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Barack Obama was the clear victor in a string of primary contests Saturday and Sunday, winning a primary election in Louisiana and caucuses in Washington, Nebraska, and Maine. On Saturday, Obama won in Washington by an impressive 37 percentage points (Obama 68%, Clinton 31%), in Nebraska by 36 points (Obama 68%, Clinton 32%), and in Louisiana by 21 points (Obama 57%, Clinton 31%). Saturday's landslide victories for Obama were followed by another big win Sunday in Maine, with Obama leading Clinton by 19 points (Obama 59%, Clinton 40%). As results from Maine rolled in, news came also that Clinton's campaign manager, Patti Solis Doyle, would be replaced by another Clinton staffer, a further signal that the Clinton campaign might be in trouble.
These victories give Obama a strong boost going into this Tuesday's (Feb. 12) primaries in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. While no poll numbers appear to be available for DC, the latest poll numbers for Maryland and Virginia show Obama leading by around 20 points. DC's large African American population and proximity to Maryland and Virginia strongly suggest that Tuesday will bring Obama another big winning streak. While the Clinton campaign admits doubt regarding its chances in the Feb. 19 Wisconsin primary and Hawaii caucus, it is setting its sights on the larger and more favorable Mar. 4 primaries in Ohio and Texas to regain momentum against Obama. That is quite a long time for Clinton to wait, however, as Obama campaigns in those same states with a strong wind at his back. The current delegate count at Real Clear Politics now shows Obama leading narrowly with 1137 delegates to Clinton's 1134, including superdelegates. While uncertain days remain ahead for Obama, his enhanced momentum from seven straight wins inspires renewed confidence for the primary contests to come.
Mark C. Eades
http://www.mceades.com
