First, there was New Hampshire. Barack Obama could end the candidacies of his Democratic rivals including the once heavily-favored Hillary Clinton with a victory there. Didn’t happen.
Then it was Super Tuesday, Feb. 5. Clinton or Obama could deal the other a knockout blow. Didn’t happen.
Ohio and Texas? With victories in at least one, pundits argued, it would be game over for Clinton. Didn’t happen.
Pennsylvania! April 22! Whoever wins the Keystone cements their nomination credentials.
Doesn’t look like Pennsylvania will be the finish line either. From Newsweek:
Since most observers fully expect Clinton to carry Pennsylvania, a win there may not do much to sway uncommitted Democratic superdelegates, who will be key to deciding the nominee. That leaves the May 6 states—particularly Indiana, where the two candidates appear evenly matched—as potential game-changers. If Clinton wins both contests, she could argue that momentum has shifted decisively in her favor and silence calls for her to step aside. If Obama prevails, it could be his best chance to persuade superdelegates to end the race early.
Time and time again the finish line gets moved back. And even as we ponder this, the Clinton’s are pointing to Kentucky, West Virginia and Puerto Rico in late May as places where Clinton could outperform Obama. So even though some are suggesting May 6 when Indiana and North Carolina have their say, the Democratic primary could still roll on past the Hoosiers and the Tar Heels.
That all changes if Obama’s bus tour significantly eats away at Clinton’s double-digit lead here. If Pennsylvania starts getting more competitive, you’ll see a sense of urgency from both camps that will make Ohio and Texas look like class president elections.
That’s a wrap tonight. Time to slumber. There’s a bus to catch tomorrow …
