I was out of the office last week from Wednesday through Friday and when I returned Monday morning (Feb. 11) there were two phone calls waiting for me from state Sen. Steve Baddour.
The Methuen Democrat had called Wednesday and Thursday to gloat over his candidate Hillary Clinton’s big showing on Super Tuesday. Clinton’s wins included the big prizes of New York, California and Massachusetts. The Eagle-Tribune had endorsed Barack Obama among the Democrats, hence Baddour’s desire to get in some good-natured ribbing.
Well, Senator, who’s gloating now?
By the time I returned to hear Baddour trumpet the glory of all things Clinton, Obama had swept the senator from New York off the map over the weekend, winning in Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington State and Maine.
And it looks like Mrs. Clinton could have a very bad day today in the “Potomac Primaries” as well. Obama will likely win the District of Columbia and Maryland. He could take Virginia, too.
That would leave Hillary in pretty dire straits — and she knows it. The New York Times reports today of a sense of desperation in the Clinton camp with a new campaign manager on board and the need to build a “firewall” with the Ohio and Texas primaries on March 4. After those, there’s not much of consequence left — really just Pennsylvania on April 22.
By the day’s end, Clinton could be on an 0-for-7 streak. Once political momentum swings that far, there’s little one can do to stop it.
Sen. Baddour, you may have gloated too soon.
