Everyone Agrees: Clinton Must Win Ohio

The New York Times reports today of a growing consensus both within and outside the Clinton camp that Ohio is a must-win (h/t Taegan Goddard)

“She has to win both Ohio and Texas comfortably, or she’s out,” said one superdelegate who has endorsed Mrs. Clinton, and who spoke on condition of anonymity to share a candid assessment. “The campaign is starting to come to terms with that.” Campaign advisers, also speaking privately in order to speak plainly, confirmed this view.

Several Clinton superdelegates, whose votes could help decide the nomination, said Monday that they were wavering in the face of Mr. Obama’s momentum after victories in Washington State, Nebraska, Louisiana and Maine last weekend.

The superdelegate quote implies that if she fails to sweep Ohio and Texas she will lose a bulk of superdelegates.

For a few days I've been hoping the contest would go through March 4, but not much further. Cutting off voting before then would smack of backroom dealing. Carrying on through the summer or to the Convention would weaken the eventual nominee.

Happily, at least some superdelegates appear to be of the same mind. So the task ahead of the Obama campaign is clear: win Ohio and you should be able to wrap this up. Lose here and throw the decision to the superdelegates who will probably swing to Hillary.