Iowa voted for Change, New Hampshire (NH) for Experience; and what a surprise that was, partcularly for Barack’s camp. Senator Obama was clearly upstaged, so as to speak given all polls and pundits predicted a landslide victory in the granite state. But after a very long night, the final count– Hillary wins!! Voters chose ‘experience’. Senator Clinton won by a slim margin, 3-percentage points. But those few points sent shock waves into Obama’s camp, where for the days the mood was – we hope to repeat Iowa.

But will “experience” be the trend for the general election as Senator Clinton forges ahead as the front-runner, and Obama the insurgent? I wouldn’t bet on it. The political waters as they are now are too murky to predict. However, some are still trying to figure out where the so -called pundits/pollsters went wrong. It would appear the ‘win’ was a surprise even for the winner. Clinton won with the support of an “army’ of women with 39% of the votes. Barack came in second at 36%.

In a sport with male preeminence, Hillary’s win sent shock waves to both supportes and detractors alike. This was an exciting win for women who gave her the winning edge and proved the relevance of the gender gap. Clinton received 47 percent of their votes to Obama’s 34 percent. Where were the ‘ Obama girls?” Too few in numbers then, to prevent such a dramatic slide in votes. Consequently in voice charged with emotion, realizing that she was actually waking from a political dealth ” Senator Clinton said “………. Let’s give America the comeback you have given me”. A comeback kid? Absolutely! Given all the rumors that if she scored a second place finish in a single digit, that would be regarded as ‘victory’. She now makes history, becoming the first women on the American political landscape to have won a primary. That is an accomplishment given if even for a short while, she was in free-fall, all bets off! But will she be able to capture the imagination and votes of those still clamoring for CHANGE?

Also worthy of note– Senator John McCain who after the Straight Talk Express took a tumble, had a decisive finish , winning 38 percent of the votes. He too has been revived from the dead, out doing Mitt Romney and Huckabee who trailed in second and third place. Mitt Romney despite millions of dollars spent is yet score a big win. In the buzz he hopes to make up for that in Michigan is home state, and one where his father served three terms as governor. With MCain’s surge, for now–Mitt looks like mush. He is fighting back but the race among the GOP still remains wide open.

The next stop for the Democrats — closely watched, Nevada and South Carolina. Who wins! Despite Obama’s loss in New Hampshire, supporters still find him inspiring and motivating, and his echoes for CHANGE FROM THE STATUS QUO is becoming louder. With grid lock in Washigton, the slowdown of the economy and Meat and Potatoes back on the list, Americans are in a very restless mood. A tidal wave of emotions could prove to be very damaging. Will the disaffected be dismissed? Who’s best prepared to address and energize an electorate, in need of answers? Is the leader among the Democrats, Republicans or with a candidate waving a banner called — Independent?

Clearly McCain on right and Clinton on the left– are steps ahead in the game. But under the
” political gun” challengers have no plans to back-off. If anything the “pounce” will be more swift and powerful– with a goal to destroy. So given all that is stake, in particular for Senator Clinton, will she be able to stop the phenomenon called Barack Obama? Since they both intend to ‘dance’ to the end, can we expect a bloody convention and a disappointing general election? For Obama the wave is still riding high– why were the polls so wrong? Did race play a part in the mis-calculation demonstrated in survey and exit polls?

I do not have an answer, but with intentions for both candidates to slug it out– could they destroy each other in the process? One can only hope that as we the people prepare to elect a new president, good judgment will abide.

VernaSmith