Despite the horrid press and doom-and-gloom campaign leaks, Hillary Clinton is within the margin of error in Texas and slightly ahead in Ohio. She has gotten off the defensive and the press, if not favorable, has been talking about her issues – Tony Rezko, national security, and media “unfairness.” As a bonus, critics (contrary to the “free ride” for Barack Obama line) have begun to question what exactly he has done to “build bridges.” A few even have the nerve to question whether his refusal to wear a flag pin on his label, his relationship with Bill Ayers and his wife’s comment that she had never been proud of her country before her husband started winning primaries could be used against him by those crafty Republicans. (The media cannot quite bring themselves to admit that these facts actually suggest a real disregard for the patriotric sensibilities which animate most Americans, but raising the issue is a start.) Even a liberal pundit or two has shown dismay over Obama’s pandering on protectionism.
So if she should win Texas and Ohio there will be a gasp from the media (not to mention some of those superdelegates) who will then have to discard the Obama-mania, invincibility argument and absorb the new storyline: she’s baaaaaack. True, she won’t reach 2025 delegates by June, but the fact remains–neither will he. Momentum, press spin and the appearance that Obama can not take a punch will weigh heavily on those superdelegates. Oh, and with a little help from Governor Crist (hmm, who’s he trying to help?) the race could be extended by a do-over in Florida.
Now if she loses Ohio and Texas? Even the most die hard supporters won’t be able to come up with a scenario to rescue her.