Can Clinton, Obama "conduct themselves in a way that does not undermine the party's ability to win"?

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: No End in Sight
By BOB HERBERT
Published: February 12, 2008

....She may still end up winning the Democratic presidential nomination, but a month’s worth of television images and front-page photos of Barack Obama basking in the glow of a series of easy caucus and primary wins is potentially devastating. The biggest danger for Senator Clinton is that she comes to be viewed as a weak candidate and likely loser in November before voters go to the polls in the big states that she is counting on as a fire wall next month....

***

(A)s worried as the Clinton forces are, there are dangers ahead for Senator Obama as well, and for the Democratic Party as a whole. The Democrats are entering a weird stage of the campaign. Some of the euphoria about the history-making aspects of the Clinton and Obama campaigns is giving way to anxiety over how long their fight for the nomination will continue, and whether that long and increasingly bitter struggle is damaging the party’s chances in November.

As for Senator Obama, he has been winning consistently in caucus states but has not done as well in states with primaries, which tend to give a better read of a candidate’s overall appeal with voters. Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania are all primary states. And even many of Senator Obama’s supporters would like to be reassured about his approach to foreign policy, his readiness to assume the duties of commander in chief and his plans for dealing with economic issues that seem to grow more dire by the day.

Under ordinary circumstances, this would be a blowout year for Democrats. The nation is tired of the war, tired of eight years of the Bush administration and worried sick about the economy. And Democratic voters, energized by the prospect of change, have been turning out in tremendous numbers. But the Democrats, to their credit, have placed a woman and an African-American at the head of the line for the party’s nomination. It’s a step that augurs well for the country, but at the same time it’s unlikely that either of them will have an easy time winning in November.

There comes a point in a campaign that lasts too long when there are diminishing returns all around. The big question for Democrats is whether Senators Clinton and Obama, whose camps don’t like each other, can conduct themselves in the long slog ahead in a way that does not undermine the party’s ability to win in November.

It’s not yet clear that they can.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/opinion/12herbert.html?hp

[Dogmudgeon]

1. You're not allowed to post rational articles here. This is GD-P.

For a number of reasons, I think Hillary is going to have a much better March. It's just difficult to really talk intelligently in here these days. But I will try.

A lot of people are also being lulled by the complete lack of history behind Obama or press scrutiny he has faced. The first time he faces a difficulty, he could fold like a card table -- or not. Unless he handles pressure at least as well as Hillary, he loses mojo. The press has been shielding him so far, but since he is all caught up now, there is no more reason to do so.

And while every contest considered Obama losses to be Pyrrhic victories, the "Point of Pyrrho" is now Hillary's. Obama is handicapped to win every Potomac primary by 20 points. Anything less, and Hillary picks up mo. A close loss will result in the press asking IF she is making a comeback. If she actually WINS a primary, the press will be heralding her comeback.

At this point, Obama enters the high-risk zone, and Hillary has the underdog's advantages. A change is coming -- an electoral phase change. Wednesday onward will be interesting.

--p!

[Raydawg1234]

2. If this forum is an indicator for that, No.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. ...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. Contradiction...

"...photos of Barack Obama basking in the glow of a series of easy caucus and primary wins is potentially devastating."

vs.

"As for Senator Obama, he has been winning consistently in caucus states but has not done as well in states with primaries..."


Not to mention, this campaign is civil compared to many I've seen, GD-P notwithstanding.