Soob

I seldom delve into the ballistic environment of domestic politics. The violent undergrowth of the global phenomena that is homefront politics is simply too galvanizing. The general discussions surrounding such usually entail a great deal of teeth gnashing, profound yet hollow admonishment and resemble something like a massive no-holds-barred sumo cage match. With all that fat flying around it's hard to tell what the hell is going on much less put forth a cogent opinion.

This isn't to say that I shun our national jostle for power. Quite the contrary. It is an arena of gladiators I find fascinating. My lack of comments regarding such are born of the hubris surrounding domestic politics not the events that entail the battle for control whether it be congressional or presidential.

That said, I'm amazed at the zig-zag directions Hillary Clinton's campaign has followed. The most recent:

Hillary vows to end Iraq war

Washington - Senator Hillary Clinton vowed on Friday to end the Iraq war if she is elected president in 2008 and the war is still raging when she moves into the White House.

Clinton, criticised by core Democrats for her vote in the senate to authorise the war, is facing intense pressure about her stance on the conflict as she heads onto the presidential campaign trail.

"I want to be very clear about this: If I had been president in October 2002, I would not have started this war," she said at the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting, the first chance for the party's candidates to trade direct political blows.

"If we in congress don't end this war before January 2009, as president, I will," said the New York senator and former first lady.

And yet she voted to implement the war and has been widely against a "cut and run" policy. More:

Hillary Clinton calls Iran a threat to U.S., Israel.

Calling Iran a danger to the U.S. and one of Israel's greatest threats, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that "no option can be taken off the table" when dealing with that nation.

"U.S. policy must be clear and unequivocal: We cannot, we should not, we must not permit Iran to build or acquire nuclear weapons," Clinton told a crowd of Israel supporters. "In dealing with this threat ... no option can be taken off the table..."

Clinton, the front-runner for her party's presidential nomination, called for dialogue with foes of the United States, saying Iran "uses its influence and its revenues in the region to support terrorist elements."

"We need to use every tool at our disposal, including diplomatic and economic in addition to the threat and use of military force," she said.

Despite her new found "pacifist" approach to Iraq she maintains a decidedly hawkish approach toward Iran, incorporating the Bush mandate of "every policy on the table." Interesting.

As Obama and Edwards draw nigh it would appear Hillary is taking the tightrope approach to policy. She's alienated her far left fan base through both her initial support of the Iraq misadventure and her October adherence to a policy of "stay 'till we win." Her consequent actions seem aimed at the right leaners of the Dem party, the Indies and the Undecided with a faint prospect of converting some pissed off republicans.
Her current apparent backpedaling is intrigueing, especially in light of her Iran rhetoric. All that's left now is a McCain-ish visit to Falwells crew and maybe an appearance on the Imus program.
She's trying to cover too many bases and will likely lose out to Obama's charm and consistent "let's get along" approach or Edwards steadfast "new direction" liberal mantra in much the same fashion that Kerry succumbed to Bush. The American people smelt bullshit and chose not to step in it and she's following suit and shoveling it out in spades. The days of promising everything are over. Concrete and focused strategies are the new course of action for getting elected in a country whose populace demands specifics and is infinitely tired of the homogenous bullshit that's sustained political campaigns for the last twenty years.

Best of luck, Hill. Though I suspect you'll be shucking for a VP ticket alongside Edwards or Obama in two years.