Hillary Clinton: Front-Runner And Target

Other Democrats In The Race Take Aim At N.Y. Senator

(AP)  Hillary Rodham Clinton is finding herself in her rivals' cross-hairs.

Barack Obama and John Edwards try to paint her as a candidate of the Washington establishment and beholden to special interests. Chris Dodd questioned the former first lady's competence on health care reform. They have hinted she's too divisive to govern effectively as president.

The shift in tone was perhaps inevitable, coming nine months into a largely cordial primary campaign that has left the New York senator the undisputed front-runner for the Democratic nomination. In criticizing Clinton, they acknowledge she's a formidable candidate and accept that she's unlikely to stumble badly to give others an opening.

"Her opponents are starting to worry that she is consolidating her position, and that's potentially fatal for them," said Raphael Sonenshein, a political science professor at California State University, Fullerton. "A lot of people watching her campaign are surprised by the fact that it's strengthening and could be starting to break away."

The new dynamic is also a clear expression of frustration by Clinton's rivals, who were forced to the sidelines this week when she released her new health care plan. The rollout drew extensive media coverage.

Republicans are criticizing Clinton as though she's already the Democratic nominee. Rudy Giuliani has relied on newspaper and Web ads to assail her on the Iraq war.

To remain in the game, Democrats are starting to point out Clinton's potential vulnerabilities and question her electability.

At a seniors' forum in Iowa on Thursday, rival Joe Biden suggested congressional Republicans would refuse to work with Clinton to accomplish health care reform.

"Let's be frank about this," Biden said. "What's changed to make you think Hillary is going to be able to put together the 15 percent of Republicans" who will be needed to enact any overhaul of the health care system?

In an interview with The Associated Press, Dodd said Clinton had mismanaged her effort to reshape the nation's health care system during her husband's presidency and questioned why she touted that experience as evidence she should be allowed to try again.

Biden and Dodd are both polling in single digits and have had little impact on the overall dynamic of the field. But their criticisms come amid new efforts by Clinton's lead rivals, Obama and Edwards, to portray her as part of the status quo.

Edwards has been particularly aggressive, claiming Clinton lifted his health care plan and criticizing her ties to lobbyists and other special interests.

His top campaign strategist, Joe Trippi, even sent an e-mail to supporters this week blasting her for attending a fundraising lunch with lobbyists. Clinton, he wrote, is the "poster child" for what's wrong in Washington.

Obama faces his own set of risks and complications. He has pledged to run a positive campaign without the personal attacks or negativity that would cast him as a "conventional" politician. That pledge has come with a downside: Clinton strategists pounce each time Obama utters any sort of critique.

So in a new television ad campaign released this week, Obama tiptoes around Clinton's vulnerabilities without addressing them head on.

In an ad about health care, he laments the "bickering" that defined past attempts to reform the system. "For the last 20 years, Washington has talked about health care reform but reformed nothing," he says.

Is he talking about Clinton? Obama doesn't say.

And without naming names, Obama's new campaign speech includes a warning about a return to political polarization.

"George Bush and Dick Cheney may have turned divisive, special interest politics into an art form, but it was there before they got to Washington," he said.

For her part, Clinton hasn't taken the bait and has largely ignored the potshots from fellow Democrats.

"Voters can see through politically motivated attacks," said her spokesman Howard Wolfson. "Other candidates are clearly frustrated with their falling poll numbers."

Clinton is already training her sights on the GOP. She referred to Cheney this week as Darth Vader, and a top Clinton campaign adviser, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, said Giuliani's rocky personal life would be fair game in a general election.

But longtime Democratic strategist Erik Smith said that despite Clinton's clear strengths, there was still opportunity for her rivals to make headway. Their critiques could have particular resonance in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire, where voters are closely following the contest, he said.

"If you are running behind a front-runner, you have to do something to change the dynamics of the race," Smith said. "You really have no choice - you can't rest on your laurels and hopes that she trips."

[frb01]

I hope personal life becomes fair game as the Clintons are not saints either. I invite anyone to drive through the towns and cities of upstate NY, and see the lack of economic promise that was promised to us when Hillary Clinton first ran for Senate. And people tout her experience, in fact she has only completed one Senate term and is on her second. I am not opposed to having someone who has been in Washington, but look at all the problems they have there, from Iraq to providing health care for children. We desperately need a qualified candidate who will not accept business as usual, there are 18 or so in this field, in my opinion any of them could be in the White House. Hillary Clinton has yet to win one primary, we need to remember that.

[pastdue1]

Hillary:
What are you and the Senate doing about the Blackwater situation ? Why has the entire congress not looked into their operations before they could sell arms to the enemy. Every legislator should be up in arms about this and insist that the investigations be made public and under oath. Why is this situation not even being mentioned in most campaigns?

[tylenol6]

CBS, Hiltery may be front and center for you as the media darling to win the presidency, but not FOR ALL OF
US....... Just because the news media says she is, everyone knows Hitlery is as corrupt as they come.

[sftodd]

Rudy may look better in a dress, but Hillary can out-debate him on any subject. Looking forward to that.

[sharncedar]

Why is Hillary the front-runner when a single caucus or primary has not been held yet? How can one candidate be presented by the MSM as being the leader before a single American votes? Well, folks, that''s how the MSM fixes an election. At least they could have the decency to say "alleged" with it, as in Hillary the alleged front-runner, or more honestly, Hillary, the candidate whose name is more recognizable to the simpletons we polled, or Hillary, the poll leader in some poorly designed polls.

Those with some memory will recall that this is precisely how we got George Bush for president - his name was more recognizable in early polls, and then he was anointed "front-runner" by the MSM, and after that everyone gave him the money and press attention so that he becaome the actual front-runner. This early polling is a really bad system, people with famous names have a tremendous almost insurmountable advantage because no one is paying attention that early, so they respond with whatever name they recognize.

[radiob-2009]

Bush and Hillary birds of a feather and the money goats flock them together.

[barbjc1]

What is up with you people, we need a woman President. As I have said before the fellows on both sides of the fence have done a horrible job. She has class, well above intelligence, and holds her own against any of the boys.
By the way, she is running for President not her husband. Who is running in the Edwards household, Elizabeth or John?

[radiob-2009]

Follow the money for the corporate lapdog of your "golden elephants and golden donkeys" .

[prinzowhales]

Since the Associated Press brought it up, when they mentioned "cross hairs" at the beginning of their snow job..just whose blond hairs were found inside Vince Foster''s jockey shorts when his body was found dumped in Fort Marcy Park, Hillary?

[seven-pesos]

not one southern state will vote for hillary.

the south prefers upstanding, christian , faith professing republicans

and top notch leadership like george bush, jr.

the south would like to find another prez like george bush. jr.

the southern states are considering drafting rush limbaugh to be the republican candidate.

he has all the qualifications...

fat, bigoted, republican, christian, drug user, demogogue.

oh well, that''s the south for you, folks!

[jonesforch]

Man I can not wait for you all to complain about the next resident!

[ozonmojo]

Hillary is the best among all the Democratic and Republican candidates.She is pragmatic and not slick like Obama and Edwards who got an easy solution to every problem in the world.If elected, Obama, for example, will be Carter ,the Second.To clean up the terrible mess in Iraq America needs somebody tough,realistic, and deliberately cynical like Hillary.God bless America and Hillary Clinton.

[tylenol6]

Hitlery is SCUM.....If you idiots vote for Hitlery, you
will get more of the same *** Bush is dishing out. Don''t be stupid!!!! Clinton and Bush are in cahoots together. Do some research and you will find out....Anyway you would have to be crazy to have more
of the Bush/Clinton dynasty. Vote Ron Paul.......

[cfin5]

Looking to the left, I find Wes Clark''s backing of Mrs. Clinton a bit perplexing. Richardson would have been the one that I would have guessed to get his backing. Dem''s seem to be in the same boat the rep''s are in right now........no body I know trusts any of them except Ron Paul. He''s got the best voting record to prove he''s no flip''flopper!

[radiob-2009]

Posted by cfin5
Look at Ron Paul''s voting record on labor.

[mestsal]

It was so hilarious when Edwards was crying it''''s my plan, it''s my plan Hillary stold from me that i stold from her ''93 health plan. i thought he was going to jump up and down throwing a tantrum like a spoiled brat. Edward''s wife is annoying as well. I am from the South that is a loyal Clintonian and proud of it that will vote for Hillary Clinton!
This Administration along with the Republican party lied to the American people and the world of the war in Iraq and Hispanics are the largest minority group dying in Iraq. While Hispanics are dying in this illegal war, Republicans that put them there, refused to show up in the univision debate for Hispanic issues. African-American are getting the cold shoulder as well. What a statemet from a bunch bigots that refuse to acknowledge minorities.
Lastly, The Elite and the Republican Benedict Arnolds of America gave Communist China our country for greed and profit. China is poisoning our children for American Corporate companies runned by Republicans. The TAX cuts was giving to the Elite to create new jobs and not to create new jobs in China. Now all the jobs lost like manufacturing, customer service, and food processing that are poisoned. The purpose of Bush''s Tax cuts on the rich was to create jobs not to loose jobs to other countries. Guess what Republicans, your giving China economic power by your sinful greed to profit and who cares what happens to the middle class

[cfin5]

Come to think of it. Most folks I know are Dem''s, but not extremists. Just good ''ole fashioned Americans that don''t have any pining for anything else but being Americans and proud of it too. Same goes for the rep''s that I know. Not neocons at all, even though they catch heck for it by what a few on this site post everyday. The Constitution is central and fundamental in this country and that makes Ron Paul the most qualified "CENTRIST" American for President that I''ve seen for a long time. In fact, it was some "blue collar dem''s" that pointed out Ron Paul''s credentials to me. He is the best man to protect the unions, our infrastucture, you name it. Neocon''s pet NAFTA sure has NOT!.....Ron Paul, the unsocialist in ''08!

[mestsal]

Ron Paul is another bigot that refuses to acknowledge the Native-Americans, Hispanics, and African-American. Ron Paul voted "no" for a Native_americans. I won''t vote for him and that''s because his from Texas like myself. I was never dumb enough to vote for a liar. Like Anne Richards, a true Texan said," george Bush was born with a silver spoon in his mouth." I never voted for him as governor. The only reason Bush won because the Republican party illegally did a redistricting to give them leverage and unfortunately were no longer a democratic state.

[cfin5]

mestsal,....Do you mean that he would not give special status to them?--------radiob,......Where can I find your information?

[kaliveotin]

Insurance companies, pharmacutical companies and DOCTORS, and LAYWERS are selfish and greedy obsticles to good health care in America. If they all gave just a bit, we could get this done.

[cfin5]

Kaliveotin,.....Good point! That reminds me of something I thought of awhile back in that if a doctor is gonna cut on me, I want his college GPA posted right on his white coat 24/7/365! Man, wouldn''t that rule would stop the sqrewin'' around in college from here on out or what?

[madmax87820]

I wish everyone who is registered to vote would TRULY research every candidate running, on both sides, Ron Paul is the only candidate that will truly stand for the american people, I know this hurts, but do your research and consider becoming a Republican to support this great Patriot to become our next President, (we can all come back to the Democrat side when we get this job done), please, do your research before you kill my vote

[dutchfarmer]

The media''s darlings are Clinton and Giuliani. The media lacks objectivity. Ron Paul is the ONLY sane choice for President 2008.

[kaliveotin]

I admire your effort, but you can give up on Ron Paul. Hes a right wing religious Zelot against the war. Who is his constituancy. Last time I looked the right wing religious types weretrongly behond the war and supportive of our torture policy. His anti-war stance is admirable but he''s extreemly anti-american with his oppressive morality position on a woman''s right to choose. Almost everybody dislikes him for a different reason. He''s a right wing republican religious zelot who has angered the right wing and left wing. Furthermore no moderate would ever support him. GIVE UP ON RON PAUL as a presidential hopefull.

[cfin5]

Kalivontin,.......I think you need to go sleep it off before you post anything else tonight.

[actornaught]

Too early to give up on anybody, really. You have to realize that not too long before November 1992, Bill Clinton was third in all the polls, behind Ross Perot and GHWBush. Then Perot did his little freakout thing, and Bill was voted in just to get rid of bush.

Probability is way against Ron Paul, but ya never know...

[ramos937]

My candidate is Richardson. But, I can fully understand the potshots at Hilliary. She is the front runner. If Obama was the front runner, the same folks would ignore Hilliary and take potshots at Obama. But, I sincerely feel pity for those who make up lies, half truths and rumors about her.

[radiob-2009]

Cfin5


Ron Pauls voting record can be found here.

http://votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=296

Scroll down to find out how he voted on every issue.

[mistered9]

Democrats taking aim at Hillary Clinton made us make up our mind, we will vote for her.
If there that afraid of her, she must be the best choice.

[mistered9]

Go to it Democrats. You make Clinton a better choice.
You should spend your time building yoursef up not trying to distry the opposition,
What jerks.

[realpatriot1]

ramos937,

I agree that a great deal of the shots at her are because she''s the frontrunner and also because many republicans resent the successes of her husband at delivering on promises they made but never delivered on themselves.

At the same time, she brings much of it on herself.

I just finished listening to her explain to George Stephanopolous why she voted against the Levin amendment to require Bush to wait for the U.N. to finish its work before authorizing war against Iraq.

She tried to compare it to her husband building a coalition against Serbia which was an entirely different circumstance, given the fact that her husband wasn''t threatening to go it alone.

She claims that she would never have granted Bush authority if she knew how he would use it. EVERYONE KNEW HOW HE WOULD USE THE AUTHORITY!! He said how he was going to use it! Her husband was more believable when he said he didn''t have *** with that woman!

She''s 100% politician.

[radiob-2009]

If (what if) Hillary wins the democratic nomination the democrats will lose the presidential election.
So who will be the republican lapdog?

[sftodd]

b48151 -- I have question for you: Is it now mandatory that you be a pedophile or engage in bathroom *** to be a Republican? Or, is it still okay for anyone to be Republican, provided your IQ is less than 10? Just curious.

[starleo146]

I watched her on every news program this morning and I have not made up my mind yet which democrat I will vote for, But I have to say the news Questions to her are so biased they tried everything to have her slip up but I have to say she is very intelligent and has the media down. She looked very presidential today and I have to look into paying more attention to what she is saying I also think the republicans have been planning for this a long time and it will not be easy for her I see more Clinton attacks, attacks but she is tough I will give her that.No democrat elected could be as bad as bush and friends

[starleo146]

Rudy may look better in a dress, but Hillary can out-debate him on any subject. Looking forward to that.

Posted by SFTodd at 06:48 PM : Sep 22, 2007

Why do they possibly think Giuliai could beat Hillary in a debate I just do not see it . I see Rudy as a complete dimwit although he was a lawyer but that fake smile I just want to slap his face and those calls to his wife all planned she is a dimwit just like him.

[klingon69]

Guess what Republicans, your giving China economic power by your sinful greed to profit and who cares what happens to the middle class
Posted by mestsal at 11:02 PM : Sep 22, 2007
Ahh, but who gave China favored nations status for trade???
That''s right, Bill Clinton

[klingon69]

b48151 -- I have question for you: Is it now mandatory that you be a pedophile or engage in bathroom *** to be a Republican? Or, is it still okay for anyone to be Republican, provided your IQ is less than 10? Just curious.
Posted by SFTodd at 02:13 PM : Sep 23, 2007
Then you must be qualified on all points.

[prinzowhales]

"Cattle Futures" Clinton vs. the "Cross-Dressing Mafiosi"...sounds like it would be quite a match...all we need is a big tub of mud, some German shepards and a burro...These two couldn''t be running for the presidency...what kind of cretins would support them?...this is a joke, right? Please, tell me it is a joke...

[getloud1]

Ron Paul has it all.

**** TAKE AMERICA BACK ****
**** STOP THE WAR & Corporate Corruption****

Ron Paul has it all.

He has NEVER voted:
* to raise taxes
* for an unbalanced budget
* to raise congressional pay
* for a federal restriction on gun ownership
* to increase the power of the executive branch

He HAS voted:
* against the Iraq war
* against the inappropriately named USA PATRIOT act
* against regulating the internet
* against the Military Commissions Act

He will eliminate the IRS, Wasteful Government Spending & Stop The Iraq War Immediately!

Most importantly, he voted NO on anything in Congress that is not allowed by the Constitution.

He is the only candidate not a member of the CFR!

Shouldn''''t ALL members of Congress uphold the Constitution? Aren''''t they SWORN to uphold it? You can bet Paul won''''t call the Constitution "just a G**D***ed piece of paper" like George Bush is reported to have.

If you want a candidate you can TRUST due to a proven track record, visit ronpaul2008.com and get busy spreading the word. The Mainstream Media is Blacking Out Ron Paul From Exposing The Truth! He has won 6 straw polls already and growing daily!

Ron Paul Revolution: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ron+paul

Get Active Join The Revolution In Your City Today! http://ronpaul.meetup.com/cities/

Also checkout http://video.google.com search for Federal Reserve Fraud