KFC (Kentucky Fried Clinton)

Certain political observers have noted that over the last few weeks Hillary Clinton has deliberately toned down her rhetoric, anticipating, it would seem, a win by Obama and the need to unite the Party in the fall. Not so last night. Speaking at her victory rally in Louisville, Sen. Clinton made it clear that Plan A is to stay in the race, slugging it out to the bitter end, and Plan B . . . well, if she has one she ain’t talkin’ about it.

She gave a cursory nod to Obama, saying that they “stood toe to toe in the struggle but saw eye to eye on uniting the party.” A mild over-statement, I would say. Hillary's toe is half way out the door, while Obama’s toe has reached that absolute majority of pledged delegates that, in a sane world, would give him the nomination.

Hillary continues to reframe the argument and search for new votes. Her original argument, that she was the most qualified, has given way to a new song, that elections have to be “fair.” By fair she means that the Florida and Michigan votes must be counted, despite the fact that they broke the rules and knew the consequences. She continues to claim the lead in the popular vote, though that lead is based on those Florida and Michigan votes.

In addition, Hillary is now following Geraldine Ferraro in claiming testosteronic prejudice. She whines that the boys are ganging up on her, and implores all women to join her in breaking through this last glass ceiling, as if this race were not about the survival of our country but about women's rights.

Tonight, when David Arculetta wins the big prize on American Idol, David Cook will have an opportunity to sing one final tune. Don’t cry for Cook, though; the show has given his career a rock thrust. He'll do just fine. Hillary should take a page from Cook's sheet music. Before Obama wins the big prize, she better lock in the tone of her final song.

a foot on either side