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December 15, 2007
Has Bubba Lost His Mojo?
Love him or hate him, most seasoned observers acknowledge Bill Clinton as the greatest political talent of at least the last half century. After all, who could survive either Gennifer Flowers or Monica Lewinsky in one political lifetime, much less both? Bill Clinton's mastery of the game of politics has widely been deemed an asset to his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton's own campaign for president in 2008.
Lately, however, some of the former president's statements aiming to support Hillary's campaign have lacked the Clinton touch. For example, Bill's recent claim that he opposed the Iraq War from the beginning, whether or not it was taken out of context, is at odds with numerous previous public statements on the record. Far from furthering Hillary's cause, his controversial comment instead reminded Americans - even those of the Democratic primary voting variety - of the Clintons' complicated relationship with the truth.
And last night, Bill Clinton apparently had a less than ideal interview with Charlie Rose. He offered numerous criticisms of Obama's candidacy, and ended up the sitting red-faced and shaking (at which point his staff cut the session short.) Indignance at Obama's temerity to run (note: if elected, he would be older than Clinton was when he took office) given his lack of experience, as well as unprovoked (and uncontrolled) anger from the former president are hardly the messages his wife's campaign wants to telegraph right now.
Bubba seems to have momentarily lost his political mojo, and it could not have come at a worse time for Team Clinton. Hillary is locked in a tough battle in Iowa, a naturally tough state for her, and has seen polling numbers tighten in the next early primary states - New Hampshire and South Carolina. We have always believed a win in Iowa was unlikely for Clinton, but if she pulls it off the race is over. If she doesn't come out on top in the Hawkeye State, we may have a real primary race, though she still holds the upper hand.
In other words, the Clinton campaign cannot afford the mistakes Bill and the rest of them have made in recent weeks. Frankly, such ineptitude from her team does not inspire confidence about its ability to do battle with the much rougher Republicans in the general election. Hillary's supposedly stellar team hasn't wowed us. You guys have run a B-minus campaign to date. If you want to win this nomination and the presidency, it's time to bring your A-game.
Posted by houtopia at December 15, 2007 11:13 PM