[The Telegraph, U.K.]

Le Figaro, France

Hillary-Obama Expose the

'Germ of an Identity Crisis'

"For a party that thought it would prevail easily, in this division there is the germ of an identity crisis even more menacing, given that the Obama-Clinton duel risks deepening the fissures."

By Pierre Rousselin

Translated By Kate Davis

EDITORIAL

February 7, 2008

France - Le Figaro - Original Article (French)

The first stage in the race for the White House just ended on a Super Tuesday that, as expected, turned the dual competition in a new direction.

In the Democratic camp, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton essentially tied. To break the tie, they'll fight it out for a long time yet, perhaps up to the convention in August. In the interval, they are likely to divide the party, making it more difficult to mobilize voters when it's time to win the battle in November.

Among Republicans, in contrast, John McCain rose to the top. He can begin preparing his strategy for a head-to-head with the man or woman who will prevail among Democrats. On both sides, the spectacle continues.

The first act was played under the banner of change. Very far behind and confronting a candidate who a bit too early had presented herself as inevitable, Barack Obama has surfed on the need for renewal, which is breaking over the United States at the end of two terms under the unpersuasive George W. Bush.

With panache, the Black candidate has emerged as a serious challenger capable of lifting peoples' enthusiasm. On another note, Hillary Clinton has demonstrated the strength of her organization and the seriousness of her program. She has stood up very well. For these two, the second act will be as hard fought as the first.

For the Republicans' part, they have taken up the battle in great disorder, without really believing in it. The game had been very wide open before John McCain turned out to be the best. Despite his 71 years, he's the one considered the new man, with an atypical candidacy that doesn’t really conform to the orthodoxy of the Republican Party. With no serous rival, he can begin organizing his camp.                                                 WORLDMEETS.US

Among the electorate, the first act revealed the profound cleavages that divide Americans. This is particularly evident among Democrats when Blacks, young people and independents come out to vote en masse in for Obama, while women, Hispanics, the poor and party officials opt for Hillary. For a party that thought it would prevail easily, in this division there is the germ of an identity crisis even more menacing, given that the Obama-Clinton duel risks deepening the fissures.                               WORLDMEETS.US

The Republicans aren't much better off. The breakthrough of Mike Huckabee in the southern states attests to the voting strength of the religious right. John McCain will have to seduce this electorate, which could lead him to team up with the former Baptist pastor. But he must also rally hard-line conservatives who are the heart of the party and who are wary of him.

A coming together will also be the watchword in the other camp. Of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, who is the best able to win in November? This question, which could favor one or the other, will weigh increasingly on the Democratic choice.

CLIK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION

[WORLDMEETS.US Posted February 12, 9:00pm]