An unscripted Clinton?
Clinton addresses a table of voters at Cafe Espresso in Potsmouth, NH (Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
In a brief, unguarded moment yesterday, Hillary Clinton gave us a peek behind the curtain.
It was great. In breaking down and becoming emotional at a diner in New Hampshire, she may have done more for herself than all her handlers and consultants and campaign strategists could ever dream of doing. She became one of us. In all the years I have watched Hillary in the public eye, I don't remember ever seeing her like that.
And maybe that's part of her problem. Not that anybody has asked, but what if Hillary threw away the script? Instead of lecturing and speechifying and hitting us over the head with her resume, what if she focused on the shared concern the vast majority of people have about the future of their country. That's exactly what Barack Obama has tapped into, and it seems to be working quite well for him.
See the American people are not as easily manipulated as some people think. We really do get it. It's just that it sometimes takes a while to wake us up.
I think we're awake now. And the candidate who recognizes that fact and realistically taps into our hunger for our leaders to level with us will be the next president. The problem for Hillary is it may already be too late. But at this point, what has she got to lose?
Here’s my question to you: Should Hillary Clinton throw away the script?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Obama’s message to incumbents?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Of all the words he could have chosen to hang his campaign on, Barack Obama picked "change." Good choice.
While the rest of the candidates scurry around saying, "Elect me… I have experience," Obama's message has remained simple: Washington's not getting it done, we're in some serious trouble here, and we have to figure out a different approach.
The thing that's stunning is the voters seem to believe him. Stunning because they're so used to being lied to and jerked around you might have trouble convincing some of them the sky is blue. The public seems to be saying, "We've had it. Take us anywhere but here."
Look at the turnout in Iowa, double what it was four years ago. He has young people and independents lining up to support him. His appearances are standing room only and people get hysterical when they see him. We haven't seen anything quite like it in a very long time. Maybe since Bobby Kennedy.
Whether he can go all the way we don't know yet, but he's sure getting everyone's attention. My guess is those incumbent senators and congressmen who have to stand for re-election in November are noticing, too. Because if Obama is right, they are in big, big trouble. As well they should be. Most of them are a disgrace.
Here’s my question to you: What message, if any, does Barack Obama's candidacy send to incumbent office holders?
To see the Cafferty File video click here
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
A wide-open GOP race?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Compared to the Democrats, the Republican race is a demolition derby, and New Hampshire is not likely to change that much.
A new Gallup poll asks which candidate people think will win the Republican nomination: 33% say Mike Huckabee. John McCain and Rudy Giuliani are tied at 18%, and Mitt Romney gets 14%. While Huckabee won big in Iowa, he's not expected to do as well in New Hampshire.
In fact, the polls suggest a John McCain win today. According to "The Politico", McCain's goal is to be the "least unacceptable" Republican, in other words the candidate with the fewest negatives.
Mitt Romney was obviously hoping for the momentum from victories in both Iowa and New Hampshire. But even if he doesn't place first tonight, Romney insists he will continue. And with the wide-open nature of the race, who knows?
And of course, a race with no clear front-runner is also good news for Rudy Giuliani, who is counting on the later states to win big.
And finally, another indication that things are definitely going Barack Obama's way. Mitt Romney is now out telling voters he's best suited to go head-to-head with Barack Obama, and that a long-serving U.S. senator, meaning McCain who is 71 years old, is not the best match-up. McCain shot back, saying he'd let voters decide how well he'd match up with Obama.
Here’s my question to you: Who will ultimately win the Republican nomination?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
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