I've recently come to realize that my main beef with Sen. Clinton is that she's stuck in an out-of-date mindset. She still thinks that we live in a political universe in which the Republicans get to dictate the rules of the game. For example:

• Democrats are weak on defense, and have to prove themselves worthy of being trusted to run Foreign Policy.


• Democrats are elitist, and out of touch with working class Americans.


• Democrats naively think we can ignore the constant threats from enemies around the world who want to attack our country.

Clinton is stuck thinking that in order for a Democrat to win, they have to get over these hurdles. That's why she's still in this race, in spite of her minuscule chances. Clinton can't imagine a world in which a candidate like Obama - who refuses to play by these rules - could win.

But, guess what, Clinton? This isn't 1988, or '92 or '96, or 2000, or even 2004. The rules have changed. And they're being re-written by a new generation of Democratic Party leaders like Sen. Obama. And it's the Republican party who is going to have to adapt to these new rules:

• Republicans can not be trusted on Foreign Policy. They've blown every opportunity, and they haven't even learned from their mistakes.


• Republicans are all in bed with Big Business, and they've deliberately ignored the concerns of working class Americans.


• Republicans think that living in constant fear is necessary; and that our freedom is worth bartering for a feeling of safety.