As Josh pointed out on the home page, Politico has an article up essentially stating that the media has kept the Clinton candidacy afloat.  Does this signal a shift in how the campaign will be covered in the wider media? How will Vandehei and Allen's peers interpret this article? Does it even matter?

Add to this Richardson's endorsement which, despite Mark Penn's words to the contrary, is significant - significant enough to make headlines.  This may just be a way for Obama to move the news cycle beyond Reverend Wright, but I think there is a bigger picture here.

Though it is early, Obama seems to have successfully navigated through his worst weeks of the campaign. The "More Perfect Union" speech was well received by the media and a savvy political move - giving the story the Fox treatment just makes one look like someone who's living in the past.  The story isn't over, but it's fading fast and the narrative seems to be "let's move forward".

 I have the sense that the general public, mainstream media  and especially the super-delegates were waiting to see Obama's reaction to the latest controversy.  What could have signaled his endgame, in fact became a signal that while this is the end, it is his opponent's.  Vandehei and Allen seem to be telling their counterparts that the party's over - it was fun, but it can't last forever. 

And what about Richardson? Is this more than political theater? Is there significance to the DNC and superdelegates that it's time to close ranks? Has the party decided that a nasty fight in Pennsylvania and beyond would once again snatch defeat from jaws of victory? And let's not forget that Michigan and Florida revotes are not happening.

It will be interesting to see the reporting over the next couple of weeks.  The super-delegates can't realistically move en masse, that would appear to be undercutting that remaining states' votes.  But they can trickle in over the next several weeks which would keep the news and momentum positive for Obama.  Combine that with the news beginning to be reported through the lens of near-impossible delegate math and it could dramatically affect the outcome in Pennsylvania.

I don't want to give the media undo power, yet it is primary  filter through which we view this campaign.  What gets reported and how will continue to affect elections.  There are signals that it may be time to move on to the next round.

I am a man conflicted - I'm glad the campaign for the Democratic nomination is still going, but I wish it were over yesterday.  Glad because finally, for the first time in my life, my primary vote will actually count for something. Unhappy because I really want the party infighting  to end (especially the nasty back-and-forth comments here!)

I'm a proud Oregonian and while we tend to be independent and far-removed from Washington (D.C., that is - not the blessed Evergreen State) it's nice to actually be part of the nominating process instead of casting a vote in an election already decided.

Yet, despite my joy at candidates actually visiting the state (Obama will be here Friday and Saturday and I expect Clinton may swing through closer to May) This year, I would be pleased to be passed over once more just to have the primary done and over.

I will happily cast my vote in May (quite likely for Obama) and I will eagerly watch the returns, but the campaign has grown wearisome and the negativity weighing.  Wasn't this supposed to be over in a matter of weeks and the victor greeted with flowers and candy....? Oh, wait, that was something else...

There's been a lot of talk about campaign narratives this year. Who's up, who's down, what's going on, how is this speech or that late breaking event affecting my candidate? The networks are loving it! 9 million viewers to watch a political debate! Do you know how much advertising revenue that translates to?

The mainstream media know they're sitting on a cash cow and it's not McCain vs. the Democrat.  The main event this year is overshadowed by the opening fight and what a fight it is.

Two Epic Contestants!
History in the Making!
Tune in to see the Contest of the Century!

I've got a narrative for you - commercial media sees dollar signs in extending the Democratic nominating process all the way to Denver.  I'm not claiming any vast conspiracy to game the system - that would be too expensive (it's about the bottom line, remember.) But I will claim that reporting the contest as a dead-heat horse race and running all the late-breaking tit-for-tat is keeping viewers glued to their seats and the revenue keeps rolling in.

Until one delegate reaches the magic number, there's money to be had in these candidates and they're going to turn them upside down and shake them until every last nickel, dime and penny is wrung from their pockets.  Of course there's no talk about insurmountable delegate leads! Of course Reverend Wright is playing ad nauseum (and Ferraro was invited to every talk show around.) Controversy sells and people are interested.  

Let's face it, McCain gets a pass because no one is interested.  It doesn't attract the eyeballs, people! You have to think like the networks. You might want journalists to dig in about Hagee or lobbyists, but the Republican race is over and there's just no money to be had from McCain right now.

We can complain all we want about the MSM, but as long as we keep tuning in, they'll keep churning it out.  I'm afraid the only way to make a difference is go cold turkey, kick the habit, do what the bumper says: kill your television.  You'll be better for it. Trust me.