ELECTION 2008: It's hard to find good news...

...about the Democratic primary. There's a lot of naysayers and there's been a lot of nasty stuff said.

I rarely read the Huffington Post, but I did today after a quick link off Technorati. And I have to say that I was impressed by what I read.

Regarding Barack Obama's chances of winning and the helpfulness to him of the current primary:

Obama's big trump card in the fall election is his ability to change the electorate - to register and mobilize millions of voters who have not voted before. The long primary season has set the stage for a fall campaign that does just that. It will place dozens of new states into play. It will change the formula for winning traditional swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.

In the end, the long primary season has set the stage for what could be a transformational election that sweeps Obama into the presidency, and substantially bolsters Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.

And regarding Hillary's run:

It was clear that the 17-month campaign had taken a toll on Clinton, but at the same time has been incredibly transformative. She famously announced after winning New Hampshire that she'd found her own voice. But, in fact, she has kept finding it and refinding it -- until now, finally, she seems to be more in touch with her own message, instead of the message Mark Penn's poll numbers told her to adopt.

And in doing so, she has redefined and taken over the Clinton brand. Forget welfare reform, free-trade uber alles, and third-way DLC-economics. Since hitting her stride in Ohio, Hillary has transformed the Clinton brand into one that represents working-class Americans. Because of this, she is the Clinton who will now be most relevant to the country's future.

I see Hillary returning to the Senate with a newfound sense of purpose -- and power. With the presidency no longer in her sights -- at least for now -- she could become a commanding progressive force in the Senate....

Even though Rocky didn't win, he was ultimately seen as a triumphant figure. And that's how Hillary will be seen too. Once the disappointment fades and the cuts and bruises heal, the lasting impression will be one of glory, accomplishment, and profound impact.

Hers will have been a game-changing defeat.

We forget that Hillary is one of the smartest members of Congress, and she would have been one of very few presidents that would have qualified for the MENSA organization (Bill being another one, btw, whereas John Q. Adams may have been the smartest of all). There is a game plan in all this. People forget that 17million of us voted for her, and respect her, and adore her.

Thank you, Hillary and Barack, you have changed it all, and you will be remembered for it! (Oh, Geraldine!!!!)


PS The 6-year-old daughter of my roommate, when asked about who was running for president replied: "Hillary Clinton and .... O... O.... Obama" (you can almost hear her not try to say "Oprah"). When pressed about John McCain, she says, in all seriousness: "MOM! He lost already!" This is a big turnaround, as they were rooting for the former Senator from Tennessee because they share the same last name, but were very disappointed when ol'Fred wasn't winning on Super tuesday. I think they were taking it personally until I pointed out my last name wasn't on the ticket anywhere, nor was their mother's. That made them feel better. At least they were in the race.