Alright everyone. Time to take a DEEP BREATH and CTFD (calm the F down). I know for those of us who support Barry-O, this night is break from the victories we are used to. But as has been diaried extensively, it will take a lot more than tonight to give this to Hillary. Were I a betting man, I would take advantage of the hoopla tonight generates, put some money on Obama, and cash in when he gets the nom.
But that's not why I am writing this. I am frankly a bit shocked at how angry and upset so many of you are about the result tonight - specifically, how so many seem to think that this will result in a "democratic civil war" and hand the White House to McCain.
I think that is dead wrong, and frankly, if this thing goes "all the way" to Puerto Rico, I will be happy ... even IF Hillary wins. Of course, I think in the broader context it would be much better for Obama to win - for both policy reasons and because I think he will grow the party much more. But the reasons for which the "civil war" argument fails apply regardless of who wins the nom.
First, I think that the longer this thing drags out, the more McCain has to spread his attacks. Yes, I know, everyone here thinks this has become a slugfest. But get real -- Barack has been an utter gentleman, and while Hillary had been a bit aggressive, it is not nearly as bad as what the GOP will throw. So as long as McCain has to fight both of them, he can only invest half as much energy and efforts. That's GREAT! And it also means the barrage of candidate-specific 527s will not come online for quite sometime. Also great.
Second, I think that specifically in the case of Barack, this is teaching him a valuable lesson. In effect, the one area where I think Hillary's experience argument has some traction is in the context of elections - Barry-O has not had a tough one. Ever. But that's okay, because in the only context where that argument holds water, she is going to help him out and give him the experience he needs. His within-24-hour response to the 3 AM phone call ad is a great example: I think he handled it GREAT, and it proves to me he will be able to deal with the GOP crap throwing festival. But even Hillary benefits here -- while she has not had to deal with as aggressive an opponent, Barack is still teaching her some very important lessons that will be useful should she become the nominee.
Third, I think that while people have their panties in a bunch about not voting for the other candidate come the general, that is just a bunch of hoo-ha. I am strongly suspicious of those polls, because I can tell you right now that were you to ask me that right after some particularly nasty Hillary attack, I would say hell no. But I guarantee you that even a week after the nomination is sealed, I will fall behind whomever the nominee is. I do not want it to be Hillary, but if it is Hillary, you're damn right I am gonna work my ass off for her. Because if it's President McCain, I am dusting off my Canadian passport and ... moving to Canada. And I suspect most Dems will do the same (the falling behind the nominee part!)
Most importantly, however, I think the primary process is the best piece of press our party has had in decades. I just got back from caucusing and voting in Houston, Texas, and let me tell you -- people were fired up and excited. I talked to a Republican who wants Obama, many independents, and of course a whole bunch of run-of-the-mill Democrats (and many Hillary supporters too). Everyone was very excited. There was virtually no antagonism between the two camps, and the turnout was HUGE. The Republican man I spoke to said last time (2004), it was a 10:1 Republican turnout; this time, it seemed 10:1 Democrat. People are getting fired up guys. And I guarantee you every one of those primary voters will be back in the general.
If you believe in the 50-state strategy, you gotta buy into the 50 state primary. Because it is like the 50 state strategy on steroids. How much money have we spent campaigning this season? Millions upon millions already. And we've hit states that generally get ignored in the general - and what has happened? The Dems have caught FIRE. People are talking about Texas going blue for the first time since I've been in this country (I moved to the US in '88 at the ... though I was only 10, so politically unaware, but I do remember the last substantial Texas Democrat was Ann Richards).
Think about this from an infrastructural perspective -- people are VERY motivated because they know their votes count. And so are the candidates. Consequently, they build ground operations, make contacts, setup shop. Are those people just going to disappear in November? Of course not! We will have (ground) game in EVERY state this year. McCain? Not a chance. This will be the first election in ages where we out-machine the Machine (GOP/Borg/Whatever you wanna call it).
So stop crying like a bunch of sissies. Enjoy the fact that for the first time in generations, everyone is politics-crazy. We are, after all, a bunch of self-identified political junkies here. Of all people, this drawn out primary should make us ECSTATIC! Because it might every well be the key to the coming landslide in November. So embrace it, enjoy it, and take advantage of it - and quit harpin' on the negative you damned ninnies.