The Triumph of Hillary

Let me say that while I've been taking a critical look at Hillary Clinton's recent statements, I'm well aware that each passing debate solidifies her hold on the Democratic nomination, particularly among conservative Democrats and independents. And I think there's a very distinct reason for that. We've been propagandized by 16 years of Rush and the right-wing noise machine to consider Clinton this divisive radical liberal feminist. Those of us paying attention knew that was never true, that her tendencies are centrist. But her command of the issues and intelligence has clearly disarmed those who thought of her as this radical polarizing figure, and her negatives have dropped. The electability argument has been taken off the table, and I think that was a major impediment for her. Many now see Hillary as someone they can rally behind, and someone battle-tested enough to go up against the Right and emerge victorious.

So her lead has grown and grown. But I do think we're reaching a tipping point. With the electability argument put aside, Democrats are starting to take a closer look at actual positions. And the lobbyist issue has revealed a vulnerability, one which Obama and Edwards are likely to hammer over the next few months. My guess is that change will win out over experience, which is why Hillary is trying to represent herself as someone who embodies both narratives and who can unify the party. We'll see if that facade is able to stay upright.