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Hillary Clinton’s New “Who Do You Think Has What It Takes” Campaign Ad Shows Osama bin Laden (UPDATED)

Posted by JOE GANDELMAN, Editor-In-Chief in Politics.
Apr 21st, 2008 | Comments

The details are HERE.

In case some folks have short memories:

For years Democrats have SOUNDLY condemned any attempts by the White House or GOP to use bin Laden images to suggest that Democrats are soft on terrorism. But now a Democrat does just that — and there is silence from many Democrats.

So in 2008 if some Republicans use the same “Vote for us or die” suggestion and Democrats condemn them, people need to keep in mind that the use of these tactics — coming on the eve of a vote so the other campaign really can’t mount a quick response — has now been validated by many Democrats who applaud or look the other way when anything is used to help their side win.

And the bar is lowered again..

UPDATE: Kevin Drum writes:

Are the pro-Obama forces seriously trying to get their troops outraged over this latest ad from Hillary Clinton? Just because it contains a ten-second sequence of presidential crises (Depression, Pearl Harbor, gas crisis, Katrina, etc.) and flashes a half-second clip of Osama bin Laden as part of it? Spare me. Are Democratic political ads no longer even allowed to mention the fact that the next president is going to have to deal with the war on terror?

I politely disagree:

1. If you go back and look at the blog, progressive talk show, etc. outrage during the Bush administration there has been one constant. Democrats of all types soundly condemned any use of bin Laden footage or a suggestion that if you didn’t vote for the Republicans your life might be in danger. Now it appears in an ad for a Democrat — and it’s no longer something to condemn.

2. It isn’t only Obama forces that could react this way. The last time I belong to a political party, I registered as a Republican in California to vote for John McCain in the 2000 Republican presidential primary. A new book on Arnold Schwarzenegger quotes me and describes me as a typical California independent voter. If it’s wrong when one side does it, it’s wrong when the other side does it. Not all independent voters react this way (independent voters are not monolithic) — but this one does.

UPDATE II: The Carpetbagger Report also thinks reaction to it is overblown.

  • It was a little surprising to Hillary's face at the end of that ad and not John McCain's. But anyways, I see this as the natural progression of Hillary's "day one" message. The implication that we would all die without Hillary's steady leadership was already there, she's just bringing it into sharper focus.

    Hard to argue with Yglesias on this one:
    I'm not all that outraged, really, but I think the problem with this whole line of attack -- 3AM ads, etc. -- is such a limited posture to take up. At the end of the day, if this is an election about how in uncertain times we need to flee into the arms of a strong, comforting, figure of experience and authority then that figure is John McCain. The alternative story is that in uncertain times we need to turn the pages on disastrous policies that have gotten us into our current mess. But Clinton often, from her vote to authorize the war through to a lot of her primary season gambits, seems too invested in the politics of "toughness" to really chart a better course.
  • Joe - I didn't see it that way at all. I find the can't stand the heat quote to have an excellent double entendre: She's staying in the kitchen AND taking the heat.

    The Bin Laden picture didn't bother me in the least - but I won't say that if it were the twin towers I'd feel the same - not sure.

    Not only that, but in the TPM post's update re: a response from Obama, it is absolutely wrong to use Bill Clinton's words against her. It goes back to the dual president Billary shtick pushed by many, which even though I'm not a supporter of Obama or Clinton, I detest. Leave her alone to win or lose on her own - but I've felt that way for months - I know others do not share that. I understand.

    But the impact on me - I thought it was a decent ad - but I watch no tv, I'm not in PA and I want Biden back. :)
  • Not only that, but in the TPM post's update re: a response from Obama, it is absolutely wrong to use Bill Clinton's words against her.

    Oh come now. "Absolutely wrong" is going a little far. Practically her entire argument about superior experience is built on the fact that she was first lady to President Bill Clinton. Her campaign, her base of donors, her name recognition is all based on his success.
  • Chris - I really do not want to go there. I'm not sure, but I bet that that has been hashed out here many times, probably before I became a co-blogger late last year and began to follow closely here. I know many people make the argument you make. I don't agree with it.
  • Jill,
    The larger question, of course, is whether or not you agree with Bill Clinton's previous statement.
  • Mike_P
    Look, there's nothing wrong with Hillary using the Republican playbook - she's running as a Republican.

    Unfortunately for her, she's running in the Democratic primary.
  • mikkel
    Anyone that thinks she's even close to running as a Republican needs to look at their McCain's actual suggestions. It's ludicrous to smear her with that.

    She is just running as an establishment candidate that all establishment candidates run as since the beginning of time.
  • I'm more down with what Mikkel writes re: very DLC establishment - not a GOPper.
  • Davebo
    I see it as a horrible idea for Hillary.

    Is she saying, vote for me and if bin Laden does something bad you can count on my reaction.

    So if bin Laden attacks the US again Hillary will get all hawkish and authorize an invasion of Belgium or something?

    She indeed has experience making important foreign policy choices, and she's really really bad at it.
  • runasim
    If it's wrong when one party does it, it's worng when another does it.
    Period.
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