Hillary's Next Move

The Hillary Camp is about to go negative on Obama:

Until now, Clinton's campaign has been relatively restrained in what political pros euphemistically call "contrast" — in large part, because Iowans have a history of rejecting negative campaigning. (See: Romney, Mitt.) "We certainly held back," one Clinton aide said.

But all that may be about to change. "We've got to start holding him to the standard people hold her to," Clinton's chief strategist Mark Penn told reporters aboard the campaign's chartered jet to New Hampshire. "I think there's a basic choice between experienced leadership for change and inexperienced leadership that talks about change."

Added another adviser: "You're going to see some very sharp media now." That suggests the next round of Clinton ads will go beyond the previous gentle references to Obama's lack of experience and begin to look at, for instance, inconsistency in his voting record. They are looking at issues like gun control, where he previously took a harder stand that may not play well with gun-loving voters in New Hampshire, and health care, where he previously expressed support for a government-run health care system. Clinton plans to exploit every whiff of inconsistency. * * *

This was, of course, inevitable. It'll be interesting to see how Obama responds. Huckabee apparently made the right decision when he chose not to counter-attack after Romney launched his negative campaign, but they're not in Iowa anymore.

I still think that Hillary's claim that she has more experience than Obama might end up backfiring on her. More experience at what? Voting to authorize illegal wars?