I, like many others were quite surprised by Hillary Clinton's win last night. All the polls before yesterday, gave Barack Obama a clear lead, and it looked like Hillary was going to suffer her second stinging defeat.
But lo and behold, the people of New Hampshire, a state I used to live in. rose up and basically told the pollsters, to kiss off, and put Hillary back on the map. I am first and foremost a Bill Richardson supporter, but Hillary is my second choice, and it did my heart good last night to see her triumph. Now, it's on to South Carolina, Nevada, and then super Tuesday to pick the nominee who will hopefully crush whoever the Republicans nominate.
But back to Obama. Most of the mainstream press before yesterday, said he was going to be the nominee. For five solid days after Iowa, all I heard was the Hillary was in trouble, she's done, she's finished, the machine was broken, and wasn't going to be fixed. Obama was going to stomp her into the ground, never to be heard from again. In fact, Foxnews said that Hillary was in so much trouble, not only was her presidential aspirations in peril, but her Senate seat was in trouble. This morning, Barack Obama is the one that's reeling, after taking an unexpected shot to the stomach from the people of New Hampshire.
Now, I'm not here to diss Obama, although I will not vote for the man for several reasons. That's not my intention. But what I am saying that Hillary Clinton is now very much alive, and kicking, and that Obama knows now he has a fight on his hands.
Last night, the voters of New Hampshire took a sharp stick, and jammed into the eye of the conventional wisdom. New Hampshire is known for last minute voters, who like to upset the apple cart. I know about this because I used to live there for 9 years, and as an independent myself, voted in 2000 for John Mc.Cain so I could stick it to George Bush. (And yes, I voted for Al Gore in 2000 in the general election).
So, Hillaty Clinton wakes up this morning, feeling energized, and Barack Obama wakes up, and ponders what happened. The message is quite clear. The people of New Hampshire put the brakes on the Obama coronation, and said not so fast.
GAME ON!!!!