2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumTheir Boss Stays on the Sideline, but Obama Aides Tilt to Clinton
WASHINGTON The two leading Democratic contenders for president are competing to wrap President Obama in a tight embrace. He is hugging only one of them back.
With Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont locked in an increasingly taut battle in the final days before the Iowa caucuses, both are laying claim to Mr. Obamas mantle, and to the young voters he turned out in 2008 and 2012. Mr. Sanders is selling himself as an insurgent in the spirit of Mr. Obama; Mrs. Clinton as the custodian of his legacy.
So far, legacy is winning out.
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Mrs. Clinton meets periodically with Mr. Obama, most recently last month when he invited her to the White House for a private 90-minute lunch the day after they each delivered speeches about how to confront the terrorist threat from the Islamic State. In her remarks, Mrs. Clinton portrayed the threat posed by the militant group in darker terms than the president and reiterated her proposal to enforce a no-fly zone over northern Syria to protect civilians, a step Mr. Obama has so far resisted.
Shared history makes these contacts easier: In the four years Mrs. Clinton was a member of Mr. Obamas cabinet, their staffs became friendly. She hired several of his advisers to work on her campaign, including Mr. Podesta, Ms. Palmieri and the pollster Joel Benenson. In addition, her policy adviser, Jake Sullivan, worked closely in the White House with Mr. Obamas deputy national security adviser, Benjamin J. Rhodes.
Mr. Obamas political director, David Simas, speaks periodically with Robby Mook, Mrs. Clintons campaign manager, on practical issues, like the use of the presidents image or voice in advertising. The two sides do not coordinate on political strategy and will not unless Mrs. Clinton becomes the nominee. In that case, they will negotiate a list of appearances by Mr. Obama on Mrs. Clintons behalf (which would be true for Mr. Sanders as well).
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/23/us/their-boss-stays-on-the-sideline-but-obama-aides-tilt-to-clinton.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)Beacool
(30,249 posts)was treated by Hillary and her campaign in 2008.
'CLINTON, Iowa -- Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, whos faced a barrage of attacks in recent days from Hillary Clintons camp, on Saturday compared his plight to that of Barack Obama eight years ago.
In the 2008 election, Clinton started as the Democratic front-runner, only to see her lead slip away in the first caucus state to Obama.
We get attacked about five times a day, Sanders told a crowd of about 700 people here. But it really reminds me very much of what happened here in Iowa eight years ago. Remember that? Eight years ago, Obama was being attacked for everything. He was unrealistic. His ideas were pie-in-the sky. He did not have the experience that was needed. You know what? People of Iowa saw through those attacks then, and theyre going to see through those attacks again. '
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/01/23/sanders-says-the-flak-hes-getting-from-clinton-reminds-him-of-what-obama-got-in-2008/
I find it ironic how on this board they accuse Hillary of anything and everything, while their candidate is not above using politics just like anyone else. Poor Bernie is being attacked by mean Hillary.
As if Obama would prefer him to succeed in the WH over Hillary. Please........ Who are they kidding? Sanders wasn't even a Democrat until a handful of months ago. Has one single Democratic Senator endorsed him? No. Why would they feel any allegiance to a man who just joined the party out of political expediency?
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)Beacool
(30,249 posts)Funny how in 2011 he thought that it was a good idea if someone challenged Obama in the 2012 election, but now he wants his approval?
SANDERS: Brian, believe me, I wish I had the answer to your question. Let me just suggest this. I think there are millions of Americans who are deeply disappointed in the president; who believe that, with regard to Social Security and a number of other issues, he said one thing as a candidate and is doing something very much else as a president; who cannot believe how weak he has been, for whatever reason, in negotiating with Republicans and theres deep disappointment. So my suggestion is, I think one of the reasons the president has been able to move so far to the right is that there is no primary opposition to him and I think it would do this country a good deal of service if people started thinking about candidates out there to begin contrasting what is a progressive agenda as opposed to what Obama is doing. [
] So I would say to Ryan [sic] discouragement is not an option. I think it would be a good idea if President Obama faced some primary opposition.
tularetom
(23,664 posts)As a well meaning but naive peacenik who lacks her hard nosed but realistic approach to foreign policy.
She has to try to reach undecided and independent voters and she won't hesitate to throw Obama under the bus to do it. You'll never hear another peep out of her about gun control either.
Of course this will cost her the support not only of these Obama staffers but a lot of African American voters as well.
She's obviously not a strategic thinker so none of this will occur to her.
Beacool
(30,249 posts)and not based in facts.
tularetom
(23,664 posts)I'm not the son of a diplomat, I'm just a dumbass old country boy and the son of a propane salesman and a horse trainer.
But I am smart enough to remember back seven years and I remember what Clinton tried to do to Obama. He's obviously a bigger man than I am if he can overlook the nasty stuff thrown at him by both Clintons. And they'll do it again, if it suits their purposes to do so.
I would not call my post an assumption, I would call it a prediction. She may not be nominated, I hope she isn't. But if she is, Obama will be fair game.
Beacool
(30,249 posts)When the dust settled, Hillary campaigned very hard for Obama. Bill did too. That's how politics works. People tear each other apart and then they shake themselves up and help their former opponent to get elected. If Hillary wins, I'm sure that Sanders will rally his supporters to vote for her. If Sanders wins, she will do the same.
The over the top attacks against her on this board are exactly that, over the top. I have so far treated Sanders with a modicum of respect. I wish the reverse was also true from his supporters.