The Howard Wolfson’s ‘Broken Record’ Routine

When ever Senator Obama emphasizes a contrast in between himself and Senator Clinton, Howard Wolfson (Clinton campaign spokesman) continually repeats the same statement with little variation, if any.

"It's unfortunate that Senator Obama is turning away from the politics of hope and employing attack politics instead.

Situation Room, CNN, 7/26/07:

"Well, I think that's unfortunate. It certainly doesn't represent the politics of hope. I don't what kind of politics it represents, but I don't think it's what Democratic primary voters are looking for"

Not to be outdone by her campaign spokesman, Senator Clinton has also used the same line.

"What ever happened to the politics of hope?"

It’s a great line to use against Senator Obama. The Clinton campaign has set it up if Senator Obama even dares to draw differences between himself and Senator Clinton; he is contradicting one of this main campaign themes. To the Clinton campaign Senator Obama’s ‘politics of hope’ message means one should not criticize anyone, especially Senator Clinton, because if you do you don’t represent the new kind of politics. I have to credit the Clinton campaign on distorting meaning of the politics of hope.

The pundits, the pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them, too. We worship an "awesome God" in the Blue States, and we don’t like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we’ve got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.

In the end -- In the end -- In the end, that’s what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or do we participate in a politics of hope?

-- Barack Obama, 2004 DNC Keynote Address

Senator Obama pointing out key distinctions between this campaign rivals and himself does not contradict his message of politics of hope, no matter how much Howard Wolfson ties to claim otherwise.