The fact that Hillary Clinton lied about her trip to Bosnia and being under sniper fire is not the story. Youtube is the story.

Hillary Clinton in particular has demonstrated how easy it is to spin an old position into a completely new one--even a diametrically opposite one. Apologists can parse damaging statements for fig leaves of nuance allowing supporters to retain some shred of plausibility, but a video?

The ultimate no-spin zone.

The nuclear weapon of politics.

Youtube is the bigger, better, faster Swiftboat. The undeniable refutation aimed right at the heart of a campaign. Barack Obama's theme of unity was smashed by the reality of his twenty year membership in a church whose black segregationist rhetoric was recorded by the witness who cannot lie. Hillary Clinton's claim to experience was dispelled in mere moments by the mundane character of her First Lady visit to Bosnia to receive some flowers and be serenaded by children's choirs.

I'm wondering at the impact on politics at this point. Its a fact that Barack Obama has been ducking votes for years--a well-considered strategy to avoid being on record about things that could harm his future political prospects. Now he's thinking that he should have ducked the cameras as well.

Its hard out there for a politician. You can't even lie anymore.

Others Blogging: Joe Gandelman weighs the impact of Hillary being YouTubed.