Well the proof will certainly come if Hillary’s poll numbers start to move but a day in which the Left, Right and Center media and both parties are talking about her contortions and the ad is played over and over again is not a good one for Madame Hillary. If the narrative moves from “wow she’s inevitable” to “gosh, she was horrible and maybe this isn’t sewn up” then the ad is having an impact. However, it may well be that none of her challengers can actually topple her.

As for my use of the term “hapless,” I was perhaps unclear. I meant to refer to Obama’s unfocused and meandering debate performance and his failure to draw clear distinctions. Either he does not have it in him to sharply and directly take her on or he is in need of some serious coaching. Watching the tape again or re-reading the transcript is instructive. It would certainly help his cause to use some simple, declarative statements. His mush that followed her dodge on release of the Clinton papers is a prime example. It’s all very fuzzy, very word and ultimately not very effective. Hence, the current state of the race.