The Candidates
As Bill Bennett writes:
This is an astounding moment in American politics. You cannot credibly say the Clintons are a political dynasty the way, say, the Kennedys or Bushs are. But I think one has to say the Clinton rule of the Democratic party has been dynastic. Bill Clinton is the only Democrat to have served two terms as president in two generations, the only Democrat to twice beat Republican nominees for president and his wife is a two term U.S. senator who will likely be in the Senate for years to come. Bill Clinton has been rated one of — if not THE — most popular person in the world, and yet Clinton rule in American politics ends tonight. Whatever it was the Republicans and so many independents did not like about the Clintons, we’ve learned the Democrats have had enough as well.
And thus the Democratic party is about to nominate a far left candidate in the tradition of George McGovern, albeit without McGovern’s military and political record. The Democratic party is about to nominate a far-left candidate in the tradition of Michael Dukakis, albeit without Dukakis’s executive experience as governor. The Democratic party is about to nominate a far left candidate in the tradition of John Kerry, albeit without Kerry’s record of years of service in the Senate. The Democratic party is about to nominate an unvetted candidate in the tradition of Jimmy Carter, albeit without Jimmy Carter’s religious integrity as he spoke about it in 1976. Questions about all these attributes (from foreign policy expertise to executive experience to senatorial experience to judgment about foreign leaders to the instructors he has had in his cultural values) surround Barack Obama. And the Democratic party has chosen him.
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I hear the Obama wife cmments are coming out in the next day or two
possibly. I wonder if Hillary thinks she can still get the super delegates
to switch back to her
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
mike,
I highly, highly doubt that this tape even exists. Even if it did and Clinton’s operatives have possession of it, why not use it before Obama clinched the required number of delegates? If GOP operatives use it, it makes sense to drop it during the last week in October, rather than now. It’s way too soon.
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I think once the word got out it was inevitable.
Bob Beckel is on Fox saying it will be released in a day or two.
We will see I guess if its true.
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I think Steve Schmidt(Former Cheney aid, now McCain aid) has been preparing the Obama assault for the last three months. I cannot wait to see what they do to Obama.
If the video does not exist, be sure they have other “opportunities”.
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0339068220080603
This ia great news for McCain. This may actually help him win California.
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Isnt Barack Obama in favor of Gay Marriage or is he just in favor of Civil Unions? I know he is pretty liberal on social issues such as being anti-death penalty and pro abortion and anti guns, but i’m not sure what his gay marriage position is?
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Remember Bennett’s words the next time someone tells you that Jeb Bush is going to run for President.
Jeb is too smart to allow this to happen to him.
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
#7 Jeb Bush, please explain? I missed something.
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Obama is against gay marriage, but he has been writing GLAD organizations recently telling them he supports the Cali. Sup. Court decision. Flip-flop.
Arnie just gave McCain a shot at California. If the So-cons come out in big force (as they did with the last gay marriage proposition in Cali.), McCain might see a huge turnout on election day. All he needs to do is stay within 5% in polling by November.
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Actually, this might be Karl Rove….he did this for Bush in several states in 2004, which is why Bush won, even though he was behind in polls. Republicans are so creative and smart, and i am proud to be one.
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
If Republican operatives have the tape and their intentions are:
1. To get Clinton as the nominee (release it now), then be careful what you ask for. She will beat McCain.
2. To expose the Obamas in the General (release it later)
If it is going to be released in the next day or two, then I must assume it is the Clinton machine that has it.
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
#10: If your idea is smart is a chance to win now at the expense of the next generations. I call that dumb.
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
There is no tape fools.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:47 am
Republicans cant win in CA with a traditional conservative message. Not enough conservatives to go around.
Republicans only win when they run to the left of southern democrats. Arnold figured this out.
Its questionable whether or not the initiative to over turn gay marriage succeeds or not, but it will not have down (or upticket) support.
Sorry