MotherJones Blog: Michelle vs. Bill: In the Democratic Race, the Spouses Go at It

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Michelle vs. Bill: In the Democratic Race, the Spouses Go at It

Can Michelle Obama take down Bill Clinton?

Well, can she at least exploit the spouse of her spouse's chief rival to raise money for her own spouse?

On Thursday afternoon, the Obama campaign sent out a fundraising appeal signed by Barack Obama's wife that uses Bill Clinton's recent swipes at Senator Obama as its main get-out-your-checkbooks motivator. She writes:

We knew getting into this race that Barack would be competing with Senator Clinton and President Clinton at the same time.

We expected that Bill Clinton would tout his record from the nineties and talk about Hillary's role in his past success. That's a fair approach and a challenge we are prepared to face.

What we didn't expect, at least not from our fellow Democrats, are the win-at-all-costs tactics we've seen recently. We didn't expect misleading accusations that willfully distort Barack's record.

Barack Obama isn't relying on a former President of the United States to campaign for him.

He's relying on us -- you, me, and hundreds of thousands of people like us who are giving whatever they can afford to support this movement.

The Obama vs. Clinton and Clinton spat has been getting ugly, so much so that some Democratic leaders have been complaining that Bill Clinton has gone too far in assailing Obama, the most inspiring figure the Democratic Party has seen in years.

But, as I've already written, a mud-fight between the Clintons and Obama benefits Hillary Clinton. All this sniping sucks up oxygen (time and media attention) that Obama could otherwise be using to make his case that he's a transformative, unconventional candidate committed to change and a new brand of politics. If in the days before Supersaturated Tuesday, the race comes across to television viewers (read: would-be voters) as a fury of accusation and counter-accusation, the more conventional candidate with the more conventional message will have the upper hand. You know who that is.

By keeping Obama (and his wife) in the gutter, Bill Clinton renders it tougher for Obama to inspire and to soar. And it's hard to imagine that Mr. Clinton does not realize that.

Comments

"it's hard to imagine that Mr. Clinton does not realize that"

He is smart enough to be that cynical and more.

Posted by: capt on 01/24/08 at 2:00 PM Respond

Wow, what a load of bull****. Let me gues, you are an Obahma supporter. Osama and Edwards are the ones to start slinging mud back in september. They questioned Hillary's honesty because she would not release some documents from the 80s and 90s. Maybe the Obamas are keeping things dirty, because he has no record to stand on. He voted present over 100 times on tough issues and he was a senator for two years before running for president. So his real experience is campagning. Just like BIG TEX. Look where that idiot got us. Osama is not a moron like the W but he is just as unseasoned. We can not afford to have another regular likeable guy as leader of the free world. You think Hillary is tough? Wait until the RNC and Rove get a hold of those big ears of his and twist.Obama is going to yelp like the wide eyed puppy dog he is. New Mexico Bill was the most qualified with the least amount of bagage. Hillary has shown she can give it as well as she takes it, so I'm voting for her. Sorry, I like Obama but these are dangerous times in the world. I would like to see a ticket whith both of them but, Osama's mudslinging has ruined that.

Posted by: Sen on 01/24/08 at 2:10 PM Respond

“and talk about Hillary's role in his past success.”
Like what? The healthcare plan? Oh, what about “the vast right wind conspiracy”? How about “standin’ by her man” while he made her look like an idiot in front of the entire planet. Michelle was too kind. Funny, funny stuff!

Posted by: kirkbrew on 01/24/08 at 2:46 PM Respond

Hillary only cares enough about anything and person if that's gets her into the White House. Remember what she said when she decided to run, she said "I'm in and I'm in it to win". Did you notice there was NOTHING in that statement about wanting to run for President because she has this deep desire of bringing people together, valuing the voter's opinion or thoughts, working together to bring about a better country. She wants to be the BOSS, not the President of the United States; no wonder Bill Clinton had Monica Lewinsky that late evening.

Posted by: mariann on 01/24/08 at 8:03 PM Respond

never mind that clinton 1 or 2 will do anything to win. Heavy weight democrats told bill to stop his madness.

if she can't run on her own, she should get the hell out of there.
She wouldn't leave, it's all about her. she will rather destroy the party and the nation with it, than to leave it at that.

she is truely the worse of the clintons I've ever seen. I wouldn't vote for any clinton. she will spoil our chance of ever getting considered seriously.
How can she claim to be able to do the job if she can only win over obama by using dirty tricks and her dirty husband (monica lewinslki)?

Posted by: alia princess on 01/24/08 at 10:19 PM Respond

Its not about bringing the nation together! That will never happen. Its about keepign China from forclosing on the USA.

Posted by: Chester on 01/24/08 at 11:51 PM Respond

What is Mr. Obama's movement/what are his goals?
What's happening here,between the candidates is nothing new in the long history of candidates. But both sides seem to be 'baiting'each other and it's great theater for the media to grab onto to get ratings or sell magazines. But the Media, the Obama camp,and the Clinton camp are in danger of just boring the public with this petty and boring bickering commentary.

Posted by: heather on 01/25/08 at 12:45 PM Respond

Please note
The PoignantFrog
All About Hillary and Snow White
http://thepoignantfrog.blogspot.com/2008/02/hillary-and-obama-ll-matched-lovers.html

Posted by: marguerita bornstein on 02/20/08 at 7:01 PM Respond