Clinton battles Obama's momentum: "Possibly the last weekend of her Presidential campaign"

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: CAMPAIGN '08
Clinton battles Obama's momentum
Analysts agree the New York senator must win the Texas and Ohio primaries Tuesday to continue her campaign.
By Mark Z. Barabak and Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
March 2, 2008

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -- Hillary Rodham Clinton, once seen as a lock for the Democratic nomination, battled Saturday into possibly the last weekend of her presidential campaign, struggling to reverse a tide of money and momentum that has turned dramatically toward Barack Obama.

The New York senator stormed across Texas, questioning Obama's readiness to lead, particularly on national security issues. "You are, in effect, hiring the next president," Clinton told supporters at a rally at a San Antonio high school. "What you've got to decide is: Who do you want to hire?"...

In a campaign that has frequently defied expectations, a consensus emerged as the candidates caromed across the country: Clinton must win Texas and Ohio to have any serious hope of sustaining her bid to become the nation's first female president. A split decision would not suffice, analysts said, and winning narrowly may not help.

"We're reaching a point where -- not all voters, but lots of voters -- are starting to feel it's time for the party to coalesce around a candidate," said Geoffrey D. Garin, a veteran Democratic pollster who is nonaligned in the contest. "The Clinton campaign has to have a compelling and persuasive reason to go on. . . . She's got to come out of Tuesday with people believing that she has a realistic path to the nomination."

The political math seems to work against the former front-runner. Obama has opened a small-but-growing lead of delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Unless Clinton starts winning big -- and polling in Texas and Ohio suggests that will be difficult -- she could have a tough time overtaking Obama....After racking up 11 straight victories, Obama has two things going for him as he vies to become the nation's first African American president: the proportional awarding of delegates -- which means he can keep adding to his number even if he loses the popular vote to Clinton -- and the campaign calendar.

After Tuesday, the race shifts to Wyoming, which holds caucuses Saturday. Obama has posted some of his biggest victory margins in caucus states. Then comes Mississippi, on March 11, with a large black electorate; Obama is expected to win in a landslide, further padding his delegate total....

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign2mar02,0,1785725.story

[dkf]

1. This is nice stuff after Tuesday...

"After Tuesday, the race shifts to Wyoming, which holds caucuses Saturday. Obama has posted some of his biggest victory margins in caucus states. Then comes Mississippi, on March 11, with a large black electorate; Obama is expected to win in a landslide, further padding his delegate total...."

[DB1]

2. Sometimes it is good to just remember to soak it all in, watch as ....

history unfolds before us. The work really begins once HRC concedes. 7 months is a long time, the summer republican terror fear fear fear propoganda and the october surprises. I do feel Obama can weather all the storms.

[dkf]

3. I agree. I loved what he had to say, but now I have even more confidence in him

to back up both my logical and emotional responses to his campaign.

I tend to be a worrier, but I'm beginning to realize I can sit back and watch him do his thing and just enjoy myself.

[Mac128]

4. It's Over ...

EVen if Hillary squeaks by in TX – and there is no way she's going to sweep it, I stick by my assertion Obama will get everything else. Staying in will only prolong the inevitable. This idea that lawyers are ready to attack the TX primary systems is ridiculous. This is the last thing the party needs. Hillary needs to gracefully bow out and everyone needs to back Obama and shift the focus off his only dangerous weakness, foreign policy, which doesn't matter a bit as long as we have supportive ex-Clinton administration to fill out solid choices by Obama. Otherwise, any divisiveness in the party will ensure the oldest president ever elected wins the office.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Thanks for your post, Mac -- and welcome to DU!!!

[Name removed]

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