Hillary's Hypocrisy

On May 31, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee will entertain options for seating delegations from Florida and Michigan in spite of the states' noncompliance with well-established party rules. In anticipation of the festivities, the Clinton campaign is mobilizing large-scale protests, lodging false claims of sexism at the media and invoking slavery, Jim Crow and the civil rights movement as appropriate analogues for their pursuit. To quote one former President, "This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen."

Clinton's concern for Florida and Michigan was borne of a peculiar brand of perceived necessity. While Clinton is throwing every instrument of division at any- and everyone in sight, she and her campaign well know that she stands no chance of wresting the nomination away from Obama.

"Well, you know, It's clear, this election they're having [in Michigan] is not going to count for anything," Clinton said in October 2007. Why? Because Michigan (like Florida) broke the rules and Edwards and Obama took their names off the ballot.

In May 2008, circumstances have changed. Clinton finds herself sailing down the proverbial creek without a paddle -- if only she could drag Obama along with her, then maybe, just maybe, she might have another shot in 2012. In the meantime, party and country be damned.

So when the Clinton protests air on Saturday, don't be fooled. Clinton has placed her self-interest ahead of party and country, embraced hypocrisy as a favored campaign tactic and, most regrettably, damaged her credibility beyond repair.