[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/23/art.feud.gi.jpg caption=" Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Senator Barack Obama exchange words during the Democratic Presidential Primary Debate at the Palace Theater in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It's getting nasty between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton seems to be enjoying it.
The former president had this to say: "I kind of like seeing Barack and Hillary fight. They're flesh-and-blood people and they have their differences – let' em at it."
But not everyone thinks it's becoming. Several top Democrats are concerned that the gutter politics will end up harming the party's image ahead of the general election.
Senator John Kerry, an Obama backer, wrote in an e-mail to supporters saying: "The truth matters, but how you fight the lies matters even more." Kerry doesn't mention Clinton by name, but says they're fighting back against anonymous e-mails questioning Obama's Christian faith.
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, another Obama backer, says attacks coming from the Clintons are similar to what he's seen from Republicans and called comments about Obama from former President Clinton "distortions”. Daschle says such bickering ultimately destroys the party and that it will have a "huge lasting effect down the road... if it doesn't stop soon."
On the other hand, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile thinks this "generational fight" will make the party stronger in the end.
Meanwhile, an editorial in today's Wall Street Journal suggests that Obama "seems to be awakening slowly to what everyone else already knows about the Clintons, which is that they will say and do whatever they 'gotta' say or do to win." unquote.
Here’s my question to you: Is the Obama-Clinton feud helpful or hurtful to the democratic process?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
James writes:
As an African American and a Democrat, I am becoming extremely disenchanted with “slash and burn” politics of this campaign. It has become apparent to many that there is a war of personal destruction going on in this campaign and I am shocked at the silence of the Congressional Black Caucus and Democratic National Committee.
Dede writes:
Obama so far has been a one hit wonder: Iowa, that is all. The hard core press is making more of him then he really is. Obama is a great man, just not ready to be president. The media is falling into all the traps that the Obama camp has set for them, he does not really talk in details about the issues, he can not he does not have the experience, in today's America it is easier to slam a woman and take her down than to do it to a minority.
Bill writes:
This feud helps us see “the Clintons" as a continuation of the divisive politics of the past 20 years that have been so destructive to our nation and our people.
Pat writes:
Let them go! If Obama wants to play in the big leagues, then he has to learn to take his lumps as well as give them. The presidency is not for amateurs. I'm sure this is kid's play compared to what the rest of the world will hit him with, if he's elected. Hillary has already proven she can take it.
Bruce writes:
Jack, When the news media are asking questions of President McCain you will have your answer. But the fight isn't going to hurt the Democrats as much as the lies they told in 2006. The war is still going and no troops have come home. Thank you, Nancy Pelosi.
Betty writes:
Bill Cinton's behavior reminds me of over-the-hill actors who you just can't get off the stage: pathetic and, as we say in Texas, tacky. Every time he opens his mouth, you think "Do we really want The Clinton Administration, Part II?”
Dave writes:
Jack, I'm confused, I thought this was the Democratic process.