And in fact, Hillary’s answers through the debate made this clear. She used every opportunity to focus the discussion on Obama’s connections to former Weather Underground bomber William Ayers, to Reverend Wright’s inflammatory statements, and to Obama’s offensive statements about Middle Americans being forced to cling to their religion and guns out of bitterness about the loss of jobs.

She was quick to note that this was not because she wanted to attack Obama personally but because those dastardly Republicans would do it in the general election campaign. Hillary was explicitly arguing that she had come through this brutal process before and lived to fight another day. The implication was clear: Obama isn’t ready.

There are only two possible explanations for Hillary’s continued campaign. Either she honestly believes that Obama winning the nomination would mean electoral defeat come November or she is willing to rip apart her own party and contribute to its defeat as long as their remains a chance she can return to the White House.

So she is either lying about Obama’s electability or about her dedication to the party winning in November. Of course, the answer might be both and that has to worry Democrats.

Somewhere John McCain is smiling.