The Democratic Party has been extremely good to the Clintons over the last four decades. Bill Clinton has been elected as Governor of Arkansas and President of the United States. Hillary Clinton has been elected Senator from New York twice. Across the nation over the years, Democrats have rallied to campaign upon campaign for one or the other. In fact, for me personally, this is sadly the first time since President Clinton ran a losing race for Congress in 1974 that I have not supported one or the other. All over the country, supporting their message, people have contributed money and time to help the Clintons achieve their dreams and careers.

Thus it is not unreasonable to expect these seasoned pros to show a little restraint so that our party, no matter who the nominee, can win in November.

Alas, we are now at a point where that victory might be in jeopardy. 20% of Democratic supporters on both sides are now so battered by this vitriolic campaign that if their nominee does not win, they will consider voting for Republican John McCain instead. ABC New's Jake Tepper also reported last night on a high ranking Democratic National Committee figure who stated that Senator Clinton was rapidly becoming the "Tonya Harding" of politics. That is, if she can't achieve the gold medal on her own, she will knee-cap and destroy her chief competitor.

This 'kitchen sink' campaign has got to stop.

Yes, it is true that the Reverend Wright remarks most likely will be used by the Republicans in November. I personally feel that Senator Obama, in a speech for the ages, has totally distanced himself from those remarks. There is no rationally thinking American who can possibly believe that the senator endorses or even agrees with such views. How many of our Catholic politicians have attended Mass after Mass where the sermon is against choice or homosexuality? And John McCain himself has to answer for strenuously sought endorsements from the likes of hate-monger Reverend John Hagee. But the issue has been rightfully aired and voters can make up their own minds. And for those who consider the adage 'timing is everything', thank goodness this blip happened now instead of showing itself as an "October Surprise". That being said, we have seen Senator Obama handle a crisis - even a mini-crisis such as this - with dignity and aplomb. And, according to the latest polls, he has lost very little public support while doing it.

Issues that the Republicans will use against the Democrats should be aired in the primary so they are vetted. It is how each candidate responds to those issues that are important.

As an Obama supporter, I can't help but feel that Hillary Clinton's distortions of the truth about her Bosnia trip, coupled with her exaggerations about her role in the Irish Peace process would certainly be fodder for the Republicans. Likewise her failure to release her tax returns and disclose contributors to the Clinton Library most certainly will be fair game. Releasing those returns just a day or two before the Pennsylvania primary does not give Democratic voters the opportunity to fully understand them. However, if they are released now, as Obama has done, it is a good opportunity to get all that out of the way before November. As far as Bosnia and Ireland are concerned, we will see if the distortions of her record are an isolated incident or a more disturbing pattern.

The manner in which the candidates responded to their respective crisis is telling. Senator Obama gave a powerful, uncompromising and moving speech to the nation dealing with Rev. Wright head on. Senator Clinton's response was, in my view, less forthcoming --claiming she was tired and mis-spoke. Unfortunately for her veracity, she 'mis-spoke' four or five times telling the same erroneous story, word-for-word, over and over again on the stump. Then she added to the ugliness surrounding Reverend Wright - a pastor, incidentally, who was invited to the White House as an advisor by President Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal - perhaps as a way to distract from her own shortcomings. It was not pretty to witness and it can only hurt our party's chances in November including her own if she is the nominee.

The most disturbing aspect of this entire process is how both Senator Clinton and President Clinton imply that John McCain is a better choice than Barack Obama. Praising McCain's ability, experience and love of country while denigrating Senator Obama is not only beyond the political pale, it is patently suicidal. Hell, McCain can use their statements in his ads should Obama obtain the nomination.

Senator Clinton should stay in the race as long as she thinks she can win the nomination. No one I know would withdraw if they seriously believed they could be President of the United States. That is her right. However, she must campaign in a way that doesn't destroy everyone's chances in November. If it is clear she can't win the nomination without a brutal bloodbath, she and the Clinton family owe it to the Democratic Party to withdraw gracefully, endorse Obama strongly and continue her excellent service to the nation as a senator.

After all, beyond Reverend Wright and Bosnia are failing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, global warming, poverty, healthcare, and a nose-diving economy. Surely these issues take precedent over any sense of entitlement or political ambition of any candidate.