Clinton in the crosshairs at Democratic debate

Las Vegas

11.15.07 -- 3:29 PM

By AFP

Hillary Clinton enters a high-stakes debate in gambling paradise Las Vegas Thursday determined to steady her pace-setting Democratic White House campaign, after a wobbly two weeks.

The former first lady has been on the defensive since several stumbles in a previous debate played into the hands of foes Barack Obama and John Edwards, who branded her slick and unwilling to answer straight questions.

So Thursday's televised clash among the three heavyweights in Las Vegas, the venue for many a bruising title fights, has emerged as the most critical head-to-head showdown of the campaign so far.

Clinton must "remain poised, and not over-react as (the attacks) continue to pound on her," said Bruce Buchanan, professor in the department of government at the University of Texas at Austin.

She must come across as "more forthright, and less equivocating," Buchanan said.

The Democratic race is hitting fever pitch 50 days before crucial leadoff nominating contests in Iowa, which analysts say could crown Clinton as the de-facto nominee, or anoint Obama or Edwards as a genuine threat.

Clinton's campaign previewed her line of attack hours before the debate, arguing that she was the candidate that best exemplified leadership, and had the experience needed to be president in dangerous times.

"What is the most important card in this race? The leadership card," claimed Clinton strategist Mark Penn in a campaign memo.

"The voters are looking for someone who has the strength and experience to lead, and little has changed in the last few weeks outside of the massive media coverage of the attacks," Penn said, citing data from independent polls showing Clinton topped voter preferences on leadership qualities.

Penn argued that Clinton would win by a landslide against any potential Republican candidate if a general election were held now.

Former president Bill Clinton also touched on the leadership issue, drawing an implicit link between her and Obama on the issue.

"You'll see a candidate who is ready to lead from the day she steps into the Oval Office," Clinton wrote in an email message designed to draw in pre-debate campaign cash for his wife.

But the Edwards camp signalled no let-up in the attacks, focusing on claims that Clinton's campaign had been planting questions at her events, unveiling a tongue-in-cheek website "PlantsforHillary.com.

The site featured a list of "Ten Questions Plants should never ask Hillary," including "Why would you vote to give President Bush and the neocons the authority to move toward war with Iran?"

The Edwards team was referring to Clinton's vote in September for a Senate resolution calling for the designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, which critics say could prepare the path to a US military strike.

On Wednesday, Clinton tried to ease the pressure by coming out against a controversial scheme to give illegal immigrants drivers licenses, which was proposed, and then rejected by New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Her waffling answer to a question on the plan last month in Philadelphia gave her rivals an opening to accuse her of dodging tough questions and seeking to finesse positions according to the political winds.

Illinois Senator Obama is accusing Clinton of following a similar tactic in foreign policy, saying she lacks judgement on the war on Iraq and the nuclear showdown with Iran.

"She really cannot afford not to answer these questions," said Professor Audrey Haynes, an expert on negative campaign tactics at the University of Georgia.

Though Clinton still enjoys a strong lead among Democratic challengers, several recent polls suggest the race may be narrowing.

She saw that lead slip to 19 percent, in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation national survey from a previous 30 point advantage.

Two polls in the key state of New Hampshire, which traditionally holds the first presidential primary contest, showed Clinton still leading, but edging back towards the field.

In Iowa, the race is a statistical dead heat, recent polls show.

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