What did HRC's campaign do right and how can Obama apply those lessons in the GE?

[NewHampshireDem]

There are plenty of places to snark or complain or criticize HRC's campaign. I know, I've been there and I've done that, and will probably continue to do so.

However, I would appreciate some genuine discussion about the things that HRC did right. If someone says, 'HRC did X' and you reply 'I think X was a mistake because ...' that's cool. We need that. But it is clear she did a lot that's right, too. So let's discuss it.



What did HRC's campaign do right and how can Obama apply those lessons in the GE?

For one, though I laughed about Hell freezing over, I think HRC sitting down with Scaife and his editorial board was a good idea. One of Kerry's fatal mistakes in 2004 was to ignore the SBVfT until it was too late. I think Hillary did the right thing to defuse that bomb before it blew up in her face. I think Obama himself did a good job when he sat down with the Tribune ed board and took nothing off the table. They seem to be mollified about the whole Rezko issue (I only wish more DU'ers were).

Others?

[saltpoint]

1. It's just real hard for me to agree on Scaife.

He's far, far down on my list of favorites. Actually he isn't on the list at all.

Among independents, Hillary's flirtation with Murdock and Scaife has not been a plus. We need a significant percentage of those independents to win. You see the difficulty.

I'm not trying to start a fight, but if I were recommending models of successful campaign strategies, I would not look long at the one Clinton et al just ran.

[NewHampshireDem]

2. I agree, but ...

As a sports fan, and a football fan in particular, sometimes going into a big head-to-head matchup in the playoffs, I'd rather be the team that lost than the team that won. When you've won, the pressure is to not deviate from the gameplay that allowed you to win last time. If you lost, you can look at what worked and do more of it during the second game, as well as correct for those mistakes that you made. (I admit that may make no sense at all outside of my own mind.)

As for Scaife, I wonder how many independents know anything about him. I, too, am not trying to start a fight--it's a genuine question. And among those who do, I also wonder what they thought about HRC's 'vast right-wing conspiracy'? Not trying to be too nuanced, just trying to step into the minds of those who don't think the way I do.

On edit: 'won' not 'one'. :doh:

[saltpoint]

3. It could be that Obama's first challenge is how to place the media on

the defensive.

He's held some interviews and the report is that a lot of media people realize they can't bully and manipulate this guy.

The media was disgraceful in the Lewinsky affair. I'm still mad at them for that.

Bill Clinton may have committed adultery against his wife but the mainstream media committed blasphemy against the populace by manipulation and exaggeration. The matter should have been decided privately between Hil and Bill over a big pot of coffee.

And while I'm in town, shame on that hypocritical fool Henry Hyde for pushing impeachment as he did, for as long as he did, for the reasons he did, on the floor of the U.S. Congress.

On Scaife, I like the way Teresa Heinz handled Scaife. She shoveled no crap from those folks at all.

[NewHampshireDem]

4. Yes!

'place the media on the defensive.'

Of course, that, too may be dangerous territory. The RW is already pouncing on the 'you can't criticize Obama without being called a racist' meme. (IIRC, there was a George Will column last week ... if not him, some other big-name shill.) But, on the other hand, I think the 'undecideds' will probably be able to make up their own minds about who is a racist, etc. etc. and will get tired of hearing that.

[Cha]

11. Precisely, Old Crusoe~

Obama can continue what he's doing and base his historically successful campaign on his own ideas. :think:

That scaife was just pathetic..pandering at it's fascist worst and hilary knows from pandering.

[saltpoint]

12. H, zidzi. Thee are campaign tales from the inside of these campaigns

that we don't know yet, but some of it eventually finds its way out into public consideration.

I'd like to know who in the Clinton camp urged her to to the Scaife thing. And what did The Big Dog think of his wife establishing a political connection with someone who tried to subvert his presidency?

I am definitely not getting that part at all.

[Cha]

13. My thought is that

the old dog formerly known as the big dog doesn't care what she does as long as she gets them back in our White HOuse.

[saltpoint]

14. Well I'd love to be a fly on the wall when some of the strategy meetings

are held.

Also in the next few years there are going to be campaign books coming out.

Save your pennies!

[MercutioATC]

5. I think Clinton was better at proposing specific solutions.

I didn't agree with most of them, but Clinton did give more specific proposals than Obama, IMO...and I think that people like to hear defined solutions.

Especially with economic solutions, which McCain is weak on, it could help Obama's GE campaign to have a few preplanned solutions to release at different times in the GE campaign.

[slinkerwink]

6. She was excellent at enunciating these proposals in simple, direct terms to the American people.

Obama tends to talk more abstractly, and that's something he's got to change for the general election.

[Onlooker]

7. A couple of things come to mind

At the last debate with Obama, she had an effective (and probably scripted) answer to the sniper fire question, while Obama seemed to ad lib when asked about Wright and Ayers. He needs to have effective scripted answers.

She demonstrated toughness. For instance, there's no denying that she'd be very decisive (frighteningly so) if Iran attacked Israel. Obama needs to be decisive in what he would do if there was a terrorist attack, a nuclear attack on Israel, and so on, but he doesn't need to declare war.

[genna]

8. Pick on the opposition

DON'T. He doesn't need to get in a pickup truck and say he is going to debate McCain.

DO. He needs to get more in the face of common everyday voters, person to person. He can feel their pain by pressing more flesh, person to person.
DON'T. Make yourself comfortable with the press. Give the interviews, but finding different ways to talk to the public directly.

DON'T. He needs to continue to keep the media in perspective *think gas tax holiday*, but
DO. make it as plain as he did when he made the comments about Clinton being Annie Oakley with a 6 shooter.

DO. If he needs to campaign in jeans and a button down shirt to be a man of the people, then that is what he should do. Pictures and sound bites to be plentiful in his favor.

DON'T. Hillary Clinton has people believing she is from 3 different places, Chicago, Scranton, Arkansas. Hometown girl does good. Us versus them.
DO. Highlight both sides of your family. If people need to see pictures of your childhood or testimonials about your time doing Chicago community organizing, then make yourself as human as possible. Thanks Hillary...plenty of people have come to see you as the black candidate...show them that you are the small town boy does good with the government on your side.

[anonymous171]

9. Plays the media. Message control.

[Willo]

10. She dictated (or was allowed to dictate) the conversation

CIC threshold, 3am, goalposts, MI & FL.

She was always driving the direction of the conversation. Obama always responding.

[NewHampshireDem]

15. Damn! This is exactly why I wouldn't want to be on McCain's side!

What a bright bunch of people we have here. Excellent analysis! :toast: