Bar higher in S.C. for Obama?

With expectations rising, even a win might be seen as too little
MARK JOHNSON AND TAYLOR BRIGHT

S.C., Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008.
ROCK HILL --For U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, winning may not be good enough in South Carolina.

Obama's possible victory in the Palmetto State is turning into the expected outcome and into a win built on the African American vote. Those perceptions have been fueled, both subtly and overtly, by the campaign of his chief rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.

Obama's challenge has ratcheted up from winning South Carolina to emerging with a message that propels him into the 22 primaries held on Feb. 5, according to veteran Democratic strategists both inside and outside Obama's team.

Obama needs not only to win in South Carolina, but also to emerge with an unexpected or little noticed element, such as a surprising percentage of the white vote or a majority of voters anxious about the economy, they say.

"The established expectations of him have been moving, and I think it's a bit of a setup," said Tom Lindenfeld, a veteran Democratic strategist who has done occasional work for the campaign.

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http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/460289.html

Its a double edged sword for Obama.

The problems are multifold.

Its possible this vote might end up a 3 way split or not a huge difference in votes to perceive a clear outright win, then thats big trouble for Obama. I agree, its the detail that will make or break it. If Obama underperforms with whites in SC. Then Houston, we have a problem, the MSM will have a field day with that.

Its obvious though, Hillary can afford to lose SC, Edwards has the most to gain, Obama the most to lose.

With the MSM, they are obviously dying to create trouble.

Obama's second problem is this and its a big one. Even if there is a significant win or a tie or whatever. Florida's 0 delegate race (this remains to be seen if it stays that way) is but only 3 days later. With the repug race the same day, they are going to use this in the MSM and i think it would be stupid of the DNC to let the Republicans have all the press from Florida, it would be a stupid mistake because letting people think Democrats dont care about Florida is one thing which quite frankly we can't afford come Nov 5th and the republicans will batter us for it in the GE. They should immediately open it up after SC. Right now the Repugs are working Florida for the GE. Thats just mad.

People are saying Florida does not count but as the state that has caused us to lose 2 elections on the trot I don't think it cannot be ignored for immense perception value. With it only 3 days after SC. The media may well decide to use it as a key indicator of the upcoming Super Tuesday. If Hillary takes that by a mile with all names on the ballot, it will cause a huge amount of press and the MSM will forget about SC very quickly. Does Obama really need all the press on 30th Jan spouting Hillary takes Florida with 60% and its looking increasingly likely, if the early returns are indicative, she's taken 70% of those,apparently.

for Obama, as I recall. Maybe you'll go three for three- in the loser column.