02-10-2008, 07:19 AM
Super Tuesday: Opportunities grow for Obama
By Rick Kuethe
Translated By Dorian de Wind
Super Tuesday has become an unforgettable election day. The Democratsâ fight remains extremely exciting; with the Republicans, a miracle is needed to withhold the nomination from John McCain.
February 6, 2008
The Netherlands - Elsevier â Original text (Dutch)
âWe are the change we are looking for, what began as a whisper has swollen to a powerful sound,â said Barack Obama from Illinois, where he won convincingly.
âGive me your sick, and your wounded,â cried his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, recalling the text on the Statue of Liberty. She spoke in New York, where she won.
Republican John McCain said from Arizona that he had always found it amusing to be the underdog, but that being a front-runner now is also fine.
The Spoils
In the Democratic camp, Barack Obama has performed much better than could be expected after his loss in New Hampshire one month ago. He won a whole procession of states.
Hillary Clinton, who half a year ago seemed to have the nomination in the bag, but who has lost some ground since then, didnât do too badly either. She triumphed in big states like New York, New Jersey and California.
One must keep in mind, however, that with the Democrats the number of delegates (and thatâs what it is all about!) are distributed proportionately, so that Obama gets a share of the spoils even in those states.
Compelling
Of course, the converse also applies. Clinton did particularly well among relatively low income voters and among Hispanics. Contrary to what is often the case, the race is still wide open with Democrats after Super Tuesday.
That is attractive, especially now that that for the first time in history a black man steps into the arena against a white woman. The fact that the battle is still undecided, improves the chances for Obama, who is waging a much more compelling campaign.
Especially difficult
The picture is much clearer on the Republican side. A miracle has to occur for the nomination to elude McCain. Only last year, the head-strong Republican was ânowhereâ and he flew economy class to Iowa to talk to two corn farmers and a tractor mechanic.
McCain, a Vietnam War hero who often works closely with Democrats in the Senate, is an attractive candidate (for Europe, too) who can make it especially difficult for Hillary Clinton this fall, should she become the chosen Democrat.
Premier Jan Peter Balkenende (CDAâTranslatorâs note: the Dutch âChristian Democratic Appealâ Party) has rightly pointed out to vice-premier Wouter Bos (PvDA âTranslatorâs note: Partij van de Arbeid, the Dutch Labor Party), who has said that he for Obama is, that the (Dutch) Government will not meddle in this fight.
By Rick Kuethe
Translated By Dorian de Wind
Super Tuesday has become an unforgettable election day. The Democratsâ fight remains extremely exciting; with the Republicans, a miracle is needed to withhold the nomination from John McCain.
February 6, 2008
The Netherlands - Elsevier â Original text (Dutch)
âWe are the change we are looking for, what began as a whisper has swollen to a powerful sound,â said Barack Obama from Illinois, where he won convincingly.
âGive me your sick, and your wounded,â cried his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, recalling the text on the Statue of Liberty. She spoke in New York, where she won.
Republican John McCain said from Arizona that he had always found it amusing to be the underdog, but that being a front-runner now is also fine.
The Spoils
In the Democratic camp, Barack Obama has performed much better than could be expected after his loss in New Hampshire one month ago. He won a whole procession of states.
Hillary Clinton, who half a year ago seemed to have the nomination in the bag, but who has lost some ground since then, didnât do too badly either. She triumphed in big states like New York, New Jersey and California.
One must keep in mind, however, that with the Democrats the number of delegates (and thatâs what it is all about!) are distributed proportionately, so that Obama gets a share of the spoils even in those states.
Compelling
Of course, the converse also applies. Clinton did particularly well among relatively low income voters and among Hispanics. Contrary to what is often the case, the race is still wide open with Democrats after Super Tuesday.
That is attractive, especially now that that for the first time in history a black man steps into the arena against a white woman. The fact that the battle is still undecided, improves the chances for Obama, who is waging a much more compelling campaign.
Especially difficult
The picture is much clearer on the Republican side. A miracle has to occur for the nomination to elude McCain. Only last year, the head-strong Republican was ânowhereâ and he flew economy class to Iowa to talk to two corn farmers and a tractor mechanic.
McCain, a Vietnam War hero who often works closely with Democrats in the Senate, is an attractive candidate (for Europe, too) who can make it especially difficult for Hillary Clinton this fall, should she become the chosen Democrat.
Premier Jan Peter Balkenende (CDAâTranslatorâs note: the Dutch âChristian Democratic Appealâ Party) has rightly pointed out to vice-premier Wouter Bos (PvDA âTranslatorâs note: Partij van de Arbeid, the Dutch Labor Party), who has said that he for Obama is, that the (Dutch) Government will not meddle in this fight.