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Hillary Clinton doesn't think an African American can possibly represent the values of Americans
That's just one of the "elitist" commercials the Republicans will run if Hillary ends up with the nomination.
And you thought the Republicans could make Rev. Wright look like a racist? Wait until they start clipping together all her comments about how Obama can't win in a general election.
I personally don't advocate this, I'm just offering a perspective no one seems to be thinking about.
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Comments (6)
Clinton may or may not think this, but she is attempting to find these buttons in some folks heads. She has not been very effective with this approach; the folks who need this type of encouragement are not too interested in Obama.
Allen's "macaca" in Virginia did not work too well, also. Nor did the Clinton's foray into the racial quagmire; the Rove approach on race or anything else will not work too well. If Obama is in the general, the Republican will provide him with a lot of free publicity; he has established himself rather well and Republican hit pieces will not diminish his accomplishment.
Remember, Bush & Brain-Rove is the subtext of this presidential election; folks got enough of the foolishness. Obama's appeal rests largely on this subtext, and whatever he may be foolish has no moment within him.
April 14, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
(Hillary) is attempting to find these buttons in some folks heads".
The bigger problem is that she's finding these buttons in the heads of superdelegates.
Superdelegates are uniquely capable of handing her this election, even if Obama wins more delegates.
What could be more elitist than overturning the voice of voters?
Is she going to do to Obama what Bush did to Gore?
April 14, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Clinton's success is dependent on Obama's failure; if the trends since Super Tuesday continue, Clinton is doomed.
It seems the real question is just how destructive is Clinton? Of course it is a function of degree, and yes the Clinton's can alter the 2008 general election. Down ballot races may be lost that could have been won, and preventing more of a ruling majority in the congress by Democrats. They do have a track record via the DLC on this one.
Obama has more of a chance of winning the general election than Clinton, the simple reason is called change or no more yesterday; the second reason is too much baggage, in the past months she planted now germinated seeds of her defeat, and these cannot be unearth or hidden.
The essential dilemma posed by Clinton is the presumed power which was the underpinning of her failed inevitable campaign; i.e., it benefits the Clintons to the exclusion of all else or else.
Only problem, too many folks were not buying but too many bought to be discounted; party insiders and ticket holders who have wedded themselves to Clinton are the groups of concern.
It is a doubtful proposition that Clinton and team could severely wreck the general for the Democrats( They have a bit of history here,also,), but in concert with what remains of Bush & Co. and the common interest they share all bets are off.
These folks will not give up power easily; if anything like this occurs race and other phobias will be a pretext to the subtext of power. The chief aim would be to sink Obama, I do not put this beneath Clinton, and the Republicans are game. True, highly unlikely as most folks want Clinton and Bush gone, but given her actions of the past month I would not put it passed her to try something as foolish as this; the game is not to win, it is to destroy.
And, yes it does happen(to an extent this happened to Grey Davis in CA.), few can do anything to stop it, it takes relative few with money, and the critical questions are the number of recruits and money she can attract.
Yep! Very interesting values questions here.
April 15, 2008 12:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
You have to admit though; she has a point. Blue Collar workers in particular those who are republicans do have an elitist image of democrats because they've been fed that for the past 16 years by the republicans. This concern that it could hurt the democrats chances in the general election if he is the nominee is totally genuine.
April 15, 2008 1:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
The "elitist" argument is more lethal against Clinton. Her trying to overturn the primary, breaking the rules with regard to Mi and FL,
if you're willing to put yourself before your own party, if you think rules don't apply to you, if you think you can overturn the voice of the people by appealing to party insiders, I don't know what could be more elitist.
April 15, 2008 9:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
On the "elitist" issue, it goes back to Agnew in the Nixon years. Yes, in some quarters this will work, but in the end these quarters do not matter; this tune plays best in the border states and the "deep" south. Most voters(rural and small town too) do not know anything about Agnew; this narrative has played out; Kerry's sailing and Gore's internet will not have much currency.
To the extent that this argument will hunt, I agree Clinton will suffer the most; the so called independent voter has tuned Clinton out, and for those who have no concern for the Supreme Court, more transparency in government and so on will not vote or vote for McCain. If the general is close or some event is created to make it close( Remember Jimmy Carter & Regan with the Iranian hostages, yes, the SOBs would do something like this today.) the bets will change.
Remember, a lot of folks are not too interested in the finer points of democracy; most are interested in the critical issues of the day: Iraq, Health Care, the Common Good(Community, family, etc), and so on. Again, I note a convergence of circumstance detrimental to the Democratic party is possible and Clinton may take a lead role; this is an uncomfortable view.
Bush cannot issue a blanket pardon, and Obama did say today he will do some looking that has not been done, Clinton wants to be elected, and Obama is out of this loop.
Yep! Very interesting values questions here.
April 15, 2008 10:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
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