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Feb 28, 2008 6:29 am US/Mountain
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Obama, Clinton Use Different Tactics In OH Debate
(CBS4)
The cliché you sometimes hear about presidential debates, that they're overly scripted, canned beauty pageants ignores the fact that they can also reveal the subtle cracks in a campaign, and the tactics of desperation.
In their last debate before the Texas and Ohio primaries Sen. Barack Obama needed to stay above the fray, keep it dignified, and he did. Sen. Hillary Clinton needed to find a crack in Obama's armor, she didn't.
Clinton: "I think it's important that you stand up for yourself and point out these differences."
In fact, Clinton is fighting for her political life right now. She needs to win the Texas and Ohio primaries to stay viable, and she's up against a gifted, charismatic orator who's got front runner momentum. So she tried to get more aggressive, dust it up a little. She went after Obama's campaign tactics and tried to show where their policies differed. Take for instance health care.
Clinton: "Senator Obama has consistently said I would force people to have health care whether they could afford it or not."
Obama: "The reason she thinks that there would be more people covered under her plan than mine is because of a mandate."
The truth is, the two have similar programs, except that Clinton's would be mandatory, and Obama's voluntary. Thus, Obama's plan is more likely to leave some people out.
When questioned about NAFTA, a touchy issue with Ohio voters, Clinton came off looking less like a fighter and more like a whiner, when she complained she was getting asked all the tough questions first.
Clinton: "Well, can I just point out that in the last several debates, I seem to get the first question all the time, and I don't mind. I'd be happy to field them but, and if anyone saw Saturday Night Live, maybe they should ask Barack if he's comfortable and needs another pillow."
There is more to the story. Clinton did her best to attack Obama's biggest liability, his lack of experience. But its a plea that never quite resonates. In part because Obama is so very good at deflecting the attack with the Iraq trump card. Despite his lack of experience he never supported the Iraq war, and Clinton did.
Obama: "On the most important foreign policy decision that we face in a generation, whether or not to go into Iraq, I was very clear about why we should not."
If Clinton can't get traction on her experience, then this may well boil down to a beauty contest. And right now Barack Obama seems to have all the star power. Another thing working in his favor, the GOP seems to be more afraid of running against Obama than Clinton.
Source Articles: Clinton, Obama Clash Over NAFTA, Iraq in Debate Clinton Presses Economic Message in Ohio; Obama Heads to Texas Democrats Clash on Trade, Health and Tactics New Pennsylvania Poll Shows Slim Clinton Lead For Clinton, Bid Hinges on Texas and Ohio February 27, 2008 - Young Voters Help Obama Narrow Gap In Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; McCain Runs Neck And Neck Against Either Democrat New Pennsylvania Poll Shows Slim Clinton Lead February 27, 2008 - Young Voters Help Obama Narrow Gap In Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; McCain Runs Neck And Neck Against Either Democrat March Madness: ABC - Washington Post Poll Clinton Won't Release Taxes Soon Clinton & Obama: The Alamo Debate In Ohio Most Improved Debater
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