The Democratic campaign as 'Peanuts' strip

There are times when a cartoon perfectly captures the political moment.

Take a look at the one by Drew Friedman in the current issue of The New York Observer.

It depicts Hillary Clinton as Lucy of "Peanuts" fame and Barack Obama as Charlie Brown. Clinton is shown in full cackle, much remarked upon lately, while a glum-looking Obama sighs.

For good reason. Obama gave a much-promoted speech on Tuesday to remind voters that he opposed the Iraq war early -- in stark contrast to Clinton, who voted to authorize the conflict.

But so far, Clinton has managed to shade that difference. And Obama's address was overshadowed by Clinton's announcement that she had raised more money than Obama for the first time. Her campaign said she even had 7,000 more new donors than Obama during the third quarter, stealing one of the few boasts that he could make.

In political terms, it's Lucy pulling the football away at the last moment and Charlie Brown ending up flat on his back.

The cartoon illustrates a story about Obama's campaign honchos trying to reassure supporters frustrated and worried that he is not closing the gap on Clinton. A new poll out today shows that she has expanded her lead in the Democratic field and has surpassed 50 percent support for the first time. More and more pundits are writing about whether anyone or anything can stop Clinton's march to the nomination.