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There are few things Hillary Clinton has done better than Barack Obama during this epic Democratic nomination battle. But if her campaign has consistently bested his on one front, it's been on managing expectations.
Earlier in the campaign, Obama's people projected so much confidence in New Hampshire - whose primary, crazy though it now seems, was briefly predicted as his coronation - that some of his supporters stayed home because they thought he had it locked up. They've since learned not to get quite so far ahead of themselves. But they haven't mastered the Clintonites' ability to dampen expectations so much that they get tremendous mileage out of every victory.
As a friend of mine pointed out tonight, Obama's victory in Wisconsin should've been as big a story as hers in Ohio. Demographically, that's a state nobody would've expected him to win. But Clinton's campaign read the writing on the wall early, effectively conceding Wisconsin so that it barely registered when he won it. She then proceeded to focus all of her attention on two states that appeared to be shoo-ins at the time - and still managed to make it seem like a remarkable comeback story when she won one of them convincingly.
It's easy for that strategy to blow up in your face (see Giuliani, Rudolph). But as much as anything else she's done, her successful execution of it has kept this campaign alive.
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Susan Rennie from United States writes: Yes and the press, Saturday Night Live and last but not least, the Canadian Government helped her to win. I have never been embarrassed to be a Canadian but I am now. This recent incident, where our trade delegate entrapped the professor from Chicago, wrote the memo, then leaked it to the Clinton campaign - there is no way he did this on his own.
What a way to be remembered in the US - the 'Canadian' incident!
The only way to erase the shame is to vote Harper out of office, he should go like his 'heroes' GW Bush and Karl Rove.- Posted 05/03/08 at 2:03 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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otto von abbatoir from Los Angeles, United States writes: Canadians have many more important things to be embarassed about, the Leafs for example. A fundamental belief of American conservatives is in the marginal competency of bureaucrats, regardless of political orientation. So whatever the Canadian bureaucrats were up to, it's not surprising that they muffed it. On the other hand, Obama and Co. can hardly acknowledge this truism without violating the sanctity with which their ideology/faith in the state is based. Thus, a perfect opportunity was created for Hillary and Co. to tar and feather Obama without effective recourse.
- Posted 05/03/08 at 6:51 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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douglas campbell from Waterloo, Canada writes: One should never attribute to the incompetence of bureaucrats was is due to the machinations of politicians.
- Posted 05/03/08 at 7:40 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Winston Churchill from London, Canada writes: Personally, I think that we should be looking for an Obama or McCain win, as best for us. For the world: six of one, half a dozen of the other. For Canada, however, Clinton is the most emphatic (and hasn't tipped her hand, as did Obama, that it was all posing for the proules) that she intends to lean hard on NAFTA partners. Funny, I thought they generally leaned hard on us. In short: she gets least of all that free trade means free trade and will force us most to help us address current economic difficulties as if they were our fault even in part.
- Posted 05/03/08 at 7:43 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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k d from Tara, Canada writes: Let's think ahead that the best Dem cadidate to win would be the one that positions John McCain to win. In our war torn world (yes the real and sad world exists outside the confines of NAFTA squabbles, we need a clear sighted man with proven experience, morals and dedication. Possibly the leadership of the free world in not a position for training wheels and flexible values.
- Posted 05/03/08 at 8:07 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: I know as individuals we over estimate our influence and I believe we are hugely exaggerating the importance of any positions we might take with regard to the United States. I have a good friend in Texas who follows politics and has a general knowledge of Canada over the years through our conversations. When I told her the opposition (NDP) were saying our gov't was trying to influence their election and how she roared with laughter. She said, 'Harper who?' What memo? Good grief.......99% of the people here have never heard of Steven Harper nor the government of Canada composition, would not be influenced if they did as they don't know about or care less, don't follow issues in Ohio and could care less, and have never heard of and don't give a damn about the North American Free Trade Agreement.' Always nice to talk to a real person who knows the 'facts' of life.
- Posted 05/03/08 at 9:20 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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smilin smiler from T'bay, Canada writes: RM your friend must not watch US network news where this story was reported. Lots of folks don't so that's not a surprise. But Obama's appeal is/was that he wasn't a lying pol. Alas, it appears Barack does talk out of both sides of his mouth and is in fact a fine example of a candidate seeking office. To wit, an exemplar of the phony Camelot/Beatlemania dellusional variety.
- Posted 05/03/08 at 9:48 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Toby Maloney from Canada writes: Except for the earleier predictions/excpectations of Obama closing out, today's headlines would be 'Clinton hangs on by fingernails.'
She needed decisive victories to pull ahead in delegate count and hasn't managed that. It's like winning the fifth game of a best of 7 series. Yes you have some momentum, yes you spolied their victory party, but the other side is still ahead going home.
Consider that:
a) The final caucus results in Texas have yet to be reported but early reports have Obama leading.
b) The primary split in Texas was like 51 to 49, hardly a large margin of victory
c) Obama is still ahead in delegates overall.
d) The Clinton campaign might as well start taking donations from Republicans. Rush Limbaugh has been advocating that Republicans cross over to vote for her in the democratic primaries.- Posted 05/03/08 at 10:25 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: Unfortunately, Hillary lost her integrity when she started down the 'sleaze' road. Personal attacks never eventually win because one loses personal integrity; as we can see from Harper.
- Posted 05/03/08 at 11:24 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: Not only was the NAFTA leak the lead story on the MacNeill Lehrer News (PBS) a couple of days ago, but it was also the lead news story the same day on BBC from UK. It was a big deal in Ohio.
Sorry RM, it's a valid news story, your ignorant illiterate friends in Texas notwithstanding.- Posted 05/03/08 at 1:33 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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D M from Canada writes: MacNeill Lehrer News Hour
BBC
Yep... the sources Americans live by.
I'll stand by RM on her point of most Americans not knowing a thing about it...- Posted 05/03/08 at 1:41 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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J K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: Yvonne: Other than some silly staffer trying to make an impression by releasing the Obama picture wearing the headdress, I did not think Clinton's attacks have been personal. The majority of them have questioned his judgement and experience to deal with policy areas which is very valid criticism in a political campaign.
- Posted 05/03/08 at 6:34 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:
Yvonne?
Guns in the streets.
Hidden agenda.
Only the LPC know Canadian Values.
You're right.
"Personal attacks never eventually win because one loses personal integrity, as we can see from.."
Paul Martin.- Posted 05/03/08 at 10:09 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Thomas Rosamilia from Buffalo,NY, United States writes: Why is anyone in Canada surprised at anything that sleazy PM of your's does? Like lying about bribing another MP for his vote, lying about Afghanistan, lying about his policy on global warming, lying about the Mulroney-Schrieber affair, lying about his health care plan.......are'nt you Canadians SICK and DISGUSTED yet?
- Posted 06/03/08 at 8:00 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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