The Obama Opportunity

::::::::

As the scales continue to tip in Barack Obama's favor for the Democratic presidential nomination, a growing sense of the rare opportunity his candidacy offers is becoming apparent among Democrats. The Obama campaign, increasingly recognized as not only a campaign but a mass movement for change unlike any seen in America since the 1960s, stands to bring new energy and enthusiasm to the Democratic Party in this election year, particularly through its appeal among younger voters; and to expand the party's base of support across demographic, geographic, and even partisan lines. As the March 4 primaries approach, daily polls show voters in Hillary Clinton's former "firewall" states of Texas and Ohio quickly moving in Obama's direction: Obama has now broken Clinton's lead in Texas, and has narrowed her lead in Ohio to as few as 4 percentage points. In Pennsylvania, once also considered a Clinton stronghold, the latest poll numbers likewise show Obama quickly narrowing Clinton's lead. The latest national poll numbers show Obama leading Clinton by an average of more than 6 percentage points for the Democratic nomination; and while national head-to-head poll numbers show Obama beating John McCain in the general election by an average 0f 3.7 percentage points, the same polls show McCain beating Clinton by an average of 1.9 percentage points. As Obama gains in the polls and racks up primary election and caucus victories, superdelegate endorsements keep rolling in: yesterday's endorsement by Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut was followed today by endorsements from Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a former Clinton supporter. Other superdelegates formerly with Clinton have recently moved over to Obama, and the Clinton campaign is now begging superdelegates to hold their endorsements and allow her a little more time to catch up. With all the trend lines clearly and strongly in Obama's favor, however, calls are beginning to sound for Clinton to clear the way, particularly if the March 4 primaries pan out as dismally for her as now appears likely. Few outside the Clinton campaign itself (if even they) think she stands any real chance of turning the race around at this point, and some are suggesting it's about time we wrapped this thing up. After all, we still have a general election campaign to run, and a drawn-out battle for the nomination could cost the Democrats precious momentum.