Less than 24 hours after she plays the "I'm being bullied" card she plays the "I'm the frontrunner, and that's why they're gunning for me" card. Of course, all the while not giving a straight answer to any questions she's asked about Iran, Torture, The Iraq war, Mukasey's confirmation, Executive Branch power, et. al.

I wonder if it's a response to Obama's interview this morning that pretty much nullified her argument that she's the "the odd man out" in the room scenario. Because his argument was reasoned "Look, I look different than everyone too, and what would the reaction be if I said that they're ganging up on me because I have a different skin color?" It nullified her "boys don't like me" argument very nicely, in an adult way.

But she's not anything if not a good politician. So she changed the rules. Again. The luxuries of being the front runner.

So while the campaign is acknowledging that yes, they were, in fact, playing the gender card, Senator Clinton is implying she's not.

Really. Trying to have your cake and eat it, too. Good luck with that strategy.

At least we're not getting headlines about how the Clinton campaign is in disarray over this. Or why this is a problem for the Democrats, and that's an improvement.

And while I'm not a huge fan of Senator Clinton, I love the "I'm a big girl and can take care of myself" theme that is underlying all of is (and that came out when she discussed the wingutty smear job of Graeme Frost)--that's one to run with.

I think that Team Clinton was either 1) testing out the "they're after me because I'm a woman" tactic during the primaries to see if it'd work during the general election, or 2) getting the "I'm a woman running for president" issue out there now, before the general election, in order to neutralize it.

Or they just screwed up.

She's quickly becoming a joke. The way to overcome that weasely debate performace is not to engage in this sort of bizzarre behavior. She really should have simply addressed each issue she dodged and evaded Tuesday night with a clear, strong reasoned, no-nonsence policy statement. If she doesn't win in Iowa what will she do, shave her head, check herself in and out of rehab and lip-sync badly in New Hampshire? I'm really disturbed that in a matter of days this has already become The Cult of Hillary Show. It even out-creeps the attitude about George Bush when he was running. There is a very dangerous sence among her supporters that she "deserves" it. That she is "owed" the White House. Hillary as President is somehow more important than a good strong person to correct the course we're on. I'm not hearing any of her supportes defending or even articulating (if that's possible) her policiy stands. Its all, "She's been preparing for this her whole life", "its her time."

In the matter of a few days she's become almost as unbearable as Britney spears. I'm sick of her.

From the AP article:

"Clinton's advisers, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss internal matters, said there is a clear and long-planned strategy to fend off attacks by accusing her male rivals of gathering against her."

I know I always believe anonymous sources, especially when they are saying something bad about their boss. Would her "advisors" really say such a thing to a reporter?

They are not piling on her because she's winning it's because she's a Republican and another losing candidate for the Democratic Party, like Kerry. Gore who while winning didn't want to win. Hillary campaigned for Nixon in 1960, voted for him in 68, Goldwater girl in 64 and was president of the Wellesley's Young Republicans. The HillBillary's[Bill; & Hillary] vowed to change the Democratic Party into a branch of the Republican Party thru the DLC[Democrats Lemming Council]. Since Hillary is Karl Rove choice for the Democratic candidate is reason enough to doubt her being a credible candidate capable of winning. She's smart, very smart and I won't vote for her or donate to the Democrats with her as a candidate. HILLARY IS CAMPAIGNING ON A PLATFORM TO CONTINUE A BUSH PRESIDENCY, their is no good reason to vote for her. She wants a war with Iran and as Tom Englehardt points she just doesn't want to "rush into war with Iran", not avoid a war with Iran.

I don't like Hillary (if I knew then what I know now) Clinton because of her great taking of money from big pharma and the defense industry and I did not appreciate her Iran Republican Guard terrorista vote for the Joe (let's bomb Iran) Lieberman's bill. She is too macho for me. BUT her first comment on the illegal immgrants and driving licenses question seemed to be the correct stance and she should have stuck to it instead of waffling. There are good reasons why people illegally in this country SHOULD have regular drivers licences..and insurance. So if one of them is in an accident there is insurance coverage and so we know who is driving and they can prove they are able to drive, and see. They also should be given health care (as should the rest of us) so we don't have illegals wandering around spreading, say, TB. They are here 12 million of them and we need to get a grip. If we'd start using biometrics on our licenses and various social security and ID cards it would be a help. The technology exists to do this.

"I wonder if it's a response to Obama's interview this morning that pretty much nullified her argument that she's the "the odd man out" in the room scenario. Because his argument was reasoned "Look, I look different than everyone too, and what would the reaction be if I said that they're ganging up on me because I have a different skin color?" It nullified her "boys don't like me" argument very nicely, in an adult way."

Interesting point, except that all 14 0f the remaining Democratic and Republican candidates aren't gunning for Senator Barack Obama, their gunning for Senator Clinton.

Why, because she's the front runner, and he's not. Or are all they gunning for her because she's the only woman in the ring?