HALPERIN’S TAKE: How is Clinton faring in her efforts to wrest away the nomination?

Ever since Obama established his small but meaningful lead in delegates over his New York rival, the elements of a potential Clinton comeback have been clear.

She has cheated political death three times (in New Hampshire, on Super Tuesday and when she won Ohio and Texas), but her candidacy is still on life support.

So, to paraphrase the catch line of former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, how’s she doing in the key areas?

1. Getting the Florida and Michigan delegations seated to her advantage:

* Not so good, as both efforts have collapsed.

2. Winning over the superdelegates:

* Good in the sense that she just won her first two new public commitments since Ohio/Texas, and she has prevented a stampede towards Obama.

* Bad in the sense that Obama has continued to pick up many more than she has in the last month, which means a slow, steady trickle of death for her chances.

3. Making the electability argument:

* Better, with her succession of big state wins, increased media focus on Obama’s weakness with white voters in some key states and her rival’s image troubles and campaign errors.

4. Defining Obama on negative terms:

* Best for her, and the key at this point to her overtaking him.