Ten straight victories for Barack Obama, including a 58% to 41% shellacking in Wisconsin, have left me feeling, well, almost sorry for Hillary Clinton. Unlike Big Bloated Bill, who I always thought lucked into the 1992 Presidency with weak competition in the Democratic primary (quick, name two other candidates — extra credit for those of you who came up with our own current AG Jerry Brown; the others were equally tough: Tom Harkin of Iowa, Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts, Bob Kerry of Nebraska, and Doug Wilder [triple credit for anyone who can name his state and office]), a sitting President (pere Bush) facing a recession and getting no love from his own party, and a third party candidate (the quirky Ross Perot) who hurt Bush more than Clinton, Hillary has unfortunately run into a smart, likable, charismatic, natural politician and leader, who connects with voters in a way she is unable to.
Ah, but then today there’s this:
Clinton Campaign Sets Up Website to Push to Change the Rules
This morning brings the news that the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, has launched a new website where they are announcing how they are officially preparing to make the case that the rules of the Democratic nomination process should be changed.
And this:
Pro-Clinton 527 Prepares For Ohio, PA and Texas
Allies of Hillary Clinton plan an expensive, stealth campaign to buttress her standing in the must-win states of Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania.
They’re canvassing Clinton donors for pledges of up to $100,000 in the hope of raising at least $10M by the end of next week. The money will be placed in the account of a political committee organized under section 527 of the tax code.
A Democrat who was briefed on the project said that Pennsylvania attorney William A. K. Titelman is leading the effort to solicit money. Titleman, who raised money for Gov. Bill Richardson’s presidential campaign, has not contributed money to Clinton. He did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.
By law, the 527 cannot coordinate its activities with the Clinton campaign, although at least one major Clinton donor with direct ties to the campaign said last night that the effort was an open secret among donors.
Ah, yes, let’s change the rules of the game after the fact, and show our commitment to the common folk by raising cash in $100,000 chunks to fund attack ads. That’s the Hillary we know and love, the Hillary driven more than anything by her sense of entitlement to the Presidency. It is sad, in a way, like the Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis is sad — the “Just Win Baby,” “Commitment to Excellence,” “35 years of public service,” “ready on day one” pose continues, but the game has passed you by. But exit gracefully? Al Davis won’t, and Hillary won’t either, even at the expense of his team, and her party.
Categories: Politics
Tags: "barack obama", "hillary clinton, Al Davis, Big Bloated Bill, democrats, election, Oakland Raiders