Hillary Spots Swift Boats On the Horizon

Team Hillary has had some heavy hitters pinch e-mailing for her the last couple days (perhaps she's busy brooding about that presumptuous, non-coronation-worthy freshman Senator stealing her fancy friends away).

Yesterday, Bill himself announced his wife's new grassroots fundraising initiative.  Today, the Ragin' Cajun stepped up to the plate to take a few proactive swings at Hillary's inevitable "swift boaters".

Dear Flip,

You want to know what we're up against in this campaign? Here's a direct quote:

"Those Swift Boat Veterans for Truth were the real heroes of the 2004 election. We at the StopHillaryPAC want to do the same thing to Hillary."

You read that right. There are people who think the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are heroes for what they did in 2004 -- and now they have their sights set on Hillary.

This week, let's show them what we're made of. With a contribution of just $100, $50, or even $25, you can help make our "One Week, One Million" drive a success.

Make a Contribution:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/oneweek

These "swift-boaters" know, like you and I do, that Hillary is the strongest candidate Democrats have. They know she's a fighter who will stand up for what's right, as she has done all her life.

And there's nothing they fear more.

But we're ready for everything they've got. Time and time again, Hillary has taken the worst attacks these people can cook up and come out a winner -- because she isn't afraid to fight.

She has the strength to respond because of the power of the people behind her. Let's show these attack dogs what we're made of. Our "One Week, One Million" campaign will send a clear message: Hillary won't back down, and we've got her back.

Make a Contribution:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/oneweek

Make no mistake about it. They want to defeat Hillary because they know what a powerful, forward-looking president she will be. They don't want her -- or you -- to have the power to get America moving forward again. This isn't about defending Hillary. It's about protecting our ability to shape America's future.

Let's talk about how we're going to make this week a success. President Clinton got us off to a great start yesterday, and we're already a more than a quarter of the way to our goal after just one day.

This campaign is a symbol of the enormous grassroots support that stands behind Hillary. Your contribution of $100, $50, or even $25 will make the difference in our "One Week, One Million" campaign.

As President Clinton wrote yesterday, Hillary is as strong as they come. And with you standing behind her, there's nothing she can't do.

Make a Contribution:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/oneweek

Sincerely,

James Carville

How do we read this?  As a reminder that some high-profile 90s era Clinton Campers are still on board, despite Mr. Geffen's outspoken criticism?  As a broad-based poisoning of the well to discount any organized criticism, no matter how valid, that may come Hillary's way?  As an attempt to paint any such critics as "swift boaters", banking on the premise that America wistfully pines for President John Kerry and blames his fellow soldiers - the bastards - for stealing the election at Karl Rove's behest?

Whatever the intended subtext, the e-mail is tough to swallow even at face value.  Carville says, "This campaign is a symbol of the enormous grassroots support that stands behind Hillary."

Kos, the unquestioned arbiter of the lefty grassroots movement, might differ.  Just today, he's slapped her not once, but twice, describing Hillary's politics as being "straight from the 'George Bush' style of leadership."

Perhaps not precisely the enormous grassroots attention she's looking for.