Super Tuesday Showdown
Sports fans had their day on Sunday, and today we political junkies get our own version of the Super Bowl — Super Tuesday. With 24 states voting today in what is expected to be a close contest at least on the Democratic side, it is sure to be a late night for this political correspondent.
Barack Obama has closed Hillary Clinton’s lead in the national polls as well as in delegate-rich states like California, New Jersey (Ms. Informed endorses Obama, Clinton’s lead evaporates in NJ…coincidence?), and Massachusetts (Clinton must loathe Ted Kennedy and the rest of the Kennedy clan at this point). However, with delegates being awarded proportionally, it is a fight for every last delegate, and this race will continue well after polls close this evening.
On the dark Republican side, straight double talker John McCain is looking to all but clinch the nomination tonight. Mitt Romney, the only viable threat to McCain’s nomination and the only bigger flip-flopper than McCain, needs to win California to have any chance at surviving the evening. Unlike the Democratic race, many of the states in the Republican primaries are winner-take-all, and this could really finish off Romney if he cannot pick off a few of the closer states — and even that may not be enough to pull off a comeback.
I am not even going to try and predict the winners tonight. I will, however, say this: Watch the East Coast returns come in. If Obama comes close or wins in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Delaware, it will most likely be his night. Also, keep an eye on Missouri, a real bellwether. I have a feeling, this state will be very indicative of the results nationwide.
Vote early and often! (Even if that is voter fraud!)
