Taylor Marsh – TaylorMarsh.com – News, Opinion and Weblog on Progressive Politics

I’m really so sick of this subject, but evidently the top tier Dems want to keep it going.

On Wednesday, the Dems meet in New Hampshire for a debate/forum/blatherfest.
Now that Rep. Tom Davis has demanded an
investigation on the MoveOn.org ad, will Tim Russert, the moderator on
Wednesday, take one last opportunity to ask the question again?

After hitting the right tone in the beginning, yesterday Clinton caved completely.

The MoveOn.org ad issue just won’t go away, especially when the frontrunner keeps the conversation going.

MR. RUSSERT: Let me show you an ad that has caused a lot of controversy in this debate about Iraq. MoveOn.org took this ad out, “General Petraeus or General Betray Us?: Cooking the Books for the White House.” Do you believe that General David Petraeus has betrayed the American people? SEN. CLINTON: Absolutely not. He is a man of great honor and distinction who has served admirably. I don’t condone anything like that, and I have voted against those who would impugn the patriotism and the service of the people who wear the uniform of our country. I don’t believe that that should be said about General Petraeus, and I condemn that. I didn’t think it should’ve been said about Senator Cleland or Senator Kerry. I think it’s important that we end this kind of attacks on the patriotism of those who serve our country. Meet the Press

The corporate hack pack loves this subject, as do the Republicans. So I find
it defeating that Clinton is willing to give them an inch on this talking point
just to appease the anchors delicate sensibilities and the general audience she was shooting to connect with yesterday. It’s particularly obvious what’s going on considering her strong early smackdown. Clinton didn’t have to answer the question any more than Edwards had
to send his wife out to front for him, or Obama had to duck the Cornyn vote.
This is just lazy political posturing that gives one to the peanut gallery from all of our leading contenders. But it’s a particularly bad move for Clinton because it came a week after the ad ran and she had plenty of prep time, but still chose to serve up such pandering on the subject so the general Sunday audience would all nod and say tut-tut.

You don’t give them an inch, which Clinton is especially talented in not doing. Turn it to Iraq. Refuse to take
the bait and give them an answer: I want to talk about ending the war in
Iraq. Let’s focus on the real issue. I’m not the free speech police. If the question
is asked again simply say, nice try, next question. Just because the corporate hack pack news anchors want to serve up this drivel
again and again doesn’t mean Democrats have to play. Of course they want your sound bite. Get a clue.

Clinton was obviously playing to the general audience who doesn’t understand nuance and wants their politics in sound bites that pit one against the other, with the military allowed to tell tales to Congress and get away with it simply because they’re the military.

Honestly, can we all now move on? We’ll see if the Democrats let us on Wednesday, because if Russert asks the question they all have a choice on how they answer it and so far changing the subject away from the war campaign is working.

UPDATE: Vintage Stoller: “I’m a little worried about upcoming fights over funding for Iraq, inasmuch as they might distract us from discussing the Moveon ad.”