Memo Wars: Obama's Campaign On Clinton "Calculation"

TO: Interested Parties

FR: The Obama Campaign

RE: Turning the Page on Secrecy, Calculation, and Caution

DA: Wednesday, October 31, 2007

At last night’s debate, Barack Obama demonstrated the real choice in this race. On issues from Social Security to Iran to being open with the America people about her record, Senator Clinton offered more of the same Washington political calculation and evasion that won’t bring the change America needs.

The “politics of hope” doesn’t mean hoping you don’t have to answer tough questions.

Her performance raised more questions than it answered:

* Twelve hours after the debate ended, the American people are still waiting for an answer on Senator Clinton’s position on providing illegal immigrants with drivers licenses. She didn’t answer the question in the debate and her campaign couldn’t answer it afterwards. [http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/10/video_special_clintons_strateg.php]

* Clinton Demurred When Asked to Approve the Release of Her Records From the National Archives. When asked whether she would request that the National Archives allow the public to access emails, memorandum, and other communication between her and her husband before 2012, Clinton said, “Well, that's not my decision to make, and I don't believe that any president or first lady ever has. But, certainly, we're moving as quickly as our circumstances and the processes of the National Archives permits.” [Debate, 10/30/07]

* Clinton also claimed that all of the records from her health care task force had been released. However, according to Newsweek, “Some key papers from her health-care task force… remain locked away.” [Newsweek, 10/29/07]

· Clinton Refused to Answer Questions About the Circumstances Under Which She Would Attack Iran, Despite Being Asked Repeatedly; Focused on Diplomacy. When asked about her plan to deal with the threat posed by Iran, Clinton said, “I am not in favor of this rush for war, but I'm also not in favor of doing nothing...I prefer vigorous diplomacy.” Williams then asked her under what circumstances she would consider an attack on Iran justified. Clinton replied, “Well, first of all, we have to try diplomacy...I believe we should be engaged in diplomacy right now with the Iranians.” After Williams pointed out that she did not answer the question, Clinton said only, “I want to start diplomacy... [we need] a full court press on the diplomatic front.” [Debate, 10/30/07]

· Despite being repeatedly pressed by the moderators, Clinton never cleared up the discrepancy between her public refusal to discuss Social Security and her private discussion with Tod Bowman of Iowa. You can see Bowman’s endorsement of Obama by clicking HERE

Senator Clinton has clearly decided based on political calculation that her campaign strategy is to tell the American people as little as possible, avoid the difficult issues, and try to blur as many differences as possible. After last night’s debate, the choice is clear: Barack Obama is the kind of leader that will bring change we can believe in, stand up to the special interests, unite the country, and tell the American people not just what they want to hear, but what they need to know about the challenges we face. This is what the voters in Iowa, New Hampshire and the other early states are seeing every day. It is why Iowa is now a dead heat between Senators Obama and Clinton and why Obama is strengthening his position in New Hampshire.

Comments

Obama Camp, not a good idea to talk about Iowa being a dead heat between the 2. Clinton until recently was not the poll leader in Iowa. Let's remember our numbers before talking about percentages. Actually it was a dead heat between Obama and Edwards, with Clinton trailing in 3rd place. You guys did not move up in the polls she did. Again bad idea to invoke polling numbers from Iowa, you are just reinforcing her as the candidate to beat, she increased in Iowa where everyone else, including your camp either stayed fairly stagnet, or dropped in numbers.

Remember Clinton is not what's wrong with this country, this current administration is! Go after them, not each other.

Posted by Tina | October 31, 2007 5:14 PM

Senator Obama,

I must commend your courageous move starting with the NYT interview continuing last night by giving voice to what Americans all across this country who are supporting you are deeply concerned..that Hillary could possibly skate by this nomination on the coattails of her husband and the MSM giving her pass after pass about her dishonesty, politically motivated votes and pandering. Nobody was going to go near this issue in front of the national press corps with her..you had the courage..God Speed.

Posted by Elisabeth | October 31, 2007 9:09 PM

I thought all men in the Democratic race for President were too smart to jump on the front runner(Hillary) like they did in Philly. It almost looks as if Obama, Edwards would rather win a convention than a election. Sen. Hillary Clinton is very smart, Sen.Biden would make a good running mate for Hillary-lets win an election, we need change.

Posted by James | October 31, 2007 9:22 PM

What's amazing to me is the number of citizens in this country who are satisfied with such a secretive, oblique government! HRC clearly indicated this role during the last debate. What has to done to open the eyes of America?

Posted by jenn | October 31, 2007 10:03 PM

Anyone who thinks Hillary did well in that debate is fooling themselves. Everyone, called her out on being evasive, calculating, and a liar. She flip flopped on her own question in the last few minutes and practically yelled at someone. Not the characteristics I want in a leader.

Obama in '08
He has the experience, the judgment, and the ability to bring this country back together and restore our respect across the world.

Posted by Bethany | October 31, 2007 10:25 PM

Clinton will not answer questions, evades all issues, refuses to release documents that she claims as her experience, gives all sides to every issue, huge amounts of money from lobbyists and PACS, assisted bush in getting us into the war in Iraq, her Iran vote could give bush the authority to go to war with that country, refuses to release her earmarks, refuses to release full financia records, and the all-time favorite, she is still mired in campaign fraud. Those are brief high-lights. Why do people expect so little from a presidential candidate?

My family and I deserve better than this. I just wish the rest of the citizens of this country loved their families as much as I love mine.

The Clintons would just be a bad memory.

Posted by Theresa | October 31, 2007 10:31 PM

Why must we always tear down the person we are running against? Why cannot they just talk about what they can do to heal this country? What will they do for the people, the middle class, the environment,schools, energy,etc. etc. etc. not bicker about each other and give the other party amunition when one of them becomes the elected person in our party? The person who had the most class was by far Hillary. She showed that she did not get rattled easy, did not buckle under pressure and kept her cool.

Posted by Helen | October 31, 2007 10:43 PM

Obama was fortunate after he swung and fouled off a pitch from Brian Williams with the opening question. His reluctance to differentiate between him and Hillary evaporated after trial lawyer Edwards pitched a solid case as to why Hillary should not be the nominee. Dodd chimed in on the most important issue regarding Hillary, electability. Further Russert would not let her off the hook on questions. Today she plays the victim card accusing the men of piling it on akin to the New England Patriots. Bad play in my opinion as it shows weakness. Further, her minions are convinced Russert is out to get her with gotcha questions. You are the front runner, you must answer tough questions or else you do not deserve to be the nominee. Obama is ceasing the moment from afar with a memo. He is better at this than he is a debating.

Posted by Mark | November 1, 2007 12:11 AM

Last night, after the debate, I called my friend and asked, "Did you watch the debate?" She replied, "Yes". Then I asked, "Did Hillary Clinton make any sense to you? I mean, did you understand any of her answers because I am totally confused about where she stands on anything" My friend, who's a psychiatrist responded, "Yeah, word salad." (a symptom of schizophrenia when the person pieces a sentence together made up of words that are unrelated and cannot be made sense out of.)

Posted by nolalily | November 1, 2007 12:50 AM

Hillary Rocks! Many of the lunatic fringe of our own party first hung out bashing Hillary in the 'Strong Woman' blog, then come here to praise Obama... Theresa, Elizabeth, Nolalily, Bethany, etc.,... Nice try, but you'll not sway those who look at this race objectively. Democrats need a candidate who will kick republican ass in '08! Get real people! Obama is weak, and Edwards couldn't last 10 minutes debating dick cheney... Face some reality and start working towards '08 - a realistic race to kick republican ass... (Don't attack me - this is Democratic tough love.)

Posted by Ray B | November 1, 2007 2:37 AM

I Agree Ray With Your Assertion Of The People That Comes In Here And Whine About Obama,It Makes Me Sick To My Stomach,Obama Is One Of The Biggest Flip flopper In The Campaign,On His Position Of Running A Different Kind Of Campaign,Until It Became Obvious That In Order To Get More Media,Attack Hilliary With All You Got,But I See Noone Questions Him On That Flip Flopp,And Now His Lieing Ass Campaign Manager David Axlerod Is Trying To Dress Up His Position As If Everyone Who Watched That Debate Is Totally Stupid,He's So Arrogant,& Self-Centered,Slimy To it's Almost Scary,And Mrs Nolalility I Doubt Very Seriously That You Or Your Shrink Even Know What Planet You're On.

Posted by Captain-Sky | November 1, 2007 7:49 AM

A new poll shows Clinton would lose to Giuliani, Obama would win. Edward loses too.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009014381

Posted by katharine | November 1, 2007 4:18 PM