People know about these scandals, they're out there and have been for decades. She's winning the race, despite the fact these issues have been exhausted.
Clinton's campaigns have always shifted rapidly in her favor once republican talking points enter the fray. For the majority of Clinton's opposition, these shots are a reminder of times that were irritating for both sides of the aisle. Conservatives, moderates, and Independants, who were alive in the 1990's will tune out Sanders' if he does this. These attacks also bolster Clinton's supporters, who more or less are a silent majority. They become a very vocal majority. For people leaning Clinton, these attacks inspire sympathy.
This is true. It has always been true. Clinton has been a national public figure since 1992, despite all of these attacks she's the front runner in a race for POTUS in 2016. This wouldn't be possible if these attacks worked.
She hasn't played dirty yet, and she's eager to. Once Sanders returns fire, his time starts running out much faster.
Separately, Sanders has the Daily News to thank for probably spoiling his April 14th debate. The past 3 days have been brutal for Sanders in national and New York media. Today's cover story of the Daily News is "Bernie Sanders Sandyhook Shame". I'm not saying I agree with it, I'm just pointing it out.
The NYT has something in the works which you'll see on Sunday. It has to do with Sanders' personal finances, his income tax returns, and a potentially disqualifying fact.
In terms of this coverage, Clinton's hands are clean. Sanders can strike at her, but he'll get the blowback that comes with it.
I don't know what happens to political opponents who challenge Sanders and want to draw blood, because it hasn't happened before. It sounds like Clinton is willing to take her chances.
But I just gotta stress, personal attacks on Clinton & her character will forfeit New York. For evidence, look at Clinton's 2 senate races. Aside from landslide victories, the campaigns against her were echoes of each one of these attacks. In 2000, the GOP spent almost as much money trying to prevent her from winning a senate seat as they spent putting GWB in the White House. It will not work. It might make Sanders' core supporters happy and that's important, but he won't win many new supporters going forward. Clinton supporters will come out of silent-mode, media will cry hypocrite, undecideds and moderate conservatives will lean toward Clinton.