What must have gone through the mind of Hillary Clinton the night that Barack Obama won the Iowa Caucuses. Her inevitable crowning as the presumptive Democratic candidate was on hold. Standing on stage with a nineties reunion that included husband Bill, General Clark, and Secretary of State Albright could not have invoked much optimism in the former first lady. That she went straight on to New Hampshire (without any sleep) and fought hard for the next five days and eked out a surprising victory still could not prepare her for the week ahead.
After squaring the victories at one each, Hillary still had to endure a spat of big time endorsements of her Illinois rival, led by the party's last nominee, John Kerry. Then in a further punch to the gut, the all encompassing Culinary Union, came out publicly for Obama. The Union controlled Las Vegas caucus voting in nine big casinos and was sure to put all of its collective muscle against Mrs. Clinton.
Things got down and dirty in Nevada as Black vs. Hispanic supporters and arguments over the machinations of caucus procedures dominated the headlines. In New Hampshire, Clinton showed a softer side. In Vegas, with a little help from Bill, Clinton showed she could fight as she pulled another victory away from her opponent.
A veteran of all types of political wars, Hillary Clinton is not one to be scared. When all seems to be against her, she reaches within to find new ways to strike her enemies, and get what she wants. Two victories in a row, perhaps against all odds, must be striking fear in Obama's campaign lieutenants.
In one week, Dems will vote in South Carolina. This might be the one and only change for African-Americans to fully support one of their own. This has to be an Obama win. But Clinton will try to make the election as close as possible. She went straight from Vegas to Harlem, where she will speak at Abyssinian Baptist,one of the more famous black churches. Winning some; perhaps losing some - Clinton is truly running a national campaign where no constituency is left behind.
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