by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright March 5, 2008
All Rights Reserved.

ulling off impressive victories in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) resuscitated her presidential campaign, breathing new life into her bid to become the first woman president of the United States. Clinton was helped in no small part by Texas and Ohio's open primary rules, allowing Republicans to vote Democratic. She benefited from conservative nationally syndicated radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh clarion call to GOP voters in Texas and Ohio to vote for Hillary. Limbaugh and others in the GOP believe she's a weaker candidate than her rival Sen. Barack Obama (D-Il.) who still holds a commanding lead in pledged delegates. While the delegate math still favors Obama, losing Ohio and Texas exposed a chink in Obama's armor, giving the Clinton camp more grounds for hope. Weeks of withering attacks neutralized Obama's momentum.

      Hillary took her victory lap making the rounds on morning TV talk shows, hinting that the two fierce competitors might eventually share the ticket. “That may, you know, be where this is headed, but of course we have to decide who's on the top of the ticket,” Hillary said with glee on CBS's “The Early Show.” “I think the people of Ohio very clearly said that it should be me,” signaling she intends to carry the campaign to the bitter end, when Puerto Rico votes June 6. While Obama closed the gap in both Texas and Ohio, he couldn't finish off Hillary, raising doubts about his frontrunner status. Hillary picked up only 12 delegates, leaving her with 1,462 to Barack's 1,562. What she missed in pledged delegates, she improved her leverage with the 353 superdelegates still up for grabs. If the race goes to the Democratic National Convention in Denver Aug. 25-28, she can boast about winning the most populous states.

      Losing Ohio and Texas, Obama now has a more difficulty selling superdelegates at the convention. Even if he enters Denver with more pledged delegates, the margin will be under 100, easily decided by wrangling over superdelgates. Between now and April 22, Obama will be forced to change tactics. Barack was hammered by Hillary leading up to March 4, raising ethical concerns, sincerity on NAFTA and questions about his readiness for commander-in-chief. Hillary's persistent attacks and control of the media, took its toll. “There's no doubt that Sen. Clinton went very negative over the last week,” said Barack, admitting it “had some impact” on the voting, “particularly in the context where many of you in the press corps had been persuaded that you had been too hard on her and too soft on me,” signaling his campaign will become more negative leading up the Pennsylvania primary.

      Barack looked too far ahead to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and the general election and tripped on his shoelaces. Clinton's team put Barack in the crosshairs and methodically attacked his credibility. By the time March 4 rolled around, the once media darling was sparring with the press. “It was a mistake to have been engaged with him [Tony Rezko] at all in this or any other personal business dealing that would allow him, or anyone else, to believe that he had done me a favor,” said Obama March 3, answering pointed questions about his dealings with his old friend, real estate developer and fast food mogul Tony Rezko, currently facing trial for political corruption and influence peddling. Hillary seized the chance to link Barack Rezko, putting him on the defensive. “I have been very open about what I called a boneheaded move,” Barack said about his dealings with Rezko.

      Between now and Pennsylvania, Hillary will continue slamming Barack about his relationship with Rezko and readiness for the Oval Office. Barack has no choice but to respond in-kind, questioning Hillary's claim to be more prepared to deal with the economy and foreign policy. “What exactly is this foreign policy experience?” Barack asked rhetorically. “Was she negotiating treaties?” Was she handling crises? The answer is no,” already beginning his new strategy. When Rush Limbaugh asked his listeners to vote for Hillary, he envisioned the kind of bloody internecine warfare that now engulfs the two candidates. Limbaugh wants McCain, who was endorsed March 5 by President George W. Bush, to prevail in November. Limbaugh believes Hillary can do a better job of beating up Obama than McCain. He sees a protracted battle between Hillary and Barack as good for the GOP.

      Hillary's hard-fought victory in Ohio and Texas doesn't come without a price. For 12 delegates, she set the stage for an ugly slugfest between now and April 22. If she wins Pennsylvania, she's going to have compelling clout on superdelegates heading into Denver. Her negative campaigning threw Obama for a loop, landing just enough blows to stop his momentum and pull out the wins. It's no accident that Hillary won as many as 134,000 Republican votes in Texas. While she'd like to tout her crossover appeal, Limbaugh's strategic voting aided her victory and exacerbated the internecine warfare weakening Democratic unity heading into November. GOP presumptive nominee John McCain can refine his message, raise more money, unify the Party and go after both Hillary and Barack, while they both bloody each other before the Democratic National Convention.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2005 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.