So Many Lines To Cross, So Little Time

This literally makes me feel sick to my stomach:

Hillary Clinton today cited the assasination of Robert F. Kennedy during the 1968 presidential campaign to explain why she was remaining in the race despite long odds.

"We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California," Clinton told the editorial board of a South Dakota newspaper. " I don't understand it," Clinton added, alluding to the calls for her to quit.

At long last, have you no sense of decency, ma'am?

I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. Dean.

By edthered at 2008-05-09
Okay, I've been keeping my metaphorical mouth shut these past two months, waiting for the Democratic primary to play itself out, because I found myself on the verge of saying some pretty harsh things about Senator Clinton, and, well, I didn't want to add to the intra-party vitriol when there was a chance she'd end up as my nominee. That, and my wife gave birth to our first child in mid-April, so I've been a bit preoccupied.

Now, however, I can no longer hold my peace. Hillary can no longer win the nomination by any means that won't tear the party apart at the seams (more than it's already been rent asunder). She just can't. Moreover, if she continues to campaign aggressively, and Obama somehow does manage to self destruct before the convention, she's just damaging her own chances of being a palatable savior to Obama's delegates, who would probably page Al Gore to report to the convention floor before handing anything to Hillary.

With her speech this past Tuesday ("Full speed on to the White House!"), Hillary has entered into Norma Desmond territory. Here are a few soundbites you can expect to hear in the near future, as this sad spectacle plays out:

County Fair Livestock Judge: Hey, I know you. You're that politician, Hillary Clinton! You used to be in politics! You used to be big!
Hillary: I am big! It's the politics that got small.
***
Hillary: They took the idols and smashed them, the Kennedys, the Clintons, the Roosevelts! And who've we got now? Some nobodies!
***
[January, 2011, Hillary attempts to convince Joe Trippi to run her 2012 campaign.]
Hillary: Here, I was going to give it to you at midnight.
Joe Trippi: Hillary, I can't take it, you've bought me enough.
Hillary: Shut up, I'm rich! I'm richer than all this new Washington trash! I've got 109 million dollars.
Joe Trippi: Keep it.
Hillary: Went on a worldwide speaking tour. I've got books on Amazon, selling, selling, selling! What's it for but to buy us anything we want!
Joe Trippi: Cut out that "us" business!
Hillary: What's the matter with you?
Joe Trippi: What right do you have to take me for granted?
Hillary: What right? Do you want me to tell you?
Joe Trippi: Has it ever occurred to you that I may have a life of my own? That there may be some candidate I'm crazy about?
Hillary: Who? Some state senator, or shuck and jive artist?
Joe Trippi: What I'm trying to say is that I'm all wrong for you. You want a Rove, somebody with dirty tricks, a real bastard!
Hillary: What you're trying to say is that you don't want me to run again. Say it. Say it!
[slaps him hard across the face]
***
[February, 2011, Hillary Clinton press conference]
Reporter: I didn't know you were planning a comeback.
Hillary: I hate that word. It's a return, a return to the millions of people who have never forgiven me for deserting the campaign.
***
Joe Trippi: Tell her, Mark. C'mon, do her that favor. Tell her there isn't going to be any inauguration. Tell her there are no superdelagate endorsements other than the ones you write. Hillary: It's not true! Mark!
Mark Penn: Madame is the greatest politician of them all.
***
Markos Moulitsas: I understand she was a terror to work with.
Robert Reich: Only toward the end. You know, a dozen press agents working overtime can do terrible things to the human spirit.
***
Hillary: And I promise you I'll never desert you again because after 2008 we'll run another campaign and another campaign. You see, this is my life! It always will be! Nothing else! Just us, the cameras, and those wonderful people out there in the dark!... All right, Mr. Dean, I'm ready for my close-up.