First Victim Status

The primary campaign of Senator Clinton is flailing about because the contest doesn’t center on issues. It would be a challenge to find more than a modicum of difference between her and Senator Obama’s stances on taxation, immigration, economic solutions, healthcare or energy.

Thus, the foundation of her message is rooted in gender and Senator Obama’s is linked to ethnicity. Both are jockeying for the status of First Victim.

Senator Clinton portrays herself as a symbol—a gender model—whose election will free all the oppressed women. Her motto: “You can wear a skirt and not eat dirt.”

Senator Obama’s appeal is more subtle, “I am black, so don’t attack.” This message gives him a well honed edge in the conflict.

Bill and Hillary have an advantage in a take-no-prisoners contest. They are experts at digging in the mud. These two are masters of the ruthless use of surrogates to besmirch their opponents, and they can walk the line of plausible deniability shackled and blindfolded.

But the personal attacks have backfired. The party of affirmative action and diversity won’t tolerate criticism of a black person. Hillary is being hung out to dry on political correctness, the horse she intended to ride into the Oval Office.

She can’t complain because she used the same tactic to undermine her white adversaries—accusing them of ganging up on a little woman during the debates.

Once the mask of inevitability tarnished, the Clinton machine attacked Obama’s lack of experience. This is akin to a turtle comparing its speed to a snail.

Hillary’s credentials are at best vicarious. They’re based on being the wife of an ex-president. Her husband’s reputation as a serial philanderer suggests they spent little time together. It’s difficult to believe they even shared a morning cup of coffee. Her claim of experience is an empty bag.

Senator Obama is getting the free ride that Hillary expected. This darling, young man has snagged the hearts and minds of the national media and the other members of the Democrats’ leftwing constituency. Oh how they love oppressed, wealthy Harvard graduates.

But don’t be deceived. Hillary’s coronation by the Democratic Party is still on track. The majority of its members understand that Senator Obama is a long shot to win the general election. The attributes that have propelled him unto the national stage by the Democrats will be mitigated by their desire to win.

A national contender—even a black Democrat—needs more than a pretty face and great rhetoric to win the presidency. The candidate must have a substantive message and experience beyond a few months in the Senate.

The majority of Democrats, whether it’s just perception, or not, believe Senator Clinton has a better chance of winning in November, 2008. They’re not prepared to loose the election for the sake of defending the sanctity of political correctness.