Clinton campaign still on the wrong track

Wheels of a train at the National Railway Museum, York, England. Photo by David Holmes.

I stayed up until 5 a.m. Paris time watching the Democratic debate (via streaming video on MSNBC.com). Can't say I was impressed with Sen. Hillary Clinton's performance. She was in turn combative, defensive and petulant. She talked a lot, but didn't say anything new. Sen. Barack Obama remained cool and collected, even when Clinton was talking over him and the moderators. The tone reminded me of the last debate between French presidential candidates Nicolas Sarkozy and Segelene Royal - she challenged his positions; he calmly defended himself. Sarkozy won the election.

The hosts of Tuesday's debate should have left the questioning to Brian Williams, as Tim Russert's often inane questions and aggressive manner suggested he doesn't understand the concept of being a neutral moderator.

I'll be very surprised if Hillary Clinton's campaign hasn't been derailed by poor planning and racist attacks, never mind the candidate's own unpredictable behaviour and flashes of temper from both Clinton and her husband. As for Clinton's campaign surrogates, I have been astonished by their racist, divisive actions within the past few days. If by some fluke Hillary manages to pull the rug from beneath Obama and become the nominee, I would find it difficult to vote for her. While I once was a fan, the arrogant and reckless manner in which she has run this campaign has caused me to lose respect for her ability to be an effective leader.

I thought I'd never see the day when a black member of Congress deliberately used a racial slur against a fellow Democrat - and a presidential candidate at that! In a television interview this week, Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones responded to allegations that a Clinton campaign staffer had given the Drudge Report a photo of Obama wearing native dress while on a visit to Kenya. The obvious intent was that gullible people who believe hate-fueled rumours and innuendo would look at the photo and think "Horrors! He looks foreign, "like a Muslim!" The inference of course is that all Muslims are to be feared; never mind that Obama is neither Muslim nor foreign - and that most Muslims advocate peace and abhor terrorism.

Congresswoman Tubbs-Jones poured fuel on the fire:

"This is a diverse country and people across America recognize that. I would not personally have done it (released the photo) and we can't attribute it to anybody in our campaign, but the Clinton campaign does not condone the conduct and we would hope that America is going to have an opportunity or begin to see if we're supporting a woman or an African-American for President, we ought to be able to support their ability to wear the clothing of their nation." Then she said it a second time, for emphasis.

How stupid can an elected official be, suggesting Obama is not American? He's as American as she is. And non-Americans can't run for president. It's no wonder the rest of the world views America's government with dismay, when even Democratic elected officials publicly make fools of themselves - and the candidate they're supporting.

On a brighter note, I was glad to see Chris Dodd, the highly-respected senator from Connecticut throw his support behind Obama. Dodd has been instrumental in trying to stop the Bush administration's telecom friends from receiving retroactive immunity for spying on Americans.

What do you think of all the campaign squabbles and back-and-forth accusations? Do you think an extended race without a nominee will harm the Democrats, when squaring off against the expected Republican challenger John McCain? Are the internal Democratic tussles providing ammunition for the Republicans?

Comments

[Christine]

My melange,

I am also a native New Yorker, NYC to be exact, and I have to disagree with you on something. Charles Schumer is way more vocal in this state than Hillary Clinton and she is attacked more viciously. He is gets attacked from the right wing, but I never heard someone say he had a split personality.

[apt. A]

sorry, but I thought they both looked like a bunch of bumbling idiots...again I'm asking is this the best we can do??? I think they both stink as does mccain. what a sorry bunch they all are.

[My Melange]

Tara~

I too watched the debate. Nothing new. I though Hillary looked ridiculous and got booed when she reffered to getting the first question all the time and mentioning the SNL skit. It was inappropriate, at best!

I was thinking that she is the one that called for more debates, so maybe that is why she was getting the questions. Or perhaps, since she is no longer the front-runner, she get the first question to try to make her position known. Either way...it has become too much whining and complaining!

I thought Barack was cool, calm, relaxed, Presidential. I especially liked his the exchange regarding the support for Farrakhan. Denounce is actually a stronger word than reject.

At this point, I think her behavior this last week has become erratic, sarcastic, mean, angry. She has jumped on the crazy train!! All things I would never want in a President. But, I am from NY...so I knew this long before this process started...nothing new to me.

I do think Tim Russert brought up a good point about the jobs she promised in upstate NY. Her answer was "that was when she thought Gore would be President". Is it just me...or does this show exactly why Barack is better at uniting people. Seems she can't play nice..or get her way...unless she has her old cronies in her back pocket. I am surprised nobody picked up on that point. Not the pundints at least.

So, lets hope the smart people of Texas and Ohio wrap this all up for us on Tuesday!!!

GOBAMA!!

[Karen DeGroot Carter]

Fascinating post and comments, Tara! I'm very hopeful this is all settled before the convention here in Denver and that a nasty divide in the Democratic party doesn't result from all this mud-slinging. Fingers crossed for better days ahead. K.

[Sherry]

c'est moi -- again!! Tara I've left something for you at Sage today (27th) xo.

[Laura]

To add: I'm a bit of a cynic about Chris Dodds. He was sycophantic (decided not to use the more vulgar, but more accurate phrase) to Hillary when he thought she'd be the nominee and now he is the same to Barack. He SO wants to be vice president.

[Laura]

You said EXACTLY what I thought about last night's debate---exactly. Hillary was out of control last night. She looked at Barack with such venom, almost, at times, with hatred. Her face and neck were so flushed---she was seething with anger. Like you, I used to admire her and I really liked Bill, but their dirty tactics in this race have turned me off for good. I was so impressed with the dignity and calm of Barack Obama. He was heroic and generous in the face of her antagonism. Let's just hope this is all over March 4th, before the reputations of both Clintons are irremediably ruined.

[rochambeau]

I agree with you Tara, but Jane (above) makes a good point about about the way the media has been covering Hilary Clinton because she is a woman.

I will keep my fingers crossed that Sherry's feeling about Obama is right!

Started a great book last night. Cold Comfort Farm. Have you read? It is so darn witty and makes me smirk and smile.

Sending you a hug!
xo
Constance

Tara responds: No haven't read the book, but will look for it. I did see a film by that name. Is it the same?

I agree that the American media will give any female candidate a hard time; perhaps Hillary more so than most, as she repeatedly says she's tough enough to take anything thrown at her, after her years of being at the receiving end of the Republicans' spin machine. In general, I think the mainstream American media is not doing a good job covering the election, as evidenced by the questions Tim Russert asked in the debate, rather than serious, thoughtful questions about the issues that affect ordinary Americans. Most of the questions were ones based on recent rumours and innuendo that both candidates have had to face down - very superficial stuff. Perhaps each debate should have been devoted to a specific issue, rather than the candidates rehashing the same old things over and over again, but never really explaining anything in depth.

[stephanie]

I agree with what you wrote here. My impressions of last night were that Obama was looking and acting very presidential, well, as presidential should be not how your current president carries himself. I was impressed with how he responded to Hillary's combativeness.

I do wish this would be completely decided before we go into the NDC in Denver so that we can begin addressing McCain and stop the confronations between the democratic nominees. I was not happy with a poll I heard today that neither Hillary or Obama stood well against McCain. We MUST get our act together and start confronting McCain....he cannot win.

[Christine]

I hope this does not come across wrong, but Hillary Clinton is under so much attack and criticism here in the states I am surprised that NOW has not staged a million woman march.

I have been a political junkie since the primaries began and I am shocked that women are not more outraged. Radio talk (liberal and conservative) are tearing down this women with the hosts and countless male callers spewing typical sexist comments. The other day I was on hold for 45 minutes on Air America to defend her position on healthcare, while they put on 9 men mostly tearing her down with sexist comments. I can't even turn on the tv or radio without someone passing the words hissy fit, ranting, raving, multiple personality, angry woman, and so on. I really don't care whether someone is for Obama, Clinton or McCain, it is evident how sexist our environment is right now and sad how many women don't see what is going on.

I would love to watch some old media coverage on Geraldine Ferraro when she ran for V.P. I was really young back then, but some of the stuff being said about Clinton is causing me to have deja vu from the 1980s.

I read an article that is borderline accusing Obama of putting out that picture so the skeptics will put all the blame on Clinton. Food for thought. Basically this woman can not win regardless of whether she is angry, tearful, happy - in America there is a negative attached to every emotion when it comes to being a woman.

As for Texas, their primary is open so an onslaught of Republicans can vote for Obama in the primary and then go and vote for McCain in the general election. It is insane how different each state works in nominating a candidate. At this point I don't think Obama or Hillary have a chance against McCain unless they share the ticket. And then someone will blame Hillary for Obama losing to McCain.

Tara responds:
Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately with the debates, the issues haven't been covered in depth, which is why many unanswered questions remain about both candidates' health care plans and how they will be funded, enforced, etc. Good for you for making the effort to get your point of view across on Air America.

I do sense there is a concerted effort on the part of many male reporters - particularly those with Republican alliances - to "get" Hillary, i.e. Tim Russert's posture at the debates last night. But as I wrote in my response to Constance's comment above, Hillary has said over and over again that she is tough and can take whatever they throw at her. She's used this argument to say she's "battle-hardened" and ready to face the Republican challenger and their anticipated attempts at dirty tricks in the run-up to the election. A lot of people admire Hillary for her tenacity and her ideas and dedication, but don't like her personality. With or without the media's help, a large percentage of the population won't vote for her simply because they don't like her. It's one reason George W. Bush was able to get so far, because many Americans preferred his "aw shucks" personality to Al Gore. Rightly or wrongly, this is America. And not enough people read newspapers or political blogs or pay attention to what's going on around them - they just vote for the person they "like."

This is not a good thing; people need to read more and think for themselves, rather than voting for someone based on superficial impressions and what someone else tells them.

Matt Drudge of the Drudge Report (not that he is an impeccable source), who first published the photo of Obama wearing "native dress" during a visit to Kenya, is the one who claimed a Clinton campaign staffer gave him the photo.

As Geraldine Ferraro was a vice presidential candidate, she certainly was not exposed to the kind of scrutiny to which Hillary Clinton has been subjected. In those days, the media wasn't "entertainment lite" based, always trying to scourge the latest scandal. The press was more fair-minded and unbiased before certain right-wingers started the "anything goes" smear tactics that have been adopted as a matter of course in recent years. Sadly, reckless, irresponsible reporting is perpetuated on a daily basis by Rupert Murdoch's news organizations, including Fox.

As for Texas, I can't imagine the Republicans would bother to cast votes for Obama, just to try to deny Hillary the nomination. Most voters have been apathetic in the last seven years, as civil liberties have been eroded. It's good to see many are finally waking up and learning about and getting involved in the political process to try to effect change for the better.

[awareness]

Hi Tara...I was going to write about this today too, but am feeling sick and my brain isn't in gear to do it justice.

I think the tide turned on Hilary when she fired her campaign manager. it's all about perception..... even if the CM was a complete and utter fool, the very act of firing him/her in the middle of the primaries appears to be an act of desperation.
Since then, the media has slammed every single move she's made. I agree with Jane......but would also add that there are MANY female journalists with are using sexist diatribe to slam the woman (ie. maureen dowd).

There was a good article in the Globe and Mail yesterday on this..... I'll try to find it and send you a link.

As much as I'm not a Hilary fan, and never have been, I believe the woman is very capable and intelligent. I think it's particularly cruel (and shocking that we are still in a place where the girl rules are still so different from the boy rules) to be making her into a one dimensional emotional being. HOWEVER......... she and Bill have made some REALLY goofy moves, like they thought the media was going to always treat them as untouchable or something......

She may have experience going for her, but Obama can learn that. Hilary will never be able to learn/acquire Obama's gifts will she?

Tara responds:
Dana, sorry you aren't feeling well. I have met Hillary on more than one occasion and agree that she is a very intelligent woman, with some good ideas. Left to her own devices, I think she could be an effective candidate and maybe a good president - if she could keep her husband at arm's length. (But that's not his nature). This is why I can't understand why she's run such an error-ridden campaign and why she keeps listening to the trash-talking consultant Mark Penn, who is respected by very few Democrats. She is paying him a small fortune and he's getting her nowhere. Many Democratic leaders have advised her to drop Penn; yet she has remained loyal to a man who isn't helping and is probably hindering her campaign. By the way, Penn's company is also a consultant to John McCain's campaign. So the only way Penn can lose personally is if Obama wins - which may be why he's pushing the "go negative" factor in Hillary's campaign.

I also think Hillary has been very arrogant in the way she's assumed the nomination was hers by right, publicly telling Katie Couric (CBS News) last November that she would be the nominee. I don't think Bill Clinton has helped with his off-the-cuff remarks that have angered and alienated many voters. Also, a lot of people don't like the Clintons and they look at Hillary and her husband as a package deal - something they, themselves have played up in the past.

All the mud-slinging and back-and-forth accusations and general nastiness is why I desperately wish the US would adopt the French style of campaigning, with only a couple of televised debates, equal time on the public airwaves, a very short campaign (less than three months) and no political television advertising allowed. Political campaigns in the US are becoming soul-destroying and exhausting not only to the candidates, but to the voters. The only ones who gain from long drawn-out campaigns are the television and radio companies getting rich from the millions and millions of dollars spent on political advertising. Just think of the good that could be done with that money!

[Parisbreakfasts]

There was a link in the Frank Rich editorial to Clinton Campaign Spending that tells much more of the story of who is the more "experienced" and capable candidate become president.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/us/politics/22clinton.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Don't miss this. Obama is a smart, savvy strategist. We need that desperately to get things straigtened out in the US.

[Jane Librizzi]

Something you may be insulated from, in Paris,is the gratuitous hostility being visited on Senator Clinton by male commentators from all sides. It has refreshed my memory about why it was so diffisult to be an apsiring (female) journalist in teh 1980s. May we all live to see better days.

[Sherry]

I don't comment very often on the political side of things as you know. And this election isn't my election. But politicians are politicians. And from way over here in Canada, it looks to me like once again, a politician (and she could be from any country, but you make a good point that it makes American politicians look "feeble" in the eyes of other countries) has opened her mouth (a "her" in this case) and said something that makes her look not only ill informed but uneducated. The fervor and passion as a woman perhaps, for a female candidate that she backs having made her lose reason. That can happen anywhere. It only, however, makes Clinton look like she and her supporters are grasping at straws. And they give rise to the horrible expression, "fighting like a girl".

Obama has poise and dignity and has shown that throughout. I think this last ditch attempt by the Clinton party reinforces the gaffe by "Mr. Clinton" about Obama earlier in the campaign and it also reinforces what many people of colour have known and done for years -- say nothing ill of anyone else, be who you are, let that speak for itself and maintain your dignity throughout. Which hasn't been easy all these years.

My money is on Obama taking it all the way -- right to the White House.