What Hillary Clinton's Pennsylvania Win Does

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

24 Apr 2008 03:08 AM

On Tuesday, Clinton won the Pennsylvania primary. Yesterday we talked quite a bit about primaries and their role in the run for President. Had she lost, her ability to be elected would be next to null. . .a mathematical impossibility. Actually, it still is nearly a mathematical impossibility. But her win yesterday was important for her campaign and has some serious implications for Obama's campaign as well.

What Hillary's Win Does for Her

First and foremost, it keeps her in the race. Had she lost on Tuesday, I think that she would've needed to bow out gracefully. (I'm not saying she would have. . .after all she is here to "fight for you, and anyone else that's ever been felt cast aside.")

Secondly, Pennsylvania is considered on of the "big states". Her win there was decisive, almost a whole 10 percent, and this definitely helps her build her momentum back up as they head into the next two primary states on May 6. (Or rather I should say it helps her slow Obama's momentum down.)

However, Hillary's win does not overcome her trailing Obama in the popular vote or the delegate vote. While 10% is a big number for her to win by, in the grand scheme of things it does little more than put a dent in Obama's campaign.

What Hillary's Win Does for Obama

Look for Hillary's campaign to start asking questions about Obama's electibility against John McCain. What I think is more serious than the fact that Obama lost Pennsylvania, is that he has failed to win any "big state." Ohio is a critical battleground that Obama lost and other states like New Jersey, California, and New York were also won by Hillary. Look for Hillary's campaign to talk about how she is the only candidate capable of getting those votes against McCain.

However, I think the most crucial thing that Hillary's win doesn't do is end the contest for who gets the Democratic party nomination. Obama and Hillary will have to continue campaigning while McCain is essentially able to sit back and prepare for the general elections since he's essentially already secured the GOP nomination.

Related Articles:

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Politics 101: Focus on U.S. State Senator Barack Obama

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Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.

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Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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