In a strategy shift, Clinton begins counterpunching

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: In a strategy shift, Clinton begins counterpunching
The candidate abandons her above-the-fray stance as her rivals become too tough to ignore.
By Janet Hook, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
November 22, 2007

WASHINGTON -- -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who for months seemed on a turbulence-free course at the front of the presidential pack, has kicked into a new phase of more-aggressive campaigning designed to address emerging weaknesses and to engage her Democratic rivals more directly.

New television ads take head-on the criticism that she cannot be trusted and is unelectable. She is directly and repeatedly attacking Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) as too inexperienced for the White House. The message blares from one of her campaign websites: "Experience matters." She stepped out again Wednesday by sharpening distinctions with Obama on healthcare, challenging his claim to have a plan that would provide universal coverage.

It is a more in-your-face posture than earlier in the campaign when, sitting atop a commanding lead in national polls, Clinton adopted an above-the-fray stance that focused more on attacking Republicans than on challenging fellow Democrats. Ann Lewis, a senior campaign advisor, said Clinton's sharper tone is an appropriate response to the fact that she has been the target of increasing criticism from her rivals. "You either ignore it or you respond," Lewis said. "We are in a new phase of the campaign in which the debate among candidates is not happening only on TV debates but has moved to the daily campaign dialogue. She's not going to be on the sidelines."

Indeed, all of the candidates have sharpened their rhetoric as the balloting draws nearer. Obama, despite his signature promise to avoid negative campaigning, has with increasing intensity portrayed Clinton -- the former first lady and now U.S. senator from New York -- as a creature of a discredited Washington establishment. Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina has accused her of defending a corrupt political system.

All campaigns tend to get more intense and negative as the voting day approaches. And the stakes could not be higher for the Democratic candidates than in Iowa, which holds its caucuses Jan. 3. Edwards and Obama are counting on a victory in Iowa to give their campaigns money, momentum and publicity to help win subsequent primaries. For Clinton, Iowa could be the last obstacle to her securing the nomination....

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign22nov22,0,7410333.story?coll=la-home-center

[KittyWampus]

1. Experience DOES matter- Vote Biden.

[MethuenProgressive]

2. Fighting fire with fire. She can't just let the GOP, Edwards, and Obama go unanswered.

From the OP:
"Indeed, all of the candidates have sharpened their rhetoric as the balloting draws nearer. Obama, despite his signature promise to avoid negative campaigning, has with increasing intensity portrayed Clinton -- the former first lady and now U.S. senator from New York -- as a creature of a discredited Washington establishment. Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina has accused her of defending a corrupt political system."