Clinton can go for the jugular, but is she smart enough about it?

[Adelante]

Ezra Klein has this post up today. It asks questions posed by a reader of both Clinton's and Obama's readiness for the GE. I've been kind of exhausted by the FEAR threads in GDP, but I found this interesting because of its contrasting of ruthlessness with smart ruthlessness.

Evaluating the Clinton/Shaheen scandal, Jason C. writes:

I have to admit that this whole affair demonstrates one thing that I do like about Hillary: she's willing to do something like accusing her opponent of being a drug dealer.

It's unseemly now, of course, because her target is a fellow Democrat, and it's not cool to smear someone who may end up being the party's nominee. It shows the fundamental selfishness shared by both Bill and Hillary - a willingness to put your own interests ahead of those of your party, or the people you are supposedly trying to help.

But I do appreciate the willingness to go for the jugular, and not just in a "principled" way. Substantive attacks on your opponent are all well and good, but when the opportunity to hit below the belt presents itself, you've got to take it. But I wonder: if Obama has the chance to take that shot against the Republican in the general election, will he take it? I'm not sure, and that worries me.

Hillary, obviously, is willing to take it. HOWEVER, the willingness to play dirty is useless without the smarts to do it right. This incident indicates a willingness on Hillary's part to do whatever it takes to win, but it also perhaps betrays an inability to do so in a way that isn't clumsy and self-defeating.

That strikes me as pretty smart. Obama has been able to construct the boundaries of the race such that Hillary Clinton loses by attacking him. The Republican candidate will not agree to the same rules, and will be careful to launch their assaults from untraceable, independent sources, rather than campaign co-chairs. It won't be Shaheen, it will be the Swift Vets. Like Jason, I appreciate Hillary's willingness to play that game, and am unconvinced that Obama has it in him. But you have to play that game well, and Clinton isn't proving herself able to do that right now. Part of being a good attacker is knowing when to hold your fire.

http://blog.prospect.org/mt-tb.cgi?__mode=view&entry_id=103219

[loyalsister]

1. I'm tired of the hate

no matter where it comes from.

[suston96]

2. I love the way Obama supporters....

...have turned a foolish admission of early drug use by Obama to high school students in New Hampshire, into gutter politics by the Hillary campaign.

Shaheen should never have resigned. Drug users are always asked if they are dealing... I know!

I asked my own kids when I caught them using! And one of them was dealing and needed all my help to get an angry supplier off her back.

But the media is going along with the Obama campaign of guilt reversal and it seems to be working.

[Adelante]

5. There is no question it was gutter politics

Though not successful gutter politics.

[annie1]

6. agree. the media has been obsessed with putting a fight together...

and they'll do anythning to keep it going. the fact that people are falling for it, especially people who are taking the time to get involved with politics in the beginning, is very frustrating.

[Cha]

3. This is so amazingly

dead on..

"Evaluating the Clinton/Shaheen scandal, Jason C. writes:

I have to admit that this whole affair demonstrates one thing that I do like about Hillary: she's willing to do something like accusing her opponent of being a drug dealer.

It's unseemly now, of course, because her target is a fellow Democrat, and it's not cool to smear someone who may end up being the party's nominee. It shows the fundamental selfishness shared by both Bill and Hillary - a willingness to put your own interests ahead of those of your party, or the people you are supposedly trying to help.

One thing about learned about hill and bill is right there those words I've underlined.

And part of being a good senator is knowing how to say "no" to bushites.

Rec'd~

[BenDavid]

4. If, and that is big IF Obama were still using after he said he had

stopped and shown that he was dealing don't ya honestly believe it is best to know NOW and not if a big DAMN IF he is the nominee and all this comes out then. We will again have a shipping ship and there goes the election, but noooooooooooooooooooo we cannot have HRC because she is too agressive and goes for the jugular. I say if there is soemthing about obama that will stop him, then stop his ass now before it is too late and dems are stuck with him....

I say bring on the truth and if the truth be considered DIRT then so be it.

Ben David

[annie1]

7. Agree, she is way too aggressive. and she doesn't have to be...

awful campaign. just awful.