Distortions and Deceit

As the linked article from the Washington Post relates, some Democrats are getting tired of the Clintons, particularly Bill aggressive tactics against Obama or blaming the media or blaming Obama using the media as his surrogate.

"Some in Party Bristle at Clintons' Attacks" link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/23/AR2008012304036.html

I tend to agree with the article in that the debate should be about ideas, but if Obama is getting attacked by two candidates (Billary), he needs to strike back. Credibility/Character (ethos) matters.

I think it's fairly obvious what happens when you don't address obvious distortions of your record or facts (see John Kerry's presidential bid or the run-up to the Iraq War for examples). If lies or distortions are presented so often, people start believing them, unfortunately. The perception becomes the reality.

For me, I wanted to see Obama punch back at how the BET owner referenced his drug use a while back. Obama could have simply said something like this: "Yes, that was in the past. I was young and needed guidance in my life. And thankfully I found it. At that time in my life, I unfortunately smoked marijuana (brief pause). I inhaled. "