Let the mud-throwing begin

After months of cordial relations, Hillary and Obama have started throwing mud in earnest. In a recent debate Hillary accused Obama of working for a slum-lord and being a closet Reagan-lover. Obama hit back by reminding people that Hillary was on the Walmart board of directors.

All of these attacks are unfounded. Obama praised Reagan's ability to reshape American politics, not his policies. Both Bill and Hillary have given Reagan stronger praise. When Hillary was on the Walmart board they hated her for her social conscience. Obama had little personal contact with the slum lord and Hillary has closer contacts with more disreputable characters.

This week Obama suggested that Hillary votes with the Republicans too often to be trustworthy. This is a badly thought out attack for several reasons:

• His book decries exactly this sort of attack. Hillary already released a statement pointing this out.
• Hillary has already pointed out his long record of ducking controversial votes. She can point out that at least she is on the record on these issues while he is not. THis puts him back on the defensive.
• It gives Republicans some strong ammunition to use if Obama gets the nomination. While Obama is identifying particular issues, his attack can be taken as an attack on Republicans and compromise in general. Obama has been running on a platform of hope and bipartisanship. This indicates that his idea of bipartisanship is for the other side to vote his way. Where Bill Clinton claimed to see all sides of an issue, Obama regularly insists that he has the only valid side. Contrast this with McCain who regularly votes with Democrats.

Obama started the campaign with a handicap. He talked a lot about rising above the bickering and personal attacks that have typified modern politics. Hillary embodies these traits. Obama either has to sink to her level which diminishes his appeal or he has to constantly stay on the defensive. Like G. W. Bush in debates, Hillary benefits from low expectations. She campaigns like a Clinton. We don't expect anything better from her.