Is Clinton playing the politics of fear?

Hillary Clinton's latest Texas ad takes aim at Barack Obama's lack of national security experience, asking voters who they would want to answer the White House phone at 3am when the unthinkable has happened and the children of America are tucked up in bed sleeping.

The Obama campaign immediately responded by re-releasing an autumn ad highlighting his rival's early support for the Iraq war. It was that message that the Democratic frontrunner sought to reinforce when he was addressed the ad during a town hall meeting in Texas today.

"We've seen these ads before. They're the kind that play on peoples' fears to scare up votes," he said.

"Well it won't work this time. Because the question is not about picking up the phone. The question is - what kind of judgment will you make when you answer? We've had a red phone moment. It was the decision to invade Iraq. And Senator Clinton gave the wrong answer. George Bush gave the wrong answer. John McCain gave the wrong answer."

Clinton's ad drew comparisons with Walter Mondale's 1984 ad "Red Phone" - created, in fact, by the same ad guru, Roy Spence - and Lyndon Johnson's notorious "Daisy Girl" of 1964.

Watch the videos below and decide for yourself, then scroll down for a selection of comment from the web:

Clinton's "Children":

Obama's response:

Lyndon B. Johnson's "Daisy Girl":

Walter Mondale's "Red Phone":

AmericaBlog:

"Looks like she took the advice of leading neocon Bill Kristol lwho just this weekend suggested Clinton play the "politics of fear." That "be afraid" strategy is so 2002. It's the mindset that got us into the Iraq war in the first place -- and you recall Senator Clinton voted for Bush's war in Iraq. She also voted last September for the Iran resolution. If Clinton wants to play the fear card and bring up national security, her votes on Iraq and Iran have to be part of the discussion."

Andrew Sullivan on The Daily Dish:

"Clinton deploys her smartest ad yet. It really advertizes her inner nerd and workaholic as virtues. In many ways, I think Clinton should have emphasized her frumpy, unglamorous, but diligent side more. She could appeal in a way that Queen Elizabeth II has eventually appealed: a familiar, hard-working, uninspiring grandma who knows what she's doing and will always be cautious but smart. Alas, Clinton's boomer narcissism and fathomless self-pity mess up the picture. But as a last minute gambit, it's smart."

Ben Smith on Politico:

"Clinton is up with the scariest ad of the cycle, one that echoes, in a soft-focus way, some of President Bush's 2004 campaign spots... Whichever Democrat is nominated, they can expect harsher versions of this coming from the Republican side in the fall."

Comments

[Kevin Hunter]

There is one thing that all of these ads have in common. They are advertisments run on behalf of candidates that ultimately lost. The brilliant Hillary obviously is unaware that preying on voters with the tactics of fear doesn't work. Instead, it is the clear sign of a loser, and a poor one at that. She is looking more and more like a wounded cat in a corner, not courageous enough to simply fight on the principles of who and what she is. Her campaign is slowly fading away and all she is accomplishing at this point is to wound the successful candidate a bit in the hopes of leaving a few claw marks before her campaign licks it's wounds and dies. Good bye, Hillary. RIP.

[Kwame Mensan]

Whoever votes for Sen. Clinton based on her fear-mongering ads and speeches, lacks a sense of judgment, just like Sen. Clinton herself. There are statements that Sen. Clinton should not be making; she has been saying she has been tested and ready. I am wondering what she has been tested for exactly. Her experience as former first lady and whatever she has gone through because her husband was having sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, does not make her in any ways qualified for the White House.

Every American should know that Sen. Clinton has voted for the war in Iraq. This is a bad judgment which is not going to be an isolated case. If she is elected president, it is the same bad judgment she is going to make.

Every single American who voted for G. Bush, must share the responsibility of the consequences of the Iraqi war. The wrong that was done by voting G. Bush into the White House, can be corrected by not choosing someone like Sen. Clinton who is likely to follow G. Bush's footsteps.

Sen. Obama has been unassuming. He does not say he was tested and ready but he is capable of applying the right judgment when it matters most.

I am sick and tired of Sen. Clinton who says she has experience but whose judgment on the war in Iraq has let her down big time. She should stop posing with the Army generals for photos, doing so in no ways makes her tested for the White House.

Eventually, the American people will be able to see through her. She is desperate and will use whatever methods get her the nomination.

America needs a president that can unite the American people regardless of their creed, ethnic origin, color of skin, income level or political ideology.

[Evelyn, Austin Texas]

Oh C'mon. I think the ad is not fear mongering- but a reality check. With so much emphasis on the economy right now, understandably so, national security and foreign affairs is taking a back seat right now. Yet it is so important. I think the Clinton campaign rightfully needed something to get people's attention in a simple direct way.
Because Senator Obama, as a Jr. Senator, clearly is vulnerable to Senator Clinton on this.
That's why his campaign has reacted so forcefully over this ad.

[teopa]

it makes me want to cry..... why does anyone want to envoke fear over hope? And if it works, I will be in tears for at least four years.

[tim freytag]

I find this add and approach by Hilary Clinton absolutely heartless and cold. Johnsons "Daisy Girl" add can not be used to draw any comparison. The Johnson add has heart, it is about being intelligent, aware and responsible as president with the power to press the button. Hillary's add is stating that she will fight back against a terrorist attack, a good president will solve the terror problem before it reaches home. Hillary appears to be evil as is president Bush. Enough of these types, lets get on with better times. May God Bless America, as is much said across the pond and save it from evil leaders once and for all. Because America is a super power and supposed shining example of the western world of free trade and capitalism it is a huge shame when the country fails to be a truly shining example while many western countries and eastern are following its example into a vague future. Hillary's attempt to capture the presidency here is making her look like a desperate and selfish person just as unfit to run a country as Bush. America beware of the evil ones. I look forward to the Obama days to come, America will enjoy the lightness and sensibility of this very real, grounded and sensible President who is seeking the presidency for the people and not for himself or his or her personal empire building strategy as Bush and Clinton.

[Laurence Marshall]

I think this ad is fine. I'd much rather entrust the safety and care of American and non-American children at 3 AM to President Hillary Clinton than the narcissistic whims of the inexperienced President Obama. Give Hillary eight years in the White House with Obama as vice-president, and we might even have an insured sixteen years of Democratic presidential dominance to repair this ruined country.

[Brett]

To be perfectly honest, Clinton's ad is actually kind of boring when you compare it to the "Daisy" Ad. THAT took some real balls to show on network television, although Goldwater was asking for it.

[Richard Gavelkind]

This latest advert confirms the fact that Clinton is desperate. She wouldn't give such ammo to McCain unless she absolutely had to. Think about it, come November McCain's only chance is to state the case for national security, & as a Republican war hero against Hillary Clinton (if she secured the nomination of course) he is bound to win. He can't compete on the issue which is most important to voters, the economy, because he admitted he knows nothing about it. So when McCain plays on the fears of Americans & Clinton complains he can quite legitmately say 'well, you brought it up'.

[Agatha K]

Obama is wrong. When the red phone rings...It's a Response call to a crisis. One already in motion. He has to TAKE ACTION.
Since Obama's record shows he votes mostly, 'present' on issues, instead of yes or no. How will he answer a Crisis....with a MAYBE.
He admitted he has not attended meetings of the Foreign Relations Committee council of which he is a member. They oversee the welfare of our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet he is constantly complaining about our soldiers lack of equipment in Afghanistan when he is on the committee to correct this problem.
He said he is too busy campaigning.

Will he answer the red phone AT ALL? You know your mom would....vote for a woman.

[x32792]

Hillary and Bill have played the Fear, Gender, Race, Rich v Poor, and Experience Cards. She has even cried (on cue) in their say anything, do anything attempts to capture the White House and provide America with the best non-representative, special interests fluffing government money can buy.

[Phil Day]

Shame on you Hilary Clinton!

[John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada]

"Well it won't work this time. Because the question is not about picking up the phone..."

As long as Obama can smoothly deliver responses like that, he has nothing to worry about. The man has what Americans like to call "class."

Clinton is only making herself more obnoxious with each passing day, the very quality that is her greatest weakness. She has no offsetting charm or humor.

It seems she learned a great deal from the years of school-yard bullying the pug-ugly Republicans inflicted on her.