The Race Goes On

People have been telling Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, prior to the Texas and Ohio primaries, that she should get out of the presidential sweepstakes because Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has the delegates and the momentum to win the Democratic nomination.

Her response? Go on Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show to counteract her chilly reputation. Release a TV ad reminding voters why she should be the one to pick up the phone in the middle of the night during a national crisis, rather than a novice with an eloquent speaking voice. And telling anyone who'll listen that she's in it for the long haul.

The results? Clinton won the all-important states of Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island. Obama's long winning streak was broken after taking Vermont.

No matter what the eventual outcome is in Texas, it looks as if this one is going down to the wire, with Pennsylvania holding their primary in late April. And if that doesn't do it for either candidate, there's always the convention in Denver.

The eventual survivor gets to face Senator John McCain of Arizona, who swept all four of tonight's primary states to claim the mathematical Republican nomination. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee finally threw in the towel as the last remaining contender, but we might see him again in 2012.

McCain will get President George W. Bush's seal of approval at the White House tomorrow, then he'll begin his battle not just with the Democratic challenger, but also with wacko preachers and right-wing talk show hosts who don't think he's conservative enough. Then he has to convince the country that, among other things, the "surge" really is working in Iraq.

There's one disadvantage to wrapping up a nomination so early. McCain's in danger of being left in the dust while we watch the two history-makers duke it out. Isn't this fun?