The Super Primary...and a little etiquette reminder

marjorie says...

The analysts are busy cutting up the electorate in a myriad different ways, to tell us who has what base of support within the Democratic party. But in the end, last night boils down to the fact that Clinton just won two significant contests. It was an overwhelming victory in Ohio, which many people point to as being all about the economy. Let's face it, the 90s are seen as good years and Clinton is associated with that decade. And in Texas it was an overwhelming rural versus urban contest. Only urban centers, sans San Antonio (I think), went for Obama. The urban/rural divide, as ever, continues to bemuse.

I agree with much of Erik's sentiment when he says the following in his post-election comments:

"The continued battle for the nomination doesn't really hurt the Democrats. Rather, it keeps media attention focused squarely on health care, the economy, and Iraq. This is a really great thing. McCain is in the background, almost forgotten about. Plus, isn't it a great thing that Democrats across the nation are playing a role in choosing the party's nominee? This can only help build infrastructure for state races in the fall. If Rick Noriega beats John Cornyn for the Texas Senate seat, one might look to the huge mobilization of Democrats here as the reason."

In addition to media attention on health care, the economy, and Iraq, this election also continues to highlight that the Democratic party is where those who think diversity is not only good, but imperative, hang their hats.

But as much as I agree that this is still a good thing at the moment, I also agree with many who don't want to see this contest go all the way to the convention. Having the super-delegates make the final decision would be damaging to the morale of the large chunk of the electorate that voted for the un-anointed. It could cause many to pack it up and simply go home. Accordingly, it would put all those super-Democrats in a tricky spot as well. I hope both candidates along with the rest of the big-wigs take this very seriously and find a solution...sooner rather than later. We need time to shift our allegiances and coalesce behind one candidate.

On a final note...I've not been a Clinton hater like so many I know have been. In fact, I like her and think that as far as Presidents go she'd be a good one. Regardless of who wins this primary, we need to like both her and Obama in the end. But in order for me to maintain my goodwill, she needs to remember that the vast majority of the electorate is not personal friends with John McCain. What she says about Obama during this primary matters to the chances of Democrats winning in November. The rest of this primary season should be about what she has to offer, not what strengths she supposedly shares with McCain vis-a-vis Obama.