Hillary to Run Against Obama in 2012, But Meanwhile "Out of Sight, Out of Mind"

It is commonly said, "Out of sight, out of mind." However, one also often hears "Absence makes the heart grown fonder." Which of these two contrary truisms best characterizes Obama's attitude toward Hillary? Clearly the former: Obama prefers to keep her "Out of sight, out of mind" vis-à-vis the general electorate.

While Obama wrestles this week with his generals' demands for higher troop levels in Afghanistan, Hillary is off on a whirlwind magical mystery tour, which, inter alia, includes a visit to Kazan, Russia, to discuss interfaith cooperation, and to watch a signing ceremony in Zurich, marking the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia following Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh some 16 years ago. What could possibly be more important? Certainly not U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan.

Will Hillary run against Obama in 2012 if she senses that he's vulnerable? Count on it. She won't forget this trip to Kazan anytime soon.

But will Obama be vulnerable in 2012? It's still early, but Americans are getting wise to him, and Axelrod knows it. Note the recent skit on Saturday Night Live.

Note also that although his approval ratings, after plummeting, have now stabilized, it was recently reported that among U.S. Jews, who were some of his staunchest supporters, his approval ratings have fallen dramatically (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1119449.html). Response: Blame Israeli incitement (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1119819.html). Obama is still busy doing what he does best, i.e. campaigning, rather than governing.

The Nobel Peace Prize after ten months of accomplishing nothing? The award's prestige has been immeasurably cheapened. However, I am very much in favor of nominating Obama for the "Best Actor" Oscar in 2010. He hasn't yet appeared in a movie? Why should that possibly matter given his innate talent and potential?

My bet: In 2012 the U.S. electorate, after being smacked in the face by reality, will be asked to chose between two additional conflicting truisms: "Turn the other cheek", or, "Slap me once, shame on you; slap me twice, shame on me."