"Oh, this is so terrible: The people they want her. Oh, this is so terrible: (Hillary) is winning the general election, and (Obama) is not." -- Bill Clinton

Is he right? Maybe, maybe not, but there's no question that Hillary is the stronger candidate.

Right now, it's shaping up to be another close election that will probably hinge on 7 to 10 key states. When you look at the polling in those states, Hillary does appear to be the stronger candidate overall.

For example, via Real Clear Politics, Vs. McCain, here are the averages in some key states (Obama listed first, Clinton listed 2nd),

Pennsylvania: Obama +5.8 -- Clinton +11.7
Ohio: Obama: +1.3 -- Clinton +8.3
Wisconsin: Obama +1.6 -- McCain +3.4
Virginia: McCain +1.3 -- McCain +10.4
Florida: McCain +8.3 Clinton +3.0

Now, here are the latest polls in some other crucial states,

Michigan: McCain +4 -- (No numbers for Hillary)
Iowa: Obama +2 -- McCain +3
Colorado: Obama +6 -- McCain +3
Missouri: McCain +4 -- Clinton +2
North Carolina: McCain +8 -- Clinton +6

That's certainly a mixed batch of poll numbers, but there are a few things that really stick out. For example, Clinton wins North Carolina and Missouri? That would be a stunner after the GOP carried the whole South for two consecutive elections. Moreover, Hill is carrying Ohio by 8 points. Wow. That could be a big deal because McCain may be able to put Michigan in play against either Obama or Hill, so those electoral votes in Ohio would be a big deal. Then there's Florida. McCain is winning it comfortably against Obama and losing it to Hillary.

All I can say is that Republicans should be grateful that Obama will probably be the candidate instead of Hillary -- because McCain at least has a fighting chance against Obama, while Hillary might have a decent shot of steamrolling him.