If Ohio and Texas Go Her Way, Clinton Would Focus on Seniors in Penn.
CLEVELAND -- With just under a week left until the March 4 primaries, the Hillary Clinton campaign is keeping its fingers crossed that Ohio, Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island will bring Clinton her first wins since Super Tuesday. One of the biggest problems for Clinton has been stopping the wave of momentum Barack Obama has been riding for weeks and with primary day quickly approaching, both campaigns look to a potential head-to-head contest in Pennsylvania.
A win in Ohio and Texas would give the Clinton campaign the needed boost to stay alive in this race and, as sources close to the campaign have said, a win in Ohio would help position Clinton to compete effectively in Pennsylvania.
"It's true that the demographics in Ohio are similar to Pennsylvania," said the campaign source, "Pennsylvania has more senior voters. It's a strong group for her."
But a new Quinnipiac poll shows Clinton's lead in Pennsylvania slipping. Since Valentine's Day, Obama has managed to cut Clinton's lead to 49-43 percent in the state. The campaign has not indicated whether or not Clinton will drop out of the race if she doesn't win Texas or Ohio, but there's significant chatter that it's a distinct possibility.
Today, Clinton will continue to focus on the economy as she begins an Appalachian tour across the southeastern part of Ohio and into West Virginia later tonight.