Colleen O'Connor: How Hillary's Keeping Obama in the Shadows

Read the papers lately?

How about the blogs and the tweets and the posts of anyone remotely interested in politics?

The president no longer dominates the news. His former Democratic rival—and recently retired Secretary of State—Hillary Clinton does.

Or, at least, the speculation and frenzy about her possible run for president in 2016.

Wisely, Hillary Clinton has neither advanced, nor declined, any real decision on her future political prospects. She “keeps ‘em guessing.”

Thus, here is what makes the news:

• An Associated Press “News Break”—Hillary has a book deal, scheduled for release in June 2014—which happens to coincide with the next congressional election cycle.
• Superior approval numbers. Hillary is “easily the most popular figure on the American political stage,” according to a recent Quinnipiac Poll, giving her the highest ratings in her entire public life (61 percent approve, 34 percent disapprove). A more recent Washington Post poll ranks Hillary even higher (67 percent approval to 26 percent disapproval).
• Hillary outshines the president in all recent polling.
• Heavy press coverage when she does appear or say something.
• Her endorsement of gay marriage.
• A super PAC already in the making with heavyweight, longtime Clinton strategist James Carville (it’s the economy, stupid!”) signing on.
• A national grassroots system of support that never shut down.
• A massive donor list of contributors happy to put off writing checks until Hillary does decide.

And while the president receives his share of “photo op” niceties in the social media, there are increasing examples of press wariness—even among liberals in the mainstream media. Hence, his declining poll numbers.

• “Trash-Talking” Obama surrogates being just the latest one.

Then, there’s Bill. The real “campaigner-in-chief.”

Not one to be idle, he continues to rack up IOUs from the Democratic base.

His latest foray into California was to endorse Wendy Greuel,potentially the first woman to be elected mayor of Los Angeles.

So, what is Hillary’s strategy?

At this point, all options remain open. Stay visible. Not controversial. Stay engaged, especially with most active Democratic base. Tour with book signings, especially in the most important general election states. Collect IOUs.

Don’t overdo it. Let the admirers click on all of those blogs and posts. After all, even Tina Brown admits that the press is after “audience,”—a.k.a. “hits” or web traffic on Hillary stories. As long as her support group clicks and sends, she will be a headliner.

Politico’s No. 1 most popular story on a recent day was, “A Viewer’s Guide to Hillary Clinton Fever.”

Let Obama be Obama. No comments on his presidency.

And wait. Or as everyone practiced in the 1950s “duck and cover.” Keep one’s head down.

Once Hillary does make an announcement—either way—the attacks will commence.

For now, she is sucking the air out of everyone else’s coverage—even the president’s.

Smart woman. Smart moves. Smart politics.