Posted by
Michael on Monday, January 28, 2008 2:08:48 PM
William Kristol's newest column for the New York Times took Bill Clinton to task for his comments implying that Barack Obama was a Jesse Jackson-like candidate a time when many Clinton-era Democrats are supporting him;
Right now, Hillary Clinton is ahead in the polls in almost all the
big states voting. She is a tough and capable campaigner, and she may
be able to hold on to those leads. But it is now clear that putting her
in the White House brings a hyperactive Bill back in with her. Who
needs it? Liberals and Democrats can get basically the same policies
without the Clinton baggage, and in choosing Obama, they can nominate a
more electable candidate. So Hillary’s advantage in the polls
will, I suspect, erode. The erosion could be hastened by the expected
endorsement of Obama by Ted Kennedy on Monday. It could be helped
further along if Al Gore hops aboard the Obama bandwagon later in the
week. Meanwhile, Tom Daschle, the Senate Democratic leader during most
of the Clinton presidency, is actively supporting Obama. Talk to
Democrats in D.C., and it’s amazing how many who know the Clintons well
— many of whom worked in the Clinton administration — are eager that
they not return to the White House.
This week, the Clinton team will dump every bit of opposition research it has on Obama. We’ll see how Obama responds.