He can't close the deal

Via MyDD’s Jerome Armstrong today, in “Counting the people“: The AP asks: “Why can’t Barack Obama close the deal?“ The contest in PA was the 4th major chance that Obama had to close the deal, and failed again. Anyone who thinks that Clinton is going to be out of the race in May is delusional. For us political junkies, it’s quite a fix. Boy, did that question bring back memories. Memories of a story I wrote on March 5, 2008: “Hurrah! (He. Can’t. Close. The. Deal.).” It is eerie how much of what I wrote following Hillary’s March 4th victories in the big states of Ohio and Texas, as well as Rhode Island — and the critical quote in that piece from Taylor Marsh — remains true nearly two months later. “The wind at Barack’s back, the press at his feet, but he couldn’t close it out,” Taylor [wrote on March 5, 2008]. In fact, Taylor Marsh revived the point, last night, that Obama can’t close the deal: On to North Carolina. …then Indiana. Last night was a game changer. With all [of his] advantages, Obama still couldn’t close the deal. Here’s more from my March 5th story, about Hillary’s morning show appearances following her big victories, especially in Ohio — a likely “blue” state come November 2008: … Halperin on more morning shows: ABC’s “Good Morning America”: Clinton tried to frame the race around John McCain, saying that now there’s a GOP nominee it’s even more critical to have a Democratic nominee who can stand up to him on national security. Doesn’t accept that she’s gone negative against Obama, said national security is legitimate issue to contrast. Ignored the math questions, still thinks Michigan and Florida delegates should be seated, said it’s up to state leaders. NBC’s “Today”: Clinton said voters are “starting to ask some hard questions” and realizing she’d be best commander in chief and best on the economy. Offered lengthy defense of superdelegates exercising independent judgment, saying that was the reason they were created. Said Florida and Michigan voters should count, and voters “were dragged into” the confusion by GOP governors and legislatures. Also more firmly denied that Obama is a Muslim, called it “a scurillous rumor that should be rejected out of hand.” It’s also amusing to re-read the section of that story about Obama’s complaints about tactics. He’s always whining. She’s always winning — where it counts.