Reply #2: It sure does. Look here: [View All]

[Pirate Smile]

After Clinton’s losses on Tuesday, and after going 0-8 since February 5, you just knew that the tough press reports were coming. And that’s certainly true today, even on this Valentine’s Day. In addition to its front-page piece on how the pledged delegate math is difficult for Clinton, the New York Times writes that the Clinton campaign essentially had no plan after February 5. “The Texas and Ohio presidential primaries, on March 4, have become must-win contests for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, her advisers say. So why is she just opening campaign field offices across those states? The primary in Pennsylvania, on April 22, is also a crucial battleground. So why is her campaign telling its most prominent supporter there, Gov. Edward G. Rendell, that there is not enough money now for his proposed piece of direct mail to voters?” Terry McAuliffe was on TODAY and Morning Joe, arguing that Super Tuesday was a victory for the Clinton campaign. While Clinton and Obama split delegates and states on that day, doesn’t the notion that the Clintons really didn’t have a game plan after February 5 mean that Obama emerged as the true Super Tuesday winner?

Looking at Ohio and Pennsylvania: But these Quinnipiac polls might brighten the Clinton camp’s day. They show her leading Obama in Ohio, 55%-34%, and Pennsylvania, 52%-36%. What’s more, unlike past national polls, Clinton performs slightly better against McCain than Obama does. In Ohio, it’s McCain 44%, Clinton 43% versus McCain 44%, Obama 40%. And in Pennsylvania, it’s Clinton 46%, McCain 40% versus Obama 42%, McCain 41%. The problem for Clinton, however, is the expectations game. With those 20-point leads over Obama, she is now the overwhelming favorite in those states. But in this rapidly moving race, those contests (on March 4 and April 22, respectively) might seem like an eternity away, giving Obama plenty time to catch up. And, of course, we’re eager to see some baseline polls in Texas. As we’ve said before, Obama might have a better chance in the Lone Star State than he has in the Buckeye State…

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/14/664089.aspx#comments