By Jon-Christopher Bua, Sky News political analyst

During the early days of the Cold War just mentioning the hydrogen bomb or "H" bomb had little American children ducking under their desks for cover and peering out the schoolroom window for a look at that terrible mushroom cloud.

Now the terrible term "H Bomb" means all Hillary all the time.

It has been a pattern for Senator Clinton and her campaign pit bulls to make outrageous, inflammatory and incendiary attacks against her opponent Barack Obama, deny the attacks and then twist the rhetoric in such a way as to blame him.

We did this very same thing as children seeking to put the blame on someone else for our own misdeeds.

It is a lesson Hillary's Sleaze Team learned well from the Republican Political War Machine of Richard Nixon and carried on by strategist Lee Atwater during the Bush One Campaign.

In its most recent form this method was given a new and pernicious meaning by the "Swiftboat 527 Attack Campaign" against John Kerry in 2004.

Here is the pattern: pick the strongest attribute of a candidate and that's what you attack. In the case of Kerry - his outstanding Vietnam War record.

In the case of Barack Obama - his strong religious and family ties. Then go on the attack and question his Christianity and his patriotism.

If the candidate exposes your method, you deny it vehemently and throw it back at him.

With an electoral primary schedule designed to anoint Senator Clinton on February 5 as the presumptive Democratic nominee, when things did not go her way, Team Clinton once again tried to change the rules to give her more time to win.

Hillary's latest comments made to justify why she should stay in the race with the historical reference of selecting the nominee in June, was another attempt to buy her more time with Super Delegates.

This latest unfortunate reference to the Robert F Kennedy assassination in the context of Hillary remaining in the race breaks new ground.

These latest comments are not only fatal acts of a failed and desperate campaign but a tasteless and strategically planned attempt to rip at the heart of the American psyche.

For those who knew and loved Bobby Kennedy, even after 40 years it is hard to forget the pain and anguish we felt when we first heard the news of his tragic death.

We all thought: "No, this can't be happening again, not to out late President's brother. Things like this don't happen in America."

Well it did and they do and now we are reminded of it again. Not in any respectful or thoughtful way but as a cheap and calculated effort to suggest that such a violent act may not be a remnant of our violent past.

Perhaps it is time to reflect on just how far desperation will go in any attempt to appeal to the lesser qualities of our human nature.

If being caught up in the heat of a primary campaign is an excuse for rhetoric of this kind what brand of poor and inexcusable lapses of judgement might occur when this candidate takes her seat behind the desk in the Oval Office on Day One.

Comments

[Philip Malone, Dublin 31 May 2008 11:33:30]

Hillary has taken things to a all-time low in the (supposedly) comradely contest to select the Democratic candidate. Her shrill "race to the bottom" approach towards campaigning has done her terrible damage in the Democratic movement and now serves only to weaken Obama, with little collateral benefit to her - i.e. she cannot win, no matter how nasty she gets.

All she is doing at this stage is campaigning for a McCain victory, so that she can run again in 2012. In pursuing this strategy she is "pre-testing" various attacks for the GOP - they can observe and note which mud sticks best (etc.) so that they may minimise the appearance of negative campaigning in November, with maximum benefit, by selecting carefully their targets.

Even if she gets what she wants (a McCain victory) I suspect that she will have substantially fallen from grace and be a far less attractive prospect by 2012.

[kristin 28 May 2008 10:47:34]

TED

Thank you for been so honest. I agree with your post 100% every word. I am a South African and one just has to look at the African continent to see the lack of success. Hillary Clinton will make a brilliant president. One just has to look at her backround when she was working in the legal profession. She was fair and it did not matter what colour you were.

[Marian London 27 May 2008 20:14:42]

It's no use balming others for what she said with her mouth. She must have thought about it having spoken it at other times and the fact that it bears no relation to the 'timing' she was referencing shows dishonesty and intent. Hope the smart voters will pick up on that.

[C Firsbay 27 May 2008 19:22:33]

I think Bill and Hill are the two slimiest people on the planet. He wants to run america another 8 years and has plans for Chelsea to eventually take over the big house as well with the Clinton power machine forging a legacy unto itself. 24 years of Clinton rule.

Beleiving this, I can therefore rationalize easily what their up to and it makes perfect sence.

If something dreadfull was to happen to Mr Obama, and Hillary is still running, then of course it would behoove all america to embrace her as the logical fill in. If she would have dropped out, perhaps the party would have annointed someone else as a third choice every one could rally around the flag for.

This is only one reason she is still in it.

[Marian London 27 May 2008 18:32:16]

It's really a shame and sad to see Hillary and Bill behaving the way they are. Wishing your opponent dead so you can take over is not exactly what Christianity teaches. As for Bill saying that his wife has been disrespected, they are the ones who have disrespected voters and have been arrogant by suggesting that Obama cannot win. What qualifies Hillary for President given her resume? Being a former first lady & meeting with 70 Presidents for a couple of minutes or hours and having dinner? The Clintons are creating so much bad blood among voters and dividing the party by invoking fear of opponent and inciting hatred. This is the divisive nature of the Clintons and how they polarise which most people have come to associate with them over the years. Most people like me who like the Clintons are indeed highly embarrassed for them and truly saddened.

[Ted 27 May 2008 18:16:17]

I know that Hillary Clinton will make a better president than Obama. We all know that but because of politically correct we all want a black person. I am black and a westerner. Looking around in the world, has any one seen a black president that is not corrupt. All africa and the Indies we know are corrupt. What will Obama do if he becomes president? Will he sort out the African corrupt leaders? It is time that some one takes the initiative to destroy those dictators

[Augustine Zingwe, Zimbabwe 27 May 2008 17:13:17]

The candidate who focuses on what improves the lifes of Americans and people around the world should get the opportunity for nomination as a Democratic nominee. My view is that HC has been unfairly attacking her fellow democrat.

[Patrick, Germany 27 May 2008 15:34:51]

If Hillary really gave a damned about the politics behind the eventual presidency, she would gracefully concede the nomination and declare wholehearted support for Obama. The way she keeps fighting a no-hope campaign will eventually create a rift within the democratic party which will almost guarantee another Republican President. Which I do not believe would be in the best interest of America or the rest of the world.

[Zambia 27 May 2008 14:52:10]

Hillary Clinton has simply lost it and it is unfortunate that Bill is following her footsteps

[Liam, Glasgow 27 May 2008 13:59:11]

Hillary Clinton is shrewd enough a politician to know she cannot now win the Democratic nomination so I'm at a loss as to why she is continuing to fight for it. Perhaps she just can't bear to let go of her Presidential ambitions.

[Jay 27 May 2008 12:57:27]

Obama just needs sit back now and watch her destroy her self.

[Obi Ozonzeadi 27 May 2008 12:57:27]

Hilary Clinton's latest political comment is nothing but the feeble efforts of a drowning person to cling to life instead of surrendering to a rescuers attempt.

It has nothing to do with colour, race, male or female but a desperate attempt by the campaign team to manipulate the outcome of the primary through mischevious means.

I give credit to the Obama team for always responding with Love and integrity. Americans and the world needs a leader like him to rebuild the confidence that Bush and Bliar messed.

[james amamoo 27 May 2008 11:43:32]

looking closely at what is ensuing in the united states makes me laugh! The question that l ask myself is,"do women know when to quit"?
Mrs clinton should just stop throwing funds away and rather build on her popularity for the next by using the "personal" she has invested in her campaign to help the poor and the needy!

[kathleen NC USA 27 May 2008 10:30:37]

to Janet of London: It has nothing to do with being intimidated by a woman. If she is the right woman anyone would vote for her. Hillary Clinton has represented herself as a peoples canidate. Yet she comes from the 5% of the population with the money, allienates the american people over and over again with her totally ill thought out comments. She is not the right woman for this job. If she were a man and had said these things she would not be the right person for this job. I live in this lovely country and am tired of it being run by these elite rich families that have no idea how the average american lives. what choices we have to make and what matters to us and touches our hearts.
Ms. Clintons comments about Kennedy, slamming Obamas patriotism and general clueless comments speak volumes. And it syas nothing good about her, what she has to offer this country as president, or the future we will have under her black heart.

[Carol barnes-Moon Cape Town 27 May 2008 09:38:25]

The only interests Hillary Clinton wishes to serve are her own! Her obvious disregard for other people shows a very cold and calculating woman and I feel ashamed that she's the same sex as me!! Thank goodness I'm not American - she's a disgrace to their flag.

[S. Camara 27 May 2008 09:33:26]

What is wrong with American men that they are so afraid of a woman President? They behave as if their manlihoods depend upon a woman not being in the office.
This is not a correct statement. There is no gap or rif between americans male and female. The truth is that Hillary is not the right person to look for such a high position. woman or man, amecans are looking for a morally and intelectually fit person. Hillary is not

[Colleen Banham 27 May 2008 05:55:10]

It's been stated that Hilary's Bobby Kennedy refernce was a 'an xray of a very dark soul', and I believe that too.

Her behaviour is alarmingly telling, and I truly assume that she would make one of the worst leaders of the century: I am confident she will bring shame and mayhem to American politics.

I am also concerned - very concerned at Obama's safety. He has already received numerous death threats, and Hilary has already appeared to ponder that his assasination could be politically useful.

Her vicious, unprincipled attitude reveals a morally challenged person, unfit for high office.

[Khalid 27 May 2008 05:44:34]

Sir
Whilst unreserved sympathy goes out to all and sundry affected by such acts both past and present, the one thing I admire about Senator Clinton is her will and determination surrounding what she beleives to be in the best interest of the people she wishes to serve.
Insofar as to the matter of the 'H Bomb' then I'm sure that as circa 90% of folk live with divine women, it comes as no surprise that they do at the best of times, provide many a moment to be cringed, however, as she said this was the month that that tragic event ocurred, I really can't see why it is being turned in the H Twister.
Unless America adopt politicians of such great courage [Tina Turner] then I'm afraid the tide will turn and the poodle will tell the UK, [Let's Stay Together].
I do hope sustained recovery has been bought about within the Kennedy and Carter household so as to bring the sparkle to the stripes and stars, or stars and stripes for the politcally correct amongst us!

[Guy 27 May 2008 02:28:09]

Hillary has one person to blame for her campaigns destruction - herself. I've switched from thinking she was a potentially more mature version of Obama in a lot of ways to thinking she's several lettuce short of an allotment.

Whoever suggested America was a democratic country has been looking at a different world to me for the last decade. When any one person can veto whatever they want democracy turns into an elected dictatorship.

[agachieng, Texas 26 May 2008 16:55:37]

It wasn't just a cheap-insensitive shot, given Sen Ted Kennedy had just had an unfortunate diagnosis to deal with, it was another attempt by the Clinton camp to 'win at all costs'.

[Janet-London, England 26 May 2008 16:18:18]

What is wrong with American men that they are so afraid of a woman President? They behave as if their manlihoods depend upon a woman not being in the office. Is she going to expose their inadequacies as men? Is that why they are so afraid. The solution is not to do with Hillary: it is that these men - particularly the male American media commentators - need to undergo counselling and therapy to look within themselves as the cause of their own feelings of inadequacy.

[John B Sheffield 26 May 2008 13:54:04]

This is just another example of Hillary opening her Mouth, speaking First and then thinking later - so insensitive with the current health concerns of Senator Edward Kennedy.

What amazes me yesterday she writes in one of the Sunday's explaining what she said, Hillary then goes onto still not tell the Truth, is Hillary so thick? that she does not realise we all watched and heard what she said!

During this campaign so many times Hillary has made real bad errors of judgement, this is not the way someone wanting to be Commander in Chief and hold The Highest Office should act, it is clear she is not up to the standard that is required. After this campaign does end and the way she has handled these last few weeks it makes you think what can Hillary turn to and do in politics, she is definitely not Vice President candidate standard!

[Sharon-RSA 26 May 2008 13:49:19]

Yipe Clinton is really showing her true colours now. She has lost the plot. She is the last person that America wants as their leader. I cant believe that the Americans are so narrow and small minded that they believe anything that comes out of her mouth. Did they not learn from when her husband was the president, lie after lie after lie. Americans must move to the 21st century and vote for the best person no matter the colour their skin is or their religious ties. I am ashamed that she calls herself a Methodist. We are taught to love and respect another person and not spread lies and deceit. Obama has done the right thing and ignored the petty and nasty things said about him and listened to what the people are concerned about.

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 26 May 2008 13:36:44]

I thought America was a democratic country, but it appears to to be untrue.
Surely Hillary Clinton can stay in the campagain until Obama is declared the candidate, if that is who the Democrats want. That is her "right" surely.
There have been many true and untrue things said during this 2008 campaign by all candidates of all parties, isn't that politically correct and par for the course.
Hillary Clinton in my opinion would make the best president, but it is the job of the American people to choose who they want, and not a trail by Media decision.