Denver Showdown

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Democratic political consultant and former West Wing writer Lawrence O'Donnell has tapped out a short play about how things could go at the Democratic Party convention in August could go if there's still a close contest going on between Hillary and Barack. Which won't be the case, of course. It'll be over sometime in early to mid June. But it's good writing. It reminds me of the tone of Gore Vidal's The Best Man. The only it doesn't have are lines like "there are no ends -- only means."

Barack: Hillary, I care about two things exactly as much as you do: the party and getting the nomination.
Hillary: You mean you don’t give a shit about the party and you’d kill to get the nomination?
Barack (smiles): You wearing a wire? (beat) You know, all that ugly ink you’ve been getting all summer about destroying the party, handing the election to McCain -- there’s only one person who can make that go away. Me. That brilliant acceptance speech you’re expecting me to give can put you back where you belong—hero of the Democratic Party -- can put your husband back where he belongs -- respected statesman. Nothing else can.
Hillary: Winning can.
Barack: If you got the nomination, you’d lose to McCain and the Clintons become the official destroyers of the Democratic Party. End of story. Have fun in the Senate after that.
Hillary: C’mon, I can beat McCain. I can...
Barack: Hillary, your negative is at 49 percent. You have the highest negative of anyone who’s ever run. You cannot possibly win in November.

The best line comes at the very end when Bill comforts Hillary at the very end: "Don’t worry. McCain’ll kick his ass."