Prior to the Wisconsin Primary, Hillary Clinton kept insisting that Barack Obama debate her in Wisconsin. One week away from the March 4th showdown in Texas and Ohio, the two will meet on MSNBC for the thousandth or so time to debate. I was once told “Be careful of what you wish for” and tonight, Hillary is getting her wish…a debate prior to two primaries that could help or hinder her campaign.

This could be quite interesting and possibly the most telling of the debates to date. Hillary’s attack machine has been going strong since late last week including a picture of Obama in Africa, dressed in authentic, genuine, 100% elder attire. This picture, attributed to a Clinton staffer appeared in the  Drudge Report  Monday, February 25th.

This was not the first shot. Campaign brochures mailed in Ohio by the Obama campaign became the battle cry Saturday including Hillary saying “You should be ashamed Barack Obama!” These are just two examples of the attack machine in action, but there is another side to this campaign and that is the smooth, ruffle no feathers approach taken in the last debate. It was almost a love fest with only a few basic differences being pointed out and congeniality that was almost sickening.

At stake on March 4th are 141 delegates in Ohio and 228 in Texas. Bill Clinton easily carried Ohio in both 1992 and 1996, but Hillary’s promise to create new jobs and provide Universal Health Care is, apparently, not enough to help her sustain her lead. Having lost the past 11 primaries, combined with a 12 point drop in the polls, Obama’s endorsement by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (a major factor in Ohio) has the Clinton camp grasping for life rings that will either save the campaign or get everyone back on deck. The feeling among many is we hope those already thrown overboard by this disaster can swim!

NAFTA…remember that? The Obama camp continues to focus on Hillary talking about what a wonderful bill her husband had signed during his Presidency, however now (especially in Ohio) she talks about how she would never have supported such a bill.

I really wanted to write more about plagiarism, but I think it was taken care of for me by YouTube.

Here’s the link, you decide!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuEDkqVvpkk

Richard Nixon said, “I am not a crook”…Bill Clinton said “I did not have sex with that woman”…Now John McCain, the Republican front-runner is saying “At no time have I ever done anything that would betray the public trust or make a decision which in any way would not be in the public interest and would favor anyone or any organization.”

Why McCains comments?  They are in response to a New York Times article suggesting McCain had a close and possibly romantic relationship with a female lobbyist nine years ago which is a conflict with his high ethical standards.

To use a text message abbreviation “OMG!.  The woman in question is Vicki Iseman a telecommunications lobbyist.  While McCain denies any wrong doing, the Times reports that some of his top advisers were convinced that the relationship had become romantic and intervened to protect the candidate from himself.

At a news conference, McCain has described Iseman as a “friend” but denies any romantic relationship.  He said that he was “Obviously very disappointed in the article and continued to claim IT’S NOT TRUE.”

I believe this is the first of many skeletons that will be unearthed during this Primary/Presidential Campaign.  With Obama and Clinton shooting it out for the Democratic nomination, the mud slinging has not hit critical mass, however between now and March 4th, this could change.  Another factor that could enter in is the extremely high turnout of Independents voting Democrat.  If you look at the results in many of the states, the losing Democratic candidate has as many or more votes than the winning Republican which could bring on a major round of mud slinging and name calling.

Strategists for both the Republican and Democratic candidates make very comfortable salaries finding mole hills of information and turning them into mountains on opposition candidates. Remember, getting elected is accomplished by (in many cases) knowing everything about your opponent and using the worst against them.  This is just, possibly, the first salvo in what will be a very entertaining summer.

As a person that spent some time in “Rock-n-Roll Radio”, 10 in-a-row meant something entirely different that it does today. Barack Obama has now won 10 primaries in-a-row, leaving the Clinton campaign scurrying for answers.

As I posted earlier, by the morning after Super Tuesday, Hillary was to have been anointed with the party’s nomination for President. It didn’t happen! Since that time: there’s been a shake-up in the Clinton campaign staff, Hillary has loaned the campaign $5 Million, the message has been modified and the results remain the same. In fact, as the mud slinging begins in earnest, Hillary refuses to disclose her tax records until after the primary season. Is something being hidden?

Listening to the “talking heads” today, it was entertaining to hear the speculation of what it would take to turn this campaign around. A couple even suggested that these primaries are not quite as important as the Super Delegates. While I recognize the power that Super Delegates wield, they may be harder to persuade if the losing continues. What Super Delegate would want to go against the will of the people?

The next really big challenge is March 4th. Clinton is hoping two groups come to the polls. In Texas, Hispanic voters and in Ohio, blue-collar workers. The interesting point here is that the blue-collar workers turned out yesterday in Wisconsin and voted heavily for Obama! Meanwhile, Obama’s campaign appears to be picking up speed with Hispanics. Could it be that on March 5th, we could be talking about another Obama win in a major state or states?

The United States is locked in a NO-WIN conflict in the Middle East, the U.S. economy is in the toilet,home foreclosures are reaching an all time high and Senator Hillary Clinton accuses Barack Obama of Plagiarizing a portion of an address by Governor Deval Patrick.

I have already said that if you back the Clintons into a corner, they will attack on every front, but plagiarizing! Christ, if we are going to make accusations, lets make them about Health Care, Social Security, Inexperience, but plagirizing!

Obama, campaigning in Ohio said YES he did use some of the Governors address and he should have given him credit, but hold on…Obama has written two books and most of his speeches so does that sound like this is a recurring theme? Why did he do it? Mostly in response to Hillary’s comments that he was a talker and not a doer. Both she and her husband had said that Obama’s speeches were only words.

Tomorrow, February 19, 2008, should be interesting. Hawaii, Obama’s home state has been blitzed by Chelsea Clinton, while Barack’s sister has been stumping for her brother. One Hawaiian when asked if she would vote for Hillary said “No, she doesn’t have the Aloha spirit.”

Tonight, Obama leads in the race for Wisconsin, but only by two points in a survey that has a 4 point margin of error. Should Obama win both primaries, he will be on a 10 state roll which should give him great momentum for the primaries in Ohio and Texas on March 4th.

A little aside. I really miss the years of staying up most of the night waiting for results. Now when the first precinct begins counting, or at least within the first 1-2% of the precincts, the predictions of a winner appear and the mystery is over. Only if the race is so tight or in New Mexico do we have to wait.

It’s kinda like the “Shootout at ” The OK Corral.” That’s the way things are shaping up in the Democratic Primaries in Wisconsin.

Barack Obama has been in the Badger state since his huge victories in the Potomac Primaries, while Hillary Clinton has been stumping in Texas. Although she hasn’t made it to Wisconsin yet, her voice has been heard in some negative campaign ads. The ad I’m referring to challenges Obama to debate her prior to the primary. Now I’m a little confused. Haven’t there been debates almost weekly on CNN and haven’t half been between the Democratic candidates? I believe the next is Thursday, February 21st. Is there no end to the same answers?

The mud slinging and rock throwing is just underway as the Clintons are known for doing whatever it takes, truthful or not! Obama is well on his way to winning his party’s presidential nomination and Hillary’s campaign is in trouble. Think about it. Back an animal into a corner and they may come at you with fangs showing.

Since Super Tuesday, almost every Clinton move has suggested a campaign in trouble. A shakeup in the top campaign level, increasing evidence of money woes,her challenges for more debates and of course the statements dismissing the significance of races she lost in caucus states or those with large African-American population.

Obama’s increasing delegate count suggests that Clinton needs to win in Ohio and Texas on March 4th. Her hopes may depend on support from Hispanics in Texas and blue-collar Democrats in Ohio. If Obama takes either of these states primaries, it could deal a near death blow to Hillary’s campaign, one that was suppose to be nearly wrapped up by now.

The Clintons are scampering. Chelsea is in Obama’s home state Hawaii and this may come as a shock to you, but she is hitting campuses in an attempt to drum up support for her Mother. Is it enough? Tuesday nights results will tell. Former President Bill is working Texas like a man possessed and maybe he is. Neither he nor his wife are use to losing and if he gets the scent of it happening, he will say anything. Look at his comments in South Carolina.

Super Delegates continue to become more important than ever in this game of political chess, however if Obama continues to do well, super delegates - most likely will want to embrace rather than resist him.

It appears today that Mother Nature has also had enough! Hillary had an event scheduled just outside Green Bay in DePere. A snow and ice storm has forced cancellation. Obama’s event in Kaukauna, near Appleton has also been canceled. OK, what now? Obama has been hitting events on a regular basis for nearly a week and Hillary is just arriving to find “you can’t get there from here.” It’s enough to make you want to go buy some more negative campaign ads!

Truthfully, the demographics of Wisconsin should favor Hillary, however this is not a certainty! Wisconsin has played a historic role in Democratic primaries, JFK won his first big primary there in 1960, George McGovern made his crucial breakthrough there in 1972 and Jimmy Carter won a key test in 1976.

If Obama can match that, he’ll pad his lead and put even greater pressure on the Clinton Campaign.

I sat in front of the television yesterday and much of today in total shock over the shooting at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Il. Having moved from that immediate area a few months ago, we have friends that have either graduated from the school or who have children going there.

Dekalb is the average small town with a University of about 25,000 students and yet, it is a community that most of us would be glad to raise our children in.

My rant is simple, WHERE IN THE HELL DID OUR RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE GO? Columbine, The Virginia Shootings and the list goes on. In the good old days (a couple or three generations ago) when people actually valued human life, things that now cause shootings now were settled in the back alley or a parking lot with someone getting punched in the face or stomach. If someone insulted you or your date, you usually fought it out, many times neither party got hurt (other than their pride) but the issue was settled.

In recent years, we have gone from a broken nose to multiple bullet holes in the body. Many schools have been required to install metal detectors in an attempt to avert those with hateful intent from entering the building. In several cases Police officers have been injured by student with guns, let alone gang fighting in the halls that involved weapons fashioned from anything that was handy to swing.

What has brought us to this point? Is it that in most households both parents are working in an attempt to make a good life for their family and are not spending any quality time with their children? Is it that the gang influence is so strong in this country that family really means nothing? Have many of our children have been so ignored by society that they have to shoot something or someone to gain attention? Is it possible that we are becoming part of a video game where the screen is splattered with blood, but within minutes the person shot pops back up to fight again. If that’s the case, remember these words…THAT’S A GAME, THIS IS LIFE!!!

As we continue through the political campaign season, maybe its time to ask questions about what the new President is planning to do about youth violence as often as the question is being ask about Iraq.

Changing the attitude of Americas Youth, putting value on life and protecting those that are aspiring to great things through education should be a high priority. To never have to bury another child who was killed in school or college would be a wonderful thing. Mr. and Ms. Candidate, do you have a plan?

This is the first election I recall that has used the term “Super Delegate” extensively. The closeness of the race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton could bring this select group into play. Not knowing exactly who the “Super Delegates” are, I decided to do some research and share with you the results.

“Super Delegates” for the 2008 Democratic National Convention include all Democratic members of the United States Congress, Democratic Governors, various elected officials, Members of the Democratic National Committee, all former Democratic Presidents, former Democratic Vice Presidents and all former Democratic Leaders of the U.S. Senate, all former Democratic Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives and Democratic Minority Leaders, as applicable, and all former Chairs of the Democratic National Committee. The exception would be for a qualified individual that would endorse another party’s candidate. 2008, Joe Lieberman will be disqualified because of his endorsement of John McCain.

In all, some 796 “Super Delegates” will start out , although the number can change, up to the beginning of the convention.

If, going into the Convention there is no clear cut winner the “Super Delegates” will gather, cast their ballots and have the final say, whether or not it reflects the will of their constituency.

How will this play out? That’s a question that deserves some consideration. Obama is continuing to win delegates and states. While not having the assumed political clout of the Clinton’s, he can make a good case for being the candidate if the delegate count, for either candidate, is insufficient to nominate. On the other side of the aisle, Bill and Hillary know these people and feel sure that they can assure Hillary a “Super Delegate” victory.

Many might think this the case, however, Ron Fournier of the Associated Press cited in a recent article there could be some bumpy road ahead..

Fournier says that for years, Bill and Hillary have treated the Democratic National Committee and party activists as entensions of their White House ambitions and as pawns in a game of success and survival. He goes on to say that Hillary may pay a high price for their selfishness soon.

With Clinton’s campaign running into difficulty, look for top Democrats to begin to “abandon ship.” When Hillary’s campaign seemed unstoppable it was alright for Bill to attack Obama one day and retreat as if his comments had been misunderstood the following.

Bill’s baggage may carry over! His championing of the North America Free Trade Agreement still leaves many Labor Leaders angry, his lying to the country about his affair with Monica Lewinsky and many House Members and former members blame Clinton for allowing Republicans to seize control of the house in 1994.

There is currently a panic of sorts going on within the Clinton camp. What happens if Obama wins Hawaii and Wisconsin next week and and then heads for for Ohio and Texas with a 10-race winning streak. Even losing one of the later two states would be damaging to the Clinton campaign.

To quote Fournier, “Few Democrats want to cross the Clintons when they’re on top. But how many are willing to stand by them when they’re down?”

Only time will tell, but expect some serious political juggling in the coming weeks and months!