Blood in the Water

James PInkerton of Newsday may have articulated the best reason for Democrats to think twice -- or even three times -- before handing the 2008 nomination to Hillary Clinton.

In today's column, Pinkerton reminds us of a Democratic debate in April 1988, when then-Sen. Al Gore criticized eventual nominee Michael Dukakis for the "weekend passes" that were given to convicted criminals, even murderers, in Dukakis' home state of Massachusetts.

The issue produced no mileage for Gore or any of the other Democrats in the race. Dukakis went on to win the nomination. But the Bush-Quayle campaign resurrected the issue in the fall, told voters nationwide about what Willie Horton had done, and Dukakis was roundly defeated in the general election.

Such a moment may have occurred in last week's debate, when Sen. Chris Dodd referred to the practice of issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants in Clinton's home state of New York. Dodd called Clinton's position supporting New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer "troublesome."

Pinkerton rightfully points out that the issue won't help Democrats who hope to halt Clinton's momentum in the race for the nomination, but, as in the 1988 race, he asserts that Republicans are smelling blood in the water.

And waiting until the general election next year to use this weapon to their advantage.