Sen. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (PHOTO CREDIT: AP)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The race for the Democratic nomination for president just got a whole lot more interesting.
Hillary Clinton's victory over Barack Obama in New Hampshire means there's no front-runner. What many initially believed would be a Clinton coronation, and then turned into Obama-mania, is now neither.
What is clear is that these two candidates are in it for the long haul. Both Clinton and Obama have lots of money, and the ability to raise even more. In fact, Obama's campaign says it's raised more than $8 million in just the first eight days of this month, and another $500,000 dollars online since midnight.
Clinton told supporters last night that in talking to the people of New Hampshire she "found her own voice." As the race moves on to Nevada and South Carolina, her challenge will be to prove New Hampshire wasn't a fluke. She will have to prove to voters there are reasons other than her "experience" that make her ready to be president. When it comes to Obama, he'll have to try to recapture the magic that was Iowa.
And, an interesting side note on this race: one Clinton adviser tells "The Politico" that it's President George Bush who should get the credit for turning this into such a long campaign, saying: "He has done more than anyone to get the people of this country involved again in politics. They now realize it is important who the president is."
Here’s my question to you: What will ultimately decide the outcome of the battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Dave from Newnan, Georgia writes:
The deciding factor between Clinton and Obama is quite simple: Edwards. He's taking votes from Obama. He cannot win and the longer he stays in the race, the more likely Clinton will win.
Chell writes:
The younger generation will be the factor between these two candidates. Barack can not win without those under 35 showing at the polling booths, and Hillary can not win if we vote. This is the election that will remind those under 40 that our vote does count, but only if we cast it.
Adam from Oregon writes:
My wife will decide. In other words, women will. And right now, my wife is leaning toward Clinton but still on the fence… I will vote how she votes because while she voted for Gore, I made the mistake of voting for Bush in 2000 and have yet to live it down. The only way to get that monkey off my back is to vote for the candidate of her choice.
Andrew from Toronto writes:
Obama must emulate Hillary's substance and command of the issues. Hillary must emulate Obama's charisma and skills as a communicator. The extent to which one will more thoroughly master the other's strength will determine the victor.
Mike writes:
This question is too difficult to answer. One thing is clear, however: As the Democratic contest wears on and support for both Obama and Clinton becomes more entrenched as well as invigorated, it will be suicide for one not to select the other as a running mate. You won't unite the country, and win the election, if you don't unite the party first.
Mike writes:
I hope when Hillary says she has found her voice that she means she has told Bill to “shut up”.