Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

This was not what a new breed of voters were looking for and, in fact, the "ready on day one" slogan had been used by none other than George Bush the Elder in 1988 against Michael Dukakis.  

That campaign, which plummeted to the depths with the racist Willie Horton ads masterminded by the late Lee Atwater, produced the lowest turnout among registered voters in presidential election history.

Hillary Clinton's efforts were further undermined by her husband Bill's super anxiety to return to power.  She began early by saying that he would play a prominent role in her administration.  In his acute anxiety Bill Clinton even suggested a fence mending international junket with none other than his rival in the 1992 presidential election, George Bush the Elder.

Bill Clinton's suggestion provided a doubly whammy.  George Bush 41 let it be known that he could not be a part of an effort proceeding from the apparent assumption that son George Bush 43 had gummed up the world to the point where a major patching up job was needed.  

The new waves of potential Democratic voters, along with regular progressives, were not enthused either over the prospect of former President Clinton globetrotting with New World Order and Carlyle Group insider Bush 41.  For one thing, what kind of deals would they seek to hatch?

Rather than adjust her game plan when Obama began scoring big on the issue of change, Hillary introduced a voice of experience television ad in presenting a telephone ringing at the White House at 3 a.m.  The point was hammered home time and again with the repetitious message revealing that Clinton was much better suited to answering a 3 a.m. call to confront an international crisis.

Perhaps the defining moment of the campaign occurred with the debate exchange involving Obama and Clinton in which the Illinoisan, breaking with Bush administration policy, stated that a president should be prepared to meet with leaders we don't like in the hope that a constructive and conflict averting dialogue could commence.

Hillary Clinton proceeded to put on a display that constituted bad high school drama as she delivered what sounded like a horse laugh and demeaned Obama for his naiveté in foreign affairs.  Obama then received an ovation when he delivered a famous quote from President Kennedy:  "We must never negotiate out of fear, but we must never fear to negotiate."

The New York senator's attempt to make Obama appear naïve returned as a boomerang when, after exploring Clinton's self-perceived expertise in foreign affairs, her vote on Iraq War authorization came back to haunt her.  

So did her vote on the resolution sponsored by John McCain's closest senatorial confidante, Joseph Lieberman, to label Iran's revolutionary guard as a "terrorist organization" and provide Bush with authorization to invade Iran.

The longer that Clinton sought to play an experience card that the new wave of Democrats were clearly not buying the bigger the advantage Obama enjoyed in the delegate count.  

Her latest strategy of toughening the rhetoric, rather than changing the dynamics of the race, has instead enhanced her already high negative ratings in national polls.

To quote the noted refrain from the 1992 presidential race then stated on behalf of Bill Clinton against George Bush the Elder, "It's time for you to go."  

The time has come for Hillary to go.  Will Hillary and Bill persist, overstaying in the race to where they can severely jeopardize the chances of a Democratic presidential victory in 2008?  

Only time will tell.  Should Hillary continue her scorched earth policy for much longer, however, she will find the Democratic side of the senatorial aisle to be a very cold place when she returns.