Is it possible that this view is also being promulgated by the Clinton camp because it leads into their traditional clan mythology?

Oh, almost certainly. If you look back over Clinton's press statements from Super Tuesday forward they steadily reduced expectations from their original high water mark as their poll numbers dropped. So much so that on March 1st or thereabouts she was claiming that unless Obama won both states decisively she should still be considered the de factor winner. Even a loss on her part had become a chance for another reference to the Comeback Kid - especially since Bill came in second in the New Hampshire primary that produced that nickname 16 years ago.