[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/02/26/art.ohio.clinton.ap.jpg caption=" Supporters cheer as Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, makes a campaign stop at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It looks like some of Hillary Clinton's advisers may be avoiding the political writing on the wall.
In a terrific piece in today's Washington Post called "Team Clinton: Down, and Out of Touch", Dana Milbank writes about a breakfast held Monday with two Clinton advisers and members of the media, hich he describes as a "fascinating tour of an alternate universe."
First, one of Clinton's top advisers, Harold Ickes, talked about her campaign in a way that seemed far removed from the real-world. He said they're "on the way to locking this nomination down", that they're "on the verge of their next up cycle" and that the race is quote "tight as a tick." This is called denial.
Next came anger in the person of Clinton spokesman Phil Singer, who ripped into the media when he was asked about that photo of Barack Obama wearing Somali tribal dress. The photo first showed up on the Drudge Report, which claimed they got it from someone inside the Clinton campaign. All day yesterday there was no response to that claim from Clinton's campaign. Finally at five o'clock yesterday afternoon after the damage had been done, the Clinton campaign said they had nothing to do with releasing the picture. Singer derided the media by pointing to a sketch on Saturday Night Live.
Milbank sums it up with this, "That Clinton's spokesman is taking his cues from late-night comedy is as good an indication as any of where things stand in the onetime front-runner's campaign. To keep the press from declaring the race over before the voters of Ohio and Texas have their say next week, Clinton aides have resorted to a mixture of surreal happy talk and angry accusation."
Here’s my question to you: Is the Clinton campaign being realistic about Hillary's chances?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Vince from Lost Angeles writes:
Jack, Hillary's campaign is in so much denial, it really hurts to watch! Even if she were to win both Ohio and Texas, it would not be enough to close the pledged delegate gap. I do not understand why both she and her supporters do not see this… her ONLY hope of winning the nomination is to seat Michigan and Florida delegates and that would split the party right down the middle.
Robert writes:
I recently read that Hillary Clinton is so "focused" on her campaign, that she won't allow her staff to read negative press releases to her, stating "I don't need to hear that kind of negativity, now." Sounds like this may be the key mistake her campaign has made. She has exposed herself with this policy, as the self-absorbed demagogue she is. She just doesn't get the fact that her "birthright" to the presidency has been revoked.
Melissa writes:
Jack Cafferty, You are the biggest male chauvinist on television. Every day, without fail, your questions slam the only woman in the history of our country who has come this close to being a nominee for president of the United States. What is your problem with strong, accomplished women?
Daniel writes:
If the Clinton campaign was being realistic about this nomination, they would have planned out a campaign that went past Super Tuesday. By expecting to have the nomination wrapped up by the beginning of February and running like an incumbent, they severely misjudged what the American public wants in the next president.
Joan writes:
Ohio and Texas haven't voted yet, folks! She could "realistically" win both states. As an Obama supporter, I certainly hope he prevails but I'm not a prophet so will have to wait. If he wins, then I suspect Hillary will end her campaign for the good of the Democratic Party.
Bob writes:
This is symptomatic of the core problem of the Clinton campaign: arrogance. We are sick and tired of the smugness of Bush, the nerve of Cheney and the manipulation of Bill Clinton. This is why we have McCain, who at least comes across as a straight talker, and Obama, a breath of fresh air. Hopefully this breeze will blow through Washington and we will all be the better for it.