Is It Over?

The race for the Democratic presidential nomination appears to be over.

Sen. Obama's big win in North Carolina, combined with Sen. Clinton's slim margin in Indiana, have probably done her in. There are two big reasons. First and foremost, Hillary can't match Obama's spending. His better than expected showing on Tuesday has to be attributed, to some significant measure, to the fact that he has vastly outspent her. The second reason is the media fawning over Obama, which, after these results, has returned to full throat. There had been a short hiatus caused by Clinton's big night in Pennsylvania a couple of weeks ago and the Jeremiah Wright saga.

The funny thing is that I think Hillary is the stronger candidate. The Democrat's nominating process seems to elevate "fairness" over all other considerations. The proportional delegate system has led to a situation where Obama wins despite having never carried a big "battleground" (except his home state of Illinois) state. This may not bode well for him in November.

I realize, of course, that the Democrats will "bind up their wounds" after the process ends. The loser will praise the winner and campaign for him or her. Maybe party leaders will be able to convince the candidates to form the dream ticket (although I can't for the life of me believe Hillary will go back to the White House as number two again).

But there is going to be one lasting effect of the Democrat primary season. It has paved the way for John McCain to make certain criticisms of Barack Obama which, had McCain been first to voice, would have led to a great outcry in the media regarding racism. Instead, McCain can preface his remarks with "As Sen. Clinton said"...or..."Lets look at this video of Sen Clinton talking about Sen. Obama". It will be much harder for the media to assail McCain's efforts (though I'm sure they will) in light of Hillary's opening the door.