Barack Obama: The Boston Red Sox of Politics

Barack Obama is only capable of come-from-behind victories. Before the primaries, Clinton was “inevitable.” Then he won big in Iowa. In New Hampshire, he was expected to beat her easily and wrap it up, but then he actually lost narrowly. He waltzed into the “must-win” SC and won decisively, but then failed to put Clinton away on Super Tuesday after almost achieving front-runner status. Since then, he has racked up nonstop victories this month, although Clinton looks poised to make a comeback by winning the delegate-rich Ohio, and possibly Texas or Wisconsin. This is another setback for Obama, except it’s not. Falling behind is his only chance to win.

He’s just like the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox have proven over the years that they are incapable of smooth success from start to finish. However, in 2004 they found a new strategy: let the other team get ahead of them. They gave the Yankees a false sense of confidence, letting them go up 3-0 on them, a historically insurmountable margin. As it turned out, it was actually easier for the Red Sox to make history with a ridiculously difficult comeback than to win a dead-even series. Again, in 2007, they looked to be the obvious favorite. However, it was only once they nearly blew their division lead that they were able to truly reach the top of their game and dominate in the playoffs. Nothing is ever easy for the Sox, I guess.

Obama has no choice but to stick with the Red Sox strategy. If he keeps winning, he is sure to lose. Even if he runs the table, Hillary will pay off superdelegates or find some way to beat him. No, he has no chance as the front-runner. He can only win as the underdog. He can only win by losing (This strategy failed miserably for Giuliani, but only because he is a filthy Yankees fan). So lose, Barack, if you want to have any chance. Lose Ohio! It’s better that way. In fact, you may as well give an acceptance speech if you lose. It’s just too bad you can’t get a Curt Schilling endorsement.