As a McCain supporter, it was nothing less than excitement and thrill for me watching the results of Tuesday night's primaries roll in. And no, I'm not talking about the fact that McCain finally passed the 1191 delegates mark, making him the presumptive nominee. McCain has been the presumptive nominee for weeks. It's just that poor Huckabee never got the memo until Tuesday night (perhaps they don't have cable news out there in Arkansas). My happy feelings were solely due to the sheer whipping that Senator Clinton handed down to Senator Obama.
And don't let anyone tell you differently, it was a smackdown. A terrible smackdown. Sure, Obama won Vermont, but did anyone expect different from one of the most liberal states in the northeast? He was devastated in Ohio, and while the overall numbers in Texas were close, that was only because of Obama support in the urban centers. Hillary won both district-wise as well as by a good amount of the popular vote.
My happy feelings are not because I have some deep-seated hatred for Obama. I really don't; I actually think he is a very nice guy, I felt bad for him giving his speech, the hope of so many, dashed by what the latte liberals would no doubt derisively call "middle America." I've delved into the issues I have with the policies of both Clinton and Obama, and it's here that I give no quarter to both Democratic candidates. Obama happens to be even more extreme than Hillary on some points, but I dislike both of their political stances. That said, and the source of my thrill and excitement, the results of Tuesday night have opened up a can of worms for the Democratic party that can't, that won't be put back anytime soon.
Is it possible that this is the first time the spoiler of an election was a member of the same party? Here is where we now stand in the Democratic primary:
Obama can no longer claim X number of straight victories. The gloss, the sheen, the perfect candidate no longer exists. By losing Ohio and Texas, Obama has proven that he isn't as invincible as the media has made him out to be, as his constituency wishes him to be. Losing three out of four on Tuesday night turned Obama from wunderkind into just another candidate vying for the DNC nod.
Article comments
1 - Jonathan Scanlan
Ya know, Clinton's was hardly a thumping victory. She's still behind in delegates with only a minor increase.
Not to mention that Texas was mostly 50-50. The problem may have actually been with the complacency of Obama supporters after the streak of victories, or even the last minute media frenzy he faced.
If that is the case... I don't think Clinton has much to look forward to. Might not be, but it is awfully reductionist to think it all comes down to negative campaigning.
2 - The Obnoxious American
I've never suggested that it does come down to negative campaigning. Nor does it really matter why Obama lost or by how much. None of this changes the pickle that the Dems now find themselves in, which is the point of the article, hence why two days ago was a "Super" Tuesday.
3 - Krutic A
Hey OA: Good to see you're enjoying this as much as I am.
The soviet style system and the hypocrisy of the Democrats is becoming more and more clear.
They are masters of shooting themselves in the foot and there are proving it again.
I always thought Obama would be weak on real attacks and he is. And like a dumbass he's made his campaign to stay 'above' the fray..well good luck doing that now. Now we'll see what he really is. Nothing more than a Chicago politician who will say and do anything to win.
4 - Greg
Barack Obama owes America an apology and can he deviate from his memorized canned speeches without putting his foot in his mouth?
As a presidential candidate Barack Obama proudly boasted that he was proud to be an American because "only in America can a black man (his father) from Kenya come to America and marry a white girl then go on to get a Harvard education".
He neglected to state that his father was a DEAD BEAT DAD who abandoned him and his mother early in his life. What kind of message does this send to dead beat dads? That it's ok to abandon your children or is the ethnic vote more important than abandoned children issues for his presidential candidate?
As I am child of a dead beat dad as well a single father with children I endured the hardships not having a father in my life as well as raising children without any support from my x-wife. I would not boast of the accomplishment that my x-spouse made for any reason and I found that statement to be a slap in the face for every single parent struggling everyday.
I quote the Chicago Tribune "I know he loved Ann," Abercrombie said, but "I think he didn't want the impediment of being responsible for a family. He expected great things of himself and he was going off to achieve them." Years later, Abercrombie and another grad school friend looked up their old pal during a trip through Africa. At that point, the senior Obama was a bitter man, according to the congressman, feeling that he had been denied due opportunities to influence the running of his country. "He was drinking too much; his frustration was apparent," Abercrombie said to Abercrombie's surprise, Obama never asked about his ex-wife or his son.
But worse of all he also neglected to state that it was his mother (the white girl) and I quote him per Chicago Tribune "the dominant figure in my formative years. . . . The values she taught me continue to be my touchstone when it comes to how I go about the world of politics." Where is the truth and respect for the people who struggled to give him the opportunities he has had?
And finally his judgment to use black man and white girl in any context is not acceptable language from a presidential candidate. If any other candidate had said black boy in their speech they would be politically crucified. It is clear that there is a double standard in America when it comes to race issues even for an ethnic candidate running for president.
5 - Heloise
Listen, whites who can't read, don't access the Web, make less than 20K a year, won't vote for a black person, and the list goes on have all voted for Hillary and what's worse they are voting (some) for her to pit her against McCain.
Yes, Obama has the yuppie, buppie, well educated, well heeled, vegan types like me and those I meet who are supporting him, and I'd rather have their input into this election and help run the country than the Clintonista types as stated above.
Heloise
6 - The Obnoxious American
Heloise,
I think your comments bely some racism, and if you are white, then perhaps some white guilt as well.
I'm well heeled, well educated, and I used to be a vegan (seriously). But no way would I vote for this guy, or Clinton. Not because he is black. It's all about his (and her) policies. I've read your articles about Obama and it never ceases to amaze me how exhuberant you are for Obama, and yet you rarely get into the nitty gritty of his platform. And here you are again, disparaging anyone who might not vote for Obama, and actually making a veiled suggestion that poor white people who make less than 20K are racist. There was a time when I was earning less than 20K, less educated, less heeled, and yet I had plenty of friends of all colors - in fact, I worked for a black woman! How does that fit into your world view?
In terms of Obama the man, I would be proud for this country to have a black president. I really wish Harold Ford had run, he is a Democrat that I could actually consider voting for. Of course, he wasn't liberal enough for the DNC and was booted out in the last election. It's just a shame that the words coming out of Obama's mouth aren't of a more sensible republican persuasion.
One last point, I do think as a society, it would be a greater accomplishment to have a woman president than a black man. I'm not saying that African Americans have not been downtrodden or that there haven't been considerable obstacles for blacks that are only just now receeding (and only just a bit). But Obama is still a man. A rich man. Only real difference is he has a little bit more pigment than McCain.
As bad as it has been for blacks in the US, over the entire course of humanity, no group of humans has had to endure the prejudice that women have coped with. That's just my opinion, but I think it's right. That said, I'm still a McCain man.
7 - Propagandist
Yes, Obama has the yuppie, buppie, well educated, well heeled, vegan types like me and those I meet who are supporting him
Talk about self righteous and patronizing.
Its pathetic.
8 - Baronius
Ob, I've got mixed feelings about Clinton's Tuesday wins. I'd love to see a weakened Obama get the nomination. But there's still a chance for Clinton to get the nod, and that scares me. I'd forgotten how malicious the Clintons are.
9 - The Obnoxious American
Baronius, if you think you are concerned, think about those super delegates who have switch support to Obama from Hillary. After that, if she wins, those people will pay dearly for their transgressions.