Was the Texas debate her valedictory?

The overnight debate in Texas between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama certainly lived up to its billing with both contenders performing very well. There wasn’t a victor and Hillary did not get in the knock-out blow in that many were suggesting she needed.

One of the critical moments came right at the end. The huge audience rose to a standing ovation as Hillary shook Barack’s hand and said “I am honoured to be here with Barack Obama… whatever happens, we’re going to be fine. I just hope that we’ll be able to say the same thing about the American people.”

The words sounded very much like a valedictory – as though she was recognising where she stood in the race. The sequence will be played and played on TV station throughout the nation in the next 24 hours and it struck me was that this could have the same impact of her tearful moment ahead of the New Hampshire primary. We shall see.

It was though she was trying to make amends for a moment earlier after she was booed when she tried to get in a pre-prepared line about the Obama plagiarism allegations. Referring to one of her opponents main themes she quipped – “Change you can believe in – not change you can Xerox”. Barack responded “What we shouldn’t be doing is tearing each other down, we should be lifting the country up.”

A feature of the Texas contest is that they have early voting with polling booths in shopping malls and other locations having been operational for more than a week. Both campaigns are putting a big effort into getting their supporters to vote early. In such a context you would assume that the best organised campaign would be the beneficiary.

In the betting the money has continued to pile on Obama who now stands at 1/4 for the nomination.

Can we use this thread for US politics and the following one for UK developments – many thanks.

Mike Smithson