Matthew Dowd

Matthew Dowd has been a campaign strategist in races throughout the country. In 30 years, Dowd has worked for Democrats and Republicans, most recently serving as chief strategist for President George W. Bush in 2004.

« Previous | Main | Next »

Team Clinton Faces Fielder's Choice

February 21, 2008 7:26 AM

What happens when a baseball team near the end of a season goes 0-10 and each is loss is by an ever increasing lopsided margin?

New strategies are employed during the losing streak to try and win -- change the batting order, bring new players in, yell at the team, change up the practice schedule. Many, many things are done to simply try to stop accumulating losses.

But the longer the losing streak goes on, the worse it gets. Teammates begin questioning themselves and each other. Coaches are questioned and berated. Team members begin speaking out to the sports media about whose fault it is. And errors on the field increase as folks lose confidence . It is a seemingly inevitable losing death spiral.

When the losing team finally faces the situation and looks in the mirror in the midst of a streak like this, it is confronted with a key decision.

Either the team decides it still has a chance to get in the playoffs (even if that is improbable) and it looks for the first available opportunity for a victory, and throws the entire kitchen sink at the opposing team.

Or the team decides in this moment of key decision that the playoffs aren’t likely, and it begins to plan for the next season.  In doing this the team rests key players, begins to rebuild positive connection and communication among all players and coaches and the league.  The team finishes the season on a more positive, uplifting note so fans and other teams can remember the team fondly, even if it ultimately didn't fulfill its dream of victory.

After losing overwhelmingly in Hawaii and Wisconsin this week to Barack Obama, this is exactly where Hillary Clinton and her campaign team find themselves.  And the key moment coming up is today’s debate in Austin, Texas (or, possibly, in a few more days, at the Feb 26 debate in Ohio). 

So she and her team have, I believe, two avenues to choose between:

1 -- either they believe the can still salvage the season and make the playoffs, and thus I would see this being reflected in a take-no-prisoners and throw-the-kitchen-sink attacks at Obama in the debates, or

2-- they understand the season is lost, and begin to make nice, and not be perceived as sore losers.  And thus end the season so it can be remembered positively by voters and the Democratic party.

The tone and substance of how Hillary Clinton conducts herself in tonight’s debate will answer which choice the team has made at this time.  (Though Clinton’s inability to congratulate Obama on his Wisconsin victory may tell us which avenue they are headed towards).  If not, the next debate in Ohio may give us a firmer picture -- since tonight's debate in Austin may simply be too soon for the Clinton team to understand the stark reality of the situation.

Play Ball!

February 21, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (188)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

I think Hillary is running against the networks and not Obama. I have never seen such lopsided media in the recent history. The same anchors like Chris Matthews failed to ask Bush and the White House a single question during the last 7 years. MSNBC is more like the Burmese TV now.

Posted by: John Prescot | Feb 21, 2008 12:23:51 AM

John -- "have never seen such lopsided media in the recent history." -- All you Hillary supporters are just now feeling the pinch of what conservatives have felt for years.. the media is over 80% liberal.. If it woern't for partisan networks like Fox ( come to think of it - thats the only one) all the media would be terribly slanted to the liberal view... that sense of helplessness that you feel whenver you believe that Hillary is not getting a fair shake.. thats the same feeling Republcians get everytime they watch ANY national news network...

Posted by: givemeabreak | Feb 21, 2008 12:29:29 AM

Clinton's inability to concede when she loses, congratulate her opponent in her loser's speech OR thank and acknowledge her supporters who voted for her in states she lost has turned me against her. I was choosing between her and Obama for months and leaning slightly to Clinton, but in the past weeks, my choice has become clear. If Obama wins my state, obviously, we 'won't matter' to Clinton and her campaign will put some spin on why we don't count. Bullshit. Hillary, you are rude and have no class. Your dirty politics are also worse than any Democrat or Republican in this race.

My vote goes to Obama now.
OBAMA 08!

Posted by: rf | Feb 21, 2008 12:53:37 AM

People are flocking to Obama because he inspires. Hillary is capable of inspiring, but she tends towards moving into a modality of well-spoken lawyer language (senatorial speak), as opposed to getting out with her heart. If Hillary started showing nothing but heart, and laughing and having a good time on the stump, and hugging people the masses would stop, pause, and take notice. She still has a chance, but that tick-tock is getting louder. Right now, even on stage, she seems distant. She needs to connect, more heart, please.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 21, 2008 1:00:41 AM

WestCoastMessenger, Hillary does all of those things at her speeches. I have been to more than a few. But there is a perception she cannot be trusted and is not sincere. Obama apparently is. But he has not proved that. Obama has been not so forthcoming about the donor. He releases the information when he is riding momentum. Obama using semantics as to whether he will accept public funding. He is saying his wife did not mean what she said. All the signs of a politican.

Posted by: Jim | Feb 21, 2008 1:08:31 AM

Well, seeing how there's now a $10m 527 anti-Obama/pro-Hillary organization being created, and a majority of the news stories on abcnews.com/politics is about the Obama-bashing by the Clinton campaign, I think it's obvious the sorry choice that they've made here...

* Clinton: "Did Obama Borrow Another Phrase? "
* "Slam Obama! Desperate Clintonistas?"
* "Clinton Blasts Obama Voting Record"
* "Obama Swiped for Thin Legislative Record"
* "Clinton: Choice Is 'Speeches' vs 'Solutions'"
* "Hillary Clinton: 'I Am Proud of the United States of America'"

Typical class-less Clinton campaigning.

Posted by: Allen | Feb 21, 2008 1:43:16 AM

Why don't we just wait and see Texas and Ohio first before declaring Obama as the nominee. Of course Obama has clearly been media's favorite, so they would like nothing better than to see Hillary step aside.

Posted by: Missmadeleine2002 | Feb 21, 2008 3:00:59 AM

HR Clinton HAS LOST!! She is a shame, non transparent. She has just survived to this stage by merely cheating and hiding her 'real context' as far as her funding resources are concerned. She is a poor planner already...loaning US$5mil for her compaign is yet a sort of her poor mismanagement. How can she manage a mighty US Economy/funds with repect to world economy. SHE WILL LEAD US IN A HUGE RECESSION..A GREAT DIPRESSION EVER TO COME under Hillary Clinton if any mistake is done to nominate her and if she would win US Presidency. Only OBAMA deserve voting; He can save America. Classic planning and Management gives him overwhelmingly wins over Clinton, and must be the same over McCain!

Posted by: Paul | Feb 21, 2008 4:23:11 AM

"He can save America"

Do you honestly think that one man, be it Obama, can save America.Is it realistic.. This's what really bothers me about him, he's just a man, not a messiah or savier. A politician who can give an inspirational speech, no more no less..

Posted by: Missmadeleine2002 | Feb 21, 2008 4:41:08 AM


No one likes to return to the past, its about moving forward by making CHANGES, moving the country towards the future. This is the message Obama is selling and many are following him.

Posted by: Peace | Feb 21, 2008 4:53:24 AM

US is still too racist a country to elect a black president.
In a general elections, McCane will defeat Obama in a landslide.
Obama would not have won Illinois senate race if two of his opponents were not involved in a sex scandal.
Republican smear machines will have a feild day with Barak Saddame Obama's muslim up-bringing.
If Clinton wins Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania, Obama is unelectable losing 7 out of 8 largest states.
Furthermore, majority of the 1.5 million voters who voted in the democratic primary, will not vote for Obama; with Florida, Democrat can not win in November. Wake up and stop following a cult leader, for the coutry's sake...

Posted by: west | Feb 21, 2008 6:12:57 AM

Is media so blinded by their hatred of Clitons that they act in concert to undermine the Clinton's campaign?
Including votes in Florida and Michigan, Hillary Clinton has received more popular votes than Barak Obama.
Does media really want to alienate all those who voted for Clinton by being so biased toward Obama?
Is this another case of Democrats grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory with assist from the media?
Thank you media for another 8 years of Republican White House, and Iraq war.

Posted by: West | Feb 21, 2008 6:39:36 AM

Clinton's inability to concede when she loses, congratulate her opponent in her loser's speech OR thank and acknowledge her supporters who voted for her in states she lost has turned me against her. I was choosing between her and Obama for months and leaning slightly to Clinton, but in the past weeks, my choice has become clear. If Obama wins my state, obviously, we 'won't matter' to Clinton and her campaign will put some spin on why we don't count. Bullshit. Hillary, you are rude and have no class. Your dirty politics are also worse than any Democrat or Republican in this race.

My vote goes to Obama now.
OBAMA 08!

Posted by: dia20 | Feb 21, 2008 6:49:01 AM

Clinton's inability to concede when she loses, congratulate her opponent in her loser's speech OR thank and acknowledge her supporters who voted for her in states she lost has turned me against her. I was choosing between her and Obama for months and leaning slightly to Clinton, but in the past weeks, my choice has become clear. If Obama wins my state, obviously, we 'won't matter' to Clinton and her campaign will put some spin on why we don't count. Bullshit. Hillary, you are rude and have no class. Your dirty politics are also worse than any Democrat or Republican in this race.

My vote goes to Obama now.
OBAMA 08!

Posted by: dia20 | Feb 21, 2008 6:49:11 AM

Go Senator Hillary Clinton!

Don't give up AMERICA. You can still make it... TEXAS, OHIO, and PENSYLLVENIA will all be yours...

God bless you...

Posted by: ronald | Feb 21, 2008 7:06:11 AM

It obvious that Hillary can't this nomination. She will lose in Texas and Ohio. She must admit this fact now.Obama '08

Posted by: I.A.T Smith | Feb 21, 2008 7:31:53 AM

Newspapers Reported Obama's Support of NAFTA, Desire To Pursue Similar Agreements
2/16/2008 3:36:37 PM

Associated Press: Obama said the United States should ‘pursue deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement.' "Obama said the United State should continue to work with the World Trade Organization and pursue deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement." [AP, 9/8/04]

Decatur Herald & Review: 'Obama said the United States benefits enormously from exports under the WTO and NAFTA.' "While some people believe NAFTA has been good for U.S. farmers, the trade results could have been better, Keyes said. NAFTA negotiators said the United States might lose manufacturing jobs but would become a service economy, but now those service jobs also are being exported, he said. Obama said the United States benefits enormously from exports under the WTO and NAFTA. He said, at the same time, there must be recognition that the global economy has shifted, and the United States is no longer the dominant economy. 'We have competition in world trade,' Obama said. 'When China devalues its currency 40 percent, we need to bring a complaint before the WTO just as other nations complain about us. If we are to be competitive over the long term, we need free trade but also fair trade." [Decatur Herald & Review, 9/9/04]

Posted by: ronald | Feb 21, 2008 7:46:28 AM

IF CLINTON WINS TEXAS, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SHE WILL WIN THE NOMINATION. SUPERDELEGATES WILL NOT SUPPORT CANDIDATE THAT LOST 7 OUT OF 8 BIGGEST STATES IN THE UNION. SORRY OBAMA, THERE'S ALWAYS 2012... UNLESS MEDIA GETS BORED WITH YOUR PRETENSE AND EXPOSE WHO YOU ARE, A CULT FIGURE.

Posted by: West | Feb 21, 2008 7:54:58 AM

If yu haven't viewed the Barack Obama: Walt Handelsman Animation you really should. It's delightfully funny! Just G**gle Walt Handelsman and scroll down to Barack Obama.

Posted by: enjoy the humor | Feb 21, 2008 8:18:18 AM

I.A.T Smith, the post that you made this morning at 7:31:53 AM is clearly a lie. You copied and pasted a headline and quote that was made by Alan Keyes, in favor of NAFTA. Then you attempted change the quotes to Obama, however, you did not change all of the quotes because you missed one and it stills says Keyes.

This is the problem with Clinton and her supporters. You all are intentially distorting the truth in an effort to make Hillary win. The vast majority of all Americans see though this. We want change and Hillary is not change.

You could say that this is just my opinion, however, based on the last 10 primaries, it is clear that a number of Americans feel the same way.

Posted by: Shawn | Feb 21, 2008 8:25:17 AM

Post a comment