On a conference call Friday with Hillary’s ever-more-hysterical male strategists, Slate’s John Dickerson asked exactly when she had been tested in a foreign policy crisis. After a silence long enough to knit a sweater in, as the Web site The Hotline put it, Mark Penn cited “her work on the Armed Services Committee."--Maureen Dowd, Syndicated Columnist.
Update: After winning three out of four states on "Mini-Tuesday" Hillary only managed a net gain of 12 delegates, cutting Obama's lead to 101 according to early AP reports (the Obama campaign touts only a net gain of 4). Senator Obama split the Texas delegation 61-65 in the primary. He appears to be ahead in the caucuses. Final results from the caucuses are not in due to heavy turnout. Some caucuses were chaotic scenes, and police were called to maintain order. Nevertheless her victories represent a triumph of Democratic establishment politics. Senator Clinton is focused on winning the support of party leaders--superdelegates--at the convention to overcome Obama's lead in pledged delegates. According to AP there are 350 uncommitted superdelegates. Obama is increasingly identified with the anti-war, reform wing of the party. Hillary's wins allow her to continue the campaign into the spring, but prolonging the primary battle gives Republicans a tactical advantage. They will no doubt adopt a divide and conquer strategy. Which puts Senator Obama in the unenviable position of fending off attacks on two fronts. Here is a sample of what is in store for Obama. Hillary Clinton told reporters in Fort Worth that both she and the Republican nominee John McCain offer the experience to be ready to tackle any crisis facing the country under their watch, but Barack Obama simply offers more rhetoric. “I think you'll be able to imagine many things Senator McCain will be able to say,” she said. “He’s never been the president, but he will put forth his lifetime of experience. I will put forth my lifetime of experience. Senator Obama will put forth a speech he made in 2002.” That qualifies as a low blow, dissing a fellow Democrat in favor of the Republican candidate. The truth is there is very little foreign policy difference between Hillary and John McCain, so why not vote for the real thing? Oregon, with 65 delegates, does not hold it's primary until May 20th. Oregon's Democratic primary voters may actually matter in this epic battle.