by Michael Tackett
The race for the White House now turns to the place that so many candidates like to rail against, namely Washington, D.C
On Tuesday, in what the Potomac Primary, voters in Virginia, Maryland, and the aforementioned District of Columbia, have to say.
Barack Obama, flush with three victories on Saturday, dines out regularly on the anti-Washington routine as does Republican Mike Huckabee, who added wins of his own, leaving long-time Washington hands like Hillary Clinton and John McCain as the custodians of the status quo.
The Democratic race on Tuesday is by far the more meaningful. Virginia is the biggest prize of the day and it is where candidates are spending most of their time today. Obama is doing a round of interviews with TV reporters in the D.C. market, then will attend a rally at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, a school made famous in the movie "Remember the Titans."
Clinton is going to the outer suburbs and then heads to the southern part of the state.
The intineraries are important at this stage because they tell you where the candidates think the race will be won.
Obama is counting on strong turnout in Virginia among African-American voters who could make up about 25 percent of the vote, and in the highly-educated, affluent suburbs near D.C. Clinton is counting on racking up votes in more rural parts of the state, again hoping to capitalize on the beer-wine divide by winning the votes of working class white voters.
Who would have seen Clinton as the beer drinker's friend?
Huckabee, meanwhile, is doing what a candidate with no money but a fair amount of momentum must do. He is going on the Sunday talk shows to try to make appeals that otherwise would be left to television advertising.
The genial former Arkansas governor could become a pain of the first order to McCain by staying in the race, and actually defeating McCain. Not exactly the picture of part unity that the GOP would like.
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Comments
McCain has a problem energizing the base. I would suggest he start with some gay bashing and same sex marriage. Throw in a few flag burning and flag pin wearing issues. Theres nothing like a few gays to rev up the base.
Posted by: bill r. | February 10, 2008 9:07 AM
Clinton II is having some troubles energizing her party's base. I would suggest that she start by surrendering to anyone who comes by--the French, if the terrorists don't take up the offer. Then plan some more programs that discriminate against whites. And bash our soldiers some more. There's nothing like some soldier-hating to get Democrats juiced up.
Posted by: Stevenson | February 10, 2008 9:21 AM
bill r.,
Absolutely!
To implement their time-tested, well-worn strategy, bring back KKKarl Rove & G. Gordon Liddy.
Maybe the self-proclaimed party of God can even arrange to bring back the late, great Lee Atwater.
Posted by: Doug Zook | February 10, 2008 9:29 AM
AWwww...da poor wittle white republicans feel threatened by everybody. Black, brown, yellow. We'll never surrender...as long as their wittle fingers don't hurt from typing on the keyboard. What's that honey??? Ya I support the troops...buy another sticker for the SUV will ya babe.
Posted by: bill r. | February 10, 2008 9:33 AM
The everyday people living in everyday homes across AMerica want Mike Huckabee to be our President.
Keep on sweeping up the primaries and caucuses Governor Huckabee. We choose you!
Posted by: Dan Campbell | February 10, 2008 10:13 AM
Hurray for the U.S minorities. Obama is bringing hopes to everyone. The U.S is a multiracial, multi colored land. Way to go Obama...we need your change.
Posted by: Caesar Perz | February 10, 2008 10:33 AM
When is Sen. Clinton scheduled to start her Virginia crying session?
Posted by: remus | February 10, 2008 11:15 AM
"When is Sen. Clinton scheduled to start her Virginia crying session?"
Right after 'Weepy' John Bohner gets finished with his latest blubberfest.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | February 10, 2008 12:16 PM
Now is the time for America to display to the world that it has totally overcome racism. Obama has option to present more accommondating America. God Bless America.
Posted by: ajibola Amzat | February 10, 2008 1:28 PM
barack obama mike huckabee vs machine
huckabee obama:
we understand your disgust.
subversion of democracy.
know this:
gravel kucinich paul nader
will fight any ticket
with clinton or mccain on it.
your eyes & ears are open...
Mike Gravel Dennis Kucinich Dr Ron Paul Ralph Nader
united by truth elicit fear smear blacklist.
Too many lies,
democracy rising democracy now.
Rage against the machine.
Honesty compassion intelligence guts.
No more extortion blackmail bribery division.
Divided we fall.
Posted by: gravel kucinich paul nader | February 11, 2008 5:24 PM