October 30, 2007
Yo, Hillary! Field Hopes For Front-Runner KO Tonight
Seven of the Democratic presidential contenders descend tonight on America's least-attractive metropolis for what promises to be the ugliest debate of the season.
Both Barack Obama and John Edwards are scrambling to slam the brakes on Hillary Rodham Clinton's runaway lead. With the Iowa caucuses about two months away, double-digit spreads are forcing the rest of the pack to be more forceful and, dare we say, meaner than they've been so far.
The M-word might be unfair, but it's inevitable because of Clinton's gender. Everyone wants to avoid a Rick Lazio moment, in which they attempt to treat her as they would a male candidate and end up coming off as ungentlemanly.
On the other hand, Clinton isn't just any woman. She's in the lead because she's been exuding forcefulness and strength throughout her campaign -- a breakdown in most polls shows she scores highest on national security issues, not personality. It also doesn't hurt that a large swath of the Democratic left is waving the white flag as they signal their support for the former first lady. So Obama, Edwards and the rest -- Christopher Dodd, Joseph Biden, Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich -- will take time to remind primary voters of Clinton's many apparent weaknesses.
The unattractive setting for tonight's face-off, by the way, is Philadelphia -- this Gater's hometown and the most awesome city in America. (Ahem.) The debate takes place at Drexel University in West Philly, with Brian Williams and Tim Russert moderating. Showtime is 9 p.m. EDT on MSNBC and MSNBC.com.
Across the street will be Mike Gravel, the odd man out owing to insufficient polling and fundraising numbers. His one-man show can be viewed on Ustream.tv. For those campaign watchers who are growing weary of long-shot candidates like Gravel sucking up air time, consider his camp's explanation of MSNBC's decision not to include him:
The senator states the parent company, GE wants him out. GE is part of the military industrial complex. They have contracts in the billions of dollars with the U.S. government to manufacture equipment for the military.
OK. As for the debate itself: Obama and Edwards will go after Clinton on her vote for the Iraq war again and will also seek to tie her to the drumbeat of pre-emption in Iran. They will attack her on past problems with donors and her refusal to take a no-lobbyists pledge. Clinton will make the case for experience, while her rivals will argue that she's already led and it's gotten the country nowhere. How they do this without tarnishing the shrine of Bill Clinton is something else to watch for.
Expect something close to unanimity on the torture question, particularly as it relates to attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey, as well as SCHIP and other health care-related matters. We haven't heard nearly enough specifics on entitlement programs, the economy or trade from this crowd. The Street's John Fout hopes some of his questions get answered.
The Gate will be tossing back Yuenglings and cheesesteaks in front of the tube. Check back tomorrow for the scorecard.
Photo Illustration: Reuben Dalke
Posted at 6:45 PM
Posted to:
Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Bill Richardson, Bush Administration, Campaigns, Christopher Dodd, Democrats, Dennis Kucinich, Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Edwards, Joseph Biden, Michael Mukasey, Mike Gravel, WH 2008
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