The Keystone Kerfuffle

Three days from now the citizens of Pennsylvania will cast their ballots and decide who they would like for the Democratic nominee for the 2008 presidential election. This is it. The big one. No one thought things would go on this long and no one in PA at least expected to have their votes count so much.

If I had to guess, I would say the mood is upbeat, but the Clinton and Obama campaigns have begun to slow. The last several Obama speeches have been lacking in the energy that was so prevalent in his earlier events. Clinton too seems to be struggling. Her press has gotten much worse since the Texas/Ohio primaries. The fatigue has extended beyond the two democratic candidates, the press and public are both becoming bored.

Despite the Gibson/Stephanopoulos shenanigans at the recent ABC sponsored debate, the media as a whole is growing bored with the on going campaign. To be fair though, they have focused on the campaign for longer then they have focused on anything else in recent history. Now though it seems they would like to get Obama the nomination and move on to the presidential campaign.

Polls put Clintons lead here in PA at less then 10% and Obama closing everyday, but she seems likely to win. With the fatigue what it is though, I expect the media to begin to apply more pressure to the loser to step aside. I don't know what that will mean to Obama, since up to now he has been the media darling, while Clinton has faced the brunt of the step aside suggestions.

Clearly if Clinton wins in PA she would definitely have a very strong case going into the convention. Even with a win here though Clinton is unlikely to win any of the remaining primaries with the possible exception of Indiana.

Unless there is a dramatic upset Tuesday and Obama manages a win in Pennsylvania the media and public are going to have to get over themselves, because it seems they will have to deal with campaigning until June 3's final primaries.

Tell a friend.