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How Ugly Will the Democratic Race Get (Tonight and Afterward)?
How nasty will it get in Vegas?
Tonight, the Democrats will gather in family-friendly Sin City for yet another debate, and as they prep for this face-off, John Edwards and Barack Obama must be calculating how far to go in assailing front-runner Hillary Clinton. And she must be wondering how sharp to be in return.
The latest Iowa poll from The New York Times and CBS News depicts the race in the Hawkeye State as virtually a three-way tie (Clinton, 25 percent; Edwards, 23 percent, and Obama, 22 percent). Such results presumably scare the Clinton machine. If she falls in Iowa, so too does her campaign's double-sided argument of inevitability and electability. These poll numbers are obvious encouragement for the two men with the best shot of toppling her--and a sign that their recent moves might be working.
In the past week, both Obama and Edwards have intensified their attacks on Clinton. At the Jefferson Jackson Day dinner in Iowa on Saturday night, Obama, in a fiery speech, declared:
The same old Washington textbook campaigns just won't do in this election. That's why not answering questions 'cause we are afraid our answers won't be popular just won't do. That's why telling the American people what we think they want to hear instead of telling the American people what they need to hear just won't do. Triangulating and poll-driven positions because we're worried about what Mitt or Rudy might say about us just won't do. If we are really serious about winning this election Democrats, we can't live in fear of losing it....
I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over....They have not funded my campaign, they will not get a job in my White House....
I am sick and tired of Democrats thinking that the only way to look tough on national security is by talking, and acting, and voting like George Bush Republicans. When I am this party's nominee, my opponent will not be able to say that I voted for the war in Iraq; or that I gave George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran....I don't want to spend the next year or the next four years re-fighting the same fights that we had in the 1990s.
Whether or not the tired Iowan Democrats realized it, this was all an attack on HRC the hawkish, triangulating, hyperpartisan kingpin of conventional, lobbyist-fueled Washington politics--though Obama never mentioned her by name. He was offering a contrast deeply unkind to Clinton without coming across as a slasher.
At the same dinner, Edwards went easy on Clinton, but in the days after he resumed his assault upon her. On Wednesday, he issued a press release challenging her to "stop defending Washington." By that, he meant stop defending the politicians and lobbyists of the nation's capital who plot together to screw working Americans. In another statement, he declared, "Voters have a clear choice between John Edwards, who will fight to finally pass universal health care, and Senator Clinton, who seems intent on defending the Washington establishment." He also blasted her for greasing the path to war in Iran:
The war in Iraq isn't even history yet, but the Bush Administration is repeating the march to war with Iran – and they're getting help from a person who should know a lot better – Senator Clinton. On Saturday at the Iowa Jefferson Jackson dinner, Senator Clinton unveiled her new campaign slogan to ‘turn up the heat’ on the Republicans. Well, somebody will have to tell me how you ‘turn up the heat’ by voting with Bush, Cheney and the neocons on their path to war with Iran. Because I don't believe that's turning up the heat – I think that's giving them exactly what they want.
For her part, Clinton at the Iowa dinner asserted that change without experience is no formula for success--an obvious dig at Obama.
With the race tightening, the mounting pressure could blow the lid of the pot at the Las Vegas debate, which is supposed to focus on matters of specific interest to the West (say water rights, not the number of lobbyists collecting campaign cash for Clinton). Up to now, Obama has said nothing that would prevent Clinton from choosing him as a running mate should she prevail. He has insisted he's not interested in running for veep. But who knows? He also has his politics-of-hope, bringing-folks-together rep to maintain. And that could cause him to limit his assaults on Clinton. Will he cross a line as the January 3 Iowa caucus cometh? Tonight would be the time to do so.
As for Edwards, he clearly has no interest in repeating a run as No. 2. And as an ex-senator, he need not fret about senatorial courtesy. Consequently, he has more freedom to slam Clinton. But does this former trial lawyer want to play junkyard-dog prosecutor and do the dirty work only to create an opening for Obama the nice guy?
Meanwhile, will Hillary swing harder at the foes she has previously preferred to ignore? She cannot afford more slippage in the Iowa polls. In the course of this race, Clinton has consistently put in just-fine performances at the debates--until the last one, when she stumbled over a question about New York State issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. Does she have to brandish more muscle now?
The politerati will be poised for a three-person slugfest this evening. If that happens, it will be personal, for the policy differences among the three (despite all the roaring) are not that great. They all say they want out of the Iraq war. Clinton's and Edwards' health-care proposals are, to the naked eye, virtually identical. Each of these candidates calls for energy independence and protecting Social Security from privatization. There are distinctions. Edwards wants to send Washington lobbyists to Gitmo; HRC relies on Washington influence-peddlers for political money. But my hunch is that the strategists of three camps realize that Democratic voters will make their decisions based on the impressions they have of the leadership potential of the three main contenders. That means the attacks--if they do come--will have to target the person, not his or her policy positions. And that means, the race will get ugly. After all, in politics candidates tend to win by beating their rivals.
Comments
DC,
Let's hope it gets a little ugly.
Life and politics is never all happy-time and smiles. Let's see how they can do with a little tuss up.
First they have to get a little ugly - save the promise of a better tomorrow for the general election.
"America's best days are ahead and a better tomorrow is just around the corner" versus the BS peddled by the GOP about how their vainglorious victory of an occupation is "just around the corner"
Thanks
The Democrats lost the last 2 presidential elections by not taking the gloves off and really fighting for the cause. Let's hope that this time they will realize that trying not to offend anyone only gets you the vote of those who will vote Democratic no matter who runs. They need to offer some real alternatives to the crap put forth by the neocons and their flunkies.
I still remember when "Liberal" was not a dirty word, and people would actually admit to believing in liberal positions. (I almost said "values", but that word has been corrupted by the conservatives, whose values always seem to be measurable in $$$.) Let's show some guts, Dems, and offer something to believe in.
Posted by: Bill G on 11/15/07 at 7:39 AM Respond
If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them.
Paul Wellstone
Posted by: capt on 11/15/07 at 9:44 AM Respond
"Sometimes you've got to start a fight to win one."
Paul Wellstone
*****
Let's get ready to rumble.
Posted by: capt on 11/15/07 at 10:37 AM Respond
Better to call a spade a spade than to keep up the charade.
http://unitedagainsthillary.wordpress.com
Posted by: Y on 11/15/07 at 12:34 PM Respond
Geologist discovers link to the next 911 in global warming policy
www.H2onE2.com Glacial Respiration, Conceptual Ring of Ice, The End of Linear Western Religion
A Geological Exploration of an E2 Earthen Planet And the H2 Human Species
Author: B Billy Marse, Professional Geologist
Brief Description:
www.H2onE2.com is an exploration of the universe, geology, climate, biology, humans, psychology, folklore and ancient structures to uncover the beginning and disclose the end of linear western religion. The true DaVinci Code behind the bible is not a supreme spiritual power but a scientific record of climate change described as Glacial Respiration. The Greek philosophers originated the practice of communicating a hidden idea or message in the short story format, as a metaphor. In the bible, metaphors conceal historic climate change within the fanciful stories. The theory of Glacial Respiration explains the myth behind the Holy Grail, structures such as the Great Pyramids, Stonehenge, Easter Island and is the knowledge that was collected in the Jewish Ark of the Covenant.
The environmental changes of Glacial Respiration determine all biological evolution and can explain why higher forms of intelligent humans developed. Further, Glacial Respiration releases the secret hidden by the Knights Templars, Masonic Order and all religions. Uncovers an advanced Blue-Blooded semi-industrial Atlantian Civilization that was built and destroyed many times over for the last million years. The book ends with an explanation of how linear western religion will be physically ended and describes the construction of the doomsday device capable of fulfilling its own self defining prophesy, “Revelations”. H2onE2 is a mind-expanding experience that stimulates the soul, instinct, intellect and is an almanac to the past, present and future of humanity. Rise, awaken and evolve into H3 human consciousness.
The discovery:
As a Professional Geologist, I attempted to link the Dust Bowl/Great Depression to a pre-glacial condition or mechanism and ended up writing the book H2onE2. I felt that there was a strong connection between the Dust Bowl and transition back into Glacial Winter. I did notice that my professors scientifically crumbled every time I mentioned the relationship. I could not go back in time or locate indisputable proof. The proof came from understanding all educational disciplines including history and theology. I soon discovered that all religious text both eastern and western continually described significant climate change conditions relating to Glacial Respiration. For years I fought off mixing science and religion until I discovered that the origins of all religions were founded or created to help humans psychologically survive the harsh earthen environment. Without reason I soon accepted that the world's complicated religions were the same. This came true and I continued to write and discover. Everything came into place as though I was unlocking a 10,000-year-old puzzle. I also realized this puzzle was opened before I discovered it, by someone else, some other group. If so, further understanding of this knowledge might be extracted from significant historical events. Lastly, this is the vital information needed to make future predictions.
Posted by: b billy marse on 11/15/07 at 4:36 PM Respond
Almost all wars and terrorism in the world can be stopped. Almost all dictators and tyrants can be rendered powerless. All we have to do is to stop paying them. An alarming amount of the money Western nations pay for oil is going into the coffers of people who terrorists and dictators. All we have to do defund the world’s most violent criminals is to become energy independent.
In the first phase of energy independence we get as much energy as possible from resources which we own or which are in the hands of friendly, stable nations. First we build new nuclear power plants in every state. If the French can make nuclear work what excuse do we have? In addition, we drill for oil off all our coastal waters and we build new refineries and pipelines in every state. Existing energy companies are making plenty of money in the current climate of false scarcity. We will have to find away around them. Usually way around greedy energy companies would require political will. However, almost all existing politicians are in the pocket of the energy companies. This includes democrats and republicans. So every politician currently in office needs to be thrown out. Anyone who works for or who owns an existing conventional energy company is in my view disqualified for public office. We already know from the Bush/Cheney experience that such politicians will work in a way contrary to the national security of the United States and will start pointless wars for oil.
Merely having new politicians willing to clear the legal minefields laid down by oil bought senators and congressmen might not be enough. We might have to get a little bolder. Therefore I suggest that we build terawatts of new nuclear power plans and miles of new oil refineries in Mexico and that we send the power back to the states via pipelines, power lines, hydrogen, or whatever works. This will provide work for Mexicans and energy for us. The Mexican government will have a large incentive to make the plants secure and this increased security might even spill over to the borders and make our borders more secure.
While phase one is going on we need to start on phase 2. In this phase we bring online as many green and renewable technologies as are currently viable and put as much money as is needed into producing more. I would suggest that the model cities be built in the west and south—anywhere that it does not get cold enough to snow. The idea is to build small towns or cities that will go cold turkey. There will be no fossil fuels of any kind allowed in these cities. All vehicles and houses will be powered by wind, solar and bio-mass. The best locations would be those that have year around wind, sun and enough farming in the area to produce the bio mass. These experimental towns would be off the power grid. The only way to get power to them would be to make the green and renewable technologies work. Volunteers who truly believe that the future is green would be invited to apply for residency. We would probably take engineers and farmers over other types because we would need people who were skilled in keeping the power conversion machinery going and others who don’t mind the get your hand dirty hard work of farming.
Posted by: poetryman69 on 11/25/07 at 3:02 PM Respond
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Posted by: capt on 11/15/07 at 6:55 AM Respond