The avalanche is waiting in the wings to break free:

NEW YORK - Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, a pair of front-runners in waiting, have shown fresh signs in recent days of joining the 2008 race, hiring senior aides while they court potential supporters in Iowa, New Hampshire and other key states.

Obama has hired policy, research and press staff for a campaign to be run from Chicago, according to several Democrats. And a senior aide to the senator, Steve Hildebrand, recently told potential Iowa supporters that word of his plans could come early next week, state party spokeswoman Erin Seidler said Friday.

Obama also has held several conversations with Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., according to the congressman’s spokeswoman. Clinton also has spoken to the influential South Carolina Democrat.

This will begin the dynamic of Democrats like Joe Biden and Tom Vilsack creating reasons why Obama is too inexperienced to be president. With the first debate happening in April, I’m giddy to see how these two announcements are accepted and discussed.

Obvious:

Obama and Clinton would clearly be the Democratic field’s heavyweights — one vying to be the nation’s first African-American president, the other seeking to become the country’s first female chief executive.

I don’t think there is much doubt that it will be one or both who end up on the eventual Democratic ticket baring unforeseen circumstances. Clinton-Obama doesn’t flow well. Obama-Biden flows nicely, as does Clinton-Edwards. For that matter, Romney-Rice sounds good too.

Clinton, for her part, could disclose her plans before President Bush’s State of the Union address Jan. 23. With more than $14 million in the bank, she also has a significant cash advantage over Obama and the other candidates in the field.

To wait until after the address clearly means Hillary is waiting to form her stump talking points until after Bush puts forth a 2007 agenda. Therefore, she can play the middle and be “for” some things and play the left and be “against” some things as a senator.

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