In the aftermath of the Pennsylvania primary, media coverage of the Democratic race has devolved into a third grade soccer game at recess. The cruel irony is that conservatives are driving the debate. This morning, for example, Robert Novak (de)constructs the "Deepening Democratic Dilemma" in the Chicago Sun-Times, Michael Barone asks "What If She Wins the Popular Vote?" in U.S. News and Karl Rove queries "Is Obama Ready for Prime Time?" in the Wall Street Journal.
Meanwhile, Steven Stark of the Boston Phoenix panics. "It's Time for Dems to Recruit Al Gore." This is by far the most ridiculous proposition I've heard this election cycle - and Stark is hardly the first to present it.
Crossposted from Our Republic
The fact is that Pennsylvania changed very little. Obama is way ahead in pledged delegates, states won, votes and money, and none dispute that Clinton has no chance of catching him in any of these metrics. While Karl Rove says Obama was "pummeled 55% to 45%" in Pennsylvania, he's already made two errors. First, Obama lost by less than 10 points (granted, a double-digit victory sells more papers and brings in better ratings). Second, 9 or 10 points hardly constitutes a pummeling. These are pummelings . . .
South Carolina: Obama +28
Alaska: Obama +50
Arkansas: Clinton +44
Colorado: Obama +35
Georgia: Obama +35
Idaho: Obama +63
Illinois: Obama +32
Kansas: Obama +48
Minnesota: Obama +34
North Dakota: Obama +24
Oklahoma: Clinton +24
Louisiana: Obama +24
Nebraska: Obama +36
U.S. Virgin Islands: Obama +84
Washington: Obama +37
Maine: Obama +20
Dems Abroad: Obama +34
D.C.: Obama +51
Maryland: Obama +25
Virginia: Obama +29
Hawaii: Obama +52
Vermont: Obama +20
Wyoming: Obama +23
Mississippi: Obama +24
Is it any wonder why conservatives are going after Obama? Sen. McCain has little or no chance of beating him. Clinton, on the other hand, is already on the verge of defeat. Whereas 62 percent of Americans believe Obama to be honest and trustworthy, only 39 percent say the same about Clinton. Whereas 32 percent have an unfavorable opinion of Obama, a staggering 48 percent view Clinton unfavorably.
This isn't rocket science. Clinton is still in contention with Obama because conservatives insist she is - and independent media are having too much fun or are too happy with the ratings to care.