First it was Iowa. Then it was New Hampshire. Then came Michigan, Nevada, Florida and South Carolina and still no frontrunner emerged. Now it is Super Tuesday and no candidate has claimed frontrunner status in the race; and it looks like we may be no closer to having a Democratic Nominee tomorrow morning as we were when this election began on November 3rd, 2004. Of course, this race sets itself apart from those prior.
Like all classic events it is a truly special moment in our collective histories. Since Super Tuesday began in 1988, it has been a day for the eventual nominees to separate themselves from the pack, like Secretariat at the 1973 Belmont Stakes. This election, however, is more like the 1978 Triple Crown with Affirmed and Alydar, arguably the greatest rivalry in Triple Crown history. No candidate has ceded any ground, fighting down to the wire. With proportional delegation, the Democratic race surely will continue into the next month.
So what is ahead for the candidates' around the back stretch?
Saturday, February 9th
Louisiana, 67 Delegates
Washington, 97 Delegates
Nebraska, 31 Delegates
Virgin Islands, 9 Delegates
Sunday, February 10th
Maine, 34 Delegates
Tuesday, February 12th (The Potomac Primary)
Virginia, 101 Delegates
Maryland, 99 Delegates
District of Columbia, 37 Delegates
Tuesday, February 19th
Wisconsin, 92 Delegates
Hawaii, 29 Delegates
Tuesday, March 4th
Texas, 228 Delegates
Ohio, 161 Delegates
Rhode Island, 32 Delegates
Vermont, 23 Delegates
Saturday's Primaries and Caucuses in Louisiana, Washington, Nebraska and the Virgin Islands - not to mention the Maine Democratic Caucus on Sunday - could possibly grant frontrunner status to a candidate. Then on Tuesday, the Potomac Primary will take center stage as Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia put 237 delegates up for grabs. After that, the candidates will have a week to prepare themselves for the Hawaii Caucus and the Wisconsin Primary. Unfortunately for the candidates, their time will better be spent on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field Wisconsin than the sunny shores of Maui.
By the following Tuesday (after Ohio, Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island cast their 444 delegates) we should have a frontrunner as the candidates race to the wire. If legendary Churchill Downs announcer Dave Johnson were calling the race it might sound something like this:
"The Candiates come around the 1/2 way pole. Obama and Clinton are neck in neck as they round the far turn with Gravel trailing by 45 lengths after stumbling out of the gate...As they enter Louisiana Obama puts himself ahead by a neck...Clinton only a stride behind as they pull into the Potomac...Closing ground it's still Obama by a nose...The candidates head into Wisconsin dead even, both holding on with every breath they have left...Down the stretch they come, Texas and Ohio...Clinton and Obama going back and forth, both driving for the wire and it's..."
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