Primary Day Fallout

Written pre-"Nobody Asked Me But..." on March 5, 2008

I am not surprised one bit that Hillary Clinton won in Ohio and Texas. She changed her
skin, to that of a more comfortable battle tested body armor and began to throw hand grenades prior to the primary and put Barack Obama on the defense. Knowing the Ohioans and Texans, they love a good fight and were happy to follow her to the voting booth.

But Ohioans, and Hillary supporters, be careful what you wish for. Do you think the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, KarlRove, et al, are stupid (yes I believe they are but that is a story for another day) when they tell their followers to vote for Clinton? Do you really think that they are going to support her in November? Do you think that they have deserted their traditional Republican ideology?

Not for one friggin' minute.

They know, as most political pundits and followers know, that Clinton would be easier to run against in the November elections than Obama.Haven't you noticed that the Republicans are not attacking Clinton as they have in the past and are now directing their venom at Obama?There was a time, a short time ago that seems like ages ago, when Obama only had to worry about running against Hill. Then Hill and Bill. Now he is running against three - Hill, Bill. and John (McCain).

Is there anyone out there who thinks that Obama does not deserve the credit for the record primary voting? And along with it the record number of young voters, new voters, black voters, Hispanic voters, independent voters, and Republican crossover voters. Not too many would find fault with that argument.

But, and this is the big BUT, should Clinton win the nomination, most of those voters may not come out to vote for her in November. The young, new, Hispanic and black voters, feeling disappointed and losing enthusiasm, may opt to stay on the sidelines. And, and this is a big AND, the independent and Republican crossover voter who has and will vote for Obama may vote for McCain.

But, for me there was only one clear winner last night - McCain. For as long as the Democratic fight goes on, he doesn't need to dream up any election material to use against whoever wins the Democratic nomination. The Dems are doing it for him. While the Dems eat their own, the Reps are standing off to the sidelines, enjoying the massacre.

While Clinton and Obama fight it out in the open, the interesting fights are being held in the back rooms of the party and the power brokers. Those arm twisting, payoffs, and promises may eventually decide the nomination. Pledged delegates, super delegates, "dream"ticket, re-doing the Michigan and Florida primaries, on and on and on it goes.

Hey, do you realize that the supposedly next big primary state fight is Pennsylvania? And that is seven weeks away? And that the Iowa causes were eight weeks ago? And here we are, half way between the two, and it is almost a dead heat between Clinton and Obama. How much
more can we take?

And one last point, I hope. Nope. Enough already.

Peace. Larry.