Presidential Campaign

Personal Attacks Backfire on Edwards and Obama

Everybody who watched the Las Vegas Democratic debate has an opinion about it. Here’s mine.

I watched the debate because I wanted to see what each of the candidates would do as president … How they would lead the country. I heard that from most of the candidates. Joe Biden and Bill Richardson were particularly strong. But, unfortunately, at least in the beginning of the debate, all I heard from John Edwards and Barack Obama was more sniping at Hillary Clinton. And, frankly, I’m getting sick of it.

I don’t want to hear John Edwards attack Clinton for changing her position on any issue — when he’s changed his position on so many. And I don’t want to hear Barack Obama attack Clinton for taking two weeks to make up her mind about driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants when, given the same question, he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, give a straight answer himself.

And I don’t want to hear either of them say they don’t “trust” Hillary Clinton. That’s an unwarranted personal attack. Personally, I trust any one of the Democratic candidates to lead the country. It’s that gang of Republican candidates I don’t trust.

Don’t get me wrong. I like John Edwards, and I like Barack Obama. I just think they’re making a big mistake by spending more time attacking Hillary Clinton than laying out their own agenda.

Let the Republicans attack Hillary. Edwards and Obama should spend their time attacking George Bush and Dick Cheney.

Visit Mr. Press’s website at billpressshow.com.