For Hillary Clinton, it is all about politics, all the time, even in the most intimate, human and fundamental aspects of life. Chelsea Clinton’s announcement yesterday that she is pregnant gives Hillary Clinton an opportunity to campaign for president as a warm and nurturing grandmother, softening some of the edges on her personality. As President Obama once put it, Chelsea is being “punished” with a baby, but I am sure she, her husband, and her parents regard this as a blessing.

Lest you think my emphasis on the political dimensions of the baby cynical, allow me to note that in her very first public comment on the pregnancy, the former Secretary of State invoked fmeionkist doctrine on “glass ceilings”:

“Obviously we are very excited about what's happening in our family,” she told the young women. “But we're also very excited because of what we're doing that we hope gives confidence and support to so many of you across our country as you make decisions about the lives you want to lead and try to make sure there are no ceilings that are stopping you from going as far and as high and as fast as you can.”

What kind of person reacts to the news of a becoming a grandparent with political cant? The Hillary Clinton type.