BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

If I were a betting person, I would bet that there will little difference in the spread between the two Democratic candidates after Tuesday.  With the delegates being apportioned as they are on the donkey’s side of the table, it is difficult in a race between two highly qualified candidates for one or the other to sprint to the finish line.

Texas is “too close to call” according to the polls.  Obama is closing the gap in Ohio.  Rumor has it that Vermont should go to Obama.  And, Michelle Obama has been campaigning for her husband in Rhode Island.  In fact, Senator Obama made a stop in Rhode Island and Senator Clinton made a stop on SNL.

Former President Clinton has said on more than one occasion that Senator Clinton will have to win Texas and Ohio to stay in the race as a viable candidate.  But, what does winning a state really mean?  As we have seen, it does not necessarily mean that the winning candidate receives the majority of delegates.  If Senator Clinton should win both Texas and Ohio, the delegate spread could be so negligible that we could be no closer to a runaway candidate than we have been to date.

I have enjoyed the primary race to date.  The idea of twenty debates is still overwhelming.  After the first debate between the two remaining candidates little has come to light to distinguish one from another.  Anyway I look at the race, it seems that on policy issues the candidates are so close that it is a toss up.  The bottom line is that unless we have a major breaking story that sets the race on its ear, we are into a popularity contest, much like who will be the king or queen of the senior prom.

It’s a hard call from here.  I would love to see every state have reason to participate fully in the nomination process through the primaries and caucuses.  On the other hand, I’m ready to see a single candidate emerge so we can unify the party and get ready for the big race.  As a party, we cannot afford to see the primary season last much longer.  We are beginning to do more harm than good for the pending nominee.