Posted by
Darrick Johnson on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:41:38 AM
Hillary's decisive win in West Virginia tonight isn't going to stop Obama's momentum. He's got the press, he's closing in on the necessary delegates, and he's certainly the likely democratic nominee. But he's going to have an interesting summer. It's going to be a trial candidacy. Much like an unproven rookie quarterback with a compentent veteran behind him, he's going to be one or two screw ups from the bench. Hillary will keep her machine trained on Obama. Republican opposition researchers will sink their teeth in. And Obama, has shown them exactly where to look. One video, letter, email, or tape produced by a disgruntled Rev. Wright can categorically disprove Obama's contention that he never heard Wright's most strident comments. Obama friend, and unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers is ticking time bomb. Obama is about to be tested seriously, and for the first time in his political career, he will have to appeal for the votes of individuals that aren't dyed in the wool liberals. Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio independents aren't exactly the same demographics as inner city Chicago, or the Vermont democratic primary voters.
All candidates fade. All candidates make mistakes Almost all candidates have damaging information come out during the course of an election. But for Obama, he must face all those prospects with a couple hundred insiders ready to send him to the bench at the first sign of trouble. With his inexperience, radical friends, and leftist record, there's a good chance Obama will look a lot more like former Chargers first round flop Ryan Leaf than Tom Brady when the convention rolls around. And facing news cycle after news cycle of embarrasing revelations, along with the prospect of a 3rd consecutive defeat in November, will superdelegates give him the hook, or accept 2008 as yet another 'rebuilding year'?