Line of the Week 3-2-2008

Commenting about Hillary Clinton to a foreign journalist for the Scotsman, Samantha Powers, a Harvard professor and foreign policy aide to Obama scored our line of the week when she said,

"...She's a monster too..."

Memo to Barack...if this is your proposed solution for  "closing the sale," think again. Earlier this week, I talked about the power of fear, uncertainty, and doubt in this Democratic primary suggesting that each candidate had their own FUD to deal with but the one who managed it best would emerge victorious. Obama's FUD [ as in fear, uncertainty, & doubt] seemed to grow each and every time an aide opened their mouth this week. First there was the Canadian brouhaha involving aide Austin Goolsbee. While who started what may now be unclear, his role is undisputed along with Obama's [early] denial of his involvement. Then we have the afore mentioned Samantha Powers, a foreign policy aide [who although fired was not disavowed], authoring the line of the week. As if that wasn't bad enough, it came in an interview with a foreign press reporter. Whatever happened to no negative politics beyond the water's edge? That's "turning the page" all right; just turning it backwards!

Getting more "assistance" from his aides, we then have Susan Rice agreeing that he is not ready to answer a "3AM phone call" [to be fair she said the same about Clinton]. While I sympathize with their frustrations over the losses of Texas and Ohio, when you are working for the "turn the page, Kumbaya candidate," this simply does not work. It only serves to underscore the FUD reflected in his inability to close the sale this week. Unfortunately his aides are making him appear as if "he's not ready for prime time." Given the events of these last few days, so far it looks like the fear, uncertainty and doubt about Obama is getting the better of him.

This has been a challenging and bruising primary for both Clinton & Obama with the general battle yet to come. My political commentary is a reflection of "the moment," not a decided favorite because I don't have one given that there are still 3 excellent possibilities. That's right, John McCain cannot be discounted...at least not by me.