Barack Obama just juked the last potential tackler like his name was Devin Hester. All he has left to do is sprint to the endzone, maybe have a little fun along the way, and make sure he does not drop the ball.
For those of you who don't know who Devin Hester is, he is one of the most exciting American Football players to watch in the NFL. He is a kick returner for Barack Obama's hometown team the Chicago Bears. He originally played defense, but his record-breaking success returning kicks has earned him a spot on the offensive side.
Just like Devin Hester, Obama no longer has to play defense. Why? They have both proved themselves as worthy of carrying the ball. Hester by dazzling crowds and would-be tacklers and Obama by dazzling crowds and winning enough primaries to clinch the Democratic Nomination.
As it turns out, it is a good thing Obama no longer needs to play defense because Tuesday night in West Virginia is going to be Hillary Clinton's biggest offensive achievement of this campaign. She is going to easily win by 20 points. A recent poll actually shows Clinton ahead by as many as 40 points, and that is not out of the question.
The only other states in which Clinton has achieved a 20+ point blowout have been Oklahoma and Arkansas with 24 and 42 point victories respectively.
So despite the fact that Clinton has no chance of catching up in delegate count, and that West Virginia has a grand total of 28 pledged delegates up for grabs (as opposed to 72 in Indiana and 115 in North Carolina) expect Lanny Davis, Terry McAuliffe and the rest of the loyal Clintonistas to be out in full force declaring what a stunning, shocking and surprise victory this is on Tuesday night.
Howard Wolfson who recently said that West Virginia is going to be the "first real test" of The Campaign's momentum will spout off on Hardball about how this is just the latest event in a trend of "buyer's remorse" amongst Democratic Primary voters.
If you're an Obama supporter it will make you angry. Be prepared.
What is going to be even more frustrating for Democrats is that the natural Clinton state of West Virginia is going to provide the fuel to keep the party fractured for at least one more week.
It is likely to provide an excuse for the last few remaining uncommitted, Clinton-leaning, superdelegates to come out and commit to the Senator from New York.
Although most of the media have written Clinton's candidacy off, The Mountain State victory for Hillary Clinton will give them permission to hear arguments from Team Clinton, at least until Oregon ends the pledged delegate battle for good on May 20th.
With all of this in mind, I have some advice for Barack Obama:
Go home to Chicago for a few days. Turn off your TV and your cell phone. Don't read a newspaper, cancel all your interviews and strategy sessions and spend some good quality time with Michelle and the girls. Have a nice dinner at The Medici, play some basketball and just give yourself some you time.
I'm serious.
It may be eight and a half years before you get the chance to do again Barack.
Plus, if you're not even competing in West Virginia, it will be much harder for Clinton to make the case that her victory matters.
I know you probably won't take my advice. I understand you've got to keep pushing and that you don't want to offend the voters of West Virginia by writing the state off, but think about it. It could do wonders for your mental health which may pay big dividends sometime down the campaign trail.
At least think about it.
On that note, to bring it all back to the Obama/Hester analogy, her claim that West Virginia proves her momentum and that she deserves the nomination is about as credible as an opponent of the Chicago Bears claiming that a Devin Hester touchdown shouldn't count because one of their players came close to tackling him.
So sorry Mr. Wolfson, sorry Mr. McAuliffe, sorry Mr. Penn, sorry Mrs. Ferraro and sorry Mr. Davis, she lost. It's over.
Read Stonecipher’s Last Article: Obama May Turn Montana Blue
