America ready for power shift

The News Virginian / News Virginian
Published: February 12, 2008

Another chapter is completed in what is rapidly emerging as a presidential campaign unlike any other in modern political history. Hillary Clinton, long the presumed Democratic nominee, absorbed another loss Tuesday, this time in our own Virginia, putting Barack Obama in position to seal his spot atop his party's ticket with victories March 4 in Texas and Ohio.
Thus the improbable might now be inevitable. Obama, the proverbially fresh-faced Illinois senator with just three years of Beltway experience behind him, could well be headed for a summer showdown with crotchedy Arizona Sen. John McCain, who already had the Republican bid cinched entering Tuesday's Potomac primary round.

Followers of college football should notice a similarity. This year's presidential campaign has mirrored a remarkable gridiron season that began last fall with Appalachian State's stunning upset of longtime powerhouse Michigan. Traditional powers and highly ranked teams continued falling throughout the season.
Likewise, big-name presidential aspirants have tumbled, starting with former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuiliani, the onetime GOP frontrunner, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who became a conservative favorite moments after he dropped out of the race. McCain, the frequently failed Republican candidate, filled the breach.

Now on the Democratic side, Clinton, powered by a massive political machine and her consummate politician of a husband, is in trouble. Yesterday's smooth-as-silk victory in Virginia sent her people into semi-panic. A superdelegate and Clinton backer offered this stark assessment to The New York Times: "She has to win both Ohio and Texas comfortably, or she's out."
America appears to have had enough of political dynasties, power players and celeb politicos (Giuiliani being the rule and Obama the exception). In a strange political year, strange times are ahead.