Could North Carolina be the end of the Democratic race?

Thu, April 03, 2008 - 10:07 AM

The tipping point in the Democratic nomination races keeps moving. First politicos said the deciding date would be Super Tuesday, then it was the Texas and Ohio primaries. More recently, pundits have been looking to Pennsylvania, but with Hillary Clinton's lead there now shrinking, it looks like neither candidate will score a victory there decisive enough to be a knockout blow.

Now USA Today speculates that if Barack Obama scores a big win in North Carolina, THAT will be the death knell for the Clinton campaign. Democratic strategist Joe Trippi believes that superdelegates will flock to Obama following a clear victory there. Such a win would also shrink the already narrow path by which Clinton can get the nomination.

On the other hand, if Clinton can manage to upset Obama in the Tar Heel State, it could have the same effect her win in New Hampshire did in January -- reinvigorating a campaign that many talking heads have already declared dead.

-- Mark Young