Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Ohio and Texas
Was anyone surprised by Clinton's victories last night? At first I was surprised by the margin of victory she had in Ohio but then when I thought about it, I realized that it really shouldn't be that surprising, as well as her victory in Texas. Because of Obama's, (was it 11?) straight victories, there has been a lot of talk about how Clinton needed these victories to avoid the nail in the coffin and i imagined that pushed Clinton supporters to the polls in droves. That probably also helped keep Obama supporters away from voting, as well as the weather (in Ohio), which was nasty. Maybe Obama fans figured his momentum was so great he would sweep Ohio, Texas, Vermont with ease and they didn't need to go out in the nasty weather to vote? It's going to be interesting to see the caucus results for Texas. It's a shame the Republican primaries haven't been this exciting/close. I wonder if Mitt Romney had remained in the race, in those areas where Huckabee almost took McCain, could he have won them? Is it really that people love McCain that much or just that they prefer him over Huckabee? I really can't understand why he dropped out so early. Oh well. Now it's McCain vs. the winner of the Democratic fight to the death!
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4 comments:
Now, I have a tremendous respect for the Hilary campaign. I don’t know how they pull themselves out of fire again, but they did. Like she did in New Hampshire, Hilary poured gas into the burning ashes. It’s really good for Hilary that she won both TA and OH, but when you look at the actual delegation count, she didn’t reduce Obama’s lead at all. Last night victory might make her feel good, but I don’t think she didn’t fundamentally change anything for her losing campaign. If this nasty fight goes on, it would only benefit Sen. McCain. Then, I have to ask who the real winner in this historic election is. I wasn’t feeling bad about Sen. Obama’s setback, but I felt really bad about Gov. Huckabee’s farewell address. I think he fought for the good cause, and he fought really well with limited means. It’s our shameful system that never gave him or other minor candidates like Ron Paul or Bill Richardson actual chance, and I would like to see his name on VP slot or the future GOP nominee someday. I was really surprised by so many good conservative thinkers’ support over the Romney campaign. I bet that he felt enormous pressure from (R) establishment and his own short comings about his religion and being gov. of the most liberal state in America. I really hoped him to fight to the end, but he dropped out peacefully and I still don’t know why.
I completely agree with you Sam about the minor candidates and respect for the Hillary campaign, but I don't think you can really look at the delegation count YET because the caucus results aren't out yet and I think that if she could pick up those delegates as well that could re-energize her campaign and her supporters in the remaining elections. In fact, in a speech in Philadelphia, the new Mayor along with Clinton, compared the election to this year's Super Bowl, with the Patriots representing Obama and The Giants representing Clinton, insinuating an upcoming victory for Clinton. Even if the numbers don't change dramatically right now, I think last night proved that you can't count Hillary out yet.
*Interesting side notes about Ohio's primary:
- 59% of the Democratic voters were women.
- 58% of the women preferred Hillary to Obama.
-64% of the voters who decided who to vote for in the last 3 days leading up to the primary voted for Hillary (sounds like the Clinton campaign is figuring out what's working).
On different note, I was "discussing" the candidates and election with a few people and they mentioned that they hate elections because they think it brings out in the worst in people. That took the discussion to a whole new level. I understand that the political attacks between candidates are turn-offs and there are the intolerant people who try to force their views down people's throats. I also acknowledge that maybe people either let their emotions get the best of them sometimes or don't know how to debate while still respecting other views, but I still think, on a whole, elections bring out good in people. People who care about the environment, about health care, about poor people. People who want to see this country thrive. Participating in the election process is, in my view, essentially standing up for what you believe in. You put what matters to you on the table and hold political representatives accountable. I admire those who support 3rd party candidates or, in primaries, the minor candidates. They know their candidate isn't going to win but they believe in what they represent so much that they take the time and vote/fund/support them anyway.
That's why I love politics and part of the reason why I want to get involved. The primaries have been so exciting, I hope the general election is just as great.
Yea i was a little suprised that hillary won OH and TX because she really needed those states in order to have any good chance staying in and beating obama.
I think that if Romeny hadnt left he would have had a good chance to get further then now. Huckabee should have left first. McCain is really sweeping the nation, and i dont think i like it. I think that republicans feel that McCain is the only one they can vote for.
Well done to Hillary and campaigners for pulling out in 2 big states. Now lets wait for CT, thats another big one..
Oh man this race is crazy, so many close calls!
-to comment on Cindy, i think hillary is trying to say shes gonna way with the superbowl analogy-which im not sure will happen. And hearing how shes the underdog makes me unnoyed bc shes the freaking second lady of Bill Clinton, who had some tough times in the white house, but non the less was a great prez who got us out of a lot and helped the economy. Yes Obama has been beating her in a lot of primaries, but i just do not see how she is so much the underdog. they are in disadvantage for running as the first women president and first black president..
Oh the whole process is been a huge roller coaster....Obama supporters get excited and then he seems to not be able to pull it off at the last moments. Though as Sam mentioned, Hillary did not close in the delegate gap by much, she still walks away having won two more big states...and obama did not.
To comment on Nisha's comment.... I agree with you completely regarding the underdog statements. Hillary in the beginning of the race when Obama was not a threat to her, kept talking about how she has the advantage because she has the upper hand in the experience department. but now that she is falling a little behind and Obamas fortunes have turned, she is pleading for the people to vote for the underdog, the candidate that is closest to the people.
Either way, I think both candidate have a good chance again McCain.
I was listening to NPR this morning on the way to work and they mentioned that both candidates have their advantages and disadvantages if they were to run again McCain. Hillary has a little more foreign policy experience but Obamas has constantly brought out new voters and his campaign stresses that Hillary voters would vote for him in a general election, but his independed voters might swing and vote for McCain. The reporter also mentione that polls show that Obama is more favored than McCain, which is not necessarily true about Clinton.
WHO KNOWS THOUGH! This will be going on for a quite a while, and we can all be excited that we were a part of it from the very beginning!
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