CLINTON TO MAKE DIRECT PITCH FOR BLACK VOTE

(Updating with commentary about Clinton's on-line chats)

The Politico reports that rather than cede the support of African American voters and donors to Barack Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton will make a concerted effort to win their backing.

According to the new online political news site, Clinton is hoping to force Obama's hand by making a strong push at the African American vote.

As Politico reporter Ben Smith put it:

"It's a strategy that pushes Obama to decide just how black he can afford to be: Will he pitch himself to African-American voters as the black candidate, or hew to the post-racial line that's helped make him sensationally popular with white Democrats?"

CLINTON SETS FIRST MAJOR VISIT TO NEW HAMPSHIRE

The Manchester Union Leader reports Clinton has accepted the state Democratic Party's invitation to appear at the party's biggest annual fundraiser, the 100 Club, scheduled for March 10.

SECOND CLINTON 'CHAT' SET FOR TONIGHT

Clinton will hold her second on-line chat in two nights tonight at 7:00 PM EST. The first was last night. In reading the transcript from last night, one is reminded of the "public forums" President Bush subjects himself to once in a while, with handpicked guests asking vetted questions.

Here's an example from Clinton's chat last night:

"Our next question is from Matty in New York. Matty says, I am a 14-year-old class president from Armonk, New York. I have an interest in politics and one day aspire to be President. My question is what made you so inspirational, and why do you believe you should be President?"

Tough crowd!

The Washington Post reports the chats are part of a concerted effort by the Clinton campaign to humanize their candidate who often comes off as stiff, rehearsed and impersonal.

Here's the video from the senator's chat last night.

Is it just me, or does the senator come off as rehearsed and impersonal and trying really hard not to be stiff?