Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Democratic Presidential Primary
« Hoisted By Their Own Petard | Main | Casino Bill Is Dead »On Tuesday, Hillary won big. She won both Texas and Ohio putting a momentary stop to Obama's momentum and resuscitating her nearly dead campaign. While Hillary still trails Obama by a significant number of delegates, she isn't that far back in the raw vote totals. Thus the battle continues onward to Pennsylvania.
As the fight continues three things will happen. First, both sides will continue to exhaust resources that could be better used in the general election. Secondly, the constant pressure will create fatigue and bring more opportunities for "gaffes" that could define the race. Lastly and most importantly, the longer the race goes on the dirtier it will get. The mud slinging and partisanship between the two sides will increase dramatically. Especially with team Clinton on one side of the divide.
The danger to Obama is much greater than for Hillary. For the most part, Obama has been able to define himself as a new "post-partisan" candidate. The more he has to fight the greater the scrutiny will become. Providing a very real chance to peel back the thin veneer of his campaign. Exposing him as just another liberal.
These dangers are very real and why Obama's team keep trying saying the "race is over". Unfortunately for them, Obama couldn't knock Hillary out of the race. Instead they left the door open and Hillary blew through it. Hillary is now in a position to continue to hound Obama into a mistake for the next six week. She is on the offensive while Obama is on the defensive. I don't see why Hillary can't steal this election.
All the while, the Republican race is settled. While Democrats get to continue a weary battle, McCain gets to start stock piling resources for the general. He can rest while Hillary and Obama continue to battle. He also has the luxury of being able to throw bombs at both Democratic candidates. Both Dems will have to not only fend off each other, but fend off McCain. Making it an even more pressure packed environment.
So pass the pop corn, this is going to be a fun couple of months.
