Crucial Tuesday: It was Hillary´s night
Rizwan Ghani
March 05, 2008
I thought Obama was all set to win New Hampshire but Hillary pulled a surprise. When I was writing Come Ohio- Hillary will be history 1 and 2 it never occurred to me that I was in for a second surprise thereby showing that I don´t know something about Hillary that voters like.
There is lot of talk that she is a fighter and will not give up. It can be argued that it was Hillary´s surprise appearance in the New York nigh show that did the trick, the Hillary campaign´s last minute tricks (dirty or political as you like to describe them) against Obama campaign stirring controversy over funding and NAFTA/Canada memo. In this all-is-fair election race somewhere the new Clinton campaign manager´s timing of use of (underhand) cards cannot be ignored. Scandals are very much part of American presidential campaigns.
Hillary late night show has been termed as success and political observers have equated it to ´humanizing´ candidates. Obama campaign needs to exploit media in fresher and advanced way without losing sight of traditional options.
I don´t support such tricks but it is equally important to avoid getting entrapped in such last minute media attacks. Obama campaign should have a plan for such tricks for future to avoid erosion in the vote bank.
Obama campaign needs to find the cause of Ohio defeat to secure blue collar vote in Michigan and Pennsylvania. There is not much difference in Hillary and Obama over securing middle class jobs. Their messages in Ohio were same both talked of keeping jobs in America. In all probability one Ohioan explained what needs to be done if someone like Obama wants to win blue collar voters. ´Voters get general statements while we are looking for specifics".
Michigan has been termed as ´ghost town´ because of the mass exodus of people who have been moving to other states in search of jobs. The challenges of country´s car industry are the challenges of America. There is no simple solution to technology and competition replacing human labor or leaving them jobless. May be Democrats have to find a middle ground between economic populism of banning foreign cars and special incentives to improve local car industry. Similarly, there has to be talk of rationalizing difference in salary ratio of executives and employees.
Reportedly in some cases the ration stands at 279:1 with CEO getting 279% more than the worker. It has to be rationalized down to 7:1 however populist it might sound. The clarity of Hillary and Obama campaign on this issue can provide edge in the upcoming primaries.
Obama has done well in Vermont. It shows that his Iraq war strategy is intact. The wide mosaic of voters old, young, women reflect campaign positives. (http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2008/03/04/obama_cuts_into_clinton_base_in_vermonts_primary/. These strengths can be beefed up.
The Latino factor contributing in Hillary´s strength in Texas has once shown that American voters stay in their boxes. However, in Hillary´s case it was the 32% Hispanic turn out greater than 2004 that helped her win where as the drop in African-American voters from 21% (2004) to 18% in (2008) has cost Obama dearly in terms of delegate count.
From Hillary camp´s perspective, crucial Tuesday is a ´reset´. They are back in the game. However, Obama camp will keep its focus on delegate count but with McCain emerging as clear Republican presidential nominee the current ´reset´ has put Democrats at a disadvantage. Hillary camp has ruled out withdrawing from the race.
Weather has played its role and in some places Obama campaign faced the brunt.
Obama and Hillary are in for a long haul whether Democrats like it or not. I hope that between now and May, Democratic Party will use the campaign stretch to fine tune security and economy issues. If I were to recommend slogans for Democratic Party for upcoming race within party and for general election they would be, ´Strong economy is the best national security´. ´Democrats are economist in chief leading the commander in chief´. ´Vote for Democrats because they stand for Bill of Rights. ´Vote for Democrats because we stand for human rights, international laws and conventions´. ´Vote for restoring constitution of America and Democrats will win the universal support, peace and security´.
Finally, with Texas (caucuses) result still incomplete with ever changing pledged delegate count there suspense is far from over as far crucial Tuesday is concerned. It is hoped that Obama maintains his delegate lead. However, the battle may be on but it was Hillary´s night. I can only say, well done Obama but what a comeback, Hillary.
There is lot of talk that she is a fighter and will not give up. It can be argued that it was Hillary´s surprise appearance in the New York nigh show that did the trick, the Hillary campaign´s last minute tricks (dirty or political as you like to describe them) against Obama campaign stirring controversy over funding and NAFTA/Canada memo. In this all-is-fair election race somewhere the new Clinton campaign manager´s timing of use of (underhand) cards cannot be ignored. Scandals are very much part of American presidential campaigns.
Hillary late night show has been termed as success and political observers have equated it to ´humanizing´ candidates. Obama campaign needs to exploit media in fresher and advanced way without losing sight of traditional options.
I don´t support such tricks but it is equally important to avoid getting entrapped in such last minute media attacks. Obama campaign should have a plan for such tricks for future to avoid erosion in the vote bank.
Obama campaign needs to find the cause of Ohio defeat to secure blue collar vote in Michigan and Pennsylvania. There is not much difference in Hillary and Obama over securing middle class jobs. Their messages in Ohio were same both talked of keeping jobs in America. In all probability one Ohioan explained what needs to be done if someone like Obama wants to win blue collar voters. ´Voters get general statements while we are looking for specifics".
Michigan has been termed as ´ghost town´ because of the mass exodus of people who have been moving to other states in search of jobs. The challenges of country´s car industry are the challenges of America. There is no simple solution to technology and competition replacing human labor or leaving them jobless. May be Democrats have to find a middle ground between economic populism of banning foreign cars and special incentives to improve local car industry. Similarly, there has to be talk of rationalizing difference in salary ratio of executives and employees.
Reportedly in some cases the ration stands at 279:1 with CEO getting 279% more than the worker. It has to be rationalized down to 7:1 however populist it might sound. The clarity of Hillary and Obama campaign on this issue can provide edge in the upcoming primaries.
Obama has done well in Vermont. It shows that his Iraq war strategy is intact. The wide mosaic of voters old, young, women reflect campaign positives. (http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2008/03/04/obama_cuts_into_clinton_base_in_vermonts_primary/. These strengths can be beefed up.
The Latino factor contributing in Hillary´s strength in Texas has once shown that American voters stay in their boxes. However, in Hillary´s case it was the 32% Hispanic turn out greater than 2004 that helped her win where as the drop in African-American voters from 21% (2004) to 18% in (2008) has cost Obama dearly in terms of delegate count.
From Hillary camp´s perspective, crucial Tuesday is a ´reset´. They are back in the game. However, Obama camp will keep its focus on delegate count but with McCain emerging as clear Republican presidential nominee the current ´reset´ has put Democrats at a disadvantage. Hillary camp has ruled out withdrawing from the race.
Weather has played its role and in some places Obama campaign faced the brunt.
Obama and Hillary are in for a long haul whether Democrats like it or not. I hope that between now and May, Democratic Party will use the campaign stretch to fine tune security and economy issues. If I were to recommend slogans for Democratic Party for upcoming race within party and for general election they would be, ´Strong economy is the best national security´. ´Democrats are economist in chief leading the commander in chief´. ´Vote for Democrats because they stand for Bill of Rights. ´Vote for Democrats because we stand for human rights, international laws and conventions´. ´Vote for restoring constitution of America and Democrats will win the universal support, peace and security´.
Finally, with Texas (caucuses) result still incomplete with ever changing pledged delegate count there suspense is far from over as far crucial Tuesday is concerned. It is hoped that Obama maintains his delegate lead. However, the battle may be on but it was Hillary´s night. I can only say, well done Obama but what a comeback, Hillary.
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