By Brendan McLaughlin

Some have derided  Hillary Clinton as an unkillable droid who will stop at nothing on the road to the nomination. Fair enough. But how can you help but admire a person who smiles at a slaughter, chuckles at destruction and cackles at catastrophe?  

Hillary's unflagging cheerfulness after Tuesday night's crushing in Carolina and non-win in Indiana was something to behold.  Despite the fact that she fell further behind her opponent, Hillary sounded the trumpets of victory.

"Tonight, we've come from behind. We've broken the tie. Thanks to you, it's full speed on to the White House!"

Some would call that reaction to a delegate drubbing delusional, but I think it's awesomely determined. Let's be clear. Hillary has stayed in this race, and will continue to stay in this race not because she thinks she can win the required delegates. Hillary can count. She's stayed in it for the same reason an ambitious actress agrees to be an understudy in a Broadway play. The star just might have a career-ending injury/scandal/gaffe. 

The pain of Tuesday's loss is plain to see in Bill's forced grin and in Chelsea's moist eyes. But Hillary just keeps smiling.