I haven't said much about the actual handling of the Democratic Primary process so far other than to discuss my leanings. However, something has really irked me lately. As it became apparent that Obama had a great deal of momentum, the Clinton campaign began using "Scorch the Earth" tactics. Going negative is one thing, but what they've done is actively try to poison the well. I haven't seen "OMG SCARY MUSLIM" from them, but they're getting close.

First there was the 3AM ad, but that showed me that Obama is good at responding quickly - unlike John Kerry. So, plus for Obama. But then there was the mailer that went out where Obama's face was darkened and stretched to make him appear "more" Black. Not that there's anything wrong with being Black, but it was a dirty, underhanded appeal to racism in the markets it was sent to.

One of Obama's advisers quit after being quoted off-the-record calling Clinton "a monster." One of her staffers tried to one up that.

One Clinton aide yesterday derided Mr Obama’s victories in “boutique” caucus states rather than the hardscrabble terrain of the rustbelt, saying: “Obama has won the small caucus states with the latte-sipping crowd. They don’t need a president, they need a feeling.”

Note to 59% of Wyoming Democrats: You sip lattes and live in a "boutique" state.

(in Wyoming's caucuses today, almost 7,000 more people showed up to caucus than did in 2004, which is significant, considering only 675 people showed up then. That's over 1100% more people.)

Clinton's tactics here are reprehensible. In the general election, they do one of two things:
1) If Obama wins, they provide an unlimited supply of ammunition for the Republicans. "Even other Democrats will tell you that Barack Obama blah blah blah"

2) If Clinton wins, they provide a drawn-out continuation of the narrative that Hillary Clinton is a power-hungry bitch who has no limit to how far she will stoop to win.

She's not just hurting Obama, she's hurting herself. She's hurting the party. And, I daresay, because of that and the stakes in this election, she's literally hurting the country.

This election is not just about who gets to be the next president. Downticket races are a concern as well. Republicans are defending 23 Senate seats, fully half of which are vulnerable. Democrats have to defend 12, only one of which is considered vulnerable. The top of the ticket could greatly influence that. If McCain turns out more voters, the majority in the Senate could stay where it's at. Harry Reid might still have to give Joe Lieberman free handjobs in order to remain Majority Leader. All 435 seats are up for grabs in the House, which makes it even more important for there to be a solid turnout for the top of the ticket.

Clinton is going to burn the ground all the way to the convention. This was exciting up until now, but now it's just worrisome. I really hope that whoever's left standing at the end doesn't wind up smelling like a compost pile while McCain comes away minty-fresh.

-pb