Democrats Regroup To Take On Clinton

Washington Post: Obama, Edwards Adopt More Partisan Approach Ahead Of Debate Tonight In Las Vegas

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Alec MacGillis and Perry Bacon Jr..

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Sen. Barack Obama began his campaign with calls for a less divisive kind of politics, but now he sounds a more partisan tone. John Edwards, after building a campaign in part around ending poverty, has begun to lacerate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as the perpetuator of a corrupt status quo in Washington.

As Clinton (N.Y.), the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, seeks to solidify her position atop the race, her main rivals are reshaping the arguments for their candidacies and sparking a broader debate about the future of their party.

The shift has been most noticeable for Obama. While still talking about the need for bipartisan consensus, he is putting himself forward as a forceful standard-bearer for Democrats and is suggesting that Clinton is too defensive at a time when the party's prospects are on the rise.

"I'm so sick and tired of the Democratic Party being scared with what the Republicans are going to do. And so we end up trying to act and couch what we say to make sure that we're seen as tough, not vulnerable to all the Swift-boating," Obama (Ill.) told voters last week in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He added: "I'm not afraid of these folks."

Edwards, meanwhile, is going further than before in casting his candidacy in opposition to a Washington he says Clinton personifies. On a recent swing through Iowa, the former senator from North Carolina did not mention the word "poverty" in several speeches, but he listed the industries from which Clinton had taken more money than any other candidate in either party.

With Democrats heading into another debate tonight in Las Vegas, the race is more fluid than it has been in months. Clinton encountered her first string of perceived stumbles on the trail, starting with her rivals' assertions that hedged answers in their Oct. 30 debate in Philadelphia suggested a lack of forthrightness. This was followed by negative reviews of her campaign's complaints about "piling on" at the debate, reports that aides had planted questions at an Iowa event, and widespread praise for Obama's speech at a party fundraiser in Des Moines on Saturday.

Clinton's campaign dismisses the Obama team's talk of a narrowing race. "His rhetoric may no longer be hopeful, but it sounds like his campaign still is," Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said.

For the past several months, Clinton has hewn to a front-runner's strategy, rarely engaging her challengers directly and instead focusing her attacks on Republicans. The closest she has come to taking on Obama has been to stress her own experience -- drawing attention to his brief tenure in Washington -- and to upbraid rivals for attacking fellow Democrats.

But in recent days, the Clinton team has engaged more seriously in a back-and-forth with rivals. Earlier this week, after Edwards ran an advertisement asserting he would take away the health care of members of Congress if they do not agree to a universal-coverage proposal, Clinton aides sharpy criticized him, noting that the president has no such authority. Looking ahead to tonight's debate, Wolfson said, "We expect that our opponents will attack Senator Clinton, and we're prepared for it."

Obama's campaign is preparing for more direct engagement. "I'm sure the computers are whizzing over there. I just don't know what they will spit out," said David Axelrod, Obama's chief strategist. "I heard her say Saturday night that Democrats should not attack Democrats, and I'm sure she'll adhere to that. I'm sure that it has more than a five-day half-life."

The shifts in message by Clinton's rivals may reflect that they gained only so much traction with earlier themes. Early in the race, Edwards cast himself as a liberal alternative to Clinton with his focus on universal health care and poverty, but that was complicated when she introduced similar proposals. Through much of the summer, Obama centered his candidacy around his initial opposition to the Iraq war, for which Clinton and Edwards originally voted. But the Obama campaign's research showed while voters thought well of his early opposition, they also bought Clinton's argument that President Bush had misled Democrats into war.

Now Edwards is zeroing in much more on special interests. "Senator Clinton was talking about China and she said, 'Our problem with China is they have all this American debt. It's hard to be tough on your banker,' " Edwards told a crowd in Charles City, Iowa, last week. "Senator Clinton has raises more money from the health-care industry than any Democratic or Republican presidential candidate. I agree with her: It's tough to take on your banker."

Obama has spent much of this year talking about a "new kind of politics" and "politics of hope" that could transform Washington by transcending old divisions. The message holds obvious appeal, but faces a challenge of timing -- many Democrats believe that the problems of the past seven years stem less from a faulty political system than from mistakes made by Bush and other GOP leaders. Clinton, by contrast, has offered a more pragmatic appeal: to restore Democratic control and competent leadership to the White House.

Now Obama is offering sharper swipes at Republicans and casting himself more explicitly as the best person to carry his party's standard. He is also stressing more traditional pocketbook issues, such as high gas prices, in trying to connect with voters who aides say are less interested in rhetoric about reforming politics.

Obama's new theme surfaced in the last debate, in which he criticized Clinton for being too cautious in addressing Social Security. "This is part of the politics that we have been playing, which is to try to muddle through, give convoluted answers. Ultimately, we then don't have a mandate and we can't bring about change, in part because we're afraid to give Republicans talking points," he said. "I'm not fearful . . . to have a debate about this with Rudy Giuliani because we've got the facts on our side."

He expanded on this in a speech in Spartanburg, S.C., on Nov. 3, and again at the Des Moines fundraiser. "Not answering qustions because we're afraid our answers won't be popular just won't do it," he said there. "Triangulating and poll-driven positions because we're worried about what Mitt or Rudy might say about us just won't do it. If we are really serious about winning this election, Democrats, then we can't live in fear of losing."

He added: "I am sick and tired of Democrats thinking the only way to look tough on national security is by talking and acting and voting like George Bush Republicans."

Kenneth Baer, a former speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore who has not chosen sides in the Democratic race, said the feistier tone will help Obama, although he disagrees with the senator's critique of the Clinton administration as "poll-driven."

"It's good for him, because a lot of Democrats are wondering if he had a fight in him, if he was a little too laid-back, a little too conciliatory," Baer said. "He's trying to be the candidate of the future and the left; that's a winning place to be in the Democratic primary."

As the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses near, Edwards and Obama are also eyeing each other, gauging how much to attack one other as they jockey in Clinton's shadow. Joe Trippi, a top adviser to the Edwards campaign, questioned Obama's more partisan message. Trippi said that the senator is simply following Edwards's more aggressive lead, and that he doubts Obama can offer himself both as a fighter for the party's cause and as a unifier. "It's hard to move from an 'I can bring people together' consensus-builder to all of a sudden saying you're going to be this partisan lightning rod," he said.

Axelrod countered that Obama's emphasis on fighting for the party is not new. "This election has always been about who can rally the country around a progressive agenda, and it still is," he said. "What we're debating here is what direction the party should go. Do we fight for our principles . . . or do we calculate shifts on the ground according to political conditions?"

He also disputed the notion that Obama cannot be both a fighter for Democratic values and a post-partisan unifier. "They are compatible," he said. "Independent voters and disaffected Republican voters will give you a fair hearing if they don't think they're going to get a bait-and-switch. They want to know where you stand."

[hopeloreid]

Would you buy a used car from any of those three stooges and gutless wonders in that photo?

Well, maybe a brain dead Left Fascist bozo sipping at the champipple would.

[forthepeopl1]

The Democratic bill lacks one key feature President Bush is insisting on: legal immunity for telecommunications companies alleged to have secretly helped the government monitor Americans'' phone calls and e-mails without court permission. About 40 civil lawsuits have been filed against telecom companies, alleging they broke wiretapping and privacy laws, and the White House has threatened to veto any surveillance bill that does not protect the companies. The White House contends lawsuits could bankrupt the companies and reveal classified information.

THIS IS AMERICA, BUSH IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN, WE THE PEOPLE OF THIS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, YOUR BOSS HAVE SAID YOU CANT SAVE YOUR BUDDIES IN THE LARGE WORLD OF CORPS. THEY GO BANKURP OH WELL YOU ARE LETTING MILLIONS OF AMERICANS FILE BANKRUPEY.

[mcvett]

Hillary being verbally attacked is NO DIFFERENT than any other person
running for president being verbally attacked.

It''s called equal rights and equal TREATMENT.

Get used to it...welcome to politics.

AND she''s not disclosing political documents until 2009, AFTER the election ???
Conveeeenient.
What does she have to hide??

Can you imagine the outcry from the NeoCommies if a Republican did that!!!

ROTFLMAO
Seig Heil, Hillary

.

[mcvett]

Hillary being verbally attacked is NO DIFFERENT than any other person
running for president being verbally attacked.

It''s called equal rights and equal TREATMENT.

Get used to it...welcome to politics.

AND she''s not disclosing political documents until 2009, AFTER the election ???
Conveeeenient.
What does she have to hide??

Can you imagine the outcry from the NeoCommies if a Republican did that!!!

ROTFLMAO
Seig Heil, Hillary

.

[mbcsmith]

ABC is reporting that many of the crooks Billdo pardoned in the waning hours of his failed Presidency are contributing maximum amounts to Hilldog. More corruption from the Clintoons.

[jack3213]

For those who watch the debate tonite and are serious about Politics, I look forward to reading reactions tomorrow. For those who do not watch and have comments please keep them to yourself. It isn''t any differant than not voting and then having an opinion after the fact. It is do or die for Mrs Clinton. I can''t wait! If I had to bet odds i would say she will not do so well.

[mike71067]

From the Examiner: "On Tuesday, a top aide to Hillary Clinton indirectly warned moderator Wolf Blitzer not to be too hard on her in Thursday%u2019s debate."

http://www.examiner.com/a-1049622~Clinton_looks_to_rebound_in_debate.html


Oh yes, she''s certainly presidential material - no doubt. The Democrats are in real trouble. How are they going to shove their socialist agenda down our throats with this "leader"?

[awbsdad]

Hillary is scared of her opponents!!! Wow, what would she do if elected and had to face a real crisis? Send billy??? And what experience do she have? Not a lot. She is banking on her time as First Woman...a thief ...and power hungry person. IF she had not been married to Billy Willy, would she have run? Probably not...she would be an unknown. Talk about riding someone''s coattails. Maybe she needs to check what is ON those coattails before hanging on. Monice may have been there first.

[homespunlady]

Welcome to the "Lord of the Flies" island.

BOTH party''s spotlighted candidates are sliding into the "dirty tricks" everyone for themselves arena.

This isn''t Political Responsibility. It''s WWF in suits and makeup.

PLEASE!! The off the wall comic relief might break up the boredom of listening to scripted "party lines" but can we have something REAL - like a GOOD DESCRIPTION of HOW these people intend to RESPONSIBLY handle their possible future office??

All I''ve seen for way too many years is an IRRESPONSIBLE government headed for National Bankruptcy and International Irrelevance after that.

It''d be nice to see at least ONE of the group act as a responsible, intelligent, independent of lobbyist influence, clear thinking ADULT.

[hillaryin08]

Hey Liberals, helllo, I hate to be the one to tell you but Bush is not running for President!

[scartercmu]

I think Hillary is going to give them the 1, 2 knockout! Secondly, for all the dumbasses who are talking about experience, look at John Edwards (only been a US Senator once) and Barack Obama (still in his first term as Senator!) So cut that *** out! As far as the records go, the clinton library can''t release those papers until 2012! Even Bill has released more papers than any other President! they have 3 million papers to document, so don''t say what you don''t know! So please remember that MCvett!

[jamespapa-2009]

All Muslims should vote for Osama. He is the only Muslim candidate. We have a duty towards our brothers in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, etc. If we support him, then things will become better for Muslims in America, Iraq, Iran and elsewhere. Clinton is a Christian and she will not look after our interests.

Barack Osama Hussein ''08!

[gangesdak]

She will be just fine. Nobody would have to defend her. Newt said he admired her tenacity during those adversarial days. So, relax, and watch the rest of the pack melting down.

[mcvett]

Hillary being verbally attacked is NO DIFFERENT than any other person
running for president being verbally attacked.

It''s called equal rights and equal TREATMENT.

Get used to it...welcome to politics.

AND she''s not disclosing political documents until 2009, AFTER the election ???
Conveeeenient.
What does she have to hide??
They can be released at any time she wants

Can you imagine the outcry from the NeoCommies if a Republican did that!!!

ROTFLMAO
Seig Heil, Hillary

.

[hillaryin08]

yea, stop picking on hillary! and you republicans stop tricking her! hitting a woman below the overies is unfair!

[prinzowhales]

Hillary is already getting Rupert Murdoch support... she''s getting Wall Street backing--particularly from the War Pig industries. It is no wonder that she is the darling of the Neo-Cons, the Israel-firsters and Big Government Fascists...who are scurrying from the floundering Bush Administration like rats from a sinking ship.

If you support the war, Hillary is one of many mainstream candidates you can support.

[forthepeopl1]

clinton helped make it law( why) lets ask her (WHY)

TO ALL AMERICA YES, CONGRESS HAS AGAIN SLAP AMERICANS RIGHT IN THE FACE WITH THIS, PLEASE DONT BELEIVE ME THAN GO AND READ THE LAW BUSH SIGN INTO LAW. ITS CALL THE MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT 2006, AND HIDDEN IN FINE PRINT CONGRESS HAS GIVEN THEMSELFS AND ANYONE WORKING IN THE GOVERNEMNT IMMUNEITY ON ANY THING THAT HAS HAPPEN IN THE WAKE OF THE WAR,OR ANYTHING ELSE THEY CAN FIND. THIS IS THE BEST PART, THEY BACK DATED IT TO ( 1997) why????? why would they need to back date this all the way before 2001???? because they have been ease dropping on america way back then...think about it america, and you better think about this, cheney/bush/rumsfeld/rove/rice started this war on all lies on top of lies, and remember 18 out of 19 involved in 2001 was saudi araibans you know the king and bush hold hands walking in the woods??? and this is why bush said he doesn''''t care about finding bin laddan because bin is part of the royal family that bush loves.. so if you look at the hole law, hillary help get it into law, why why why sounds funning because her husband bill was president at that time in 1997..so what are they all hideing in washington??????????????? david a belanger,veteran,us army, 978-618-3105,[e-mail] so how can americans fight this,and get this change????

[one_american]

Here is a grim milestone:

Islamic terrorists have carried out more than 9,995 deadly terror attacks since 9/11.

Get serious, Democrats.

http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

The Democrats, if they really want to win the elections in 2008, I think should really focus on a break from the old way of doing things. Pelosi proved to the american people that she was old school when she started out her tenure in the house with "Impeachment is not on the Table". This was not what the American people voted for in 2006. Even if it cleared the Bush administration of wrong doing, it would of at least given the American public the chance to see if things were correct. Voting in Clinton as president is just a vote for the old school motto of "The American public is so stupid they can not be trusted to do the right thing". Yet, If Obama and Edwards do not offer something new and point out that a vote for Clinton is just a vote for the status quo, then Politics will not change, nor will our government.

[kiwi_chick]

News Alert, News Alert, News Alert!!!

Hilary, John, Barack, Bill, Mitt, John McC, Fred, Rudy...they are ALL the same. Different colored coats, same underwear. They will take money from whichever corporation gives it to them. NONE of them are innocent and they will sell their vote to the highest bidder. Get real, politicians - blue or red - care only about one thing---staying in power...and you and me don''t have the money that lets them do that.

[vastr-wcon]

.
Alec MacGillis and Perry Bacon Jr., the authors of this biased article, are just another of the many men that are attacking our beloved Hilary just because she is a woman - God''s preferred ***.

Stop it you meanies.

So what if she is double-talking and two-faced and has a platform that consists of: Show-Me-The-Money, Say-Whatever-They-Want-To-Hear, Continue-The-Neocon-Wars, Sell-The-Lincoln-Bedroom, and I-Want-A-New-Pair-Of-Hsu''s. So what if there are no depths of depravity to which this moneywhor''e won''t go, including staging questions at public events. So what if she is Bush-Lite on the neocon wars and many other critical issues. So what is she is an advocate for the most un-American piece of legislation ever enacted, the so-called "Patriot" Act, which shows clearly that she will be as lawless, secretive and anti Bill of Rights as DickNBush.

She is woman - let her roar!

.

[marcodele]

There''s not one Democrat running for President who wouldn''t be a vast improvement over what we have now and also over every Republican now running for President.

[mbcsmith]

ABC is reporting that many of the crooks Billdo pardoned in the waning hours of his failed Presidency are contributing maximum amounts to Hilldog. More corruption from the Clintoons

[denn034]

A doomed effort with the likes of former President Bill Clinton behind Hillary.

[adventurepa]

From above:
"take away the health care of members of Congress if they do not agree to a universal-coverage proposal."

They don''t worry or care because they are completely covered. Politics as usual.

Obama and Edwards need to be more specific in what they will do for the American People and the US.

From above:
Obama has spent much of this year talking about a "new kind of politics "and "politics of hope" that could transform Washington by transcending old divisions.

The proof is in the pudding B-man!
Please speak about specifics. Site a few examples or your talk is just that!

As for the republicans. A great retourt to anything they say is just to name a few of the hundred scandels and asking what they have done to prevent them. The answer is nothing!

Hillary will become the nominee if America believes she is the best at taking on the Republicans bag of dirty tricks.

[pepperp1]

Well yes, more of the Clinton same would be refreshing, when President Clinton was in office our country was prosperous, our middle class and the rich all grew, we were not drowning in debt and the graft like we have with the Bush Inc neo con sect of the criminal Republican Party and there favored donor companies like Black water, the Iraq 2 Trillion swamp, tens of thousands of innocents killed, the pitiful dollar, unregulated predatory republican financial pets and economic elitist are their run away stealing and spending a 50 percent increase and on and on. Frankly that Bill got a blower never was a issue I should have or wanted to know still don%u2019t but trust me compared to the Creep in Chief Bush and his party Bill Clinton is a saint.




There is no doubt that Senator Clinton will wipe the floor with these the two losers Obama and Edwards.

And the hype from the wacko right and their WWW political punditry that brought you this current corrupt regime, absolute noise Hillary is absolutely electable and they will not sway a informed engaged electorate which we have now. Senator Clinton is the best bet to restore integrity, intellect and competence to the office of President and BLOW OFF the BUSH STINK.

[ozonmojo]

This is not going to help Obama and Edwards.On the contrary it will damage their image as candidates trying to usher in something new and honest.

[hillaryin08]

Thats right, the republicans keep tricking me! Everyone keeps tricking me! why? I dont like to be tricked!

Dont taze me bro!

[trueprogress]

How dare they again plan to gang up on our candidate ? Is this fair ? I am offended.

[abdoul_pasha]

Goodevening everybody

[abdoul_pasha]

I wish the good candidate a victory!

[johnny343sc]

This just in:

"Democrats regroup for attack on themselves..."

So what else is new?

Hitlery for prez. Four more years of confusion!

;)

[victjuli]

I have no experience, I''m a liar, flip-flopper, waffler, but I''m a celebrity female democrat.
Vote for me!

[gunownerdan]

We all need to be asking ourselves one question.
Why did Bill Clinton and George W. Bush allow terrorists to murder 3,000 innocent civilians on 9/11/2001????????????????????????

[victjuli]

That''s the American way, don''t blame the terrorists, blame somebody else.

[mbcsmith]

Please LIBS. Send Hilldog to the general election. She is the best hope for a Republican victory.

[victjuli]

She''ll do fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whoop de do!!!!!!!!!!!
You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[abdoul_pasha]

My son made his birthday party today and many of the rooms are in awful condition

[gunownerdan]

The Clintons are both members of the CFR(Council on Foreign Relations) just like Bush, Cheney, Obama, Giuliani, Edwards, Romney, Biden, McCain, Richardson, and Thompson to name a few.
The CFR has hijacked the foreign policy of both parties and their main goal is to destroy American sovereignty and our constitution leading to the formation of a North American Union with Canada and Mexico.
Dr. Ron Paul is NOT a member of the CFR and he is the only anti-war and pro-liberty candidate running for president.
ronpaul2008.com

[mcvet]

Please LIBS. Send Hilldog to the general election. She is the best hope for a Republican victory.


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Posted by mbcsmith at 03:18 PM : Nov 15, 2007
+ report abuse

LOL Anyone who scares You Nazi''s this bad can''t be wrong. LOL Relax swastika breath you''ll be just fine... You clowns can''t beat the Clinton''s and you know it, especially with the group you are putting up against her. Time to make HISTORY America!!!

[mcvet]

I have no experience, I''''m a liar, flip-flopper, waffler, but I''''m a celebrity female democrat.
Vote for me!


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Posted by victjuli at 03:06 PM : Nov 15, 2007
+ report abuse

Are you people unstable or what? You''ve been trying this attack against her for how long now... The American People KNOW her so this kind of garbage just isn''t going to work. Better get ready Sparky... we''re going to make HISTORY!! Sieg Heil Bush!!

[mcvet]

We all need to be asking ourselves one question.
Why did Bill Clinton and George W. Bush allow terrorists to murder 3,000 innocent civilians on 9/11/2001????????????????????????


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Posted by gunownerdan at 03:13 PM : Nov 15, 2007
+ report abuse

What are you babbling about. If you''re going to attack someone for what happened on THEIR watch be accurate. When the WTC was attacked on Clinton''s watch HE tracked the people responsible DOWN... THEY are in JAIL. Now Bush? Well that''s another case indeed. Despite warnings, despite the facts, he laid down on the job. Time to make history Sparky!! Sieg Heil Bush!!

[mbcsmith]

Posted by MCVet at 03:31 PM : Nov 15, 2007

This a$$hole must have taken one in the head from a national guard rifle at Kent State. ************.

[abdoul_pasha]

Oh my God, how many fascists in one place!

[questionnews]

Hillery is going to take a beating by the other Dems for the NY drivers license fiasco for quite awhile. I showed a real lack of conviction that the other Dems will undoubtedly take advantage of. Similar to Kerry''s "I was for the war before I was against it." Kerry paid big time for that one and Hillery suffer similarly.

[mike71067]

As much as I love watch Hillary single-handedly destroying her own campaign, it worries me. As a Republican, Hillary is the best chance we have of electing a GOP president in 2008.

Please Hillary, don''t muff it up.

[one_american]

Tonight the Democrats play whack-a-mole on each other.

Let''s give them all basball bats, and a batting glove so they don''t lose their grip.

[gunownerdan]

Hitlery is just another warmongering corporate prostitute.

[abdoul_pasha]

I think that Bush is a political prostitute.

[pepperp1]

The Breck Boy and the I would voted different then Her If I would have shown up to vote at all trust me guy, are not a threat or even worthy adversaries for Senator Clinton and I for one hope she doesn%u2019t engage in the WWW Smack Down in Vegas brawl that Blitzer, Matthews and Russert want and their ludicrous claim that they as TV personalities offer a legitimate forum for political discourse, that sorry assaults my reason. These forums should be conducted by capable political and policy wonks not this crowd of failed TV personalities that if you recall supported and handballed the country right into the current Goof in Chief. The Utube debate at least had voter question and you notice not one wanted to know what the losing Breck Boy, or the If I Would have Voted at all Guy personally though of Senator Clinton nor did they care. I do not question Senators Clinton honesty at all, nor her passion to restore integrity ethics, intellect and competence to the office of President and let us all remember she has had the most extensive, exhaustive and expensive Back Ground check in the history of the world and it was conducted by rabid foaming mouth partisan and found nothing, nothing nada nothing is her entire life that she had done wrong.



I will support Senator Clinton for her integrity and competence despite her being a Democrat hanging out with this untalented crowd.