 |
         
|
As for handicapping the result, CBS' Jim Axelrod was definitive that "all polls show" a Rodham Clinton victory. He framed "the real question: how big a win does she need to have a real shot at the nomination?" On that, there was a difference of opinion at NBC. Andrea Mitchell inquired of Philadelphia's Mayor Michael Nutter whether, if Rodham Clinton "does not win by a big enough margin, should she get out?" Mitchell's bureau chief Tim Russert would have none of it: "She needs a win, just a plain old simple victory." Russert argued that her margin of victory would make no difference to Rodham Clinton's decision to continue campaigning. Instead it would affect her fundraising clout: "Her campaign desperately needs money." George Stephanopoulos, Russert's Sunday morning rival at ABC, argued that her victory needs to be "double digit" otherwise "the superdelegates will keep trickling towards Obama."
So what are the keys to watch? ABC's Stephanopoulos isolated the areas where each candidate needs a high turnout: the elderly for Rodham Clinton; young voters for Obama. NBC's Mitchell isolated the 8% of the electorate that opinion polls say are still undecided. She did not give Obama a chance with them: "The big question" is whether they will trend towards Rodham Clinton "as she hopes" or "just stay home." ABC's Kate Snow's (embargoed link) identified the enthusiasm of suburban mothers as key to deciding the magnitude of a Rodham Clinton victory. Snow filed from the most aptly named town in the state for that task: Media Pa.
You must be logged in to this website to leave a comment. Please click here to log in so you can participate in the discussion.
