The Edwards Matrix

Madeline Holler — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:34:00 GMT

Think of it as the grown-up version of picking a prom date.

An Edwards supporter who doesn't know which box to check on her absentee ballot has come up with a cheat sheet to figure out which candidate she will support. She has posted the Edwards Matrix for all to see.

Problem is, the matrix is inconclusive. The mom who designed it gets all the important stuff -- Iraq, healthcare, experience, hair. But the would-be dates are still in a dead heat.

Political Nanny is looking for something definitive -- a gun to her head, marching orders, whatever you got. Clinton, Obama ... Obama, Clinton. To hell with choice. Could somebody help her decide!

Seems like Republicans are less undecided than Democrats, but there are still plenty who are (but with much less consequence, since McCain seems to be far enough ahead of the others). Apparently, we undecideds are not alone. Salon's Rebecca Traister brilliantly describes how millions of Democratic voters are feeling right this very minute. And this minute. And this one too.

Hillary Cries It Out -- Again

Madeline Holler — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:17:00 GMT

Again with the waterworks?

Hillary Clinton unloaded another round of tears, this time in Connecticut at a Yale Child Study Center event. Forced? Authentic? That's between Hillary and her God (and her campaign strategists).

According to a report, the Senator was hardly sobbing, but then ... Well, here's what happened:

Penn Rhodeen, who was introducing Clinton, began to choke up, leading Clinton's eyes to fill with tears, which she wiped out of her left eye. At the time, Rhodeen was saying how proud he was that sheepskin-coat, bell-bottom-wearing young woman he met in 1972 was now running for president.

Fine, leave her alone, you say. Remember, her husband was always up for a good cry. But Hillary's tears got huge props for her January win in New Hampshire and even though Political Nanny may have found that an overly simplistic explanation, what Clinton said when she took the microphone in Connecticut during this latest emotional moment makes all the mascara dabbing pretty suspicious:

"Well, I said I would not tear up; already we're not exactly on the path," Clinton said with emotion after the introduction.

Hmmmm, analogous to sobbing toddlers who shriek "Mommy ... I'm crying!" at their frazzled mothers. Come on, Hil ... Girl Cry rule No. 1 -- you can either publically wipe away tears or bring them up with a giggle. But not both. It's overkill. The New Hampshire tears ... well played. This Connecticut round? Too much.

This comes less than 24 hours before Super Tuesday, where she's apparently tied with Obama in loads of the states that will be voting tomorrow. Anybody else up for a good cry?

Via Wonkette

Photo: AP

Political Nanny : Connecticut

The Edwards Matrix

Hillary Cries It Out -- Again