Comments on Hillary's Strategy? Go 527. Go Negative.

Ugh. Unless New Hampshire looks very different than early reports say, I think it's time for Hillary to reach deep and do the right thing: Drop out. I mean, Christ, imagine if the swift-boating works: How horrible would that be? It would reduce her party to utter ruins, with so many angry or disaffected people.

The point is, though: It won't work. Whether you're an Obama fan or not, it's just true that many Democrats and independents are truly excited about the man. As someone whose first political activism was campaigning for Mike Dukakis, I can say that 2008 is one of my first encounters with actual, joyful enthusiasm. Does Hillary really want to throw rocks at that?

You still haven't apologized for dropping the N-bomb for no real justifiable reason at all.

?

This is sad. As a person still undecided in this race, nothing will make me entrenched against Hillary more than this sort of campaigning against Obama.

Hillary supporters and campaign managers, who I'm sure read the Slog - tell the national folks not to make this mistake. If you do, I am certain it will do nothing but bury you. It will make the people undecided in this race work hard for anyone but Clinton.

Clinton already is sounding like a fool comparing herself to Johnson, who represented the old Dem party establishment and escalated Vietnam. Makes me think she'll do the same with Iraq/ Iran.

I agree a bit with Clinton that Obama might not have the policy chops she does, but she should focus on a discussion about her policy vs his, not on attacking him personally.

And she should work on her actual image. Nothing has turned me off more about Clinton and on more about Obama than seeing who is on stage with them when they speak. Hilary's supporters on stage with her are old, white and rich. Not exactly a way to get people excited about your campaign. They reflect America as much as John Kerry's elitist ass did.

Well, like her or don't, the media is being downright brutal and sexist with her. It's inspiring me to send her money actually when I've only previously donated to Edwards as he's by far the most honorable candidate.

That'd be just about the worst thing she could do.

seems a little late in the game to be changing strategy. particularly to one that would only underscore the reason people don't like her.

Hillary - fighting for change!

...but they have run into problems finding any Democratic operative...

Hey, I hear Rove's available.

I don't think going negative on Obama is necessarily a bad thing, because the Republicans will do it. Would you rather have a February surprise or an October surprise? I choose February.

And, I agree with Mr. Poe. Who are you, Flavor Flav? No, you are not.

If she does this I will not vote for her in the general period

Absent from these comments (and the world in general) is any sense of, you know, surprise that she would do this.

Oh wise ones,
The media is clearly out to get her.
What would you do in her shoes?

Better than this, I would hope.

I don't think going negative on Obama is necessarily a bad thing, because the Republicans will do it.

Well, there's logic for you.

That said, it's interesting to re-read and see how little their really is. Hillary's campaign denies this will happen; the other 527s deny it. Where is the evidence that this will happen?

It seems the Clinton campaign has reached a familiar breakdown point in bad campaigns: The message is being pressed down on all sides and breaking into chaos. Witness the unfortunate surrogate who introduced Hillary today saying "Some people compare one of the other candidates to John F. Kennedy. But he was assassinated."

I like Hillary in some ways and I'm sorry she's demonized. But she's officially No Fun and I suspect her presidency would be a drag.

"Hillary's campaign denies this will happen; the other 527s deny it. Where is the evidence that this will happen?"

Why would they admit its in the works?

So it's about fun. Yay! Let's have some fun as the world melts down under a fun president who doesn't know what to do.
But it will be fun. great.

I agree with Poe. WTF Josh? Also, glad things that are speculation are being reported as fact.

Also fun, that every other candidate will do this (if there are means available). Seriously, if you think Obama or Edwards is "above" this, you are fooling yourself.

Hey, I think Karl Rove is looking for a job. Hillary, you should give him a call...

Well, this would be a good test for Obama. He hasn't taken many shots so far, and this could be good vetting to see how he would stand up to the sort of attacks that are inevitable in the general election (or at any moment, if you're Hillary).

That said, it would be a terrible move on Hillary's part, painting her as bitter and desperate, and would sour a lot of the enthusiasm about the race for awhile.

However, to the folks saying Hill should drop out if she loses NH - that's retarded. Should Iowa and New Hampshire, of all places, determine the entire course of the nominating process? It would be ridiculous for Clinton to let go after just two rounds, especially given her much higher poll rates and support in many of the super Tuesday states.

I suppose "fun" is an unfortunate word. Also unfortunate is the Giuliani-esque notion that the world will "melt down" if Obama takes office.

I like Obama's reasoning process. When he speaks, I hear the kind of coherence that comes of questioning, reasoning and a good balance of modesty and optimism. I suspect he would choose good cabinet members, appoint intelligent Supreme Court justices, drive a few meaningful initiatives through Congress, respond with an even hand to international incidents and conduct himself at a very high level of discourse.

I expect Hillary would do mostly the same, but her reasoning feels robotic and focus-grouped to me. I don't sense a coherent narrative when she speaks; I feel her laboring through some canned phrases, trying to thread a needle. She doesn't have the confidence and poise Obama does. Confidence and poise can be superficial, but they also can be a sign of substance.

Your mileage may vary. But I also expect that if the positions were reversed and Obama were tanking right now he wouldn't be considering a kamikaze attack on Clinton; he'd just drop out.

Everyone agreeing with Poe is one of the signs of the Alpacalypse.

didn't bush do that same thing to mccain in 2000?

@21 - 'melt down' was meant in a global warming kind of way not a Guiliani kind of way. Sorry.

The fun apocalypse with Obama at the helm. Whoohoo!

@9: I am busy finding a way for Bush to get out of office without prison time. I am REALLY busy. Sorry.

"The fun apocalypse with Obama at the helm. Whoohoo!"

fear mongering anyone?

Reality mongering

@21 you are spot on in your assessment!

THAT is exactly what many see going on at the moment.

There is no doubt that Hillary supporters are really getting desperate as they see her ship sinking faster and faster.

Hillary should just do the honorable thing and drop out. We'll see how long that takes...

Assuming she has any honor to the process...

Reality Check

What? Clinton's not dropping out. Even if she gets 5% in New Hampshire, she's not DROPPING OUT. Jesus Christ, people, it's not even February. If she's in third place after Super Tuesday, she might drop out. Y'all act like she's acting dishonorably by running, which is insane.