NPR: Report: Clinton Truly Believes Obama "Disaster-in-Waiting"

Report: Clinton Truly Believes Obama "Disaster-in-Waiting"

Would a Sen. Barack Obama presidential candidacy be a potential "disaster-in-waiting."

John F. Harris and Jim Vadehei write at Politico.com that the Clintons truly believe this, although they won't say so publicly -- "naive Democrats just don't see it. And a timid, pro-Obama press corps won't tell the story."

The authors argue for all its supposedly bitter personal remarks, it's actually rather tame campaign by past standards: an exercise in self-censorship.

Rip off the duct tape and here is what they would say: Obama has serious problems with Jewish voters (goodbye Florida), working-class whites (goodbye Ohio) and Hispanics (goodbye, New Mexico).
Republicans will also ruthlessly exploit openings that Clinton -- in the genteel confines of an intraparty contest -- never could. Top targets: Obama's radioactive personal associations, his liberal ideology, his exotic life story, his coolly academic and elitist style.

The authors write that Sen. Clinton believes she has to save the Democratic Party from itself. While the Democratic campaign has been a "prissy" affair, "one can be sure the general election will not be such a delicate affair."

1:18 PM ET | 04-14-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Maybe we should trust her. If anyone knows what it's like to run a presidential campaign that is a disaster, it's Hillary.

Sent by SB | 1:38 PM ET | 04-14-2008

All I can say is, Mommy make it stop.

Sent by George de Man | 1:52 PM ET | 04-14-2008

Just as the Clinton campaign is a living breathing disaster hanging by the tips of its fingers.One more shocking discovery which may may existing but not aired out yet, and it will be over.

Sent by Liza | 1:53 PM ET | 04-14-2008

HRC's being elitist and condescending towards everyone who voted for Obama. This is a democracy, not a Clintocracy.

Sent by Sweetie | 1:59 PM ET | 04-14-2008

It's so sad that anyone thinks its important whether or not their party wins any election.

Very very sad.

Sent by Jody Sol | 2:10 PM ET | 04-14-2008

The Clintons, Obama and McCain all share significant but different vulnerabilities with voters and no doubt in the general election some of the campaigns and the news media will try, once again, to make those the issue and not the many serious national problems that wait for a political solution while they continue to work on their political and economic careers. Senator Obama has in my opinion the best chance of being a different president, the kind of president we though we were voting for so many times in the past.

Sent by William Hogan | 2:16 PM ET | 04-14-2008

"In waiting?"

Sent by deek | 2:57 PM ET | 04-14-2008

What method do Mr. Harris and Mr. Vadehei use to read the Clintons' minds? Crystal balls? Tea leaves? Reading the entrails of chickens?

I don't disagree that these are actual problems with the Obama campaign, but how do these guys know what someone else is thinking?

Sent by Susan | 6:39 PM ET | 04-14-2008

Susan-
I'm not a Clinton supporter as you are. Mostly, I disagree with your posts, but this time I'm with you 100%.

Sent by sem | 7:41 PM ET | 04-14-2008

"While the Democratic campaign has been a "prissy" affair, "one can be sure the general election will not be such a delicate affair."

My! My!
I don't know who said what before who, but Sen Clinton and Sen McCain have been doing the machete job on Sen Obama's political kneecaps in unison over the past few days - and prior to that. In fact they seem to borrow from one another the terms of endearment that they throw at Barack. I read Hillary's "elitist" and "condescending" remarks from the McCain camp first.

Have you noticed that rarely does Sen McCain throw a term of endearment at Sen Clinton? Is it because she has no issues and she is such a nice person that come the general elections, the good knight John McCain will let the lady have her way with him?

Of course not. The McCain camp and surrogates probably have lined up sure ways of stopping lady macbeth cold. Its the specter of a Barack candidacy that keeps them awake at night.
And it shows.

Sent by chokora | 4:15 AM ET | 04-15-2008

What does Hillary 'believe'?
Should take note of Hillary's "belief"?

For months, Clinton truly believed that she landed in Tuzla, Bosnia with sniper fire firing furiously at her. And she was ducking bullets and sprinting for dear life across the runway with dear Chelsea in tow ....

But we believed that Bill (who would run off to UK rather than go to the firing ranges of Vietnam) could actually send his wife and child into danger (so that he can have some leisurely quality time at the oval office)

A 'belief' does not lend itself to (logical) proof. If it did, then it would no longer be a 'belief' but a (verifiable) fact.

So Hillary is entitled to her belief however amusing to us - from someone with 'electability' baggage galore and trailing this late in the primaries.

Sent by chokora | 5:14 AM ET | 04-15-2008

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