The democratic primary ends today. I can begin to move on with my life, presumably get over my gay-boy crush on Hillary Clinton, and blog about something else for a bit. I can go back to fixating on my usual stuff: environmental policy, the latest episode of Battlestar, the jews. Etc.
The last two states, Montana and South Dakota could give Clinton the sort of "finish on a high note" that I'm sure she'd love. Polling is minimal and sketchy for those states, because who-the-hell-thought-they'd-matter, but she's up in South Dakota big and tied in Montana. Again, if those polls hold.
Several superdelegates (including Jimmy Carter) have moved in Obama's direction on the last day of the primary, leaving him within a hair of getting the 2,118 delegates currently needed to claim a majority. (Clinton picked up a 1/2 vote delegate from Florida, as well). The AP is actually officially calling the election for Obama, which I find exceedingly distasteful given the matter of a few short hours remaining during which people have to vote. As a practical manner, they're not wrongb, but they have no actual authority to declare a winner, and it seems snotty to tell people in the final states that there's no point whatsoever in going to vote when it'll all shortly be a fait acompli.
There's all kinds of speculation about what kind of speech Hillary will be giving from New York tonight. The general feeling is that it won't technically be a concession, but it'll be something close. Also gossip about whether the two campaigns have begun to work together on brining their very distinct sets of voters together in November, and how that would work. Hints that Clinton wouldn't sneeze at VP, and there have been hints that Obama wouldn't sneeze at offering. Or, they may hate each other. Like I say, lots o' speculation. As far as I'm concerned, it's a winning ticket. A lot of Clinton's most die-hard supporters don't see Obama as the natural second choice. Many hispanic americans, blue-collar workers, and middle-class women who voted for Clinton are taking a good, long look at John McCain right now. In fact, his campaign is making it a part of his strategy. We shall see.
Speaking of, McCain will be giving a speech tonight proclaiming the beginning of the general election. If a tree falls in the woods...
9pm - Mercifully cutting off a weirdly rambling and negative speech from Senator McCain, CNN is declaring Barack Obama the presumptive Democratic nominee with the close of polls in South Dakota. Clinton is on track for a victory there, but the minimum delegates that he'll receive put him beyond the 2,118 needed for victory. Assuming it becomes official in August, he'll be the first black major-party nominee in US history. He'll also have received the second most votes for any democratic nominee ever.
10ish - Clinton wins South Dakota. Speaks. Will "not be making any decisions tonight" though praises Obama. Maya Angelou looks on.
"I understand that a lot of people are asking what does Hillary want? I want to end the war in Iraq, I want to turn this economy around, I want healthcare for every American and...I want every person who voted for me to be respected and heard."
Obama projected to win Montana. He's expected to speak shortly, though I'm already past my bestime, so I may have to YouTube it tomorry. The CNN crew is red faced angry that she didn't technically concede, and I rather enjoy that. They're all screaming at James Carville, who's also a bit tickled by the whole thing.
Though I'm a bit conflicted...still, historic night. Lots of work to do.
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