There has been a huge uproar about Hillary Clinton's comparison of the current nomination race and those of her husband but also the ill-fated Robert F. Kennedy. "You know, my husband didn't wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary sometime in the middle of June. Right?... We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. You know, I just-- I don't understand it." This has been interpreted in a number of ways, all being seen as offensive to the Kennedys, Obama and even an expression of a hope that Obama would be assassinated. Obama could have used this in a number of ways to discredit his opponent but, as victory seems to be going his way ever quicker, he chose not to attack. Speaking on the Puerto Rican radio station Isla, he said: "I have learned that when you are campaigning for as many months as Sen. Clinton and I have been campaigning, sometimes you get careless in terms of the statements that you make. And I think that is what happened here.
Sen. Clinton says that she did not intend any offense by it, and I would take her at her word on that." While it is impossible to assess whether this is Obama's way or a skillful and strategic bit of personal PR, but whatever the case it has resulted in the latter. Obama is able to look generous, understanding and compassionate, perhaps have any of his own gaffes overlooked, but also undermine attacks from Clinton. For him it is win-win and may well be intended to offer voters an insight into his Presidential style.
Sen. Clinton says that she did not intend any offense by it, and I would take her at her word on that." While it is impossible to assess whether this is Obama's way or a skillful and strategic bit of personal PR, but whatever the case it has resulted in the latter. Obama is able to look generous, understanding and compassionate, perhaps have any of his own gaffes overlooked, but also undermine attacks from Clinton. For him it is win-win and may well be intended to offer voters an insight into his Presidential style.
1 comment:
Nice post, too bad that Obama's "magnaminity" is undercut by the fact that his campaign manager, Axelrod, made sure to send off copies of Keith Olbermann's "Hillary was advocating for Obama's MURDER!!!" rant to all of the Sunday Morning talking heads programs. Only after the damage was done did the campaign wish to "move beyond the issue." (See: http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh052708.shtml and http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh052908.shtml for some details)
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