Reply #6: As the economy continues to worsen, I'm not sure the trial lawyer [View All]

attack on Edwards will work this time around, especially with his record of helping the little guy fight the big corporations. But I'm sure Rove and company are pouring over the records of every trial, looking for one they can twist and spin to their advantage.

I don't think they'll dare frontally attack Hillary as a woman; but they will stress terror! terror! terror! in hopes the public will gravitate to a man in their panic. And of course all the same old same old will be trotted out once again.

As for Obama, I think they will not raise the race issue, but will milk it behind the scenes. Actually, I don't think they'll have to do much work there, since those who are racists won't need any encouragement, and there is no way to convert those who aren't. They may very well try to use Rezsko for Swift-boating. Kerry was, after all a legitimate Vietnam war hero, and they were able to use his good war record against him. By comparison, using Rezsko as a weapon should be a cake walk. Then there is Obama's admitted drug use as a youth. He has given us his version and the press has so far ignored it. Undoubtedly the Republicans will be looking under every rock to see if there is more to the story than Obama has revealed. If there is, they will run with it. And, while youthful marijuana use is generally accepted now (just think not long ago a man lost a Supreme Court seat over it!) harder drugs are viewed differently. I would not be surprised if this is already being fleshed out for Swift-boating in the fall.

Also don't underestimate the Republicans' ability to look for a candidates greatest strength and turn it against him or her. Al Gore's strong points were turned against him, just as Kerry's exemplary war record was used against him. So think of the big three's strongest points, then try to figure out how they might be flipped against them.