Clinton Team Retools Strategy In N.H.

Politico: After Iowa Caucuses, Former First Lady To Target Barack Obama Over Experience

(The Politico)  This story was written by Ben Smith, Jim VandeHei, and Mike Allen.

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Hillary Rodham Clinton plans to target what her campaign calls Barack Obama’s inexperience over the next five days in New Hampshire and deliver much sharper - and likely much more personal and negative - attacks against the Iowa winner, according to Democrats familiar with the evolving strategy.

Clinton is recalibrating her campaign message, the latest in what has been a month-long process of shifting slogans and strategies aimed at slowing an ascendant Obama. This won’t be easy. The so-called contrast strategy carries clear risk - it could make her look desperate or turn off voters tired of conventional political tactics.

“We really have a full month to Feb. 5,” Clinton’s chief strategist, Mark Penn, said of the so-called Super Tuesday primaries. “We’re going to see a race where [voters] will really start to focus in on the choices they have.”

“President Clinton lost five states before he won a single state in his quest for the nomination,” Penn said. “We’re very competitive in New Hampshire - let’s get there, let’s have a debate, let’s see the choices.”

Clinton has tons of cash and experience, but it’s not entirely clear how much that will matter. Iowa was a big setback for the senator from New York in ways that are only becoming obvious as strategists sift through the detailed polling results and final numbers.

Her experience argument clearly failed to excite Democratic voters. She lost badly among young voters and newcomers, and even lost women. Remember all those Penn memos explaining how Clinton would bring so many new female voters into the process and prosper? There were certainly more women - just not women for Hillary Clinton.

A much bigger concern for Clinton is the overall Obama performance. The Illinois senator proved he could craft an attractive and consistent campaign message with broad appeal, build a political organization that delivers results on the ground and capture the imagination of voters who feed off each other - college-age kids and disillusioned independents.

Penn disputed the early impression that Obama rode to victory on a wave of new independent and Republican caucus-goers, arguing instead that Obama benefited from a surge in younger voters.

“It’s not true that this was a movement of independents,” he said, pointing - accurately - to exit polling showing that the share of independent voters had held steady at 20 percent, the same as 2004. That is true, but it was 20 percent of a much bigger pool because turnout was through the roof for Democrats.

Meanwhile, Clinton and Obama think John Edwards is a dead man walking. That is the consensus view of Democratic strategists interviewed. So it is a two-person race in their minds.

Obama expects Clinton to attack and attack viciously. His advisers are bracing for a flurry of ads questioning his ability to lead in a time of great unease, both at home and overseas. The Clintons want this badly and playing nice won’t get them there. It is safe to assume the race will get nastier.

Robert Zimmerman, a Democratic national committeeman and major Clinton supporter from Long Island, echoed what many in the Clinton camp were saying overnight. “Being the underdog will be very liberating,” he said. That is a far cry from the Clinton strategy of proclaiming her the inevitable victor.

Penn, campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe, and press secretary Jay Carson described in a rolling series of interviews aboard Clinton’s chartered jet a campaign that Carson said would draw “sharper” contrasts than in the restrained Iowa contest. None of the Clinton aides would describe the form those contrasts would take, but they wouldn’t rule out negative television advertising or more direct criticism of Obama from Clinon, who to this point has barely mentioned his name.

As a central theme, they said they’d continue to stress the gravity of the job, suggesting that Obama lacks the experience necessary to perform it.

“This is an election that is really going to be about the choice that people have between experienced leadership for change, versus leadership less experienced that talks about change,” said Penn.

The Clinton aides also sought to downplay the import of Obama’s Iowa victory. Carson compared the universe of Iowa voters to the population of his native Macon, Ga.

Clinton and her husband plan a series of events in New Hampshire Saturday, and none of her aides suggested they’d write off the state.

“We’re going to win New Hampshire,” said McAuliffe.

[gunownerdan]

Hitlery says she''s got experience, Obama says he''s got change.
I want both so I will support Dr. Ron Paul!

[lorinkundert]

Pay attention to Hillary''s answers wherever she goes, you will notice that when she isn''t bashing someone else she is contradicting herself.

[bobmarisol]

Hillary likes to say she has experience, but can anybody say even one thing she has ever accomplished? Even she doesn''t claim that she has ever accomplished anything!

Hillary says stuff like ''I have fought for this cause for 35 years'' -- but she never says anything like ''I got this legislation passed and these are the benefits America has derived from it''

The fact is, she has just floated around for 35 years and she would not even be considered for President if her last name wasn''t Clinton.

[speakinup]

Oooooooo - I bet there was hell to pay in the Hillary camp. I would not want to be the object of her scorn about now.

Actually, as a Republican, I was hoping she''d be the nominee. I really don''t think she could hold her own when forced to run on her merits.

[rational_1]

This experience that Hillary is always talking about - I don''t see it. She''s got one and a half terms in the Senate in terms of experience over Laura Bush. That''s experience?? Joe Biden has real experience and look where he is today. Hillary''s pulling a real snowjob on anyone who thinks she''s experienced enough to be President.

[infidel_us]

Ole Bill is probably thinking of doing a little ''retooling'' of his own! :)

[johnny343sc]

Thank God Hitler-y lost... get her out-of-the-picture!

Got news... it ain''t her team''s fault, it''s her b.i.t.c.h.y personality and her fat,lecherous husband.

I''m a Republican and I hate to say it, but Obama is a better choice than Hell-ry Klintoon any day...

;)

[sevenveils]

LOL,gunownerdan. Ron Paul comes across like Perot, but he is the only candidate that is telling the public what wants to accomplish as to opposed to slinging mud like Hilary and Romney and their pals. I''d like to see other candidates step up to the plate and offer their plan for office.

Where did Hilary get more experience than Obama other than sleeping with Bill; if she did that during his last 4 years in office or their last 15 years of marriage?

If change is going to happen, maybe Ron Paul can turn this over burdened ship around. On the down side, he is another easterner transplanted in Texas, and Beorge (play with words on the Borg and GW Bush) has soured that field.

[abdoul_pasha]

I can`t understand this politic.

[speakinup]

I hear your message, neoconism. There are lots of things I don''t like about corporate America. Ceo pay disparity, Their golden parachutes, work going abroad, influencing our political leaders, and the list goes on and on....

But, don''t use words like ''fascist'' when describing them. You only make folks disreguard you and your message. That word has been so watered down by those that use it because they hate the object of their attention that it has actual become something that back fires into the user''s face.

Point out the actual things you hate about corporate america. People will relate to that more, and listen more intently.

[bobmarisol]

So....can anybody say even one thing that Hillary has accomplished that made America better? anybody?

[realpatriot1]

Hillary will go negative to try to win because they want it bad. How about wanting what''s best for the country? This strategy has already failed and will only serve to both make her look like a desparate loser and also will further smear their own legacy.

neoconism,

The reason that Richardson, Paul, & Dodd were not front runners is because not enough voters cared to come out and vote for them...get over it!

Besides, I thought you intellectually superior types didn''t need tv to tell you who to support.

[redhoffer]

I heard commentary that the only thing this caucus proved was that an African American male could win an election.
Looking at this board, clearly we proved that a caucasian (or any ethnicity female) will NOT win any presidential election.
So much negative language based on her gender, the USA would never give a female the presidency, at least not any time soon. The Republicans and Christians are willing to look past their concern over the skin color of Obama, but the gender of Clinton is unacceptable to them for a presidential candidate.

[speakinup]

"So....can anybody say even one thing that Hillary has accomplished that made America better? anybody?
Posted by bobmarisol

Uh, she didn''t hold Bill''s hand as they walked to the helicopter after he admitted he lied ? ;-)

[abdoul_pasha]

Why don`t you establish monarchy in the US? Then you will have only parliamentary elections.

[gunownerdan]

If Hitlery wins, we will have a Bush/Clinton monarchy for sure.

[marcodele]

We already have a monarchy. It''s the Bush family oil dynasty and the Saudi Arabians who control our destiny.

[skyk-2009]

Uh, she didn''''t hold Bill''''s hand as they walked to the helicopter after he admitted he lied ? ;-)




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Posted by speakinup at 02:57 PM : Jan 04, 2008
+ report abuse

This from someone who has not just supported but supported with pure hatred the LOSER we have in the White House right now, YOU are the last person on EARTH I''m going to let tell ME who to vote for in the next Election. Sorry, but you folks have pretty much worn out the "Liberals are evil" line. Not only have you and the Neocon''s FAILED this nation, you have failed it badly. It''s time you grew up and explained to you why YOU don''t agree with that statement. Let''s talk about your points and move on!! I''ve had all the division and Wedge Issues I can stand. We have an enemy who want to blow us on on the verge of a Nuke in Pakistan AND our military is in IRAQ. Just what part of FAILURE do you NOT understand????

[abdoul_pasha]

Yes, you have absolute monarchy.

[speakinup]

Oh pa-leese marcodele, let''s NOT go there again.

It''s as entertaining as listening to a 7 year old sing "found a peanut" or "100 bottles of beer on the wall".

[hawksprings]

How funny that Hillary comes in turdd, and she''s the headline on CBS today. They don''t call it the Clinton News Network for nuttin''.

Hillary needs to go home to where ever she says she''s from today, and bake cookies.

Ba-Bye Hillary!!

[marcodele]

Speakinup: I''ll go whereever I want to go. It''s a free country, despite Junior.

[skyk-2009]

So....can anybody say even one thing that Hillary has accomplished that made America better? anybody?


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Posted by bobmarisol at 02:51 PM : Jan 04, 2008
+ report abuse

I know that she TRIED with the Health Plan.... at LEAST she cared enough to TRY! What have the fascist in power now, what did the LEADERS of those fascist do in the 6 years THEY were in power? I know she was a very close advisor to one of our BEST Presidents. She stuck by him when he was beening pursued for things that DID NOT belong in the public... That, when you enemy is within a civil war of a Nuke is PLENTY for me. I know that she and Bill CAN talk to the rest of the world... that''s very important to me right now.... Bin Laden IS recruiting in Europe as we speak.

[skyk-2009]

If Hitlery wins, we will have a Bush/Clinton monarchy for sure.


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Posted by gunownerdan at 03:01 PM : Jan 04, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL That''s a pretty stupid statement taken with the OTHER problem express about her. You people on ONE hand say she''s not qualified because she''s never done anything then you turn around and claim this. If you aren''t American enough to ADMIT we have serious trouble and that She has been very close to that situation before, then you just do not care. I know you folks are scared but no one''s going to take you stupid Gun.

[skyk-2009]

How funny that Hillary comes in turdd, and she''''s the headline on CBS today. They don''''t call it the Clinton News Network for nuttin''''.

Hillary needs to go home to where ever she says she''''s from today, and bake cookies.

Ba-Bye Hillary!!


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Posted by hawksprings at 03:07 PM : Jan 04, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL A supporter of a LOSER like Bush is telling someone else Bye-bye? ROFLMAO Sorry Sparky but YOU ain''t the best judge of human leadership!! ROFLMAO

[hawksprings]

neoconism,
You''re missing the whole point with Hillary.
She''s a liberal at heart, and liberals realize that they can''t get elected President in the United States of America campaigning as a liberal. Americans don''t want a liberal for their president, for good reason.
So thus they PRETEND to be conservative to get elected. Only then do you see their true colours.

[rowdytexan2]

Gear up Hillary and fight to the finish!

It is as frightening as hell to think Obama has the ability to take on all the problems facing this country! We don''t have time to hang around while he trains to be president!

I sure hope Edwards is an also ran. Whatta fake! He could''ve bought groceries for a small family for a week with the funds from just ONE of his haircuts.

Go, fight, win, Hillary!

[hawksprings]

skyk,
The LOSERS are Hillary, Peloozy, and Reed.

The joke''s on you.

[skyk-2009]

Speakinup: I''''ll go whereever I want to go. It''''s a free country, despite Junior.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by marcodele at 03:09 PM : Jan 04, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL Don''t waste your time... LOL This bootlicker has spent 7 years of buying "Stay the course"... all the while our pal Bin Laden has gotten even closer to the Nuke he want''s! Anyone who is THAT big a loser can''t really say much about anyone.

[speakinup]

skyk & neoconism - gee - guess I touched a nerve.

Sorry I pissed you all off. So, why doesn''t anyone ever answer the question that was presented ? Here it is again:

""So....can anybody say even one thing that Hillary has accomplished that made America better? anybody?
Posted by bobmarisol

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by bobmarisol at 02:51 PM : Jan 04, 2008

Go read her record, Sir. She''s sponsored some really good legislation, and a couple of bad ones, just like every other legislator.

If you''d read her record instead of pompasizing, you wouldn''t have to ask.

[tylenol6]

CBS, Queen Hitlery came in 3rd....If it were any other
candidate you wouldn''t be covering it. Enough of Clinton. Half of the country can''t stand her and DO NOT
WANT CLINTONS IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!! GET IT!!!!

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by speakinup at 03:16 PM : Jan 04, 2008

I just answered your question. Had you read up or researched your pompasizing, you wouldn''t have to ask!

[marcodele]

Hillary isn''t my choice, but she''s certainly intelligent and articulate. That kind of thing scares the neocons. They want someone like Bush who sounds like a handicapped fourth grader trying to slur out the star spangled banner. It makes them more comfortable with their own intellect.

[bobmarisol]

I know that she TRIED with the Health Plan.... at LEAST she cared enough to TRY! What have the fascist in power now, what did the LEADERS of those fascist do in the 6 years THEY were in power? I know she was a very close advisor to one of our BEST Presidents. She stuck by him when he was beening pursued for things that DID NOT belong in the public... That, when you enemy is within a civil war of a Nuke is PLENTY for me. I know that she and Bill CAN talk to the rest of the world... that''''s very important to me right now.... Bin Laden IS recruiting in Europe as we speak.
Posted by skyk at 03:10 PM : Jan 04, 2008


Skyk -- do America a favor -- never vote again until you read more and get informed. Someone who ''TRIED'' to accomplish something and failed does not deserve to be President. Thousands of people try things everyday and fail -- what makes someone qualified to be President is their ability to produce RESULTS. You ask what Bush has accomplished in his six years -- here are his RESULTS -- lower taxes, no terror attacks on USA soil since 9/11, over 2/3 of Al Queda leadership killed or captured, 50 million people liberated from oppressive regimes, unemployment at an all-time low, and more. Of course Bush has made mistakes, but his successes well surpass his failures. But Hillary only has failures on her record -- no successes -- thus no right to be President.

[hawksprings]

Rowdy,
Since you are a Hillary fan, and someone who is a fence post in Texas, you should be able to rattle off her record. Not just refer people to go find it and read it.

[abdoul_pasha]

My wife and sister are in alcohol delirium.

[bobmarisol]

I know that she TRIED with the Health Plan.... at LEAST she cared enough to TRY! What have the fascist in power now, what did the LEADERS of those fascist do in the 6 years THEY were in power? I know she was a very close advisor to one of our BEST Presidents. She stuck by him when he was beening pursued for things that DID NOT belong in the public... That, when you enemy is within a civil war of a Nuke is PLENTY for me. I know that she and Bill CAN talk to the rest of the world... that''''s very important to me right now.... Bin Laden IS recruiting in Europe as we speak.
Posted by skyk at 03:10 PM : Jan 04, 2008


Skyk -- do America a favor -- never vote again until you read more and get informed. Someone who ''TRIED'' to accomplish something and failed does not deserve to be President. Thousands of people try things everyday and fail -- what makes someone qualified to be President is their ability to produce RESULTS. You ask what Bush has accomplished in his six years -- here are his RESULTS -- lower taxes, no terror attacks on USA soil since 9/11, over 2/3 of Al Queda leadership killed or captured, 50 million people liberated from oppressive regimes, unemployment at an all-time low, and more. Of course Bush has made mistakes, but his successes well surpass his failures. But Hillary only has failures on her record -- no successes -- thus no right to be President.

[speakinup]

"Speakinup: I''ll go whereever I want to go. It''s a free country, despite Junior. Posted by marcodele

My, we''re full of vim and viger today. Never said you COULDN''T go there, marcodele. I would not do that. I was asking. We''ve seen the same tired arguments a million times.

BTW, true class doesn''t mean you can''t tell someone to go to hell, it just means they should be looking forward to the trip once you are done.

[bobmarisol]

I know that she TRIED with the Health Plan.... at LEAST she cared enough to TRY! What have the fascist in power now, what did the LEADERS of those fascist do in the 6 years THEY were in power? I know she was a very close advisor to one of our BEST Presidents. She stuck by him when he was beening pursued for things that DID NOT belong in the public... That, when you enemy is within a civil war of a Nuke is PLENTY for me. I know that she and Bill CAN talk to the rest of the world... that''''s very important to me right now.... Bin Laden IS recruiting in Europe as we speak.
Posted by skyk at 03:10 PM : Jan 04, 2008


Skyk -- do America a favor -- never vote again until you read more and get informed. Someone who ''TRIED'' to accomplish something and failed does not deserve to be President. Thousands of people try things everyday and fail -- what makes someone qualified to be President is their ability to produce RESULTS. You ask what Bush has accomplished in his six years -- here are his RESULTS -- lower taxes, no terror attacks on USA soil since 9/11, over 2/3 of Al Queda leadership killed or captured, 50 million people liberated from oppressive regimes, unemployment at an all-time low, and more. Of course Bush has made mistakes, but his successes well surpass his failures. But Hillary only has failures on her record -- no successes -- thus no right to be President.

[bobmarisol]

I know that she TRIED with the Health Plan.... at LEAST she cared enough to TRY! What have the fascist in power now, what did the LEADERS of those fascist do in the 6 years THEY were in power? I know she was a very close advisor to one of our BEST Presidents. She stuck by him when he was beening pursued for things that DID NOT belong in the public... That, when you enemy is within a civil war of a Nuke is PLENTY for me. I know that she and Bill CAN talk to the rest of the world... that''''s very important to me right now.... Bin Laden IS recruiting in Europe as we speak.
Posted by skyk at 03:10 PM : Jan 04, 2008


Skyk -- do America a favor -- never vote again until you read more and get informed. Someone who ''TRIED'' to accomplish something and failed does not deserve to be President. Thousands of people try things everyday and fail -- what makes someone qualified to be President is their ability to produce RESULTS. You ask what Bush has accomplished in his six years -- here are his RESULTS -- lower taxes, no terror attacks on USA soil since 9/11, over 2/3 of Al Queda leadership killed or captured, 50 million people liberated from oppressive regimes, unemployment at an all-time low, and more. Of course Bush has made mistakes, but his successes well surpass his failures. But Hillary only has failures on her record -- no successes -- thus no right to be President.

[abdoul_pasha]

My wife and sister are in alcohol delirium.

[buddhabman]

Hillary is capable, but she has huge negative perceptions that will affect her ability to unite and lead this country in these difficult times. Her policies are ok, I wish she would be more forceful about pulling our troops out, but she has triangulated that issue to a slow withdrawl, which will probably be the case anyway regardless of who wins. Her baggage of political animosity proably won''t deny her the election but will deny her a strong platform to create and guide agenda and legislation.

[buddhabman]

Hillary is capable, but she has huge negative perceptions that will affect her ability to unite and lead this country in these difficult times. Her policies are ok, I wish she would be more forceful about pulling our troops out, but she has triangulated that issue to a slow withdrawl, which will probably be the case anyway regardless of who wins. Her baggage of political animosity proably won''t deny her the election but will deny her a strong platform to create and guide agenda and legislation.

[bobmarisol]

I know that she TRIED with the Health Plan.... at LEAST she cared enough to TRY! What have the fascist in power now, what did the LEADERS of those fascist do in the 6 years THEY were in power? I know she was a very close advisor to one of our BEST Presidents. She stuck by him when he was beening pursued for things that DID NOT belong in the public... That, when you enemy is within a civil war of a Nuke is PLENTY for me. I know that she and Bill CAN talk to the rest of the world... that''''s very important to me right now.... Bin Laden IS recruiting in Europe as we speak.
Posted by skyk at 03:10 PM : Jan 04, 2008


Skyk -- do America a favor -- never vote again until you read more and get informed. Someone who ''TRIED'' to accomplish something and failed does not deserve to be President. Thousands of people try things everyday and fail -- what makes someone qualified to be President is their ability to produce RESULTS. You ask what Bush has accomplished in his six years -- here are his RESULTS -- lower taxes, no terror attacks on USA soil since 9/11, over 2/3 of Al Queda leadership killed or captured, 50 million people liberated from oppressive regimes, unemployment at an all-time low, and more. Of course Bush has made mistakes, but his successes well surpass his failures. But Hillary only has failures on her record -- no successes -- thus no right to be President.

[hawksprings]

Hillary, it''s over. Please go home and bake cookies.

[citizenusa-2009]

Hey, Hillary - January 4, 2008 - Over 1600 members of the Ohio Army National Guard are heading out for one year. Why not decry this sickening piece of news? I thought the Dems were in the "process" of ending the war? Apparently, while you are "campaigning", "the decider" is ESCALATING deployment. Hello? Perhaps you can use this tidbit to get someone to listen!!!!!

[abdoul_pasha]

n

[bobmarisol]

I know that she TRIED with the Health Plan.... at LEAST she cared enough to TRY! What have the fascist in power now, what did the LEADERS of those fascist do in the 6 years THEY were in power? I know she was a very close advisor to one of our BEST Presidents. She stuck by him when he was beening pursued for things that DID NOT belong in the public... That, when you enemy is within a civil war of a Nuke is PLENTY for me. I know that she and Bill CAN talk to the rest of the world... that''''s very important to me right now.... Bin Laden IS recruiting in Europe as we speak.
Posted by skyk at 03:10 PM : Jan 04, 2008


Skyk -- do America a favor -- never vote again until you read more and get informed. Someone who ''TRIED'' to accomplish something and failed does not deserve to be President. Thousands of people try things everyday and fail -- what makes someone qualified to be President is their ability to produce RESULTS. You ask what Bush has accomplished in his six years -- here are his RESULTS -- lower taxes, no terror attacks on USA soil since 9/11, over 2/3 of Al Queda leadership killed or captured, 50 million people liberated from oppressive regimes, unemployment at an all-time low, and more. Of course Bush has made mistakes, but his successes well surpass his failures. But Hillary only has failures on her record -- no successes -- thus no right to be President.

[samthetvcat]

"Obama expects Clinton to attack and attack viciously. His advisers are bracing for a flurry of ads questioning his ability to lead in a time of great unease, both at home and overseas. The Clintons want this badly and playing nice won%u2019t get them there. It is safe to assume the race will get nastier."

Billary are throwing stones from a glass house at the house Barack''s been building ''brick by brick, block by block'' over the past year . . . I think this''ll backfire big-time . . .