The Gloves Aren't Off Yet

All kinds of good people in different camps here seem to be getting overwhelmed with the primaries. The process is, for lack of an available alternative, productive.

Presidents are continuously engaging with earnest adversaries trying to cripple their efforts with black and secret arts of gossip, innuendo, slander, leaks, and subterfuge. How will they operate when under attack? Can they lead without a script? Can then really keep focus? Can they simply survive the schedule? And will they enjoy it, thrive in the midst of daily Katrinas, suicide bombings in front of every step in the ME, the wish to accomplish more, the limitations of perceived power, and a loud, relentless loyal opposition?

I realized just yesterday that in the South Carolina debate, Hillary watched Obama take the lead and didn't attack until she needed to, in a counter jab. Hilary took the first hit.

IMO, that is a fundamental to dealing with confrontation on a regular basis. Confront the tension rather than the person, without attacking. If you receive a blow then it requires punishment, but as little punishment as works.

When she finally returned after his Walmart crack (which may ironically have landed as a compliment to many Americans!) Hillary came up with the well established American myth of corrupt Chicago politics and went with Rezko. Now, she could have delivered the most painful Rezko accusation, the one that Obama would prefer to avoid (not to be explained here) but no, Hillary held it back and limited herself to the "slumlord" comment and left her message dangling with him, not the audience. As if the word slumlord" has any stickiness on such a beautiful man as Obama.

Now, Obama is returning with the Republican attack plan: "Hillary on trust" ("Obama on experience" a theme Obama seems to think he's handled already...). He's doing the same to her that she's doing to him: testing the Republican strategy.

This is not the first time I ask myself, "Are these two working together?"

It's a good thing, albeit ugly, that all cards are getting on the table. The press lust for dirt will win out in the end. I wish and hope no gloves ever have to come out...but that is meaningless and will not influence reality.

Overall, I call this the Powderpuff Primary. Clean enough for  Girl and Boy Scouts to watch. I imagine Hillary and Barack will continue to be friends and work well together after the election, better than ever now that they have more experience. Both of them are improving their game.  

So, this all means to me that the real mat is still to be identified: NY? CA? The gloves ARE NOT off yet. The public WILL get annoyed at BOTH candidates soon...the public's patience WILL run out. They need to shift back to the issues because the distance between the two are widening now (Hillary going left; Obama shifting right).

And the Bloomberg threat...what's that all about? Who's holding that Sword of Damocles? Why is the rumor that Obama is OK but if Hillary, then the sword is dropped. What's with that? Or, is that a false rumor?  The Republican side of the threat seems to have worked - McCain is accumulating momentum...

(Disclosure: I am not endorsing anyone but have decided to vote for Senator Hillary Clinton. I have nothing against Senators Obama or Edwards,  but ruled them out based on my decision tree. I will enthusiastically contribute and work for the nominee. If a stupid stimulus package is distributed, my rebate will go 100% to the Democratic candidate.)