Clinton aides hint that now things'll get nasty

LA Times ^ | Jan. 4, 2008 | Andrew Malcolm

[COUNTrecount]

While you were sleeping, the chartered jet of the third-place finisher in the Iowa Democratic caucus winged its way from Des Moines to Manchester, N.H. And it sounds like some decisions were made on that plane that may alter the course of that party's presidential race.

At her concession speech in Des Moines on Thursday night, Hillary Clinton was all gracious and determined and smiling. But hours later on that flight someone named Mark Penn, who happens to be her chief political strategist, ominously told a gaggle of reporters, including The Times' Peter Nicholas, that the campaign's focus needs to shift now onto, you might have guessed, someone named Barack Obama.

The Illinois senator happens to be the first-place finisher in those same caucuses and now Clinton, once the inevitable Democratic nominee, is playing catch-up. Things could get nasty with some pretty sharp media contrasts made in coming days, it would seem. "This has been very much a referendum on her,'' said Penn. "And people will take a harder look at the choice and the kind of president who will be needed in these times.''

Penn hinted that the Clinton campaign may be poised to mount a more aggressive campaign in New Hampshire than in Iowa. "Time and again in the Democratic primaries," he said, ...

... "you've seen people latch onto the new, seemingly fresh candidate only to then take a sobering look at the choice they have when it comes down to the end of it. I think you're going to see that again.''

He claimed that Obama's record is comparatively unexplored he suggested the news media should ask itself about taking a closer look at Obama's history. "Does everyone know everything they need to know about Barack Obama?'' Penn asked. "That's a decision you're going to make

[Obadiah]

Surely the Clintons won’t engage in the politics of personal destruction, will they??

[princess leah]

“Does everyone know everything they need to know about Barack Obama?’’ Penn asked

So now America is on a “need to know” basis according to the Clinton campaign.

More effrontary from her heinous “I will tell you what you need to know”, blah, blah, blah!~

[PapaBear3625]

Consider that Bill Clinton got just 3 percent of the vote in the 1992 Iowa caucus before going on to win the presidential election later that year. Four years before that, the Democrat’s eventual nominee, Mike Dukakis, came in third place in Iowa.

The bigger tests will be New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina, and Florida later this month. Whoever is doing well at the end of Jan will be judged viable on Super Tuesday (Feb 5).

Whoever is trailing badly after Feb 5 is finished as a candidate

[frithguild]

While you were sleeping, the chartered jet of the third-place finisher in the Iowa Democratic caucus winged its way from Des Moines to Manchester, N.H.

[Mygirlsmom]

In light of what this country went through during the last Democratic administration -- and in light of the fact that the upper ranks of the party are filled with people with no objective moral standards -- what exactly could anyone say/reveal/expose about a prospective Democratic nominee that would ever keep him from winning an election?

Bears repeating!

[NH Article 10]

Living in the Seacoast area, I agree. As it stands now, the NH primary is Hildabeasts, unless she throws a fit or BJ does another lewinsky.

[spectre]

Awhhh, America'a stuck up little Princess is seeing visions of a White House wedding go down the drain.

snort!

sw

[tumblindice]

“Clinton Aides Hint That Now Things’ll Get Nasty”

Fer sure, check out their new t-shirts . . . http://www.cafepress.com/crapmonkeystore/3258659

[frithguild]

Grab your ankles, here comes Cankles.

You owe me a new keyboard!

[cgbg]

Poor Obama better have a good mechanic on his staff that can check the car’s brake lines each and every time he travels. That and some good body armor. People representing significant threats to all things Clinton tend to meet unexpected, untimely ends.

Actually the last two potential Hillary challengers to die do so in plane crashes--Kennedy (potential Senate challenger) and the lefty Senator from Minnesota who might have challenged her for the presidential nomination. Ron Brown also died in a plane crash.

So if I am Obama it is my _airplane_ mechanic I am worried about during the campaign.

[mouske]

Edwards & Obama are not on the ballot in Michigan. They refused to campaign when Michigan moved up their primary. They have until 4:00 PM today to register as “write-in” candidates.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Clinton’s crew and other marxist operatives have been gathering dirt on Obama ever since he declared. They know exactly when to release it to their operatives in the media, when it will do the most damage.

She and her crew are not nice people! Her royalty has had her eyes on the most powerful position in the world as as way of making this country a warm, friendly place for marxism.

Obama is a decent fellow. Unfortunately, too far left for me.

[Nakota]

I noticed on that Barak was the only candidate that was taking the train from Iowa to New Hampshire. Probably prudent.

[Waco]

hilary emits far too much CO2 and has fat ankles too. P on TWAT!

[cgbg]

Clinton's crew and other marxist operatives have been gathering dirt on Obama ever since he declared. They know exactly when to release it to their operatives in the media, when it will do the most damage.

The problem Hillary has is that in this country it is considered racist to attack a black person (even if justified).

Most press people will refuse to do it for ideological reasons if not for fear of ending their careers. If it does happen most Democratic Party primary voters will not hold it against Obama and will hold it against Hillary for "dirty politics". As a black man Obama is the _perfect_ foil for Hillary.

I believe if she wants the nomination badly enough she will be forced to attempt the final contingency plan--and everyone here knows what that is ....

(kill him and blame it on white male racists--is there a patsy in waiting out there as we speak--he is in his twenties, loves firearms, has a low IQ, was kicked out of the military for Section 8 or insubordination, is a member of a white racist extremist group who shows up at meetings just enough to be seen and heard threatening Obama and is sworn to silence about his handlers because he (falsely) believes he is on an intelligence mission to keep an eye on Obama?)

[Joe Boucher]

Edwards is a lawyer the likes of which use to get tarred and feathered and run out of town on a freight train.
I’m all for starting that practice using his sorry butt if anyone is willing to assist.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Clinton’s getting nasty? I am appalled, shocked even. This could be HUGH and SERIES for sure...

[valkyry1]

If she makes into the nominee the repubs will open up on her, that being just one are of vulnerability.

[HamiltonJay]

Hitlery can only do so much in 4 or 5 days in NH... but by SC is another story... of course, if the conclusions are what I believe they will be... if Hillary focuses on attacking Obmama, Edwards becomes the winner.

Attacking the other guys, will not improve her single biggest issues.. She’s Hillary, and she’s hated, and no ammount of smiling and sucking up when the camera’s are on will change that perception of her.

Hillary is a known quantity, and very few that know her, are going to vote for her.

[Miss Didi]

Lanny said that she’s been fighting for children and trying to get us out of Iraq for 35 years...it was quite comical. It was also funny when Brian said—let’s talk about the elephant in the room, Hillary Clinton finished third last night...