The New York Times offers an articulate, but to my mind woefully shallow, endorsement of HRC today, while pundits still say Obama Barack holds a lead in South Carolina.

The big question about OB is whether he has the shield power and the "fire" power to survive the give nad take of a heated election. If he can somehow sublimate the vitriol that will be directed at him by know-nothings, bigots, and dittomongers across the nation, he'll prove he has what it takes. But HRC is ahead at present in the run for Dem nomination. The big question about her is what she has in the way of spine when real political decisions are required, and whether her compassion for the nation and her compatriots is more than skin deep.

A


A