Reading the West Virginia Tea Leaves
Posted by TOM BEVAN | E-Mail This | Permalink | Email Author
Two possible scenarios for tonight's vote in West Virginia: 1) it's dismissed as too little, too late for Clinton and doesn't change a thing or 2) her margin of victory is so big it reignites doubts about Obama's ability to win working class white voters in Rust Belt states and moves the narrative slightly back in Clinton's direction and away from the "it's over" theme that's pervaded coverage for the past week. Smart money is on the former, but given WV is the only game in town (as opposed to next week when the vote in Kentucky will be offset by equal coverage of the vote in Oregon), it will depend to a certain extent on how the media covers tonight.
With that in mind, here's a look at how the news orgs are covering things heading into tonight, with the following stories and headlines published within the couple of hours:
Associated Press: Now the underdog, Clinton looks for win in W.Va.
Hillary Rodham Clinton collided with Barack Obama in the West Virginia primary on Tuesday, persisting in the Democratic presidential race despite dwindling odds and a lengthening delegate deficit.
CNN: Clinton victory could raise doubts about Obama
A big victory in West Virginia Tuesday could re-engergize Sen. Hillary Clinton's bid for the White House and raise fresh doubts about Sen. Barack Obama's electability in the general election.
Reuters: Clinton aims for big win in West Virginia
Hillary Clinton appeared headed to a big West Virginia victory over front-runner Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential race on Tuesday, although it could be too late to turn around her faltering White House bid.
Washington Post: Clinton Looks for Win in W.Va.
With time running out in the presidential primary season, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton today looked for a decisive victory in West Virginia in the hope of keeping her campaign for the Democratic nomination alive.
New York Times: High Turnout Seen in West Virginia
Party officials predicted high turnout for West Virginia's Democratic primary on Tuesday despite the widespread belief that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton would score an easy victory.

