Beginning of the end?

Just a few months ago, common wisdom had us believe that the Obama campaign was in trouble. His opponent, Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, was set to have a great campaign with her huge advantage in fundraising as well as a substantial lead in national polls.

Back then, Senator Barrack Obama seemed "naive" because of his political views, and comparative lack of "experience". Many felt, albeit not openly, his race would prevent him from getting enough white votes.

Alas, the scene is very different today. Obama has turned out to be the better strategist and the more gifted candidate. And yes he was and is an inspirational one - powered by education, charisma, a powerful immigration story, and a lot of hard work.

Hillary is no longer in command. The downward spiral began immediately after her unexpected loss on Super Tuesday, where she was caught off-guard and didn't even have a contingency plan. By contrast, Obama has put together a team that appears to work together very well and has an effective game plan.

Most recently, following their latest televised debate, Hillary concluded by saying "Whatever happens, we're going to be fine. We have strong support from our families and our friends. I just hope that we'll be able to say the same thing about the American people". Not the words of a winning candidate and very unlike her.

By everyone's account, her husband, former US president Bill Clinton, contributed to her defeat in the South Carolina primaries by giving his own televised speech ahead of hers! It's no coincidence that he has remained under the radar since then, in an attempt to suppress the idea of a co-presidency.

Wrong place at wrong time

A few of Hillary's apologists attribute her losing streak to timing or the idea that she was at the wrong place at the wrong time. At 60, she faces an opponent who is 46 - the same age as Bill was when he was running for presidency. Obama's younger supporters, his staunchest, are simply too young to identify with Hillary on many levels. This also applies to Latino voters. Not only this, Hillary's mantra of "experience" was scrutinised by her failure to make a call on Iraq.

The scene is bitter sweet; the more Obama called for hope, the more she preached against optimism and ridiculed inspirational talk. And every time she lost in a state, her campaign said the voters were not representative of the country. In other words her campaign lost track and paranoia took over.

Hillary's angry side is not helping her either at this point. It recently came out when she told a crowd in Ohio that two Obama mailings spread lies about her positions on universal health care and the North American Free Trade Agreement. She even accused him of emulating the tactics of Karl Rove, President George W. Bush's former political director. "Shame on you, Barack Obama," she said. Obama's response to this was that Hillary was being "tactical" as these points were never raised when he was losing to her. Each step she takes Obama has managed to outmanoeuvre her but with common sense. At this point, Hillary, who lost 11 straight contests in the Democratic primaries, looks exhausted and even her supporters are becoming dispirited.

Hillary's run is not officially over. But barring a miracle, she looks set to lose.

Obama's rhetoric about bridging differences between the red and the blue states have inspired thousands of Americans. His drive and determination continue to be highlighted in every appearance.

Obama now leads the former first lady by almost every conceivable measure, whether it is the national polls, the number of delegates or the percentage of the popular vote. He even has the lead when it comes to finances.

It now feels like many commentators are paying lip service to the idea that Hillary will rise again. I'd like to think her days are numbered against Obama.