Down But Not Out?

To coin a phrase.

Here's another example, from the conservative side. How many stories even took note of Obama's vote on a Bush-backed bill to expand the government's surveillance powers?

"As good of a campaign as Obama has run," says Bull Dog Pundit, "you do wonder if he's really given any thought to the fact that he actually might become the president. How else to explain his 'No' vote on a bill that was overwhelmingly supported 67-31.

"I understand he's trying to mollify his far-left base on this, but if he does actually think the bill went to far then you should be very concerned about his ability to keep this country safe."

One commentator isn't writing off Hillary Clinton:

"No matter who wins, Hillary is going to be the nominee," says Rush Limbaugh. "Meaning: Obama could win it, but the Clintons are going to find a way to get this. It goes back to what I said yesterday. They want this. They need this more than anything in their lives! They have been planning on it, getting back to the White House. This is the Baby Boomers' last chance; the left-wing, anti-war Baby Boomers' last chance to get their arms around this country and bend it, shape it, as they want it."

Rush adds: "One of the real reasons that people aren't going to attack Obama is because he's black and nobody wants to be accused of being racist. He's going to have a free ride, and it's why Mrs. Clinton is playing kid gloves here."

But the good news for the Dems is unmistakable, says USA Today:

"The Commonwealth of Virginia hasn't gone Democratic in a presidential election since 1964. Yet when the returns were counted in the state's primary Tuesday night Democratic hopeful Barack Obama drew more votes by himself than the Republican field did combined.

"Call it the enthusiasm gap: In everything from voter turnout to campaign fundraising, Republicans are lagging in ways that could mean trouble in November."

Michelle Obama is raising her profile, with interviews on "GMA" and Larry King, and man, is she poised:

"Outspoken, strong-willed, funny, gutsy and sometimes sarcastic, Michelle Obama is playing a pivotal role in her husband's campaign as it builds on a series of successes, including a sweep on Tuesday of contests in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

"Her personal style -- forthright, comfortable in the trenches, and often more blunt than Mr. Obama -- plays well with a broad swath of the electorate and has given the campaign a steelier edge while allowing Mr. Obama to stay largely above it all."

How does the GOP's Mr. Presumptive deal with the Obama wave? "Expect to hear McCain repeatedly dismiss Obama's platitudes on 'hope' and get him into a debate on specific policies" says Captain Ed. "Obama will lose that fight, but if he doesn't engage McCain, he'll look like an empty suit. McCain has a lot more time to focus on Obama than the reverse, and he can do some damage to Obama's momentum among independents while Obama tries to finish off Hillary Clinton."

Mark McKinnon, the Bush media adviser who has helped shape McCain's message, is dropping out because . . . he doesn't want to criticize Obama!

McCain to bloggers: "Listen, I'll never forget you. You were the only guys who would listen to me for a couple of months. Do you think I'd ever forget you?"

What about Mike Huckabee, who was shut out in the Potomac primaries? National Review's Byron York has the dope:

"Inside the Huckabee camp these days, there is a distinct sense of pragmatism about the campaign's prospects. The time is coming -- probably just after the March 4 primary in Texas -- when Huckabee, if he cannot produce any more victories, will leave the Republican presidential race . . .

"Huckabee can afford to keep going, he thinks he can do well in Texas, and that, as the sole recipient of votes from conservatives unhappy with McCain, his support has actually increased . . .

"Whenever he goes, Huckabee will leave with a stature far higher than when he began the race. He is now a national figure in GOP politics, widely admired as the best natural campaigner in the 2008 field. Good, and perhaps even greater, things await. And it is unlikely that Huckabee wants to do anything in the last days of his campaign to diminish all the gains he has made."

As he himself says, what else has he got to do?

Actually, this: Give a paid speech in the Cayman Islands this weekend. No delegates there, I think.

Finally, I serve up everything you ever wanted to know about Chris Matthews and his approach to politics.