Democrats Start to Worry

If your Howard Dean are you worried yet? I would be, especially if I looked at an Electoral College map and recent voter results. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in New York (expected), Ohio, Texas, and California. What if that continues into Pennsylvania and Indiana? Does that mean if Obama gets the nomination he can't carry those states in November? Not necessarily, but it's causing concern at the DNC. Howard can try and spin it anyway he wants but believe me, he's concerned.

Now look at Mississippi, Barack Obama won more than 90% of the African-American vote and Hillary won more than 70% of the white vote. Is that scaring the DNC? You bet it is. In November, the Democrats need all of their party members to turn out, both black and white. If Hillary gets the nod does that lead African-American voters to believe they have somehow been disenfranchised? If Obama receives the nomination do middle class white voters stay home?

And what's with the Hispanic voters? They don't seem to be too keen on Obama. What does that mean in Texas, New Mexico and California in November? Do they warm to the junior Senator from Illinois or do they put their support behind a fellow border state Senator? Don't think McCain can't win California. He can. The Governator might be able to help deliver it into the GOP fold.

Then there is New York. If Hillary is sitting on the sidelines, how popular are the Democrats going to be? George Pataki was just recently the two-term GOP Governor. When you factor in his replacement is (soon to be was) Elliot Spitzer you have to wonder if the GOP might even carry the Empire State. How can the "party of the people" spin the fact that their Governor might have spent as much as $80K on hookers? Tough sell to people struggling in a down economy. The GOP having a shot at New York - that was unthinkable just a short time ago.

The Democrats have a long and storied history of shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to capturing the White House - LBJ not telling his staff he wasn't going to run for re-election, Ed Muskie crying on the campaign trail, Thomas Eagleton forgetting to mention that he'd undergone electro-shock therapy, Gary Hart and "friend" aboard the yacht called "Monkey Business", Mike Dukakis wearing the helmet in the armored vehicle, Al Gore not carrying his home state. Howard Dean and the "Yee-Haw" scene. Need I go on?

If I'm Howard and the DNC I'm starting to worry and not just a little. Seriously, shouldn't it be simple to get the GOP out of office after eight years of George Bush?