Some Democrats fear Clinton's message is failing

[webfact]

Some Democrats fear Clinton's message is failing
By LISA LERER and KEN THOMAS

WASHINGTON (AP) — 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 — and that's raising concerns among Democrats who fear 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 a late of 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.

Sanders released a gauzy, uplifting ad on 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 New Hampshire that's 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.

His argument hasn't gone unnoticed by Republicans. The Republican National Committee jumped to Sanders' defense during the last debate, blasting out emails undercutting her.

It's all a win-win for Republicans, potentially bolstering Sanders, who they see as the less formidable general election opponent, and reinforcing negative impressions of Clinton.

Clinton's campaign released a statement accusing Sanders of following Republican cues to go after her (as much as it seems the other way around). The campaign's communications director, Jen Palmieri, said it's obvious that Clinton is the candidate Republicans are afraid to face.

During Sanders' rise in the summer, Clinton's campaign 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." She urged Democrats to think about the practicality of Sanders plans. "He is basing his candidacy on promises that in his gut he's got to know can't be kept because he's got to work with Congress."

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.

Her strategists have long seen New Hampshire as a tougher race, given Sanders' decades of representing a neighboring state. They've believed the nomination would be won 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.

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.

"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 — which tend to reward liberal candidates — in March and in April in states such as 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."


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-22

[Ulysses G.]

It has become very obvious that the woman is a pathological liar who will say or do anything to get in power.. Of course her message is failing.

[ezzra]

This woman is not a creditable person, lie after lie, cover up after another, belittling the severities

of her misdeeds as silly mistakes, disregarding national security by using a public server to

send ultra sensitive communiques just because it was more convenient, and playing the women

card will not work now as id didn't last time she has tried.....

[NeverSure]

Hillary is a proven loser, having lost to a nobody named Obama last time. If there's a way to lose this nomination, she'll find it. If she lucks out and gets this nomination she'll figure out a way to lose to Trump.

Cheers.

[ggt]

Clinton's message is not failing...people hear her loud and clear...

Maybe she should run on her record as Sec of State...that would likely loose the remainder of her faithful followers...

Clinton is toast...if the Justice Dept was not filled with political appointees...she would be facing serious felony charges for dereliction of duties...

[khwaibah]

It will be nice to see this turd flush down the crapper.

[Usernames]

To know Hillary, is to hate her. She has been relatively strong, because she hasn't said much during the campaign and the Democratic debates have been ignored or unwatched. But once she starts to get heard, people don't like the sound.

[Johpa]

It has become very obvious that the woman is a pathological liar who will say or do anything to get in power.. Of course her message is failing.

Has nothing to do with her honesty or her sincerity. It is indeed her message that is failing as Sanders exposes the corruption in the financial sector that she represents. The ad hominem attacks on Clinton fail to capture the awakening of the American public relative to the lies and the hoaxes of the financial rent collectors like her bond trading son-in-law. Clinton represents the financial parasites destroying the economy and it is their deceitful messages that are finally failing, not her character or lack thereof.

[Usernames]

It has become very obvious that the woman is a pathological liar who will say or do anything to get in power.. Of course her message is failing.

Has nothing to do with her honesty or her sincerity. It is indeed her message that is failing as Sanders exposes the corruption in the financial sector that she represents. The ad hominem attacks on Clinton fail to capture the awakening of the American public relative to the lies and the hoaxes of the financial rent collectors like her bond trading son-in-law. Clinton represents the financial parasites destroying the economy and it is their deceitful messages that are finally failing, not her character or lack thereof.

OTOH, the only thing whiter than a blizzard is a Bernie Sanders political rally. Who would have guessed it. Hillary the black/mexican american candidate and Bernie the White university liberal candidate. This is what apartheid in America really looks like.

[tomwct]

Why would anyone want to listen to her! She's a Liar & a very Corrupt Individual who would sell her Mother, if she had too!

[Fookhaht]

Error

Edited January 22, 2016 by Fookhaht

[Fookhaht]

It will be nice to see this turd flush down the crapper.

Thank you for adding a profound mental image to the discussion...

[Ulysses G.]

It has become very obvious that the woman is a pathological liar who will say or do anything to get in power.. Of course her message is failing.

Has nothing to do with her honesty or her sincerity.

Ask Pat Smith and the families of the Americans murdered at Benghazi.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=pat+smith+calling+hillary+a+liar%2c+you+tube&&view=detail&mid=2F88383F45B1D2755CEA2F88383F45B1D2755CEA&rvsmid=BB4AC3DE00772A859077BB4AC3DE00772A859077&FORM=VDQVAP&fsscr=0

[Baerboxer]

It has become very obvious that the woman is a pathological liar who will say or do anything to get in power.. Of course her message is failing.

I seriously hope someone who is such a proven liar, who has no regard for ethics and morals, and is connected with some very strange events, is never elected POTUS.

America is the leader of the free world (yes, not perfect of course but who is) and should set the example in its choice of leaders. Liars, cheats, law breakers and those involved in dubious activities not welcome. World politics are a cesspit and America is the best chance of doing something about that. At least showing the POTUS cannot be someone who lies at the drop of a hat.

[kingalfred]

The Republicans who have some sanity and dont support the Demagogue Trump know that Hilary is so beatable.but the primary voters arent having it, so off the cliff they will go!

[Fookhaht]

It has become very obvious that the woman is a pathological liar who will say or do anything to get in power.. Of course her message is failing.

Has nothing to do with her honesty or her sincerity.

Ask Pat Smith and the families of the Americans murdered at Benghazi.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=pat+smith+calling+hillary+a+liar%2c+you+tube&&view=detail&mid=2F88383F45B1D2755CEA2F88383F45B1D2755CEA&rvsmid=BB4AC3DE00772A859077BB4AC3DE00772A859077&FORM=VDQVAP&fsscr=0

Here's hoping the latest movie is the final nail in the coffin on her campaign...

[Steely Dan]

In other words some Dems are afraid that people are getting the message about Clinton, and that would be a true disaster.

[Chicog]

Whoooo Benghazi!

[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13L6pwjKsX0][/media]

Edited January 22, 2016 by Chicog

[Shaunduhpostman]

"It's all a win-win for Republicans, potentially bolstering Sanders, who they see as the less formidable general election opponent, and reinforcing negative impressions of Clinton."

Given that this is a mainstream press article, guess that it shouldn't be surprising that they are going to spin things so as to downplay Sanders, but now it's in a different way. They can't just ignore him anymore and they have to admit he is a challenge to Clinton, but the spin is now that he doesn't stand a chance against Trump. However, There has already been one poll as cited on a report on Young Turks that showed Sanders clobbering Trump and Clinton narrowly losing. I for one am no longer falling for the assumption that just because Sanders is more leftward than Clinton doesn't mean that he has less cross over appeal. The electorate may be truly more desperate to get rid of corporate influence and big business in government ie both Clinton and Trump, than the mainstream media is willing to admit.

[dutchisaan]

It has become very obvious that the woman is a pathological liar who will say or do anything to get in power.. Of course her message is failing.

I seriously hope someone who is such a proven liar, who has no regard for ethics and morals, and is connected with some very strange events, is never elected POTUS.

America is the leader of the free world (yes, not perfect of course but who is) and should set the example in its choice of leaders. Liars, cheats, law breakers and those involved in dubious activities not welcome. World politics are a cesspit and America is the best chance of doing something about that. At least showing the POTUS cannot be someone who lies at the drop of a hat.

If you believe what you write, than please don't vote ET, sorry, I mean DT if you are American.

[strapper1]

Hilary, would be much better off running as a republican, because, that"s what she really is!!

[elgordo38]

It has become very obvious that the woman is a pathological liar who will say or do anything to get in power.. Of course her message is failing.

Its not that her message is failing its the fact that her baggage is increasing.

[Publicus]

Some perspective might contribute to the thread and topic.

Oddsmakers looking at the contest between HR Clinton and Bernie Sanders for the Democratic party nomination continue to see nothing different as the new year gets underway.

HR Clinton is at odds of 1-5 which equals the probability of 83.3% to win the D party nomination.

Bernie Socialist is at odds of 7-2 which equals the probability of 22.2% of winning the nomination.

Oddsmaking is one of many aspects to include when looking into competitions of a different kind.

It's always been the case that a candidate such as Bernie Sanders reveals something new in the electorate of the party, which is also true of Donald Trump in his party. These revelations come along consistently over time although not frequently.

Bernie's candidacy shows that an acceptable American brand of democratic socialism has begun to manifest among a number of voters, mainly among Democrats. It is what used to be called populism.

Now the populism has become a kind of socialist populism. That is, traditional populism is transitioning to a particularly American hybrid socialism found principally among educated white upper middle class liberals, in many college towns, and among the six New England states (CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, ME) along with a few other also remote coastal areas of the USA, such as Oregon and Washington; throw in Iowa which votes D in presidential elections and where so many Democrats (and Millennials) are strong for Sanders.

Trump's appeal is to the traditional low information voter populism and nativism. Trump has boosted them anew by the fact a billionaire spouts the stuff and that he wants to insult his way into the White House while offending as many people as possible that the populists despise.

HR Clinton is pretty much the only viable mainstream American in the contest on either side. John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is not viable. HR Clinton only needs to hold the center of the party through the primaries then speak to the vast American electoral political center in the general election.

As always has been the case for 200 years, the electoral impact in general elections of the Bernie Sanders kind of candidate, and of the Donald Trump or Ted Cruz kind of candidate, gets absorbed into the political mainstream after an election. It doesn't become dominant until a few more general elections down the line. And by that time we often don't recognise what we see of it in the present.

[thaibeachlovers]

I'm lovin' it,. 555555555555555555555555555

[Jingthing]

Democrats, me included, wish we had a candidate that combined both an impressive resume (Hillary has that) with a charismatic persona capable of firing up the base to get out the vote (Bernie has that to some degree but too lefty for the general election). We don't have that COMBINATION and none of the potential "save the day" names (Biden or Warren) have that either. So it's going to be Hillary nominated and she isn't a SURE THING to win in the general. But democrats are still resigned to the fact this time this is the best chance we've got.

Edited January 22, 2016 by Jingthing

[chuckd]

Keep the faith, JT.

There is nothing in the Constitution that says she cannot serve as President with a criminal record. Even if she is indicted and convicted, she can still run for the office and, if elected, carry out her duties.

Of course, she won't be able to get a security clearance but that is already a very likely event. She has already proven to be a tiny bit irresponsible at protecting the nation's secrets.

Serving as president might be a tad awkward if she is in prison but I'm sure the Secret Service can work something out.

There's a bright side somewhere.

[RKASA]

Democrats, me included, wish we had a candidate that combined both an impressive resume (Hillary has that) with a charismatic persona capable of firing up the base to get out the vote (Bernie has that to some degree but too lefty for the general election). We don't have that COMBINATION and none of the potential "save the day" names (Biden or Warren) have that either. So it's going to be Hillary nominated and she isn't a SURE THING to win in the general. But democrats are still resigned to the fact this time this is the best chance we've got.

John (super seal) Kerry the man that has given us piece in our own minds will step in any time now - in the mean time, as I stated months ago, she is flack bait. Poor Barnie never had a chance.

[Jingthing]

John Kerry already ran and lost. Second chances are rarely given in nominations.

[Jingthing]

Keep the faith, JT.

There is nothing in the Constitution that says she cannot serve as President with a criminal record. Even if she is indicted and convicted, she can still run for the office and, if elected, carry out her duties.

Of course, she won't be able to get a security clearance but that is already a very likely event. She has already proven to be a tiny bit irresponsible at protecting the nation's secrets.

Serving as president might be a tad awkward if she is in prison but I'm sure the Secret Service can work something out.

There's a bright side somewhere.

I wouldn't call it faith. I'd call it political realism and no, I don't really believe she'll have the legal consequences that you do. But, whatever.

[Publicus]

Democrats, me included, wish we had a candidate that combined both an impressive resume (Hillary has that) with a charismatic persona capable of firing up the base to get out the vote (Bernie has that to some degree but too lefty for the general election). We don't have that COMBINATION and none of the potential "save the day" names (Biden or Warren) have that either. So it's going to be Hillary nominated and she isn't a SURE THING to win in the general. But democrats are still resigned to the fact this time this is the best chance we've got.

Agreed.

This is however a potentially historic election, which would be the second consecutive historic election of the POTUS, in that it's realistic that a woman could be elected to the office.

Also agreed there's no compulsion is this particular historic choice, just as there was not a compulsion involved in the 2008 election of Barack Obama (our first Muslim President ).

It remains a matter of choice and preference in respect of the voters of the country. Any of the Republicans running actually getting elected would not be historic (more like catastrophic )

So a lot of people who might be Looking for America could well find it in these two recent election events. If as anticipated HR Clinton does win, and if Bernie Sanders does establish his cause going forward, then such people can quit their search for the next couple of generations.

It would be eureka time.