Today's Pennsylvania Democratic Presidential Primary could answer some open questions about the race, and possibly clarify its future course. Or not, writes Dan Balz for the Washington Post.
Read his entire article at the link provided. It's long, but asks a lot of the right questions. I'll briefly describe the eight questions he ponders:
- The Expectations Game: Does Hillary really need a double-digit win to go on? Or, given Obama's 5-to-1 spending edge, is any clear win an achievement? I think she needs a big win, because that's the only chance of ending up winning the total popular vote - the sort of thing super delegates could point to when voting for her.
- Who has been hurt worse for the general election by the tough campaign, or have both candidates been strengthened by the competition? Both are probably better for the fight, but Obama's weaknesses are only just being exposed. Are these the tip of the iceberg? With Hillary, it's mostly more of the same old stuff we always disliked about her.
- What might Obama's performance with working class white Democrats portend of his chances in November? Inquiring super delegates want to know . . . If he gets skunked again in this demographic group, as he did in Ohio and Mississippi, super delegates will be getting nervous tics.
- Is Bill Clinton a net help or harm to Hillary? Or, as I prefer to phrase it, "Bill Clinton: Threat or Menace?" If not for him, would she even be here? Or running some lefty advocacy group?
- What's the most important remaining contest AFTER Pennsylvania votes? Indiana.
- Will super delegates coalesce around a candidate, or does it go to the convention? Obviously most of them would prefer a clear nominee sooner rather than later, but don't want to make a fatal mistake which not only loses the White House, but also hurts the down-ticket. They are looking for an excuse to settle it, but the frontrunner keeps stumbling over his own feet.
- What about a "dream ticket" of Obama-Clinton or vice versa? No way, Shanté.
- Is McCain making best use of the time he has gained by the ongoing Democratic contest? Arguments exist for both sides on this one. He probably gets a "B" for unifying the party and beefing up his foreign policy credentials while Barry and Hilly throw mud.
Do read it all for Balz' take.
Permalink | Send To A Friend | Linking Blogs | Digg this!
Filed under:
2008 Presidential Race, Democrats, Hillary, Obama, Pennsylvania, Primaries
Tags: Democratic presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton, Obama, Pennsylvania, primaries
Comments (1)
No question that Barack Oba... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Lee Ward![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangpolitics.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| April 22, 2008 12:20 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
No question that Barack Obama's stock is falling the closer we get to the November election, and I suspect that will become even more evident with today's vote in Pennsylvania.
Obama's elitism, which has been demonstrated repeatedly not only in Obama's arrogant remarks, but in the arrogance of his supporters right here on this blog, will be his downfall.
Once America fully realizes that "We are the Ones" means "You don't count, only we do" the fall of Barack Obama will accelerate.
1. Posted by Lee Ward![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangpolitics.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| April 22, 2008 12:20 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on April 22, 2008 12:20