5 March 2008
Novak on Clinton and Obama
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: Presidential Election 2008 .
Who’s got momentum? Answer could determine the nominee
BY ROBERT NOVAK Sun-Times Columnist
Sen. Hillary Clinton’s victories over Sen. Barack Obama in Ohio and Texas on Tuesday leave the Democratic Party in a quandary.
Not even the final big primary in Pennsylvania April 22 will give either candidate enough delegates for the nomination. But nobody wants the issue to await an exceptionally late national convention in Denver the last week of August.
In the absence of a numerical majority of delegates, the nominee will be whichever candidate is presumed to have the most momentum. But who is to make that decision?
Certainly not the party’s leaders. Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean has offered to step in and avoid a confrontation in Denver, but that was laughed off in both the Clinton and Obama camps. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid possess more prestige than Dean but not enough to dictate the party’s nominee.
Instead, the selection of who has the momentum will have to be made by a consensus of delegates, with the lead taken by non-elected superdelegates. They will be guided in no small part by who wins in Pennsylvania, but the winner there will not be the automatic nominee…
The fervent wish among Democratic leaders is that the argument will not go on for too long and will be settled soon after Pennsylvania votes. What the party deplores is what the news media, perhaps the public and certainly the Republicans would welcome: an old-fashioned convention struggle with backroom deals and credentials fights.The strong likelihood is that this fight will not happen.
15 Comments so far...
Mac Says:
5 March 2008 at 10:18 am.
I just can’t see either of these candidates backing down. I think they are to stubborn so I think it really could be the convention. But maybe there would be incredible pressure put on one of them. But which one? If Hillary says she has the momentum I don’t see her backing down.
jobob911 Says:
5 March 2008 at 12:14 pm.
Obama has been winning a lot lately but Hilary is defiantly going to keep fighting. I think Obama has a little more momentum now but who knows?
truetomyfaith Says:
5 March 2008 at 11:55 pm.
Obama seems to have the momentum. Hillary staged a comback but I don’t know if I would rule out a convention fight.
Stumpy Says:
6 March 2008 at 12:28 am.
Convention fight is jist want we want. If they let Obamas wife fight for him and they bring in some mud Ill come. Cat and I love a good girl fight.
Hank Says:
6 March 2008 at 12:37 am.
Keep it clean Stumpy.
Welcome aboard truetomyfaith. Or should I call you true to your faith? just kidding. Yeah I don’t really see how Hillary can do it. Math just isn’t there unless she’s about perfect from now on.
Cavetrollhead Says:
6 March 2008 at 12:38 am.
Go Hillbilly!*
*As pertains to Hillary Clinton, “Hillbilly” is a copyrighted term by Chuck C
Any reproduction of this name or any other use without the express written consent of Chuck C is strictly prohibited.
Jesse Says:
6 March 2008 at 12:54 am.
we are getting a lot of first rate comedians around here
Nalvy Says:
6 March 2008 at 12:55 pm.
What’s life without a little..or a lot of humor Jesse?
…it helps lighten the mood on dark subjects…or stupid ones hahaha
tony Says:
6 March 2008 at 1:55 pm.
your right Nalvy . humor is important. i would be lost with out it.
Stumpy Says:
6 March 2008 at 2:07 pm.
Hey meathead - I just stole your humor so now you can get lost.hehe
Nalvy Says:
6 March 2008 at 2:22 pm.
STUMPY!!!!
Stop scaring people off you old fart you!!! Your sense of humor is not the type i was talking about….
But i forgive you because you add that little extra spicy to the site 
tony Says:
6 March 2008 at 2:51 pm.
well you see i like your sense of humor… so i still have some….
also stumpy i like meat and iffer likes my head. so i like the nic-name:) thanks 
tony Says:
6 March 2008 at 2:52 pm.
also stumpy i like your thoughts… i have been reading alot today and i am really enjoying this blog.
Cameron Says:
6 March 2008 at 2:57 pm.
Stumpy, I think you finally met your match. hahahahahahah
Nalvy Says:
6 March 2008 at 10:54 pm.
It is refreshing isnt it Cameron?
Imagine that… Stumpy getting stumped…ironic really.
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