Despite what you hear on the TV news or read in the papers, there were clear winners in yesterday’s “Super Tuesday” primaries.
The clear winner was …. the American public. This race has created an energized electorate, with more participation by the young and minorities. My wife told me that there was remarkable turnout at our precinct, and that they almost ran out of ballots. Other precincts were similar. Further, at least on the Democratic side, the rules for apportioning delegates, combined with the superdelegates (who are not pledged, to my knowledge, but simply have preferences), this race is likely to go down the wire. Estimated counts show the difference between Clinton and Obama at anywhere from 30 to 100 delegates. We won’t know exactly until all the results are in and the odd Democratic formula applied (and of course, the superdelegates are wildcards). During the rest of February we have Wash., Nebraska, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and the Chesapeake region primaries (VA, MD, DC). These could go heavily Obama. In March, there are Ohio and Texas, Wyoming, Mississippi, and Vermont. Pennsylvania in April. All will be important, especially as Clinton is not focusing much on the remaining February states, but putting her energy into Ohio and Texas. We could very well see a convention fight for the Democrats — something we haven’t seen since 1968. All this does is energize people and get them involved. This is great.
The clear loser was …. George Bush. No matter what happens, he’s toast. McCain, the Republican front-runner, is a maverick in the party. Although he’ll likely pair with a conservative, you clearly don’t have a traditional conservative Republican. On the Democratic side, both Clinton and Obama are strong candidates with clear vision. Either will make a good president, which is why the fight is so close (I don’t think the issue is the quality of their ideas, but the size and shape of their luggage). It’s clear we’re going to elect a senator as president (we haven’t had a senator since LBJ), and this bodes well for a better level of cooperation in government. And thus, the era of George Bush, with the imperial Presidency and leaders who fight with congress and don’t feel that congress has rights to information, is dead.
So I’m pleased with these election results. I’m looking forward to watch the decision process unfold. I do hope the candidates continue to keep the focus positive, discussing issues and ideas, emphasizing why we should vote for them, as opposed to why we shouldn’t vote for ‘da udder guy.
And thus endeth my political soapbox for this morning.
