I was wrong; the Texas conciliatory debate did not signal, as I wrote, a reduction in negativity by the Clinton Campaign. Attacks on Obama have notched up and are directly signally the tone and content for the MSNBC debate to be held Tuesday in Ohio.
At a campaign event today Hillary Clinton challenged Obama mailers in a strident tone:
"Meet me in Ohio, and let's have a debate about your tactics."
She compared"Obama to President Bush during the rally, suggesting the country had already taken a gamble on an inexperienced candidate who promised change."
The democratic reunion, alluded to in the Texas debate closing statement, seemed out the window. Clinton's closing statement received more positive press than she has enjoyed in weeks, but is at odds with her retort to reporters following an Ohio stop.
Below the fold, Video of full Clinton Statement , analysis of the ongoing "Mailer" debate, Video Obama response, and Video bloggers respond.
Sen. Hillary Clinton on Saturday slammed Sen. Barack Obama for mailings she called "false and misleading" on her trade and health care positions...
"Let's have a real campaign. Enough with the speeches and the big rallies and then using tactics that are right out of Karl Rove's play book.
This is wrong. Shame on you Barack Obama. It is time you ran a campaign consistent with your messages in public. That's what I expect from you."
The Obama campaign, in memo released to the press, seemed to take up the challenge to make the Ohio debate a "High Noon" event. The memo provided detailed substantiation backing the mailer.
We look forward to having a debate this Tuesday on the facts, and the facts are that Senator Clinton was a supporter of NAFTA and the China permanent trade treaties until this campaign began."
Controversy about mailers is not new in Ohio. Prior controversies include Obama's complaint regarding Wisconsin mailers that asked who would be denied insurance and complaints about mailers that claimed that Obama "wants to raise Social Security taxes by a trillion dollars." (Mailer critiqued by FactCheck.org) .
The Clinton campaign also mailed a brochure about Obama's "Present" votes while an Illinois legislator.
Earlier in the campaign Obama received considerable and earned criticism for his health coverage brochure that echoed "Harry and Louise" insurance company ads from the 1990s. Apparently it is the same flyer that today "provoked" outrage. FactCheck.org find truth to the charge the Obama mailers are misleading.
The Health Care debate has been widely vetted in press and the debates, but the free-trade NAFTA controversy has received less attention. I was struck by the following posted by David Sirotaon the Huffington Post, framing NAFTA claims by the candidates.
Dueling Videos become an unfolding debate
After the Texas debate love fest, it is striking to watch Hillary's statement. Obama has asked about the sudden change in tone, suggesting it is strategic. The statement, toward the end, borders on shrill, minimally a good scolding by a teacher or parent.
Contrast with Obama's response to Clinton's accusations.
And the possibilities for video bloggers is obvious. Almost instantly critiques are available, with what is most persuasive in effective negative spots, "eyewitness" access to individual's judgment.
