In a surprising upset win, Senator Clinton narrowly beat Senator Obama last night in New Hampshire. By a close margin of only 3%, Clinton and Obama ran neck and neck all night long. Senator John Edwards finished third with a disappointing but strong 17%. 
There is no question that the Obama momentum was slowed last night despite his impressive showing. Just four weeks ago, Obama was being crushed by Senator Clinton in the Granite State and he came within three points last night. Senator Clinton, with her impressive victory recovered enough from her serious Iowa loss to put herself right back into the mix.
John Edwards was a strong respectable third. He clearly has an uphill battle as the press will focus even more on making this a two person race. As an Edward supporter, there is an awareness that he needs to show progress. Simply, he must win a state soon or be relegated to the position of a candidate carrying an important message but not a serious contender.
Last night's result forecast a long and difficult close primary season and we might not know the winner until Texas in March or even Pennsylvania in April! The Tsunami Tuesday could be so divided between Obama and Clinton, and possibly Edwards, that no clear winner emerges. For weeks we have been told that February 5th primaries would be the end of the season. That appears to be to be in some question after last nights returns.
What could very interesting is the mess created by the Democratic Party in Florida and Michigan. All three of the top contenders pledged not to campaign in those states. However, while Obama and Edwards took their names off the ballot in Michigan, Senator Clinton left her name on it. She could sweep this state by default. If the race goes right down to the Convention, we could see a ugly and divisive challenge to the entire Michigan delegation on the floor of the Denver Convention.
Finally, there were warning signs in New Hampshire in the closing days of some seriously questionable behavior by the Clinton's directed toward Obama.
The fact that after Iowa, the Clinton's were in shock is understandable. In many ways, Obama and Edwards being the candidates of change placed the Clinton's in the position of almost being yesterday's story or even worse the political machine defending the status quo. Obama has to be the Clinton's worse political nightmare come true. A young reform agent of change that represents the next generation.
However, that shock does not justify attacks that go beyond reasonable political bounds. Especially President Clinton calling Obama's life a 'the greatest fairy tale ever", their dishonest attacks on his Pro-Choice record and belittling the contributions of Dr. King in order to win. The Clinton's are better people than that and their associates need to remind them that victory at any cost in the primaries could lead to defeat in November. Remember, a third party bid by Bloomberg is looming right around the corner.
How sad for the Clinton's to possibly be remembered for a sleazy campaign against a man talking about hope and unity.
Last night it was encouraging to see Senator Clinton put President Clinton more in the background and start talking about the future. She needs to be seen and heard as her own person.
This campaign can still be a place of great dialogue between Senator Clinton, Senator Obama and John Edwards. We can all win from it as long as we don't resort to Republican type tactics to win.
No matter what, there is no longer an inevitable nominee of any person. We are in for a protracted and difficult Democratic Primary season.
For those of us who love the surprises that politics constantly gives us, this will be an exciting and powerful time.
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