Hillary could have been principled.
She could have used her voice as a leader of the Democratic party to calm the waters.
She could have called for a civil discussion on the real plight of small town Americans.
She could have blasted the irresponsible media for deploying the same kind of gotcha politics that she has protested for years.
She could have taken the opportunity to remind Americans what Democrats stand for.
She could have said Democrats -- not Republicans -- are the party that fights for the common man, the party that gives a voice to the voiceless over the powerful and wealthy.
She could have attacked John McCain and the Republicans for daring to call a fellow Democrat -- a sitting U.S. Senator, colleague and likely presidential nominee -- out of touch.
She could have reminded Americans that George Bush is the one out of touch with the American people with his failed war policies, tax breaks for the wealthy, corporate-sponsored environmental regulations and lack of leadership on the struggling economy.
Instead:
Hillary called Barack Obama an elitist.
She teamed up with John McCain to call Barack Obama out of touch.
She accused a fellow Democrat who came from humble beginnings of "looking down" on the American people.
She handed out "I am Not Bitter" bumper stickers to her supporters.
She distributed right-wing talking points to the media that questioned whether Obama could win the general election.
She called herself the true American.
She claimed everything is hunky-dory in small town America, that Pennsylvanians have no right to be bitter or angry and frustrated at their government.
She pandered to and patronized small town Americans with stories of her gun-toting days as a young hunter.
She twisted Obama's words as an attack on religion and guns and small town life, knowing full well that's not what Obama was saying.
She openly relished in Obama's misfortune, mocking him at every campaign stop, seizing the opportunity to bring down her opponent at all costs to gain her rightful place in history.
Yes, Hillary Clinton made her choice. She could have stood up and acted on priniciples. She could have put the media and the pundits in their place. She could have shown her critics that she possesses the leadership qualities and moral compass they say are lacking.
Hillary could have acted presidential.
Instead, her reactions tells us Hillary Clinton is the one candidate who isn't ready to lead this great country.
NOTE: (This is a repost of a diary published Saturday night).