General Election -- Let the Negativity Start

Sadly, a Presidential election without negative campaigning, is just un-American. John McCain is so concerned about his ability to unite conservatives and the Republican base, that he is going to go the extra mile to make sure that people know he’s not “too liberal.” As such, much like a child trying to prove he is “tough-enough” for the gang, McCain will try to prove he is “conservative-enough” for the Republican party. And how will he do this? Not by pointing to his own record (which is moderate), but by attacking the character and record of his Democratic opponent — get ready for some negative campaigning.

How can Clinton stop Obama’s momentum?

Hillary cannot afford to wait until the March primaries to slow Barack’s momentum. His sweep of the weekend’s primaries helped propel him to crushing wins in the Potomac Primaries, where Obama not only won, but won across all demographic groups. If Barack wins in Wisconsin, it will propel him to possible wins in both Ohio and Texas.

Hillary must change her focus from Texas and Ohio to Wisconsin. She cannot continue to lose states and stay competitive in the race. If Hillary does not win by crushing margins in Texas and Ohio, much the way Obama did in the Potomac Primaries, her presidential hopes will be over.

On another note, Hillary should not get credit for the primaries in Michigan and Florida. She unfairly and underhandedly campaigned in the days before Florida’s primary, and showed a lack of class as the only major candidate to keep her name on the Michigan ballot. Her attempts to seat those delegates on her behalf reflect her struggling campaign and desperation.

In unresolved Dems race, what will superdelegates do?

The Superdelegates find themselves in an incredibly unique position. However, their role is to ensure that nobody runs the party into the ground, and to do what is in the best interest of the Democratic party — that is precisely what they should and will do. The Democratic party finds itself with two incredibly talented and capable candidates for the Office of President. Neither Clinton nor Obama will run the party into the ground, and both have the potential to beat the Republican nominee. Thus, the Superdelegates do not need to save the party from any incompetent candidate, but rather follow the will of the people. Whichever candidate is leading in terms of pledged delegates, states won, and overall popular vote (hopefully one candidate will lead in all three categories), will get the nod of the Superdelegates.

If the Superdelegates fail to listen to their own voters, it will be reminiscent of the 2000 Presidential General Election, and the Democratic Party will lose considerable respect and validity. In such a case, the Superdelegates will be running the party into the ground, rather than saving it.