In an interview tonight on ABC’s Nightline, Senator Barack Obama strikes at the heart of Senator Hillary Clinton’s presidential candidacy:

“I think the fact of the matter is that Sen. Clinton is claiming basically the entire eight years of the Clinton presidency as her own, except for the stuff that didn’t work out, in which case she says she has nothing to do with it,” Obama said.

Courageously, he went on.

Referring to his relationship with his wife, Michelle, he said: “There is no doubt that Bill Clinton had faith in her and consulted with her on issues, in the same way that I would consult with Michelle, if there were issues,” Obama said. “On the other had, I don’t think Michelle would claim that she is the best qualified person to be a United States Senator by virtue of me talking to her on occasion about the work I’ve done.”

And if that weren’t enough to get him outfitted for cement shoes, check out his other body slam into New York’s Junior Senator:

“You know, we must be doing pretty well in Iowa. She wasn’t paying much attention to what I said before then.”

So, in the course of a 15 minute interview, Obama said point-blank that Hillary’s “pillow” talk with her spouse wasn’t enough to qualify her for the presidency, slashed her for not taking responsibility for her own policy failures, and reminded everyone that he’s the frontrunner now.

Not bad for a night’s work.  To Hillary’s shock, chagrin, and horror, Obama’s attacks on her are unencumbered by the Clinton-imposed “rules of engagement.”  And for the first time in its long political life, the Clinton Strike Force doesn’t have the first clue how to handle it.  Except for playground taunting akin to “I know you are, but what am I?”
Obama has the momentum.  She’s lost it.  He knows it. She knows it.

For the two scorpions in the bottle, the question is:  Who will deliver the fatal sting first?

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