Are The Gloves Coming Off?
By Keith Boykin, in politics
Tuesday, August 7 2007, 11:29AM
"They work in the same building. They slog through the same rigorous travel schedule. Along the way, they often cross paths several times a day. But Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have barely spoken to each other — at least in any meaningful way — for months." That's the way the New York Times began a story about the two leading Democratic presidential candidates today.
In recent weeks, Clinton and Obama have been attacking each other's positions on foreign policy very vocally, but the Times suggests their feud is something deeper than that. In the wake of new polls that show Clinton widening her lead over Obama (Obama's camp dismisses the polls), it's not entirely surprising that their might be a bit of less than positive energy between the two of them. I'm sure the media will be jumping over this story all week to find visual evidence that the two senators don't like each other, but that's really besides the point.
A Foreign Policy Dispute Over Nothing?
After the YouTube presidential debate, Clinton and Obama sparred over the question of whether a president should commit to talk to U.S. enemies such as Cuba, Venezuela, Iran and North Korea "without conditions" in the first year of his or her term. Obama seemed to say yes and Clinton said no, thus sparking a two-week-long debate over foreign policy.
Much of the debate was manufactured to create the appearance of a distinction between the two candidates. Does anyone really think President Obama is going to fly down to Havana and smoke a cigar with the ailing Fidel Castro? Of course not, but he would and should find a way to open up a dialogue with Cuba and with other U.S. enemies to build a new and healthier relationship.
In the world of politics, however, minor disagreements quickly become major policy disputes. That's what happened after Obama announced in a speech last week that he would invade Pakistan to hunt down and kill Osama bin Laden or other high-value targets if the U.S. had actionable intelligence of terrorist activity. Critics said Obama wanted to invade our allies and talk to our enemies, but this was a somewhat simplistic reduction of his beliefs, and Clinton and others seemed to indicate that they would do the exact same thing in Pakistan, although they wouldn't have said it in a speech.
Talking To Enemies, But Not To Each Other
I'm not sure if it really matters, but it's possible that Clinton and Obama really don't like each other. The Times offers several juicy examples to demonstrate the icy relationship between the two junior senators.
- For more than two hours one night, often while standing only a few feet apart, Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama never approached each other or exchanged so much as a pleasantry.
- At another congressional event, Obama and Clinton each spoke to several Republicans and to nearly every Democrat — except each other.
- The day Obama opened his exploratory committee, several Senate observers said, he extended his hand and said hello to Clinton on the Senate floor, but she breezed by him, offering a cool stare.
- As he walked through the Capitol recently, Obama paused for a moment to answer a question about their relationship. “She’s said hello a couple times,” he said, a slow grin spreading over his face as he walked away.
If all that's true, then the two candidates may have some resentment built up. Clinton may be upset that Obama decided to run and steal her thunder. Obama may be upset that Clinton didn't react kindly to his decision to run. Either way, they're both adults and they'll both deal with it.
Campaigns are rough and candidates are supposed to disagree, but in the end they usually find a way to move on about their business. And whoever wins the Democratic nomination for president, I'm quite sure they will find a way to make up with the other party candidates who have criticized them. That's the way it's almost always happened.
In the end, the competition makes all the candidates better. If Senator Clinton had her party's nomination wrapped up, she would never be challenged in the way she has been so far in the race. That competition will make her a stronger candidate should she win the nomination. And for all the so-called disagreement between the two Democrats on foreign policy recently, at least they are discussing serious, substantive issues. I still don't know what the Republicans would do about Pakistan, Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela or any other country except Iraq, where they promise to continue the Bush Administration's disastrous policies.
So if the Democrats must fight for the prize, let them fight. In the end, the people will be better served by the competition.
Comments conceal
brian
August 7 2007, 12:48PM
i believe that she is leading in the polls because the republicans want her to win the nomination because the republicans know that if she wins the nom. she will lose the presidency because no republican man is going to vote for her because she's a woman and because she is Bill Clinton's wife. i think it's time for a real change. These legacies of father and son and now husband and wife presidencies are hurting america. we need change and we need change NOW!
Derrick from Philly
August 7 2007, 1:00PM
I keep wondering whether it's the "plantation mentality" that stops me from embracing Senator Obama. I like what he said about talking to world leaders who hate facist Americans, but I didn't like what he said about bombing Pakistan (although, it may make sense since the Pakistanis are housing Al Queda--oh, my God, I sound like some kind of Schumer Democrat). Whether it's Barack, Hillary, John or Joe, I'll vote Democrat in the fall of '08. I guess I keep waitin' for Massa' Gore to come riding in on his white horse to save the day. Well, at his weight he'll have to ride in on a white elephant.
Kyon Saucier
August 7 2007, 1:37PM
I agree that perhaps that we as voters may be better served by the competition but does uglieness have to enter into it? One can have healthy competition without vitrol.
MidwestGuy
August 7 2007, 1:39PM
DPhil, I won't say that you have a plantation mentality. There are a number of blacks (intellectuals) who are not supporting Obama. I believe it has more to do w/our collective lack of vision or at least that our vision usually sees one color. We go w/what we know. In the political arena, whenever in doubt we go white.
Unfortunate but true.
It doesn't matter how many times Bill Clinton cheats on Hillary, blacks are beholden to the Clintons. In contrast, over on the east coast, Kweisi Mfume was unelectable not because of his politics but his sexual history.
Blacks seemed to be uncomfortable w/that. But, check the GOP ticket.
Chester
August 7 2007, 2:01PM
Too much, they are attacking each other and the Repugnant's attacking them. I guess they still don't get it and that's why neither will win the election if nominated.
She's leading "polls" because this is what the GOP wants, they know she has no chance of winning and they will be in office 4 more years to torment the so called American people,bash gays and mock the poor, why is it that the Democratic party does not get this? These polls are as real as Santa Claus.
DDC
August 7 2007, 2:19PM
I think some of you guys here are a bit deluded. A white woman has a way bigger chance to become elected than a black man- which is of course why she's leading in the first place. Race always trumps gender in this world, or do we need yet another ugly reminder of that? So if the Republicans want someone they feel they can really beat as claimed, then they definitely will take their chances in pushing Obama not Hilary. They'll be betting on the fact that many white Democrats will not vote at all if they have to choose between a 1/2 black man and a white Republican candidate. Not all Democrats are nice, open-minded people, folks, just as not all Republicans are evil bigots.
MidwestGuy
August 7 2007, 3:26PM
DDC I think your assumptions about this race are wrong. Hill is not leading in the polls because she is a white woman. She is leading in the polls because she's the wife of Bill Clinton. Keep in mind there are white male candidates in the race who are more qualified than Hill. So, I don't believe that her white womanhood trumps the white manhood in this race.
The Repubs WANT Hillary as the nominee because she's a much better target than Obama. She is red meat with all the fat. The distrust and dislike of Clinton crosses political lines. They are eager to challenge Clinton not just because of who she is but also because of her husband.
I think it will be much harder to paint Obama with such a broad brush. The only thing they have is to cite his lack of experience. They can barely attack him on race. Hence, the media-driven is he black enough. With Hill it's an entire smorgasboard to choose from and they will attempt to eat her alive.
Hillary is an authentic political machine.
DDC
August 7 2007, 3:53PM
You're right that being the former first lady helps her immensely. But I never said gender trumped race when it comes to two people of the same race. You assumed that I was impying that. Just because Edwards is a white male, no it doesn't mean he'll automatically beat Clinton, a white female. And Obama's only ahead of him because he's the flavor of the moment. He has little political experience, too, but he's a handsome mixed-race man who can speak decent English and these ultra-liberal Cumbaya Americans are just eating that up. But whatever you say, boo. I'm not going to waste time with you trying to get the last word. I'll just let my point be proven when election time arrives.
David
August 7 2007, 3:55PM
I think part of the hostility has to do with age.
Sen. Clinton is 59 years old. Sen. Obama is 46.
This is likely her only first term shot at the White House.
In eight years Sen Obama will be younger than Sen. Clinton is now.
She probably figures he can wait.
I do have a question about the polls though.
Did the pollsters contact people through their regular telephones or did they gather their information through the internet and/or cell phones.
This could be another 'Dewey Defeats Truman' type situation.
Antwan
August 7 2007, 8:07PM
No matter what the pundits say, you can rest assured that the GOP will be in the WH for 4 more years if either Hill or Obama are the canidates. Just keeping it real since we all know Hill has more baggage than a ship and the GOP will run what little name she has left into the ground and there is no way that this country is going to elect no black man, no matter what some say or think.
The GOP is loving this whole thing, just loving it.
M
August 7 2007, 9:05PM
It is possible that America might not elect a black man, but why support the psychic/cosmic energy of that with our thoughts and words? I don't know. But I do know that's not the way to win a prize.
Chris
August 7 2007, 9:19PM
Clinton definitely has got something against Obama. In tonight's debate, the camera caught her winking at Dodd during their tag-team on Obama when the issue of Pakistan was raised. I swear if she wins the nomination, I'll do everything in my power to see that she loses.
Alex
August 7 2007, 11:36PM
All I know is that as far as the race thing Is concerned, if we just gave into pessimism then we would have never come as far as we have.
If I dont think a black man can be elected then it will never happen, but if somebody, anybody fights for change, change comes.
Carol Mosley Braun said something really interesting when asked about her campaign. Paraphrase: "Racism is an American problem, Sexism is universal".
Mark Norris
August 8 2007, 7:21PM
I think it's all media hype them acting coldly toward each other. It would be a very boring run off if they were civil and agreed with what the other says.
Rashard
August 9 2007, 10:58AM
A black man can do ANYTHING he puts his mind to do. We have always been proud, progressive and positive people in spite of what oppositio came our way!
The battle of the black people is mental! The decision to win at anything starts within our minds and if we decide that Obama is a worthy candidate, pool together our collective billions (we have more disposable income than most third world countries) and use our ability to create change (which we did in the 60's), then a black man can become President!
interracial power
August 15 2007, 2:50AM
I just hope that Obamma gets into the White House as either the vice or the president. I have my doubts if Mrs. Clinton would choose him as her running mate. I will be very angry if she leaves him out. America needs a Black President. This would free the minds of so many self destructive brothers and sisters who think that the White man is the main problem. Sure racism is in the top ten and effects African Americans everyday however believing that racism is too powerfull holds many Black People back. It is time to start believing in the power of intergration and self determination. Obamma for President!
I am in an interracial relationship and I have experienced how interracial families reduce racism. Barrak intergrating the White house would be a title wave against racism. The ripples would be felt around the world.
Interracial Power!
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