I saw a diary here a couple of weeks ago that argued it was 'time that Barack got angry' in order to let Americans know that he has conviction and is not afraid to show his strength. At the time I thought that was a bit overstated and that it might only play on defense.
But today Barack fought back hard at an AP press annual meeting. This is I think exactly what the doctor ordered to put 'Bittergate' in perspective: more after the fold:
Asked about the impact of the long nominating battle on the party's chances of winning the White House, he said, "I have tried to figure out how to show restraint and make sure that, during this primary contest, we're not damaging each other so badly that it's hard for us to run in November.
"Obviously, it's a little easier for me to say that, since, you know, I lead in delegates and states and popular vote."
Clinton "may not feel that she can afford to be so constrained," he said, adding at one point that she's "been deploying most of the arguments that the Republican Party will be using against me in November."
Link
This is what dozens of Kos diaries have been saying for days now about this silly 'scandal' that even Ed Rendell, campaigning along with Clinton, sees as a trivial issue that is not a game-changer for Pennsylvania.
I saw Rendell last night on CNN, not defending Barack at all, but certainly pulling his punches, and ending on a conciliatory note that he will 'Pull for Obama just as much' if he becomes the nominee. If you want my opinion on Rendell's reaction, I would say he has already resigned himself to Obama's candidacy and does not want to take the blame for Pennsylvania voting GOP in the fall.
But I am glad to see Barack come out punching now and pushing back against Clinton's ceaseless pandering and silly attacks. I would say the timing is exactly right, and sets the stage for a salty and gloves-off debate Wednesday.
(UPDATED) Streaming video with a flattering introduction
Video Link courtesy of Kreddy