Spin Cycle

Hillary is still running. But she's been totally downgraded the last couple of days by the Obama vs. Bush/McCain story line. Two other bad signs:

This write up from First Read about her appearances yesterday in South Dakota suggests that the campaign stops are beginning to seem a little pro forma -- while allowing that rural South Dakota may just be the kind of place where mellow is the right mood:

"Did we get off the bus at the wrong stop? Did something happen we didn't hear about as we flew a couple of hours from D.C. to South Dakota? We're on the campaign trail with Sen. Clinton, but you really have to listen very closely here at the Jones family farm in Aberdeen to hear any hint she's fighting for the Democratic nomination.

"Maybe we're getting a bit ahead of things, maybe its just the place and time, maybe its that we're all looking for clues about her intentions, but the vibe feels different. Clinton began her remarks talking about how great it is that South Dakota is going to vote, and how important those votes will be. But what followed was a detailed talk about farming and rural issues, not why she's still in the race, nor much of her usual stump speech."

Second, the Associated Press talks to a lot of members of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee, where Hillary needs a favorable ruling on Michigan and Florida to have any chance. The verdict: Ain't gonna happen:

"Sorry, Sen. Clinton. Michigan and Florida can't save your campaign. Interviews with those considering how to handle the two states' banished convention delegates found little interest in the former first lady's best-case scenario."

....."The Associated Press interviewed a third of the panel members and several other Democrats involved in the negotiations and found widespread agreement that the states must be punished for stepping out of line. If not, the members say, other states will do the same thing in four years."

Doesn't sound promising.