Letters to the Editor
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Obama did build on his base
I think the real lesson of Pennsylvania is that Clinton is leaking support. Yes, more slowly than should be expected given the implausibility of her ultimate victory, but leaking support nonetheless. The following splits were posted at Daily Kos:
Obama's percent of the vote:
OH PA
60 and older 28 38
White 34 38
White men 39 44
White women 31 34
Less than $50K 42 46
No college 40 38
College 51 49
Catholic 36 31
Protestant 36 53
Pennsylvania is a state with a closed primary and demographics that set up better for Hillary than Ohio. Her failure to build on her success just points out the lame duck nature of her campaign.
I think the most telling statistic is the fact that approximately 80% of Clinton supporters still believe she has a chance to win. The Clinton campaign with the complicity of a media in love with horse-race coverage has muddied the waters of the campaign with talk of everything from the non contests in Michigan and Florida to "big state Hillary" and a super delegate coup. Obama is not being portrayed for what he essentially is . . . the presumptive nominee. So the fact that he didn't win in a state so demographically skewed to his rival can hardly come as a shock. Despite the kitchen sink Obama still fairs better against McCain than Hillary, is still rasing money at a record rate and still possesses an almost unprecedented base of energetic volunteers that will force the R's to fight him in otherwise safely Republican strongholds.
Lets get realistic Walter and lets stop feeding the increasingly tenuous narrative that Obama is a weak candidate.