Delegates=Democracy?

All right, let’s get it straight. The delegate process employed by the Democratic Party is designed to nominate the strongest possible candidate. That it is meant to be a direct representation of the will of the voters is a ridiculous, and potentially dangerous, myth perpetuated by the Obama Camp. In Texas Clinton got the most votes, but as a result of the dual caucus/primary system Obama walked away with more delegates. The Obama Campaign could, in the interest of honesty, argue that this result demonstrates his strength as a General Election candidate and push the idea that his voters are more enthusiastic and dedicated. Instead he and his supporters would rather have us believe that a system that favors the loser somehow resembles democracy.

Electability

Last Tuesday Sen. Clinton pulled off a near sweep in Ohio. She won all but four most solidly democratic counties (all of which will go democrat in the General regardless of the nominee) by winning over a majority of almost every major demographic group, most importantly white working-class voters, that Democrats will need to claim victory in November.

Obama has staked his claim on early national polls, which also show Clinton beating McCain by a slightly smaller margin. Of course early polling once showed Giuliani running away with the Republican nomination so their credibility is highly speculative at best. Obama’s claim of support among independents and republicans voters makes for good campaign speeches, but it is hardly evidence of his chances in the General Election. Unfortunately for Obama and the Democratic Party, his appeal to cross-party voters is artificially skewered by states that have held open Democratic primaries and closed Republican contests, and most of the small states in which this support has put him over the top will almost certainly go for McCain by 60% or greater come November.

As the primary goes on North Carolina and ultimately to Pennsylvania, Clinton can continue to win, and in doing so claim the support of democratic voters and prove her appeal as the stronger general election candidate.

Electability

Last Tuesday Sen. Clinton pulled off a near sweep in Ohio. She won all but four most solidly democratic counties (all of which will go democrat in the General regardless of the nominee) by winning over a majority of almost every major demographic group, most importantly white working-class voters, that Democrats will need to claim victory in November.

Obama has staked his claim on early national polls, which also show Clinton beating McCain by a slightly smaller margin. Of course early polling once showed Giuliani running away with the Republican nomination so their credibility is highly speculative at best. Obama’s claim of support among independents and republicans voters makes for good campaign speeches, but it is hardly evidence of his chances in the General Election. Unfortunately for Obama and the Democratic Party, his appeal to cross-party voters is artificially skewered by states that have held open Democratic primaries and closed Republican contests, and most of the small states in which this support has put him over the top will almost certainly go for McCain by 60% or greater come November.

As the primary goes on North Carolina and ultimately to Pennsylvania, Clinton can continue to win, and in doing so claim the support of democratic voters and prove her appeal as the stronger general election candidate.