Sweep

That's the headline already, but it's more than Obama won every contest today--caucuses in Washington and Nebraska, primary in Louisiana, and I don't know what that was in the Virgin Islands. Once again it's the geographical sweep. Heavily African American vote in Louisiana, not so much in Nebraska and Washington. Obama won Washington despite both (women) Senators endorsing Hillary, though he was endorsed a few days ago by the (woman) Governor Gregoire.

And the size of each victory: more than 2 to 1 in Nebraska and Washington, by more than 20 points in Louisiana--and 90% in the V.I.s. Or as this report put it: Obama's winning margins ranged from substantial to crushing.

On Saturday Obama spoke in Maine to an audience of 6 to 7,000 (plus another 2,000 who couldn't fit), while Hillary spoke to about 1500, with 3 to 500 turned away. The Maine caucus is Sunday, an all-day affair.

Hillary and Obama also spoke to the big Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner in Virginia. Rachel Maddow on MSNBC thought it was her best speech of the campaign, but the crowd was heavily with Obama. Obama was introduced by Virgina Governor Tim Kaine who endorsed him. Virginia Senator Mark Warner was there, and I believe he's also endorsed Obama. Obama complimented Virginia Senator Jim Webb twice in his speech, though he has yet to endorse anyone and is considered to be more likely to support Hillary. (He's also considered an attractive v.p. for Obama.) The Virginia primary is on Tuesday, and the Survey USA poll (the most reliable for Super Tuesday) shows Obama with a big lead; also in Maryland which votes the same day, as does DC.

Saturday's result already puts Obama clearly in the lead in delegates won in contests, and even with the AP's projections that included super-delegates (who can change their mind anytime), he's very close, despite Hillary's nearly 2 to 1 margin from her inevitability phase.

Maine is Hillary's February firewall, though Obama supporters insist he'll win there. Her next prospect is Wisconsin, but that's doubtful. Her big state strategy puts it all on the line in Texas and Ohio. In fact, this report in a British newspaper suggests that if she wins those primaries, she would ask party elders to persuade Obama to step aside. The Obama campaign is saying they will stay in it through to the convention.

Polls say Hillary is ahead in Ohio and Texas, but Obama is poised to win 9 of the 10 contests between Super Tuesday and March 4, with tomorrow's caucus in Maine as the only one in which Hillary is given much of a chance. That gives him tremendous momentum, especially if his margins of victory continue to be so overwhelming. All of this sets up Ohio and Texas as the most intensely fought contests of the campaign.

And Sunday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer endorses Obama:

" Obama's frequent talk of hope strikes some people as naive. It leads others to question his toughness. But Obama understands something his critics do not: Change requires vision and optimism, shared sacrifice and mutual trust. Hope can sustain those elements; a presidency defined by political tactics cannot.

Hillary Clinton is an exceptionally bright and accomplished woman. Only a fool could dispute that...But in a campaign where history matters, she carries an inordinate amount of baggage. Who wants to relive the soap operas of the 1990s? "