Spin Cycle

Any argument Hillary Clinton has for taking the nomination away from Obama based on electability will be based on the assertion that she can win back African-American votes in the fall.

In that light, Bill Clinton's claim on Monday that Obama played the race card on him -- and then Clinton's subsequent effort to deny that he said it, even though it was on tape -- is important. Rep. James Clyburn of SC, an unaligned superdelegate and the highest ranking black in the House, called the comment "bizarre" in an interview with the NYT:

"In an interview with The New York Times late Thursday, Mr. Clyburn said Mr. Clinton’s conduct in this campaign had caused what might be an irreparable breach between Mr. Clinton and an African-American constituency that once revered him.

“ 'When he was going through his impeachment problems, it was the black community that bellied up to the bar,' Mr. Clyburn said. 'I think black folks feel strongly that this is a strange way for President Clinton to show his appreciation.'

"Mr. Clyburn added that there appeared to be an almost unanimous view among African-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Clinton were committed to doing everything they possibly could to damage Mr. Obama to a point that he could never win in the general election."

Obviously, the Clinton camp will argue that these wounds will heal by November if Hillary wins the nomination. But every time Bill Clinton steps in it again, it becomes harder, doesn't it?? And if Clyburn's comments take them off-message for a day or two in neighboring North Carolina, that won't help much, either....

Also of note: In a Politico piece, Elizabeth Drew says superdelegates have not been influenced by Pennsylvania, partly because they still see Hillary as polarizing in the fall, but also because they fear alienating the African-American vote:

"In the words of one leading Democrat, ‘The superdelegates are not going to ..... jeopardize the future of the Democratic Party for generations.’...Because the black vote can make the decisive difference in numerous congressional districts, discarding Obama could cost the Democrats numerous seats."