Barack must now go after Hillary and forget McCain!

[RiverStone]

Barack won 12 in a row (including Vermont) but most of the talking heads on the M$M last night said what cost him was complacency. I can't recall which pundit said this, but he said Barack had Hillary down - and he should have stepped on her throat - but instead he shifted his focus to John McCain. And Hillary got up and had a mini-comeback.

Sad to say this, but Obama can not afford to drive the HIGH road - he must counter punch aggressively and begin today. Hillary did a good job, albeit using dirty trench tactics, to define the message the last few days. She did it appealing to fear with the red phone, she did it appealing to fear with her answer on 60 minutes regarding the Muslim question, and she did it by elevating McCain above Obama on the experience question.

Obama should have fought back hard, but he rested on the ropes too much. To her credit, Hillary was constantly on the offensive and Obama mostly responded with glancing blows - but kept his focus on McCain. That was a mistake.

There will be time enough to go after McCain. Yet even last night in San Antonio, Obama gave congrats to Hillary but still kept the focus on McCain. He is NOT facing McCain yet. Hillary will go after the FLA and MI delegates now as a shark would that smells blood in the water. Obama must forget about McCain (for the moment) and go on the offensive against Hillary. Obama must define the message.

The drivers seat is still his, he just needs to get back in it! He still has the delegate lead, but an object in his mirror is closer than it appears, and her name is Hillary.

[NC_Nurse]

1. NO. His whole campaign has been about a positive change for this

country. He needs to stick to his principles. If America wants slime for it's leader, then
they deserve them.

I think people will tire of this shit and that he will come out on top with his continuing a campaign of
integrity and inclusion. He needs to respond strongly to attacks, but not take the offensive.

[RiverStone]

5. I don't like it - but I want to win

Don't underestimate the Clinton's will to go after FLA and MI delegates, it will happen.

People sadly don't tire of this shit, they respond to it - people respond to fear mongering and misrepresentations - people are not near as informed as you NC_Nurse (or most DUers) - people follow flocks and Hillary went negative and it worked.

He needs to take the offensive. Kerry needed to take the offensive with those swift boat pukes.

He keeps taking the high road, he could lose. I want to win and I don't want any slime ball to lead our country and have my kids future marginalized because he/she won with fear mongering bullshit. He does not need to play dirty, but he needs to play hard. And it needs to start right now!

[RBInMaine]

6. Learn from Carter, Dukakis and Kerry for Christ sake.

Politics is about WINNING !! Obama got beat last night because Hillary went negative and controlled the debate, raising doubts about Obama that stuck. This wimpy, pissy, wishy washy nonsense about "taking the high road" is a recipe for getting Willie Hortoned and Swift Boated. When will folks like you understand that this is called COMPETITION. Even Obama has said, "Hey I'm from the south side of Chicago. I'm tough enough!" Well, if he is, then take off the gloves and go on Offense ! The dynamics have shifted. Hillary now has the momentum, and the Clinton machine will continue to do what has now worked for them. Follow you're nicey nice approach and we LOSE (AGAIN!!!) This is electoral politics, not a prom night. It's tough business, and if you don't have a strong stomach for it, don't get in the ring. Now, all that said, it doesn't mean you don't also have a positive message, but lofty calls for "hope" and "unity" will go only so far, and will wear out. Being a president is about being STRONG. No one wants a wimpy commander in chief. Yes, you can positive and inspiring and TOUGH and forcefull as well. BOTH must happen.

[jgraz]

2. Bingo. Responses, even good responses, are not enough.

He can attack her from here to forever and still not get to her level. Until I hear Obama say "I take Hillary at her word" that she didn't kill Vince Foster and that "of course Hillary's not a lesbian -- as far as I know", he's still on the high road compared to her.

[book_worm]

3. I do think that Hillary did one positive thing--she woke the Obama campaign up

I think they will begin to fight fire with fire. She can bring up NAFTA and he needs to point out that it was her husbands administration in which she claims to be part of her 35 years of experience in that passed NAFTA. She can bring up Rezko and he will need to point out all the people she has been connected with who have gone to prison. She will bring up her experience and he needs to point out (as Kerry did brilliantly last night) that in terms of legislative experience (State Senate and US Senate) Obama has more experience than Hillary. She brought up national security with her 3AM ad and he responded okay about her vote on Iraq, but he has to make it a key issue again her judgement in voting for the Iraqi war.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Frankie says relax.

Last night was her last big hope and she blew it.

Obama knows what he's doing and the last thing he wants in the fight in McCain is to make some big gaffe while he's running out the clock with Clinton.

[RBInMaine]

7. WAKE UP CALL: She'll overtake him he doesn't change tactics.