If there’s going to be a point at which Barack Obama makes a breakthrough in his race against Hillary Clinton, it’s going to have to happen in Iowa; and Obama appears to recognize that fact:
With a little more than a month until the Iowa caucuses, Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is out to show voters that he can take a punch–and throw a few, too.
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[Obama] went out of his way to belittle Sen. Clinton’s experience as First Lady.
“I think the fact of the matter is that Senator Clinton is claiming basically the entire eight years of the Clinton presidency as her own, except for the stuff that didn’t work out, in which case she says she has nothing to do with it,” Obama said, and added, referring to his relationship with his wife, Michelle, “There is no doubt that Bill Clinton had faith in her and consulted with her on issues, in the same way that I would consult with Michelle, if there were issues,” Obama told “Nightline” co-anchor Terry Moran. “On the other had, I don’t think Michelle would claim that she is the best qualified person to be a United States Senator by virtue of me talking to her on occasion about the work I’ve done.”
Ouch. That one’s gotta hurt. And it doesn’t stop there, because Obama is bringing out the big guns:
DES MOINES — Oprah Winfrey is coming to town for Senator Barack Obama, his campaign announced today, scheduling a three-state tour beginning here on Dec. 8.
Ms. Winfrey, who has been fiercely protective of her extraordinary brand, is dipping into presidential politics for the first time with a visit to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. While she announced her loyalties to Mr. Obama’s campaign months ago and held a fundraising gala for him in California, this trip marks her debut on the campaign trail.
For weeks, the Obama campaign has been waiting for a signal from Ms. Winfrey that she was ready to campaign. It comes, of course, as former President Bill Clinton is stepping up his efforts to campaign for his wife in Iowa in advance of the Jan. 3 caucuses.
Do not underestimate the potential impact of a tour with Oprah Winfrey could have on Obama’s campaign.
