Harold and Tom certainly seem to think so. But let's not be too hasty. When Clinton was asked to respond to voters who are impressed with her experience, but still just feel more drawn to Barack Obama, she smiled, almost flirtatiously. "Well, that hurts my feelings," she said, to guffaws of laughter and applause. "But I'll try to go on. He's very likable!" It was a great, humanizing moment for her. And it appeared it would also be a moment of weakness. But then Clinton bounced back, and talked about the National Guardsmen and women in New Hampshire who have health coverage because of legislation she passed. This front-loaded primary schedule, with only 5 days between Iowa and New Hampshire, is working profoundly against Clinton, who has little time to retool her campaign. And tonight, surely, did not meet the Clinton camp's expectations. Hillary, especially toward the beginning of the evening, seemed nervous and tired. Then she was tag-teamed by a strange Edwards/Obama alliance in the health care discussion -- after all, it is Edwards and Clinton who are natural allies on that topic, since both propose universal plans that include a mandate. So far, fewer than 300,000 Democrats have registered a preference in this race. Our primary system is ridiculous. So as analysts, I hope we'll keep watching and not jump to conclusions. It's not over yet -- and it shouldn't be. --Dana Goldstein
