Tonight I visited the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where I heard three senior Democratic strategists discuss the 2008 presidential race. Each panelist represented a different candidate: David Axelrod is Barack Obama's media advisor, Mark Penn is Hillary Clinton's senior strategist, and Jonathan Prince is John Edwards' deputy campaign manager. Each chose a different way to present their candidate.
Axelrod depicted Obama as a man above partisan politics. He stressed instances when Obama worked with Republicans, such as fellow senators Richard Lugar and Tom Coburn. "I think what this country desperately needs is to be pulled together," Axelrod said. "What Barack brings to that process is a lifetime of doing that."
Prince vouched for Edwards' character. He noted that the former vice-presidential candidate is concerned with "issues of tolerance and respect for others," and that there are "few things he gets as fired up about as people being treated unfairly" due to orientation or background. And, showing admirable chutzpah, he said that Edwards' change of opinion on Iraq shows character, too: "Unlike President Bush," Prince said, Edwards has a "willingness to say you're wrong when you're wrong."
Penn focused on Clinton's resume. "Senator Clinton has 35 years of experience," he said, adding that she has visited 82 countries. Her experience will also come in handy when fending off Republican attacks, he said. "I think she is the most qualified," he said. "She knows how they think. She knows how they act. She knows how to defend them."
The discussion grew heated when Penn probed another candidate's resume -- specifically, Obama's views on Iraq. This included Obama's remark in 2004 that "There's not that much difference between my position and George Bush's position at this stage."
"Here's the thing, Mark," Axelrod countered. "I did not comment on Senator Clinton's decision in 2002 ... You found it necessary to draw Senator Obama into this discussion." He asked, "Are we going to spend 10 months savaging each other, or are we going to lift this country up?"
Based on what I heard tonight, maybe we'll have a little of both.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Hillary is paying liberal bloggers $20,000 a week: http://www.solidpolitics.com
Bill at 9:22AM on Mar 20th 2007
2. Hillary has 35 years of experience and visited 82 countries? Really? In how many of them did she remain longer than a week?
Hans Hens at 8:40PM on Mar 20th 2007
3. If this race gets closer, there will probably be more fighting than lifting up. I'm waiting for the first debate to see what the differences are.
Steve Bonomo at 9:21PM on Mar 20th 2007
4. I sincerely believe this election of 2008 will be one of the most interesting of all elections that I have witnessed in my life. I will be casting my vote for RON PAUL, the taxpayers best friend,who for so many years has been trying to put the government on a diet. and who after all these years, and finally, the people are beginning to listen to what he has to say. The waste........the waste..........this president, and manefore him, and in which their will be many more after him. VOTE FOR U.S. CONGRESSMAN--DISTRICT 14 RON PAUL and have a PRESIDENT YOU CAN BE PROUD OF!!!!
PJJ
LAKE JACKSON, TEXAS77566
peggyjatala at 9:38PM on Mar 20th 2007
5. Of these 3 front-runners, Edwards has the most Populist, progressive voice. He's continually proposing fresh ideas (on universal health care, eradicating poverty, ending the Iraq war, etc.). The other 2 sound like polished, calculating Washington insiders. Maybe that's because they now are.
Hugh 3 at 10:51PM on Mar 20th 2007
6. In order in the degree of trust of the three leading Dec. candidates, I would list as follows in descendiing order
1st Obama
2nd Edwards
3rd Clinton
bfoster496 at 11:09PM on Mar 20th 2007
7. Universal Health Care: FYI When funding becomes low, doctors are trained to "terminate" the old and infirm, research Canada. Eradicating Poverty: Jesus said, "The poor you always have with you..." Does Edwards know something Jesus didn't know? Where are you getting your info Hugh? Research, research, research.
prossers7 at 4:36AM on Mar 21st 2007
8. Let us not forget that the Hillery has refered to herself as a Marxist many times over the years.
Aprapo for someone that had no name till she was six.
WT
willie t at 7:15PM on Mar 21st 2007
9. Don’t trust Hillary... she comes off too opportunistic, power hungry... too much baggage-if "Monica" had not happened, Hillary would probably be the next President. Smart, yes, presidential, no... I would agree, she is NO Bill Clinton. Although, I think a Obama/Clinton, Edwards/Obama presidency could be formidable. There are so many pressing problems. Haven't heard the Dems' position/solutions to the Healthcare/ Medicare crisis, Social Security (vis-a-vis aging population), the out-sourcing of American jobs, Illegal Immigration, Alternative Energy policy, Iran's nuclear program, dealing with other rogue nations (N. Korea, etc.), the Deficit, influence of money and lobbies on legislation....
mary at 12:32PM on Mar 22nd 2007
10. Obama, Hillary, Edwards with those high intellect Harvard strategist make a public statement regarding this.
Iran detains British sailors off the Iraq coast. Very convenient for Iran to say the British sailors were trespassing in their waters. What other excuse could the Iran Republic of Islam use to explain the capture and hostage taking of British sailors?
U.S. and British public sentiment will be expressed forcefully to find out who is telling the truth. Do not drop this headline news.
Alan Klaus at 12:12PM on Mar 26th 2007
11. How about a 2008 ticket of:
President - Dennis Kucinich
Vice President- Al Franken
Attorney General - Ramsey Clark
Secretary of Defense- Jane Fonda
Secretary of State - Michael Moore (advised by Jimmy Carter)
Secretary of Human Services - Sen. Robert Byrd
Chairperson of the Party – Rosie O’Donnell
Bob Rogan at 8:29AM on Mar 30th 2007