Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Quick thoughts on Pennsylvania

It's interesting just how dramatic the demographic breakdowns are. As Middlebury professor Dickinson suggested in an email to some of his students, bittergate didn't really matter, what ultimately mattered where voter demographics. This race is very much based on personality, ethnicity and gender, not policy. To play devil's advocate for these Pennsylvania voters, however, it could be argued that since there isn't much difference in the policy of these two candidates, what really distinguished them is personality, and yes gender and ethnicity.

Regardless, Obama's lead seems to be insurmountable and I'm not saying Clinton should drop out, just that the attacks need to stop. Using fear is just setting up McCain for November.

Finally, I'm also afraid (as everyone is) that this will keep going until the convention.

Josh Marshall puts the results of Pennsylvania most clearly:

I'd say the real story is that this leaves us basically where we were.


So when will this end?

1 comment:

Will B said...

Jorge,

Demographic breakdown is striking, and reminds us that a lot of the campaign back and forth is useless. People are gonna vote for who they vote for.

But I think a lot of these demographic groups, especially women, will be back in our column in the fall.

And for a shot of optimism, Check out Markos' demographic breakdown. Obama gained in all his
"weak groups"

http://kos.dailykos.com