|
[Home
|
National
|
World
|
Perspectives
|
Columns
|
Money
|
Entertainment
|
Health
|
Technology
|
Letters
|
Subscribe] FinalCall.com News - Refer This Page National News (FinalCall.com) - Despite the fact that Sen. Hillary Clinton’s “kitchen sink” strategy called into question Sen. Obama’s judgment and experience, accused him of plagiarizing speeches, and questioned his past dealings with an indicted real estate developer, Sen. Obama remains ahead in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Sen. Obama described Sen. Clinton as “tenacious” and in an email to supporters on March 5 wrote “We knew that the closer we got to the change we seek, the more we’d see of the politics we’re trying to end—the attacks and distortions that try to distract us from the issues that matter to people’s lives, the stunts and the tactics that ask us to fear, instead of hope.” Sen. Obama has maintained that he does not desire to trade barbs with Sen. Clinton, however, recent statements by the Democratic frontrunner could signal a possible change in strategy. Political science professor Robert T. Starks of Northeastern Illinois University believes a change in Sen. Obama’s strategy is very necessary saying that he must become more “aggressive” in pointing out questionable areas in Sen. Clinton’s background if he is to win the hotly contested Democratic nomination. “I know he has this ‘above the fray’ kind of attitude, but that’s not serving him very well at the moment. He’s got to step up and be a bit more aggressive in his approach because I do think that (the) attacks that she has lobbed at him did in fact work with White voters—White women in particular,” said Prof. Starks. “If you’re the only guy that’s playing fair and everyone else is playing dirty, you may win the moral argument, but you won’t win the game,” he added. Sen. Clinton won soundly in Ohio and Rhode Island. A statistical analysis shows her winning margin in total votes in the Texas contest was largely due to the significant support of Hispanic voters who voted for her by a margin of 64 percent to 32 percent for Obama. Prof. Starks said the overwhelming support for Sen. Clinton with Hispanics is because they were not as familiar with Sen. Obama. He also said that many Hispanics see themselves as “just another White immigrant group in America” like the Irish, Germans or other Europeans and they are “adapting their political behavior based on the American tradition,” which is to stay away from any association or alignment socially or politically with Black people. Even though Sen. Clinton scored winning popular vote totals in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island, she only generated a net gain of 4 delegates. Sen. Obama bounced back with a victory in the Wyoming caucus on Mar. 8 and is favored to win the Mississippi Democratic primary on Mar.11 with polls there showing him with a double-digit lead. Obama still maintains the delegate lead 1,527 to 1,428 over Sen. Clinton. Recently, Sen. Obama has spoken about his business dealings with Mr. Rezko, the indicted real estate developer, maintaining that while legal and above board, involvement with Mr. Rezko on that level was “a boneheaded mistake.” Sen. Obama has chosen not to emphasize that Mr. Rezko has also been seen in the company of the Clintons, and was also a financial contributor to Hillary Clinton’s senate campaign, and former President Bill Clinton’s campaign. Sen. Obama could also bring up the Clintons’ policy of renting out the Lincoln Bedroom in the White House to high level and influential campaign donors, the Whitewater real estate debacle in which Clinton business associates engaged in questionable financial dealings as well as the ethical questions surrounding “Travelgate” which alleged that several employees of the White House Travel Office were fired by Mr. and Mrs. Clinton and replaced with Arkansas contractors with close ties to the Clintons. Other political pundits have questioned why the Obama camp is not making more of an issue about Sen. Clinton’s failure to disclose income-tax returns suggesting also that he challenge her on her claim of “35 years of experience” that she and members of her team are incessantly repeating. Political advisor turned commentator Dick Morris, who once worked for Pres. Bill Clinton, but has been critical of Sen. Clinton had a suggestion for Sen. Obama to counter Sen. Clinton’s so called “experience” writing in his blog, “The next time Hillary uses the recycled red phone ad, counter with one of your own. When the phone rings in the middle of the night, have a woman’s voice, with a flat Midwestern accent, answer it and say, “Hold on” into the receiver. Then she should shout, “Bill! It’s for you!” Because with Hillary’s complete lack of any meaningful experience in foreign affairs, and her lack of the “testing” that she boldly claims, she’ll be yelling for Bill.” News was not all bad for Sen. Obama, as his campaign announced a record fundraising total of $55 million in the month of February. No presidential campaign has ever raised that amount in one month. It also appears that Sen. Obama could still win the delegate battle in Texas. Unofficially, he is leading Sen. Clinton 56 percent to 44 percent in the Texas caucus. Official totals will not be known until weeks from now because of the separate voting and caucus process in Texas. On the Republican front, Sen. John McCain has officially locked up the Republican nomination after sweeping the Republican contests. On Mar. 5, he officially received the endorsement of President George W. Bush. Related links:
|