Clinton set to strike McCain, not Palin

[kurth_]

Clinton set to strike McCain, not Palin
Glenn Thrush
Fri Sep 5, 3:39 PM ET

Hillary Rodham Clinton has no intention of becoming a Sarah Palin attack dog — but has no qualms going after John McCain, people close to the former first lady say. “She’s not the answer when it comes to winning conservative women — she never was — and we’re not going to be anybody’s attack dog against Sarah Palin,” said a Clinton insider. “To be fair to Obama’s people, they haven’t asked us to do that.”

Slamming Palin to win back women already hostile to Obama is pointless, the insider said, because Clinton’s most loyal base is working-class voters, not women in particular. “Attacking Palin is checkers, attacking McCain on the economy is chess.” Clinton will continue to yoke McCain and Palin to President Bush on pocketbook issues. But sources say that Clinton, who supports abortion rights, isn’t likely to criticize the Alaska governor for her anti-abortion stance. She may, however, question Palin’s record on equal-pay issues.

The Obama campaign, alarmed by Palin’s instant popularity, has given Clinton’s staff a proposed fall campaign schedule in economically distressed battleground states — including Ohio and Pennsylvania — where she did well during the primaries, according to people familiar with the situation.

The former first lady, who is due to appear at an Obama event in Florida on Monday, hasn’t gotten back to them yet. When she does, she’s likely to add a few stops of her own — fundraisers, including at least one in Texas to help her repay more than $20 million in debt incurred during the primary. “They probably don’t want her in Texas, but, hey, that’s where the money is, so that’s where she’s going to go,” said a source familiar with travel planning.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080905/pl_politico/13193

[Olney Blue]

1. I'm looking forward to hearing Hillary call McCain out!

[msongs]

3. lets hope somebody does it before its too late - take rachel maddow with her nt

[DesertFlower]

6. palin would probably

tell rachael that she's going to hell because she's a lesbian.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

2. All we'll hear is "cat fight" if she attacks Palin.

I think this is the better strategy: war, economy and alignment with Bush.

Ignore fucking Palin.

[elocs]

4. Apparently Clinton has figured out that Obama is running against McCain.

I only wish the Palin obsessed posters here would catch on to that notion. I am sure that the Republicans would love us to keep concentrating on Palin to the exclusion of McCain.

[Serial Mom]

7. think you are right on the distraction of Paler

I know her name is wrong in subject, but I never spell or say people's names correctly who I don't respect. I have only called dubya by his name about 3 or 4 times in past 8 years (and those were to LTTE or the like).

[emilyg]

14. Good post.

[tekisui]

16. It is Obama vs. Mccain. Palin is the tabloid,

[Beetwasher]

21. Actually, That IS OUR Job, And The Press's Job

Our top spokespeople should ignore her and treat her like the lightweight nothing she is. We and the press however should continue to hound her and eat her alive (not to the exclusion of McCain, but we should also handle her too).

[elocs]

24. Sorry, that's not my job. Apparently it is the task of General Discussion: Palin, though.

My goal is to see Barack Obama get elected as our next president and not get distracted by all things Palin. I think Republicans love how we have fallen for this misdirection away from our message. There is a place for Palin in our discussions and attacks, but she should not be the primary target. Obama is running against McCain and Republicans have no problem in understanding that since they all but ignore Biden.

[Beetwasher]

25. Do Whatever You Want

But uncovering and disseminating all the dirt and truth on Palin can only help Obama. Especially if it's not coming from him, but still filtering through to the general public.

[terrya]

5. This is exactly what she needs to do. Thank you, Hillary.

Great move. :thumbsup:

[blue_onyx]

8. Good...McCain should be her focus.

He is the one running for President. Can't wait for Hillary to get out there and start fighting for Obama.

[NashVegas]

9. Yay Hillary

That's my gal!

[cliffordu]

10. So: they are going to completely marginalize Palin. Excellent.

What's the difference between Palin and a chihuahua??

Pregnant daughter.

[Raine]

11. Hurray to Hillary!!! ...

I'm going to make a donation to Hillary to help her pay off her campaign debts.

[Merlot]

12. Good. Marginalize palen. We need to convince voters to vote for Obama

Hillarys way to smart to go after palen, especially when she can be so much more effective with the working class.

ps yes, I spelled her name wrong. Did it on purpose.

[Sensitivity]

13. Sorry, I've hear that before in 2004. No one wants to sully their "brand" by doing dirty work.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

23. That's the VP's job. Biden needs to get on it!

[Cha]

15. Who else thinks the following is corporate rag malarky?..

"The Obama campaign, alarmed by Palin’s instant popularity.."

[Bobbie Jo]

17. Hillary attacking Palin directly only serves to elevate her status...

as a threat to be reckoned with. Chipping away at McCain, (who by the very act of this pick signaled a campaign in trouble) directs the focus right back to his greatest weakness; McCain HIMSELF.

Damage McCain effectively, and you're left with Palin, who the overwhelming majority of voters see as completely unqualified to function as POTUS. She was clearly chosen to create interest for a candidate who is duller than dirt. Last night's painfully bizarre and uninspired speech should give you a clue he wasn't going to be able to carry this campaign on his shoulders.

Meanwhile behind the scenes....Don't doubt for a second the Obama campaign isn't acutely aware of Palin's dirty laundry. In fact, I'm quite sure they know things we'll never know. This is what they do, and why they make the big bucks. Obama has come too far to leave this work to amateurs.

[Thrill]

18. No one wants to attack Palin. Just let her go on and on everyday attacking our candidates

.

[Beetwasher]

20. She's No Pit Bill

She's a tiny yorky, with an annoying whiny bark that you're better off ignoring.

Anyone who has to tell everyone that they're a pit bull, isn't any pit bull.

[Beetwasher]

19. Sweet! They "GET" It!

Awesome!

[iconicgnom]

22. good. excellent.

[davidpdx]

26. I agree she needs to hit McCain because that's who Obama is running against

Leave Palin to Biden when the VP debate comes around. Biden will show her what a smart guy he is.

[Frank Booth]

27. Sounds like a good plan to me.