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Mike's America

Welcome to Mike's America, a view of news and opinion that has caught my attention. You're welcome to share your thoughts by commenting on posts.

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Name: Mike's America
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States

Currently living in the South Carolina Lowcountry, Mike has taken a keen interest in politics and government since his days as a young whippersnapper in Ohio. There, he organized College Republicans clubs, worked as a professional staffer on two statewide campaigns and was elected to the Delaware County Republican Central Committee among other achievements. In 1986 he began graduate studies in government at Columbia University where he specialized in National Security matters under the tutelage of former National Security Advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski. Leaving New York in 1988 he moved to Washington, D.C. to become a White House Intern in the Political Office of President Ronald Reagan. With backing from the first Bush Administration he spent four years at the Environmental Protection Agency. He has lived on Hilton Head since 1996 where he writes, photographs and gardens.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Big Wins for Hillary and McCain

Texas and Ohio Go for Hillary!

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) speaks during a primary election night party at The Columbus Athenaeum as her daughter Chelsea Clinton look on, March 4, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio.

Quick Quiz: Who wasn't on the stage with Hillary on her BIGGEST night yet?

I scoffed when the news promoters named March 4 Super Tuesday II. But the excitement and political theater lived up to that name and more.

Just days before what looked like the end for Hillary Clinton's campaign turned around last night with major wins. By any measure it was a huge night for Hillary. In the process, Obama's campaign momentum has been blunted and with reporters smelling blood over some of Obama's recent statements, the contest between the two will intensify.

While the results are still being tallied, it's clear that Obama's delegate lead was reduced significantly last night as was the overall popular vote advantage he enjoyed over Hillary the last month or so.

A Keystone Victory for Hillary?

Next up is Wyoming with 12 delegates votes on March 8, Mississippi with 33 delegates on March 11. But the next big prize is Pennsylvania with 158 delegates on April 22nd. Pennsylvania sits between Ohio and New Jersey which Hillary won.

Unless something unforeseen happens, the Democrat nominating contest will likely go all the way to the convention and the entire divisive issue of Florida and Michigan delegates will now be in play.

It will be fun to watch and the question is: will Obama's followers start to drift away as he becomes less inevitable and becomes just another politician scrambling for votes while both Hillary and the news media go after him relentlessly?

McCain Hits the Magic 1191!

Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and wife Cindy greet supporters at a campaign rally at the Fairmont Dallas hotel March 4, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. McCain has clinched the Republican presidential nomination with projected wins tonight in Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island. (Photo by Rick Gershon/Getty Images)

Last night John McCain got what he has wanted for more than eight years . He is now the undisputed Republican nominee for President of the United States.

As he easily won victories in all Super Tuesday II states, he passed the magic number of 1191 delegates necessary to win the nomination.

Mike Huckabee also took the cue and finally left the stage.

McCain plans to head to Washington, D.C. and meet with President Bush and begin organizing the Republican National Committee apparatus which he will now direct.

The big problem for McCain is that with so much excitement in the Democrat race, who is going to cover him?