Oprah, Meet Dorothy

DES MOINES -- How to bracket Oprah Winfrey? That's the challenge facing the Clinton campaign this weekend. The answer they've arrived at seems to be: we'll keep our head down. As Barack Obama barnstorms with Ms. O, Clinton will campaign via bus through South Central Iowa.

But Clinton is bringing a special woman along. Her mother, Dorothy Rodham. The first time she's ever been with her daughter on the campaign trail. And Dorothy Rodham's first visit to Iowa in nearly 50 years.

The contrast: Obama has his celebrity -- Hillary has her mother -- a stand in, of sorts, for the older, female caucus-goer demographic that is so critical to a Clinton victory.

Comments

there is no contrast simply because even if Obama wishes to bring his mother, he can't, she is dead.

Posted by joe | December 8, 2007 11:21 AM

pretty good move on their part, probably there first good move in two weeks, hillary as the down-to-earth daughter and mother (chelsea's on the stump too). but she is playing obama to a draw which is a very different position from where she was a month ago. it's all about johnson city now.

Posted by JC | December 8, 2007 12:28 PM

Maybe HRC could offer all of us pony rides. Jesus! Another disingenuous move by The Equivicator will not put fannies in the seats to listen to her say nothing. I am quickly losing any remaining respect I had for her. Is this what happens when you spend too much of your adult life in Arkansas and DC?

Bill didn't inhale, Hillary's got Mom on the campaign trail, and Reverend Huckabee thinks Jesus has personally intervened on his behalf. James William Fulbright is spinning in his grave.

Posted by Cinderella Ferret | December 8, 2007 12:51 PM

If Obama gets oprah to get out there then jon gets ellen ok and this country to condrotroversial that nether a black or woman is going to be presadent. and if so its because they are black and or woman.

Posted by alec | December 8, 2007 12:53 PM

----- CLINTON SLEAZE FATIGUE WILL INVIGORATE GOP, DISPIRIT DEMOCRATS AND SINK DEMOCRATIC TICKET-----

It is possible that Senator Clinton is the best candidate. However, even though many may like the policies that Senator Clinton proposes, they should also consider her record, just as Senator Clinton insists.
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The last Clinton Administration, when faced with the fact that protection rackets where assaulting, torturing and murdering people with poison and radiation, chose to avoid its responsibilities to incarcerate the criminals and to protect the citizenry.
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Would you vote for a President who signed nonaggression deals with the KKKlan or the Nazi party? Gangs that torture with poison and radiation are much like the KKKlan and Nazi Party.
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Posted by avraam jack | December 8, 2007 1:15 PM

Cinderella - perhaps no one has less respect for the sheer nothingness of Clinton's campaigns than me. However, your comments seem a touch over the top. Bringing a mom out on the trail isn't particular new (nor particularly newsworthy, Marc Ambinder).

One of Clinton's (or perhaps her campaign's) biggest mistakes is over-reacting and creating drama out of nothing. Clinton's opponents shouldn't return the favor. There's plenty of valid criticisms of her campaign, but we shouldn't let those get lost among the silly criticisms. This is just bringing a family member along, nothing more and nothing less.

Posted by Paul | December 8, 2007 1:20 PM

If HRC is elected as president and when a national crises becomes into existence, She will probable bring out her Mother again and let her make decisions. Generally, children run to their mother to rebuilt self-esteem or comfort. This appears to be exactly what HRC is doing. She runs to her sweet mother for comfort and and support for the lack of self-esteem. lololololol.

Posted by clearconsciousness | December 8, 2007 1:45 PM

Doesn't it seem like Mrs. Rodman would like to be anywhere else except on the campaign trail?

Posted by sonya | December 8, 2007 2:09 PM

Had another question, but Chelsea just showed up. Three generations, one diner and still no Oprah.

Posted by Not Thrilled | December 8, 2007 3:19 PM

Having your daughter and mother appear on the campaign trail w/ you should be nothing but a positive.

However, bringing them out in Iowa on the very day Oprah is coming negates the whole effect; since the timing is so obvious, it makes it look like Hillary is dragooning her family to use them as a political weapon.

I wish my senator would just give on up this foolish and cynical run for office, and take care of the people of New York.

Posted by lampwick | December 8, 2007 4:41 PM

I wonder if Dorothy has been briefed on how to respond to the now inevitable question -- what Hillary want to be in the 3rd grade?

Posted by Gus | December 8, 2007 11:56 PM

I remember back around the 4th of July when Clinton got tons of media coverage because she decided to roll out Bill for the holidays.
Obama campaigned at small venues during that time.
So, now he gets all the publicity this weekend. She should just stick with the campaigning and not try to counter and waste her time.
Everyone gets their moments to shine.
But, it's nice she has her mother and daughter with her this weekend. Family is always good.

Posted by vwcat | December 9, 2007 1:29 AM

ROLLING OUT HILLARY'S MOM: humanizing hillary part 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je_BrhERJyI

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Pathetic, really, having to drag out your mom to argue that you are humane.
(Or is it, in fact, the lower standard: born of woman, and hence human?)

Posted by Mia T | December 16, 2007 9:10 PM