Analysis: "Will long Clinton-Obama race benefit GOP or Democrats?"

[villager]

Will long Clinton-Obama race benefit GOP or Democrats?

By Frank Davies

Mercury News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - By settling their contest for the GOP presidential nomination so quickly, many Republicans say John McCain, the presumptive nominee, and the party have seized an important advantage in the 2008 race for the White House.

Democrats worry that the close, historic battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton - while relatively civil so far - could turn personal or nasty if their contest goes on for weeks or months. Party Chairman Howard Dean has warned that the party's prospects in November would be hurt if the nomination is unresolved before the convention in August.

"Howard Dean is right to be worried," said Duf Sundheim, former state Republican Party chairman in California. "It's always a big advantage to have unity. McCain can define himself in a positive light. For the Democrats, the longer it goes the worse it gets."

But the advantages don't all flow one way. While the GOP now has the luxury of concentrating on the Democrats rather than each other, a protracted contest on the Democratic side would mean more headlines, more air time on radio and TV, and an opportunity to keep Democratic voters energized as the nation marches toward the general election in November.

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"Our contest is close but not bitter, and it's exciting for Democrats," said Rep. Anna Eshoo of Palo Alto, who backs Obama. In the intense campaigning before Tuesday's primary, "there was a lot of give and take, but Obama people respect Clinton, and Clinton people like Obama," she added.

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http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8222777

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. As long as there are no violent demonstrations at the convention, we

should be fine.

[neutron]

6. Not good

People Obsessing for a prolonged period.
Getting worn down.
Our system needs an Overhaul to prevent this
from happening again.

[Fredda Weinberg]

7. If super delegates don't work, we'll scrap 'em. It's not like they

came about w/o a reason. But I'm ok w/new media ... for all the drama, a lot more info is getting out and for those of us who carefully filter, it's a gold mine.

[George_Bonanza]

2. Huckabee's a headache for McCain

He may have a big delegate lead, but the conservatives aren't gaga over him. So both parties are having coronation problems.

[GoldieAZ49]

5. same as Jerry Brown was for Clinton in 92

[zonkers]

3. I would think a long democratic contest energizes the party -- gets more voters involved.

[tulsakatz]

4. that's assuming the republicans are really unified behind McCain......

judging by the way conservatives have been complaining about McCain lately and also the way they voted yesterday, it doesn't look like they're truly unified!

[comradebillyboy]

8. it will do them more good than windsurfing

or pretending to hunt geese did Kerry.

[Mr.Fitzgibbons]

9. I don't know how I feel about this -- in a sense, in ensures more media coverage but also

lots of criticism directed back and forth as Clinton and Obama continue to fight it out. And the media will be more than happy to fuel the nastiness. I still would like to see a Clinton/Obama ticket, just because it would excite everyone in the party and stand in total contrast to McCain.