Get to Denver

[underpants]

The strategy of the Hillary Clinton campaign seems quite clear: Get to Denver

Just hang on maybe win a few on the way to Denver and all the while sharpen the knives.

Once in Denver the Clinton’s can work their magic and considerable influence in the party. Bill is still the last Democrat to sit as President with his former wingman Gore having left the party (or at least its petty day to day dealings) for a higher calling and this fact weighs heavily with the kind of people invited to such events. The pressure and cajoling and arm twisting and calling of favors and promises will fly around and, the Hillary campaign hopes, when the smoke clears she will be the only one left standing. A destiny fulfillment and entitlement crystallized and a party ready for her to reshape.

But there is going to need to be some cutting to do.

The media won’t be a problem. They have been on board with her from the beginning and will continue to back her as the “known” quantity. The media has read their scripts spelling doom for her campaign while ignoring what they themselves had reported just a month ago: February would belong to Osama, March to Hillary. They also are ignoring that yesterday’s “comeback” was not by wide enough margins to give her any real chance of ever actually winning the required number of delegates and little mention is made of fund raising as a competition. They can’t back an unknown product just think of all the hours that would be needed to write a new narrative.

How to do this?

We are talking about another world that even fully engaged observers understand. A world in which operatives no matter how dubious - do still carry some clout. This is the world of the Bob Shrum and Terry McAuliffes. Shrum and Terry are the kind of guys that when at the gym trying to get in on a full court game will be the last two left and both existing teams will look at each other and decide to play “fours”. Terry and Shrum however either know the guy whose dad can turn off the lights or they just claim to and everyone begrudgingly agrees to let them “play” and they end up clogging up the lane (without setting picks) and continually screaming about how open they always are (their lame counterpart is guarding them). This is the world that Hillary will exploit at least that seems to be her plan.

Now the problem she faces are a three-sided whirling ball.

What to do with the Michigan and Florida delegations. Conventional wisdom, supporting their product, will become that not seating them will harm the Democrats in the general election. This flies directly in the face of America’s drama habit, which would only be highlighted by a brighter spotlight being shown on them, and the fact that 2/3 support the “super delegates” following the will of the voters. This is where Dean may play a part. Will he stand up and not seat the two “rebel” caucuses or will he acquiesce Pelosi style? THAT is where all the drama may end up. But in order to when by a nose you have to get to the finish line you have to

Get to Denver.

[brooklynite]

1. Before knocking down too many "extablishment" politicans...

...remember that most of the Superdelegates are elected officials, and many are up for re-election this Fall. Whatever their previous relationship to the Clintons (personal or political), I don't think they're going to support a candidate who's likely to turn away voters they'll need themselves.