|
 |
 |
|
Give the First Round to Sen. Obama
-
02/22/07 07:25 AM ET
We’ve all heard David Geffen’s remarks aimed toward former President Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). What I find surprising about the exchange is the manner in which Sen. Clinton and her supporters have responded — actions speak louder than words.
If Sen. Clinton, long hailed as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008, is secure in her standing, why would her spin room get spun up and launch rather personal attacks against Sen. Obama? The answer, of course, is that she’s worried that he’s gaining traction, money and supporters, to her detriment.
David Geffen carries a significant amount of weight both in Hollywood and within the Democratic Party itself. Geffen’s alignment with Sen. Obama both personally and with his checkbook has clearly stung the Clintons. If reports are true, Mr. Geffen helped raise nearly $20 million for President Clinton during his two terms in office. The Clinton juggernaut clearly believes that its return path to the White House will rely heavily on the financial and personal support of those who cast their lot with the former president.
Mr. Geffen is among the first of what I believe will be many defections from the Clinton camp — many people still love the former president, but that doesn’t seem translate into love for his wife as well.
For his part, Sen. Obama’s strategy of positioning himself as an outsider and a breath of fresh air has resonated quite well with potential voters. While the Clinton camp carped about this first dust-up, Obama personally remained above the fray. If Sen. Obama is able to remain competitive with Sen. Clinton as they troll for dollars around the country, he will be in a strong position to overtake her once the game begins in earnest later this year.
For its part, the Clinton war room performed poorly in this, the first of many fisticuffs yet to come. Consider the following comments by Sen. Clinton’s deputy communications director in reference to Obama: "A day after Barack Obama goes out and eschews the politics of slash-and-burn, his campaign embraces the politics of trash.” Rich. The Clintons are attacking others about the politics of trash and slash-and-burn? I can hardly wait to see what the second round will bring us. For now, score the first round for Obama on technical and artistic points.
If Sen. Clinton, long hailed as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008, is secure in her standing, why would her spin room get spun up and launch rather personal attacks against Sen. Obama? The answer, of course, is that she’s worried that he’s gaining traction, money and supporters, to her detriment.
David Geffen carries a significant amount of weight both in Hollywood and within the Democratic Party itself. Geffen’s alignment with Sen. Obama both personally and with his checkbook has clearly stung the Clintons. If reports are true, Mr. Geffen helped raise nearly $20 million for President Clinton during his two terms in office. The Clinton juggernaut clearly believes that its return path to the White House will rely heavily on the financial and personal support of those who cast their lot with the former president.
Mr. Geffen is among the first of what I believe will be many defections from the Clinton camp — many people still love the former president, but that doesn’t seem translate into love for his wife as well.
For his part, Sen. Obama’s strategy of positioning himself as an outsider and a breath of fresh air has resonated quite well with potential voters. While the Clinton camp carped about this first dust-up, Obama personally remained above the fray. If Sen. Obama is able to remain competitive with Sen. Clinton as they troll for dollars around the country, he will be in a strong position to overtake her once the game begins in earnest later this year.
For its part, the Clinton war room performed poorly in this, the first of many fisticuffs yet to come. Consider the following comments by Sen. Clinton’s deputy communications director in reference to Obama: "A day after Barack Obama goes out and eschews the politics of slash-and-burn, his campaign embraces the politics of trash.” Rich. The Clintons are attacking others about the politics of trash and slash-and-burn? I can hardly wait to see what the second round will bring us. For now, score the first round for Obama on technical and artistic points.
Most Viewed RSS Feed »
