Clinton and the Damage Potential

Ever since Monday's primaries in both Indiana and North Carolina, the news has been awash in the story of Hillary's stubborn refusal to accept defeat and prevent further damage to the party by stepping aside now.

Here, is an article that details financial compensation if she bows out. There is even the added benefit of further support in the Senate.

But more interesting to me is the complete lack of attention paid to the damage she could do not only to her party, but to herself.

By not bowing out, Hillary runs the real risk of ostracizing herself. The Democratic party is not going to thank her for prolonging the fight into what can only be described as a scorched Earth policy. I suppose you could almost claim that she' s playing a dangerous game of brinkmanship.

"Either I enjoy the support of the Democrat party, or I burn this election to the ground."

If her party calls her on the bluff. She's screwed for the rest of her Senatorial term. And then will more than likely never get reelected to anything more than water district manager.

In the meantime, Obama enjoys support from just about everybody (saving the far-right of course). So if Hillary poisons his run, he's still in good standing (probably even better than he is now) to try again in 2012.

This whole thing feels of sweat and fear. And we may be in for a long, dark ride down with her.