As Sanders soars, Clinton goes negative — a bad move

[n2doc]

By Brent Budowsky, columnist, The Hill

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) may be poised to win both the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary, and as Sanders soars, rival Hillary Clinton is making the worst possible move of launching an all-out attack against him, which is the same mistake she made when she attacked Barack Obama in 2008.

For some time, I have strongly advised people close to the Clintons to not go negative against Sanders. Clinton needs to inspire voters about why she should be president, not become a negative candidate who reminds voters of the kind of politics they want to end.
Remember — and this is a key point — that when Clinton attacks Sanders for the vision and programs he believes in, she is attacking the large numbers of Democrats and independents who believe in what Sanders believes and favor the same changes and reforms that he promotes.

The Clinton attack against Sanders is the worst possible move for her and for Democrats. Because Clinton has low ratings for trustworthiness, whereas Sanders's ratings are high, a Clinton attack against Sanders will backfire.

Even worse for Clinton, the problem is that she has never articulated an uplifting and exciting reason for voters to back her, and her negative attack against Sanders will drown out any positive message she may have, if she has one.



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http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/presidential-campaign/266749-as-sanders-soars-clinton-goes-negative-a-bad-move

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

1. Hillary is desperate and her negative campaigning against Bernie only highlights why he is the superior candidate.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2016!!!

[global1]

2. She's Reminding Voters Of The Kind Of Politics They Want To End....

That hits the nail right on the head. That's why going negative will backfire on her and that's why any negative campaign the Repugs will mount against Bernie will backfire even more for them. It's about time we had a refreshing candidate that doesn't have to pander to The People to get elected. One who sticks by his principles and tells it like it is - straight up and honestly.

[Voice for Peace]

3. Exactly!

Kickenrec

[tecelote]

4. Hillary Clinton | No We Can't!

"Even worse for Clinton, the problem is that she has never articulated an uplifting and exciting reason for voters to back her..."

We all know that Bernie will not get all he/we want. But we also know that if you accept the status quo, nothing much will change. If you shoot for the stars and do not make it all the way, you will still end up with a lot more than if you stay grounded.

Dare to Dream!

[LiberalElite]

5. I don't hate Hillary but

her sense of entitlement is a major turn-off. I didn't like it in 2008 either. In a way I can't understand why her campaign is increasingly becoming 2008 redux. (Good for us though hehe) Can't she learn from experience? But I'll answer my own question - IMHO it isn't that she can't learn from experience. She's very intelligent. The problem is, there's nothing else she can do but be negative. It isn't simply a wrongly chosen strategy. It's her.

[LovingA2andMI]

6. Well, that's all she knows...

Wonder when will she call up the PUMA's back to duty. Oops looking at a "Radical" site somewhere else, they already are....

[roody]

11. What are pumas?

[LovingA2andMI]

13. They were Hillary Clinton’s die-hard loyalists....

The PUMAs are back on the prowl.

Hillary Rodham Clinton’s decision to run for president has stirred up old feelings for some loyal supporters who refused to accept her defeat in the 2008 Democratic primary. When other Democrats put away their swords and rallied behind Barack Obama, the resisters responded: “Party unity, my ass!” — hence the nickname PUMAs.

After seven years in the political wilderness, some are ecstatic at the chance to help elect a candidate that they believe in, and to make history by putting the first woman in the White House. Others are excited but cautious, still haunted by the events of 2008.

And some have even turned against Clinton — instead of signing on for her presidential campaign do-over, they plan to spend this cycle working to defeat her.

One thing they all agree on: they don’t regret their prolonged protest in 2008. In interviews, all of them said they still blame the Democratic Party for a ruling that cost Clinton delegates and the nomination.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/they-were-hillary-clintons-die-hard-loyalists-heres-where-they-are-now/2015/05/02/82025cf2-e92a-11e4-aae1-d642717d8afa_story.html

[Enthusiast]

7. Kicked and recommended to the Max!

[FailureToCommunicate]

8. Hillary should heed this advice, for the sake of the rest of the down ticket races,

if nothing else.

[ypsfonos]

9. Don't worry Bernie has SERIOUS coattails!

Run rogressives for downticket races!

[FailureToCommunicate]

12. Welcome and thanks for joining DU!

Let's hope you are correct about coattails.

I am just concerned about how the frontrunner(s) tear each other up and the affect of that battle on supressing the vote for other important races

[Proserpina]

10. As usual, Hillary knows better and does what she pleases

That's fine for civilian life...which she will shortly be enjoying for good. She will find a lot of satisfaction in retirement, as long as the FBI doesn't send her to a SuperMax.

[CharlotteVale]

14. K&R