From The NY Observer
By Niall Stanage

Courage. Conviction. Constancy. These are among the most prized of political virtues. They are also qualities that opponents of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton routinely excoriate her for lacking. In recent times, criticism has been flung the Senator’s way from the left as much as the right. Almost all of it is rooted in the notion that she is a slave to expediency.

Vote for What You Believe In is the imploring and somewhat sanctimonious slogan that sits atop the Web site of Jonathan Tasini. Mr. Tasini, a labor activist of long standing but dubious efficacy, is mounting a quixotic bid to beat Mrs. Clinton for the Democratic nomination as she seeks re-election to the Senate this fall.

Mr. Tasini’s campaign is largely built around his opposition to the war in Iraq. He has castigated Mrs. Clinton for weakness on that score and for alleged complicity in various other political crimes, including the Wal-Martization of America.

Mrs. Clinton has attracted unfavorable comment from the left on other subjects too, ranging from the purported softening of her pro-choice policies to her now-incremental approach to health-care reform.
Iraq remains the dominant issue, however.

Read more Wise Guys