Zen and the art of presidential politics...

I have a theory thought I would like to submit to this august audience.

Barack Obama has managed to out strategize the Clinton team at it's own strength, political jiu jitsu.

The strength of the Clinton political machine has always been in counter offense, they react better than they attack. Allow me to enumerate several of the Clinton Machine successes:

- Bill's two presidential victories against tired, spent, uninspiring republican candidates (abetted by Perot's quixotic quests).

- Bill's staring contest win over Gingrich in the government shutdown of '95.

- Surviving impeachment/Starr investigation.

- Hillary's two Senate Races

In these political successes the Clinton's allowed their opponents to overreach in their attack and were able to use their own momentum against them. This strategy also helped them in other areas when they would co opt their opponents territory and claim victory in compromises (NAFTA, DADT, Welfare reform).

In instances where the Clinton team has taken the offensive (most notably health care reform) they have been less successful. This has led Hillary to be less than ambitious/controversial in her Senate proposals (flag burning amendment, video game violence, post office naming).

Her presidential campaign strategy (in my view) seems to have been predicated on taken the large early lead (check) and, while not specifically stating it, playing the victim card when attacked and waiting for her opponent (in her planning Edwards, Biden, and Dodd) to overextend themselves.

Her campaign was completely unprepared for the matching of man and moment that Barack Obama represents.

Instead of attacking Clinton for short term wins Obama's campaign has mainly kept their focus on the finish line of the marathon while building their own momentum independent of what Hillary's campaign has done. This has forced Clinton's hand into moving to offense and she has been overreaching consistently since Iowa. Each time she has gained a small advantage (NH, SNL) he has allowed her to attempt parley it into a bigger win and has used her political aggressiveness to stall her.

I disagree with those who say he has to get down in the sewer with her, let her punch herself out while counter striking.

Obama is Ali to Clinton's Foreman...