MT (D only), NM (R only), and SD post-mortems
June 4th 2008 21:48
On Tuesday, Democratic primaries were held in Montana and South Dakota. Republican primaries were held in New Mexico and South Dakota. The results were as follows:
Democrats --
Montana: Obama 57%, Clinton 41%
South Dakota: Clinton 55%, Obama 45%
Republicans --
New Mexico: McCain 86%, Not McCain 14%
South Dakota: McCain 70%, Not McCain 30%
Takeaways:
Democrats --
These were the last of the Democratic primaries. At the end of the night, Obama had finally secured enough delegates (pledged delegates and committed superdelegates) to become the presumptive Democratic nominee. Regardless of how you feel about him, it was an historic night as Obama became the first African-American to become a party's nominee for the presidency. Not only that, but he will almost certainly be favored to beat John McCain in November in what is turning out to be a very difficult year for the GOP.
Although Obama did pass the necessary delegate threshold, Clinton still hasn't officially conceded. She seems determined to continue pushing the issues most important to her and using her position to bargain for something (a possible VP candidacy has been suggested by some, including Clinton). Nevertheless, Obama is fully turning his attention towards McCain now that he has become the presumptive nominee.
One important note: Obama certainly didn't sprint across the finish line. He started strong, but HIllary clearly won the second half of the primary season. Obama had a larger enough lead to hold on and win, but he is hardly doing his best right now. After a long and bruising contest against Clinton, he desperately needs to catch his breath and regroup. And, of course, he has a lot of work to do with Clinton voters (white working-class voters, older white women voters, and Hispanic voters).
Republicans --
McCain is also limping to the finish line. Having been the presumptive GOP nominee for a while now, McCain should be in a better position than he is. However, he has done almost nothing to shore up (much less inspire) his base. Now, he seems determined to sprint to the middle and appeal to more independent voters. At the end of the day, though, I don't think McCain will be a big draw for any group. His best hope is to be the anti-Obama or anti-liberal candidate.
Up next: Nebraska for the GOP on July 12th. That will be the last GOP contest.
Democrats --
Montana: Obama 57%, Clinton 41%
South Dakota: Clinton 55%, Obama 45%
Republicans --
New Mexico: McCain 86%, Not McCain 14%
South Dakota: McCain 70%, Not McCain 30%
Takeaways:
Democrats --
These were the last of the Democratic primaries. At the end of the night, Obama had finally secured enough delegates (pledged delegates and committed superdelegates) to become the presumptive Democratic nominee. Regardless of how you feel about him, it was an historic night as Obama became the first African-American to become a party's nominee for the presidency. Not only that, but he will almost certainly be favored to beat John McCain in November in what is turning out to be a very difficult year for the GOP.
Although Obama did pass the necessary delegate threshold, Clinton still hasn't officially conceded. She seems determined to continue pushing the issues most important to her and using her position to bargain for something (a possible VP candidacy has been suggested by some, including Clinton). Nevertheless, Obama is fully turning his attention towards McCain now that he has become the presumptive nominee.
One important note: Obama certainly didn't sprint across the finish line. He started strong, but HIllary clearly won the second half of the primary season. Obama had a larger enough lead to hold on and win, but he is hardly doing his best right now. After a long and bruising contest against Clinton, he desperately needs to catch his breath and regroup. And, of course, he has a lot of work to do with Clinton voters (white working-class voters, older white women voters, and Hispanic voters).
Republicans --
McCain is also limping to the finish line. Having been the presumptive GOP nominee for a while now, McCain should be in a better position than he is. However, he has done almost nothing to shore up (much less inspire) his base. Now, he seems determined to sprint to the middle and appeal to more independent voters. At the end of the day, though, I don't think McCain will be a big draw for any group. His best hope is to be the anti-Obama or anti-liberal candidate.
Up next: Nebraska for the GOP on July 12th. That will be the last GOP contest.
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Comment by S.L. Bradish
As for McCain, do you think he might pick Lieberman? It's no giant leap for someone who thrives on "crossing party lines."
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
I don't think McCain would pick Lieberman. It would kill him with conservatives and he needs ALL of them to come out. Also, someone asked Lieberman about the possibility and he said he had already been there and done that and wasn't interested.
Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate