Clinton Attempts to Outmanoeuvre Obama

As Hillary Clinton's campaign for the Democratic Party nomination grinds to a conclusion, today she gave a broad hint of her interest in the Vice–Presidential slot.

The Clinton campaign partly fuelled by the oxygen of racism has spent months emphasizing the point that Obama is incapable of defeating John McCain. The hatred between both candidates is palpable. Indeed it is difficult to see how both could work in tandem. In addition Bill Clinton would undoubtedly involve himself in the election campaign. His bad tempered outbursts would be manna from heaven for McCain.

According to the Associated Press Obama has now amassed sufficient delegates to lock up the nomination. Unfortunately for Obama most political discussion is not about this today. Rather it is about Clinton’s possible Vice Presidential ambitions. Clinton has staged a publicity coup. Hillary may not even be serious. Rather it may be a case of pay back time as she seethes over her failure to secure the nomination. Is she prepared to accept second best? Certainly many of her supporters feel that she has been cheated of the nomination because she is a woman and are unlikely to accept a consolation prize.
If Clinton fails to secure the Vice Presidential slot she will set her sights on 2012.

Virginia Primaries-McCain pips Huckabee. Obama blitzes Clinton

In the GOP primary Mike Huckabee has amassed huge votes in the rural conservative and evangelical counties. John McCain has polled very strongly in the more urban areas. This was sufficient for McCain to eke out a rather narrow victory. The conservative voters are sending out a strong message to John McCain that his platform is not conservative enough. Mike Huckabee's decision to remain in the race has been vindicated. McCain must continue to mend fences with conservatives,build a more powerful campaign organization to take on either Obama or Clinton and engage in a massive fund raising effort- if he hopes to compete with either. His choice of Vice Presidential candidate will be crucial. Mike Huckabees strong performance in Virginia strengthens his claims for the Vice Presidential slot.

In the Democratic primary Obama has blitzed Hillary Clinton. This result is a dagger at the heart of the Clinton campaign. Obama's support was strong among Whites and African Americans, male and female, rich and poor, young and old. Obama has made inroads into the higher age groups, poor and women-up to now bulwarks of the Clinton campaign. It appears that John Edward's supporters have moved towards Obama. A c27% margin of defeat for Clinton may be a portent of things to come.

Huckabee keeps Vice Presidential prospects alive

Mike Huckabee has won two more states in his fight to secure the Vice Presidential nomination for the GOP. He won the Kansas caucus securing 60% of the vote. Mr Huckabee also won the Louisiana primary defeating John McCain by 44% to 42%. Mr McCain won Washington state caucus by a narrow margin.


Mr Huckabee has benefited from the support of evangelicals and conservatives in the south. His campaign working on a shoestring has been a stunning success. He is determined to remain in the race even though the odds are stacked strongly against him. McCain has got c724 delegates to 196 for Huckabee.

Speculation abounds as to Huckabee’s real motives. It is probable that he covets the Vice Presidential slot or a post in a putative McCain administration.
Also Mike Huckabee is determined to remain in the race to ensure that John McCain does not ignore the conservative wing of the GOP. Support yesterday for Mike Huckabee is a stern warning to McCain that he has so far failed to mollify conservatives on issues such as tax and illegal immigration. A policy platform based on strong conservative principles is a sine qua non if McCain is to win over the recalcitrant right wing.

McCain has much work to do to shore up the GOP base. He made a good start at the Conservative Convention. He should now go further and select Mike Huckabee as his running mate.