NewsBusters' mission is that of exposing and combating liberal media bias, and that's what I spend the great majority of my time here doing. But I hope our readers -- and my editors -- will indulge me when I offer a bit of personal analysis here. The outbreak of nastiness between the Obama and Hillary camps -- initiated by comments made by Obama supporter David Geffen and quoted by Maureen Dowd in her column today -- is stunning. For the Obama camp to come out this early -- and this hard -- against Hillary has riveted the attention of the political world.
For those who didn't catch it, David Geffen -- certified member of the liberal Hollywood elite, billionaire producer and co-founder of DreamWorks, and former avid and generous Clinton supporter and donor turned major Barack backer -- told Dowd:- "I don’t think that another incredibly polarizing figure, no matter how smart she is and no matter how ambitious she is — and God knows, is there anybody more ambitious than Hillary Clinton? — can bring the country together."
- “I don’t think anybody believes that in the last six years, all of a sudden Bill Clinton has become a different person, [in terms of his personal proclivities] . . . I think [Republicans] believe she’s the easiest to defeat.”
- Most damning was this: "Everybody in politics lies, but they [Bill and Hillary] do it with such ease, it’s troubling.”
Story Continues Below Ad ↓
Ouch. For good measure, Obama himself took this shot at Hillary today: " "It is also ironic that Senator Clinton lavished praise on Monday and is fully willing to accept today the support of South Carolina State Sen. Robert Ford, who said if Barack Obama were to win the nomination, he would drag down the rest of the Democratic Party because ’he's black.’"
Double ouch.
So just what is going on here? Part of it is just the typical tactic of a challenger, Obama, trying to dent the aura of invincibility of front-runner Hillary. Nothing unusual there. But I would say there's something more interesting at work. Obama has staked out a strong anti-war position. He flaunts the fact that he opposed the war from the beginning in 2002 when Hillary and most other Dems were voting for it. And he wants us to get out now. Not bad politics for a guy running in Dem primaries. However, even though many Americans are disillusioned with the the situation in Iraq, they still recognize that the war against terror is the most important issue confronting our country. They are not going to vote for a president who they don't think has the toughness to take on America's most fearsome enemies.
That puts Obama in a tough spot. It's fine right now, politically speaking, to be a dove when it comes to Iraq. But if Americans become convinced that Obama is not merely against the war in Iraq, but is inherently soft, he will never be the next president. What's a Barack to do? He has to find some way of proving his toughness. So why not take on what is widely acknowledged to be the toughest political operation around -- the Clinton campaign machine?
I can already hear the cries on the left: "he's equating Hillary with Osama Bin Laden!" No, I'm not at all. I'm simply saying that Obama feels the need to pick a fight to establish his macho bona fides. Taking on Hillary and her establishment serves the dual purpose of taking the sheen off the front-runner, while demonstrating that Barack Obama has the gumption required of a Commander-in-Chief. And I think that explains, in important part, why Obama has gotten so tough, so early.
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Ok, now this is SO funny. I
February 21, 2007 - 21:08 ET by mostlymoderateOk, now this is SO funny. I am really enjoying the infighting between Obama and Hillary thus far. Don't get me wrong, I would never vote for either of them; however, I must hand it to Obama for sticking up to Hillary. Hillary KNOWS she is screwed because she DID vote for the war. One of the reasons Hillary was so eager to support the war was because she counts on the Jewish vote in New York. To make them happy, and to get their votes, she needed to support Israel as well as the War On Terror. We all know that New York has a very large population of Jewish voters. So, NOW that Hillary is running for president, she knows that she needs the support of "non-New Yorkers". THAT is the reason she is so quick to not support the war any more. At the same time, Hillary is turning her back on the voters of New York that put her as Senator. Will she turn on Hollywood now????
Hillary Clinton=opportunist
I think the Jewish vote in NY
February 22, 2007 - 08:21 ET by GalvanicI think the Jewish vote in NY played little role in her war vote calculus. She voted for the war because
(1) To bolster her image as a potential Commander-in-Chief, she wanted to show she was tough enough to support military action.
(2) She had to distance herself from her husband's post-9/11 image as being too soft on terrorism.
(3) (Perhaps most important) It seemed like a 'safe' call at the time. The WMD that Iraq had claimed to possess wasn't all accounted for, and even prominent Dems had been warning about the threat since the late Clinton-years.
Saint Hillary was assured of re-election in NY when she won the Sneate seat in 2000. She had her sights set on the White House when she cast her war vote.
Mark, I think Barack knows he's going to be marginalized.
February 21, 2007 - 21:15 ET by acaiguanaMark, I think Barack knows he's going to be marginalized.
He'll be relegated to someone who a) has no experience and b) cannot deliver to the 'real black' core of the Democrat Party.
Only one choice left after that, huh?
So, to counter the Hillary War Room, he's jumping out first to a) make his 'bones' before Hillary's machine destroys him and b) like you say, he can be 'tough'.
If it goes far enough, they will give whoever the Republican candidate is enough ammunition to make an arsenal.
Obama has no tie to the Clinton years and he's young enough to get away with calling Hillary an Old Baby-boomer fogey.
He really only has one chance and that is to take her down and survive that process. If he can't do that, he'll never be President.
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
Malibu Geffen
February 21, 2007 - 21:19 ET by P.J. GladnickThis might be a bit OT but Geffen really irks me. He FOUGHT beach access next to his Malibu mansion for years despite the fact that California law states that public access must be granted. When I used to spearfish in the Malibu area, almost all of the residents treated us "plebes" like dirt.
Like so many of the Limosine
February 22, 2007 - 08:24 ET by GalvanicLike so many of the Limosine Liberals, Geffen is a NIMBY.
I bought it from God and I
February 22, 2007 - 10:13 ET by Right2thePointI bought it from God and I have the deed. My property ends at the high water line but you are abusing my view by being under that. I didn't spend all that money to let peons like you clutter it up.
Laws apply to Republicans and
February 22, 2007 - 13:37 ET by dahliatraversLaws apply to Republicans and Global Warmers, not to enlightened progressives.
That may be true, ACA, but
February 22, 2007 - 07:17 ET by motherbeltThat may be true, ACA, but I'm not sure how many people will vote for Obama because he stood up to Hillary. Look what happened to Rick Lazio. I think the only ones who will switch to BO because of this are the ones who don't like Hillary and were looking for a good reason and a decent candidate to switch to.
Obama is wise, though, to let his minions do the bad-mouthing. As Hillary will be. This is going to be a battle of the minions, so the candidates can keep their hands clean.
Look for Clinton to send out her attack-Cajun James Carvile to unload on Obama. And the line will be: everyone knows James has strong opinions and doesn't hold back; he's not going to become mellow at this point.
My hope in this is : BO and
February 21, 2007 - 21:34 ET by upcountrywaterMy hope in this is : BO and HC spend lots of "THEIR OWN" money! lol.
Whom ever gets the most MSM freebies wins.
The last part of point #2 is
February 21, 2007 - 21:40 ET by usinkoreaThe last part of point #2 is what interests me.
I have been absolutely fascinated by what the media is doing with Obama. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. I wasn't around to see how the Kennedy worshiping started, so I can't compare it, but the press partisanship with JFK is the only thing that comes remotely close to the amount of cheerleading the press is doing for Obama.
And I seriously think it is a planned strategy by people high up in dem circles - including the press.
I believe a segment of the dems decided Hillary can't win, and after losing twice to someone they consider dumber than a rock, and more dangerous than Hitler (well - that might be pushing it - but I'd say they'd rank Bush in the same broad category - they have accused him and those around him of being Nazi-like enough times or made reference to Nazi-led Germany) ---
--- anyway --- what I was trying to say is --- they believe American society -and world history even - are at a "crucial" "crossroads" --- and if they lose the next election, it might push the growing Dark Age to the point they can't save us (the entire human race) if they win.
(If you think I'm exaggerating about the "human race" thing - check out the Global Warming coverage...)
In short, the believe the next election is critical for America and the world - and they can't afford to lose -
and they decided Hillary stands too much a chance to lose, but she has so much power in the party already - even the media has to throw the shroud of "neutrality" aside and go all out f-ing gung-ho for Obama to give humans the chance to survive in the 21st century.
OK, I'm getting carried away with the Obama hysteria -- but it is clear the press and some big influencial players in dem circles have decided they must be a strong arm of the Obama campaign.
The media must put aside its self-professed journalistic ethics in order to do some good for the nation at this critical juncture, because losing a third time is just too costly to the US and the world. So, they have basically become the Obama campaign spokesman across the board.
Ross Perot had to buy his initial media attention and spend tens of millions to build a base of support before he got the major press attention.
And Clinton had to go on Arsino Hall and play the sax and things like that and build up a base before they covered him much.
That is the norm.
Obama has been anointed as the savior - because they don't believe they can paint Hillary into such a role and they fear she can't win.
I got news for you this is
February 22, 2007 - 10:28 ET by Right2thePointI got news for you this is being marshalled to the front by the same bunch of bozo's who launched the wicked and wierd Joe and Valerie road show.
It is Fenton Communications the most absurd of all communicators.
Google them, yahoo search, or even just look.
They have a track record that your mom would be ashamed of but they still persist.
They have a stable of paying clients that can support the agenda of their choosing. They can litterally flood the talking head circuit with their bobblewobbles of a given meme.
Read up on these guys, they have so many freak causes they have raised which were later discredited but they have no shame, and thus take no blame.
They have got their stich down pat they know how to pull your chain.
They are a DC inside story that eveyone there knows about but aint letting the news get to the outside.
They are the classic case of who can we go to to get results without getting our hands to dirty in the birthday cake.
Read on them, they have a past to be observed and a future to be scared of.
This will be interesting once
February 21, 2007 - 21:41 ET by midnight cowboyThis will be interesting once the major endoresments start coming down the pike. If BO could rack up a few big names like space alien Gore, (he's not a lock for the Clintons. Back in '04 he didn't endorse for president his running mate from 2000) and some senators like the bimbettes in California. This could be great entertainment. Hillary will become completely unhinged.
Pass the popcorn.
"Hillary will become c
February 21, 2007 - 21:49 ET by Eric Turner"Hillary will become completely unhinged."
Yes, but if her becoming "completely unhinged" doesn't include this, then it's just not worth it!
This is fabulous. Popcorn a
February 21, 2007 - 22:06 ET by dahliatraversThis is fabulous. Popcorn and feet up on the ottoman, Midnight C.
And Geffen is like a reformed smoker or a deprogrammed cult member, preaching against his former sin. Yea, barothuh! The Clintons are so ticked off at him right now. Ahhh.
Borat Obumma
February 21, 2007 - 22:36 ET by dmntd1While we're talking about the E-Steamed Senator from my home-state, let me just mention the fact that the name listed in one AP article, SC Senator Ford, is NOT listed in the article as a Democrat, and in a second, separate article about the E-Steamed Senator, "Former Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle" is not listed as a Democrat. Anyone that knows who Daschle is, knows he is, but with the hoopla over the recent "winning of both houses of Congress", might some people think he's a Republican?
Please make sure your train of thought carries freight.
Obummer v. Shrillery
February 21, 2007 - 22:45 ET by emjem24Wouldn't it be a laugh if we could see these two on Celebrity Death Match (on MTV). That would be a scream. I'd love to see these two ninnnies take each other out and then what will the libs put up as a decent candidate? I'm just atwitter and sitting on my thumbs. Maybe these two will do what any good Republican strategist would suggest: turn pacifist, weenie libs into cantankerous, combative opponents. Maybe Mr. Combover Biden can moderate the match.
The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. Air Force Motto
emjem says: When your brain's stuck on liberalism it self-destructs.
I have never seen anything mo
February 21, 2007 - 22:57 ET by bigtimerI have never seen anything more delicious in my life politically with all of this....
Fix my coffee this morning and hear about this...and that Soro's is with Geffen and Hollywood crew is too beautiful.....been laughing my rear off...
Btw...the rumor I have also heard that ties with this Geffen support-non-support is that Clintoon didn't Pardon L. Peltier and did Marc Rich...well.... the difference was money, Geffen, are you really so stupidly blind? Did you think they cared one wit about you...ever? They used you when convenient....as all little peons they use...., they used that money from Denise (another rumored ex-lover of Clintoon's), Marc's ex- to deliver for their Clintoon Library.
Pay-backs are hell eh Shrillary?
Geffen better beef up his bod
February 21, 2007 - 23:05 ET by gfrrmanGeffen better beef up his body guards and security..... ie. Vince Foster/Ron Brown.
..or he will be have to roll
February 21, 2007 - 23:22 ET by bigtimer..or he will be have to roll over one more time...
....as good old Webb Hubbell's last words I have ever heard from him live speaking to his wife from prison.
Speaking of live...anybody ever know what happened to that ex- AG, or his wife?
That Good Ol' Boy.
Did his service...in more ways than one.
This is good news for us on
February 22, 2007 - 02:12 ET by ckc1227This is good news for us on the right. Since liberals can't not be nasty, it's inevitable that the rest of those in the race join in. After about 12 months of these yo yos bashing one another, name calling, etc, the environment will be ripe for one of our guys to slip in as the saner alternative.
Reminder:
Don't forget to pay your taxes. 12 million illegal immigrants are counting on you.
Holy Cow! Get a load of th
February 22, 2007 - 06:53 ET by motherbeltHoly Cow! Get a load of the new ground rules she's advocating: not only must you not say anything critical of me, now you must disavow and refuse campaign contributions from anyone who does!! Do you think she will live by the same rules for her own campaign????
It's hilarious the things that the Clintons and their minions can say with a straight face!
ABSOLUTELY, motherbelt! Hill
February 22, 2007 - 08:37 ET by GalvanicABSOLUTELY, motherbelt!
Hillary is well-aware that she stands the most to lose in a flame-war between candidates. Afterall, she has a public record to attack. Her handlers and spin-doctors know that her best strategy is to lay down the marker (as she has with Obama), and then label every criticism of her or her record as "Politics of personal destruction." Those opponents who don't cower in fear and refrain from attacking her, will be attacked by the well-armed Friends of the Clintons (And not members of her campaign staff), who will claim that her opponents just aren't ready for a female President, as they sling mud at those opponents.
The image she will paint is that of a statesman who operates above the mudslinger. It's all about images, motherbelt. And we know the denizens of the evil Clinton Machine are masters at shaping it.
Hey I got a sensitive questio
February 22, 2007 - 06:56 ET by BAUHAUSHey I got a sensitive question for you all.
If you had to choose between Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and a not-born-in-american conservative (like Schwarzenegger). Who would you choose.
BAUHAUS, you will have to
February 22, 2007 - 07:05 ET by motherbeltBAUHAUS, you will have to reconstruct your question; Schwarzenegger is not a conservative; at least he hasn't governed in CA like one.
I only picked Schwarzenegger
February 22, 2007 - 07:08 ET by BAUHAUSI only picked Schwarzenegger because he was Austrian, not because of his political views.
I only picked Schwarzenegge
February 22, 2007 - 14:00 ET by Jack BauerI only picked Schwarzenegger because he was Austrian,
isn't that racist. Picking on someone "just because he was Austrian."
Of course, Hitler was Austrian too.
I think you're not understand
February 22, 2007 - 14:42 ET by BAUHAUSI think you're not understanding my point. I choose Schwarzenegger because he was the only not-born-in-America governor I know. Not because he was Austrian, if he was French i would picked him too, if he was Russian I would picked him and if he was [name any country] I would picked him too.
But how about my first question, who would you pick? Clinton, Obama or someone else from abroad.
That is not a sensitive quest
February 22, 2007 - 12:47 ET by bassndudeThat is not a sensitive question, its silly, to say it politely. Arnold cannot run for president. Only a natural born citizen can. So you question is not only silly, it is not even in the realm of reality.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Have you ever thought about a
February 22, 2007 - 13:53 ET by BAUHAUSHave you ever thought about altering the constitution? As Arnold became Governor some Republicans said they would be willing to alter it.
A Hillary presidency may have
February 22, 2007 - 10:33 ET by ucA Hillary presidency may have us only hearing the likes of this old line: just trust me, "to know me is to love me." (Perot's). To continue protecting sensitive information/Clinton decisions from 1992-2000 she may have no other option than this as a necessary and not strictly strategic "stay the course" (wise and still in hindsight wise limited use of language by 43) phrase of her own. New York what have you done to America? Recall your for now just partially absent Senator now, please.
pillager at' large
February 22, 2007 - 12:23 ET by foolnomoreyes,try not to get on hill's bad side, body armor, could be part of new the wardrode of the day, plus no picnicking in any park's,