Clinton’s Obama dilemma

GOP could portray her as representing a continuation of current administration

Hillary Clinton has distanced herself from President Barack Obama on a number of high-profile issues since starting her bid for the White House. Now, under pressure from left-leaning challenger Bernie Sanders, she is embracing him and his legacy with fervour.

That strategy could pose problems for Clinton in the long run as Republicans look for fodder to portray her as representing Obama’s third term should she win the Democratic nomination.

As she faces an unexpected challenge from Sanders in the early voting states, Clinton’s move to portray herself as an heir to Obama’s policies is aimed at courting young voters and progressives who are part of the president’s political base.

But she could be setting herself up for difficulties with a general electorate weary of the status quo.

Over and over again during a tense Democratic presidential debate on Sunday, Clinton, who served as Obama’s secretary of state for four years, played up her ties to the president and accused Sanders of undermining him. Gone were her mentions of differences with the president over Syria, trade, and immigration.

Instead, Clinton praised the Affordable Care Act, Obama’s signature health care law. She highlighted her connection to the administration’s Iran nuclear deal and lauded the White House for sending staff to Silicon Valley to discuss cybersecurity.

Clinton said she could accept Sanders’ criticism of her campaign donations - one of the Vermont senator’s favourite critiques - but wouldn’t tolerate similar criticism targeted at her former boss.

“The comments that Senator Sanders has made ... don’t just affect me, I can take that, but he’s criticised President Obama for taking donations from Wall Street. And President Obama has led our country out of the Great Recession,” she said.