I feel some sympathy for Hillary Clinton. I've been in her shoes many a time.

In one particular history class in high school, I started off badly: I failed the first major test. So I turned to something I liked a great deal more than history: math.

I calculated the exact scores I'd need on the remaining tests in order to get an "A" in the class. Sure, I'd done poorly on the first test, but the math was still on my side: I could do well from that point on and everything would be fine.

Then I failed the next test.

This was getting a little concerning; according to the math, I would no longer be able to get an "A" in the class, without some sort of extra credit. I would, however, be able to get a "B" if I did well enough on the remaining tests. A "B" is perfectly respectable, and the math said it was theoretically attainable, so I put my worries aside.

And failed the third test.

At this point, the math was no longer on my side. An "A" was out of the question, and now so was a "B" and, even more disturbing, a "C." My only chance to pass the class was to do brilliantly from there on out. This time, I even did some studying before the test.

And it paid off. Instead of failing, I actually passed the next test.

Not by a lot, and certainly not by enough to make up the previous grades. Regardless of how well I did on the final exam, the math told me I would get an "F" in the course.

So I started thinking "outside the box," trying to figure out what, other than math, might save me.

What about that urban legend where, if your roommate died in college, you'd automatically get an "A" for your classes? Would the same thing apply if one of my classmates kicked the bucket? There was that one jerk in my class who liked to get drunk and drive around a lot; might there be a chance the law of averages would catch up with him before exam week?

Or maybe I could bribe or blackmail the teacher somehow?

Not a healthy way of thinking. Once the math abandons you, your only other options for getting what you want hinge upon some pretty nasty things.

Granted, Hillary's situation is a little different than mine. She's actually working hard for her goal, whereas I mostly skipped class to hang out in the library with a girl I had a crush on.

But I can definitely relate to the feeling she must be having... "if only I can do this, this and this, there's still a chance..."

In the end, I failed the class, and deservedly so. But seeing the "F" on the report card was still less of a punch to the stomach as the moment after the fourth test when I realized the math had abandoned me.

'Cause the math, that's a tough thing not to have on your side.