Hillary has earned the right to a last stand in OH and TX.

[tritsofme]

People close to the campaign, including figures such as President Clinton have indicated, maybe not in as many words, that these contests are do or die.

Now if Hillary scores convincing victories in these states then we will another horse race on our hands going into PA and the later states, but if she doesn't its time to take the marbles and go home.

However at this juncture Hillary still has a realistic path to the nomination, and I feel she has earned the right to have a last stand.

[lapfog_1]

1. What is a "convincing" victory?

51-49... 55-45... 60-40

And does she have to win both by similar margins to stay in? Or just one of two?

Just curious what the parameters are.

[scheming daemons]

2. Don't worry... after March 4th, they'll move the goalposts again..

....

[Arkana]

7. To Guam...and beyond!`

DISCLAIMER: I have no problem with Hillary competing through March 4 if she beats Obama significantly in BOTH OH and TX.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. AFAIC, she can stay in as long as she likes.

Keeps McCain from knowing who he's running against.

[Bucky]

11. Yes, we're better off with McCain only being all-but-certain who he's running against.

Actually I support Clinton's right to compete in Ohio and Texas... and Pennsylvania too. It would be bad for the party for her to drop out too soon. But let's not kid ourselves about who McCain is already targeting in his speeches... when he's not covering his ass over this lobbying scandal, that is.

[dkf]

4. She needs to sell herself in a convincing way.

She still hasn't figured it out and is floundering around.

I swear some authenticity would go much further than attacking Obama's mailers.

[ecstatic]

5. You might be right. I won't be so hard on her for the next few days

However, if she does anything to harm our party's chances in November then all civility will go out the door.

ETA: She needs a better "last stand" strategy. All the negativity directed towards Obama will not work. She has to sell herself in these final days.

[Vinca]

6. Someone reported she'll be out of cash on March 5.

Will she be able to continue?

[Tatiana]

8. I hope Hillary takes this to the convention.

I have a feeling the experience will be a cleansing and healing experience.

And the people will have their voices heard, LOUD and CLEAR.

[Coexist]

9. the press that anger (or contrived anger, you decide) will get her

is important to her campaign right now.

That said, "Enough with the speeches and the big rallies" makes her sound a wee bit ... I don't know, like she feels slighted or jealous of his popularity. Maybe thats not the right phrase, do you understand what I mean, though?

She's a politician, complaining that another politician is a bad campaigner because he is having large rallies and giving good speeches is absurd.

[Forkboy]

10. She certainly does.

But she's going the wrong way in tactics. Going more negative is sealing her fate. The only bounce she got was when she cried, showing a kinder, gentler side of herself. The trouble with going negative is it usually raises your own negative numbers at the same time, and she had little wiggle room to start with in that area.

[flor de jasmim]

12. Even if she wins TX AND OH...

which won't happen in any substantial way, I think. But let's just say she did--what is there in her message and particularly her current slash-and-burn style that would appeal to Independents and Moderate Republicans? Is she hoping that the tremendous turn-out won't have already been turned OFF by her comments? Talk about Rovian--it's as though he's whispering in her ear and she thinks he's on HER side!!