Democrats Look to Life After Clinton

WSJ ^ | May 8th, 2008 | JACKIE CALMES and SUSAN DAVIS

[The_Republican]

All the feisty talk from Sen. Hillary Clinton and her campaign advisers Wednesday couldn't dispel the growing perception among Democrats that the party's presidential race is nearly over, and that Sen. Barack Obama is going to be the winner.

Tuesday's dual primaries technically yielded a split decision, as expected. But once Democrats grasped the final results -- Sen. Clinton's near-loss in Indiana's primary, where she recently was heavily favored, and her larger-than-expected defeat in North Carolina -- the New York senator took on the air of a loser, even to many of her own supporters.

"The air is completely let out of them," said first-term Rep. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania, who is uncommitted to either candidate, referring to the Clinton supporters among his congressional colleagues. "They are resigned to the fact that it's probably not going to work out."

Suddenly, a primary day that few expected to be decisive in the Democrats' long and close contest was interpreted on all sides as a game-changer. The first female with a serious shot at a major party's nomination, and election to the presidency, appeared to have fallen irrevocably behind, giving way to the first African-American likewise considered a viable contender for the same goal.

Many Democrats, weary of the extended contest, were relieved that a conclusion may be near. But the remaining endgame could be fraught, as party leaders attempt to unify two campaigns backed by millions of passionate supporters. How that process plays out could affect the ultimate nominee's ability to take on the Republicans' likely nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain.

[Always Right]

Obama has no chance unless he starts appealing to white voters. Winning 99.99% of the black voter is not enough.

[lexusppd]

Agreed, but try to tell that to the gloom and doomers here. They apparently are not able to see the voting patterns and numbers and extrapolate them into the general election.