Odd Clinton campaign tactics, peculiar Bush adminstration interest in future race...

Is it unusual for the Bush administration to be so openly negative toward Hillary Clinton's run for the Presidency? Second term administrations don't typically focus so much on bashing a future Presidential hopeful.

The curtain is closing on Bush's time in office, he can't run again even if he wants to... Consider as well that Clinton hasn't even received her party's nomination yet. So why all the fuss over Clinton?

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First Dana Perino calls Clinton an "unconscionable" member of congress, regarding a recent Bush-bashing Clinton campaign ad as reported here. *Speaking of which, shouldn't Clinton be campaigning against those who are actually a threat to her instead of taking digs at Bush?

Not even a week later, Karl Rove has predicted that Hillary Clinton will win the Democratic nomination, but that her campaign is fatally flawed and she'll ultimately lose her run for the White House.

From CNN
On conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh's show Wednesday, Rove predicted the New York Democrat would win her party's nomination but said she was "fatally flawed" and would ultimately lose the race for the White House.

From NewsMax
He said Hillary’s record on healthcare issues has been "spotty and poor.” And when Rush asked Rove to be more specific about Hillary’s "flaw,” Rove pointed out: "There is no front-runner who has entered the primary season with negatives as high as she has in the history of modern polling.”

He pointed to polls that reveal Hillary has a negative rating in the "high 40s,” and added: "There is nobody who has ever won the presidency who has started out in that kind of position.”

From MSNBC
For the second time in two days, a high-ranking White House official has taken issue with Hillary Clinton's recent critical campaign TV ad of President Bush. Yesterday, it was White House spokeswoman Dana Perino; today, it's none other than outgoing political adviser Karl Rove.

Will Rove's prediction prove to be prophetic? And why is the Bush administration so concerned with lashing against a campaign they'll never even have to confront? Why are Presidential hopefuls campaigning against a second term administration rather than their opponents?

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Viewpoints appreciated-

Rove is a professional political strategist and on his way out of the White House anyway.

I would hardly call his statements a concerted effort by the WH to smear Hillary.

Originally posted by djohnsto77
Rove is a professional political strategist and on his way out of the White House anyway.

Precisely correct... so what better way to avoid hinting at a White House agenda than to utilize the guy who is resigning.

Perhaps the guy who's resigning is moving to a 2008 Republican candidate's camp.

Originally posted by djohnsto77
Perhaps the guy who's resigning is moving to a 2008 Republican candidate's camp.

Excellent point and of course, this could explain Rove's actions entirely. Perhaps you could indulge me in more than one line responses though

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What are you feelings regarding the other points of my post? Specifically referencing the following questions I raised:

1. Will Rove's prediction prove to be prophetic?
   
2. Why are Presidential hopefuls campaigning against a second term administration rather than their opponents?
   

Hmmm well since the thread has attracted such an overwhelming response and provided many dozens of interesting viewpoints to ponder, let us now take a short humor break...

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For anyone suffering from Hilary Ambivalence Syndrome, there is hope. The phramaceutical companies seem to have come up with something helpful called Oxy-Clinton...

Have a glance at the former First Lady - turned Mafia GodMother as she wields this baseball bat at the head of George Bush in this Whack-a-mole.

Ever wonder what activities the gentle, balding Karl Rove indulges in during his spare time? Apparently, tearing the heads off small animals! Check out the ghastly confession.