Hillary Clinton is hoping for an Hail Mary finish that will leave her holding the Democratic party’s presidential nomination in hand and doing a victory dance in Denver this summer.
The former First Lady needs to win both the Texas and Ohio primaries somewhere in the 60 percentage range to remain in the game.
But Hillary, we have a problem: The polls are showing the Illinois senator slightly ahead in the Lone Star state and the New York senator’s lead steadily shrinking in the Buckeye state.
Time is running out as big Mo’ runs with Barack.
In closing last week’s debate in Texas, Hillary seemed to be politically punting. "I am honored to be here with Barack Obama. I am absolutely honored," she said. "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."
The day after the Austin debate, a friend of mine, who is a Hillite, got this e-mail from James Carville, the Democratic political consultant whose moniker is the Ragin' Cajun:
Dear J---- K----,
You know why I am always calling my friends at the DSCC before I go on the air? Because if you don't have all the facts, you look awfully foolish.
The DSCC seems to know all the outrageous things Republicans do in every Senate race out there. After a ten-minute phone call, I end up madder than ever.
But you know what they say: Don't get mad, get even. And the best way to get even is with the facts and the truth on your side. So now, the DSCC is going to send regular updates with the absolute latest news about every Senate race.
It's called "The Rant" which I think is perfect because there is plenty in here that gets me fired up. I had to send it on to you, because I know you'll just love it.
Sincerely,
James Carville
After receiving the email from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, my friend forwarded it me with this brief note: Interesting and a sign of the times. There is absolutely no mention of Hillary. I think that she is done and her conciliatory manner toward Barack was the tipoff.
I give up. You win!
But not so fast. Hillary’s latest campaign ploy looks like foul play.
A photo of Barack in a turban is being e-mailed out. With a lot of luck, the Clinton camp may have the picture doing to the Obama campaign what the photo of a helmeted Michael Dukakis sitting atop an M1 Abrams tank did to his presidential campaign 20 years ago. 
The traditional African-Muslim-garb flick was taken when Obama visited his father's homeland, Kenya, in 2006 and tried on some native attire. This little head fake comes from the same bag of tricks as emphasizing Obama's middle name, Hussein, implying he's a Muslim without explaining that he is Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. and a devout Christian.
The Drudge Report posted the photograph today and asserting it was being circulated by "Clinton staffers" and quoted an e-mail from an unidentified campaign aide. Drudge, a gossip and sometimes news website, did not include proof of the e-mail in the report.
The Clinton camp denies any connection.
"If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed. Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely," said Clinton Campaign Manager Maggie Williams.
"This is nothing more than an obvious and transparent attempt to distract from the serious issues confronting our country today and to attempt to create the very divisions they claim to decry."
Whoever said "politics ain't bean bag" was right--we're talking NFL here and Team Clinton just got called for roughing the passer.
Stumble It!
