The Clintons have lots of friends among Democratic power brokers. They also have lots of enemies. Most of their powerful friends are also friends of convenience. If it looks like Hillary has foot in the mouth disease too badly, they won't risk her destroying herself in the general election. From what we have seen so far, she has great difficulties answering unscripted questions. She also has an extremely high unfavorability rating.
Bill could talk himself out of problems. Hillary talks herself into problems. A lot of people just liked Bill's personality, they found him lovable despite his many faults, and that sways a lot of Democratic voters. Who would describe Hillary as lovable?
The powers that be in the Democratic party want a candidate that can win the general election, and if they have half a brain, Hillary's debate performance has to scare them.
I think Hillary is going to go the way of Howard Dean.
I would like to agree with you untrained, it just seems to me that the Democrats are locked into the Clintons, even if Hilde’s loses in Iowa, there will be a massive busing in of Democrats from MA to vote Hilde in NH.
I personally think that the Democratic political "machine" in Chicago, IL--lead by Mayor Richard M. Daley, the son of the legendary Mayor Richard J. Daley--has realized Senator Hillary Clinton is a target rich environment for a Swift-boating by too many critics (pun definitely intended!). Senator Clinton has a huge amount of "skeletons in the closet" that could embarass her--and possibly get her into legal hot water. As a result, this political machine--who is pushing Senator Obama because he's lived in Illinois for many years--is quietly nudging along a few things that will eventually "do in" Senator Clinton.