Once again we find the ambition of Hillary Clinton to be a main factor in the success of the GOP. Throughout the pre-primary season the mainstream media was enthralled with the idea of Hillary Clinton’s easy victory in not only the Democrat Primary but the general election. As the “candidate of inevitability” Hillary strode through the early primaries with the expectation of victory but the poise and control that would better describe a high school class presidential candidate as opposed to a candidate for President of the United States.

Yet through it all Clinton and her team showed no ability to close the deal and left the door open for a political sophomore in Obama. Sen. Obama is no more ready to preside over this nation than his hometown Chicago Cubs are ready to break their nearly-hundred year World Series drought. Both may look good from the outside but there are major flaws and a great deal working against them.

Clinton’s ego led her to believe that her victory would be secured after Super Tuesday and, therefore, she did not properly plan for a fifty state strategy. This ultimately led to her downfall in the race for delegates. However, the drive that she has displayed throughout her quest for national office will not let her fade into the night. It is this passion that will turn it around for the Republicans.

Republicans were facing major losses in the House, Senate, and a tough fight for the White House but Clinton has made it a bit closer. By staying in the race as long as she has she has aided in exposing the soft underbelly of Sen. Obama; a task that, by all accounts, would not even have been attempted b y the McCain campaign. Further, she has forced Obama in to a number of errors in judgment, made him define his policy positions much earlier than he would have liked, and brought characters into the fray such as Rev. Wright, Bill Ayres, and Rev. Pflager; all Achilles’ Heels for Obama. All of this while McCain has been able to leisurely stay above the fray and reintroduce himself to the American people.

Now that the primary season is completed Hillary is still reluctant to end her bid for the Democrat nomination. By dividing the Democrat constituencies of blacks and women, Clinton has also endangered her party’s prospect for picking up seats in the House and Senate and has all but closed the door on their presidential aspirations. Everyday she stays in, Clinton adds to the problem by diminishing the time that the Democrats have to reconcile and essentially “kiss and make up.”

The pipe dream of an Obama-Clinton dream ticket is the only saving grace that the Democrats have in sight. But with Bill and Hillary in the number two spot Obama would feel like Julius Caesar hanging out with Brutus and Cassius. It is simply not a smart, or safe, place to be. When the time is right you can count on the Clintons to do what is in their best interest. My advice to Obama would be to avoid Fort Marcy Park.

For his part, McCain has been a fool for giving his opponent a pass and boldly declaring that he would not be using attack ads to differentiate himself from Obama. Unfortunately, McCain has proven himself to be more concerned about decorum as opposed to victory. Thank goodness for talk radio and others that have made it a point to introduce us to the ilk that is associated with Obama. Foolish campaigning on McCain’s part will lead to allowing Obama to define the issues of the campaign and remain on the offensive for the better part of the allotted time. This will create a better image for Obama and allow him to excel with his oratory abilities and youthful charm.

As it stands now Hillary has been relegated to her Senate seat or possibly an appointed position in an unlikely Obama Administration (as scary as it is she may be angling for a Supreme Court appointment). Her participation has gone from the candidate of inevitability to a fly in the Democrat ointment. Howard Dean would love to broker a deal to get her out of the way but there are few signs that her candidacy will end before the Denver convention. All of this is good news for the GOP and spells doom for not only Obama but all the down ticket Democrats in the fall.

            What an exciting primary season! I am so pleased to see the Democrats fighting tooth and nail to get the right to face John McCain in the general election. Hopefully some of the good old Democrat attacks will come out and both candidates will do McCain’s dirty work. Maybe we’ll even see a “June Surprise” or two just before the convention. It’s hard to guess the repercussions of the Hillary-Barack fight but one thing is for sure, Republicans are enjoying the show!           

            In actuality the real advice for Hillary Clinton is to bow out gracefully and salvage what is left of your pride. Go back to New York and have a nice long Senate career. Be the envy of your party and allow Barack Obama to unite the Democrats heading into what will be a close general election. Show the class that is so often missing in politics. You will be a legend in your own time and will build a legacy that will be looked upon, for years to come, as the politician that is above all of the usual pomp and circumstance.

            Let’s think about the advantage that Obama would have if Hillary were to get out. With the campaign financing problems that John McCain is having (how ironic) Barack can outspend him right up until the convention. This is a chance for Obama to get out ahead of McCain and build his coalition for November.

            Barack could have the best opportunity to win that any Democrat has had since Bill Clinton ran in 1996. However, standing in his way is the Energizer Bunny of the Democrat Primary. She will keep going and going until she effectively sullies her party’s chances at victory. Democrats should be ashamed of her behavior and the effect she is having on the Presidential Race.

Someone should really have a heart to heart talk with Hillary and explain a few things. First the delegate math just doesn’t add up in her favor. Even with the Florida and Michigan delegations seated she would still going to loose. Second, she is keeping the party from uniting behind one candidate. Finally, she is making herself look too ambitious.

Maybe this responsibility should fall to Howard Dean. After all, he is the party chairman. Isn’t it his responsibility to do what is best for the party? Maybe John Kerry should step up and contact Hillary. He did come within an eyelash of being president last election cycle. He is a leader in the Democrat Party Option three is Al Gore. A Nobel Prize goes a long way to establishing credibility and an Oscar doesn’t hurt either.

In all likelihood, none of these people have the gall to take such a bold step. The fear of the Clinton Machine is just too great.

            Here is an open letter to Senator Clinton.

Dear Hillary,

            It's not over! You can still have a good run of luck. Just think, Florida and Michigan's delegates may get seated! You still hold a sizable lead in Pennsylvania! And never discount your husband's influence over the superdelegates. If all of this comes to fruition your dream of becoming the first woman President will be furthered.

            Please don't worry about your personal image or that of your party. You are the most deserving candidate on the Democrat ballot. After all, you have at least finished one term in the United States Senate. And don't forget that you have been fighting for the people for over 35 years. You are definitely more than just a speech in 2004. Remember, you are the candidate of inevitability!

            If worst comes to worst and you get to the convention with a hundred delegate deficit to overcome you can always try to recruit some more of Obama's pledged delegates. It doesn't matter what the voters decide. You deserve your shot.

   Keep up the good work.

   Very Respectfully Yours,

   Brian Iannucci