Did the Clinton campaign willingly gamble when they chose to run with the "bitter" strategy?

[FatDave]

Since the story broke, one thing has stuck out in my mind. They sat on it. For almost a week, they sat on the reocrding of Senator Obama's original comments. Why? Why not go public with them as soon as they had them? I can only conclude that they saw a risk in using them.

And interestingly, Friday was not shaping up to be a very good day for Hillary. There were three big negative stories for team Clinton.

There was the video of Hillary ineffectually trying to dodge the Colombia question. It was almost painful to watch as she laughed for far too long, laughed a little bit longer, scrambled to come up with something, but could only pretend it wasn't a legitimate question. It could have been a campaign ender.

Then there was Former President Bill Clinton's "I don't steal cars" comment. He's been dancing dangerously close to race-baiting (to put it in the mildest terms I can) since South Carolina, and this is more of the same. Oh sure, maybe he's got plausible deniability, but this was not going to go unnoticed. Not after so many other questionable comments.

And lastly, Bill did a lot of dizzying spinning of the whole Bosnia sniper business, bringing a mostly forgotten Clinton fuck-up back to the forefront of the debate. Of course, he was trying to cover one big lie with several smaller ones, so the only thing he really accomplished was keeping Clinton brand dishonesty on everyone's minds.

On Friday, the Clinton campaign needed something, anything, to take the focus off of them on what may have been the worst of many bad days on this campaign. And wouldn't you know it, something turned up. Something a week old. Something that ended up being not nearly as bad as it was made out to be. Something that some people think may very well come back to bite Hillary on the ass.

Because after all, by clinging to this manufactured outrage, Clinton and McCain (who, interestingly, seem to be more on the same page with each passing day) are only serving to illustrate what has been one of Barack Obama's key points throughout his campaign. You know how he says that the American people are sick of "the same old politics" and "the politics of division"? Senators McCain and Clinton have just given him the perfect example to point to.

And Obama is right. We are sick of it.

[Nitrogenica]

1. FatDave, you nailed it!

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[tekisui]

2. They probably thought the closer to PA, the worse the "damage"

We still have over a week until PA. Obama needs to hit hard on her real Elitism-she has contributed to the weakening of the MIddle Class through NAFTA, and Bill's Union-busting ties in Colombia, and the Iraq War Recession.

I am sure Hillary will misspeak some more between now and April 22. The debate should be good.

[scheming daemons]

3. You nailed it.... they wanted this out AFTER the debate......

Letting this out on a Friday is kind of stupid... it gets lost in the weekend news dump.

Also.... letting this out before the debate means they give Obama a forum in front of tens of millions in which to address it.

Not only that.... it is an issue, when framed properly in the debate by Obama, will resonate strongly with the Pennsylvania voters.

(I am one, I know).


The Clinton campaign would have been much better off if this had come NEXT Friday.....when there would be not much of a chance to re-frame it.



Clintons blew it again.

[FatDave]

4. Immediately after posting this, I noticed Cheap_Trick had made the same point

Only he wasn't so long-winded about it. Please read, kick, and rec his post.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5478116&mesg_id=5478116

(edit because I can't copy & paste a URL properly)

[mikekohr]

5. If Desparation Has An Odorl, This Is What It Smells Like

As a white, middle aged, gun owning, working class, rural voter, I can attest that many people like myself are somewhat disillusioned if not bitter. 81% of America believes we are are the wrong track. People like myself are not only in good company we constitute the overwhelming majority of Americans. WE want change. Senator Obama represents the future, he represents the ideals that will deliver results and accomplishment.

mike kohr

[Voice for Peace]

9. Thanks Mike nt

[SaveAmerica]

6. A day or so before this, someone posted that Hillary's campaign would 'drop a bomb' on Obama, I

think this was it but they had to use it sooner than they thought to cover up those messes you mentioned.

ETA: Here's the link, on the day of the Clinton's triple play of campaign horror this post came out with the info that the bomb would be used in a week. I think they had it all in the works because the talking points and silly 'I'm not bitter' bumper stickers were already printed and ready for action (not to mention McCain's almost simultaneous response).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5450102

[AllentownJake]

7. For all the talk of experience

They telegraph their moves pretty badly.

[progetto]

13. should be funny when this backfires

When BO is nominated, I hope Hillary remembers to say "I'm not bitter".

[Rocky2007]

14. Exactly

Makes me wonder if Ms Fowler didn't offer this tid bit to the Clinton's -- maybe some money on the side too. You've got to know they would jump at a chance like that!

[Demeter]

8. Hillary's Campaign Doesn't Have a Plan or Ammo

When all you have left is mud, it's time to wash up and go eat supper.

[Voice for Peace]

10. K/R for "sick of it." nt

[BumRushDaShow]

11. All part of silly season. n/t

[EFerrari]

12. I know people have been a little worried about this stupid stunt

but, imho, Clinton may have just handed Obama PA.

No one believes she's a duck hunter. Her gun control votes are there waiting to be found. People in general agree about lost jobs and NAFTA, which Clinton LIED about. Maybe this will be the last nail.