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Clinton Campaign: Hillary Better to Beat McCain
February 02, 2008 7:11 PM
Clinton campaign senior adviser Mark Penn has written a memo explaining why he believes Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is far better equipped than Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., to beat the Republican who (at least at this precise moment) seems likeliest to be the GOP nominee.
Obama has been slamming McCain on the stump a lot these days, presumably to let voters imagine how he would go at it, and to assuage fears he's not tough enough for a general election -- that he can't punch or take a punch. Lots of Edwards supporters -- and maybe even Edwards himself -- share this concern.
So Mark Penn lays it out: "Hillary is the Democrat who can beat him -- because she has the strength and experience a president needs to get America on the right course and to defend it against future threats. ...Sen. Obama has been telling voters that he is the one to beat Sen. McCain because he gave a speech against the war in 2002 and because he is currently attracting independent voters. But those arguments don’t hold up to current polling, to history or to what is likely to happen in a general election.
"First, there is no support to Sen. Obama’s assertion that his 2002 speech makes him a stronger choice in a general election. Recent history shows that voters look to who they believe can end a war and protect us against future wars. No one believes that if Hillary had been president she would have started the war. In fact, Hillary is backed by prominent anti-war leaders because they believe she is uniquely able to end the war responsibly.
"Based on recent polls, there is nothing to support Sen. Obama's arguments about his prospective performance against Sen. McCain -- both Sen. Obama and Hillary start off within the margin of error against Sen. McCain. Yesterday's Fox poll showed both in a statistical tie with Sen. McCain. And Hillary's negatives are fully factored in, whereas the same cannot be said of Sen. Obama because he is -- by his own admission -- not as well known.
"Sen. Obama’s support among independents comes from Democratic-leaning independents, voters who are likely to back the eventual Democratic nominee. He has no overall advantage in the polls against Sen. McCain. But such voters have very little information about Sen. Obama. And once the Republican machine begins to methodically attack him, he will lose independent support.
"So in a head to head against Sen. McCain, Sen. Obama has no advantage with swing voters. The 2004 election was determined by two key groups -- women concerned about security and Latinos -- and against Sen. McCain those groups could again prove decisive. President Bush won 40 percent of the Latino vote in 2004 and Sen. McCain, unlike other Republicans, has been supportive of immigration reform. These are two groups that enthusiastically support Hillary."
He then concludes with a hint towards the Obama-hasn't-been-fully-vetted argument, saying, "if Sen. McCain is the nominee, Hillary is the one well-positioned to beat him. Already well vetted, she is ready to stand up to Sen. McCain on national security and put together a winning coalition of voters that will take back the White House."
And so I ask you from the press desk at a McCain rally in Atlanta, where "Johnny Be Good" is blaring in the background -- which Democrat would be most likely to beat Johnny Mack? Hillary or Barack?
- jpt
February 2, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Obama, Barack | Permalink | Share | User Comments (150)
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Hillary Rodham Clinton is a DOER, not a talker like Obama. Go to Hillary Clinton's biography and then to her Senate page and find out her voting record-----then go to Obama's biography and then see his Senate record of voting and see what the difference is. THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. Hillary has much more experience at getting involved with problems and ACTUALLY doing things to make change happen. She is a DOER. Her Senate record also shows that she was PRESENT TO VOTE on things more than Obama was. THAT, alone, tells you what kind of working President she would be. THAT tells us that she has had experience at solving problems, she was not absent to vote as a Senator----nor did she vote just "Present" (and sit on the fence) instead of "yes" or "no" on issues like Obama did 100 times in the Senate when he could have taken a stand FOR SOMETHING. Vote Hillary Clinton on Tuesday for a working President that has experience at solving problems.
Posted by: Hillary for President '08 ! | Feb 3, 2008 8:30:46 PM
We have seen Hillary and Obama debate. We have seen how Hillary has done her homework---she is on top of current events happening, and she has thought-out what she wants to do for America, including HOW she will go about it. Obama has offered no concrete plan, because he knows if he does, he will be criticized. Instead, Obama aligns himself with what Hillary has said all along, except for healthcare and when he would bring the troops home. Obama rambles and stutters and makes no sense when he tries to make a point in a debate. Hillary thinks on her feet, is clear and specific and concise, is able to get her message across to the audience, and can handle any criticism from ANYBODY.... and is gracious, above all.
Obama would not be able to debate ANY republican candidate and will cost us the opportunity for the White House. Watch the Democratic debates if you want to judge for yourself. Geez, don't take MY word for it....educate yourselves!!!
Posted by: Get America Back On Track | Feb 3, 2008 7:52:32 PM
He will not get all Hillary supporters, I know a lot of people that have never crossed party lines, that have said if he is the democratic nominee they will go with McCain due to his lack of experience and credibility once you look at his voting recording. He is very condescending though and cocky. To bad most of america is to brainwashed not to see it. They will when he lets them all down, just like Bush did to his followers 8 years ago.
Posted by: Dave | Feb 3, 2008 7:46:58 PM
I being a democrate have come to realize at this time neither of our candidates will win in November. The republican's will take the whitehouse despite all these stupid polls. Obama has already gone too to the far left with Moveon.org, kennedy's and other liberal backers. No real liberal democrate has won POTUS in years. A majority of moderate democrates have or all ready will side with the republicans given a Obama-McCain candidacy. And Hillary is just trashed by the media over and over again, and the independants have just been to brainwashed to come back to the base. COme the national election Obama will not be the media darling for reality will set in to the media.
Posted by: Gwen | Feb 3, 2008 7:42:21 PM
Was Obama a used car salesman? After all the "feel good" speeches, he is more in line with dirty republican politics. It's like "W" all over again. I'll go with a proven winner and you can keep your drivers license for the illegals. I was born here in the USA and I will vote for Hillary.
Posted by: Miguel | Feb 3, 2008 6:58:48 PM
HILLARY is a better candidate (PERIOD).
Obama has no plans for this country; it is rhetoric. His one plan for health care is disasterous; 15 million uninsured!!!!! Look at Chicago hospitals before you vote.
Posted by: mjo | Feb 3, 2008 6:00:06 PM
So many of the posts I read are from folks supporting Hillary because things were so 'wonderful' during their time in the WH. If things were so 'wonderful', Gore should have been a shoe-in for Prez in 2000. But he lost (albeit by a narrow margin). Even without voter fraud, the election should not even have been close. But an awful lot of Independents voted against the Democrats because of the Clintons and the shennanigans that went on during their administration. This election in November is the Democrats to lose. And they will with the Clintons as their candidates. And I don't care what line Hillary is feeding you, she, by her own admission, sat in on White House meetings when she was First Lady (her experience??), so what makes you think that Bill won't be doing the same. Term #3 No change--more of the same. But at least the tabloids will make money.
Posted by: justanopinion | Feb 3, 2008 5:39:16 PM
It is sad but not surprising as I read all these opinions, that the Republican "machine" is so adept at spewing out hate----reminds me of many of the speeches made by Hitler on display in the Holocaust museum. The views from Democrats seemed far less emotional, more reflective and based on sound reasoning. When will you right wing Republicans realize that life is not solely "black" or "white", but contains many shades of "gray"? Maybe those "gray" shades are too difficult for you to deal with, so it is easier to espouse a strategy of avoidance rather than deal with them. Yes, Rob-Is-Right--you are a classic example.
Posted by: Sane Person | Feb 3, 2008 4:04:07 PM
Why has ABC turned into one big subtle Hillary-booster? We are fed verbatim a "memo" from Penn, Clinton's strategist as news. Why is ABC playing right into the Clinton campaign's hands. Do your own journalism - don't just cram Clinton talking points down our throats as news.
Posted by: Sick of ABC | Feb 3, 2008 3:54:54 PM
Hillary's "experience" mantra isn't going to hold up well against McCain, who has held elective office much longer than she has (even if you consider the somewhat dubious proposition that her years in the Clinton White House are equivalent to experience in elected office), not to mention his military experience. It seems that the Clinton campaign either doesn't understand or doesn't want to acknowledge that experience can be a negative, depending on what the experience has been and what the electorate expects from experienced politicians.
Posted by: bureaubasher | Feb 3, 2008 3:02:04 PM
The Far right wing of the Republican Party disloikes and distrusts John McCain. they will sit out the election unless we Democrats are foolish enough to nominate Hillary---the only person in America who can unite these idiots behind McCain
They hate her so much that they will come out in droves just to prevent her from becoming President.
Posted by: political realist | Feb 3, 2008 1:21:14 PM
Clinton will bring back honor and dignity to the oval office. She is the definition of 'is'! Go Hillary and Bill!
Posted by: jeff m | Feb 3, 2008 1:21:08 PM
Clinton would lose to McCain
Obama would beat McCain.
Posted by: PulSamsara | Feb 3, 2008 11:43:46 AM
How is it that Hillary supporters honestly beleive that she has a real chance to win? I mean, I guess she looks like a great candidate amongs democrats, because they have an unhealthy lust for all things Clinton. Nobody else does. With the Clintons it's all or nothing. It's either insatiable attraction to the Clintons or sheer contempt. The only time a Clitnon is going to win a majority now is only among democrats themselves. Most people find the thought of another Clinton a sick proposal at best. Still, nothing will tear the nation apart more than the Clintons. I won't fight for Obama, but I will fight against the nasty Clintons. They are disgusting, power hungry, dysfunctional, evil, democrats. Obama is a socialist democrat, but not the psycopath that either of the Clintons are.
Posted by: TexBork | Feb 3, 2008 11:10:03 AM
I think that obama is the right person to vote for because he wants to stop the war in iraq and bring them back to their homes. Obama has big plans for this country.he is the right one, and finally somebody that changes the terribal conditions of this country. Hilary is phony she seems to care about hispanics which she doesnt .the comercials of her kissing those little hispanic kids dont prove that she cares she only says what people want to hear.and of course she wants to win the hispanics vote because the majority of hispanics are looking for a prsidents that help them out. Hilary changes of opinion too fast. she was with bush when he sent the people to iraq to fight in the war. she is with that. she says she wants to bring economy ,but how shes going to do that if she doesnt stop the war. All the money is going over there, supporting the people that are in the war.
Posted by: joseline | Feb 3, 2008 11:08:43 AM
I know exactly what Mark Penn is talking about. Google "Larry Sinclair"
Posted by: Karen | Feb 3, 2008 10:48:40 AM
Obama is doing exactly what I expected-
using the race card and race baiting to downplay his lack of leadership and experience compared to Clinton.s.
Obama is going to cost us the election if he and his ignorant wife keep shooting their mouths off. She is no Bill Clinton in her best moment or ever.
Go back to Illinois and shut up.
Posted by: stephen merker | Feb 3, 2008 10:23:23 AM
Do you people realize how many scandals the Clintons have been involved in over the course of their lives? But that all gets swept under the carpet if your a liberal. Because if it for the "right reasons" it's ok. Billary are nothing but crooks that tell the uninformed what they want to hear. Wake up and read a little. Anyone who thinks a socialist is going to turn this country around is living in denial or ignorance. This is a free market society and will be torn apart with your social services for the poor and lazy. Why is it so hard for people to take care of their own lives. Stop waiting for the government to take of you. The polictians ruin everything the touch. Can't think of a single gov't run program that is successful. So why on earth would you vote for a candidate that pushes socialist plans? JOHN MCCAIN IS THE ONLY SENATOR THAT HAS NEVER HAD A EARMARK OF PORK ON HIS RECORD. That is the kind of politician this country needs.
Posted by: Doug | Feb 3, 2008 10:12:10 AM
OBAMA WAS WRONG FOR USING THE RACE CARD.I WILL BE VOTING FOR SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON.
Posted by: JOHN | Feb 3, 2008 9:12:13 AM
Some people don't understand why the media is so for Obama. It's simple, they like to build someone up so they can tear them down. Just think of the stories they can come up with later on. They have already torn into Hillary and thrown the carcas out!
Posted by: UBS | Feb 3, 2008 9:04:00 AM
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