UPDATE 2 - Clinton's Wright gamble: Knock down Obama or face blowback

(Cross-posted at MyDD.)

Today, we get a report from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that quotes Hillary Clinton thusly on the matter of Reverend Wright:

"He would not have been my pastor," Clinton said. "You don't choose your family, but you choose what church you want to attend."

...

"You know, I spoke out against Don Imus (who was fired from his radio and television shows after making racially insensitive remarks), saying that hate speech was unacceptable in any setting, and I believe that," Clinton said. "I just think you have to speak out against that. You certainly have to do that, if not explicitly, then implicitly by getting up and moving."

Keep in mind that a poll taken after Obama's speech on the matter showed that most voters (69%) thought Obama did a good job explaining his relationship to Wright. The poll was taken among all voters, so we can likely assume that Obama's speech was viewed even more favorably by Democrats.

(more)

In addition, Obama's speech is among YouTube's Top Five viewed videos this month with over three million views. (As a side note, Clinton's Tuzla fib video is currently #1 in the daily rankings with nearly 700,000 views.)

The latest Gallup Daily Tracking Poll has Obama and Clinton essentially tied among Democrats. Simply put, most Dem voters like both candidates. And apart from hardcore candidate partisans we find on places like Daily Kos or MyDD, most Democrats want the bitterness and acrimony to end.

So how will Clinton's Wright gamble play among primary voters in Pennsylvania and subsequent states, and among superdelegates? Will it erode Obama's support? Or will it backfire and appear to be the last gasp of a desperate candidate?

I think the jury is still out. But I think that Clinton backers celebrating her Obama-Wright call-out may be premature in their cheering.

Update [2008-3-25 15:35:22 by Bob Johnson]:

Clinton surrogate adds to Wright pile-on; likens Wright to David Duke

Well, any doubts that about this being part of the Clinton campaign strategy are rapidly disappearing:

The Wright Stuff is coming fast and furious from Hillary and her supporters.

First Hillary criticized Obama today for not sufficiently distancing himself from the controversial pastor.

I've now learned that a member of Hillary's finance committee and a longtime ally of the Clintons has made some very explicit statements about Barack Obama's ties to his controversial minister, Jeremiah Wright, saying that it's "legitimate" to raise questions about those ties, comparing Wright to David Duke, and claiming that Obama has "used race where it suited him."

I don't know how this line of attack is going to sit with superdelegates, but I can't imagine it will be good.

Update [2008-3-25 16:38:55 by Bob Johnson]:

UPDATE 2:

Breaking from ABC:

Democratic Party Official: Clinton Pursuing 'The Tonya Harding Option'

March 25, 2008 3:44 PM

l just spoke with a Democratic Party official, who asked for anonymity so as to speak candidly, who said we in the media are all missing the point of this Democratic fight.

The delegate math is difficult for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, the official said. But it's not a question of CAN she achieve it. Of course she can, the official said.

The question is -- what will Clinton have to do in order to achieve it?

What will she have to do to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, in order to eke out her improbable victory?

She will have to "break his back," the official said. She will have to destroy Obama, make Obama completely unacceptable.

"Her securing the nomination is certainly possible - but it will require exercising the 'Tonya Harding option.'" the official said. "Is that really what we Democrats want?"

It's getting very, very ugly. I wonder when the heavyweights will step in and stop this?

As the ABC popst goes on to highlight:

It implies that Clinton is so set on ensuring that Obama doesn't get the nomination, not only is she willing to take extra-ruthless steps, but in the end neither she nor Obama win the gold.

(In this metaphor, presumably, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., would be Oksana Baiul. Does that make former President Bill Clinton Jeff Gillooly?)

Will Party powers soon step in here?