Ezra Klein's Pennsylvania postmortem explores the reality behind Sen. Clinton's adopted campaign alter ego:
Some laughed when Clinton compared herself to Rocky: She is, after all, the anointed leader of the most powerful family and political organization in Democratic politics. But the analogy appears more apt than she knew. Rocky, after all, did not beat Apollo Creed, not in that movie. Rather, at the end of his match, when he slurred "I did it!" to Adrian, he was exulting in having gone the full 15 rounds before he lost. This looks to be Clinton's strategy as well. Behind on points, she can only fight to hang on. These days, it's Clinton, more than Obama, who's reliant on the "politics of hope" -- hoping that she'll land a lucky punch, or her opponent will suffer an unexpected disqualification, or possibly be brained by an improperly secured spotlight tumbling from the arena roof. These, however, are not factors within her control. They cannot be willed into being by a disciplined campaign or a retooled message. And so Clinton must hang on, ensuring that she's positioned to take advantage of any gifts providence might see fit to send her way. ...
There is nothing wrong, of course, with winning on points. But it is an exhausting, brutal, and dangerous way to finish a match. It is, in short, the worst way for Obama to win. It is the path that will leave the media and the voters with the most questions as to his viability in the general election. This is particularly true in light of the increasingly vicious campaign Clinton is running, where every word and deed is meant to convey why Obama either can't win (his preacher, his weakness among downscale whites) or why he shouldn't (elitism, "just words," inexperience).
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--The Editors
