WSJ, pg1: Clinton Braces for Second Loss; Union, Senators May Back Obama

[DeepModem Mom]

Clinton Braces for Second Loss;
Union, Senators May Back Obama
By JACKIE CALMES
January 8, 2008; Page A1

NASHUA, N.H. -- With Barack Obama strongly favored -- even within Hillary Clinton's camp -- to win a second straight victory in today's New Hampshire Democratic primary, both rivals are looking to the next battle grounds. But his momentum threatens to swamp her in the next two states as well and shows signs of fracturing her support in the party establishment.

Already some Clinton associates have begun lobbying for her early exit if she loses the primary by a big margin, as polls suggest she could. Several Senate colleagues who have sat on the fence are now in talks with Obama advisers about endorsing the freshman Illinois senator over his more experienced colleague.

Despite raising more than $100 million, Sen. Clinton also faces financial worries as contributions have begun to slacken. But she vows to fight on: Her campaign will pivot to focus more heavily on "Super Tuesday" Feb. 5, when 21 states vote. "We are going all the way to the convention," Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said.

Still, the maneuverings marked an extraordinary turn, and underscored the power of small, early-voting states to scramble all bets -- especially in a year when the states' contests are so closely scheduled. Sen. Clinton until now continued to hold wide leads in national polls; a new Gallup poll has her slipping into a dead heat. Her original campaign strategy, aimed at positioning her as the inevitable nominee who would capture the early states and wrap up the nomination before February, is now in shambles....

The road may get harder immediately after New Hampshire. The all-important Culinary Workers union in Nevada, the next state to vote on Jan. 19, is considering backing Sen. Obama a day after a New Hampshire win, say some high-ranking Democrats. The support of the state's largest union by far would virtually hand him a victory in the labor-dominated caucuses there, Democrats say. And the Clinton campaign is considering effectively ceding South Carolina, which votes a week later. Her once-strong support in the state's large black population eroded and Sen. Obama opened a big lead in polls after Iowa's caucus results energized many blacks with the prospect that a man of their race stands a realistic chance of being nominated....

http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB119976546847474153.html

[Eurobabe]

1. Now that is a heinous photo of HRC

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Oh, dear. I thought she looked pensive, in an interesting sort of way.

But I am the last person who would post unflattering photos of HRC, as Drudge does, and I'll edit it out.

[Egnever]

2. I think they over estimate the culinary unions effect

But with the momentum I do think Obama can overcome the huge deficit he had here as of the last polling data.

[HeraldSquare212]

4. Seems like a strange article

I'm not for Hillary, but when it says the Culinary union is considering Obama - wouldn't they necessarily consider all the candidates, or was it previously thought to be a lock for Clinton? And the piece about finances isn't sourced at all, which is odd.

No doubt it will get even harder for Clinton, but those two items caught my eye.

[laconicsax]

5. Who's that Edwards guy (woman?) in the poll graphic?

undEciDed voters WAnt a RiDiculouS acronym?