Dewey Wins!

What a fabulous political day today. It made me think of the 1948 Presidential election when the Chicago Tribune headline screamed, “Dewey Defeats Truman.”

The polls made a huge swing in the past four days. Coming out of Iowa the Obama momentum moved the polls from down 4 points to anywhere from 11 to 14 up this morning. The insiders say that the Clinton campaign had a big GOTV effort. That is polspeak for Get Out The Vote. They had 6000 volunteers and 300 cars and drivers today.

The Obama rallies yesterday were crowded and electric as compared to fairly tired scenes at the Clinton rallies.

What happened? I think the GOTV played a role. I also think that the “tearing up” of Hilary of Monday had an impact. Woman, who abandoned Clinton in Iowa went strongly for her in New Hampshire. She found her voice. She was strong Saturday night in the debates while Obama was flat.

And, you have to see the outcome as confirmation of Pundit/Smundit!! The voters go into the polling booth and pull the lever unfettered by pollsters or pundits. The independent minded voters of New Hampshire (Live Free or Die) were true to their heritage. Dewey did not win.

With the votes in and the outcome certain, Obama was eloquent and gracious. He speech gave me chills. The cry, “Yes we can!” was resonant. Hilary doesn’t give a good speech, but at least she didn’t use the faux Southern accent she used in Selma last year.

The outcome makes for a much better race. We have not anointed Obama. The primary crucible will grind forward more finely.

If nothing else, this may make us focus on substance for the next few weeks and allow the process to continue.

Like so many, I felt the Obama freight train had left the station. I feel chagrin. And I feel great excitement. And, I didn’t mention Edwards once, which is telling in and of itself.