Pennsylvania payoff: Hillary Clinton wins... now what?

The Associated Press

Hillary Clinton celebrates her victory in the Keystone state with Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.

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Pennsylvania payoff: Hillary Clinton wins... now what?

Hillary Clinton defeated Barack Obama in Pennsylvania on Tuesday by enough of a margin to continue a battle that Democrats increasingly believe is undermining their effort to unify the party and prepare for the general election against John McCain.

Despite a huge investment of time and money by Obama -- he outspent the New York senator by a three-to-one margin -- and pressure on Clinton by the party establishment to consider folding her campaign, she won her third big state in a row. Clinton showed again that she is a tenacious campaigner with an ability to connect with the blue-collar voters Obama has found elusive and who could be critical to a Democratic victory in November.

Clinton’s margin was probably not sufficient to alter the dynamics of the race, which continued to favor an eventual victory for Obama. But it made clear that the contest will go on at least a few weeks, if not more. And it served to underline the concerns about Obama’s strengths as a general election candidate. Exit polls again highlighted the racial, economic, sex and values divisions within the party.

So, what should happen now? Does a Clinton victory in a major state undermine Obama's claim to the nomination? Or does the prolonged Democratic nomination fight boost the chances of John McCain prevailing in November? Should one of the Democrats exit the race for the good of the party? Or should they stay in for the good of the country?

Ben likes: The second comeback of Hillary Clinton

Hugh Hewitt/Townhall.com

Democratic superdelegates will have to think about the long months of summer ahead. The truth is that Senator Obama would be the most left-wing main party presidential nominee in history. He is far outside the mainstream, and large crowds in stadiums don't translate into huge vote margins in general elections. The young love him, yes, but the old are really going to trust John McCain to protect them. The superdelegates are going to be upset that Operation Chaos revived Hillary, and if she comebacks, she'll always be Rush's nominee, but he just played the role of Burgess Meredith/Mickey Goldmill in Rocky. (Bill will be Paulie -- a fine analogy.) Hillary will have shown the toughness to do what it took to win.

(Moderator's note: Hewitt called it early in the day Tuesday.)Joel likes: The Democratic race will continue

Joel likes: The Democratic race will continue

John Nichols/The Nation

Hillary Clinton has won the Pennsylvania primary, and something akin to formal permission to continue campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.

With most of the Pennsylvania vote counted, she's ahead 55-45.

That's a credible victory, if not perhaps so dramatic a finish as would have been needed to fundamentally change the reality that the senator from New York is unlikely to win the Democratic nod.

Clinton will keep campaigning. This race will continue for at least two more weeks, and probably longer. That will excite Clinton backers, just as it will disappoint Obama backers.

It's messy. It's frustrating. But this is what democracy looks like. And it will keep looking this way until Obama beats Clinton in a state she's supposed to win -- or until Obama finally wins not just a plurality but a majority of delegates.