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Evaluating the Clinton/Shaheen scandal, Jason C. writes:
I have to admit that this whole affair demonstrates one thing that I do like about Hillary: she's willing to do something like accusing her opponent of being a drug dealer.It's unseemly now, of course, because her target is a fellow Democrat, and it's not cool to smear someone who may end up being the party's nominee. It shows the fundamental selfishness shared by both Bill and Hillary - a willingness to put your own interests ahead of those of your party, or the people you are supposedly trying to help.But I do appreciate the willingness to go for the jugular, and not just in a "principled" way. Substantive attacks on your opponent are all well and good, but when the opportunity to hit below the belt presents itself, you've got to take it. But I wonder: if Obama has the chance to take that shot against the Republican in the general election, will he take it? I'm not sure, and that worries me.Hillary, obviously, is willing to take it. HOWEVER, the willingness to play dirty is useless without the smarts to do it right. This incident indicates a willingness on Hillary's part to do whatever it takes to win, but it also perhaps betrays an inability to do so in a way that isn't clumsy and self-defeating.That strikes me as pretty smart. Obama has been able to construct the boundaries of the race such that Hillary Clinton loses by attacking him. The Republican candidate will not agree to the same rules, and will be careful to launch their assaults from untraceable, independent sources, rather than campaign co-chairs. It won't be Shaheen, it will be the Swift Vets. Like Jason, I appreciate Hillary's willingness to play that game, and am unconvinced that Obama has it in him. But you have to play that game well, and Clinton isn't proving herself able to do that right now. Part of being a good attacker is knowing when to hold your fire.
