Fatal Attraction

Here are some random thoughts as I mark time before tonight’s final (please, Lord) Democratic Primary debate.

Regarding Hillary’s last stand to gain the nomination, I can’t help thinking of the final scene in the movie Fatal Attraction. You know, where we’re pretty sure Glenn Close has drowned in the bathtub, but out of the corner of our eye we think we see an air bubble float to the top of the water. And then…SHE EXPLODES OUT OF THE WATER FOR ONE LAST ATTEMPT TO…you get the idea. In these final stages of the Democratic primary race, we’re all looking for that air bubble from Hillary. No one, including me, is willing to pronounce her politically dead. I suppose it’s the respect everyone has for the political acumen of the Clintons and their prodigious will to get where they want to go. But it kind of creeps me out.

I understand the Obama campaign is touchy about dirty pool after the “Obama is a Muslim hell bent on destroying America” e-mail was circulated by ‘rogue’ staffers of the Clinton campaign during Iowa. And the 'cocaine dealer' insinuations by Billy Shaheen. And the Jesse Jackson put down by Bill Clinton. Actually, I really understand, when you put it down in black and white. Nevertheless... it does seem as if the Obama folks doth protest a little too much about the picture of him in tribal garb. I mean, if the electorate is sophisticated enough to look beyond race, they surely understand that dignitary visits to foreign countries often include costume parties. But here’s an idea: if Obama is elected President, foreign dignitaries wearing native garb can try on a Calvin Klein suit. Moving on…

As the Politico.com reports that Obama is becoming more guarded with the press, especially compared to the ever-accessible John McCain, everyone else was reporting about candid comments that McCain tried to retract. Too late. He said he understood that failure to convince the electorate his Iraq policy was right would mean losing the election. Then he said his characterization might be a bit “stark”. Ya think? But he’s right. Iraq is the key for him. And his candor is refreshing. Unless you’re his campaign manager. Or until he says we may be in Iraq for “100 years” or that he’s not really that interested in economics. Then you start to wonder what he might say in a sensitive negotiation with North Korea or Iran.

As far as handicapping tonight's debates, I'm calling for a Bette Davis kind of evening: 'fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night'.

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