Now What?
Based on early results, Obama takes NC by double-digits and pulls away from Hillary at least on the delegate count. Hilla takes Obama by potentially the same margin in Indiana, although the media seems reluctant to call the race with 35% of the vote in. A couple of things leap out: Rush’s Operation Chaos might be more of a factor than originally thought, adding perhaps 2-3% or more to Hilla’s count. To Josh’s point, the Wright issue is dead among Dems, although I’m not sure he isn’t Obama’s zombie tormentor during the general. If he’s the nominee, expect the Pugs to play hardball Wright Wing politics (sorry, couldn’t resist).
So here we are. Hilla’s delegates are slipping away, but she’s more determined than ever. We’re all so sick of this race, (speaking for myself) we can’t listen to it. The undeclared will remain so after today, so in a sense, why bother if delegates are the measure? The longer the two of them keep ripping at each other, the more Uncle Fester has the opportunity to define them and himself as something other than the real wacko he is.
So what to do. My thought (not unique) is Obama should publicly and confidently declare victory and offer Hilla the VP slot tomorrow. That’s right, tomorrow. It would create the unity the party needs. It is not inconsistent with other politically expedient moves (Kennedy/Johnson, Reagan/Bush I). And it forces HIlla’s hand. She’s either a uniter or a divider. I say go for it. How about you?
Posted: May 6th, 2008 under Dumbocrats, Hillary, Obama.
Comments: 13
Comments
Comment from Sasha
Time: May 6, 2008, 7:27 pm
I think your statement of the outcome is premature. Right now a lot of black areas of Indiana aren’t in and there remains the possibility that Obama will win or be very close. The data show that the approximately 11% of Republicans voting in the Democratic primary in Indiana voted in approximately the same proportion for Obama and Clinton as did the Democratic voters. She may be out of it before the night is out.
Comment from Sasha
Time: May 6, 2008, 7:36 pm
The more I think about it the more I am puzzled by your reporting of the results. Obama is whipping the holy crap out of her in North Carolina. It is nothing like the polls said. I suspect if she doesn’t drop out a dozen or so supers will go to him within a few days.
Comment from John McCreery
Time: May 7, 2008, 12:50 am
The networks have called it for Clinton, who holds a less than 2% lead with 99% of precincts reporting. Today’s results have erased the gains that Clinton made in Pennsylvania in both delegate count and popular vote. The MSM story line is that we now know who the Democratic nominee will be. Still, just for the hell of it, I’m hoping that the remaining non-reporting districts and as yet uncounted absentee ballots turn this into another “Dewey beats Truman” moment.
Comment from jabartlett
Time: May 7, 2008, 5:44 am
Regarding Obama offering Hillary the VP slot: If Obama is really about a new way to play the game, he should have the stones to play the game in a new way, and should go for it.
Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: May 7, 2008, 5:51 am
We obviously know this morning what was not clear last night. Obama won North Carolina by more than double what the last polls said and Clinton won Indiana by less than a third of what the polls said. The popular vote margin for Obama in North Carolina erases the popular vote margin Clinton had in Pennsylvania and then some.
What I liked best about the big win in North Carolina was the bucket of cold water poured on Bill Clinton’s strategy to talk to white voters in small white towns. This guy is useless, especially after he said that the election was not about race or class, but about people who want to play by a different set of rules. This from a guy who plays from a different set of rules. As timr might begin to note, the steeple, as he puts it, are not dumb all the time.
(Lefty, check your email.)
Comment from bdr
Time: May 7, 2008, 6:39 am
RE: Offering HRC vpotus - nothing would energize the pro-HRC people more than being outraged at the condescension they’d accuse Obama of if he offered her vpotus before she officially withdrew first.
I’m not saying anything pro- or anti- HRC for vpotus here (I have an opinion, but it’s not pertinent to this point).
I’m just saying, the minute either candidate even approximated a victory dance they’ve suffered. If Obama and Clinton want to negotiate in secret, OK, but Obama saying, c’mon little lady, I’ll let you be vpotus without consulting with Clinton? Dumbdumbdumb.
Comment from timr
Time: May 7, 2008, 8:50 am
josh, that is SHEEPLE, not steeple. Remember this; You can fool some of the sheeple all of the time, you can fool all of the sheeple some of the time, but you can not fool all of the sheeple all of the time. I will admit to being somewhat surprised this am-stayed well away from all political reporting last nite-at the extent of Obama’s win in NC, and I am also surprised at just how close the IN. race was. So, I guess that hillas great pander did not fly with the majority of the sheeple, That really surprises me. But I’ll bet that it was a really big shocker to hilla’s camp. Maybe, just maybe, the people are finally starting to grow up and think for themselves and not just listen to empty promises like hilla and st john’s phoney gas tax ploy. Good for the people, and shame on billa for trying such a pander.
Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: May 7, 2008, 8:57 am
timr, sheeple and steeple aren’t too far apart. Sorry for the misspell. I do like your word, but I don’t agree with the notion behind it. As I like to say, to those who know me well, “you can lead a horse to drink, but you can’t make him water.”
Comment from bdr
Time: May 7, 2008, 9:19 am
Adding, if Obama top operatives aren’t making confidential overtures to Clorg top operatives today asking whether negotiations might be started, that’s dumbdumbdumb too.
I read Obama spokespersons talking about wrapping this up next round of primaries, showing they’re as stupid now as before.
The minute one side starts casting itself as inevitable they lose five points in the polls.
Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: May 7, 2008, 9:54 am
Say what? bdr, “they’re as stupid now as before”?!
Comment from bdr
Time: May 7, 2008, 10:42 am
Obama’s team did a bit too much woofing and dancing and demanding Clorg quit earlier, which motivated/infuriated/enthused Clorg’s constituency (and brought up the whole uppity meme).
Let her quit on her own terms, good or bad. Don’t deign to claim victory, don’t appear to be telling her what to do.
Comment from Max
Time: May 7, 2008, 5:10 pm
She says she will fight on.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7388741.stm
Personally, I see a woman so determined to be President, that she will wreck the Democratic Party, and the nation, in the process. As far as I am concerned, Barack has sealed the deal, and Hillary’s bag of tricks is empty of cash. Time to see the reality Hillary.
Comment from Amos N. Handy
Time: May 10, 2008, 10:46 am
“Personally, I see a woman so determined to be President, that she will wreck the Democratic Party, and the nation, in the process.”
The nations already in a phucking mess and it ain’t because of Hillary, Max. Quit while you’re ahead or you’ll end up sounding like (josha).
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