As Senator Obama's camapign spends the weekend in Chicago assessing his situation, everyone around here is playing campaign strategist, trying to figure out how to rebut the 3:00 AM ad, the Vice President cannard etc. Its time to go after Hillary Clinton on character, temperament, judgement and electability all in one. We need a seriously re-written stump speech. You need to slip off the long white gloves and take it to her on the issues.
Here's my start:
BARACK OBAMA: "I've noticed Senator Clinton is very angry these days. But she's not angry at George W. Bush or John McCain. No, she's angry at me. And the reason she's angry at me is because I decided to run for president when she thought it was her turn. She has been very upset at me ever since.
But Senator Clinton I wouldn't have run if you had shown the right judgement and courage on Iraq but instead sided with George Bush and John McCain in what Al Gore calls the worst foreign policy disaster in our nation's history. I wouldn't have run if I thought Hillary Clinton would be better than me at protecting our country because I don't think she gets the fundamental need to change our approach to foreign policy.
I wouldn't have run if I thought she would be able to unite our country around a progressive agenda for change but I've seen first-hand her special talent for polarization as I travel this country. We cant afford to have her squander another opportunity to achieve universal health care again the way her polarizing style and secretive ways ruined it for millions back in the 90s.
And i wouldn't have run if i didnt think i could do a better job in turning this economy around with a rejection of Bush tax polices and bad trade agreements that she has supported. That's why I decided to run for president.
Mrs. Clinton you don't inherit it the presidency and we dont hand it out to people so they can round out their resumes
Mrs. Clinton we can't afford to give you the presidency--its too risky. The stakes are too high. That's why I decided to run for president."
Critiques, comments, helpful hints? David Axelrod are you listening. Do you want my number? Don't give up my day job?