CAMPAIGN
2008:
Barack Obama sweeps Potomac Primaries, that makes 8 in a
row in 4 days, is it time for Hillary Clinton to say good-bye?
Obama front-runner and leader in states won and
delegates earned as Illinois Senator starts to pull away from Clinton, who will be his vice-presidential choice?
As
expected, Illinois Senator Barack Obama easily defeated former first lady
Hillary Rodham Clinton for the eighth consecutive time that goes to the
heart of her campaigns viability in the face of Obama's money advantage,
momentum and shift in delegate superiority.
Today's
victories in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland may have turned
what has been a close race into a political laugher as Obama seems to be
getting stronger each and everyday while the Clinton effort is in obvious chaos
and turmoil.
Since
Super Tuesday, Senator Clinton as lost seven states and the Virgin Islands as
it becomes very apparent her appeal fails beyond the Northeast where she won in
New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey. With the exception of California where
she barely won with just 52% of the vote, the Clinton campaign is narrow in
interest as well as support.
While
Clinton is still mathematically in the delegate mix, many insiders and longtime
Democrats fear a protracted convention battle that could be avoided given
Obama's overall popularity inside and outside the Democratic Party. His
appeal to independents and even some Republicans have change the political
dynamic of the race that hasn't been seen on the Democratic since 1964 and the
landslide victory of Lyndon Baines Johnson over conservative Barry Goldwater.
While
closure of the Democratic race seems imminent, the Republican race can get
complicated should former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee continue to give
Arizona Senator John McCain fits in southern primaries and caucuses.
"While
John McCain is numerically close to the magic number, sealing the nomination
could be thwarted if Mitt Romney releases his delegates and they join the
Huckabee effort. If nothing else, Huckabee's continued success could keep
McCain from securing the nomination and making way for an alternative candidate
more acceptable to conservatives," said one political insider
who refused to be identified.
Since
Super Tuesday, Senator Clinton is lagging behind in the fundraising race as
well as the delegate count. Compounding her problems was a shake-up in
campaign staffing as well as some being forced to work without any pay.
"Obama
is building strength each and everyday while Hillary seems distracted by
spending times putting out fires in her own campaign. Bill has become a
political liability and her campaign looks very desperate. Anytime you
change campaign managers this late in the game, things are not going very well,
said one longtime observer of the Clinton's.
With Obama
now separating and extending his lead on Clinton, the talk of a
vice-presidential choice is becoming more and more of a reality.
Some say Virginia
Governor Tim Kaine as well as former Virginia Governor Mark Warner are
possibilities including Indiana Senator Evan Bayh and North Carolina Mike
Easley. Easley, the choice of many Democrats who believe a southerner needs to
be on the ticket received nearly 57% of the vote for re-election in 2004 while
John Kerry lost North Carolina to George Bush and Liddy Dole was easily elected
to the United States Senate.
"Governor
Easley would be a great compliment to Senator Obama in the south where
states like Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Florida, and
Georgia are possibilities for the Democratic ticket. With Obama,
Democrats can actually compete in the south for the first time since President
Clinton in 1996 and President Carter in 1976," said another Democratic
insider who supports the Obama effort.
Locally,
Democrats are excited by the surge of Obama around the country.
"Senator
Obama seems to be on the right track towards the nomination. I believe the
country wants real change and that is at the heart of his appeal. Barack Obama
is the Tiger Woods of American politics. He's well liked and respected
because of his talent, drive and likeability," observed North Arlington
Councilman Al Granell.
