In a previous diary I discussed the reasons why, on June 25, both the Clinton and the O'Malley camps suddenly and drastically shifted their campaign strategies.
In short, I posited that recent polling out of NH got them spooked. Specifically the part where a plurality of Democrats believed that Bernie Sanders best represents the values of Democrats like themselves. This prompted a sloppy pitch from Clinton surrogate Sen. Claire McCaskill and a negative ad from the O'Malley SuperPAC.
That was blatant, but this time it's a little more subtle...
There were a few odd additions to the Hillary stump speech I noticed after news trickled out following her campaign event at Dartmouth today.
The first thing I noticed right away is that she is subtely but deliberately responding, in New Hamsphire mind you, to the fact that Democrats think she comes in second place in representing values most dear to Democrats.
I take a back seat to no one when you look at my record of standing up and fighting for progressive values.
The second thing I noticed is that she's now echoing the message O'Malley has been punching from below with.
We have to take on the gun lobby one more time...The majority of gun owners support universal background checks, and we have to work very hard to muster the public opinion to convince Congress that’s what they should vote for... [it is the] height of irresponsibility not to talk about it."
Hillary completed her hat trick with a little bit of fear, uncertainty and doubt.
If the country elects a Republican president, then they will repeal the Affordable Care Act... Let’s elect a Democratic president who is committed to quality affordable health care.
Some might see this as a general swipe at backwards Republican thinking when it comes to health care [read: insurance] in this country. In truth it is a crafty attempt at Hillary asserting her alleged electability over Bernie.
These few quotes may seem inconsequential at first glance, but consider the context. Hanover is very close to Vermont, in fact it is home to the interstate Dresden School District. I'm sure many folks from New Hamsphire as well as Vermont were in attendance.
Camp Hillary still is refusing to say Bernie's name unless directly asked about him, but the message is there for anyone that is listening. This is far more crafted than the amateurish McCaskill friendly-fire incident, but there are signs that it is a response to having their cage rattled nonetheless.