Hillary Spears / Britney Clinton

I'm in danger of developing a Hillary Clinton fixation. If she's not careful, Clinton will be the Britney Spears of politics 2008.

It's all about self-destruction. Here's what I mean:

Lately the pro-Clinton forces have complained loudly that the mainstream media have chosen to go with Barack Obama. I understand that complaint. I have noticed it too. So far Obama has gotten a free pass on his record, and reports are dominated by his oratory. Clinton's frustration is justified, except that she never complained about the fawning press she and her husband have received all these years.

And how does she expect the media to react when she treats people the way she did that MSNBC anchor who used the word "pimp" to describe how the campaign is using her adult daughter? You treat news people like that, and you expect gentle treatment in return?

Britney's self-destruction has been well-documented. Unless she turns things around, Clinton's self-destruction will be well-documented, too. And too bad for her, but senators who run unsuccessful presidential campaigns tend to be forgotten after Election Day. Old news, you know. A new sheriff in town. Who are you again?

Clinton never learned how to feed the press. She may have been too arrogant to do that dirty work herself. She always had subordinates to send. Now the circle is closing. If she can't figure out -- or admit -- why, she's not really smart enough to be president.