Why Obama has to run a "clean" campaign against Hillary

[quinnox]

I'm seeing a theme that people think Obama has to start attacking Hillary strongly and go negative if he wants to win.

It's not going to happen. Obama, for all his faults, is a smart guy. He knows that it would be a huge political blunder to start running a slash and burn campaign vs the Clintons. Obama sees the polls like we do and knows it is an uphill struggle for him, that it will almost take a miracle for him to win.

So this run he is introducing himself to the American people, and readying himself for bigger and better things in his political future.

Lets think about this for a moment, if Obama did go heavily negative and it doesn't work and Hillary wins the nomination, how do you think Hillary's opinion of Obama would be?

I'm thinking she wouldn't be too happy that Obama started throwing mud and would shut the door firmly on Obama during her presidency. And could you really blame her? I couldn't, I'd be pissed too if Obama tried to smear my candidacy and in the end basically helped the republicans to try and attack her.
In this case, his political career would essentially be over before it even began.

So my prediction still stands, Obama will run a very friendly campaign from here on out and at the very worst say only mild criticisms of Hillary and then eventually if he loses bow out gracefully.

And in so doing he will ensure a bright future for himself in the Democratic party.

[Kagemusha]

1. Uh. Hillary already despises Obama and everything he stands for.

Because he's too young, he hasn't paid his dues, and he campaigns on "hope", which is the real sin. He'll gain nothing from Hillary for 8 years if she keeps winning. Nor should he. He's not compatible with Sen. Clinton's goals and methods.

If he doesn't go "heavily negative," it should be because he actually believes in himself. Not because he's kissing heels. Besides, that would imply that he's just as nasty as every other politician and he's only avoiding nasty campaigning for cynical, tactical reasons.

He can campaign in a much more confrontational way without being anywhere near as nasty as a Bush campaign would.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. Do You Really Think Hillary Clinton Despises Hope?

eom

[Kagemusha]

3. Yes. Absolutely. For the same reason as her supporters here.

It implies that her message is not positive, and it implies that being a bare knuckled, aggressive, ruthless political activist is somehow bad in some way, which is personally offensive.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. Her Message Is She Wants To Make Visible The People Invisible Under Bush*

How is her message negative?

Unless you're Republican she won't attack you... I haven't seen her attack her opponents during any of the debates...

[quinnox]

4. Sorry but that is hogwash!

I don't think you know what Hillary thinks (unless your a mind reader!?), and I'm sure she has a high opinion of Obama.

In fact I wouldn't be surprised to watch them become close friends after all this is over.

[Kagemusha]

7. You haven't read how they don't speak to each other in the Senate at all?

Even a little?

I commend your powers of optimism, however.

[emilyg]

12. Unbelievable. Sometimes all I can do is wonder.

[Silence Dogood]

18. I agree

Obama has been photographed giving Clinton some peculiar looks at times. I can just imagine what he's thinking!

[msongs]

15. you have links/hillary direct quotes to support your claim? nt

[zulchzulu]

5. I agree completely

It appears other candidates are going to go very negative on Clinton anyway. All he has to do is watch that happen and let the outcome come to its obvious conclusion.

I wish it could all be positive, but know that is impossible in these times.

[Cameron27]

14. I agree with you,

but I tend to think that Obama just doesn't feel comfortable using negative attacks, which is what I like about him. I'd like to see him get more biting in his defensive attacks though, but that's just me.

[illinoisprogressive]

8. quinnox, you obviously know nothing about Obama.

But, maybe that is a good thing. Just remember your post here in later.

[quinnox]

9. I will

[sandnsea]

10. Yep, he'll bow out gracefully

because you can't win unless you tell people why your opponent doesn't deserve to. I'm sure Hillary's supporters are ecstatic about that strategy and will be more than happy to beat Obama over the head any time he dares to say a word about Hillary. It's her guaranteed strategy to win.

[geek tragedy]

11. He's running to win this time.

He's not in a bad position. He's not in Hillary's position, but then he was never married to Bill.

[Silence Dogood]

19. This time?

what in the world are you talking about?

[Bitwit1234]

13. Hell he doesn't have to run a clean campaign because his supporters

are constantly bashing, slurring, trashing, and almost lying about her in every other post her. They talk about Matthews being obsessed with her. Well the Obama supporters are so obsessed with her, because she is now way way out in front on him, that they are liable to have a heart attack.

[jmp]

16. Obama shouldn't be running against Hillary

He should be running FOR the nomination. Deviate from that, you have fallen into a trap.

[Silence Dogood]

20. yes- That should be his plan.

from what I've seen so far, I think it is.

[bluetrain]

17. Clinton is as much of a joke of a nominee as Kucinich is; neither will ever win the GE.

For any of the candidates to spend a minute wasting time and resources campaigning against Clinton or Kucinich or Obama or Gravel for that matter is a total waste. The real candidates need to campaign against the Iraq War and the people who made it happen if they want the nomination and they want the White House.