I would certainly not question any decision by the Obama campaign

[burythehatchet]

as it has been one of the most effective campaigns I've ever witnessed, BUT....

Shouldn't Obama basically slip on the brass knuckles now and make the case that he is the presumptive nominee, and start campaigning against McCain?

Hillary is going to do her thing; no one is going to be able to stop her. But she thrives on living in the gutter and getting her opponent to mis-step in response to her shit-pitching. Why not just ignore her at this point and begin to define the choice in the election.

The more he engages her, the more he legitimizes her. That just seems like a bad road. Conversely, If he moves forward and rightfully claims the nomination, it just seems to me that Hillary would be rendered irrelevant.

[tyne]

1. Mmmm...

"Shouldn't Obama basically slip on the brass knuckles now and make the case that he is the presumptive nominee, and start campaigning against McCain?"

Yes...yes...undoubetdly yes.

The "pundits" have been stating (rightly so), that John is now able to rest...maybe go to the ME and make some good media bites, raise some money, etc.

Obama needs to keep him on his toes. No rest John....we're coming after ya. Ignore Hillary.

[Seeker30]

2. Why would he do that..he hasnt won the nomination

[uponit7771]

4. He's leading & she can't catch up unless she goes against her word, he should start acting the part

[uponit7771]

3. Yeap, matter of fact...he can just tell the truth about Hillary AND McCain be hitting back

...on both of them.

Obama looks squeaky clean, the only thing they have against him are lies and they can make them up on a whim. He should place both of them on the defensive to make their dirt lead issue in the election instead of having to refute their lies.

[XemaSab]

5. I think that's the mistake he's been making for the last few weeks

By hitting McCain and not Hillary, he's been leaving himself totally open on one flank.

Right now he's Poland, and can't fight off invasion effectively on two fronts. :P

[olkaz]

8. I think that's a false analogy

I think it depends on how the press would spin this type of move.

Best Case: Hillary becomes irrelevent, and the press focuses on Obama v. McCain.
Worst Case: Hillary gains ground because Obama doesn't hit back.

I gotta say, OP, this type of move is high risk/high reward, and I think the Obama campaign is in too good of a position to risk it.

But, who knows. I know it would be in McCain's best interest to speak generically about the party instead of any particular nominee.

[XemaSab]

11. Hillary right now is a wounded animal

She's suffering and dangerous, and it's better for all concerned if Obama just ends it for her.

(Hi Secret Service! This is a totally metaphorical post! :hi: )

[SoFlaJet]

6. what needs to happen is for the both campaigns to

do what your screen name suggests bury the hatchet and stop the madness and have a unity ticket of Obama/ Clinton-I think it would be a stellar duo and would prove to be unbeatable by the republicans

[John Q. Citizen]

9. I disagree. Throwing out his message of change would be a bad move, And taking Clinton on his ticket

would do just that.

[SoFlaJet]

12. yea but John Q

if what it's gonna take toi stop this madness and desperation from the CC is to offer her the VP slot then I say it's worth it. Otherwise she and her campaign is looking to let McCain win if that's what it takes for her to get power-and I think she and her husband have the will AND the power to do it

[John Q. Citizen]

13. I don't think approaching the election from a place of fear is a winning idea.

I think courage to follow through on his messagae is far more important.

Your suggestion, in my opinion would be the worst of both worlds.
It would give Clinton the opportuniy to undermine him at every opportunity, and perhaps run as an insurgent against him in 2012. That would be all the same for her as letting McCain win this time.

No, he's chosen the right path and he needs to stick with it. The Clintons are going to be hard pressed to make thier democratic voters sit it out or vote McCain. That won't help them in 2012, it will hurt them.

[mjg540]

7. The whole democratic party is being rendered irrelevant...

Obama making the case the he is the presumptive nominee just enhances his arrogance. With the Rezko trial looming a great deal can happen in the next few months. I know you all don't think it has legs, but I assure you in the general election it will. How many times do you think we're going to hear Syrian born, Iraqi billionaire etc. The squeaky clean candidate is not that at all. Is he any worse than HRC, probably not, with the exception that he professes to be above it all...not so. As long as his supporters are aware of that fact and don't care, is of no concern to me. Many of the cross over votes he proclaims to have will go to McCain in the fall when the republicans get done with him. It is something to take seriously.
I think the case Obama makes that he is entitled to the nomination based on being ahead is a stretch. 2025 is the magic number to be the winner. Short of that, he isn't the winner. Please remember that the Super Delegates have the party in mind. The party will long survive Obama or Clinton, unless we continue this hatred from both sides. The promise of Hope and Change has become erroded...

[Not the Only One]

10. Sort of

He should take on his mantle of ending the nomination campaign season in first place. That will not change. He should call out Hillary when she goes after him, by pointing out her hypocrisy.

He can also talk about how he can make an effective case against McCain.

He has to stay focused on keeping his foot on Hillary's throat, though. She's like an undead. You can't give her extra chances. Keep reminding her and the voters that she's losing.