Hillary Clinton said Sunday a query about the last time she fired a gun or attended church services "is not a relevant question in this debate" over Barack Obama’s recent comments on small town Americans.
The truth is, she's screwed no matter how she answers the question.
My thoughts on why, after the jump...
On the CNN Ticker: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...
Clinton: 'Not relevant' last time I went to church, fired gun
SCRANTON, Pennsylvania (CNN) – After a weekend spent making direct appeals to gun owners and church goers, Hillary Clinton said Sunday a query about the last time she fired a gun or attended church services "is not a relevant question in this debate" over Barack Obama’s recent comments on small town Americans.
"We can answer that some other time," Clinton said at a press conference held in a working class neighborhood here. "This is about what people feel is being said about them. I went to church on Easter. I mean, so?"
There are no good answers to this question for Sen. Clinton.
On one hand, if she regularly goes hunting, skeet shooting, or to target practice, she alienates a segment of her key constituency -- older women; in particular, mothers. On the other, if she hasn't picked up a gun since her dad took her hunting 50 years ago, her image as a politician who will stretch the truth is reinforced. And of course, she's opened up a whole can of worms -- questions like: "Do you own a gun?"
Courting the gun vote, which may be a dubious advantage in rural Pennsylvania is potentially dangerous in the rest of the country. Now, based on her record, I can't see anyone thinking that she is seriously pr-gun. But hey, she openned it up.
On religion, scrutiny of how she practices her faith is important because she has portrayed herself and is generally perceived as the Democrat of choice for those who are more strongly Catholic. If she only goes to church on Easter and Christmas -- this would again amplify the perception that she is superficial.
Ironically, after the Wright controversy, both supporters and detractors believe that Obama has a strong connection to his church. People understand that in regards to faith, he is a complex man, who has developed his own views, which are generally acceptable. At least, polling would indicate this.
But what of Hillary Clinton? Most Americans don't have a clear picture of her faith. Of course, politicos float around stories of her bizzare 'Family' ties, that, on further investigation, may turn out to be problematic for her. But, this is a rock mostly unturned.
This is a tightrope that Clinton is walking. The most dangerous thing you can do in politics to protend that you're someone you're not.
You might get called on it.
Edit: replaced "religious" with "Catholic", in the context of voter identification, as this is more accurate.