Senator Hillary Clinton assures of her electability against
the Republicans while she promises change with stability.
Fred Thompson comes to California for his first campaign swing since he declared on The Tonight Show on September 5th. But the week ahead in presidential politics will focus on efforts by the other Democratic candidates to lasso Hillary Clinton, the tussle for conservative credibility among the Republicans, and geopolitical events that show signs of increasingly spiraling out of control.
On Tuesday, the Democratic presidential field gathers in Philadelphia for its latest debate, to air on MSNBC. The debate, which will actually be, of necessity, something of a debate, in contrast to the forums that they’ve mostly had so far, comes at key moment in the Democratic nomination race. Even though the first contest is not till January, and much can change when voters are actually engaged in the process, Hillary Clinton’s challengers are under great pressure from their supporters and the media to show that they can bring her to earth. Though the former first lady is in a tough fight in Iowa — where she is reportedly shifting nearly a hundred staffers — she leads pretty much everywhere else and has what appears to be a commanding lead in national polls.
Senator Barack Obama, with supporters concerned that the change card may be slipping away, sharpens his critique of the frontrunner on Iraq and Iran.
While those polls mean less than they’re made out to by a press corps that seems largely addicted to the notion of Clinton’s inevitabilty, politics is not a field based on deep security. Quite the contrary. As a result, Obama’s people are having to spend a lot of their time reassuring nervous money people and supporters that it can still happen for the charismatic keynoter of the 2004 Democratic national convention.
Obama is increasingly criticizing Clinton. Something which the third place candidate, John Edwards, has been doing for weeks now. But Edwards is well back, both in the polls and especially in fundraising, and is running the scruffier of the top tier campaigns, so that’s to be expected.
Obama is coming from a different place. He offers the vaunted “politics of hope,” and frequently strikes the “post-partisan” tone of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Without, of course, being the popular incumbent. It’s a strong theme for a general election, especially one in which the Republicans will have no chance but to attack harshly to have any hope of winning. But it’s problematic in a primary campaign against a frontrunner, in the form of Senator Clinton, who has improved as a candidate and, in the process, worn off much of the perceived harsh edge that worked against her in the past. The trick for Obama is criticizing Clinton without losing his above-the-fray appeal.
Former Senator John Edwards, running third, continues his
criticism of Clinton as a status quo Democrat.
For her part, Clinton will try to stay above the fray as much as possible, as she did in the last such encounter. But she will need different tactics than a theatrical laugh and studied avoidance of questions. Those came close to causing a press backlash against her, halted only by her besting Obama the following week in the third quarter fundraising sweepstakes.
All this takes place against a backdrop of a new global insecurity, if not chaos. Crude oil is at a record high. Gold is at a record high. The dollar is at a record low against the euro, as all those who buy champagne and Chanel products are only too well aware.
Underlying it all? The inability of the Iraqi government and its US patron to exercise any authority in northern Iraq over the semi-autonomous Kurds, from whose territory the terrorist socialist PKK guerilla movement launches high-profile attacks on Turkish soil. And the inability of the Pakistani government to provide adequate security against jihadist attacks on the followers of returned former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, not to mention the continued glaring existence of safe havens in Pakistan for Al Qaeda leaders.
And, oh yes, the Iranian crisis. Which escalated last week with bellicose rhetoric from Dick Cheney in Washington and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran. All of which floats the Iranian economy, which is dependent on oil which costs more to produce than that of other oil leaders. But with crude oil at record prices, whatever sanctions the US is imposing, absent help from Europe or Russia — which doesn’t want Iran to go nuclear but does want the US pinned down in the Middle East while it re-emerges on the world stage — are outstripped. Leading to fears from oil traders of a US attack on Iran, with consequences across the region and negative impacts on the oil markets.
Or positive impacts, if one is Russian or a member of OPEC. …
You can read the rest of Monday Morning Quarterback on PJ Media.
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49 Comments
Jonas Blane:I think John Edwards did the best in these videos.
Oct 29, 2007 - 6:00 am Jonas Blane:I think John Edwards did the best in these videos.
Oct 29, 2007 - 6:00 am Ann:I like Hillary the best. She’s strong and calm. Like me. lol
Oct 29, 2007 - 6:40 am sergei:Hillary Clinton has strength. I would love to see summit with her and President Putin. And the other President Clinton.
Oct 29, 2007 - 6:51 am sergei:Hillary Clinton has strength. I would love to see summit with her and President Putin. And the other President Clinton.
Oct 29, 2007 - 6:51 am Hap Hazard:To me it seems like none of the candidates in either party actually stands for anything, except for the proposition of winning.
Oct 29, 2007 - 7:11 am Bill Bradley:None of these candidates are particularly exciting me. Which in a way is good, since I do NWN and am a political analyst. But it’s not especially compelling.
Oct 29, 2007 - 7:35 am Bill Bradley:That would be very interesting.
>sergei :
Hillary Clinton has strength. I would love to see summit with her and President Putin. And the other President Clinton.
Oct 29, 2007 06:51 AM
Oct 29, 2007 - 7:36 am Bill Bradley:Oh, right. Exactly.
>Ann :
I like Hillary the best. She’s strong and calm. Like me. lol
Oct 29, 2007 06:40 AM
Oct 29, 2007 - 7:36 am Bill Bradley:Edwards is a very good candidate. If this were 2004, he’d be the class of the field. And would be bit more to the center.
>Jonas Blane :
I think John Edwards did the best in these videos.
Oct 29, 2007 06:00 AM
Oct 29, 2007 - 7:37 am Bill Bradley:Edwards is a very good candidate. If this were 2004, he’d be the class of the field. And would be bit more to the center.
>Jonas Blane :
I think John Edwards did the best in these videos.
Oct 29, 2007 06:00 AM
Oct 29, 2007 - 7:37 am Ann:Don’t be mean.
Oct 29, 2007 - 7:49 am Capitol Boy:They’re all kind of boring right now. I hope it picks up.
Oct 29, 2007 - 8:18 am Jonas Blane:The Democrats are pretty good. I’m not bored.
Oct 29, 2007 - 8:57 am Bill Bradley:They’re not boring, just not compelling.
Oct 29, 2007 - 9:10 am Bill Bradley:Me? Never.
>Ann :
Oct 29, 2007 - 9:10 am Jonas Blane:Don’t be mean.
Oct 29, 2007 07:49 AM
All of the candidates are good in the videos.
Oct 29, 2007 - 9:49 am Bill Bradley:It’s a good field.
Oct 29, 2007 - 9:58 am Capitol Boy:They’re okay. Any one of them could still lose to one or two of these terrible Republican candidates.
Oct 29, 2007 - 10:45 am Capitol Boy:They’re okay. Any one of them could still lose to one or two of these terrible Republican candidates.
Oct 29, 2007 - 10:45 am Bill Bradley:Few things are certain in competitive presidential campaigns.
Oct 29, 2007 - 10:52 am Barbara:Mr. Bradley:”But she will need different tactics than a theatrical laugh and studied avoidance of questions.”
Exactly…in any event, I don’t see anything creative in her…she operates only in the competitive mode…she is very uninteresting to me… and to my friends…
Oct 29, 2007 - 12:50 pm Barbara:On Iran crisis…it is interesting the warmongering which as you pointed out not only spikes oil prices, also helps Iran’s hardliners. The timing is interesting also as both war mongering and new sanctions happened exactly after Putin according to some reports put an “offer” on the table to possibly defuse the crisis…thus, this irresponsible behavior by the US could be seen as also trying to derail any progress/credit Russia may be having in containing/defusing this crisis.
Oct 29, 2007 - 1:08 pm Brasky:“How ‘bout tell the truth mode?” elicited a nice audience response for Edwards. I might actually watch the debate tomorrow.
Oct 29, 2007 - 1:16 pm Bill Bradley:Dick Cheney was closely aligned with the oligarch class in Russia. Before he was jailed Khodorkovsky met with Cheney to discuss a big American investment in Yukos oil.
>Barbara :
Oct 29, 2007 - 1:18 pm Capitol Boy:On Iran crisis…it is interesting the warmongering which as you pointed out not only spikes oil prices, also helps Iran’s hardliners. The timing is interesting also as both war mongering and new sanctions happened exactly after Putin according to some reports put an “offer” on the table to possibly defuse the crisis…thus, this irresponsible behavior by the US could be seen as also trying to derail any progress/credit Russia may be having in containing/defusing this crisis.
Oct 29, 2007 01:08 PM
Why isn’t that surprising?
Oct 29, 2007 - 1:34 pm Capitol Boy:Why isn’t that surprising?
Oct 29, 2007 - 1:34 pm Barbara:Yes, I know about the Khodorkovsky/ Cheney connection…and I read a strong argument last week that the strike on Iran that Cheney would love to happen is as much about securing Iraq’s oil reserves as it is any potential nuclear weapon of Iran…I think there is a real possibility Russia may defuse this, some analysts believe the “offer” was revisiting the offer it made last year for Iran to join Russia’s
Oct 29, 2007 - 2:32 pm Bill Bradley:Federal Atomic Energy Agency, with the added enticement of Russia’s protection …if this is the offer, it’s a win- win for Iran if it accepts it…
I haven’t heard a winning US military scenario with regard to Iran.
This all seems very half-assed to me.
Oct 29, 2007 - 2:48 pm Brasky:“This all seems very half-assed to me.”
I think “half” is generous.
Oct 29, 2007 - 3:10 pm Dana:Ah, yes. One elite working with another. After all, what’s good for General Bullmoose, is good for the U.S.A.!
To quote Ann: lol
>Bill Bradley :
Dick Cheney was closely aligned with the oligarch class in Russia. Before he was jailed Khodorkovsky met with Cheney to discuss a big American investment in Yukos oil.
Oct 29, 2007 - 3:11 pm Bill Bradley:Somebody needs to do a real biography on Dick Cheney.
Oct 29, 2007 - 3:25 pm Bill Bradley:Well, I’m frequently a very generous guy …
>Brasky :
Oct 29, 2007 - 3:26 pm Bill Bradley:“This all seems very half-assed to me.”
I think “half” is generous.
Oct 29, 2007 03:10 PM
Well, I’m frequently a very generous guy …
>Brasky :
Oct 29, 2007 - 3:26 pm Barbara:“This all seems very half-assed to me.”
I think “half” is generous.
Oct 29, 2007 03:10 PM
Mr. Bradley: “This all seems very half-assed to me.”
It is more neo-con delusions…you watch Bill Kristol chortling on Fox about the need for “an Israeli like Sept 6 strike on Iran”!!!…like there would be no consequences! The Gulf States are very concerned about a US strike. Someone wrote a very good editorial over the weekend addressing the need for diplomatic solutions in the “Gulf News”. ..for sure their Shia minorities would rebel, the entire Persian Gulf would be de-stabilized…and that would only be the beginning…
Oct 29, 2007 - 3:28 pm Bill Bradley:Well, how would he know?
Bill Kristol is the very amiable nitwit son of his dad. Never wore a uniform, only political credential is working for Dan Quayle.
I’d as soon ask Billy Crystal.
Oct 29, 2007 - 3:34 pm Ann:lol
Oct 29, 2007 - 4:12 pm Barbara:Well Iran is yet another issue that Hillary, in her goal to be “as tough as any man” for the general election … is not being helpful on…
Oct 29, 2007 - 4:18 pm Bill Bradley:When I asked Hillary Clinton and Wes Clark about Iran, she said that a whole menu of diplomatic options need to be employed.
Oct 29, 2007 - 4:21 pm Hap Hazard:Hillary, in her goal to be “as tough as any man” for the general election…
I think she already met the goal to be the most masculine presidential candidate…
Oct 29, 2007 - 5:18 pm carole w:First the MEDIA bitches about her cleavage. Now we are complaining about her strengths? SHE must be a threat! Good!
Oct 29, 2007 - 6:04 pm carole w:First the MEDIA bitches about her cleavage. Now we are complaining about her strengths? SHE must be a threat! Good!
Oct 29, 2007 - 6:04 pm Barbara:Mr. Bradley:”When I asked Hillary Clinton and Wes Clark about Iran, she said that a whole menu of diplomatic options need to be employed”
I remember when you wrote that…about the same time Clark gave a graphic interview with Washington Post and if you read it carefully…he comes off more or less saying we will prbably need to confront Iran eventually…that may be true or or may not, it is totally possible that Rasanjani will be the next Ayatollah and in less than 6 months Larijani will be Iran’s president…which will be then a totally different Iran…
IN any event SHE and her ardent supporter, Gen Clark are not in power RIGHT NOW…IF there is going to be a strike ..Cheney will order it in the next 4 months…Hillary’s vote on Kyl/ Lieberman and her vigorous public support for this last round of sanctions is a God send to Cheney and company as they “sell” the need for a strike to the American people…
Oct 29, 2007 - 7:17 pm Bill Bradley:Sen. Jim Webb talks both publically now and privately for sometime about the Iraqization of Iran …now, in part to protect herself from her critics she is going to join Webb with his legislation that is urgently needed that would prevent this administration from striking Iran without congress authorization…but this legislation is not moving fast enough, if passed the President would not sign it …which would be helpful in the PR battle also (his not signing it) because the press and the public have to have a knock down dragged out debate about this …we cannot be rolled like we were on the need to invade Iraq …but the damage is done…her quotes and vote will be used to sell the strike if Cheney moves forward….and EVEN if Cheney was not plotting to find a way to do this …Webb is also right when he says it is not correct or the way to conduct foreign policy, to label a military of a foreign government as a terrorist organization…she is not showing good judgement ..and she is pandering…what can I say, if I am stuck having to vote for her in the general I will…but without any enthusiasm.
Perhaps.
And perhaps it’s essentially theater designed to stir people up.
Oct 29, 2007 - 7:26 pm Barbara:well I haveto run…but there is some evidence with cheney and friends it is not theatre….
Oct 29, 2007 - 8:16 pm Barbara:mr Bradley watch king Abdullah …this trip to Britain and more..he is the voice of reason as ME principals are marching (and some sleepwalking) into potential regional Armageddon..TOODLES!.
Oct 29, 2007 - 8:27 pm Bill Bradley:What are the dates of his trip to the UK again?
Oct 30, 2007 - 9:39 am Auros:I think both Obama and Edwards might be a bit more compelling if we hadn’t already been subjected to ten months of campaign. Bush’s lame-duckitude caused the campaign to replace him to be kicked off too early.
Oct 31, 2007 - 4:54 pm Auros:Re: Iran, some otherwise very bright people (some of them my own relatives on the Jewish side of the family, including the trained-in-Israel rabbi) bought into the New Republic’s “Bush is crazy like a fox” storyline, that the saber rattling against Iraq was all theater, to put pressure on people.
We all know how that went.
I think that Bob Gates and Condoleeza Rice will probably be able to contain Cheney. But make no mistake — Cheney thinks we need to bomb Iran, and if he can, he will circumvent constitutional government to get that done.
Oct 31, 2007 - 4:56 pm