| Page 3 of 3 < |
Waiting for the Game to Change
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
"I want it to be a game-changer for the people of North Carolina, Indiana and America," Clinton answered.
It was, perhaps, too much to hope that the game would change. Polls had accurately forecast the Clinton win in Indiana and the Obama victory in North Carolina.
The only thing becoming clear is that the contest had gone on too long. So say 58 percent of Republicans, 56 percent of independents, and fully 67 percent of Democrats, according to a Fox News poll.
That would explain the lack of energy in the Reynolds Coliseum here as the early results came in. The Obama campaign didn't even try to bring out a big crowd; it used just a third of the coliseum here -- the part under the retired jerseys of N.C. State players.
On a balcony outside the coliseum, Obama's chief strategist, David Axelrod, briefed reporters. "She thought this was going to be a game-changer," he said, his hand tucked in his jacket pocket. "We think this was a big victory here in North Carolina."
Reporters pointed out some problems: Obama had lost the white vote in North Carolina, and he was trailing in Indiana, which he had labeled a "tiebreaker."
"The important thing, folks, is this was not a game-changer in any way, shape or form," Axelrod repeated. But he didn't say a thing about closing the deal.
Inside the coliseum, the crowd of about 2,000 was waiting for Obama, listening to a John Mayer tune, "Waiting on the World to Change." And, without a Clinton or Obama sweep on Tuesday, the wait will go on a bit longer. During the delay, the likely Democratic nominee has piled up liabilities for the general election: shrinking support from white voters, outbursts by his former pastor, and unhelpful remarks about the "bitter" voters who turn to God and guns. Instead of focusing on Republican John McCain, the Democrats are squabbling about the gas tax and the significance of Obama's seven-vote victory in the Guam primary.
Gas, God, guns and Guam? The Democrats really need a game-changer. Or a deal-closer.
![[slate.com logo]](http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2007/09/27/GR2007092701096.GIF)
