Before the Iowa Caucuses, Hillary Clinton enjoyed the status of being the inevitable 2008 Democratic Presidential Nominee. However, the campaign assaults conducted against her by Barack Obama, John Edwards and Republicans proved to be highly successful. This success did not escape the attention of the Clintons who responded in-kind by unleashing their own aggressive counter-offensive.
The Clintons' counter-offensive, surprisingly included their own version of the "Southern Strategy" normally implored by Republicans. They casted Obama as the "black candidate", deducing that although Black voters would be turned off, offsetting gains would be made in the White and Hispanic communities. The strategy worked in New Hampshire and the Clintons wrote off South Carolina in the process as they turned their attention to Super Tuesday.
Against that backdrop, where are we now? Well, the Clintons are showing why the GOP feared running against them in the first place. They analyze situations quickly and make adjustments on the fly, usually faster than the opposition can react. It remains to be seen if their strategy will work? Stay turned for the answer. One thing is certain. Their strategy is comprehensive and the Clintons will stay the course. Despite calls for the contrary, the chief strategist Bill Clinton, will continue to bat clean-up.
Talking heads would have the masses believe that commentators and pundits can define the behavior and limits of former presidents. Nothing is further from the truth. Former Presidents, with their unique status, create their own paradigm. Jimmy Carter, the volume builder of Habitat for Humanity houses, quickly comes to mind in that regard.
So expect Team Clinton to use whatever strategy they deem necessary, even presumed race baiting, in order to propel Hillary Clinton to the White House. The Clinton campaign expects to retain a reasonable percent of Black voter support, but their short-term goal is to build a winning combination of traditional White and Hispanic voters. Furthermore, if the Clintons' strategy is successful and John McCain ends up as their GOP opponent, expect Geritol to become a household word.
Sidebar: The Clinton rally cry is whatever it takes and it's difficult to argue with a team batting one thousand in U.S. Presidential Elections.
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