Grueling, draining, arduous, mentally and physically tiring, are some ways the U.S. Democratic nomination race could be described. This competition is over a year old, and the planning up to its start probably took at least one year, prior to that. It's one thing to give numerous speeches, attend rallies, press conferences, and staff meetings, all across the country, but to also have to counter new charges that may be thrown your way, is just another daily component of a nominee's life on the campaign road.
There is also the repetition of giving rehearsed speeches, and the repetition of playing goalie so the other doesn't score with some attack. At last night's Ohio debate, Clinton and Obama must have been sick of looking at each other, yet again. Much of the conversation was predictable, like their differences on health care, Clinton's vote for the Iraq war, and Obama's inexperience. It's repetitive, but real, and so they can at least frame their answers in various manners each dabate, and in that way, find new and/or positive approaches to look positive, and take advantage of the anticipated topic.
Ohio's debate was apparently only on MSNBC, and was broadcast on their web cast, though, it was broken up so much that you missed much of it. Actually CNN's web site gave the impression that no debate happened at all - guess they did not want to promote a competitor's broadcast.
From what I saw, no clear winners. Certainly, no big body blows from Hillary, which is what she needs to win Ohio, and Texas. However, when she speaks about health care, she does get more passionate, and that gets viewers listening. On another question regarding her mocking his lofty rhetoric at a rally, Obama gave a light hearted response, saying that Hillary gave a humorous delivery, and he wasn't negative about it.
He seemed confident, as did she. Like some previous debates, afterwards, the status quo of support may not have budged much. At the current time, trends in the pre-election polls has Obama edging closer to Hillary in Ohio, and even surging past her in Texas, which is becoming an all too familiar foreshadowing of what might happen again once the votes are counted.
He is now 54% vs her 38% in the national polls. A year ago it was completely opposite. Then, her support was 49% while his support was 17%. After 20 debates in a year his momentum has been due to his improved debating style, incredible campaign organization, and a high level of fundraising.
If Clinton loses Texas and Ohio, then it becomes clearer who the successful nominee will be, and its' looking like only superdelegates could save her then - and that's getting iffy.
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