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Obama on the Attack
Obama has been calling Clinton out for her claims to executive experience due to her years as first lady:
“There is no doubt that Bill Clinton had faith in her and consulted with her on issues, in the same way that I would consult with [my wife] Michelle, if there were issues. On the other hand, I don’t think Michelle would claim that she is the best qualified person to be a United States senator by virtue of me talking to her on occasion about the work I’ve done.”
This seems like a pretty smart issue to hammer Hillary on. The thing is, she can make a good case that her years in the White House amounted to solid executive experience. She certainly at times had more power and access than most vice-presidents, and many cabinet members, do. But in order to make that argument she has to call attention to her role as First Lady as Co-President (or “two for the price of one”) which many people aren’t too comfortable with. It also calls to mind the issue of dynasty and Clinton-Bush fatigue. Finally, she’ll be forced to talk around the colossal failure of her healthcare scheme.
November 26th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Willmoore writes, “The thing is, she can make a good case that her years in the White House amounted to solid executive experience. She certainly at times had more power and access than most vice-presidents, and many cabinet members, do.”
I’m not too sure she can really make this case, Willmoore. Remember when Hillarycare got laughed out of the Senate in 1993, emboldening Republicans to take over the Senate in 1994? I’m not denying that she had a level of power and access never enjoyed by a First Lady before her. Fortunately, however, she was unable to really sink her teeth into anything once Bubba muzzled her.
This is what Obama should be hammering home. Everyone knows she had power. He should be reminding the Dems that her unprecedented power grab actually led to 1) Hillarycare getting laughed out of the Senate and 2) the GOP’s Contract With America. Both detrimental to the Dems in the Mid 90’s.