The Primary, The Trib, The Chaos

This is the first time that I can ever remember a PA Primary actually being important (at least for more than weeding out the ever-competitive race for prothonotary). This year, the race for the Democratic nominee is (still) up for grabs, and shows no true sign of slowing... that is, until Pennsylvania goes for Barack Obama. But, thanks to the pigheadedness of Hillary Clinton, the work of Rush Limbaugh's Operation Chaos, and the blue-dog folks of Pennsylvania, this thing shows no signs of stopping. Far be it from me to make any predictions for a Democrat election, but I've been doing my part (honking for Hillary when I see the sign holders on the streets).

There has been considerable to-do about the endorsement of Hillary Clinton by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Trib is owned by Richard Mellon Scaife, who has been called the originator of the "Vast Right-Winged Conspiracy" back during Bill's impeachment trial. Now, the Trib has been faced with the tough decision of breaking their usually-conservative op/ed M.O. and endorsing one of the two Dems still in the race.

Their decision to endorse Hillary was an understandable one for a number of reasons. According to an interview one of their reporters gave on WDVE this morning, the Trib invited both candidates to come and meet with the editorial board, as well as Senator McCain. Hillary was the only one who responded (but to be fair, McCain has already received the endorsement from the Trib, and really didn't need to be there). Considering that the Trib's main rival, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, endorsed Barack Obama, it would also seem smart commercially to Clinton.

I would like to also think that Scaife is perhaps playing his role as a "vast Right-winged conspirator" and endorsing Hillary while participating in Operation Chaos. In case you have no clue what I'm talking about, Operation Chaos is a plan devised by Rush Limbaugh to keep the Democratic nomination going as long as possible. This means supporting Hillary when Obama is winning, and vice versa. Because their egos are so big, they will see this support, regardless of its origin, as a mandate to stay in the race. So if Hillary does moderately well today, as well as winning or doing well in the remaining primaries, this race could be decided at the Democratic Convention... which would either lead to some shady back-room deals or pure anarchy. This is a concept that was originally thought to have been an issue in the Republican nomination process, but after McCain swept so many states (with some help from Democratic voters), the party sorted itself out right quick. Hillary Clinton doesn't appear to be the Mitt Romney-type who will bow out of the race in order to have party unity.

Voting as a Republican in Pennsylvania will continue to be easy. We have a couple choices for some local offices, some completely vacant races, and then a confirmation of the one remaining GOPer for President (unless someone in a Guy Fawkes mask makes me vote for Ron Paul). Democratic voters have a good deal of other choices to consider... like whether or not they want to end this thing.