Back Again

Sorry to have been out so long.

Lots of stuff happening in the US presidential campaign even though there are no elections set for Tuesday.

A story last week in the influential New York Times about Sen. John McCain, Republican of Arizona, hinting that he may have had a romantic relationship with a lobbyist (someone who represents an industry or cause to members of Congress) and questioning his ties to lobbyists in general, received quite a bit of criticism. Both political critics and those in journalistic circles thought the Times story was not a good one. The Times stood by its reporting, but politically, the result may be that the Arizona senator and presumptive party nominee for president could be helped in his quest to convince conservatives in the party to support him.

In the Democratic Party, Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama had a debate last week in which not much happened to change the flow of the campaign. A statement at the end of that debate from Sen. Clinton that, "no matter what happens, we'll be all right," was intepreted by some as a valedictory wrapup to her campaign and a prelude to a graceful exit.

But Sen. Clinton, who trails Sen. Obama in delegates and momentum, is fiercely contesting Texas and Ohio where voters go to the polls March 4. She needs to win both states to keep the campaign going. After last week's victories by Sen. Obama, it was thought Sen. Clinton needed to win by big margins to make up her deficit in delegates. But now, any victory would do. If not, then some columnists (as they already have) are suggesting she withdraw from the race.

But recent polling shows her with a lead in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania (which votes on April 22) but Texas is practically a dead heat.

With the stakes high, the rhetoric is ratcheting up on the Democratic side. There is another debate tomorrow night (Tuesday night) and that could be critical. Although people have said that for each debate and it turns into a mutual admiration society.

We will watch to see what happens as it is really coming down to decision day for the Democrats.