Could It Be Obama's Last Stand?

65% of Nevada voters said that last week's Democratic debate played an important role in their choosing of a candidate. The gentile "family" debate had little fireworks as Hillary resumed her "General Election" tone, Edwards was nicer and Obama played it safe. The Clinton machine controlled the expectations game as well as the ground game winning 6 of the 7 casino caucuses that were in dispute in the lawsuit earlier in the week. Ultimately, the only Clinton misstep that has hurt the campaign was the Philadelphia debate back in September as she has showed incredible resilience after the Iowa loss, the racial statements and clear efforts at voter suppression after losing the Culinary Union's endorsement. Women, Latinos, and Seniors all came out and carried the day in Nevada.

Monday night, things must change. That evening in South Carolina, the Democrats will once again debate (on the Clinton News Network) and the deck will once again be stacked against Barack. His performance is crucial. He must score major points, drawing out Clinton's insincerity and her doublespeak. He must challenge her and catch her again. He must question her style and tone of politics. Because if he does not, the Clinton's will attack him at his core South Carolina support, African Americans. Bill Clinton has pledged to go door-to-door and church-to-church this next week in South Carolina and all bets are off as to what he might say or do to win.

Howard Fineman, on MSNBC's election coverage, says that this race is now "a civil war that will tear the Democratic Party apart." Obama must deliver another strong strike Monday night or this war may be over more quickly than any might expect.