Clinton stooge falls on sword

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A top campaign adviser to Hillary Rodham Clinton resigned Thursday, a day after suggesting Democrats should be wary of nominating Barack Obama because his teenage drug use could make it hard for him to win the presidency.

Clinton herself apologized to Obama as they waited to fly to Iowa for a debate.

Bill Shaheen, a national co-chairman for Clinton and a prominent New Hampshire political figure, had raised the issue during a Wednesday interview, published on washingtonpost.com.

"I made a mistake and in light of what happened, I have made the personal decision that I will step down as the co-chair of the Hillary for President campaign," Shaheen said in a statement released by the campaign Thursday. "This election is too important, and we must all get back to electing the best qualified candidate who has the record of making change happen in this country. That candidate is Hillary Clinton."

Shaheen, an attorney and veteran organizer, had said much of Obama's background is unknown and could be a problem in November 2008 if he is the Democratic nominee. He said Republicans would work hard to discover new aspects of Obama's admittedly spotty youth.

"It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?'" said Shaheen, whose wife, Jeanne, is a former New Hampshire governor and is running for the U.S. Senate next year.

Does anyone out there think that the highest levels of the Clinton campaign weren't behind Shaheen's trial balloon? Anybody out there think that control freak Hillary didn't personally sign off on what Shaheen said?

Didn't think so.

The fact that a vicious personal attack on an opponent backfired in this way is the most serious threat to her candidacy that Mrs. Clinton has faced to date.

The Clintons are what they are and the lie and the smear are their most effective and beloved tools in a political fight. What is she going to do if she is unable to use them? She does not have the kind of personality that makes people like her and want to support her on simple trust. She doesn't have a political program that impresses anyone who isn't already a moonbat or a deadbeat.

The voters are paying attention. Very few people like Hillary even in her party. All it is going to take is one early primary loss to strip her of her aura of invincibility and then "the falling camel will attract many knives" (old Arab saying).

BTY, I know you didn't need the mental picture that came with talk about stripping Hillary, sorry.