So, it is now 12:37am and I have been watching MSNBC's coverage of the North Carolina and Indiana primaries. Heading into the primaries, Obama was to win a close one in North Carolina and Clinton would win big in Indiana. The big issue she was pushing was the gas tax relief which to me is really a smoke screen. Obama was clearly against the gas tax relief having himself voted for a similar plan in Illinois and seeing that it didn't work. Clinton thought she could definitely pick up the blue collar vote pushing the gas tax relief. Well, as of 12:37am, Obama has won North Carolina by 14 points and they are in a virtual tie in Indiana, a state Clinton was suppose to run away with. Right now, she leads him by less then 17,000 votes.Now it is time for the spin. Obama is the first to make a speech and congratulates Clinton on winning Indiana while also debunking her idea of this primary being a game changer. He is now starting to focus on the task of taking on John McCain in the fall and it shows. Clinton comes on later and at first seems to say she will continue the fight all the way to the White House, but the second part of her speech seems to be a concession speech. Is she finally realizing that it is over? The Clinton camp obviously is trying to play down the lost in North Carolina and play up the possible win in Indiana by saying they were expected to lose North Carolina and basically a win is a win in Indiana. Every political analyst that I have listened to tonight says it is basically over...yet still her staff and supporters are trying to downplay the issue. Here is a clear indication that she is starting to realize she is done. She has cancelled all Wednesday morning television interviews and appearances which were scheduled based on her believing she was going to have a good night. Usually after a primary, the candidates send out emails asking for donations and to keep plugging away with the campaign. Her latest email to her supporters does not even mention the raising of money.
Mathematically, Clinton can not catch Obama in the popular vote nor the pledged delegates. But wait, what about Michigan and Florida Clinton wants to have counted? After tonight, even if they do count those 2 states, she will still be down by 100+ delegates and more than 200,000 popular votes...she is done. I know the Clintons want to save face and continue that legacy, but what is the point of staying in the race? Is it to continue to try and tear Obama down more? Even with all the Reverend Wright and Bittergate drama, Obama is still in the lead.
Her campaign is in debt. She's already loaned the campaign 5 million dollars and reports are she has loaned the campaign even more money. I think it is time for her to formulate an exit strategy that is graceful and helps her and the campaign save face. This has been one hell of a Democratic nomination race, nothing like I've seen in my lifetime and it has fascinated me. People ask me are you supporting Obama just because he is black? I will admit it is history that he is running and unless something horrific happens, he will be the Democratic nominee, but I do agree with many of his ideas, not all, but many. I think his idea of change is a breath of fresh air in the dirty world of politics. I think Clinton's undoing was her constant negative attacks against Obama and when she had the chance to put him away at his lowest point, she was unable to.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the campaign and who you are voting for.
Go Obama!
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