Clinton seems to be using (or, rather, trying to use) a page from Karl Rove's slash-and-burn campaign field manual. The Bush/Rove strategy had always been to attack opponents on their strengths, so Clinton is taking the fight to Obama's rhetorical skills. The problem is that, while Bush was able to cast doubt on John Kerry's war hero bona fides, you really can't make people doubt Obama's skills as an orator. All he has to do is open his mouth and it's right there -- the argument dies a painful death.
Besides, the idea that Barack Obama's just a font of empty rhetoric is easily shot down. All you have to do is look at his record and his bio.
Steven Pearlstein, Washington Post:
During the course of our endless presidential campaigns, lots of silly things are said by the candidates and the press. But few are more ridiculous than the idea that Barack Obama is just an empty suit.
We're talking here about a former president of the Harvard Law Review. Have you ever met the people who get into Harvard Law School? You might not choose them as friends or lovers or godparents to your children, but -- trust me on this -- there aren't many lightweights there. And Obama was chosen by all the other overachievers as top dog. Compared with the current leader of the free world, this guy is Albert Einstein.
Given his youth and relatively short time in government, it's fair to ask if Obama has the wisdom and experience to be president. But it's quite another to suggest that he has no vision, no program, no specifics...
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