Have the Attacks on Obama Actually Helped Him?

I'm sure you are right that the Obama campaign wants these controversial things to come out now and not later. However, other than that, I don't see how it can help him. The one who has been helped is Hillary. If someone had assigned me the task of "Make Hillary look good!", I'd have said it was impossible. But isn't that what Obama has done?

I think you have something here. For one thing, it's not unusual for there to be a backlash from negative campaigning and attacks directed at a candidate. There's always the risk for the opponent that it will backfire whether the opponent is responsible for the attacks or not. In Obama's case, one of the criticisms against him before this Reverend Wright controversy was that he'd never experienced any kind of negative campaigning, so nobody can say THAT about him now anyway! You're so right about Americans having short memories so the Obama camp is probably actually relieved that all this stuff came out now instead of October, as you said. I must say, while so many people are complaining about how long this primary season has gone one for the Democrats the down side of the nominees being chose earlier is that there's often things left to come out later on in the form of the dreaded "October Surprise." I'm honestly no writing this as an "Obamite" or a supporter or detractor of any particular candidate but as someone who has lived through quite a few Presidential elections; I think all this could very well work to Obama's advantage because if he "survives" all these attacks and goes on to win the nomination he'll be in pretty good shape for November. I'm not making any predictions or guaranteeing anything because we all know in politics it "ain't over till it's over". Annie

i think it did help him.. after all.. good and bad publicity is still publicity. :)

I'm canadian, so maybe this isn't truly my discussion, but I do beleive that the attacks on Obama have helped him out. He's getting slandered, but he's also able to bounce back and make the best of the situation, these are the qualities a country needs in a leader. You don't want a leader no one dislikes, that's no fun. Instead, you want a leader who has enemies, but is able to quiet them down, and continue to lead.