Clintons Still Seething Over Racist Portrayal

The Democratic primary battle ended months ago, but many in both Hillary and Bill Clinton’s circles still harbor a grudge over the way her campaign was painted as racist, Ben Smith writes in Politico. This ill will is coming back to haunt presumptive nominee Barack Obama as he grapples with the McCain campaign's suggestion he is now playing the race card.

"The Clintons or their supporters could have provided a powerful rebuttal," Smith writes of the comments last week made by John McCain's campaign manager. "Instead they were silent, and in private, some even quietly cheered." On Friday, McCain's chief strategist compared his candidate to Bill, and the Clintons "seemed to accept the analogy." (More Hillary Clinton stories.)