Clinton won’t run a spoiler campaign
2008 May 30
Mithras is right; Senator Clinton’s interest in maintaining her stature within the party will probably keep her from running a truly damaging campaign against Obama. If Clinton were to run a spoiler campaign and Obama were to lose, then she’s at risk of losing crucial influence and support within the party. And if Obama wins the election – even after Clinton’s spoiler campaign – then it’s very likely she would be shut out of an Obama administration, or worse, the generally pro-Obama Senate leadership could shut her out of any greater leadership role. It’s lose-lose either way.
Doesn’t this generous understate that Hillary & her campaign most likely, it not already crossed that line of “operating a damaging campaign.”
Pre-kitchen sink strategy, her ability to be influential in American politics was secured, post kitchen sink her significance will be on par with John Kerry post 2004. Bill for his part will enter status similar to Carter post presidency to mid 90s, ya he was President once but who cares.
It’s one thing to “throw the kitchen sink” when there’s still a chance of winning the nomination, it’s entirely different thing to run an intensely negative campaign through the summer months to the convention, in the hopes of damaging the presumed nominee beyond repair.
It seems like Senator Clinton has given up on the super-aggressive tactics, and I think we can expect that not to change, given the possible costs.