The dangers for Obama going negative

[carlotta]

From Time.com:

1. It takes him off his principal message of change, hope, and inspiration.

2. It could conflict with his message of rejecting the “old” politics of negativity and polarization, which clearly has appealed to many voters.

3. He might not be as adept at negative politics on the national stage as he thinks he is.

4. When you wrestle in the mud of negative campaigning, you get dirty.

5. Early on, Obama pledged to fire anyone on his staff who engaged in the kind of personal attacks his senior advisers are now openly launching on a daily basis.

6 As John Kerry learned in 2004 against George W. Bush, negative information about the lesser-known candidate tends to have a bigger impact on voters—it represents a higher percentage of the total information voters have about a candidate who is still introducing himself to the country — as compared to an incumbent or, like Clinton, a “quasi-incumbent” whose image has already been formed.

7. It could politically free up Clinton to engage in even more negative attacks, either on national security credentials or of a personal nature (and that Clinton machine is ruthless and ready).

8. Clinton usually does well when she’s perceived as a victim of a bullying man (both in terms of private resolve and public sympathy).

9. By attacking Clinton during a period when he is particularly vulnerable on the Tony Rezko case, NAFTA, and other unseemly matters, Obama risks more unfavorable scrutiny directed at him (especially during a period when Clinton is on a roll, given her charming appearances on late-night comedy shows, her comeback kid excitement, and her refreshed media confidence).

10. It could look and feel desperate — already Obama’s affronted reaction to those newly tough, “like, eight questions” last week made him seem rather naive and peevish; add cutthroat to that image, and Obama could have a bigger problem than he is trying to solve by changing strategies.

http://thepage.time.com/halperins-take-the-dangers-which-might-await-obama-if-he-makes-negative-attacks-central-to-his-campaign/