Posted by
beltway girl on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 11:57:32 PM
Yes.
Until there's one gasp left, until there's one breath, until there's one twitch of life, until there's a line across the screen with that shrill, steady beep, it will not be over for many in the Clinton camp. Arguably, even when there is, it won't be over.
A victory in Ohio. How much does this mean in terms of the plug pulling?
It depends on the margin of victory. It also depends on Texas, and the outcome as a whole in terms of net delegates.
The only real chance Clinton would have in this, when you look at the situation as a big picture, is a demand for a do-over in Florida and Michigan. First off, you couldn't be too sure this would go Clinton's way. Second, these races didn't count for a reason. These states were being punished for moving their races up on the calendar.
Is it still going to be a punishment when they decide an entire race? And aren't the Clintons concerned about that fact?
Maybe. They're concerned it's going to make it harder to get the do-over.
This is over. It's over. It's been over for awhile. The skies are open. The choirs sang. The light's been shining for awhile. Have the Democrats finally picked a winner?
Yes. And it's not Hillary, nor would it ultimately be, even if she still carried the nomination. And it's for that reason alone that I believe she won't. Conservatives like Rush Limbaugh have gloated over the fact that a vote for Hillary would end up as a vote for McCain in the general election.
The eerie thing for Republicans is that Democrats could argue a vote for McCain would actually be a vote for the Democrats, but that's another story.
In the end, she is not going to be able to pull this off. Her nomination will be a McCain victory on a gilded silver platter, and too many Republicans are gleefully pointing this out.
It is just too late in the game. The illusion of choice may not be completely dispelled yet, and for some, it never will be. But when the voters wake up tomorrow and look at the aftermath, it may well be on its way.