by John McCormick
MONTICELLO, Iowa – From her front yard in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the video shows Susan Klopfer talking about the state of the race among the Democratic presidential candidates in Iowa.
And the former precinct captain for Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York makes clear that she does not like what she has been hearing, as she pulls a yard sign that says "Hillary" and replaces it with one that says "HOPE."
The "HOPE" sign is, of course, one for Sen. Barack Obama, whose campaign unveiled the online ad/video this morning as the Illinois Democrat campaigns here in northeast Iowa.
What's not obvious from the video is that the woman, according to Obama aides, is also the next-door neighbor of former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who is Clinton's top campaign representative in the state.
"I was really surprised to see personal attacks from one Democrat to another Democrat," Klopfer says at one point, later adding, "the negative stuff, just isn't going to work."
The video is being posted as tensions between Obama and Clinton continue to boil following this week's flap over a New Hampshire Clinton official raising questions about Obama's use of marijuana and cocaine when he was in high school.
Clinton apologized to Obama in person Thursday morning, but the incident raised the friction level between the two campaigns, which are fiercely battling for first place in Iowa and New Hampshire.
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Comments
I think Biden will overtake Hillary for 3rd in Iowa.
Posted by: Marko | December 14, 2007 12:24 PM
Mark Penn should be the next one from Hillary's campaign to resign. These people are disgusting. This is not some yahoo or bimbo from Arkansas that they are implying is a former drug dealer, this is a sitting U.S. Senator, a fellow colleague.
I guess it really is true. She will say and do anything to get elected, but not this time.
Posted by: carolyn grace | December 14, 2007 1:02 PM
Thank you for your courage to question and ask yourself tough questions... That is what the country needs to continue to do and we're going to have a great FUTURE....
Posted by: Ben | December 14, 2007 1:30 PM
HRC should now not assume that the NY senate seat will remain hers.
Posted by: Urich | December 14, 2007 1:33 PM
I support either Edwards or Obama because I simply cannot take the possibility of 8 years of a President Hillary Clinton who will be attacked, riduculed and reviled by the right-wing nuts. If she gets the nomination I will support her 100% but I can't stand the thought that I will have to spend 8 years dealing with the kind of crap the GOP dished out to her husband.
Posted by: Albert | December 14, 2007 1:56 PM
There are no words for the disgust I feel for Penn and HRC. They have brought shame to our democratic process. Thankfully, there are a growing number of Americans who see through this crass and craven behavior. We need change we can believe in.
Posted by: gp leigh | December 14, 2007 1:59 PM
Wow! This is sho nuff reality TV. It doesn't get any better than this. Even survivor can't compare to this campaign.
Posted by: GW | December 14, 2007 2:28 PM
Hillary has had her Dean Moment now at the latest debate, cackling and interjecting derisively 'I want to hear this!' when Obama was trying to answer a question. I was still trying to believe that the drugs charges were really just another misguided aide's mistake, but her tone was so disrespectful, it suddenly blew it all open for me. And Obama replied so gracefully, like a true statesman. I was in awe of his command of the situation. He showed that he can respond to any attack and remain above the fray. Amazing- A man who should be president.
Posted by: katharine | December 14, 2007 2:58 PM
This is not a surprise--my wife took down clintons campaign memorabilia last week--she's ashamed of clinton...I'm not surprised that the same is happening in NH..Barack the VOTE!!Go edwards Go Barack!!!I like Bill Richardson...math and science talk
Posted by: chris | December 14, 2007 3:00 PM
Mrs. Klopfer did a beautiful job expressing what Senator Obama's campaign is really all about -- honesty, decency, a new beginning for America.
It really is a shame, though, that Senator Clinton has decided to engage in such vulgar tricks. I used to admire her myself.
Posted by: Suzanne | December 14, 2007 3:34 PM
The latest Iowa poll numbers suggest Hillary Clinton is no longer the "inevitable" nominee.
Posted by: Sheldon | December 14, 2007 3:50 PM
Unbelievable how low she can stoop to gain power!
I wonder how she can expect black folks to vote for her when she keeps trying on tearing down and smearing the first black candidate with a great chance of winning.First, she said Obama's too ambitious, then she levels drug charges against him.This kind of stereotyping should not stand.We should all reject that kind of garbage.
Black people would be crazy to vote for her!
Posted by: joseph pierre | December 14, 2007 4:07 PM
The desperation is showing in the HRC campaign. Just think Iowa; the HILL-A-COPTER will be coming to a town near you! Sounds like Dukakis in his tank! I wonder if she will wear a funny hat? She would be more fun if she rode her broom! Go Obama!! I don't think she expected the downward trend she is experiencing......HILL-A-COPTER give me a break!
Posted by: Masterofsparks | December 14, 2007 5:36 PM
This commercial perfectly encapsulates my feelings. I just don't see how Hillary can be so tone-deaf to what will so obviously turn off her natural constituency. Her campaign's ham-handed, mean-spirited attacks and innuendo on Obama's character will not earn her any votes. It will LOSE them. I didn't dislike her going in but I do more and more.
Posted by: alliep | December 14, 2007 8:35 PM
I worry what she will do in Nevada. I hope people are paying attention.
Posted by: me | December 14, 2007 11:15 PM
Wow - this is a huge blow to the Clinton camp!
I Googled Susan and found out she is also an author and journalist - how cool!
Learn more about Susan here:
http://themiddleoftheinternet.com/
http://www.lulu.com/thedelta
Posted by: gravityeyes | December 15, 2007 6:16 PM