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PICKING A FIGHT
Now that Barack Obama has decided to ratchet up the contrast with Hillary Clinton, it occurs to me that perhaps he might want to take on a Republican or two, as well. Last night's G.O.P. debate was a reminder, in case anyone had any doubt, of just how convinced leading Republicans are that Clinton will be the Democratic nominee. If Obama wants to take on the Clinton inevitability frame, he could do worse than taking on the strongest proponents of the Clinton myth directly. Picking a fight with someone like Rudy Giuliani would show Democratic voters that he's got the chops to go head to head with the G.O.P.'s toughest contender, as well, and also that his message of post-partisan unity does not mean making compromises with someone like Giuliani on foreign policy.
--Garance Franke-Ruta
COMMENTS (5)
I think you're forgetting that Obama isn't running for president yet (neither is anyone else).
He's running for the Democratic nomination.
Democrats don't have to be convinced that Giuliani or McCain or Romney would be bad for the country. They have to be convinced that Obama is better than Clinton.
Posted by: Jinchi | October 22, 2007 1:39 PM
Lots of people prefer Clinton because they believe she is the most electable. Democrats have to be convinced that Obama can take on the Republicans.
Posted by: Dawn | October 22, 2007 4:56 PM
Jinchi, that's completely true, however Obama first needs to prove to Dems that he's the man to beat Giuliani. I personally think Hillary's our weakest candidate, but if I didn't I would rather win with her than lose with Obama.
Obama's never gone toe-to-toe with a serious opponent that I know of. In his primary the lead candidate imploded, and his real election opponent was Alan Keyes. I like him plenty, but I want to see how he brawls before I bet the election on him.
Posted by: aleks | October 23, 2007 10:16 AM
Jinchi, one of the reasons why Clinton is way ahead is because she's seen as the anti-Bush. Her most serious competitor will be the one who assumes the mantle of the most credible anti-Bush. Besides, her competitors stumble when they try to attack her - most Dems resent any attack on her, as it reminds them of Rethug attacks on her.
Obama needs to pull a hat trick of claiming an anti-Bush mantle, drawing distinctions with Clinton without being perceived as attacking her, while also maintaining his end-the-divisiveness "new politics of hope" cred. It's gonna be tough and he has little time to achieve this; he should have begun attacking the lawless administration more vigorously long ago.
Posted by: Sakitume | October 23, 2007 10:50 AM
Jinchi is off the mark. Giuliani is already starting to frame and define his supposed opponent. That will give him a head start in case the two of them get the nominations. Its' What Bill did to Dole way before the "official" campaign got underway in '96. It's never too soon to start defining your opponent to the public as you wish them to be defined.
Posted by: dave | October 23, 2007 11:07 AM