Posted on 11/26/2005 5:04:48 PM PST by blam
Hillary engages Clinton double act for White House
By Philip Sherwell
(Filed: 27/11/2005)
Hillary Clinton has enlisted her husband to attack the White House over Iraq in an attempt to shore up her sliding support among Democrat activists.
The New York senator, who is expected to run for the White House in 2008, has been alarmed by a drop in her opinion polls ratings as she pays the political price for backing President George W Bush's decision to topple Saddam Hussein.
Bill and Hillary Clinton: Past and future leaders?
Her hawkish stance was originally a useful way to shed her liberal reputation, but has become an increasing political liability as America's mood has swung against the war.
Anxious that criticising the way the occupation has been handled could expose to the accusations of "flip-flopping" - a charge that cost John Kerry when he ran against President Bush last year - she is leaving the task to her husband. As political positioning for the 2008 polls begins, it will be him, not her, who placates the Democratic Left with attacks on Mr Bush's Iraq policy.
The new double act is being seen as a variation of President Clinton's old "triangulation" strategy, where he positioned himself between Democrats and Republicans, that helped win his second term in the White House in 1996. Political observers believe that the Clintons are now engaged in 'triangulation" over Iraq.
Dick Morris, the political strategist who masterminded President Clinton's re-election but is now an outspoken critic of Sen Clinton, said: "Bill and Hillary are playing a pas-de-deux in satisfying both the Left and the Centre of the Democratic Party.
"For the first time in their careers, they can really be all things to all people - Hillary, a hawk voting for the war; Bill, a dove blasting the decision to wage it. Should the elections in Iraq really turn the corner and give that nation a working democracy and America a way out of Baghdad, Hillary can always say she was there from the beginning. But should the casualties only mount, she can join Bill on his Leftist perch."
But Mickey Kaus, a leading conservative Internet blogger, predicted that any attempt by the pair to equivocate over Iraq would backfire. "The new trick won't work," he wrote.
Sen Clinton's dilemma shows that both Democrats and Republicans are suffering angst over the invasion, as US troop casualties pass the 2,000 mark and calls escalate for a prompt withdrawal.
Actually Bill Clinton embarrassed Hillary recently.
I don't know about that. Between the two of them, Bill and Hillary Clinton have fooled 2/3 of the world. They have counted on the ignorant to not let them down. So far, it has worked.
Hillary panicked after last year's election results and all that talk about the religious conservative vote, and moved to the right much too soon. Whoever advised her back then was an idiot. She hasn't talked much recently about compromising on abortion, or waved her Bible around, but she's having a hard time striking a winning position on the war.
....I didn't hear about this, can you explain or direct me to the info???
403 - 3.
Fixed it.
I'm guessing it was Hideous herself. She has all the politicals instincts of a yeti, but this isn't going to stop her from ruining some poor schlub's life for being within eyesight of Ol'Crusty and the woman within.
"America's mood has swung against the war."
And the UK's statement covers all of America and they know this, why? We know the UK's press and traitors like Galloway have been after Blair. We also know that traitorous putz' like the clintoons and demoncRATS in general have been attacking the prez since day 1, 2001.
True. Any of Hillary's political advisers who gave her advice she didn't want to hear would get a lamp thrown at her. As a result, she is bound to be surrounded by yes-persons.
Say what you will, but Clinton is a master in the art of politics. Hillary is strictly a wannabe.
It all depends on if the GOP can throw anyone decent at her who will challenge her statements.
What, was there, like, a vote or something? Who are you going to believe, your elected representatives or the latest CBSABCNBCCNNTIMENEWSWEEK poll?
-PJ
They will try to cheat to get the White House. Sure hope they will be in jail by then.
Having a beak does not make her a hawk.......:o)
Hillary can always claim she voted against the war before she voted for it. She doesn't have to say it was the Vietnam war she voted against.
Unless the Grand Old Party is asleep at the switch, I have and idea that all, and I do mean ALL of the Clinton baggage is being lined up and sorted out for a good airing.
Remember the Swift Boat Veterans? The "Swifting" of Billary will be an organized, multi-front exposure and reminder of all of the dirty laundry, and there's enought to play continuously for a very long time.
She'll be doing a lot of bobbing and weaving and answering for the past, never allowed a chance to make a coherent statement.
Toast. Not even Slick Willybutter will help.
Actually, I think he delivered her a scripted "Sister Soljah" moment.
It was planned so she could do the politically smart thing (support the war - if not Bush's handling, maybe -- and separate from him politically a bit to grab the mushy middle who may not like him.
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