Hillary Clinton suddenly vulnerable as bruises start to show [Better put some ice on that!]

New York Daily News ^ | 11/12/2007 | Michael McAuliff

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

DES MOINES - Where did Hillary Clinton's mojo go?

That's what her campaign has to be asking after a rough two weeks. And more importantly, they have to be wondering how to recapture that fading aura of an unstoppable juggernaut.

Top Clinton strategist Mark Penn doesn't own up to his candidate suffering a dip, but he admits it's been tougher of late.

"The opponents went negative, and that created a new dynamic and a different set of headlines," Penn said.

The new dynamic emerged at the debate in Philadelphia two weeks ago, but didn't just spring from sharp criticism by her opponents. Clinton stumbled by offering fuzzy answers to some questions and refusing to take a stance on Gov. Spitzer's license plan for illegal immigrants.

Then Camp Clinton's damage control backfired as she was pounded for suggesting the "boys" ganged up on her. And Bill Clinton brought more scorn when he said the attempt to get an answer out of his wife on licenses verged on John Kerry Swift Boat territory.

Now Penn and company plan to stick to the high road, talking about Clinton's strength, experience and vision for America, fund-raising at a torrid rate and deploying Bill Clinton more.

They're also launching counterattacks, calling her opponents mudslingers.

"I think it's sinking in to the electorate that people who had pledges to not attack Democrats were abandoning those pledges," Penn said.

Clinton remains way ahead in national polls, though some have shown a slip and a survey in early voting New Hampshire out yesterday showed a tightening race there.

The focus for staving off any Clinton collapse, though, starts in Iowa, where the candidates wooed party faithful at the state Democrats' biggest event of the year over the weekend.

Iowa Democrats said they didn't feel Clinton is headed down yet, but many thought the bruises were starting to show over her immigration nonposition and a new flareup over revelations that Hillaryland planted questions in two "conversations" with voters.

"I've turned a little more negative on her because of the immigration issue," said Terry Edwards, a trucker from Waukee, Iowa. "She flip-flops on that. I'd like to know where she stands."

"She's vulnerable, definitely," said Paul Willis of Thornton, Iowa, who said Clinton has what it takes to win, but could also implode. "As people get to know the other candidates, they're saying, 'Maybe there is a second choice.'"

Some Democrats saw damage from the attacks but liked Clinton more.

"I think it is hurting her, although for me, it's made me feel a little better toward her," said Roy McCoy, of Riverside, Iowa. "I don't like bullying."

[Right_in_Virginia]

"I think it's sinking in to the electorate that people who had pledges to not attack Democrats were abandoning those pledges," Penn said.

Ok, I'm really confused. Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that Mrs. Clinton was telling the world that she is the best candidate because she's proven she can take whatever that nasty old vast right wing conspiracy can throw at her?

So much for being able to keep on ticking. I half expect to see Rev. Jackson join her team as the Clinton's spiritual advisor to help her through this "trauma".

[Sacajaweau]

We left a tip. We tip our question askers.

I'll give you a tip....Hide your money....Hillary wants to give it to every lazy person there is...and she wants a new black pant suit....and a tiara...like a Queen.

[Sacajaweau]

These men (Obama excepted) have worked all their lives in politics. Did she think they would ALL roll over?

Hillary??? Well, if she wasn't married to Bubba, we'd all be going "HIllary who?"

Haven't heard from Schumee lately.

[Miss Didi]

Good point. Rush once said to watch the Times...as soon as they turn on her, it's over. He also says that the media can create you and then tear you down--the Dem candidates are all just media creations. The Drive-Bys will do anything to get a Dem back in the WH; Rush says that this is their last chance at reviving their '60s mentality. Clinton Inc. is ruthless...the Drive Bys are counting on it.

Off topic, Joe Piscipo visiting the Friends on Fox reading the tease about Mrs. Clinton not knowing about Questiongate does a funny, "yeah, right"...seems Joe is not a fan.

[seemoAR]

It could get very interesting if the Beast were to get elected. I can imagine a lot of conflicts if she has female interns. :0)

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

It could get very interesting if the Beast were to get elected. I can imagine a lot of conflicts if she has female interns. :0)

... annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd just like that: the urge for breakfast is gone. ;)

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

“...went negative...”

Meaning, they asked her to explain her contradictory statements. How dare they.

Don’t they know she’s a Clinton, and is therefore above question?

[Suzy Quzy]

"I think it's sinking in to the electorate that people who had pledges to not attack Democrats were abandoning those pledges," Penn said.

Sounds like TIMMY RUSSERT BROKE HIS PLEDGE!! Is he still alive?

What NERVE that Chris Dodd had in saying something back to Clinton....he'll pay for sure!!

THE CLINTONS MADE THEM PLEDGE!! YIKES!

[Suzy Quzy]

Hey Roy McCoy, you weaselly so called man.....the Clintons BULLIED the rest of the Dems, Russert included, to not ask tough questions to Hillary!

[Suzy Quzy]

Eliot the Millstone.....sinking Hillary.....makes me warm all over.

[mewzilla]

Spitzer et al may yet resurrect the NYS GOP from the political boneyard. Heh heh heh.

[bray]

The Hindenberg seems to be having a bit of a problem??? Apparently the Clinton Chinese Mafia War Room is a causing some sparks to fly??

Pray for W and Our Victorious Troops

[Miss Didi]

In other NY political news...Fox & Friends is reporting that Bloomie is indeed running for the WH. He's waiting until March after the Texas primaries. And Nancy Reagan is supporting him! (pretty earrings)



November 12, 2007 -- NANCY Reagan and Mayor Bloomberg have a thing going on - a mutual-admiration thing. The former First Lady is flying here for a dinner on Wednesday at Bloomberg's townhouse to raise money from about 40 well-heeled guests for the Reagan Library. "Nancy told friends recently she wants Bloomberg to run for president. She doesn't like Rudy Giuliani," said a source who recently saw Reagan in California. She and Bloomberg see eye to eye on stem-cell research, which might some day lead to a cure for Alzheimer's, the disease that debilitated Ronald Reagan in his last years. Hizzoner had lunch with Nancy last summer at the Hotel Bel Air just before he announced he was leaving the Republican Party to become an Independent. She could help him a lot in certain powerful circles in California.

[mewzilla]

Fmr. Bloomberg Adviser: '08 Run '80% Probable' if Parties Nominate Extremists (Romney an extremist?)

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.

Thomas Paine

Run, Bloomie, run!

[Hardastarboard]

Hell, man, all of FR is a “Stop Hillary” list!

[Miss Didi]

"Everybody wants to get into the act!"
Jimmy Durante

So who does Bloomie help or hurt?

[seemoAR]

Sorry bout that. :0)

[mewzilla]

If Bloombug runs, and the GOP runs a conservative, the 'Rats are screwed.

If Bloomie runs in a race with Hillie and a RINO, the country is screwed.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Hell, man, all of FR is a “Stop Hillary” list!

I abase myself, humbled by your manifest wisdom. ;)

[mewzilla]

I should've said another RINO, since Bloomie's no more a Pubbie than I am a communist.