Hillary must be very careful in tonight's debate.

[kentuck]

If she attacks Obama too much, she may be seen as strident. Especially if Obama remains cool as a cucumber during the attacks, and simply responds with an amused grin. Also, she must be careful not to let Obama set up traps for her, by talking about NAFTA or Bill Clinton's policies, for example. She must fight the urge to knock him out.

Her best position was right at the end of the last debate. If she had maintained that position, instead of going negative on Obama, she would have been in a much stronger situation today, in my opinion. She still could have had her surrogates to do the "negative" attacks and she could have stayed above the fray. She should not have taken it on personally. The pressure is on Hillary tonight - not Obama. She must be very careful at how strongly she attacks her opponent.

[jgraz]

1. Not going to watch -- she's going to embarrass herself even further

This primary season can't be over soon enough.

[tekisui]

43. So true. I can't wait for the end of Primary season.

It is painful, at this point.

[TahitiNut]

49. She's apparently learned how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

I've never seen voters go for chameleons. Voters have a fairly simplistic expectation that a President should be unflappable and "statesmanlike". I personally think it's appalling that we demean those who pay attention to the ISSUES and POSITIONS as "wonks" ... but that's how it is.

[Renew Deal]

2. She went negative because she lost the last debate.

The Clinton crew thought it was some amazing moment. It was in a way. It showed that she knew she was going to lose. Once again, it didn't work out as planned.

[dkf]

3. Obama looking cool calm and collected lately.

Very Presidential and reassuring.

[Oleladylib]

11. or arrogant and well better not say it...

[rodeodance]

36. :-)

[jgraz]

46. Is the word you better not say perhaps...

"uppity"?

You've already had Skinner call you out on one of your race-baiting posts. Maybe you should give it a rest.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

48. Like C. Thomas Howell?

[JVS]

52. Uppity, huh?

:eyes:

[NightWatcher]

4. that's not going to happen. she is going to tear into him like a monkey into a cupcake

and it will backfire in her face

[kentuck]

7. Interesting phrase...

:-)

"..she is going to tear into him like a monkey into a cupcake"

[susankh4]

26. He is a bit of a cupcake, isn't he?

Thanks for that image! I'll hold it in my thoughts.... as I watch.

[blonndee]

50. I guess she's a bit of a monkey! LOL

I like that. That explains the bizarre behavior lately. :)

[Independent-Voter]

16. oh hell that's a great phase, and yes I'm stealing it! HRC is going to look more like an idiot

tonight, and it'll be because of her ham-fisted, tone-deaf political instincts. All Obama has to do is nod and smile at her.

[MadAndy]

18. I think you are right. It's hail mary time and going after him hard is her last chance.

Tried being "presidential" -failed
Tried being "sensitive"- failed
Tried being "gracious"- failed
This should be nasty and entertaining.

[Mooney]

21. You should copyright that phrase immediately n/t

[MadAndy]

25. The writers of "Everybody Loves Raymond" may object.

[NightWatcher]

47. yep, it's from the "PMS episode"

nice catch

[underpants]

5. Can't watch -too much reality TV on tonight

Biggest Loser
American Idol
Big Brother

all overlaooing too :grr:

[Apollo11]

23. Biggest Loser?

I hope that's not a reference to Senator Clinton! ;-)

[jasmine621]

6. All Obama has to do is be "present." Say little, smile a lot.

If he apologizes for the distorted phamphlets about Hillary's healthcare plan, he will disarm her completely. He should apologize because they were wrong and untrue. He can easily blame it on over zealous staffers and no one will hold him to blame (as they would Hillary if her staffers made a mistep.) Hillary should be prepared for this tactic from Obama. If she is not, and just expects him to defend himself, she will be disarmed and embarrassed. At this point, she must stick to the issues, come off as supporting the party but still willing to fight for what she believes. I know she is hurting. You have to hurt inside when so many people that you have fought WITH and fought FOR most of your adult political lifetime have turnded against you .. and in some of the most vile and unexpected ways. I have great empathy for her. Her challenges have been great and there are more to come.

[rodeodance]

34. nicely put.

[Jersey Devil]

8. I really don't think it matters all that much

It reminds me of when I was involved in local politics. At a certain point in the campaign you'd find that peoples' minds were made up and that it was virtually impossible to change them at that point. As a candidate I noticed that this would occur almost like clockwork in the last week of the campaign.

I think we've reached that point already and just looking at DU can see that the battle lines have clearly been drawn. No more "Oh, I am still undecided" posts, just all out, blistering attacks by two opposing armies that are hell bent for leather.

So I don't think any debate is going to change anyone's minds anymore at this point unless one of the candidates were to strip naked on stage and moon the audience.

[sendero]

51. I agree...

... although she COULD go ahead and lose a few more votes (not that it will matter) by repeating her "shame on you" performance or something similar.

[Oleladylib]

9. Geez..he's not a toddler folks..She doesn't have to be one bit careful!

[kentuck]

So it doesn't matter how loud or aggressive she is tonight?

If her opponent is calm and collected? You think that would help her?

[Oleladylib]

19. hell no, if it were a man..he'd be strong, aggressive...a leader...HA

[kentuck]

22. A strong leader doesn't have to be loud and obnoxious...

A quiet confident person can still be a strong leader.

[susankh4]

27. Amen!

Barack needs to grow up and take it "like a man." Enough whining about "she said I wore a dress."

Get on with it Hill! Ohio's the place to let him have it.

[kentuck]

29. How should she "let him have it"?

What would you suggest she say or do?

[susankh4]

31. Just what she said in Ohio

when his Rovian tactic ads were handed to her after her presentation in Cincy.

How about calling him out on his mysogynist "when Hillary's feeling bad" statements?

And a little off the cuff mention about his fun tour with gay haters.

But, most of all.... his own prounouncement that he was not ready... and some illustratons about why he is not.

[TexasObserver]

10. Let her get upset. It won't sell. The harsher she becomes, the cooler he will be.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

12. I think it's over tonight, unless Obama makes a huge gaff.

[RiverStone]

13. The best thing that could come out of it is...

Hillary acknowledges gracefully that she will work with Obama to defeat the pukes this fall.

She's lost.

At this point to go really negative would only hurt her credibility and the party.

Obama still needs Hillary and her supporters for the GE - I'm hoping for some reconciliation.

[flor de jasmim]

14. I'm dreaming of a debate where they discuss the issues, not the campaign.

I'm an optimist, occasionally struck with moments of cynicism.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

15. Yeah, careful not to open her mouth . . .

That's when she gets herself in trouble. It's almost as if she has a split personality the way she goes off on Obama. Frankly, it's embarassing and she needs to withdraw from the race with dignity, while she still has a little left.

[Independent-Voter]

17. Hell no! She needs to ride her campaign into the ground and seal up her legacy for good.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

28. I-V, I disagree . . .

although I would never vote for her in a million years, she could gain some respect back - and do the democratic party a huge favor - if she would stand down NOW. The party's over, time to turn off the lights (and don't forget to pay the bill for a change).

Even you would have to admit, Hillary's done a fair amount of good over her career. It's just that her lust for power is so consuming, she's would be willing to make a deal with the devil to win, her legacy be damned. So smearing Obama, that's no problem - "screw him," as far as she's concerned. It's so transparent that Hillary will do anything or say anything to win, even if it means destroying Obama, along with the democratic party.

It's reassuring to see that some of the Hillbots are starting to see the light and come over to Obama's uplifting message that seeks to unite democrats in a common goal - ridding ourselves of that miserable infection called the Rethuglican party. I truly thought Gore was only one who could pull it off, but he chose to sit on the sidelines. Obama is now our ONLY chance to right this sinking ship of a country the Chimp left for us.

Hopefully, the nightmare will be over tonight after the debate.

[Sir Jeffrey]

20. She's not going to go too negative tonight...

she'll back down and just point out differences. If she tries to go too negative, she'll get booed again like she did last time.

She'll save the nuclear warfare for her rallies and media clips.

[susankh4]

24. I don't agree.

No matter what she says or does, the American Media will play her as a shrill bitch.

If I were her... I'd let loose and show 'em what that REALLY looks like.

Then let the chips fall where they may.

I think she should have Ellen and Tina in the audience for her... to cheer her on!

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rodeodance]

35. your comment is beyond the pale--saying that Hillary will try to stab him!! Please edit your post.

greguganus Donating Member (688 posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Feb-26-08 10:45 AM
Response to Original message
30. Hillary should be frisked tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to stab him. n/t

[zulchzulu]

32. She is going to have to attack Obama...and it's going to backfire

Obama will take the high road and not get angry. Clinton will have to have a couple zingers and they will be seen as cheap shots and show signs of desperation. I fully expect some real tension at some point in the debate...

[rodeodance]

33. I have seen this wet dream from many obamafolk last few days

[BigDaddy44]

37. She's way beyond having to be careful

Its like saying if there is 30 seconds left in the game, I'm down by 10 and on my own 20 yard line, I better protect the ball. Forget that, i have to SCORE!!!

Since their platforms are basically 95% similar, then its a personality contest. Hillary loses hands down. People know her more than any other political figure on the planet, and their minds are made up on her one way or the other. She isn't going to change that at this point.

Her only shot is to cast her opponent as weak, inexperienced, incapable, or whatever else she can make stick. This is desperation time, and there is no second place in politics. Her ONLY shot is to hit very very hard (what people call "going negative"). And anyone who acts surprised or castigates her for it is being naive. This is hardball politics.

[itcfish]

38. Hillary Must Walk on Egg Shells

but as usual Obama gets a free pass.

[Adams Wulff]

40. She made that bed... n/t

[RememberWellstone]

42. Agree

I wonder how long the love affair with him will last? Like a new pair of shoes...then one day, oops, reality sets in and they don't fit.

[anamandujano]

39. It'll be the same as always. She'll ace all the questions, he'll stutter and

grope for words while the audience claps to cover for him.

And after the MSM will say that she lost, say something sexist and how wonderful he was, and talk about the horse race, blah, blah.

[paulk]

41. it's all going to depend how the media spins it afterward

just like this whole election cycle has been driven by the media.

If they want this race to tighten up, they'll portray her attacks in a positive light. If not, they'll call her shrill, etc. They'll use those buzzwords that demean women - that have seen such use here at DU these last few months.

Obama will be reported as calm or equivocating, depending on whether they want to help or hurt him.

[anamandujano]

44. No. If they think she's finished, they might be a little nice. If they think

she still has a chance we'll get the same old crap.

[Hutzpa]

45. Ok Obi Wan, you're the wise one

:smoke:

[Pryderi]

53. Debate Transcript here:

http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=10457266

Senator Clinton often says that she is ready on day one, but in fact she was ready to give in to George Bush on day one on this critical issue .