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Leon Panetta, Bill Clinton’s former White House chief of staff, was tasked by the Obama campaign this summer with soothing ruffled feelings and helping Hillary loyalists to get over their sense of loss. It has been a demanding assignment.

“There is a sense of entitlement that almost seems to be inbred,” Panetta said. “They are convinced Hillary is the one who should be assuming the mantle and it’s tough to crack that.”

Regarding the prime-time speaking slots for the Clintons and the roll-call:

“It’s not something that I would have recommended, but they’re trying to bend over backwards as far as they can to accommodate her,” said Panetta. “I’m a little disturbed that this keeps playing out.”

Now, I want to take a moment to set up this next piece. Lynn Forester, aka Lady de Rothschild, is married to Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, the 'former chairman of the family firm, NM Rothschild.' They are worth billions of dollars. When they were married, they spent the night of their wedding dinner sleeping as guests of the Clintons in the Lincoln Bedroom in the White House. I really don't think it is possible to be more of an elite than the Rothschilds. So, the irony of this next comment is almost thermonuclear in its incandescence.

“I think the roll-call will be a cathartic moment,” said [Lady de] Rothschild. “There will be a lot of people who will say, ‘Oh, what might have been’ and will vote for Obama but there will be a lot of tears.”

The roll-call will not be enough to bring Rothschild back into the fold, however. “We’re not going to win by pretending problems with Barack Obama don’t exist. He has a huge problem connecting with ordinary Americans, who think, ‘He doesn’t understand me.’ He is not modest; he is arrogant. He radiates elitism.”

I'm not going to get into internal polling numbers that disprove the Lady's point. What's most shocking is that she would accuse a man with Barack Obama's background of 'radiating elitism.' She married into billions, and he fought his way to the top of the meritocracy through hard work and perseverance. I love this next bit:

She also resents a lack of effort to pay off Clinton’s $20m campaign debt. “He has provided her with a pittance compared to what the Clintons have given Obama,” Rothschild said. “Her debt could have been cleared within 10 days. It’s ungracious.”

Lady Rothschild could pay off Hillary's debt by cutting her weekly allowance in half for a month or two. And who is she calling ungracious?

Rothschild has not yet made up her mind. “I haven’t ruled out voting for McCain,” she said. “I like him a lot.” She is waiting to see who Obama picks as his running mate and has her heart set on Clinton.

Considering how much money the Rothschilds stand to gain from lower marginal personal income taxes, lower capital gains taxes, lower taxes on dividends, lower estate taxes, and less banking oversight, it's no surprise that they would consider voting for John McCain. I think there are a lot of people in the Rothschilds' circle of friends that would never vote for a real progressive Democrat. If they don't feel like they already own you, they do not want to see you take power. So it goes.

I can't wait to get this stupid convention behind us.