How Clinton Trained Obama

Hillary Clinton should not quit the race. I made this argument last month but this time I will entertain it with a different approach. Mark Leibovich of The New York Times wrote a great piece on this perspective arguing that Obama has benefited from the Clinton rivalry.

Obama’s campaign has been tested and prepped for a challenge from McCain (if Obama is the nominee) in the Democratic Presidential nomination by Clinton. Over the past weeks many have claimed that Clinton has had a negative impact on Obama but most importantly the Democrats opportunity to take back the White House in November. The negative ramifications imposed include but are not limited to prolonging the Primary debate and weakening Obama’s chances of beating McCain. I beg to differ. Obama has been trained by the best rival in order to overcome the GOP opponent this fall.

The challenge that Clinton has posed has made Obama stronger and a more formidable candidate. Obama has held his own against Clinton, helping him prepare for what ever McCain will bring for the Presidential election. Clinton is and was not an easy candidate to compete with. Obama has been able to establish his own base and support to garner the support to edge out Clinton. Obama has learned a lot and this was all due to his opponent. I recall advice from a high school coach that recommended I always train with people that are better in skill than me in order to improve my own skills.

Clinton has legitimized the Obama campaign. For the first time in countless years, Democrats have had two strong candidates to choose from. This has caused both Clinton and Obama to work harder to attract and retain voters that they would otherwise not seek if challenged by weaker opponents. Whoever ends up with the nomination, the other will benefit from the voter support garnered due to the Primary.

The Wright Effect should be non-existent in November. Obama should benefit from the Wright issue being an issue during the Primary season then in November. This has allowed Obama and company to prepare and orchestrate an effective damage control strategy should it come up in November. The McCain camp would be foolish to bring up an non issue again in November but if they do, at least Obama will be prepared.

Obama has indeed benefited from Clintons challenge. Let’s not forget though, Clinton has done a tremendous job in order to compete with Obama. Even though she was a favorite at the beginning, Obama was the populist once the Primary season began. One may claim that Obama was the underdog but it was Clinton who had work harder to get the support and funding for her campaign. Clinton has been scrutinized and under a microscope as the presumed nominee by the media. Clinton has had to overcome many obstacles in order to stay float with Obama. Obama like McCain may have benefited from a love affair by the media. Clinton has also had to distinguish herself from the former President Clinton and shine by herself. Whatever the outcome this June, one thing is for sure . . . the Democratic nominee will be better prepared for the general election than McCain.