by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright November 7, 2007
All Rights Reserved.

eacting to stinging criticism about presidential front-runner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-N.Y.) unwillingness to take clear campaign positions, former President Bill Clinton said it reminded him of “Swift Boat Veteran's for Truth's” scathing indictment of former presidential candidate Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) during the ‘04 campaign. Hillary accused fellow Democrats of “pilling on,” in response her reluctance in the Oct. 30 TV debate in Philadelphia to state her views. Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Il.) said he was “stunned” by Bill Clinton's comparison to “Swift Boating,” the criticism centered on incomplete answers during a TV debate not, as in Kerry's case, misrepresenting his military record. Obama, and other presidential candidates daring to criticize Hillary, found out the hard way the Clintons' response to legitimate criticism.

      When President Bill Clinton was accused of having an affair with Monica Lewinsky, Hillary went on national TV insisting her husband was the victim of a “vast right wing conspiracy.” Her husband couldn't have possibly cheated on her: It was simply the GOP's cheap shot to discredit his presidency. Now, according Hillary's campaign, other presidential candidates discredit Hillary because they're jealous of her front-runner status and try to make up lost ground. “How you would then draw an analogy to distorting somebody's military record is a reach,” said Obama, concerned that any criticism of Hillary results in fierce counterattacks. Calling the Clintons' response “outrageous,” Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) also raised concerns that criticism was needed to force Hillary to take clear positions. Hillary sees criticism as a way her competitors play catch-up.

      When Hillary refused to commit herself on issuing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants, Obama and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) held her feet to the fire. Both accused her of being disingenuous to prospective voters, urging her to take a clear stand. Hillary responded the day after with a video called “Pile On,” pulling the “gender card,” telling students at Wellesley College that presidential politics is an “all-boys club.” When pressed, she admitted it wasn't really gender but her lead in the polls that caused her opponents to “pile on.” “If elected to the presidency, there will be a lot of tough questions, and if you handle can't it in a debate without accusing everybody who has an issue with you of piling on or a sexist attack, first it's unwise, and secondly, it's false,” said Dodd, unwilling to be muzzled for pinning the front-runner down on key campaign issues.

      Before the next debate in Las Vegas Nov. 15, Hillary will have to take unambiguous stands on key issues or face blistering criticism. Neither Obama nor Edwards are looking at a chance for VP yet, believing they can come from behind. Hillary dispatched Bill to Iowa Nov. 8 where she holds a shaky lead. Despite national polls, losing Iowa, like former presidential candidate and current Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean found out in ‘04, can send any campaign into a tailspin. Obama and Edwards hope Hillary stumbles in the Hawkeye state, where conservative Iowa caucus-goers still remember the Lewinsky affair. While over seven years ago, Clinton fatigue—together with inexplicable events in Florida—upended Gore's presidential ambitions. Too much fence-sitting, equivocation and spin-room tactics could also boomerang.

      Several key campaign issues separate Hillary from Obama, Edwards and other Democratic candidates. None is more contentious than the Iraq War. Obama and Edwards have stated emphatically their opposition to the war and intent as president to bring the troops home at the earliest possible time. Hillary, on the other hand, has been less clear where she stands. When things were going badly, she seemed opposed. When casualties declined last month, lending credence to Bush's troop surge, she expressed reservations about leaving. Edwards in particular has taken Hillary to task over whether she intends, as president, to continue combat missions. Despite strong Democratic opposition to the Iraq War, Hillary appears to be chasing swing voters in the general election. Swing voters usually don't vote in primaries, creating a problem for Hillary heading into Iowa and New Hampshire.

      Obama and Edwards reject Hillary's attempt to play the gender card or accuse the male fraternity of “piling on.” “If they want to use their energy attacking me, that's their choice,” said Hillary. “I'm going to use my energy focusing on a new energy policy and so much else,” sidestepping Obama and Edward's criticism about her failing to stake clear positions an key campaign issues. Hillary wants to talk about a new energy policy without dealing with the present one that has Bush supporting the big oil's right to fleece the economy. While there's nothing wrong with talking about ethanol or hydrogen, today's piracy in the oil industry also deserves mention. “I think it is important to look at who has been a consistent champion on these issues,” said Barack, painting Hillary as a flip-flopper. Spending too much time on the fence protecting her lead could backfire.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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