Democratic primary, Michigan and Florida

I've pretty much stayed out of blogging about the Democratic primary. I didn't have strong feelings about Obama or Clinton (I supported Edwards) but leaned Clinton. At this point though I'm not sure how a reasonable and rational person can look at the behavior of Hillary Clinton and find it to be anything but outrageous and destructive to the Party and the nation.

In particular her insistence that Michigan and Florida's delegates must be seated. Jon Chait has a good right up here on the whole mess.

This gambit by Clinton is simply an attempt to steal the nomination. It's obviously not going to work, because Democratic superdelegates don't want to commit suicide. But this episode is very revealing about Clinton's character. I try not to make moralistic characterological judgments about politicians, because all politicians compromise their ideals in the pursuit of power. There are no angels in this business. Clinton's gambit, however, truly is breathtaking.

In the comments thread of the Chait post one of his readers helpfully points us to this press release on HillaryClinton.com from September 1, 2007. I quote it in full,

9/1/2007

Clinton Campaign Statement on the Four State Pledge

The following is a statement by Clinton Campaign Manager Patti Solis Doyle.

"We believe Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina play a unique and special role in the nominating process.

And we believe the DNC’s rules and its calendar provide the necessary structure to respect and honor that role.

Thus, we will be signing the pledge to adhere to the DNC approved nominating calendar."

It really couldn't be more clear that Hillary's gambit to seat Michigan and Florida is a craven and dishonest maneuver designed to literally steal the nomination. She didn't give a damn about those two states until the unthinkable happened and she realized her campaign was doomed without those two states. Her moralizing on this issue is nauseating as it is so obviously transparent. Her own words betray her and no one can honestly ignore them.