Obama, Edwards sharpen attacks on Clinton

[OhioChick]

Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:36pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and John Edwards sharpened their attacks on Monday on rival front-runner Hillary Clinton as they sought to keep her within striking distance.

While Clinton has a big lead in national polls, her advantage in the early voting state of Iowa is only slight. A University of Iowa Hawkeye poll gave her 28.9 percent support in Iowa, to 26.6 percent to Obama and 20 percent to Edwards.

Iowa is important because its caucuses on January 3 are the first actual contest of the November 2008 election and the winner there can claim momentum for the campaign battles ahead.

Obama has largely held back from attacking Clinton, but with his large donor base worried that he has not made a move, has decided to step up the attacks.

At a town hall meeting in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Illinois senator accused Clinton of refusing to say how she would strengthen the Social Security retirement system for older Americans, arguing that she represents conventional thinking in Washington that needs changing.

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2954625620071029

[Yael]

1. "Attacks" is a little harsh

I like to think of it as educating the public what she stands for so that we all can make an informed choice at the polls.

O8)

[DURHAM D]

2. What is it with this Repub talking point -

"social security needs fixing". It does not and the seniors know it.

He just looks foolish.

[Yael]

3. It does "need fixing". We need less exemptions and more people

paying into the system.

Just because someone is advocating 'fixing' something doesn't mean 'privatizing' it.

[DURHAM D]

4. Huh? It is medicare that needs fixing. n/t

[Yael]

8. Both are a shade away from bankrupt

We need to increase the income ceiling on taxes. Pronto.

[surfermaw]

5. REmember JOHN"s 5 % prediction in the last election

And when the votes were all in he was only two percentage points behind John KErry, and would have won if Clark, hadn't jumped in at the same time Edwards did, Edwards worked so hard in S.C. because of Clark, he couldn't get into Oklahoma enough and finished a few points behind Clark. Was Clark in to save a place for Hillary for 8 years, I remember some thought so at the time.

[Inspired]

9. Ding, ding! We have a winner! n/t

[...of J.Temperance]

6. They are now OFFICIALLY desparate

They know that Senator Clinton is going to beat them....so they're having a panic attack and going on the rampage against her.

Won't work, she'll still beat them.

[Windy]

7. I think Senator Clinton is in for a surprise... I know that will be devastating

to her handful of rabid supporters on DU.

[shireen]

10. but is anyone listening?

The media is more interested in the horse race than the issues.
Most people don't make informed voting choices.

It's politics as usual. I'm sick of it. If Gore does not enter the race, I'm tuning out.