E.J. Dionne: The Clinton Backlash: Negativity has hurt the once-mighty Clinton brand.

[marmar]

from Truthdig:



The Clinton Backlash

Posted on Mar 31, 2008
By E.J. Dionne

WASHINGTON—Chill out.

More specifically: “We’re going to win this election if we just chill out and let everybody have their say.”

Thus, Bill Clinton’s advice to Democrats who are gnashing their collective teeth over whether the extended struggle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will cause their party to lose an election it once seemed certain to win.

One person who took Clinton’s advice was Obama, who went out of his way last weekend to defend his opponent’s right to stay in the contest. That was a shrewd move since the Clinton campaign is gifted at turning any effort to push her out into (1) a form of sexism, (2) a fiendish plot against her by Washington “insiders,” and (3) a way of raising lots of money online.

In any event, the argument about ending the race now is miscast. Even a miraculous intervention by Al Gore and John Edwards would do little to settle the matter. St. Al and St. John are powerless as long as Clinton and Obama want to keep their battle alive. Only one thing will end this brawl, and that is the self-interest of one of the candidates.

For now, Clinton has a strong argument for continuing. Obama leads in delegates but that advantage is not overwhelming. Clinton still has a chance—a pretty good one, according to an analysis posted by Michael Barone on U.S. News & World Report’s Web site—of emerging from the primaries with a lead in the popular vote, though it seems impossible for her to overtake Obama in the delegate count. Clinton’s campaign song has become: Don’t Stop Thinking About the Next Primary.

For the long run, it is neither sexism nor insiderism to say that unless she sweeps the next contest in Pennsylvania and also primaries in other places such as Indiana and North Carolina, the decision to end the race by dropping out will fall upon Clinton. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080331_the_clinton_backlash/

[Catherina]

1. Hillary's gotten dangerous. When going against Putin, will she cry sexism to the world? n/t

[azmouse]

2. K&R

EJ Dionne is always worth reading.