by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright Feb. 22, 2008
All Rights Reserved.

en. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) all but conceded the nomination to Sen. Barack Obma (D-Il.) in the Feb. 21 CNN Democratic debate at the University of Texas at Austin. There were few surprises for the much-anticipated match heading into decisive Texas and Ohio primaries on March 4. Most experts agree that if Hillary loses either primary, the nomination goes to Barack. Hillary failed to trip up Barack or make a case why the wisdom of the electorate, handing Clinton 11 consecutive losses, was fundamentally flawed. Her campaign hasn't explained why she keeps losing yet claims she's more qualified to be commander-in-chief. Exchange after exchange, Obama kept his cool and survived Hillary's barrage. “Change you can Xerox,” Hillary quipped sarcastically, deriding Barack for using lines from his good friend and national campaign chair Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

      After that nasty exchange, Hillary heard audible boos from the largely enthusiastic crowd, realizing they were witnessing history. She hit Barack with everything but the kitchen sink but couldn't make a dent. Showing grace-under-pressure, Obama proved he could gracefully take a punch, methodically making his case to Texas voters. Less than two weeks until the Texas primary, Hillary realized her days were numbered. “You know whatever happens, we're going to be fine. You know, we have strong support from our families and our friends. I just hope that we'll be able to say the same thing about the American people. And that's what this election should be about,” said Hillary, practically surrendering at the end of the debate. Most observers didn't know what to make of her philosophizing other than veiled insight that her days were numbered.

      When Hillary's spokesman Howard Wolfson e-mailed the press only minutes after the debate, it signaled urgent damage control. “What we saw in the final moments in that debate is why Hillary Clinton is the next president of the United States. Her strength, her experience, her compassion. She's tested and ready. It was the moment she retook the reins of this race and showed women and men why she is the best choice,” said Wolfson in colossal Orwellian doublespeak. Wolfson knew that Hillary telegraphed resignation and failure in the presence of a more energetic, forceful and persuasive candidate. What Hillary couldn't sell, Wolfson felt obliged to pick up the slack after it was over. Hillary and her campaign team know that it's all over, except the official tally March 4. When independents and crossover Republicans flock to the polls, they won't vote for Hillary.

      Wolfson's hyperbole tells the story of a campaign of fits-and-starts. Sold as the heir apparent and inevitable nominee, Hillary has watched the most highly priced consultants usurp the lion's share of $130 million, watching her once insurmountable lead evaporate into thin air. What looks like a dead heat today won't be close on Election Day, when independents and crossovers put in their two-cents. Basrack answered Hillary's charges about his poor qualifications, prompting speeches and ads highlighting his inexperience. Eleven consecutive loses tell the real story about whose credentials and experience voters prefer. What Wolfson spun as victory was actually quiet resignation of her failure. No one likes to admit defeat, especially the Clintons.. Hillary's concluding remarks offered a free X-ray into her admission that Barack had defeated her candidacy.

      When Hillary questioned Barack's qualifications, he pushed back with devastating effectiveness. He reminded her that he's been endorsed by every major newspaper in Texas and indeed the most prestigious papers in the U.S. “You know, the thinking is that somehow, they've been duped, and eventually they're going to see the reality of things. Well, I think they perceive reality of what's going on in Washington very clearly,” said Barack, shifting voters' attention back to Hillary's smoke-and-mirrors. Ever since Bill ran his mouth about race before South Carolina, her campaign headed south. He struck an ugly tone and turned African Americans to the polls in record numbers. While Hillary wanted more debates, the direct comparison has fueled more interest in Barack. Hillary hasn't been able to generate the same excitement and positive expectations.

      Saying how “honored” she was to be on the same stage as Barack, Hillary let Texans know that she conceded the race. Neither Hillary nor Barack can capture the requisite delegates to win the nomination outright. Regardless of the count, a win in Texas will effectively end her campaign. While Hillary equivocated as to what to do with so-called “superdelegates,” they will follow the popular vote to the candidate best suited to beat GOP presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Texas voters, like the rest of the country, are tired of the status quo, leaving only Barack as the last best hope to change Washington's toxic partisan divide. When all is said and done, Hillary did her best but fell short, confronted with the most charismatic Democratic leader since President John F. Kennedy. When Barack faces the tough choice of picking a running mate, it won't be Hillary.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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