Sunday, September 14, 2008

Bill Clinton's Advice to Barack Obama

This is a really good article, and I'm no fan of Bill Clinton. You have to wonder how this Democrat won two terms, while other Democrats have a hard time even getting the Presidency. And the Republicans pretty much use the same strategy in every election: call their opponent a liberal, say the Democrat will raise taxes, bring up some scandals, and repeat all this over and over, such that it becomes a catch-phrase. How's Bill Clinton think he surmounted all that? Read Bill Clinton's advice to Barack Obama.

My favorite line from the article:

"One important thing to remember: Obama has never faced a serious race against a Republican. His important victories in Illinois and this year have all been against other Democrats in nomination battles.

"Some Clinton allies say this may tend to warp his perspective about how politics works and what kind of issues and stories matter in a presidential context. Bottom line: it does not matter who is getting better coverage in the New York Times.

'"This is a new experience for Obama — facing a Republican who will do and say things far different from the Democrats he has faced. Republicans don’t care what Frank Rich, Maureen Dowd or establishment media has to say about them,' said [Mark] Penn."

Got that right! This is a whole new ballgame. If Obama wants to win, then any elitist mind-set he has must go! Or at least he should hide it, as Bill Clinton was able to do.