Field Goals, Not Touchdowns, Scored in Cleveland
There have been 20 debates now, and it’s starting to feel it. We have heard the respective political views and observed the nuanced styles of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama time and time again.
In a fairly predictable 90-minute clash, the surging Obama was content to sit back, counterattack and score field goals here and there, rather than go for a touchdown and risk backlash.
For her part, Clinton articulated her major positions well, but tried to highlight the differences with her rival, reaching at times to do so and showing some signs of bitterness in the process.
In short, it was a low-scoring contest and a virtual draw.
Last night’s debate Cleveland State University didn’t alter the complexion of the Democratic race, but it was educational as always and included its fair share of entertainment and fireworks.
The Democrats sparred over negative campaigning, health care, NAFTA and much more a week before the key Texas and Ohio primaries.
Clinton repeated angry claims that Obama mischaracterized her stances on health care and NAFTA in political mailings to voters in Ohio.
“I have a great deal of respect for Sen. Obama, but we have differences,” she said. “In the last several days, some of those differences in tactics and choices that Sen. Obama’s campaign has made in fliers and mailers and other information that has been put out … have been very disturbing.”
The mailers, which Obama defends, claim that Hillary Clinton’s health care plan would force people who don’t want insurance to buy it.
They also say she has been inconsistent on NAFTA, which many in industrial states like Ohio blame for shipping blue-collar jobs overseas.
While she has made multiple statements saying NAFTA has helped the economy in some of the U.S., Clinton says she has always maintained that it needs better labor and environmental protections in Mexico and Canada.
Obama said he, too, has been targeted by negative ads.
“Senator Clinton has consistently sent out negative attacks on us,” the Illinois senator said. “We haven’t whined about it because I understand that’s the nature of these campaigns. But to suggest that our mailer is somehow different to the kind of approach Sen. Clinton has taken throughout this campaign certainly is not accurate.”
The tension was palpable from the start.
Responding to a question on NAFTA in which Tim Russert listed comments he said show she once supported the agreement, Hillary Clinton appeared to lash out at media bias against her.
“I just find it kind of curious that I keep getting the first question on all of these issues,” adding a Saturday Night Live reference, “Maybe we should ask Barack if he’s comfortable and needs another pillow.”
Can the former First Lady simply not contain sarcasm and bitterness at this point? If so, that’s too bad, but if it’s planned, whatever six-figure consultant is telling her to make such remarks needs to be fired.
Russert and Brian Williams didn’t let up. Clinton was taken to task over the unavailability of her tax returns, while Obama was grilled over his endorsement by Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan.
When asked what vote they would most like to take back, Barack Obama lamented his inaction in the controversial Schiavo case, while Clinton predictably said she wishes she had not authorized the Iraq war.
Both candidates artfully dodged the final question - what one question they would pose to the other regarding why they deserve the nomination - choosing the high road of mutual praise instead.
NATIONAL
February 27th, 2008 at 9:09 am
The last two debates were more of the same. Clinton gets the questions first, then Obama uses his strategy. Stare at her, agree with everything she says, then end with “but I am better.” Why even show up for the debates.
Senator Clinton is indeed a “fighter.”
http://www.hillaryspeaksforme.com
February 27th, 2008 at 9:37 am
The one nodding her head has been Hillary, who gets to go first is a matter of luck, a draw, not planned. If Hillary could she would go second, but luck has been on Obama’s side.
Sen. Clinton’s bitterness and arrogance (I know what’s best approach) is scary, reminds me of the Bush administration, no I dont want a semi-dictator, I want someone who can listen and show respect.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I think what we’re seeing are two opposing governing philosophies. So the logical question is, how are those philosophies working for their campaigns?
Hillary claims experience.
Yet her experience hasn’t taught her how to manage the press and public opinion. Her experience hasn’t taught her how to stay consistent on message and approach. Her experience hasn’t taught her to graciously accept responsibility for her mistakes (NAFTA). Her experience hasn’t taught her the importance of preparing contingency plans (She didn’t meet her pledge for employment in upstate New York because she thought Al Gore would be president?)
Obama claims collaborative facilitation.
His been consistent. He’s motivated and expanded the party. He’s responded to critism (I’m not convinced he’s been given a ‘pass’) and addressed it by adding more meat into his orations. He’s reached out to the “old guard” and brought them into the tent with a fresh approach that even experienced Democrats recognize as offering the greatest potential. He’s financed his campaign via a nationwide, grassroots effort and has not had to loan his campaign money (BTW, does that mean that Hillary will repay herself the campaign money with contributions from other supporters who won’t receive the same consideration?)
If we judge not words, not actions, but results, Hillary should lean not on the experiences of her past, but on the experiences she’s confronting now.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:42 am
GIVE IT TO A WOMEN AND SHE WILL DO IT….should be th slogan Hillary should use everyone has this experience at home
February 27th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Americans who want the record of experience regarding these two Senators, but are either too lazy or too ignorant to dig for the information, the following links will provide insight in order for you to make more informed decisions.
http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2008/02/obama_actually.html and http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2008/02/all-the-rest.html and http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2008/02/solutions-adden.html
February 27th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Sorry, I goofed typing that first link, it should be:
http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2008/02/obama-actually.html
February 27th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Democrat vow to reopen NAFTA troubles Flaherty
TARA PERKINS
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Globe and Mail Update — Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Wednesday he is worried by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s vow to reopen the North American free trade agreement.
The Democratic presidential candidates, in a debate Tuesday, said they would pull the United States out of the trade pact with six months notice unless it were renegotiated. Both have criticized the deal, saying it has led to thousands of job losses.
In Toronto, where Mr. Flaherty was speaking at a breakfast meeting, the finance minister said the comments were “a concern.”
“NAFTA is a tremendous benefit to Americans,” he said.