Wag the Blog Redux: What Should Hillary Do?
Earlier this week we asked The Fix community whether Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) should hit back if attacked by her rivals in tonight's Democratic debate and, if so, what she should say.
As always, you responded strongly -- and generally -- smartly. The best of the best are excerpted below. But, in the runup to tonight's debate, which airs at 8 p.m. ET on CNN, we want to continue the conversation (to borrow a phrase from the junior Senator from New York.)
Offer your own advice to Clinton here or check out the best comments made so far on the topic:
"Brush aside the attacks and take potshots at the administration until concrete evidence of a decline shows up."
Posted by: steimelkb
"Hillary simply needs to come more prepared. She seemed caught off gaurd by questions she should have been expecting. She also needs to show that she can think on the spot and not be so scripted - she is fueling criticism when she can't seem to think on her feet."
Posted by:samuelmcdonald
"I could very well be wrong, but i believe Hillary will take a direct shot (or two) at Edwards. She will continue to take only implied/blunt swipes at Obama, much like what was seen at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner. Edwards has become a much more viable target (a result of going overboard negative + recent sharp populist left shift)."
Posted by: Hoga0008
"Hillary has to be careful. If she comes out too aggressive pundits will say that she is flailing around. I'd leave Obama alone. I think he is too popular personally to risk taking on. People may not plan on voting for him, but they like him and will not want to see him attacked....Edwards on the other hand... I think Hillary could use the passive/aggresive approach with."
Posted by: boldbooks
"Clinton 'attacking down' will likely create as many problems as it solves. I think Obama and Edwards did the calculus on this, understanding the one who'd be painted into a corner by heightened aggression on their part would be Clinton."
Posted by: Briantucker_2
By Chris Cillizza |
November 15, 2007; 3:42 PM ET
| Category:
Wag The Blog
Previous: 50 Days Out: GOP Race Continues to Confound |
Next: Hillary Hits Back

Get This Widget >>

Posted by: usmcsgt | December 3, 2007 9:32 AM
The main problem with Democrats is that they are really soft when it comes to fighting for what they believe in. Hillary isn't soft, in fact she's the hardest woman ever to play US politics. Hillary has to be prepared to take on whoever takes her on. Most Dems already know that Edwards and Obama will get "swiftboated" easily by FOX, Limbaugh and the Republican smear machine. They are too soft like Kerry, Gore, Dukakis, Mondale and Carter.
Posted by: nmaskiell | November 18, 2007 8:54 PM
What Hillary needs to do is visit our troops in Iraq, and catch a stray bullet between her eyes. Our country will then be better off.
Take Ted Kennedy and Barbara Boxer there too. :)
Posted by: tncdel | November 16, 2007 3:05 PM
Hillary was fantastic.
Posted by: logicaldog1 | November 16, 2007 11:46 AM
Hilary was wonderful, Barrack was wonderful-everyone in that stage would be a wonderful breath of fresh air to any of the republicans that will simply be refried corruption a la Bush and neocons. Why in the world would ANYONE think Gulliani is qualified to do anything except spout off platitudes about 911, thats all he's good for, no qualifications, no international policy experience, sort of Bush like in terms of lacking, I guess thats what sways the republican voters (remember Reagan who seemed completely incoherent for his last year and nobody "noticed"-well the media never points out anything that doesnt serve the corporate neocons)-Republicans LOVE a lack of knowledge, otherwise known as dumb-ss/
Posted by: logicaldog1 | November 16, 2007 11:44 AM
Hillary was back to being the smart, sharp and winning candidate that will lead the Democratic Party back to the White House.
Posted by: Politicalpuck | November 16, 2007 8:05 AM
It was the answer to the immigration question that made Obama shine. He didn't back down or try to go around it. He clearly done himself some good tonight. His backbone showed up.
Posted by: cliftonjones105 | November 16, 2007 2:07 AM
Hillary is doing just wonderful and we are behind her all the way, no other woman i know of could stand up to these coat tailers, she has the brains no one else has the education, and experience, and she will put her hand on her heart while the pledge of allegience is playing ..NOT LIKE THE MUSLIM OBAMA WHO WON'T PLACE HIS HAND ON HIS HEART AND IS NOT AGREEING WITH OUR CONSTITUTION.. We certainly DO NOT want him leading the USA...
Posted by: nannyb715 | November 16, 2007 12:53 AM
Hillary Clinton is looking strong. A new general election poll out today from Fox News has her leading Giuliani, Thompson and Romney comfortably: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2007/11/waiting-for-las-vegas-fireworks.html
Posted by: campaigndiaries | November 15, 2007 8:43 PM
Seven Democratic presidential hopefuls went head-to-head on the issues Thursday night, with the biggest pressure likely on front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Who do you think won the CNN News Las Vegas Democratic Debate at the University of Nevada?
----------> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=996
.
Posted by: PollM | November 15, 2007 8:40 PM
Turn in a characteristic, well-prepared Hillary performance. Excite the Democratic Party by offering the prospect of lining up behind a polarizing figure. Dems want to fight the Republicans and Hillary is ready for a fight.
Whip up some meaningless bromides regarding illegal immigration and work them into the ground, then completely ignore them once in office. The time to lead our adorably nativist nation away from hating the Irish, er, Mexicans is after the oath of office.
Posted by: JiffyMoo | November 15, 2007 7:43 PM
I honestly don't know how she needs to approach it. if she attacks she may get to harsh and shrill. If not, she looks wimpy.
Her biggest mistake was in mid summer when she forgot her husband's golden rule of focusing only on the race you are running at the moment and not think about the future. She began her run for the general election then. As such, she began stumbling when she voted for Iraq, thinking of the general. ect.
Now she has to backtrack and deal with the here and now.
And alot also depends on what her rivals will do. If Edwards goes at her hard he could do damage as he was a very much feared attorney. If Obama goes strong and also turns on the charisma, that could over shadow her as that is his ace in the hole.
I sincerely do not want Hillary to do well at all as i do not want her for my party's nominee. though I support Sen. Obama, I can live happily with any of the rest. Just not Hillary.
Posted by: vwcat | November 15, 2007 6:48 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
![[Veepstakes]](http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/campaign08/images/vpwatch_45x35.gif)
![[Battlegrounds]](http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/campaign08/images/battleground_45x35.gif)








Hillary should hear my complaint
Formal complaint and statement 12-2-07
Wrongs at the NH VA hospital
NH Veterans Council and committee, governor of NH and President of U.S.
Written by Peter Macdonald 465 Packersfalls rd Lee NH 03824 603-659-6217
Wrongs! We are talking illegal acts to intentionally harm a 100% disabled Veteran that you NH Rep A Baldasaro and the NH Veteran's committee are well aware of. Because of a Traumatic Brain injury on active duty I lost my complete memory to this day of any part of my life prior to the Marine Corps. Because of an Admin Error I was sent back to active duty. I did 31 months overseas and received two more life disabling injuries during separate combat support missions. I did eight convoys as an American Advisor to deliver surplus supplies to friendly camps deep in the jungle. My first kill was with a bayonet to get my M-16 back and escape. It is not only wrong but an illegal act for any government official or employee to stop a disabled Veteran's medical care for political self gain. That is what NH and the VA Director Mark Levenston did to me. This is a formal complaint and statement.
Hillary boost on TV adds about helping people with medical care. Eisenberg went to a hospital to ask for help. The system drove him to commit a crime to be recognized and now the system degrades this person that asked for help. The news reporters called my house to ask my wife if this was me in Rochester. I have not violated one law but the NH government is using the system to break me. I am a disabled Veteran. The news censors the truth to embellish the government claim that I am unstable and need to be locked up. NH Congress woman used a VA doctor Biswas to files a commitment order to lock me in the funny house to stop my letter to the editor. Biswas order was with out merit. This NH congress woman filed false police reports to get me arrested. Then the NH VA director of Veterans health care stops my VA medical care for injuries received in the line of duty. These are illegal acts against the peace and dignity of the United States. Imagine going six months with no health care. Imagine being ostracized in a society that you have volunteered every day to help others and now I am considered a leopard. There is no correcting a VA or any government system that uses illegal acts to harm citizens that legally attempt to expose the wrongs in government. I just hope the wrongs are corrected before you allow this to happen to another disabled veteran. The main culprit is news media censorship and biased reporting. This is an official letter sent to NH Rep Al Baldasaro, DAV, VFW, American Legion, NH governor Lynch and many more including the news. How many will have the ethical responsibility to print the truth. Do you realize that the NH State police Dover police and Lee police refuse to allow me to file a complaint. Do you know why I can put my name, address and phone # because the truth is a powerful weapon. Print the Truth and help the U.S. continue. Do you know why suicide looks so inviting to Returning Veterans?
Peter Macdonald 465 Packersfalls rd Lee NH 03824 603-659-6217
Semper Fi