The Political Chase

Sound logic or Bush-think?

Time has a piece on what purportedly motivates Hillary Clinton to remain in the campaign, most of which is not logical if not downright delusional.

Clinton believes Obama’s support is largely a mirage–a bunch of true believers whose passion might help him cinch the nomination, but that may prove an insufficient bedrock for winning a general election when the spell might be broken by tough questions about national-security credentials, economic-policy plans and rich experience. She can’t stop from shaking her head in disbelief when longtime friends who are elected officials inform her that they are going to endorse Obama and were chiefly convinced by their children’s enthusiasm for his candidacy.

Put aside whether Obama can win the general election for a moment. If Hillary, or any candidate for that matter, cannot win their party’s nomination (national - not like Lieberman in CT), what reasonable logic can possibly lead that candidate to believe they can win the general election? I recognize all the arguments about what the GOP can and will throw at the Democratic nominee. But its not as if Hillary has been running a campaign for the leading lay position in her church (e.g., vestry, deacons, stewards, elders, etc.).

Clinton has thrown everything she could possibly get her hands on and I’m sure her opposition research is anything but weak. But, according to Time, she is basing her logic on yet-to-be-discovered fodder for mudslinging that would be the equivalent of a nuclear meltdown.

According to those close to her, she is hoping that as spring becomes summer, the potential for finding another skeleton or two in Obama’s closet will prove him ultimately unelectable in the fall.

That possibility exists regardless of the candidate.  It can never be completely ruled out. But how likely is it to happen if it has not been revealed after more than 15 months? Furthermore, is basing her campaign on that single possibility reflective of sound judgment?

It sounds much more like win at any cost than it does, as Time reported, "an obligation to her supporters to fight on." Worst of all, it is dangerously indicative of George Bush’s thinking.

(H/T to Greg Sargent)