The Democratic Party is, again, paying the price for investing in Bill and Hillary Clinton. The Clintons (and they have long reminded us that we get two for the price of one) have been extraordinarily detrimental to the Party since Bill’s first mid-term election. The Party leadership had it’s chance to corral this selfish brigand when he got the nomination in 1992, but it was so enamored by his “rock star” persona, it chose to overlook his foibles and ride the wave of Clinton-mania - nearly to it’s destruction. And now, they have to deal with the scorched earth politics of an even more selfish rapscallion - Hillary.

When Bill rose to national prominence, his personal flaws were well known among the Party elite. It would have been wise to warn the young President-elect that he had better leave that stuff behind or suffer the hammer of Party discipline. He didn’t and they gave in, like bad parents refusing to correct an incorrigible child. For a man who is supposed to be such a political genius, Bill Clinton was about as dumb a President as… well, Jimmy Carter. Bill was just along for the ride - in more ways than one - and his laid back approach to “governance” cost the Party control of Congress for the first time in 40 years.

Monica Lewinsky (and others), Travel-Gate, Vince Foster, ignoring precursors to 9/11, Waco, Elian Gonzalez, stealing furniture from the White House, shady pardons and general ineptitude are the hallmarks of Bill Clinton’s two terms in office.

Yet, the Dems continued to bow at the alter of Bill and Hillary much like duped believers did for Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. But it didn’t stop when Bill became President Emeritus. Nope. They had to enable Hillary, the indisputable worst of the two.

As a carpet-bagger Senator from New York, she had an elected platform from which she could launch her own bid to become President. “Bid?” To her, she was President-in-waiting. Bill Richardson, appointed by Bill as UN Ambassador and Energy Secretary, pointed out that the Hillary Clinton campaign felt she was “entitled” to the Presidency. He’s not the first to say that and certainly not the first to believe it.

Now, Richardson has thrown his sombrero down in Barack Obama’s ring - a firm, loud and painful slap to both Clinton’s. Others will follow and it’s become less likely that Hillary Clinton will be the 2008 Democratic nominee for President. But if the Democrats think this will flush Billary from their system, they need to look closely at how germ-laden these two are.

Bill and Hillary Clinton think of nothing and no one beyond themselves. Not their states, their offices, their party or their country are as important to them as they are to themselves. There is little, if anything, in their collective histories to recommend otherwise. Hillary Clinton will not only carry her fight for the nomination all the way to Denver, she will destroy - or attempt to destroy - whatever or whomever she believes to be an obstacle.

This is the debris with which the Democratic Party must contend. In November, when John McCain and Barack Obama square off, the rumors, the questions, the general bad taste left in the mouths of the American voting public about Obama (courtesy Hillary), may well make it impossible for him to be elected. Doubts have already been planted (Is he ready?), negatives have been highlighted (i.e., Jeremiah Wright) and questions less than subtly raised (Tony Rezko). The table is set for McCain. Thanks, Hillary!

Because it chose star status over values, personality over country, the Democratic Party has pointed a metaphorical pistol at it’s own head. It has committed Suicide By Clinton.