The Long Slog Ahead

By: Michael M. Shapiro

Hillary Clinton’s strong showing in Ohio’s primary coupled with a victory in the populous state of Texas has re-energized her flagging campaign and ensured that the race for the Democratic nomination will go into April and, most likely, even longer. The problem for the Democrats is that the longer the race goes on, the more expensive, as well as more competitive and negative it will also become, perhaps irreparably tarnishing whoever will win the Democratic nomination.  These issues may well turn off the newly-engaged first-time voters who have been so numerous in the Democratic primaries this year.  On the other hand, Senator McCain has the opportunity to limit his spending and, at the same time, throw punches at the Democratic candidates while he is insulated from attacks by those in his own party, enabling him to continue to maintain his high positive ratings while the approval ratings of Obama and Clinton fall. A shop-worn nominee, a divided Democratic Party, and an independently-minded Republican nominee with high approval ratings spell trouble for the Democrats in November.

The long slog ahead will do great damage to Democrats’ hopes for November and may so polarize the Party’s voters that the eventual nominee is unable to garner the kind of support typical of nominees of the Party. While many would like to see the race for the nomination concluded so that all energies can be focused on the general election, this does not appear to be in the cards.

What would be in the Party’s interest would be a commitment from Obama and Clinton to run positive issue-based campaigns and only note policy differences without resorting to attack politics and “the politics of personal destruction.” Clinton’s attack approach appears to have worked, especially in Ohio, which will likely lead to mutually assured destruction in the weeks ahead as both campaigns attempt to drive up the other candidate’s negatives.

While the mainstream media continues to hawk the idea that the Democrats are a pretty sure bet to take the White House in 2008, they are missing the boat. Faced with a bruised and battered opponent, a fractured Democratic Party, and an electorate turned off by the negativity of the Democratic race, McCain stands a better than even chance of being our next President.

Michael M. Shapiro, founder of ShapTalk.com, is an attorney who resides in New Providence, New Jersey. He currently serves as the Editor of The Alternative Press, www.thealternativepress.com Contact Mike at mike@shaptalk.com