In Charlotte, N.C., a few weeks ago, he was scheduled to speak at an invitation-only event at a VFW post. About 80 seats were set up in the small room, half of them reserved for invited veterans and their families, the rest cordoned off for media. During an hour wait, while Clinton consumed burgers and watched basketball at a downtown restaurant, campaign workers scouted neighboring shops and eateries for people willing to fill the empty chairs.

The sax-blowing, cheeseburger-eating, barbecue boy -- first "black president" and talker in chief -- is today a gaunt ghost haunted by his own past. Can't a guy get no respect around here?

Once full-throated in courting and defending minorities, Clinton now grows hoarse explaining what he really meant to say, while African-Americans flock to Obama. It's become a trend. Bill misspeaks; Hillary corrects; Bill clarifies; Hillary apologizes; Bill breaks from the trail for a few days.

The latest was Bill's eruption in response to a blistering Vanity Fair profile in which rumors of old behaviors were floated amid insinuations of cognitive disruption possibly stemming from Clinton's heart problems. Bill hurled "scumbag" at the author, Todd Purdum, who happens to be married to Clinton's former press secretary, Dee Dee Myers. Hillary scolded Bill; he said he was sorry.

And so it has gone for months now, while the next generation of hopers and changers throws money at Obama's feet.

Clinton critics used to say, "There's something about Hillary." Now they say, "There's something about Bill." There always was something about both of them -- the narcissism, the grandiosity, the raw ambition. All those aspects are well-known, but they've been on vivid display as the campaign has advanced.

People tend to expose their truest selves when under pressure. Some balk, some excel, some unravel. The narcissist never performs well when the image he expects to see reflected back is not delivered. When one's very identity is tied to the approval of others, defeat feels like an existential crisis.

Thus, the rage we see in Bill Clinton's frequently crimson face is one familiar to parents -- the infant denied.

Democrats apparently recognized it, too.