Happy Wednesday—Sorting it out

Wed, March 05, 2008 - 6:39 AM

One down, one to go. Mini Super Tuesday delivered a Republican presidential nominee. Big surprise, it's John McCain. Bye-bye, Preacher Huckabee.

Democrats aren't there yet, no matter what Hillary Clinton says about going all the way. She definitely got the biggest bragging rights Tuesday by shattering Barack Obama's winning streak. By winning Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island, Clinton earned her place in the race. As Bill Clinton had said, she needed to win Texas and Ohio to stay in the race, and that's what she did. Her critics will have to stop hammering nails into her political coffin. It's worth noting that she did so by blasting Obama as unready to lead in a crisis or to be commander in chief.

Obama is far from conceding defeat. And it's not just because he won Vermont. The delegates are still being counted in Texas' odd two-step primary and caucus. Obama hopes that he'll fare better than expected in the Texas caucuses -- and win a big chunk of delegates to keep him in the lead.

What we do know is that McCain is now in the catbird seat. He has eight months to campaign single-mindedly against the Democrats while they throw mud at each other. McCain starts today with a visit to the White House where he'll eat lunch with President Bush -- and check out the digs? -- and pick up the presidential endorsement. The two will meet with reporters in the Rose Garden event in the early afternoon.

Next stop for the Democrats: Mississippi next Tuesday.

-- Marsha Mercer