Barrack Obama has finally clawed back a state in the latest round of voting for the democratic nomination in North Carolina. Winning it convincingly by 14 points over Clinton, with 99% of the vote so far counted. Its broken a deadlock for Obama, who has had a rough couple of months. The Jeremiah Wright scandal has been hurting his public image.
His response to the crazy antics of his ex-pastor of twenty years, has come across to many voters as managed, scripted, and choreographed. A bit of a dent in the image that Obama has been trying to foster as the ‘new kid on the block’ untained by Washington’s inevitable wheelings and dealings.
Clinton has also not given up hope. Like a fluffy terrier on P she is nipping at the heels of Obama every darn step of the way. Refusing to give in. The State of Indiana, which also was holding its vote, is too close to call between the two, but it is projected that Clinton has the narrowest of leads of Obama.
At this stage in the race however, things are getting desperate. Not just for the individual prospects of the two democratic candidates, but also for the evential democratic nominee. The republicans are watching the end of the race with increasing delight as the see the two opponents, who are both individually strong, annihilate each other in a war of attrition. The longer the democratic nomination takes, the better John McCain starts to look. He’s had breathing space, and also an oppurtunity to document and analyse every single attack and response from Obama or Clinton.
Some of this blame perhaps could be placed on Clinton’s shoulders. Many superdelegates who would have put thier flag in the sand earlier have not done so, due to her dogged determination to stay in the race. This has meant that the democratic camp has continued to stay divided. The longer that continues the less time there is before the election for the Democrats to consolidate thier position and present a united front.
So the race as it stands is still at a fucking stalemate. And that helps no-one. Except John McCain.
Current Delegate Count
Obama — 1,823
Clinton — 1,676
Magic Number Required for the Nomination — 2,025