Back in the Columbus Airport and, as feared/predicted, delayed. (For anyone reading this who does NOT live in NYC, count your lucky stars when it comes to air travel. New York is a terrific city, but the airports are horrendous and trying to fly TO New York is maddening. Today we are delayed due to "Low Ceiling" at LaGuardia).
Moving on and continuing from "Part Two"...
Scenario Three -- Obama wins Ohio and Clinton wins Texas: I see this as unlikely based on the most recent polls, however were it to happen, the result would essentially be the same as Scenario Two.
Scenario Four: Clinton wins Texas and Ohio: Wow! This would be a heck of a story. Even though only three weeks ago Hillary had very large leads in both Texas and Ohio, the Obama Phenomenon and its accomanying media coverage have changed the nature of "the story" in today's contests such that if Hillary wins both states, it would be a huge "comeback", much like her January victory in New Hampshire. Is that a valid storyline? Yes and no. Not really when you look at the totality of the campaign, however the media have very short memories, and if Hillary wins both, it's hard to see that not being billed as big turnaround. So if this scenario comes to pass and if it is indeed given the "comeback" moniker, what then? Well, one way to put it is that you'd probably see jumping and shouting in addition to the drinking and high-fiving on the part of Republicans. Why? Because the battle between Hillary and Obama will DEFINITELY continue through April 22nd and the Pennsylvania Primary. And if things continue that much longer, there begins to be the real possibility that the fight for the Democratic Nomination could go all the way through August and the Democratic Convention. (Were this to occur, I think you'd see out-and-out euphoria on the part of the GOP). Even if it weren't to go all the way to the convention, it would absolutely last until April 22. Six more weeks of the battle means six more weeks of Hillary and Obama at each other's throats, and if you think the tone of the campaign has taken a negative turn in the last week or two, you ain't seen nothing yet. This is the best-case scenario for John McCain, certainly, as his General Election opponent (whether Clinton or Obama) would come to that battle significantly more bloodied and beaten by another member of his/her own party. McCain, meanwhile, could sit back and let Clinton and Obama do the "dirty work" for him, tearing each other down. Rather than having to turn his focus to the Democratic opponent, McCain could instead spend that time raising all-important campaign cash and beginning to lay out his plans and themes for the American people -- all the while staying "above the fray" and looking increasingly more appealing to voters than the undoubtedly combative Democrats.
As a political junkie, I can't imagine a more exciting and interesting outcome. But...as I have always said...today is when the polls no longer matter, and when political predictions are moot. Today the voters of Texas and Ohio have their say, and what they decide will have a significant impact on Campaign 2008. Stay tuned, folks, and enjoy the political theater!
Looks like we are boarding soon -- so potentially only a minor delay. Also, my hands are starting to hurt after typing all of this on my Blackberry! So either way, this is "BraggingWrites", signing off from the Buckeye State!
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