Thanks to our new friend Leon A. Walker for contributing this insightful op-ed piece..

By Leon A. Walker-Guest Contributor

(March 31, 200 I believe we are currently witnessing an exquisite political strategy being executed by the Democratic Party Leadership. This, in the form of an orchestrated trickle of Super Delegates publicly indicating support for Senator Barack Obama. The recent endorsements in favor of Senator Obama by Bill Richardson and Bob Casey are among the first key indicators. Additionally, that trickle I have suggested may well develop into a stunning trend even before the important primary contest in Pennsylvania. If I am right, not only will this influence the Pennsylvania voting, it will send a clear message of doom to Senator Clinton.

Clearly there is no direct or clear path for either candidate to gain the required number of delegates prior to the Democratic National Convention. This alone, without considering any of the many further impacts is simple grounds for the contest to continue. However there is an obvious and growing advantage in favor of Senator Obama in terms of sheer numbers. This is the basis for the many discussions and comments about the necessity for Senator Clinton to concede and withdraw. Under the current rules she simply can not expect to catch up. Basically, the voters have already spoken. She may say what she likes but a decision (Clinton Nomination) at the convention is nothing more than a pipe dream.

Perhaps more importantly, the Democratic Party Leadership has got to begin consolidating their campaign efforts behind a single candidate in an effort to keep pace with the efforts of the McCain Campaign on the Republican side. Furthermore, the Clinton machine is seemingly most comfortable playing in a dirty sandbox and is unfazed by any damage their tactics my do to the party as a whole or to Senator Obama should he receive the nomination. One of the interesting aspects of the Clinton campaign strategy is their inability to assess the uniquely new and seemingly different political climate in America. It is clear that Senator Clinton has a well known reputation of being polarizing within some groups. What she seemingly does not realize is that her caustic characteristics are now damaging her credibility within her own political party as well as across the nation.

I am convinced that the bulk of the Democratic Party Leadership have already made their choice in Senator Obama. They must now delicately implement their strategy and show their support individually yet in a way that does not overtly appear to be damaging to the party or to their relationship with the powerful Clinton’s. Of course there will be continued dismissals and insults from the Clinton’s initially, but eventually and I believe very soon they will find themselves at a greater and greater disadvantage that signals to them sure defeat.

The media and political junkies would love to see this contest continue but it has reached a point of diminishing returns for the Democrats. In order to quell the threats of party defections in November and in an effort to get the Obama Presidential Campaign moving as quickly as possible the Democratic Party Leadership has got to abandon the Clinton’s. I must say that the concept of party defections is definitely being over blown by the media. It is a long way to November.

The media is suggesting that there is no leadership figure in the Democratic Party capable of resolving this matter. I think that they are wrong. We may never know who devised this strategy but I feel confident that it is real and that we will soon see the proof of it.

L. A. Walker

Leon A. Walker
March 31, 2008
Freelance Writer
Pensacola, Florida
leonwalker@cox.net

© Leon A. Walker, March 2008