The Undercard

She’s No Morgenthau
By MAUREEN DOWD
Published: November 21, 2007

Hans Joachim Morgenthau was a political scientist that pioneered the use of political realism to determine foreign policy. Not to be confused with Morgan LaFey who was an Arthurian sorceress that vexed the king and wished to usurp the throne.

Today Dowd returns to her boxing metaphor, which I cataloged in my Obambi rundown yesterday. Maureen is happy to see Obama come out swinging like Rocky:

Most of the time, Barack Obama seems like he’s boxing in the wrong weight class. But Monday in Fort Dodge, Iowa, he delivered an unscripted jab that was a beaut.

Dowd quickly spreads credit for the Comeback Kid’s presidential successes to the people that were ringside besides Hillary.

And the part of the Clinton administration that worked best — the economy, stupid — was run by Robert Rubin.

But if running a great war room qualified you for president, Carville and Stephanopoulos would be leading the pack.

James Carville and George Stephanopoulos were featured in a documentary called War Room about the 1992 presidential election. NYT stablemate Frank Rich's review is here.

Dowd then falls for what Dowd Report contributor yellojkt calls Briar Patch Politics by pointing out that Bush is in Clinton's corner.

President Bush is not so enamored of Obama’s foreign policy judgment. He gave a plug to Hillary on ABC News last night, calling her a “formidable candidate,” even under pressure, who “understands the klieg lights.”

Dubya praising the Hillary just highlights who the Republicans would prefer to face in the title fight. In her zeal to deliver a knock-out punch, she instead strikes a low blow:

She brazenly borrowed Republican talking points, even though she accused John Edwards of “throwing mud” that was “right out of the Republican playbook.”

“With all due respect,” she told a crowd in Iowa. “I don’t think living in a foreign country between the ages of 6 and 10 is foreign policy experience.”

But is living in the White House between the ages of 45 and 53 foreign policy experience?

It’s rhetorical question that leaves me down for the count. While Hillary has never been a formal diplomat, you would have to think navigating the white waters of the White House affairs, foreign and domestic, would show that she has had plenty of experience in the ring.