It’s about 11 p.m. here in Illinois – it looks like the stories from tonight’s caucuses will be: McCain clinches nomination and Clinton stays alive.Actually, I think it ought to be – Clinton gains the momentum – but, given the media’s massive man-crush on Obama, I think they’ll minimize her victories, just as they did on Super Tuesday I.
Some of the pre-primary columns today were unbelievable. Several were calling for Clinton to drop out even if she were to win both Texas and Ohio. (As I’m posting this, Ohio has been called for Clinton and Texas is officially too close to call, although Clinton is up by about two points with over half the votes in.)
I listened to Clinton’s victory speech in Ohio. Key message, I think, was that you can’t win the presidency if you can’t win the swing states. I expect we’ll see that message a lot during the coming weeks. Frankly, she has a point.
She continued on the “ready from Day One” theme, which I tend to agree with the pundits is a weak message. The campaign is trying to make the connection that being married to a president prepares you for office. I don’t think the public is buying that one. It seems to me to be a better argument for McCain than for the Democrats.
Contrast her remarks with McCain’s, which are posted on this blog. It strikes me that he’s really sharpening his focus and developing a good message. I want to believe that ultimately, voters will respect his straight talk – McCain really is unable to straddle the fence and waffle (even when it might be more prudent at times to do so.)
I think he’s gambling that what the voters are tired of are politicians who think voters are so stupid that all you can do is feed them what they want to hear. It’s a risky strategy and I have to admit there is precious little evidence out there to support McCain’s optimism. But I admire the guy for taking that approach.
Ultimately, it will say a lot about this country if the voters reject the Democrat’ bromides and go for the real substance and change offered by McCain.
What it really comes down to is: Do we want higher taxes or lower taxes? Do we want bigger, more intrusive governent or smaller more efficient government? Do we want to retreat from Iraq with our tail between our legs or do we want to come home after securing a victory there? Do we want amnsesty for the millions of illegal immigrants already here or do we want to bring them to justice and stop bleeding our public coffers? Do we seal the borders effectively or just continue to ignore the issue? And, my good gosh, where will all that money come from for free health care for everyone?
Comment by Mister C — March 5, 2008 @ 2:15 am