The Election Yesterday That Mattered

No, it wasn't the West Virginia Democratic primary, which changed nothing. West Virginia was a "no win" state for Clinton, for if she had a huge win there, it changed nothing and if she hadn't won by a stupendous margin, it would have blown up in her face. It may even have cost her to win, for it could be argued that her support now seems to be largely coming from the Democrats who still think that sheets are for wearing, especially when accessorized with matching dunce caps.

The election that mattered was a special election in Mississippi, to fill a House seat that had been in GOP hands for a 14 years. The Republicans did their level best to tar the Democratic candidate to "the party of Obama (that nigra [wink] [wink]) and Pelosi". They sent Dick Cheney down to spread his special message of fear and horror.

It didn't work. It wasn't even terribly close.

The Republicans, it would seem, have a problem. Their party foundations of fear and of coded racism seem to be misfiring. They can't claim to be fiscal conservatives, their record of increasing the Federal deficit by 50% speaks for itself.

Oh, this could be a fun year, indeed.

(WARNING: I thought Kerry would win in `04 and that the Republicans would keep control of the Congress in `06, so my track record isn't so hot.)

UPDATE: Dana Milbank compares the Clinton Campaign to the Monty Python "Dead Parrot" sketch.

UPDATE II: From the "No Shit, Sherlock" Department, a column in the New York Post argues that Clinton's strategy is to cripple Obama so he cannot win and so that Clinton can run again in `12. Us ignoble bloggers have been making that point for months, now.

Welcome to the party, pal.