There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. As the electoral math forces Clinton to campaign on these sorts of arguments, the press should meet her there, and take hard looks at her claims, Obama’s counterclaims, and most important, do some independent thinking.
Only then can the voters and the superdelegates adequately weigh the case and decide for themselves. But if journalists present Clinton’s numbers without serious scrutiny of the argument behind them, they’ll just be doing her handiwork.
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Here is why Obama will win regardless of what is said on the campaign trail by Clinton or McCain. . . .
http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/02/obama-social-phenomenon.html
This social force that neither Clinton nor McCain can seem to either understand or do battle against is carrying a candidate into the White House who has little experience, has opaque motives but has beguiling oratory. .
— James Raider,
Posted by PacificGatePost![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.cjr.org/nav-commenters.gif)
on Sun 16 Mar 2008 at 03:33 AM
Here in NM we has a caucus - we went to a primary polling station and was given a paper ballot where we selected our choice by blackening out a box then placed the paper ballot in a locked ballot box.
Seems like everybody (even HRC) thinks all caucuses are where groups get together and spend time and discuss . . .
Simply not so.
Posted by capt![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.cjr.org/nav-commenters.gif)
on Sun 16 Mar 2008 at 12:23 PM
The Dems are between a rock and a hard place this year.
If Obama is cheated out of the nomination, there is no way Clinton can win. He'll either run as an independent or his supporters will vote for McCain.
If Obama takes the nomination, all McCain has to do is get back to his liberal roots and pick up a tiny fraction of Clinton's support base...
The Dems are also in a lousy position because they have to choose a candidate first.
All the GOP has to do is react. If Obama is nominated, then the GOP could nominate a female VP candidate (or even toss out some cabinet appointments) and take Hillary's supporters... If Clinton is nominated, then the GOP could seal the deal by nominating a black VP candidate or high level cabinet post...
I just don't see any way the Dems can win in such a divisive atmosphere..
Posted by padikiller![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.cjr.org/nav-commenters.gif)
on Sun 16 Mar 2008 at 01:29 PM
Capt:
You've got a smidge of a point. The New Mexico state Democratic party called what they did a caucus, but from the voter's perspective, there's little difference between their system and a primary election.
Sometimes you hear New Mexico's method called a "firehouse caucus." You go in, wait in line, grab a ballot, cast it, and leave as soon as you've finished. There's no clustering, head counting, or real time math.
The big difference between a firehouse caucus and a primary, of course, is who pays for the contest. Primaries are funded by states, and caucuses, whether firehouse or normal, are usually paid for by the state parties. And he who pays the piper calls the tune—if the party is willing to bankroll their own contest they can pick a date separate from the state funded primary. That's how New Mexico's Democrats ended up voting on February 5--Super Tuesday. The state's Republicans aren't set to vote until May 20.
For the record, I put New Mexico's delegates in my primary tally.
More here:
http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/NM-D.phtml
Posted by Clint Hendler![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.cjr.org/nav-commenters.gif)
on Tue 18 Mar 2008 at 10:54 AM