominee, Clinton has dealt him a pretty tough blow. How do you spell Republican attack ad?

Yes, Clinton is a partisan and married to Obama's chief opponent.

But he's also the most popular figure in the party and a former president.

If he doesn't think Obama is ready to be president, it surely will count for something with a good many voters, probably a lot -- if not now, then down the road.

Which is why this interview is likely to hurt Obama now, as well -- which was obviously the former president's intention. To the extent this current primary campaign is about electability in the fall, Bill has just made Obama less electable.

There's been a lot of talk in the last few days about the missteps of the Clinton campaign -- and there have been many. But Obama's "inexperience" and electability are now out there - as is his former drug use, as even respected commentators such as Craig Crawford are calling on Obama to make sure he's made a complete accounting of his behavior as a youth.

Maybe in the present environment, it hurts the attacker more than the attackee to go negative and everyone is scandal-proof. We're about to find out.

[Zueda]

1. Bill is only popular because the repubs tried to impeach him...

Bill Clinton looked straight into the eyes of the American people and flat-out lied to them. I believe most people know this and take everything he says with a bit of skepticism.

[loveangelc]

3. oh no you di'int

criticize Bill Clinton? :o

[blm]

2. Just like the media couldn't stop talking about Bill's support for Bush on Iraq throughout

his summer/2004 book tour.

You're right - the media really listens to Bill and the great headlines he made for Bush were testimony to that - and he is a huge influence in this country, especially when he consistently gave them comfort knowing that even the last Dem president supported Bush on his decisions on terrorism and Iraq.


http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/06/19/clinton.iraq/

And when on Larry King Live right before election Bill told Dems in Connecticut they were lucky in 2006 to be in a win-win situation no matter who they voted for, Connecticut Democrats must have felt some comfort.

[JackORoses]

4. Bill and Hillary are in to win at all costs, even if they damage the Democratic Party in the process

Just like Bush and his poisonous presence have done lasting damage to the GOP for generations yet to come,
so may a Clinton II Presidency bring down the Democratic Party if they rely on the same political tactics they are currently employing.

[Capn Sunshine]

9. Despite my personal love for them both

Their organization has degenerated so completely that it's going to be interesting to see how many heads roll after a loss in Iowa.

God, I wished they had gone with different personnel.

My offer still stands, Penn. 168k a week, and I'll show you how to win convincingly. Because you guys have thoroughly lost the touch.

[IndianaGreen]

5. "I did not have sex with that woman, Ms Lewinsky."

Sure, Bill Clinton has lotsa credibility! :eyes:

even respected commentators such as Craig Crawford are calling on Obama to make sure he's made a complete accounting of his behavior as a youth.

Did you ever google Craig Crawford to see who he used to work for before he became a TV pundit?

David Geffen said that the problem with the Clintons is not that they lie, it is that they lie with such ease.

[burythehatchet]

6. My disdain for the Clinton's has reached uneasy levels.

[annie1]

8. because why? Bill's comments were perfectly decent...

i watched the show, they tempered and fine. (btw i am happy to vote for HRC/OB/JE).

[burythehatchet]

16. No. What's happening is that I am becoming aware of the logic

of their previous action within the context of their current ambitions.

[forsberg]

19. and that's what you cling to? How about Bill's 8 wonderful years as President

You sound like a freeper almost.

Who cares what he did with Lewinsky, he made a mistake in his personal life...it happens.

He was a GREAT president.

[annie1]

7. It was hardly an attack, it's his opinion. it is his opinion...

that BO is not ready to lead. so? gimme a break.

[Quixote1818]

10. Sorry, Jo Blow voter is completely unaware of that interview

they were watching the Simpson's or King of Queens.

[Joe the Revelator]

13. Seriously. A Saturday night interview with Charlie Rose is not must see TV

nt

[calteacherguy]

11. So what's your point, that the Clinton's are selfish, self-promoting hacks?

That's going to win a lot of votes for Hillary. Oh yeah. :eyes:

[Cha]

12. I know..bill is so selfish..it's

all about him.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

14. If Obama wins the nom, the DNC should be purged of Clintonistas.

Including the Clintons themselves. Same thing if it's any other candidate besides Hillary Clinton.

McCauliffe, Brazile, Carville, et al, have got to go as well. They didn't help Kerry and they won't help anyone who is not named Clinton.

This interview with Rose is a taste of what we can expect from them throughout the General if she doesn't win. They think this Presidency is owed to them and they WILL undermine Obama (or Edwards or whomever). It won't be subtle like it was when Kerry was running and they were both praising Bush. It will be much more blatant.

I hope Howard Dean is smart enough to realize this and do what needs to be done.

[creeksneakers2]

15. If Obama wins the Clintons will support him

with everything they have.

[Lord Helmet]

17. Obama came back at him with his own words from 1992.

My polysci professor said this is hurting the Clintons because it reminds people of what they don't like about them, the parsing of words, triangulation, etc.

[forsberg]

18. Bill is essentially a Co-Candidate in this campaign

So why is it so surprising that he's going all out in trying to win the nomination for Hil (and himself). Nothing wrong with this tactic. You expect Bill Clinton to start pulling punches?

[DrFunkenstein]

20. Clinton Is Only Hurting His Wife in Iowa

They should be making their own case, not getting on Obama's. And they will pay. And with their "firewall" down in New Hampshire, it is going to be a bumpy ride for the former first family.

[annie1]

23. agree. he needs to step off a bit. he is all over her and it's annoying

[NastyRiffraff]

21. I'm sorry but I just don't see that as an "attack"

I watched the whole thing, after TPM called it "brutal" but all I saw was a man supporting a candidate...yes, his wife...and saying another candidate doesn't have her level of experience. Since when is that a brutal attack? Bill made a point of saying Obama is intelligent and a terrific politician, and that someday he could well be president. He didn't attack Obama's character, or his issues. So now people can't even COMPARE the candidates' relative strengths and weaknesses without it being called an "attack"?

BTW, I am not a Hillary supporter.

[Evergreen Emerald]

22. what attack?

What have I missed?

You certianly cannot be talking about the issue of experience that he brought up with Charlie Rose? How is that an attack?