I was going to wait until all the polls were in before I made a post, and Indiana has just been called for Sen. Clinton.
North Carolina was expected to go for Sen. Obama, and it did in a resounding fashion, 56% – 42%. Indiana was expected to go for Sen. Clinton by several percent, and it is basically tied. We’re talking about a delegate or two between them in Indiana. Sen. Obama has effectively washed out Sen. Clinton’s gains from Pennsylvania.
A lot of folks are now expecting Sen. Clinton to step out of the race this week, but I think I’m just a little more cynical. I don’t see her stepping aside when she has a basically guaranteed win in West Virginia. I think she stays in at least through that contest and hopes for an Obama gaffe, or that the media latches on to another lapel pin or Wright non-issue. She’s out of money — barring a huge fundraising announcement from April — but I just don’t think she’ll suddenly decide she can’t win and step aside. A clear Clinton victory has been a long shot for some time. She has been “moving the goal posts” for quite a while, with Michigan, Florida, “more votes by people who have voted,” the legitimacy of caucuses versus primaries, etc. With a win (however minor) in Indiana, I can’t see her stepping aside. I am hoping I am wrong because every day she is in this race is a distraction from the attention that should be being paid to going after McCain. He’s currently getting a free pass.
Here’s a good article from The Huffington Post, before I come off too much like a hater: It’s Not About Hating Hillary
And can I just say how much I love this picture?
I completely agree. It was a great night for Obama. After last night (if it wasn’t before) would be a gracious time for Clinton to exit. However, I don’t think she will. She’s willing to tear the Democrats apart for some slight chance (in the end, for nothing). Obama will win, the numbers don’t lie. She needs over two thirds of the Superdelegates in order to bring the gap closer (which won’t happen unless the Democrats want to alienate and outrage the voters). Her cash and time is running out.
Every primary she moves the goal post. She’s delaying the inevitable. She needs to be courteous and admit defeat. I know I will respect her more if she did.
I think we’ve crossed the threshold where Michigan and Florida can be seated without it affecting the outcome as well. The rules committee (a lot of whom support her) will be meeting soon to discuss that. I think Obama will be willing to deal because the delegate count will already be a majority for him.
Her opportunities are limited and I really think she’s just waiting for a misstep and may try to trip him up.
I don’t think she has any interest in being VP, so burning bridges isn’t something she’s concerned about. She acted all magnanimous last night with the “I will work for the nominee” bit, but I just don’t see it.
I hope I’m proved wrong today or tomorrow and she steps aside, but I just don’t see it happening. I think she’ll stay to the bitter end.
As for moving the goal posts, it is a lot like Bush and Iraq in my opinion, and the administration’s definition of success.