Some Democrats fear Clinton’s message is failing
WASHINGTON – Hillary Clinton has questioned Bernie Sanders’ electability. She’s criticized his plans for health care, foreign policy and Wall Street. And she’s tagged him with flip-flopping on gun control.
None of it appears to be sticking – and that’s raising concerns among Democrats who fear a monthslong primary campaign could create lasting damage for the party.
While most believe Clinton will still capture the nomination, some say she is failing to respond effectively to Sanders, fueling both his primary rise and strengthening the Republican argument against her. Others say she got too a late of a start going after Sanders and is still not hitting him enough – eroding her lead in states that should be safe.
“They didn’t take him seriously enough because they thought they had a gadfly,” said John Morgan, a Florida attorney and Clinton donor. “The gadfly wasn’t a gadfly – he was a lightning bug.”
Though Sanders has dismissed questions about Clinton’s use of a private email account as secretary of state and how she responded to the deadly Benghazi attacks, some Democrats say she needs a better response to his critique of her ties to Wall Street.
Though the tightening nature of the race, particularly in Iowa, hasn’t sparked widespread panic among her supporters quite yet, it’s worrying some donors, as well as Bill Clinton and their daughter, Chelsea, who shared her concerns at a meeting with supporters in New York this week, according to people close to the campaign, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Clinton has struggled to connect with liberal activists, who have gained influence as the party has shifted left during President Barack Obama’s two terms in office.
“Clinton’s message has always been more effective for a general election audience than the primary activist base,” said strategist Ben LaBolt, a former Obama campaign aide.
Sanders released a gauzy, uplifting ad Thursday with images of his overflowing rallies over Simon and Garfunkel’s “America.”
In recent days, Sanders has intensified his critique of Clinton with rhetoric that’s edged toward breaking one of his pledges – no attacks.
“Without naming any names, Goldman Sachs also provides very, very generous speaking fees to some unnamed candidates” he said in Iowa.
The Republican National Committee jumped to Sanders’ defense during the last debate, blasting out emails undercutting Clinton.
It’s all a win-win for Republicans, potentially bolstering Sanders, who they see as the less formidable general election opponent, and reinforcing negative impressions of Clinton.
Recent polls suggest her lead in Iowa has evaporated and in New Hampshire, Sanders has opened up a significant edge.