Clinton Attacks Obama's 'Present' Votes

Conventional wisdom says don't go negative in Iowa. Four years ago, Howard Dean and Dick Gephardt sniped their way out of the top two positions in the pre-election polls and John Kerry, who had been polling in fourth place surged to the top. No one seriously challenged Kerry after Iowa.

Four years later, the national front runners in the Democratic race--Hillary Clinton and Brack Obama--are again opening fire on each other, risking leaving the door open for John Edwards, who has recently toned down attacks on Clinton.

The latest punch thrown in the battle between Clinton and Obama comes in the form of two Web sites designed to portray Obama as all talk and little action.From ABC News:

ABC News has learned that the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., has registered the names of two Web sites with the express goal of attacking her chief rival, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

It's the first time this election cycle a presidential campaign has launched a Web site with the express purpose of of launching serious criticisms on a rival.

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The names of the websites--Votingpresent.com and Votingpresent.org--reflect several votes on controversial issues made by Obama as an Illinois state senator. The implication is that Obama cowardly protected himself politically by avoiding going on the record. The New York Times looked at Obama's present votes today.

The Clinton campaign has been accused of using surrogates such as the national co-chair of her campaign Bill Shaheen and former Senator and 9/11 Commissioner Bob Kerrey. Shaheen resigned after suggesting voters ask Obama if he ever sold drugs. Kerrey drew criticism for comments perceived to be a premeditated, backhand compliments meant to reinforce discredited, fringe attacks on Obama's heritage and religion. A whisper campaign accusing Obama of being a Manchurian candidate of Islamic origin has circulated for over a year now.

Kerrey sent a letter to Obama apologizing for the remarks and assuring Obama that his intentions were sincere.

Earlier this month, David Corn wrote about the enmity toward Obama felt by the Clinton camp. He characterizes it as going far beyond political rivalry to outright hatred.

Aware of the perils of negative campaigning in Iowa and elsewhere, Clinton's campaign quietly introduced a web site called Attacktimeline.com, which logs public criticism from Obama and Edwards in an attempt to show that they started the food fight.

The latest Quad City Times poll shows Obama surging to a nine point lead over both Edwards and Clinton.