Unfortunately for the Democrats, the internal struggle for their Party's standard bearer remains mired in uncertainty, while the Republicans are now preparing to mount an elaborate ambush to eliminate their chances for the Presidency. Barack Obama's stunning 12 straight primary and caucus victories have been snapped by Hillary Clinton's huge wins in Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas. While Obama still leads in delegate count over Clinton (1515 to 1424), the prolonged process could deplete their respective war chests and may lose their donors to contribution fatigue.
Hillary literally clawed back into the race, fighting tooth and nail to secure victories in these delegate rich states. Over the last two weeks, she mounted some of the most biting attacks against Obama, including a video about a 3 AM critical decision call to the White House which should be answered by one who is experienced; not by one who needs to learn the job. The demographics for these week's primaries remained unchanged: with the Latinos, elder voters, white and women for Hillary; and the younger voters, educated, men and African Americans for Barack. Both candidates need to replenish their funds for what is seen as expensive campaigns in delegate rich Wyoming and Pennsylvania.
Neither candidate is expected to garner the required 2,025 delegates to get the nomination outright, and this would spill over up to the convention. The problem is, the longer it takes, the more bitter it becomes; and the more these two Democrats spew venom at each other, more of the independents become disheartened, which could cost them the election. Obama has used inspiring messages, Hillary has used fear and doubt. Both methods provide ammunition for the Republicans to blast against whoever becomes the nominee. If the trend in the Democrat race for the nomination continues,
either candidate may end up with a mountain of issues to defend versus the Republicans. Even if a Democrat wins the Presidency under these conditions, he or she will be so crippled by the general electorate's perception of their inability to unite the nation that it would be impossible for either to start on day one. Day one to one thousand could be a nightmare, for the President and the country.
Haarrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!
Hillary literally clawed back into the race, fighting tooth and nail to secure victories in these delegate rich states. Over the last two weeks, she mounted some of the most biting attacks against Obama, including a video about a 3 AM critical decision call to the White House which should be answered by one who is experienced; not by one who needs to learn the job. The demographics for these week's primaries remained unchanged: with the Latinos, elder voters, white and women for Hillary; and the younger voters, educated, men and African Americans for Barack. Both candidates need to replenish their funds for what is seen as expensive campaigns in delegate rich Wyoming and Pennsylvania.
Neither candidate is expected to garner the required 2,025 delegates to get the nomination outright, and this would spill over up to the convention. The problem is, the longer it takes, the more bitter it becomes; and the more these two Democrats spew venom at each other, more of the independents become disheartened, which could cost them the election. Obama has used inspiring messages, Hillary has used fear and doubt. Both methods provide ammunition for the Republicans to blast against whoever becomes the nominee. If the trend in the Democrat race for the nomination continues,
either candidate may end up with a mountain of issues to defend versus the Republicans. Even if a Democrat wins the Presidency under these conditions, he or she will be so crippled by the general electorate's perception of their inability to unite the nation that it would be impossible for either to start on day one. Day one to one thousand could be a nightmare, for the President and the country.Haarrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!
10 comments:
G'day Durano...
An excellent post as always mate!
I was thinking yesterday about the resources that these campaigns use up, and started to consider if we would ever again see the likes of a man like Abraham Lincoln in a position of power... born in a log cabin and so on!
Are we getting the best leaders, or simply the ones with access to the most money with which to mount a successful campaign?
Cheers!
thanks for the update Durano...
I don't think I would like to be voting over in the US....
it sounds rather complicated and drawn out...
I do hope they last the distance :)
It is unfortunate that there will unlikely be a clear cut winner on the democratic side. However, both are way ahead of Mr. Bush....errr...McCain. Whomever comes out of the Democratic Convention as the Nominee will be the next US President or I'm moving. This Country can't take 4 more years of Bush....It hasn't handled 8 very well. McCain's advantage will be after the rose garden photo shoot to distance himself as far as he can...and let's face it there are a lot of very wealthy Republicans who have done quite well with War...I'm reminded of the ol G&R song Civil War..."it feeds the rich while it buries the poor..." How true!
T
T
Hi Allan,
We are getting the leaders who provide good sound bytes, know how to handle the media, with access to money (legally or otherwise)and who have several interpretations of their own statements on positions.
Image, perception, projection,these are what the candidates pander to such that the substance of true leadership, statesmanship,and Democratic ideals are eroded in the process.
If we continue to manage the world this way, the Orcs will take over the world. :-) --Durano, done!
Hello Kim,
It's a complicated thing being a citizen in the US, and their electoral process is also complicated. The political spectrum, composed of many sectors have several conflicting agenda; and constantly batter each other without the benefit of hearing one another, to see what good points there are and what areas of agreement they can reach.
They disagree because it is presented by a segment they are opposed to (and discriminate against). They are so good at labeling and name calling to demonize their opponents without finding out the unbiased truth about what is proposed. Both conservatives and liberals do the same things. To further complicate these two groups, we have the Evangelicals and the left wingers.
Now, all these groups have Latinos, Blacks, Asians, Muslims, etc., who comprise individual sub-sectors; but between them (Blacks for example) there are conservatives, Evangelicals, liberals, and left wingers. The same breakdown for the Asians, Latinos, etc. Then we have the libertarians... you must be confused by now. I suggest you take a rest, then after an hour, go back to painting. This is a confusing and ugly world I'm making you look at.:-) --Durano, done!
Hi Tommy,
I have long ago written a post about Obama and Clinton running in tandem as the Democrat Candidates, that was before they started attacking each other.
Whatever office they hold will be making history, President or Vice-President. I don't know if it's too late for them, but at the rate they are doing, it will be disadvantageous to the Party and to the individual who would eventually become the standard bearer.
The drawn out selection process is viewed by some as good since it will make them better prepared against the GOP. On the other hand, it could be bad too since they would be exhausted and their voters may also tire of their repetitive sound bytes, slogans, and rhetorics.--Durano, done!
I'm beginning to think Obama's support will fizzle out before the elections. At least I hope so.
I'm not sure he can sustain this awestruck group of youth until November.
Debbie Hamilton
Right Truth
Hi Debbie,
I keep referring to Barack Obama as the Pied Piper because I see him that way, leading the youth to a dreamworld that may not exist and drown them all in sorrow and disenchantment.
That is the next generation he is dealing with, people who will hold the reins of government and industry in the future.
I am wary too of his defeat as this can work two ways: disenchant the youth because their dreams went down the sewer of establishment power; or involve them more so that they can assure their candidate's victory the next time. I guess it would be best for Obama to run as Hillary's Vice-President. --Durano, done!
haha thanks Durano...
Art and Politics do not make a happy combination :)
but thank you for your detailed explanation any way....
Hello Kim,
You're welcome anytime! :-) --Durano, done!
Post a Comment