Brianland

This is huge news, actually.  Hillary’s dropped the negative attacks, and she’s dropped the super-delegates as an issue!

After a week of going negative didn’t work in Wisconsin, rather than coming into this debate on the offensive looking for the knock-out punch, she’s obviously changed her approach.  Rather than her “words don’t matter” and “plagiarism” sludge tossing of the past week, this was much closer to the 60 Minutes interview, even complete with her same line, “Whatever happens, I’ll be fine.”  And she ended the debate so serenely, saying, “I am honored to be here with Barack Obama, absolutely honored.”  That’s as close to a white flag as you’re going to get in politics.  And this from the No-Concession- Speech Queen.  In fact her whole last answer seemed like a campaign-ending concession speech, thanking all Americans, and praying we will go forward together.

This reminded me of the Nevada debate, when we knew it was over for John Edwards, and he just gave a magnificent performance, his best of the campaign, and it was so beautiful to see him soar and have all of us (and him) have this last performance to remember his campaign by.  And it seemed that way for Hillary Clinton tonight.  Go out on a high note, on the high road.

And the other wonderful highlight — Hillary put an end to the super-delegate talk, saying, “I think it will sort itself out.  I’m not worried about that.  We will have a unified party.”  She’s conceded the point and isn’t going to try overturn the voters’ decision.

This, and dropping the negative, are huge headlines for the party, the nation, and the world.

I’ve been saying for a couple weeks that the Clintons MUST be able to see the writing on the wall, and it’s not in their best interest to tear their party apart or their own reputations to shreds.

And I’m sure this is all driving Republicans nuts!  Here it is desperation time, and the two combatants are playing nice!  “Rats, foiled again!”

With all the shenanigans of last week, I’m so glad that seems to be over, and this is NOT going to be an ugly end to this most beautiful and historic of primary campaigns.

cross-posted to:  http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/22/249/99037/24/461704

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For one of the most historic events in American history — check out my Obama Inauguration Adventures.

For how Woodstock promoter Michael Lang used my reports in his book — check out how Obama’s Inauguration was like Woodstock.

For an account of the most jubilant night in the history of New York — check the Election Night 2008 Adventure. 

For a night in New York that started out just as joyous — check out the Election Night 2004 Adventure.

For the kind of creations that got us across the historic finish line — check out my poem and video for Where Wayward Jekylls Hyde.

For an on-the-campaign-trail adventure — check out the physical altercation I was in the middle of with Al Franken at a Howard Dean rally in ’04.

For my tribute to a great political reporter — check out my Tim Russert tribute.

For a full listing of great reporters and news sources — check out my Political Sources Primer.

For how well these sources work — check out my 2012 election predictions.

… or here’s the 2008 projections — in both, I’m over 98% correct.  😉

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Brian Hassett  — karmacoupon@gmail.com

BrianHassett.com