Life of the Party? Barack Obama

I keep hearing that it's the delegate math that matters.

I am also hearing that Super Delegates will decide who gets the Democratic nomination. In this election, both statements are right - and wrong.

Obviously delegates will be the means by which Democrats ultimately record support for one candidate over the other at their convention. But a crucial factor in the decision will be an even larger issue. Money.

So while the media focused primarily on the sports analogue of racking up points,
the most important story after the Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont contests was fund raising.

Last week, the Clnton Campaign announced a $3 million dollar bump in fund raising after her wins on Tuesday.

The Obama campaign promptly answered that it had raised $55 million dollars in February alone and qualified itself further by announcing that the majority of it's total donations were in small bills from over a million contributors.

Fund raising and spending ratios will not escape the notice of the Party.

So let's look ahead.

A general election with races for the White House, Senate, Congress and Governor seats across the country will require a prodigious effort to raise big money.

The candidate who proves they can raise the cash will be a crucial asset to the wider agenda of the party. The Super Delegates are going to pay attention to whoever can help get them re-elected or gain a major win for the party.

This is exactly how Bill Clinton got elected and how he consolidated power.

Right now, Barack Obama has the money. Unless the flood of cash dries up, he is the life of the Party and it's hopes in November.

See the Wall Street Journal for more and check out the NY Times from March 31, '07.