Clinton’s response to Sanders has some Democrats worried
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a rally on the campus of Simpson College, Thursday in Indianola, Iowa.
WASHINGTON >> Hillary Clinton has questioned Bernie Sanders’ electability. She’s criticized his plans for health care, foreign policy and Wall Street. And she’s tagged him with flip-flopping on gun control.
None of it appears to be sticking, say some Democrats who have raised concerns that a months-long primary campaign could create lasting damage for their party.
While most believe Clinton will still capture the nomination, some say she is failing to respond effectively to Sanders, fueling both his primary rise and strengthening the Republican argument against her. Others say she got too late a start going after Sanders and is still not hitting him enough — eroding her lead in states that should be safe.
“They didn’t take him seriously enough because they thought they had a gadfly,” said John Morgan, a Florida attorney and Clinton donor. “The gadfly wasn’t a gadfly — he was a lightning bug. And people have been following that lightning bug all over America.”
Though Sanders has dismissed questions about Clinton’s use of a private email account and server as secretary of state and how she responded to the deadly 2012 Benghazi attacks, some Democrats say she needs a better response to his critique of her ties to Wall Street, which they argue reinforces months of Republican attacks on her character.
“The better she does, the more those stories seem to recede in the minds of voters,” said Boston-based Democratic strategist Mary Anne Marsh. “Now, Benghazi seems to be back. Email seems to be back. A number of other things seem to be back.”
Though the tightening nature of the race, particularly in Iowa, hasn’t sparked widespread panic among her supporters quite yet, it’s worrying some donors, as well as Bill Clinton and their daughter, Chelsea, who shared her concerns at a meeting with supporters in New York this week, according to people close to the campaign, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss private conversations.
Democratic donors, strategists and pollsters, including some aligned with Clinton, expressed their concerns in nearly two dozen interviews with The Associated Press.
Clinton has long struggled to connect with liberal activists, who have gained influence as the party has shifted left during President Barack Obama’s two terms in office.
“Clinton’s message has always been more effective for a general election audience than the primary activist base,” said strategist Ben LaBolt, a former Obama campaign aide.
A focus group conducted by an unaffiliated Democratic strategist during the last debate found Clinton’s message fell flat. Her attacks, according to a memo describing the event, backfired when Sanders reinforced his message in his responses.
“It is not about Senator Sanders. It is about his message,” said Chris Kofinis, who conducted the group. “When you attack him, you’re not actually addressing the problem.”
Sanders released a gauzy, uplifting ad Thursday with images of his overflowing rallies over a soundtrack of Simon and Garfunkel’s “America.” The wordless spot contrasts with a recent Clinton ad in New Hampshire about her experience and plans.
In recent days, Sanders has intensified his critique of Clinton with rhetoric that’s edged toward breaking one of his core campaign pledges — no attacks.
“Without naming any names, Goldman Sachs also provides very, very generous speaking fees to some unnamed candidates,” he said this week in Iowa, meaning her.
Republicans have tried to bolster Sanders, who they see as the more beatable general election opponent. The Republican National Committee jumped to the self-identified democratic socialist candidate’s defense during the last debate and American Crossroads, a super PAC founded by Karl Rove, has an ad in Iowa highlighting Clinton’s ties to Wall Street. “Does Iowa really want Wall Street in the White House?” the narrator asks.
During Sanders’ rise in the summer, Clinton’s campaign largely avoided criticizing Sanders out of fear that would alienate his liberal supporters who will be important to the Democratic nominee this fall. That hesitancy has changed in recent weeks.
“No one has laid a glove on Bernie,” said Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, a Clinton supporter who has warned about Sanders’ electability. “We like Bernie and he’s having a conversation we think is important so it’s not an easy thing to do.”
Recent preference polls suggest her lead in Iowa has evaporated and in New Hampshire, Sanders has opened up a significant edge.
Clinton and her team believe they can still win the Feb. 1 caucuses in Iowa, arguing that her broader support will help her pick up more delegates, due to the proportional nature of their allocation in the state.
They’ve long seen New Hampshire as a tougher race, given Sanders’ decades of representing a neighboring state, but expect Clinton to be strong in South Carolina, Nevada and the Southern states that vote on March 1. The larger numbers of minority voters in the later contests benefit Clinton, who’s consistently polled better among those groups.
Clinton also has an overwhelming advantage among the so-called “superdelegates” of party leaders and elected officials.
But even in Southern states, Democrats increasingly see a path for Sanders to cobble together a coalition of liberal whites, independents and younger black supporters who might minimize Clinton’s advantage and allow him to pick up delegates.
“Sanders organizers seem to be making some headway,” said Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, who says he’s likely to endorse Clinton. “What I’m hearing more and more is that (black voters) are now open to hearing Bernie.”
And caucuses scheduled in March and April in states like Maine, Colorado and Wyoming could favor Sanders.
“Nobody ever stops running for president, they just run out of money,” said former Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, a Clinton fundraiser. “Bernie has enough money for a long time.”
111 responses to “Clinton’s response to Sanders has some Democrats worried”
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The emails never disappeared so it’s something she may have to deal with; this along with the pay for policy scandal that her foundation has been caught up in. Zero trust, zero honesty, the country needs to rethink this candidate.
Hillary should bow out before legal process begins to reveal her corruption.
(BTW: My real name is WADO-RYU_fighter) Yeah, actually I agree with you. I do wish Bernie were about 15 years younger. But, if he were, he wouldn’t have been fighting for civil rights in the 60s. Oh well. He seems like an honest man. Hard to find these days.
the queen of Benghazi even being considered as a candidate – just shows democrats will vote for anyone even if they are dead (patsy mink)…
Benghazi Benghazi Benghazi! Email! Email! Email! Same old rants. So much wasted energy and money involved in trying to find something relevant, yet keep coming up short. Benghazi Benghazi Benghazi! Email! Email! Email! Blah! Blah! Blah!
1local, it seems republicans will vote for anyone even if an entire country, America’s greatest ally, Great Britain, believes him to be an imbecile and is taking steps to never allow him to enter their country should the nightmare come true, and he becomes President.
Benghazi Benghazi Benghazi! Email! Email! Email! If Hillary would only tell the truth it would all be over. PRISON
If she seems paranoid, it isn’t paranoia………it is The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy !
LOL
Hillary looks very nervous in all her interviews lately.
I remember that our old best ally great Britain also was for the zero in office now. Other countries DO NOT have our best interests in mind, nor should they.
It seems at this point in time when there is supposed to be a presidential candidate out shining the rest of them, we have no one from both parties, capable and or worthy to become the President of the United States!
Amen.
Is it too much to wish that the Sanders-Clinton-Trump/Crus-everyone else-fight might leave us with four political parties?
One can only hope.
Anyways, consider looking at Gary Johnson if you think the GOP-Democrat choices are a bunch of monkeys.
lol, all three of the democratic candidates are worthy of becoming president. I will agree that the republicans have no one worth considering.
Precisely!
laughable! lol
What has HRC accomplished that benefited a MAJORITY of Americans?
A few: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/carly-fiorina-debate-hillary-clintons-greatest-accomplishment-213157
@ seaborn
you should re read your link…hardly a testimony to her highness with all Dems trying to make the case! lol Everything from Obamacare to Foreign Policy she did well..REALLY!!! LOL
Yeah, really. What ever happened to the Washingtons, Lincolns, Adams, Jeffersons?
Television.
It’s funny how the media is try to make this a horse race while in reality Clinton is crushing Sanders in the polls. Sanders dreams will come to an end on March.
Perhaps but at least Bernie has pushed Hillary back to the center. And who knows, 8 years ago people didn’t think a black man could beat Hillary.
As usual, you’re 180 degrees from the fact. Bernie the Commie has pushed Hillary to the left.
Sadly sweet Hillary had moved too far to the right as far as I am concerned.
And there you go using terms you clearly do not understand.
Furthermore, considering how far the entire country has moved right (compare the current GOP to Dole, Ford, Eisenhower, Goldwater and even Reagan, all of whom have no place in the current GOP), moving a little left isn’t so bad.
Bernie has in fact pushed Hillary to the left. Except, because you lack any sense of perspective , that shove is towards the center.
GDit, when will you people of limited education, training and reading learn the difference between a communist and a democratic socialist? I guess you never knew for example, that Denmark exists. (It’s the small country at the North end of Europe) No, not Denver, Denmark. (I had students who thought that Denver and Denmark were the same so I don’t have a lot of confidence in the readers of these articles.)
Cellodad, do you think Winston and his inbred cousins up in Oregon know that Norway is sitting on the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world because of Socialism?
probably not. he cannot even be bothered to research anything.
Boots, Choyd, and Cellodad, a conversation of amplified ignorance.
Boots. That’s because everyone except you looks beyond skin color. You could learn a thing or two from the rest of us.
No- most people acknowledge the reality that skin color is a primary factor in U.S. history, colonialism, and lack of proportionate representation in the political process. There is a name for people who try to pretend it doesn’t exist or matter: republicans.
What has HRC accomplished that benefited a MAJORITY of Americans?
Some: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/carly-fiorina-debate-hillary-clintons-greatest-accomplishment-213157
Claimed that they were flat broke when they left the White House, yet currently they have ownership of 2 expensive residences in very elite neighborhood where the “rich and famous” reside. Further they manage 2 tax-exempt organizations receiving huge amounts of donations, some from questionable sources. Also the operational expense in proportion to the charitable is excessively high. Probably due to the high payroll costs. Could be that travel and payroll of the operations eats up most of the fund. Family member may be employee of both organizations.
@ seaborn..repeating your link over & over again expecting different results is the sign of a…you-know. REread your link please.
The worst Democrat is still better than the best Republican for Main Street.
Donald Trump moving right along. Hillary going down and Bernie who? Reagan-tear down that wall. Trump-build that wall.
Trump’s numbers are up, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing for the United States. It’s a very sad reflection on the United States. Google what the United States’ greatest ally, Great Britain, and its Parliament is saying about Trump. Pretty bad when a whole country believes a Presidential candidate to be an imbecile.
Pretty bad when the Tories are saying Trump’s support is a sign that America has fallen so far.
What is really sad though is that the republican alternatives are just as bad if not a lot worse than the Donald. When will republicans wake up and say enough of Voodoo economics?
Trump is not a politician. He is a business man looking for maximum profits by capitalizing the system on his terms .
Dems got Hillary.. deceitful and a liar..great credentials.
Gotta love it when the UK is telling us what to do……….and you take it seriously.
Get a Grip .
It ain’t over until it is over.
Why is that? Trump actually had a job. Hillary, not so much. Bernie’s been in Congress for decades.
Still keeping up with that asinine line of thought?
So are you going to call up all of the lawyers in the state and tell them they’ve never had a job?
Is asinine with one or two letter S?
Secretary of State isn’t a job?
What does Lawyer have to do with it ? Grubbing for graft in DC is a job ? I thought they were working for us. Paying you ? Or the official grubber from your money ?
Get a grip !
If all the lawyers in Hawaii were like you, then yeah, they didn’t have a job. But, luckily, they’re not like you.
It is a real shame that today’s republicans no longer believe in republican values. Gone are the days where they push for small government and fiscal responsibility. Today deficits don’t matter and hooray for big government. Disgusting.
That is precisely why we need a successful businessman. Never hear about democrat values. Are there any?
umm how many times has the Donald declared bankruptcy? Is that what you really want to see happen to the country? Democratic values just keep the economy going.
You’re right. We need a successful businessman. Not one born on third base with the entire opposing team on his payroll throwing the game.
Vote Gary Johnson. Not Trump.
That’s ridiculous. Government is not a business, nor should it be run as such.
Damn Straight. We need someone who got $100 million from his daddy to put us back on the road to greatness.
Damn Straight. We need someone who got $100 million from his daddy to put us back on the road to greatness. Not those that got the money and blew it or were born on third base and never scored. There are many.
Republicans pay too much attention to Donald Trump.
What has HRC accomplished that benefited a MAJORITY of Americans?
A bit: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/carly-fiorina-debate-hillary-clintons-greatest-accomplishment-213157
Same question, except insert Donald Trump.
Republican values? What about the product of democrat values? Since you brought the matter up, here they are.
Inflaming an ever increasing racial divide.
Impoverishing the largest progressive run state, California, with the highest percentage of those living under the poverty line.
Ignoring our soon to be insolvent entitlement programs (Social Security Disability next year).
Presiding over the slowest economic recovery, the lowest labor participation rate in 4 decades.
Squandering US influence in the world at the expense of vital national interests, particularly the Middle East.
Negotiating a nuclear agreement that will set of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and actually shelter the Iranian nuclear weapons program.
An immigration policy that amounts to the dissolution of our borders in order to import democrat party voters.
Use of the IRS like a sort of political gestapo to shut up conservative groups.
Supporting the sale of baby body parts.
These appear to be the guiding principles of the Democrat party, either by design or by ignorance, aimed at a slow destruction of the country.
Hillary is the worst Democrat.
Actually she sets the bar…………for Democrats. Hawaii will ofcourse waste their vote again. I don’t think you can run the country well from within a prison. “Guard ! I need a phone call ! “
She wants amnesty from President Obama when she goes to prison.
Republicans pardon all crimes.
That’s not true and you know it.
You’re absolutely correct. It’s Obama.
I say it’s a tie.
Some? You mean the dems in the SA press room? I guess they still believe their own Hawaii poll, and not the national ones that show the Bern ahead.
Dems voting for Sanders ? Scary when you think about it..
HRC…LIAR, DECEITFUL. What are her accomplishments that benefited a MAJORITY of Americans?
She’s had her list of accomplishments. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/carly-fiorina-debate-hillary-clintons-greatest-accomplishment-213157
Howard Dean, Harry Reid, Paul Begala and Chuck Schumer all love Hillary, according to the Politico article. Oh, and Bill Clinton, too. That’s why he’s been so faithful over the years.
At least the democrats have 3 good candidates to chose form. Sadly the republicans have none. If republicans win in November, an economic crash will not be far behind.
Boots, I read seaboard’s link, you read mine:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/clintons-emails-a-criminal-charge-is-justified-1453419158
Hillary’s BLUE pant suit just does not do it for Bubba. What is the difference between Bill Clinton and Bill Cosby? One likes the pudding pop and the other a cigar.
LOL all comments from the left, from Harry R to Chuck Schummer…saying Foreign Policy to Obamacare is all going great…REALLY!!?? LOL
What policies from the Republicans from the past 7 years are going great? Do you recall any policies coming from the Republicans these past 7 years. I recall just one, right after Obama became President and the Republicans couldn’t get in line fast enough to sign off with Grover Norquist to obstruct anything and everything Obama presented.
@ seaborn…WHO blocked anything the GOP presented? 3 guesses.
I would respect her if she just came out and told the truth about her mistakes.
Honestly, she was right, though. Obama wasn’t able to accomplish all that he intended to. Granted, it was mainly bcs Republicans made it their mission to block everything he pushed, even if it was originated from the Republican side.
Yep. We need all four legs of the table to work together.
We have Republican political ideology to blame for bad legislation.
Dems had the HOUSE/SENATE/WH for TWO YEARS…what happened?
They were basking in the afterglow.
They were too busy blaming bush for their ineptness.
Still blaming Bush.
Democrats are not very good at bashing each other like the Republicans do for a living.
I can’t believe so many Democrats still believe Hillary is a shoe in for the Democrat nomination, especially with the FBI expanding its investigation into her mishandling of classified materials including newly discovered super-secret documents on her email server, and special considerations that may have been given to Clinton Foundation donors by the State Department while she was in charge. I believe the FBI will find criminality in what she has done and that not too long after the FBI releases its report, Hillary will be admitted to a hospital with a nervous breakdown which will force her to withdraw her candidacy. I also believe that Obama will quickly follow with a pardon for her crime or crimes to avoid prosecution and to minimize damage to the Democrat Party. What then? Will Bernie Sanders become the nominee or will Joe Biden enter the race and pick Elizabeth Warren as his running mate? It is getting very interesting.
This is a lie.
No, Hillary is a professional and polished LIAR.
If that’s such a problem for you, then the only candidate you can reasonably vote for is Gary Johnson. All of the GOP’s candidates are professional and polished liars. Sanders lies (just not as much) and O’Malley really stretches the truth.
So if your criteria to disqualify a candidate is being a professional polished liar, you must vote for Johnson. Or you are a hypocrite saying that only when a Democrat lies is there a problem.
@ choyd..she’s not my problem..she is your problem..you’re on her side remember?
So is the Trumpster.
Don’t you wish, but it isn’t and she may well get into the big brick house.
Check what they did to Petraeus. Goose ? Gander ?
Not trying to be mean here, but your track record of predicting things is pretty bad. I’m not a Hillary fan, but no one should put money on your predictions.
I’m predicting the revised Democrat ticket will be John Dingell/John Kerry. Dingell-Kerry hanging tough for America!
It could be Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. Wouldn’t they make a great team?
Thank God they are too old to have children.
It’s looking like she’s going to be indicted by the Feds. Bernie’s throwing a party.
Bernies fuzzy logic only alienates his supporters to Clinton when she points out that the emperor has no clothes? Perhaps she should be more respectful when she does this. Women should be more aware that men’s egos are very fragile to criticism.
Typical dem. Thanks for the mansplaining.
HRC is the worst candidate in my lifetime. Worse than George Wallace, David Duke, Cynthia McKinney, et. al.
Obama is the worst.
The most compelling case for Pantsuit One’s lack of qualification to be President is the intellectual vacuousness of her defenders.
Beast comment of the day, a deadly, accurate summary.
Best, not beast. Great comment.
Best. Beast. At least he didn’t say, beat. Like in beat it.
Face it folks , Trump started running this country from his 1st “I’m gonna build a Wall !”
Imagine what he can do with an election in his pocket.
He should just run away.