Cali Dreaming

These are the poll results so far this year in the key state of the Unofficial National Primary (-Democratic):

• Jan 22 EMC
  Clinton 39%, Obama 28%, Edwards 12% ...
• Jan 22 Field Poll
  Clinton 39%, Obama 27%, Edwards 10% ...
• Jan 17 Rasmussen
  Clinton 38%, Obama 33%, Edwards 12% ...
• Jan 14 SurveyUSA
  Clinton 50%, Obama 35%, Edwards 10% ...
• Jan 14 CNN
  Clinton 47%, Obama 31%, Edwards 10% ...

(from TPM's Poll Tracker--http://tpmelectioncentral.com/polltracker/capres_d/)
Some of it is methodology--how far to go in tabulating preferences, rather than firmly declared intention--but it seems to me that there is an unusually large undecided vote.

It seems quite possible that there is a large segment of "potential Edwards" voters; their intentions to vote for him have softened due to his primary results so far. South Carolina's result may influence how many of them end up forcing themselves to choose between Clinton and Obama (or sticking with "a protest vote" for Edwards, for Kucinich, or simply not voting--which would effectively be a vote for Clinton, as it's clear that high turnout should favor Obama).

Now that Obama's been slimed by the Clinton tag-team, it would seem that Obama's best chance is to take the high road once again, rising beyond the unfurled feral instincts of HRC and Hubby, and try to claim these change-seeking, vaguely anti-Clinton young and middle-aged white progressives. They will certainly be turned off by what they have seen and be looking for something better. Obama can still bring it to them.