[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/24/art.philly2.gi.jpg caption=" Hillary Clinton accepts endorsement of Pa. Gov. Rendell at Philadelphia City Hall, Wednesday."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Clintons "have introduced the politics of personal destruction" to the presidential race and they "bear responsibility for cheapening the tone of the contest."
Some tough words coming from a New York Daily News editorial today, especially considering Hillary is a senator from New York.
The New York Daily News accuses Senator Clinton of "distorting" Barack Obama's record and airing a TV ad that twists an Obama statement "to the point of clear inaccuracy."
"She is indulging in the partisan-style politics that Americans are desperate to leave behind and certainly don't want in a President. And she is either giving free rein to, or failing to control, her husband. Neither possibility bodes well."
The same sentiment is beginning to appear within the Democratic Party. The concern is this bitter campaign could end up hurting whoever the nominee is. If it's Obama - he could come out of this personally battered and politically weakened. If it's Clinton - she could risk losing black voters, who might blame her for Obama's loss and not bother to show up to vote in November.
Here’s my question to you: Will Hillary Clinton's personal attacks on Barack Obama ultimately hurt her and her party?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Cheryl writes:
Bill Clinton's comments and adversarial attitude are hurting Hillary's campaign. I am a single, white, middle-aged female who lives paycheck to paycheck, and who is a lifelong registered independent, and I will not vote for the Clinton machine. It's truly time for a serious change.
Jeff from Connecticut writes:
Jack, Hillary's poorly-disguised disdain for her fellow citizens and her megalomania will most definitely be her downfall. Barack and everyone else should just ignore her.
Ron writes:
Jack, Poor Obama. If Hillary or Bill opens their mouth to breathe, you and the other media pundits are all over them. In the media eyes, Obama never makes a misstatement. He must be the most truthful person on earth. I hope Hillary and Bill continue to talk about him, because you and others in the media sure won't.
John writes:
At this point, I think yes. It's ticked me off enough that if the nominees are Clinton and McCain, I'll switch party allegiance and vote for him.
Michael from Atlanta writes:
The Clintons got my vote twice. After the untruthful attacks against Senator Barack Obama, it's over. I have filed a complaint with the DNC. This is not what WE want in the next president, not even close. Bill Clinton has closed the DEAL for her and our party. I think that if Senator Barack Obama is not given the respect, then a third party will be in order.
Greg from Pennsylvania writes:
The Wicked Witch of the West has ridden in on her broomstick and threatens to steal the Democratic Party’s ruby slippers. If she doesn’t heed the warning to back off, she will melt along with all her kingdom. Then the Wizard Bush will anoint the Scarecrow, Tin Man or Cowardly Lion to be the next king, aka McCain, Romney and Huckabee.