Clinton sticks with Iowa push

Sioux Center, Ia. - If Hillary Clinton is weighing a bypass of the Iowa caucuses, she did a poor job of convincing Democrats in northern Iowa this weekend.

The New York senator, urged in a memo by a senior campaign aide last week to skip the caucuses, cut a swath across the state's northern tier, pledging and re-pledging her commitment to the leadoff nominating state.

"I'm going to spend so much time in Iowa, I'm going to be able to caucus for myself," she said.

The comment sparked chuckles from audiences in Mason City, Charles City and Algona. But it was as close as she came to acknowledging the dust-up last week over campaign strategy.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070527/NEWS09/705270324

the poll numbers in Iowa should start changing now.

Surely, “two Americas” Edwards must realize that $400 haircuts and huge compounds to live in are a dagger pointed at the throat of his campaign message. We do not begrudge Edwards having a massive house, nor having expensive haircuts. His hair is lovely enough that he should give it all the care and attention in the world and we would love a weekend or longer invitation to luxuriate in the “house”. Hell, didn’t Biden spend a fortune on follicle migrations from the back of his head to the front of his head and don’t most presidential candidates live in very comfortable circumstances? The complaint is not that Edwards has the right to live in the manner he chooses, but rather doesn’t Edwards realize the actual message his campaign is sending with $400 haircut headlines? Don’t they realize that this is simply a message disaster? Doesn’t Edwards remember Kerry windsurfing and skiiing (instead of humble everyday, everyman sports like basketball, or touch football), and the way that was exploited by Republicans? We know that the Republicans will create attacks out of nothing; they do that to Hillary every day. But it is not wise to supply them with so much ammunition.

The final nail in the coffin for the Edwards campaign is the news that Joe Trippi is joining the campaign. Hillary got Ethan Geto of the NY Dean campaign, who, though thought by many to be obnoxious, did a good job for Dean in NY. Joe Trippi is another story. He should be kept away from campaigns.

I found these 2 comments on TalkingPointsMemo which recall some of the Trippi legacy:

“Don’t you think a lot of “Deaniacs” despise Trippi and hold him responsible in good measure for blowing all the money (and taking a good chunk for himself)? I know I do. I contributed to the Dean campaign and I was disgusted by how they mishandled EVERYTHING, especially the money.”

and:

“I wasn’t an early supporter of Dean, so I had no soft spot for him after Iowa. But when I heard Joe Trippi calling into CNN from his car phone while driving East cross country heading back to wherever, I think it was Boston, to announce he had defected from the campaign, I thought to myself, “What a piece of junk.” If you want to abandon your candidate, fine, but what a rat!”

My memory isn't always so good, but as I recall it: Dean had hired a new campaign manager, Trippi had the option of staying on in another capacity or leaving and chose to go. I think Trippi's kind of a rat, but there are Dean supporters now supporting Edwards, who Trippi is working for, and I haven't noticed much in the way of regret on that score.

you're right! The windsurfing, snowboarding...the repugs turned into cartoonish 30 sec ads ridiculing Kerry.

Edwards has given the GOP the same inroads into exploiting the credibility of his campaign message. I can see it all now. Edwards sitting in a barber shop swathed in a barbers cape watching the barber in the mirror snipping his locks... as the hair cascades to the floor..you hear cha-ching, cha-ching, $$$$ signs floating up into the air!

With a voice over in Edward's own voice...Poverty? What poverty? What about it?

than anyone imagined. Surely, the opposition is licking their chops at the possibilities...Surely, they already have "anti-Shrillery" ads in the can, ready to roll out if/when necessary. Shall we start listing their seemingly countless lines of attack?

EDIT: Besides, half the public already says they will never ever vote for her. That's a pretty nice anti-Hillary base, eh.

I debunked that meme last night with another dudbomber.

You did no such thing.

Only the Saint Goddess of Peace corporate strumpet can save us all! Oh Joy! For she is the penniless waif that will save all Americans with her... uh..... well, nevermind

Could you imagine how happy the Republicans would be if they had a candidate, who was a genuine war hero, a fit athlete, eloquent, good at debates, non-corrupt, with an excellent Republican redord (would need some transformation?

gimme a fucking break with that weak shit.

weak hit piece shit DLC'er

like Clark because it would be a PR disaster. She's praying for a 2nd place finish, but if she finishes 4th, she will have to win NH.

Concentrating on the small town and rural vote.

Also having him on her team isn't hurting. I agree, it is a good strategy.

I dont' see how people can turn their backs on the war "thing"