CNN is finally acknowledging Obama's momentum and commanding lead, but they still don't get it.
Analysis: Clinton likely didn't slow Obama's momentum
More after the jump . . .
It was one of Hillary Clinton's last chances to knock rival Barack Obama -- seemingly on a path to the Democratic nomination -- off course.
But throughout the CNN/Univision debate in Austin, Texas, on Thursday night, the New York senator struck a cautious and at times conciliatory tone toward Obama, and likely did little to blunt the momentum of a candidate who has won 11 straight contests.
At first it seems like they are trying to be objective. Great, Hillary did well in the debate but it wasn't enough to stop Obama's moment. So far so good.
It wasn't quite the love-fest of the CNN debate in Los Angeles, California, three weeks ago, but Clinton repeatedly shied away from challenging her rival, even when the debate's moderators gave her ample opportunities to do so.
The choice of words "shied away" seems to make it sound like she was attempting to take the higher road. I'm starting to have my doubts.
And Clinton clearly ended on a strong note, eloquently responding to the question about a time she had been tested with a reference to her past that drew laughter, and a poignant answer about how her problems pale in comparison to those of average voters.
It was her "Casablanca" moment, reminiscent of the legendary movie's final moment when the protagonist declared, "It doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world."
Ok, Casablanca?? That's just too over the top. Hillary is definitely an intelligent debater, and a true intellectual overall, and she definitely had a good (but possibly plagiarized) final answer, but how anyone could get Casablanca out of it, is beyond me. She just doesn't have the cadence or the presence to pull that sort of thing off.
I'm going to leave the rest for you guys to enjoy.