Prelude to a Celebration

As of this posting, Barack Obama's web site is reporting only 12 delegates to go until clinching the magic number for the Democratic nomination. Unless he doesn't reach viability in Montana and South Dakota (not going to happen), Obama will clinch it tonight, if not sooner. The superdelegate trickle became a flood, and is only going to get bigger. 

Stay tuned...

Hillary; maybe for you, but not for me

Editors Note: This is the first post by Erin, a new contributor to August Prairie. She'll be provided assistance on this blog as we head on through the general election. 

As Hillary's campaign (hopefully) is seeing its last few agonizing days, I'd like to put in my two cents...the one girl (am I woman now? I don't feel like it) who doesn't want to see Hillary in the White House.

Hillary and her various sycophants have chorused like clockwork that the campaign trail was biased against her because she's a woman. The argument usually goes that opinions against her must stem from the fact that simply, she has a uterus.

What isn't being recognized by her close and personal yes-men is that, frankly...she's offering nothing new in her campaign. Her gender alone appeals to feminazis, working women, and the more "conservative" (although I'm not necessarily meaning Republican) housewives. "You go, working woman!" As a female, supporting anyone else should, by sycophant logic, make me a disgrace to my gender.

Simply; she is a woman running for president. She must be revolutionary!

If gender alone was the prerequisite for one's opinion on leadership, then it wouldn't matter if it was Hillary. It could literally be any woman. Not that women haven't ran before; Hillary has one more "secret weapon".

"Experience". By which I mean, she has Bill. People know her simply because Bill was in the White House, and so some people see this as her "returning home." Granted, I was only a kid during the Clinton administration, but as far as I remember, all she did was endorse the Pizza Hut reading program on some flyer or handout I once recieved at school.

Now to tie this little roundabout post together; as much as I love Pizza Hut, I'm instead putting my trust, my hope, and my vote to Barack Obama. It's time for some new ideas and a fresh face in the White House. "He lacks experience." "He's too passive and naive." Sounds kind of familiar...lets see...I can sort of recall someone only serving one term in the House of Representatives before winning an election...hmmm....anyhow, Hillary's tired campaign of promises that everyone has heard before means nothing to me. Those who aren't looking at gender in her campaign are pulling for her because they are afraid of change. It's easy to hide behind a facade of change, even when the "new" factor is an unrelated variable such as an extra X chromosome.

Same bullcrap. Different gender. Some revolution, eh?

Vacation's Over: Almost Time for the Big Show

Tomorrow night South Dakota and Montana will be the last two states to sound off in the Democratic Primary. Although it is unlikely that Senator Clinton will concede tomorrow, Obama will likely clinch the nomination either tomorrow or Wednesday, as his pledged delegate haul from the two states and a couple dozen superdelegates will put him over the top. That which became possible with his victory in Iowa and probable with his victory in Wisconsin will finally become reality. 

However, the Democrat's marathon was just the preseason. It is time for the real show as the campaign against John McCain and the GOP machine heats up. Although this is a good year for the Democrats, it appeared that 2004 was going to be as well. This ain't the beginning of the end, but rather the end of the beginning.

From tomorrow night to November, August Prairie will be there. Expect more posts, more analysis and features, and a few other major changes. Stay tuned, and let the games begin!

My Predictions: The Aftermath

Well, I guess 12.5% is better than 0% correct. I got Hillary's vote percentage in Kentucky correct, but was over on Obama's percentage. It appears that my delegate count was too optimistic as well, with CNN's current count in the KY sitting at 37-14.

My Oregon prediction was a bit conservative, with Obama looking like he'll win 58-42. There isn't a total number of delegates yet, but my guess is it will higher than my prediction.

It would be nice if Senator Clinton to make any predictions on Puerto Rico, Montana, and South Dakota a completely moot point. I wouldn't hold my breath on that happening. If necessary, I'll make my pointless predictions for the last three contests late next week.

Sad News from Boston

Senator Kennedy diagnosed with malignant brain tumor

I wish Senator Kennedy the best of luck in fighting this ailment. Say what you want about his past issues, but this man has a been a stalwart of liberalism and an excellent senator. He is one of the 23 Senators who voted against Bush's War, and a fierce supporter of Senator Obama. Whoever takes his place in the Senate when he leaves will have big shoes to fill.

My Meaningless Unscientific Oregon and Kentucky Predictions

Today will be another split decision in the seemingly unending democratic nomination race, but the bigger story will be the milestone reached by Senator Obama. Provided he gains 15-20 pledged delegates tonight (an almost assured prospect), he will clinch a victory in the pledged delegate race (at least until MI and FL are settled). Hopefully the hyperactive labrador puppies in the media will stay still long enough to see tonight for what it is. Given their track record, expect them to discount Obama's milestone and victory in Oregon in favor of Clinton's MAJOR victory in Kentucky. After all, the only states that matter in the United States are those in greater Appalachia (Except for Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia).

Oregon: Obama 55%, Clinton 45% 29-23 Pledged Delegate Count
Kentucky: Clinton 65% Obama 35% 33-18 Pledged Delegate Count

There is a lot to write about, and I am sure more after the results of tonight are known. I can't make any promises to live up to my hopes in getting stuff out there, but stay tuned.

Proof Yet Again of Obama's Viability

Senator Obama proves yet again why he isn't John Kerry or Michael Dukakis. I love his mixture of mild amusement at the hypocrisy of McCain/Bush, intelligent discussion of the facts, and a pledge to the GOP to bring on a serious foreign policy discussion.

Too bad the media will probably continue to give Senator McCain a free pass to keep yelling about the "boogeymen" who are only being held at bay by Big Papa Bush.