Anyone who thought that Hillary Clinton's wistful closing statement at the Austin debate last week was a prelude to her conceding the Democratic pre
February 22, 2008

Anyone who thought that Hillary Clinton's wistful closing statement at the Austin debate last week was a prelude to her conceding the Democratic presidential nomination to Barack Obama might want to look at this video. Angered by mailers sent by Barack Obama to Ohio voters on her healthcare plan and NAFTA stances, Clinton lashed out angrily, characterizing it as the worst kind of Rovian tactics.

Time and time again, you hear one thing in speeches and then you see a campaign that has the worst kind of tactics, reminiscent of the same sort of Republican attacks on Democrats. Well, I am here to say, that it is not only wrong, it is undermining core Democratic principles. Since when do Democrats attack one another on Universal Health Care? I thought we were trying to realize Harry Truman’s dream. I thought this campaign finally gave us an opportunity to put together a coalition to achieve Universal Health Care. That’s what Senator Edwards and I fought for and talked about throughout the campaign. Just because Senator Obama chose not to present a Universal Health Care plan does not give him the right to attack me because I did. So, let’s have a real campaign. Enough with the speeches, and the big rallies, then using tactics that are right out of Karl Rove’s playbook. This is wrong. And every Democrat should be outraged, because this is the kind of attack that not only undermines core Democratic values, but gives aid and comfort to very special interests and their allies in the Republican party, who are against doing what we want to do for America. Shame on you, Barack Obama. It’s time you ran a campaign consistent with your messages in public. That’s what I expect from you. Meet me in Ohio, let’s have a debate over tactics and your behavior in this campaign.

While Hillary has a point that these mailers were dishonest framing, I don't think Hillary should call for a debate over tactics. At least, not until she gets her spokespeople in line.

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