Costly Two-Front Battle Coming For Obama

Washington Post: Illinois Senator Faces Two-Front War Against Clinton And McCain

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Jonathan Weisman and Shailagh Murray.

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With losses in three out of four primaries yesterday, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and his campaign face a scenario that a barrage of advertising, phone calls and door-knocking could not avert -- a protracted, two-front war against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain.

Even before the polls opened, campaign officials were dreading an outcome that would keep Clinton (D-N.Y.) in the race at least through the Pennsylvania primary on April 22. Those seven weeks will cost Obama at least $10 million, and possibly much more, campaign aides say, as he battles a rejuvenated Clinton who will have every incentive to try to force him into a major mistake.

Obama aides also expect to take concentrated fire from McCain (Ariz.) and his Republican allies, who have already begun raising questions about the 46-year-old Democratic senator's credibility, authenticity and even his patriotism.

For months before his victory in Iowa, doubters questioned whether Obama had the stomach to deliver the blows necessary to wear down Clinton's advantages. Now, the question is whether he can take a punch -- "and you know they will be coming," said former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack (D), a Clinton supporter.

Some Obama supporters are increasing pressure on him to shift tactics, frame more sharply his criticism of his opponents and begin inoculating himself from the GOP attacks, but Obama remains reluctant to change the approaches that he still thinks will secure him the nomination. "I have said consistently that we do things differently," Obama said. "It's worked for us so far. And I'm not going to do things that I'm not comfortable in doing."

To be sure, Obama campaign aides think the defeats yesterday in Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas will not alter his path to the Democratic nomination. Under the Democratic Party's system of distributing delegates proportionately, Obama will maintain a lead in pledged delegates, and any diminishment of that delegate lead is likely to be recouped in Saturday's Wyoming caucuses and next Tuesday's Mississippi primary.

"No matter what happens tonight, we have nearly the same delegate lead we had this morning," Obama said last night in San Antonio, "and we are on our way to winning this nomination."

Obama aides stressed that the campaign will not be drawn into a fight for Pennsylvania on Clinton's terms: an expensive, all-out battle focused on her. Instead, the campaign's main target will be McCain -- a point underscored by Obama when he declared himself "ready to start a great debate about the future of the country with a man who loves his country and served it bravely."

But Democratic leaders outside the campaign are worried that a candidate who cruised through his only Senate campaign, in 2004, does not know what is about to hit him. Republicans are already planting the seeds for a negative campaign designed to make one overarching point, said Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.), an Obama supporter and informal adviser: This man is not who you think he is.

"You have to question whether he is equipped to deal with the complex and serious issues that are facing the nation," said Danny Diaz, the Republican National Committee's communications director.

Republicans such as Rep. Jack Kingston (Ga.) have used Obama's decision not to wear an American flag on his lapel to question his patriotism. Virtually every day, the Republican Jewish Coalition sends e-mails to Jewish voters questioning Obama's commitment to Israel. And darker e-mail and Internet campaigns continue to falsely suggest that Obama is everything from a Muslim to a terrorist sympathizer.

McCain has already made clear how he will try to brand Obama if they are opponents in November, drawing on the Illinois Democrat's Senate votes on abortion, taxes and guns as evidence that he is out of the mainstream.

But more broadly, Republicans are poised to offer what they consider a stark contrast between McCain's lifetime of experience -- in war, in the Senate, in politics -- and a caricature of a young, inexperienced neophyte with little but fancy rhetoric to offer.

That is a line of attack Clinton has tried for weeks. But McCain's advisers say they think their candidate will be more effective in convincing the public that Obama is not ready to lead the nation, especially during an economic downturn and while waging two wars overseas.

As part of the wide-ranging case they have begun constructing, they plan to follow some of the threads that Clinton has already exposed: Obama's ties to Chicago businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko; the senator's failure to hold hearings on Afghanistan in his Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee; his decision to repeatedly vote "present" in the Illinois legislature.

A senior Obama strategist, David Axelrod, acknowledged that he is receiving varied advice from Democrats, including changing Obama's stump speech to emphasize his American roots and pushing for a second round of changes in the nation's welfare laws, this time aimed at stray fathers.

If Obama finds himself forced to defend his patriotism before a skeptical electorate, he will be in deep trouble, Vilsack warned. But, he added, "what's the alternative, ignore it? We paid a price in 2004 for thinking the charge wouldn't stick."

Davis said Obama needs to immediately preempt attacks on his patriotism by reprising the theme of his 2004 speech to the Democratic National Convention -- that only in the United States of America could the son of a Kenyan immigrant and a woman from a small-town in Kansas aspire to the heights of power. Obama took up that theme last night, but only deep inside his San Antonio address.

[henry19671]

What all the hola hola about Obama and Rszko''s connections. What aabout the Clintons and their Rezko''s connections? What about the photo? Oh Hillary is a Liar she hiding a lot of things and all those voters that are voting for her are in for a big surprise if she wins the Nomination,Democrats will be in shock when the truth about Hilary is revealed. Foreign experiences? 80 countries traveled? Yeah, let''s dig into her investments in India and China,having investments in businesses that have outsourced American Jobs abroad? America wake up! vote for hope and progress. Vote for Obama who will make things much better for us all here in the USA.

[jack3213]

CLINTON WILL DESTROY HERSELF LONG BEFORE ANYONE ELSE HAS A CHANCE TO. SHE DID NOT WIN BY LARGE MARGINS AND MATHEMATICALLY SHE CAN''T CLINCHE THE NOMINATION. A COMBINED TICKET IS DISASTERIOUS AS THEY BOTH DISRESPECT AND DOWNGRADE EACH OTHER. IF THEY DECIDE IT IS IN THEIR CARDS THEN ALL ALONG THEY WERE PROVEN LIARS. OBAMA''S LITTLE FAN OF FRENZY IS SHORT LIVED AND THE LONGER THEY FIGHT AND SPEND THE LESS CREDIBLE THEY LOOK. IT IS A LOSE- LOSE SITUATION AND THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN, IRONIC, ISN''T IT?

[clifden6]

An interesting, but flawed article that uses more hindsight, than foresight. The two authors are familar with the past, but apparently are out of touch with today. For example how does the Wash Post article explain their own poll: Washington Post-ABC News poll released on Wednesday.
Illinois Sen. Obama leads McCain by 12 percentage points -- 52 percent to 40 percent; New York Sen. Clinton leads McCain by 6 points -- 50 percent to 44 percent, the poll found.
John McCain has been known to the American electorate for almost 8 years, while Barack Obama what, a little over 1 year, yet is leading McCain at this moment by 12%. Obviously the American electorate knows John McCain''s record as war hero, which implies perhaps a higher degree of patriotism than Barack Obama, yet Senator Obama is ahead by 12%. It would seem the American electorate is discounting patriotism as a major issue. I am a former US Marine officer who served in Vietnam, who was forunate enough not to end up in body bag, not that the opportunity didn''t present itself, but who will vote for Senator Obama. As for Hillary Clinton, I don''t quite understand how a junior US senator from New York considers herself more experienced than a junior senator from Illinois.

[jerryz7936]

McCain will win the nomination.

The wisdom of the DNC will let Hillary and Obama slug and bloody each other. Obama has the pledge delegate lead.
When the DNC super-delegates overturn the pledge delegates for Hillary or run to Obama side, one side will not vote, may vote for Nader or McCain.

You fools are falling into the conservative republicans plans. If they overrule Obama, 90% of the black vote will be gone and all of the first time and young voters will join.
If jumping to Obama, over sixty years old and women will protest. I don''t want to miss the uneducated that Hillary always says she gets. They don''t know better.

[phillysage]

Obama talked about delivering Hillary a knockout blow. He found out the lady packed a powerful punch of her own. She may be a woman, but she''s not only more experienced than he is, she''s sweated more doing real work, and she''s stronger than he is and only she can weather the REpublican attack macine. Besides that, she''s smarter.

[liberty4you]

"and Obama economic adviser Austan Goolsbee''s meeting with a Canadian consulate official -- a meeting the campaign initially denied had happened -- raised questions about his candor. Couple those issues with the opening days of former Obama supporter Rezko''s corruption trial, and Obama entered yesterday''s primary elections in the midst of a serious rough patch."

Thanks Canada for making NAFTAgate and smearing Barack Obama.

We already have enough people against real democracy.

Stop Stephen Turner and his neocon platform before we have to.

[libra127]

She didn''t even have the courtesy to thank the voters in Wisconsin who voted for her in 5 degree weather. Nor did she have the class to congratulate Obama that night. That speaks volumes about her true character.

Posted by ontheleft at 01:26 PM : Mar 05, 2008

This is simply not true. She has always been gracious is thanking voters for voting for her and congratulating Obama when he wins. I''ve witnessed it many times. What planet do you live on ? Hillary-haters will stop at nothing to try to discredit her.

[tibu987]

Obama does not have to bother with McCain. I don''t believe that another Bush puppet has a chance.
Please tell me that the voters are more intelligernt than that?

I will always remember this most asinine comment by McCain:
"I don''t think Americans care if we are in Iraq for 10 years, 100 years, or 1,000 years."

Duh! Is that someone you would vote for? Not me.

[monmacent]

~ The qualities of a great man are vision, integrity, courage, understanding, the power of articulation, and profundity of character. ~
~ Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. ~
~ The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office. ~
Dwight David Eisenhower 1890-1969
34th President of the United States of America
You just read a quote I collected that speaks of one man only of the remaining candidates for the job of being President of the United States of America. That man is Barack Obama. This message is for the good thinking people, not the racist religiously bigoted ignorant mindset people who constantly attack this man. Go Obama Go !!!!!!!!!

[infidel_us]

I guess the Ugandan guy watching his TV over in the mother land and pulling for Ubama is really bummed out today. :)

[tigerjcs]

Obama should drop out now. Hillary can unite the democratic voters. The voters are finding out that Obama%u2019s rhetoric is Xerox from other speakers. His promises are empty promises with no roadmaps for delivery. His supporters are deceived by his eloquent speech with empty call for change. He spent his time on speeches and inspirational talk than on oversight in the senate seat. He never led a single policy hearing on any topics. He was a community organizer in Chicago but never tackled the economic crimes in the city ghettos. His patriotism is questionable for refusing to salute the American Flag. His statement of Our Time Has Come%u2019 and Michelle Obama being Proud for the First time in HER Adult life are disgraceful. Give me a break! His followers are fooled by his oratory and his empty promises. We need Hillary in the White House who will produce results. TALK VERSUS ACTION. Hillary can deliver. She has a clear and detailed plan to solve the country%u2019s problems.
HILLARY 08!!!!

[frankbowers]

Yesterday at the Caucaus, in precinct 359 of travis county texas, women were bragging they were to caucaus for obama. I ask them a few questions as they had McCain buttons on their purses and what ever and they admitted they would vote for which ever republican got the nod. I ask them why were they dong this and two said they did not want Hillary the Bi+ tch to get the dealgates. This is the jproblem as they all come together in two big suv''s and he did get about 2/3 of the delegates although the precinct vote in a majority for hillary, here he may win but come november i bet my hinnie he will lose.
Sad stated of affairs. Frank Bowers of Austin, TX

[frankbowers]

When the papers start printing the story of Rezko and the musliem giving obama millions of dollars and the muselim doing so under a guise it will show obama up as a true muselim and then his wife actually admits she soes not like America at all what will happen, just wondering?
Thanks for the read just the same, Frank Bowers of Austin, TX.

[voter1111]

ontheleft: "She didn''''t even have the courtesy to thank the voters in Wisconsin who voted for her in 5 degree weather"

As a former resident of WI...now living in Michigan, I would be grateful for the opportunity to go to the polls (in whatever weather) and cast a vote for the person of my choice and have that vote count. We have similar weather here and our votes didnt count. But I am grateful to America for being a country where my friends and relatives in Wisconsin did have votes that counted.

[croft777]

voter1111

Hillary won by a large % in both states. Michigan and Florida. Although Obama and Edwards names were not on the ballots of Michigan, they did tell the people to vote for then in the uncommited. Hillary still won, and she won pretty good in Florida. Its only fair that these two states voices be heard.

[croft777]

Obama can not beat McCain, although Hillary could. Most of the states that Obama won go repubican in the National lection. Hillary has won the states that really matter in the National election and they always go democratic. The DNC better think long and hard about this. Michigan and Florida needs to be revoted. They are two of the top most impotant states and their voice must be heard. This is only the right thing to do then no one can say that the system was tainted then. I know for a fact that if the DNC does not let Florida and Michigan revote, many people in Ohio and most likely in every state who supported Hillary will either vote for McCain or not vote at all in the National election. I will be one of them who does not vote at all. If they do not include Michigan and Florida and they do not let them revote, I and many others see this as a party tainted and fractured. The DNC I thought was suppose to be fair, but I guess its not.

[voter1111]

If you counted the votes in Florida and Michigan.....which last I knew were still part of the US no matter what the party has to say about it, Hillary actually has the popular vote by a small margin.............in my opinion, she should do what she needs to do to win this, if possible. And...this is not a negative campaign. Anybody has the right and perhaps, responisbility to ask the voters if someone else is really fit for the job. Obama has just as much game going on......

[croft777]

ontheleft

wrong ding dong , Obama has taken money from states based PAC and lobbyist who are afilliated, same thing.

[infidel_us]

radarama11,

Hello from a fellow Atlantan! :) I''ll bet ole John Lewis (Turncoat D-GA) is wringing his hands over Hitlery''s vitcories! LOL ''Lawd have mercy, what is I gonna do if she wins?''

[ontheleft]

Hillary will do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to get elected. She would push her own mother out of an airplane if that''s what it takes. She has shown her true colors the last couple weeks.

While Obama has been gracious and a good sport towards her, she has been nasty and vindictive. In the end, it looks like she may very well rob Obama of the nomination and then audaciously expect all Democrats to support her in November. Not going to happen. We might as well hand the presidency over to McCain here and now.

Obama has received the overwhelming majority of his campaign money from small donors. He does not depend on corporate America to finance his campaign. Once in office he will owe them no favors. We have a chance to have a president that will truly represent the interests of the average American instead of the elites.

Hillary is bought and paid for by the wealthy and powerful in this country. She owes a lot of people and corporations a lot of favors. She owes the average American nothing. She didn''t even have the courtesy to thank the voters in Wisconsin who voted for her in 5 degree weather. Nor did she have the class to congratulate Obama that night. That speaks volumes about her true character.