The Observation Deck

Reports are saying that Democratic Candidates and their campaign staff are "moving" into Ohio way before the March 4th Primary date.

the PD reports that Obama's camp is going to be situated here by the end of the week, with Clinton's camp to follow.

I knew they'd see the light and realize that no one can win a presidency without winning Ohio.

I wish I could find some dates but nothing's being released at the moment. Probably because it's "super tuesday".

The decision should be made by the end of this week, but rumors are that the CNN Democratic Debate will be held at Ohio State University.

Rumors are rumors, but the Columbus Dispatch and working staff at OSU are claiming that C-Bus is the place to be on the 27th.

This could be a way to get CNN to think that Columbus is the place to have it, since a lot of organizations and papers are trying to get the debate in their backyard.

More to come.

Question:

Does the first candidate to reach the nomination delegate amount always get the nomination?

While Obama is more popular in more states, Hillary is getting more of the delegates. How does that work?

That's something I never understood about US Politics. The candidate who wins the popular vote can still lose an election.

More states does not equal more people. At least the Democrats do proportional apportionment of delegates instead of the Republican's winner-take-all approach in many states.

Agreed. The Democratic primary is proportional so the final delegate count is closer to the popular results. In the end, because of the huge number of delegates, the few super delegates don't make a huge difference in the count.

The Republicans are winner take all and ignores the popular vote...it's much more like the electoral college system.

BTW, I wouldn't necessarily agree with the statement Obama is more popular in more states, I think at this point. They seem to be pretty evenly split down the middle with Clinton carrying decisive leads in the largest states like FL, NY, and CA. All that means is it will be a very close race to the finish I think.

Actually there are about 850 Super Delegates so it seems likely that the nomination will be decided at the convention. Another thing to remember is that Florida and Michigan currently don't count and I don't see the Democratic Party being that short-sided to no not allow their delegates to count. Too much labor power in Michigan and too many transplanted New York/New Jersians in Florida

interesting article.

While Hillary is a favorite in Ohio, the African American vote and the young vote is what Barack Obama has an edge over. Those are BIG chunks of votes. College students and young voters will be very energetic and can't wait to get out and vote, I know this from being around them every day.

Interesting article. Take it for what it is..

Hillary's funding hits a snag

What I find interesting is that both Obama and Romney seem to do much better in caucuses then in regular voting and I came up with a possibility.

The conservative right have a vendetta against McCain and they listent to Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh and agree with them. They get all worked up while talking with their family and friends about how McCain is a closet liberal so when it comes to a caucus and they have to take a stand they have to vote for Romney but it the security of the voting booth they choose the candidate they feel most comfortable with and who has the best chance of winning in November.

The democrats talk a good game and don't really care about the color of Obama's skin. Heck they would vote for a purple candidate if that was the best candidate. Also, there is all the negativity about Hillary Clinton and again they talk themselves into choosing Obama in a public caucus but in the safety of the voting booth they can't vote for him and instead choose who they think is the most electable, Hillary Clinton.


I have no proof of this - and have not heard it expounded on by the pundits. Just something I though of while spending too much time in traffic.

I heard on NPR this morning that Obama probably will not participate in the Ohio debate later this month.

EDIT: Just read in the PD that he changed his mind this afternoon. I'm glad, I think a debate in Ohio will be a good thing.

Cleveland State University is hosting a debate on February 26th with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Cleveland is one of the two debates that Obama has agreed to do.

I think it's a smart move. More time rallying and talking to voters, and not giving Hillary the freebie on press by debating when she's low on funds.

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:I think it's a smart move. More time rallying and talking to voters, and not giving Hillary the freebie on press by debating when she's low on funds.

Actually Clinton not having money in her campaign is not necessarily true. According to this ABCNews article they've raised almost $7 million in just the last 24-48 hours.

They believe all this was done so Hillary can claim being the "underdog" and her donating money proves she's willing to fight through the end. So it was more of a political maneuver rather than any true indication that her campaign is in trouble.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/ ... 455&page=1

McCain's "liberalism" is overstated, I think. The current Republican party is so far right, that a moderate looks way left by comparison.

In terms of the democratic nomination, it's interesting (and people don't talk enough about it) that while Clinton may hold a small lead over Obama, Obama polls better vs. McCain. He's more electable than Hillary in a general election, because nobody hates him.

Former senator John Glenn endorsed Hillary today:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23134571/

Looks like with things in a dead heat even after tonight's primaries, Ohio and Texas are becoming even more important on 3/4.

One call each from Cimperman, Kucinich, Ferris, Clinton.

Having our absentee ballots in hand: priceless.

Got my absentee ballot today as well. Had it finished in 5 minutes.