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Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Paul  Weyrich :: Townhall.com Columnist
Oh, What A Night, But Who Will Prevail?
by Paul Weyrich
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Are Barack Obama's friends -- like Bill Ayers -- legitimate political issues?

The much anticipated Super Tuesday has come and gone. Surprisingly, it did little to reveal who the next President of the United States may be. Nor do the results clearly anticipate a winner for the Democratic nomination. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) won delegate-rich New York, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Arizona and Tennessee, among others. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) also did well, securing Illinois, Connecticut, Georgia, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Alabama, among others. I expected Obama to win in Massachusetts after he received a resounding endorsement from many prominent members of the Kennedy clan but the Clinton machine overwhelmed him and took the State by a margin of 15%.

After last night's vote Clinton has 783 delegates to Obama's 709. No one can predict who eventually will secure the Democratic nomination but many are predicting that the longer the race drags on the better Obama's chances are of besting Clinton. This seems plausible. I suspect that people will become weary of Clinton, her rhetoric and her political baggage if the contest between her and Obama continues as close as it is. Obama's message of "change," although short on details, appears to resonate with more voters than Clinton's tired tears and health-care mantra.

Among Republicans, Senator John S. McCain III (R-AZ) has a very comfortable lead. While it is too early for him to rest on his laurels, it will take a great effort for former Governors Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee to surpass him. Romney won Massachusetts, Utah, Colorado, Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana, which is better than the political pundits in the mainstream media suggested. Huckabee won Arkansas, Georgia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama. The problem with Romney and Huckabee is that they have split the conservative vote. Many conservatives in the Republican Party have long distrusted McCain yet there is no clear candidate around whom they are rallying. Consequently, unless Huckabee were to withdraw soon, very likely McCain would be the Republican nominee for President.

The next month may resolve the uncertainty surrounding the Presidential campaign. The Democratic campaigns are focused upon this Saturday's Louisiana Primary and Nebraska and Washington Caucuses, Sunday's Maine Caucuses and the so-called Potomac Primaries in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia next Tuesday. On February 19 Wisconsin will hold its primary. On March 4 voters in Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and Vermont will head to the polls, followed by those in Pennsylvania on April 22.

Republicans in Louisiana and Kansas will vote this Saturday, followed by the Potomac Primaries next Tuesday, Washington and Wisconsin on February 19, and Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and Vermont on March 4. The last primaries will not be held until June so there are many ballots to be cast. It is too early to declare with finality that any particular candidate is a winner for his or her party's nomination, let alone the general election. Those of us, myself included, who once assumed that Clinton would coast to victory as the Democratic nominee in the general election must change our tune. She has a very difficult road ahead.

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About The Author

Paul M. Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Research and Education Foundation.
 
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Subject: controlcongress.com is a FRAUD
John Konop posted a link to this site to hear the speeches from the candidates Super Tuesday. NOt only did they omit one of the candidates, Ron Paul, but they actually edited the content of the speeches as I learned from the postings. They, in fact omitted some very pertinent economic analysis by Romney, which, of all things, should be included in this "issues oriented forum".

It seems that wherever you turn these days there is falsehood and deceit. This site claims to be above the political fray, but it is only as "fair and balanced" as Foxnews. They have nothing to offer one who seeks to limit the power of government.

As far as Mr. Weyrich goes, he also failed to mention Ron Paul, which disappoints me. The pundits may believe that they can look the other way and Ron Paul will cease to exist, but they will find themselves in error. Eventually the country will have to deal with every single issue he has raised and it will be forced to acknowledge his wisdom and adopt his policies.

As Mr. Weyrich says , it is too early to say who will ultimately be chosen, yet that doesn't stop them from declaring one candidate non-existent.


PRESIDENTIAL ZEAL
ohn Kennedy was the last President elected from the little desk club of 100 in the Senate. Senators; ergo, legislators do not make for effective executives. Decision-making and cutting the cake to get the best results is not the forte' of whittlers and compromisers. There is no putting the butter on both sides of the bread which is a reality few Senators have accepted. The coming Presidential tide is going to be difficult in foreign affairs, economic security, and social well being and I pray that the Good Providence which has guided this wonderful country continues to put zeal and formula in out next President whom ever we do decide.

I believe - in the Catholic Church - someage around 75 years old the Papacy recommends its Cardianls retire. Age and visceral health can well be the crutial issue in the Presidential campaign.
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