Perhaps the prolonged primary really is good for Obama
Howard Dean and a lot of Obama supporters have been calling for this to 'end' sooner rather than later, but perhaps in the end, it will turn out that the prolonged primary really has been good for Obama.
Here's my thoughts...
1. One thing that keeps coming up by the pundits in the MSM (why I watch CNN on primary nights, I have no idea) is that Obama is a new comer, unknown to voters. Well, the prolonged primary has allowed him to get a jump start on power campaigning in 50 states. All 50 states are getting to know him, and that will help him in November. He is still packing in the crowds in each state he goes to because the race is ongoing. It will serve him well when he re-visits leading up to November.
2. He's now been vetted. I think Hillary has thrown every she's got (and that the republicans are likely to have) at him and he has come out looking stronger each time. I think he will stand up to the Republican attack machine better for having dealt with it early. So, perhaps Hillary is right, and she is doing him a favor by vetting him now. Had this ended after OH/TX, the vetting wouldn't have happened, and for Wright to break for the first time in September / October would have been much worse.
3. He has established an amazing grassroots / internet / blogosphere campaign machine. As with the 50 state benefit above, he is continuing to grow the huge grassroots movement, heading for 1,500,000 donors in this primary. Had it ended early, it would actually be smaller going into November.
So, as much as I am an Obama supporter, and as much as I would like to see him as the nominee now (we are so into instant gratification, aren't we), perhaps the best course for November is for the campaigns to go into June and Obama to win it after having the opportunity to present himself in and campaign in all the states.
Here's my thoughts...
1. One thing that keeps coming up by the pundits in the MSM (why I watch CNN on primary nights, I have no idea) is that Obama is a new comer, unknown to voters. Well, the prolonged primary has allowed him to get a jump start on power campaigning in 50 states. All 50 states are getting to know him, and that will help him in November. He is still packing in the crowds in each state he goes to because the race is ongoing. It will serve him well when he re-visits leading up to November.
2. He's now been vetted. I think Hillary has thrown every she's got (and that the republicans are likely to have) at him and he has come out looking stronger each time. I think he will stand up to the Republican attack machine better for having dealt with it early. So, perhaps Hillary is right, and she is doing him a favor by vetting him now. Had this ended after OH/TX, the vetting wouldn't have happened, and for Wright to break for the first time in September / October would have been much worse.
3. He has established an amazing grassroots / internet / blogosphere campaign machine. As with the 50 state benefit above, he is continuing to grow the huge grassroots movement, heading for 1,500,000 donors in this primary. Had it ended early, it would actually be smaller going into November.
So, as much as I am an Obama supporter, and as much as I would like to see him as the nominee now (we are so into instant gratification, aren't we), perhaps the best course for November is for the campaigns to go into June and Obama to win it after having the opportunity to present himself in and campaign in all the states.
