Democrats toughen up: Leading candidates crib from the Republican playbook

[ursi]

Source: Las Vegas Sun

Fri, Jan 18, 2008 (2 a.m.)

After wearing helmets while riding in tanks and being for things before being against them, the party of the late response and the lame attack ad has learned how to do politics this election.

Democratic presidential candidates, having split victories in New Hampshire and Iowa, are using every tactic available here in Nevada.

To wit:

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign had a story it wanted to tell this week, so it turned to a friendly blogger. Taylor Marsh, who in the past has been paid by a union now backing Clinton, quickly ran with the story: Members of the Culinary Union were being intimidated to vote for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, whom the union endorsed last week.

Under scrutiny, the story didn’t exactly pan out. But no matter.

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jan/18/democrats-toughen/

[rodeodance]

1. and here is the OBAMS smackdown from the story:

........Obama supporters aren’t flinching, because they, too, are playing rough. Obama’s newest supporter, the parent of the Culinary Union, UNITE HERE, is running ads on Spanish-language radio that say, “Hillary Clinton does not respect our people,” which seems a bit hard to believe, especially given the support of people such as Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, and Raul Yzaguirre, former president of the National Council of La Raza.

Democrats now taking sides in this increasingly contentious contest can take solace in one point: No matter who wins the nomination, the leading contenders have learned from the Republicans, aped their tactics, and won’t be caught unaware by a GOP onslaught come November.

The contest in Nevada has featured disingenuous advertising, attacks based on flimsy evidence, faux-outraged surrogates and the pitching of insubstantial stories to reporters.

Former Sen. John Edwards, with fewer resources, is less able to engage, but Obama and Clinton are fully engrossed in this style of politics.

[Doctor_J]

2. Yeah, against each other

Let's see what happens when they have to take on the GOP media juggernaut this summer.

[SoFlaJet]

3. One small caveat that bugs me this go around

is OUR party employing the "people as props" technique that was used under Bush-I really hate that

[tomreedtoon]

4. And I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

The Democrats aren't really playing Republican-type politics. The candidates have been simply sniping at one another. That's standard Democratic Party politics.

If they REALLY learned something from the Republicans, all the candidates - yes, even John Edwards Who Does Not Exist - would be demonstrating their toughness by directing fire at the Republicans. Especially Mike Huckabee, the Man Who Would Be Pope - Mitt "Magic Underwear" Romney - McCain, Doormat for George Bush - all of them.

Already, the Republicans are running attack ads about Clinton. She refuses to return the favor. Well, that's her. What's the excuse of Obama and Edwards?