Thanks to Hillary, Rezko/Ayers not hurting Obama.

[Bensthename]

It was tough on Obama back in the primaries. And us "Obots" were getting really upset. But Hillary and supporters were right. It is getting brought up in a tough way by the McCain campaign here in the end. Fortunately voters are hearing these same old names and stories coming out and it isn't sticking at all. Polls are showing that in my opinion..

It was painful but ultimately helpful.

[SuperTrouper]

1. Hillary immunized Obama against these attacks. Talking about blessing in disguise

[kwolf68]

3. Yep

My respect for Hillary really went up over the last few months. She has handled herself with total class, dignity, she's one sharp cookie, and practical as well.

I've grown to like her quite a bit (and I was DEFINATELY not in favor of her winning)

[BlueCaliDem]

6. How do we know it wasn't a plan made secretly between the Clintons and Obama?

I know, I know, it's far-fetched but we mustn't forget the genius Bill Clinton is politically.

Perhaps this was the plan all along when it was clear Obama was the preferred candidate over Hillary, in order to defuse the volatility of this kind of smear news that would've become harder and meaner if led by the right-wingers.

[RoadRage]

2. I had the EXACT same thought earlier.. and I was gonna post this..

good job, and I totally agree. I was very pissed at Hillary at the time, but her Kitchen Sink Strategy worked (but thank-god he still won)!

[liberal N proud]

4. And everyone thought it was terrible at the time

When all this was being drug out and discussed among civil beings in the Democratic party. People here all were doomsday about it and saying it would make it easier for the GOP to beat the nominee in November.

What it has done is desensitized and defused much of the effect that an attack now would have. The same would have been for anything that was being thrown around about Hillary.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

7. It was terrible then and is terrible now. That stuff NEVER had any place in the race.

Yes, I'm a realist and see the point of the OP. But let's never get to the point where we're applauding those kind of tactics from anyone.

[liberal N proud]

8. Agreed - just adding that how terrible it got here

And were somewhat civil about the mud slinging unlike the hate from the GOP.

[Alter Ego]

5. Yeah, I had my doubts but I guess it had its merits.

Thanks, uh, Hillary--I guess.

[SurfingAtWork]

9. This is true. If these were broken now, rather than back in March

I think our position would be much different than it is now.

[John Q. Citizen]

10. you call this

tough?

It's as pitiful now as it was then.
No one seems to notice it always drives up Barack's polling numbers.

Hillary never noticed and neither does McCain.

"Please don't throw me in the brier patch!"

[Dr Fate]

11. I agree-One purpose of the primary is to vet the candidates. n/t

n/t

[DemsUnited]

12. If not for Hillary, this would all be "new news". Instead, its being reported as McCain desperate,

going negative with stuff that was already investigated during the primaries. Not to mention the mob aspect of the whole thing which is plain scary and ugly.

In many, many ways, Hillary made Obama a better candidate. And now, she's raising money (9 million!) and campaigning enthusiastically for Obama.

Thank you, Senator Clinton.

[ejpoeta]

13. i agree. it was painful, but obama is a lot better off because of the primaries.

it has helped him on a couple of fronts. he doesn't seem like such a newcomer anymore because he's been running for president for what seems like forever by now. and the country has already heard all of this stuff. the economic crisis is also helping to keep people's focus on their wallets and not some folks they never heard of.

i have softened to hillary clinton since the primaries ended. and next to palin, hillary clinton looks awesome to me! that palin is something else. and the fact that she was chosen by mccain as vp says even a lot mroe about him and how he feels about women.

[pnwmom]

14. I completely agree. If a candidate makes it through a primary

despite a particular charge, then s/he has been vaccinated against it.

[Fleshdancer]

15. I didn't choose a candidate in the primary....

and there were times when the long primary season got on my nerves, but I always knew the early battles were going to be very good for the candidate who won the nomination. At this point, Obama's campaign has a plan for just about anything McCain attempts to throw at him.

[barack the house]

16. In some ways Hillary helped Obama a lot in the primaries.>

The longer it streched out the larger the ground game Obama built. It's always important to acknowledge the good people do in retrospect.