Staff Infection

PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS: CAUCUS CATCH-UP

Miles ClementsSun. February 10
 

Yesterday’s contests all fell for Obama: clear double-digit victories in Washington, Nebraska and Louisiana. The Clinton campaign had all but conceded that Obama would sweep the Saturday vote, but according to which news source you follow, those victories now put Obama ahead of or in a virtual tie with Clinton in the all-important delegate count.

And with another victory in today’s Maine caucus, Obama has a chance to win out in February: he’s polling far ahead of Clinton in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. (all part Tuesday’s so-called “Potomac Primary”) and should win in Wisconsin and Hawaii, as well.

Clinton is looking ahead to the March contests in Texas and Ohio, but what would the psychological impact of potentially three weeks of losing do to Clinton’s campaign? Would that stunt her push to recoup her fundraising deficit? And what of Clinton replacing her campaign manager today?

With what could be decisive Obama victories all the way through February, the Democratic race could all come down to the superdelegates–party stalwarts, elected officials, etc.– and whether or not they push Clinton ahead. Obama is already starting to speak out against that, though. Per the New York Times:

“My strong belief is that if we end up with the most states and the most pledged delegates from the most voters in the country, that it would be problematic for the political insiders to overturn the judgment of the voters.”

On the Republican side, McCain continues his likely ascension towards the nomination despite a relatively solid showing yesterday by Huckabee. Pressure is mounting against the former Governor to pull out, but he says he’s in it until the end. He’s also looking into legal options over “irregularities” in yesterday’s caucus in Washington.

And so we’re left with this: Time and Newsweek polls pitting both Obama and Clinton against McCain. On the issue of electability, Obama carries a lead and Clinton gets locked into a tie.

UPDATE: Making the weekend an even cleaner sweep, Obama just won a Grammy for his audio book of The Audacity of Hope. Clinton won in the same category (best spoken word album) in 1996 for her reading of It Takes A Village.

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  • Will
    Sen. Clinton is not comfortable talking at large rallies. The shake up is because the Clintons are running a campaign from the 90"s. Obama is running on the change/future with large venues, "the more the merry". The Clintons need to come clean were the 5 millions donation came from, this now is an cloud hanging over their heads. OBAMA 08!!!!!!
  • SENATOR
    Typical person firing people after they used and abused them. Used Solis to get the hispanic votes after she was done, she is now kicking her to the curb and replace he with Mrs. Williams to get the last bit of sympathy of the black vote. It isn't because you aren't black that we don't vote for you Mrs. clinton, it's because you are the typical type of person that will only bring this country even more down. We want CHANGE not he same presidendy that was left by your lying husband. " I DID NOT HAVE SEX ......ohhhh yes i did lied" I don't think change will happen with you, but not because you are a woman but because you are the same as everyone else in the capital.
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