Edge to Clinton
06 February 2008 12:57 am by Taylor Marsh
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| photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP |
When the night began, people were bracing for bad news that never came. Clinton won
the big states and her supporters sent a message. Lunch bucket Democrats are
in serious trouble and they want someone who can get them out of it. The truth
is that everyone is underestimating what Clinton is bringing in these debate
settings. It happened in New Hampshire too. People are desperate for competence.
That’s the push. We all love inspiration, but right now we’re hearing Edison* in
our ear. You know, 99 percent perspiration, etc., etc. That she also continues to shift and alter the campaign with every
move forward was proven in her speech, with loftier rhetoric moving into the scene, something we’ll hear more of going forward.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York won the mammoth California primary
Tuesday night, NBC News projected, adding to wins in other delegate-rich states
in the Northeast.California was the big prize of the night, and Clinton was winning well more
than half of the vote. The state offered 370 delegates, but because of the
Democratic nominating rules, Clinton will not win all of them. Combined with
Sen. Barack Obama’s win in his home state of Illinois and his significant
haul of delegates in numerous smaller states, the race for the Democratic
nomination was likely to be a dead heat.Clinton wins California,
most other big states
But party’s delegate rules mean Democratic race to end up virtually tied
Barack Obama had a good night and it’s a good thing. No politician in recent
memory has had such an avalanche of positive press over such an extended period
of time. If he can’t win victories after all the media preening and posturing
over Ted Kennedy’s endorsement, then Caroline, including her New York Times
piece, as well as surprises from California’s first lady Maria Shriver popping
up at an Oprah event, the man should simply give it up. Seriously, read that last sentence again. But never fear, caucuses
are coming that will produce wins for him. However, where he won last night he won’t
win in November. It’s wingnut country. For what it’s worth, Karl Rove said the
same thing on Fox “News” talking to Chris Wallace.
So where do we stand?
Last night was tight, but Clinton comes out ahead in delegates. She’s also
got the edge now in superdelegates. She has powerful states leaning her way
in Pennsylvania, Texas and Ohio going forward. But she proved something else
that really matters. Obama is a movement, a wave, the insurgent, pick your words,
accompanied by winning news cycle after news cycle the last couple of weeks.
Clinton withstood it all. That’s one hell of an onslaught she pushed back, proving
she will not only endure, but that her supporters are doggedly determined and
and undaunted and come out in droves to vote for her. Not near enough attention
has been paid to Clinton’s supporters. It’s almost as if the media is embarrassed,
because they’re not as cool as Obama’s crowds. Oh, and about the talking heads
on MSNBC blathering on about Obama’s money machine, which is impressive. It
is the most hilarious thing I’ve ever heard to suggest Clinton can’t raise the
cash she needs to compete, especially after the outcome last night.
And no matter what Obama accomplished, which is considerable, there was something symbolic about losing
Massachusetts, because it played out across a lot of other states. Clinton won New York, California, New Jersey,
Massachusetts, Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma and Tennessee; even Missouri was basically a draw, with Michigan and Florida waiting
to be counted, which will eventually happen. So considering all Obama threw at Clinton,
with the traditional media playing along, creating the most favorable environment he’s going to have, something still shifted, however slightly. The edge moved to Clinton, and even though this isn’t over yet, with things very
tight and a lot of work left to be done, I just don’t think it’s going back.
*Note: First paragraph, Edison has been added.
