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Pundits might be predicting the demise of her presidential hopes but Hillary Clinton made clear yesterday that she considers her campaign far from over as she launched a mocking attack on Barack Obama’s message of change and unity (writes Hannah Strange).
The former first lady abandoned the conciliatory tone she adopted at last week’s Texas debate to deliver a caustic parody of her rival’s lofty oratorical style, contrasting it with her own message of experience and pragmatism.
“I could just stand up here and say ’Let’s just get everybody together, let’s get unified,’” she told supporters at a rally in Providence, Rhode Island.
“The sky will open, the light will come down, celestial choirs will be singing and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect.
“Maybe I’ve just lived a little long, but I have no illusions at how hard this is going to be. You are not going to wave a magic wand and have the special interests disappear.”
Mrs Clinton went on to emphasise her years of political experience and record as a senator for New York.
“It’s been called the toughest job that you can have because you’ve got to bring people together to find common ground and then to move forward, that is what I’ve done my entire life. And it is what I have done now in the Senate, where I have worked across party lines to solve people’s problems.”
Mrs Clinton, who appeared to sound an elegiac note at last week’s debate after losing 11 contests to Mr Obama since February 5, earlier yesterday reassured anxious donors that she can revive her flagging campaign with wins in Ohio and Texas. Speaking at a Boston fundraiser, she outlined a roadmap to victory in the two delegate-rich states, which go to the polls on March 4, saying she was “extremely positive” about the outcome.
She pledged to continue to stress her differences with her rival on issues such as universal healthcare and said she will sharpen her attacks on the young Illinois senator’s lack of political experience. “We’re going to emphasise more and more the experience gap,” she said.“You’ll hear a lot about it the next eight days.”
However her apparent unwillingness to recalibrate her strategy against Mr Obama - the theme of change versus experience has so far failed to dent his burgeoning popularity - may worry some supporters.
The Clinton campaign hopes that Ohio and Texas will prove to be “firewall” states that will finally halt Mr Obama’s growing momentum. Bill Clinton, the former president, has said publicly that his wife probably needs to win both of them if she is to win the Democratic presidential nomination.
In Texas particularly, Mrs Clinton hopes that Latino community, where she has commanded considerable support in the past, will help her to a much-needed win. However recent polls show the race to be a statistical dead heat, while in Ohio, polls show Mrs Clinton with a narrowing lead.
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Hillary will distroy the Democratic Party, because sahe is losing. Get her out of there, she is dangerious, nothing wrong with a woman President this one is the wrong one.
Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK
Ronald Reagan was an actor/movie star, Kennedy was a Catholic, George W. Bush had alcohol problems, Clinton was somewhat of aphilanderer, presidents aren't anywhere near perfect for everyone or even anyone's ideal, but you look for balance. Obama could do with a little more experience, but you get the impression that he'll do ok and he'll get things done. I like his message, I like him. He has two young daughters he has a vested interest in the future of America, he wants the best for them and for everyone's kids. Its a positive message. Hillary offers cynicism and I don't want that. I want to see things change. We have to try, with Hillary, there doesn't seem to be even a fighting chance for change in approach.
Amanda, London,
OH come on what do you think Obama will do for this country doesnt it bother you that he doesnt answer questions with a straight answer and that he votes present instead of yes or no do you have a mind of your own or are you voting for him because Oprah says so. Most of you Obama fans cant even think for yourself........Oprah says hes great than he must be god help this country if he gets in.........
Kim, Billerica, MA
The more she talks (yells) the crazier she sounds. She has absolutely no clue at all what this race is all about!
She keeps preaching "experience" when people want "change." She claims to know how to "work the levers" in Washington even though we all know the levers are broken!
She appears to be irrational, unstable, and desperate (with a split personality thrown in for good measure)...
"I'm proud to be on the stage with you"...
"Shame on you"...
"Let's have a real campaign"...
"I'm mean, let's have a smear campaign in which I accuse you of being a radical Muslim and circulate photos of you dressed like the Taliban."
Who can keep up? Pundits now call it the "Kitchen Sink" tactic. I call it mud slinging - just keep slinging and slinging - and see what might stick!
I keep waiting for the total meltdown when her head starts to spin and she keeps repeating, "SHAME ON YOU, AMERICA!" "VOTE FOR ME!" "SHAME ON YOU, AMERICA!" "VOTE FOR ME!" "SHAME ON YOU, AMERICA!" "VOTE FOR ME!" "SHAME ON YOU, AMERICA!" "VOTE FOR ME!"
She's run a crazy campaign devoid of any rhyme or reason. How can we possibly trust her to run the country???
Mia, Boca Raton, FL
Hillary, get real!!!!
It's not just the "little people" (about whom you do not care) who support Obama. There are powerful governors, senators, representatives, and newspapers behind him. Every time you mock Obama, you mock all of us. You are, in fact, mocking 53% of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY!
Clearly, you will stop at nothing in your insatiable quest to win - even if it means tearing apart the party - or even costing us the general election in November!
Please, stop, you are out of control!
mia, Boca Raton, FL
Remember folks, this is just the preliminaries....wait until there are clear cut republicans and democrats. Obviously Hillary will be out of the picture but the gloves will come off and all of these politicians who were painted in such beautiful lights are gonna look a hell of a whole lot uglier.....if you forgot they are politicians. I am not a fan of Barrack but that may have something to do with living in Illinois
John, Marion, Illinois
I personally have been re-infranchised to vote after sitting out for a few years. I owe this to Obama and the coalition of voters he is assembling. I saw him yesterday at a rally in Cincinnati and the crowd was electric. It was incredible to witness the collection of young, old, black, white, Democrat, Republicans even,union, gay, disabled and every walk of life pack the arena. Wow, a non-divisive candidate pulling together a true sampling of America in the ultimate "conservative" city that Cincy is. Barack's speech and ability to motivate, amazing. Then to later witness a bitter lady with bags underneath her eyes launch a sarcastic parody of what I experienced gave me yet another reason to just want her to go away. The stains of so many negative years need to be washed away. The "experience" she so proudly flaunts is one of failure and the worst kind of partisanship. She seems willing to completely tear apart the Democratic party in her zeal to win. Please don't let her. Peace.
Chris, Cincinnati,
If special interests can rule our nation, then governments are a complete waste of time...hmmm is that where the saying money is the root of all evil orginates? Could this have happened in the past and history is just repeating the cycle?
Lisa Erikson, Los Angeles, U.S.A. California
Hilary R Clinton is looking more and more every day like a real life "Jekyll & Hyde" figure, she does so many flips its so easy to lose count,
The very essence of the Change the Voters are supporting for in BARACK OBAMA is to rid us of The Past and what Hilary is now centering her campaign on personal attacks instead of policy!
The Voters a week today have an opportunity to show Hilary what we think of her and her type of politics, the quicker she stands down for the sake of the Party and herself the better.
John B Sheffield, Newton, LA
Questions for some of you above who keep calling Senator Obama a little boy. Since when is a 46 year old man (with 2 ivy league degrees, 20 years of political experience, and 12 years in senate) considered a "little boy"?
Inspired Voter, New York, USA
i'm sorry guys. i'm going to come across in a bad way, just now, but did it occur to everyone that obama perhaps winning your (i'm canadian) democratic nomination has the chance of turning off those who would never vote for a black man? please don't get me wrong: i'm rooting for you guys to vote democratic, and it seems either candidate, if president, would be a precedent in american history, but did it occur to everyone that any sexual or racial biases in the united states may work severely against the democrats?
just a thought, guys. good luck!
Tim Holloway, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Senator Hillary Clinton is the best candidate for the post of the President of USA, with her ability and experience. Her rivals are nowhere near her on these vital aspects. The post is a very very important one , and people should take it seriously while casting their votes.
Ellan Borde, Murdidabad, India
BHO is uniquely qualified ............qualified to be a motivational speaker, qualified even to be a movie star, but qualified to lead the free world ..........please. As said he's a little boy playing "dress up".
Now here's the other side - neither is Hillary qualified to lead America. Her experience is 35 years of lying for Bill and covering up their illegal and unethical behavior.
Sad choice on the democratic side.
Hotspur, ATL, USA
imo - Obama is truely no better than Hilary - his failure to even package his healthcare proposals to be universal is astoundingly thick - but still he rises - if I were a us democrat I would once again be ashamed at the presidential candidates as in the last 2 elections. The comparisons with JFK are ridiculous and insuting - he has 1% of the conviction JFK had and even less oratory finesse. John Edwards drew a more marked similarity to the great man.
Just remember the trend for the last 2 contests - the candidate who appears the most simple and down to earth wins - and thats Obama...
John, London,
Gosh. What a sour, sarcastic, negative speech. Do Mrs Clinton and her advisors really believe this will change voters minds? Forty eight hours ago she was proud to stand alongside Senator Obama! This smacks of someone knowing they are losing and just coming out with bitter, petulant, negative comments. Hardly what one expects from a would be President.
Senator Obama, for all his alleged lack of experience, has show himself to be nothing less than a gentleman and had accepted, with good humour and grace, all the snide comments and remarks about his background, ability and race without resorting to the 'Clinton' techniques. He appears far more Presidential in his behaviour and, even if beaten, will still be gracious in defeat. I simply can't believe America wants such a two faced person as Mrs Clinton to represent them in the USA and on the World Stage.
Bergman Coffey, Belfast,
They say that the elderly are for Clinton. i am in my late 50"s. Does that include me? I am not for Hillary. If there had been no Obama I would have voted for her. First Lady to be President, and I liked her message. But, what I hate is mud slinging. Since she has resorted to that, I could never vote for her.
I decided to vote for Obama because I want someone who does not have a lot of experience. Someone who might think "outside the Box". I think we all understand that either one can promise the moon, but it is in the actual getting it done that counts. I believe Obama has a better chance of getting everyone together, republicans and democrates, than Clinton. I like the fact the no matter what Hillary says, he does not get upset and lower his self to her level.
The difference that Hillary continues to point out is her experience and his lack of. This is what people want!!! Someone with a fresh viewpoint. No Experience needed!!!
Lenny, Snohomish,
She obviously won't go out with any dignity... only kicking and screaming. If she wins the nomination I would never vote for someone so unstable... "I am honored to be here with Obama" to "I am shocked". Definitely do not want her in charge of nuclear weapons.
Trygve, Prague,
Her husband was 45 when he became President - younger than Obama. Funnily enough, there was a time in American history when the country wasn't run by a Clinton or a Bush - and there can be again.
JKay, Wellington, NZ
There hasn't been a candidate like Barack Obama for President in the United States since the 1960's. If Hillary Clinton is as perceptive and dedicated a citizen as she claims to be, she would recognise this fact, and in doing so she would withdraw her candidacy. Clinton would probably make a good President and be a good competitor for John Mcain, but Obama is the harbinger of a new era in American politics and social life. In attacking him she attacks not only the chances of the Democratic party but also the chances of the USA and the world to see a truly inspirational leader hold the worlds most powerful office.
Kevin, Calgary, Canada
Go Barack !
PulSamsara, USA, USA
Hillary just doesn't get it. Americans are SICK AND TIRED! of this type of thing. This is not a legitimate criticism of Obama, it's a cheap political shot and these types of attacks have been in great part responsible for her decline in the polls. She is shooting herself in the foot with these tactics and she is damaging the prospect of party unity in November. She can't win the nomination at this point.. Sit down and do the math. There are not enough delegates unless she convinces superdelegates to over-rule the will of the people and if she does that the outrage would be so huge it could split the party and there is no way she would win in November. She seems do driven in her self righteousness that only she should be president, she doesn't even seem aware of the damage she's doing to her campaign and the Democratic party. She lost. She needs to get over it, or at least tone down her attacks to legitimate debate.
JB, Seattle, WA
Surprise, surprise, Hillary has gone nuclear, her swan song, a last desprate move. Democrats have not found her antics and changeability presidential and she apparently does not seem to have a very sensitive gauge of her situation. Fortunately, her attacks are good practice for Barack and will help him prepare for more of it from the Republicans. Hopefully, Hillary will be a campaigner for Barack in the fall. We need her too.
Mark, Shepherdstown, USA
An interesting parallel with the recent Australian election campaign that booted the old-guard, "experienced", negative-campaigning, narrow-minded, "don't-rock-the-boat", "change is dangerous" government of the U.S. deputy sheriff in the Pacific - John Howard - for a government led by Kevin Rudd.
Rudd - very well educated, diplomatic, polite, unswayed by negative personal attacks, presented a cohesive, consistent message focussed on change for the better, and won in a land slide.
The last thing the US and thereby the world needs is a President who charms and weeps when it suits her, but releases the pit-bull personality at the slightest sign that anyone has dared defy her autocratic edict. We already have had eight years of "If you're not with us, you're against us" - let's go for someone who can listen and make an informed judgment, instead of striking a petulant retaliatory blow.
Aleks Ozolins, Melbourne, Australia
It's not so much the youth, as corporate America that is becoming increasingly enraptured with Obama. Clinton at least has a plan for a universal health care system; Obama says he "will work to lower insurance rates". By asking nicely, I'm sure he will influence this enormously powerful industry to cut its profits. Obama is playing the electorate like a fiddle with the old "shining city on the hill" BS, but if he is elected, the only thing that will change is the destination of corporate PAC contributions. Clinton is losing delegates and funding because of fear of the concrete changes she has planned, and with a Democratic Congress, will be able to achieve. The Obama fluff is the best recipe for the same old stuff in America. "All hat and no cattle indeed..."
Robert H., Vancouver, Canada
I think Hillary is letting her self down, damaging the Bill Clinton era. For some one with so much experience, should know better, than go on a RANT she comes across unstable because Obama is catching her up in the poles, this last attempt to say something, needed to be positive. And from what I see, some one who is so desperate to win, she has lost focus on why she should win. Winning is one thing, but she failed at the Barr for her Law Degree, and may be Hillary is a loser. Money and influwences have been running America for years, what Hillary does not Get is people are sick of having Politicans having their lives in their hands, manking bad decisions that affects many millions of lives, and offer them no Job security, poor education for their children, no health security. Seeing their SONS and Daughters Go off to war in these far flung places to fund FAT CATS in America like Haliburton, Dick Cheneys Interest, and Clintons foreign Investments, !Where! American jobs have gone.
Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, United Kingdom
It is a mark of his humility that Obama has not touted his phenomenal accomplishments at Harvard Law School where, on the basis of sheer ability, he was elected to the board of the Law Review and eventually as its president. His Harvard peers said that he was a natural leader. What Obama demonstrated was a remarkable ability to unite contentious groups, precisely the sort of skill needed to work with the House and Senate. Laurence Tribe, one of the legends at Harvard Law and among the greatest legal minds in the Western world, said that Obama was the most brilliant student he has had. Does a scintillating intellect count for anything in American politics? Isnât time to give it a try after Bush? Hillary failed the Washington bar examination after law school and followed Bill to Little Rock.
Krishna, Moscow, Russia
Krishna, Moscow, Russia
Go Hillary! The Frat Boys who are all fired up about Obama now won't even vote in November. That's college football season.
Tom, New York, USA
Gosh. What a sour, sarcastic, negative speech. Do Mrs Clinton and her advisors really believe this will change voters minds? Forty eight hours ago she was proud to stand alongside Senator Obama! This smacks of someone knowing they are losing and just coming out with bitter, petulant, negative comments. Hardly what one expects from a would be President.
Senator Obama, for all his alleged lack of experience, has show himself to be nothing less than a gentleman and had accepted, with good humour and grace, all the snide comments and remarks about his background, ability and race without resorting to the 'Clinton' techniques. He appears far more Presidential in his behaviour and, even if beaten, will still be gracious in defeat. I simply can't believe America wants such a two faced person as Mrs Clinton to represent them in the USA and on the World Stage.
Bergman Coffey, Belfast,
Hillary, thank you for reminding me why we shouldn't vote fro you.
All the drama is so 90s.
Unfortunately this is the undoing of Hillary. She's been on her best behavior but now her true nature shows. She is a bitter, ugly win-at-all-costs Clinton.
The point is as a nation we are all beyond this. Doesnât it just remind you of the past? The hateful speach, the sarcastic and caustic rhetoric isn't this what drove this country apart into he 90s and continued under the republicans in the 2000s.
Can you image 8 years of listing to this whining, piercing attack speak.
JANE, NYC,
I seem to remember that JFK and Bill Clinton were similarly 'little boys in a big man's world'. Nuff said
Mike Cole, Hayling Island, HANTS
Am I allowed to make a Pro-Hillary comment please?
She is not being negative, she is being realistic. The American people are living up in the clouds with the fairies at the moment. The whole point of debates, and campaigning is it is a COMPETITION! If Obama and Obamamaniacs can't take Clinton now, how on earth will they handle the republicans. Get Real.
Tam, Northants, UK
Quite [Sen. Clinton is proving to be too erratic to be president. She changes strategy and mood so much its hard to know who she is at any given time. Obama on the other hand is cool, calm and collected. That's the kind of even keel we need - erratic behavior is dangerous in a president. ]
Well said! She changes here tactics. Looks like Bill will be a big influence on her. We want a President who can think by themselves instead of being told what to say and what to do. I respect her experience, and respect her contributions to the country, but this kind mood changes is not good. Even I am not 100% sure about what change Obama will make, but we should give a chance and see what he is going to do, whatever Hillary is talking about, why Bill Clinton did not do during his term?
Ranga N, Princeton, NJ
Tell 'em Hillary. He's just a little boy in big mans world and the fools who flock to his call are blind to the very real problems in this world which need an experience hand like Hilliary's to get us through.
We all know he wants change but has failed to tells us just what that means. Is this what the highest office in the world is about?
D Case, Newquay,
Sen. Clinton is proving to be too erratic to be president. She changes strategy and mood so much itâs hard to know who she is at any given time. Obama on the other hand is cool, calm and collected. Thatâs the kind of even keel we need - erratic behavior is dangerous in a president.
Orhan Catan, Istanbul, Turkey
Wow- Clinton is the anti-hope and anti-unity candidate. Great going. She is really inspiring people to get politically involved- NOT.
Dr. Sharif, Owings Mills, MD
Hillary clinton please just give it a rest your negative messages will not get you very far. Imagine if Gandhi or any other inspirational leaders had her limited view they would not have got very far in life either.
She has got to go, enough is enough
Nikki, leicester, UK
The irrational rantings and ravings of the old guard represented by Sen. Clinton will not dissuade the millions upon millions of voters who have rejected her policies, her ideals, and her person as a candidate for our party.
Senator Clinton may think of us as "delusional", but in the end, all her insults, attacks, and false accusations of Mr. Obama will not change the fact that we as a nation, thorough our vote, have repudiated the Clinton's legacy and turned our backs on her and her husband.
We bid farewell to the Clinton attack machine and wish both well in their final year of their perculiarly convinient political marriage.
Cuban Pete, Washington, DC
Now she's decided to go even more negative. Get back to us when Hillary decides who she really is.
Thea, Burlington , VT
The message I hear from Clinton is 'same old, same old...don't bother to dream about a better tomorrow becasue things in Washington will never change'. She has given up and headed for the showers before the first pitch is thrown.
What she is missing is the fact that there has been a significant increase in voter turn out from both the Republicans and the Democrat supporters because the message is '"there is hope for a better future through positive change'.
If I was a Clinton supporter I would be very worried. Look at her support base...Special Interest Groups!! The Hispanics and the Elderly. They do not represent the Future.
Obama has the youth, the University Students, the 24 - 45 age bracket.....The future!!
Finally Clinton is showing her experience. When down in the polls use negative attack methods rather than present positive, new ideas.
Ron Taggart, Okotoks, AB, Canada