Clinton Campaign Underestimated Sanders Strengths, Allies Say By PATRICK HEALY, NYT

[Proserpina]

More importantly, the Clinton campaign grossly ignored its candidate's weaknesses; refusing to do anything about them. Those weaknesses have been touted as her strengths, even!

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/us/politics/hillary-clinton-regrets-not-attacking-bernie-sanders-earlier-her-allies-say.html

Advisers to Hillary Clinton, including former President Bill Clinton, believe that her campaign made serious miscalculations by forgoing early attacks on Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and failing to undercut his archliberal message before it grew into a political movement that has now put him within striking distance of beating Mrs. Clinton in Iowa and New Hampshire.

According to Democrats close to the Clintons and involved with her campaign, Mrs. Clinton and the former president are also unnerved by the possibility that Mr. Sanders will foment a large wave of first-time voters and liberals that will derail her in Iowa, not unlike Barack Obama’s success in 2008, which consigned Mrs. Clinton to a third-place finish. They have asked her advisers about the strength of the campaign’s data modeling and turnout assumptions in Iowa, given that her 2008 campaign’s predictions were so inaccurate.

As the Democratic rivals prepare for what is likely to be a contentious televised debate on Sunday night, the Clintons are particularly concerned that her “rational message,” in the words of an aide, is not a fit with a restless Democratic primary electorate. Allies and advisers of the Clintons say Mr. Sanders is clearly connecting with voters through his emotional, inspiring rallying cry that the American economic and political systems are rigged for the wealthy and powerful. By contrast, Mrs. Clinton has been stressing her electability and questioning the costs of Mr. Sanders’s ideas.

Most Clinton advisers and allies would speak only on the condition of anonymity to candidly assess her vulnerabilities and the Clintons’ outlook on the race. This article is based on interviews with 11 people — campaign advisers, outside allies, friends and donors — who have spoken to the Clintons about the race....

but of course! It's safer that way. let the cannibalism begin!

more

[Live and Learn]

1. K&R nt

[draa]

6. I'm going to threadjack for a minute.

Hey Live and Learn. Is that your dog in the pic? Why I'm asking is I had a little guy that just passed and he looked EXACTLY like that dog in the pic.

I had him for 13 years and his name was Petey. I brought my mom, daughter, granddaughter in, showed them your pic, and asked "who's that dog?" All wanted to know how you got Petey's pic. The first time I saw it my heart dropped, but I love it now because it reminds me of him.

Anyway, just wanted to know who the little guy was and if you belonged to him. Thanks.

[Live and Learn]

8. The dog in the picture belongs to NYSkip.

The picture is a tribute to him since he was banned (unfairly in my opinion) from DU.

I am glad it didn't upset you too much and that you are now able to enjoy the picture. I lost one of mine last year and I still miss him.

[draa]

9. Thanks alot.

[tularetom]

2. Nobody in the inner circle would dare say the empress had no clothes

A campaign staff full of incestuous yes men killed her in 2008 and it appears she didn't learn a thing.

[cantbeserious]

3. When We Stand Together - No Citizen Need Settle For The Lesser Of Two Corporate Evils - Go Bernie Go

eom

[draa]

4. Lol

Given her many political advantages, like rich donors and widespread support from Democratic Party elites, she is also surprised that Mr. Sanders’s fund-raising has rivaled hers and that her experience — along with her potential to make history as the first woman elected president — has not galvanized more voters.

Think about that for a second. Her #1 political advantage is political donors. Not her stance on the issues. Not her ability to stay consistent. Not even her ability to get voters to the polls. Nope. It's almighty CASH. smh

It's pretty clear that neither Clinton, nor the people who support her, understand how shitty that looks. It's all about the money to these folks. it's also why I'm fighting so hard to get rid of them.

Thanks for the read Proserpina.

[Proserpina]

5. It's always a pleasure to post for the discerning readers of DU, like you!

And yes, that leaps out with no need for augmentation....

I cannot fathom what she and her advisors were thinking.

[antigop]

10. she and her advisors were thinking "It's my/her turn." nt

[hollysmom]

7. I don't know if it her campaign to blame so much as the media tht never covered him except as

an after thought. It was like he was a teeny chihuahua nipping and barking at her heels, so what is one to believe. If the media would not interview him or cover him, what could the problem be?
Just a thought. I can't decide if the media was bought off or if they are all about ratings and reads or if they are the dumbest people on earth.

[Proserpina]

11. Both, I think.

[Trajan]

12. This is a sober and rational take on the situation ...

I seem to recall Bernie was dismissed early by the Clinton campaign, the DNC AND the punditry ... From a strategic perspective, that was obviously a mistake ...

Rational message = Status quo = Dont rock the boat = play nice with republicans and pass half baked laws that prop up the powerful and screw regular citizens ...

If we can do better than that, then we should do better than that ...

[antigop]

13. +1000.

[Dems to Win]

14. Circular firing squad, just like her 2008 campaign

Eleven confidants aired the campaign's dirty laundry to the New York Times?

Why can't Hillary surround herself with people that will serve her well and keep their mouths shut?

[Proserpina]

15. Because She is supposed to be serving THEM!

And since she manifestly isn't, they are now taking revenge while it's safe to do so.