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Beyond the accusations of racism and reverse-racism in the latest campaign staffer flameout is a fundamental fact -- when Clinton supporter Geraldine Ferraro's claimed that Obama's campaign success was the result of being "lucky" and black it was an accurate reflection of the Clinton campaign's state of mind.

Namely, they are a collection of excuse mongers who have unearthed every rationale possible to explain their current predicament. They have shown remarkably little accountability -- which should raise some eyebrows when it comes to passing that "commander in chief" threshold they crow about -- and continue to act as if Obama's rise to the lead in the Dem race is due to (a) a media conspiracy, (b) a delusional fan base, (c) victories in caucus and "boutique" primaries that shouldn't really count, (d) the primary process "rules" favor Obama, and (e) the excuse du jour. Ferraro's self-immolation fits this trend -- Obama is a popular consumer "concept," like a hot video game, because there is no other way to explain why the once ineveitable Clinton is behind. (it's also instructive that Ferraro now claims to be the victim of Obama's criticism -- though he had the dignity to call her remarks "ridiculous" and "wrong-headed" and said he didn't believe they were racist.)

It's amazing and I encourage readers to counter this -- when has anyone seen so many lame excuses being put forth consistently and brazenly in a serious presidential campaign? I know all about spin and sort through its various manifestations regularly but I've never seen a campaign float so many juvenile excuses about their current standing than this one. Of course, the Clintons are also performing for that ever-shrinking Superdelegate" audience to show why they should give Hillary a second look. But the SDs might also wonder whether it's wise to have a nominee who shouts the dog ate my homework in a pinch.

There are a number of reasons why Obama is closer to nomination than she is. He has managed his resources and his 50-state plan very well -- and he might end up to be the better messenger with the right message at the right time in history. Being black is no more or no less an asset than being a woman and wouldn't matter at all if Obama wasn't a good candidate. Both campaigns have made their share of mistakes and blunders. Each candidate has their strengths and weaknesses. But there is one category that Clinton definately leads over Obama -- excuses per campaign day. And it makes her campaign look easily rattled when things don't go their way. Imagine that in action in the White House.

Hillary hearts Pennsylvania
In my daily link, Andrew Romano of Newsweek sizes up Hillary and her "Working Girl"/"9 to 5" pitch to Pennsylvania voters. Read this latest of many dispatches to come from the Keystone State over the next six weeks.

(Update) Must be a slow news day at campaign HQ
I just received this release from the Obama camapign about a recent poll:

"If the election for President were held today and the choices were John McCain, the Republican, and Hillary Clinton, the Democrat for whom would you vote?
John McCain 48%
Hillary Clinton 42%
Undecided 10%

If the election for President were held today and the choices were John McCain, the Republican, and Barack Obama, the Democrat for whom would you vote?
John McCain 47%
Barack Obama 44%
Undecided 9%"

So the point is that Obama would only lose to McCain by three points while Clinton would lose by six points?