Subject: Re: SOTU
From: "Begala, Paul" <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:45:07 -0500

POTUS is going too far because HRC's team is not using and directing and staffing him. You of all people know that Secretariat needs a strong jockey. 

and you're right on SOTU. Congressional leaders need to lean on BHO. I think...based on second-hand accounts...that HRC is willing. 

----- Original Message -----
From: John Podesta <[email-masked]>
To: Begala, Paul
Sent: Mon Jan 28 09:33:27 2008
Subject: Re: SOTU

re clinton, this is not just a press phenom.  real people are wincing.  granted they get their news filtered thru msm, but that's the reality and the hillary team better recognize it before it's too late.  Teddy is a huge validator that WJC went too far. On SOTU, I agree and will try to push. Seems like best strategy with O'bama is to get the cong leaders to lean on him a little.  Correct?

On 1/28/08, Begala, Paul <[email-masked]> wrote: 

	My hatred for the Clinton-bashing, hand-wringing, sanctimonious commentariat outweighs all other considerations.  It's okay for Barack's campaign to push reporters to pry into Clinton's sex life, but if Clinton says Barack is fudging his story about the war, he's a racist?  Give me a break.  It's just like family:  we can complain all we want about each other, but when outsiders do it, it's out of bounds.  And it IS patronizing to Barack to suggest the only reason people voted for him was because they were mad at Bill.  There's nothing in the data to indicate that.  Maybe they just like Obama - despite their affection for Bill, not because of any newfound animosity toward him.
	 
	That said, comparing Barack's S.C. win to Jesse's was really stupid.  They're not staffing him right, John.  He's just out there saying whatever pops into his head.  As ever, he needs more scripting; she needs less.
	 
	As for the SOTU thing, I think Barack wants to sit with Teddy.  But sitting with Hillary would be a much bigger deal.  Any support you could lend the idea would be appreciated.  It would really go a long way toward unifying the party.  

	 

________________________________

	From: John Podesta [mailto:[email-masked]] 
	Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 9:03 AM
	To: Begala, Paul
	Subject: Re: SOTU

		Good idea. Was your nose growing long today on Today?  That was rough.

	On 1/26/08, Begala, Paul <[email-masked]> wrote: 

		John,
		
		I'm pushing Barack and HRC to sit together at SOTU. Rahm is all for it, as are Pelosi & Reid. Talked to Ax; he was open but noncomittal. Both BC & HRC seem supportive - according to Doug Band and Bing, who is pushing forcefully.
		
		What do you think?  I think it would blow Bush off the front page and give the nets cutaways throughout -- so long as neither is making bunny ears behind the other's head.
		
		Paul