Obama can have a knockout in PA with an Edwards or Gore endorsement

[RiverStone]

As an alternative, a move of 30+ Super Delegates to Obama's camp before April 22 would also seal the deal.

It seems that party leaders must make a difficult decision sooner or later and no matter what, there will need to be damage control from the losing side.

The best thing for the Democratic Party is to have a definitive end to the primary dance on April 22. Just about every talking head on the M$M political teams yesterday said that if Obama can somehow pull out a win in PA, that would suggest in a very compelling way that Hillary should exit the race. The math is finally obvious to most that Obama has a lock on the pledged delegates. Even factoring in redo's in FLA and MI, Hillary now must win by a 65% margin in both states and almost run the table with equal margins in the other primary states to catch up. What are the odds of that?

So why not (Edwards, Gore, and/or Super Delegates) make that tough choice now, and fall behind the candidate that leads in the popular vote, delegate count, and states won. The difference between ending this contest on April 22 vs a contentious floor fight at the convention in late August is huge.

The party must have time to heal, to collaborate, and to chill a little before diving into the battle with McCain in the fall. Not to mention, the money and human energy that will be spared by NOT having this Democratic trench war slog into and through the summer. Despite the combative mood these days, Obama needs Hillary supporters to win this thing. Time heals --- but that take time. It would be far better to come together over the lazy days of summer than to try putting band aids on a battered and bruised party in September. And with all due respect, I understand many Hillary supporters want to hang on as long as there is a "statistical chance" Hillary can win.

There is no way out of this folks without disappointing a great number of Democrats; I just think at this point in time, the path of least resistance is obvious. That path leads to Obama. Of course, it just may be that the good people of PA will also come to the same conclusion without the help of big endorsements. All things considered, that is the best possible outcome this voter can imagine.

[MNDemNY]

1. Too bad he'll get neither.

[thevoiceofreason]

2. I was just thinking that!

Now is the time both/either could step in and have a serious impact.

[corkhead]

3. I agree wholeheartedly

thanks for posting.

[cloudythescribbler]

4. My guess is: Even if BOTH Edwards AND Gore endorsed Obama tomorrow -- it wouldn't close PA gap ...

nevertheless, since Hillary must not only WIN Pennsylvania, but win big -- something also unlikely to happen, I would expect Obama to get the nomination unless the Party leaders and the press bend over BACKWARDS to prevent it. I don't see the latter happening at this point, although the idea of a 'do-over' in FL and MI (not necessarily a bad idea, but I suspect Obama will have it pretty much sewn up after NC and Indiana anyway -- at which point maybe HRC will limit her focus to helping finance the elections in those states and campaigning there exclusively).

Question -- what concessions would Hillary extract in the Democratic platform? Other than health coverage mandates, I don't know of any specific issues of great importance to her (though that doesn't mean they don't exist).

[K Gardner]

5. 100% agreed on all points. Excellent post.

[4_Legs_Good]

6. This is Edwards' last chance to be relevant in this race

It's kinda a now or never for him. Either way he endorses it could have a measurable effect, but after Pennsylvania, it's not going to matter.

If he wants to throw his hat in, he better do it now, or just sit back and run for Governor of North Carolina next time it's open.

David