Obama likely to step up his attacks

Source: The Seattle Times

WASHINGTON — Again unable to score a knockout, Sen. Barack Obama is likely to make his new negative tone even more negative — with a sharp eye on trying to end the Democratic presidential-nomination fight after the May 6 primaries in Indiana and North Carolina.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's victory Tuesday in Pennsylvania has accentuated the quandary that Obama faces: Stay negative and risk undermining the premise of his candidacy. Stay aloof and underscore Clinton's argument that he will not be able to beat a "Republican attack machine."

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe indicated Tuesday night which of those options they would take. "We've done a lot of counterpunching. We've been swift and effective," he said. "For Democrats judging how we're going to perform as the nominee, we have been relentless."

But the candidate who rocketed to stardom as the embodiment of a new kind of politics — hopeful, positive, inspiring — saw his image tarnished in the bruising fight for Pennsylvania. Provoked by Clinton's repeated references to his remarks about the state's voters and her charges that he is an "elitist," Obama struck back.

"It's a real danger for Obama, and if you look at these recent ads, the messages they're delivering in all these conference calls, it's a far cry from last fall," when the theme of hope emerged amid calls for a more negative tone, said Democratic consultant Steve Elmendorf, a Clinton supporter.



Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004367121_elexnext23.html

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Hillary, Bill, and the entire rethug machine will all be bringing all forces to bear on Obama. The goal: cause an Obama collapse. The GOP does not want to run against him this fall. He needs to counter punch hard and if he is hit below the belt, he must punch back below the belt.

Sad he can't stay on the high road forever, but it's about winning the nomination and he should treat N.C. as if he is 10 points behind. Complacency could be a killer, because the table is finally set to end this dance on May 6th.

Who knows?

from this many.

tried before.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/16/us/politics/16obama.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/P/Presidential%20Election%20of%202008

A New Kind of Politics Closely Resembles the Old

The latest episode unfolded Thursday. As Mr. Obama spent a rare day in the Capitol, researchers at his headquarters in Chicago distributed a document that directly — and sharply — took aim at Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

It was, of course, in a similar vein and tone as documents prepared by any sophisticated political operation. But is there a different standard for Mr. Obama, who pledged to run a new kind of campaign?

“In this business, half the time we are being attacked for not being tough enough, and now we’re being attacked for being too harsh,” said David Axelrod, the campaign’s chief strategist. “The truth is that this is a tough, competitive business.”

snip

Referring to various ways in which Mrs. Clinton, of New York, and her husband had benefited, financially and politically, from support from Indian-Americans and companies that do business in India, the Obama campaign circulated a document to reporters on the basis that they not reveal where it had come from. Under a bold headline, the document referred to Mrs. Clinton as “(D-Punjab).”

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I'm sick of this lying joker. Every other week he does a press release announcing "I've been nice so far, but I'm going negative now." He's been doing this since he began running. The only thing new about him is how blind his supporters are.

The only thing new about him is how blind his supporters are.

With all dues respect jobycom, I continue to find it amazing that we Dems - we who hate Shrub and his war mongering bullshit - that we Dems are so divided.

Without telling you why (and visa versa) - I think Hillary's supporters are blind to her tactics and intent. I can't fathom how folks don't see her for what she is, just as you may feel about us Obama folks.

Remarkable that such bright people as us, can see the same thing - and the same person - so very differently.

Call this my sociological comment for the day....


peace~:)

I'm not blind to her tactics at all. She wasn't my first, or my second, choice.

Obama plays a dirty game, and his supporters won't admit it. THAT was my point.

The super delegates are not in the same poll grouping and are choosing to go with Obama....This kind of says it all. Obama's smart and will come out strong against McCain when it is time. He just wants to beat Clinton without bringing down the whole Democratic party.

I suppose this means another red alert...Oh, wait.
OBAMA? I'm sorry.

Seriously, though. I hate the way the msm tries to steer this entire election process.

As an uncommitted observer, Hillary's campaign is fairly damaged.

Obama should stay on the high road.

This is not a slam on Hillary. I just don't want to see more negativity on either side.

You don't change tactics when you're winning . HRC's victory was inevitable just like Obama's is in NC. Hillary lost this race months ago when she forgot about the little states . I am glad Obama finally showed that all the states in America are important and not just Blue ones . This was Hillary's huge error .


Did anyone ever read the story about the Tortoise and the Hare . Someone should have told Hillary to read it.

You don't change tactics when you're winning . HRC's victory was inevitable just like Obama's is in NC. Hillary lost this race months ago when she forgot about the little states . I am glad Obama finally showed that all the states in America are important and not just Blue ones . This was Hillary's huge error .


Did anyone ever read the story about the Tortoise and the Hare . Someone should have told Hillary to read it.

"Change"! Mantra?

Sounds like Oh-BAH-ma is just like all the rest of them when it comes down to brass tacks.