Does it really matter who "wins" OK?

[Lauren2882]

I have a question: if it comes down realllly close in Oklahoma (say Clark beats Edwards by 45 votes with Kerry 10% points behind in 3rd), would it really matter for the delegate count?
That is, since the votes are only used as a guide to what proportions to use when divying up the delegates, does it really matter who comes out ahead if it's super-close -- wouldn't the top 2 candidates be considered "tied" and get the same # of delegates?
Also, would they bother with a recount if it's really close? I know that in many states a recount is required by law if the vote is within a specified range of closeness, but I think that usually goes for elections ... would it matter for a Presidential primary?

[Zynx]

1. No. It is really close between Edwards and Clark.

However, expectations were low for Edwards so he is the media winner.

[Dookus]

2. correct...

the bragging rights are probably more important than the delegates.

[mot78]

3. Depends

If Clark wins it, which he will in my opinion, then Kerry is still the dominent one, and it's a three-way race between Clark-Kerry-Edwards, with Dean a distant fourth. If Edwards wins OK, then it becomes two-man race between him and Kerry, unfortunately Clark will not be viable if he does poorly tonight . ;(

[DjTj]

4. For media attention...

...a win for Edwards would be very good for him and bad for Clark.

[Lauren2882]

5. Aside from the bragging rights and media game...

... what I'm really asking about is the delegate count itself. Also I'm curious as to whether they would bother with a recount.

I know that the media spin is what really matters but I'm curious about this other stuff.

[Toronto Ron]

7. Delegate count is secondary at this stage...

If Clark loses OK by even 1 vote, he will have come in 2nd place, as far as the media is concerned, and will not have won any states tonight (who knows about NM now). This will make it that much more difficult to get traction in upcoming primaries. It's all about the media, unfortunately.

[ResistTheCoup]

8. But Dean hasn't won any states yet either

Why not the same media attention on him? He still plans on being in for the long haul.

[mlawson]

6. Well, for the rest of the prime time evening, CNN focuses on both

Cark and Edwards. For one thing, this is great for both their name recognitions. We forget, that millions of voters are probably noticing them for the FIRST time, this evening.

But as for which one actually wins, that depends upon how the media spin it. And also, if this evening's results hae any effect on the strength of the Dem establishement's committment to Kerry.

[BruinAlum]

9. Matters particularly to Clark, who is said to drop out if he doesn't win

If Edwards wins it's an upset, so it matters a great deal for him too. So yes I'd say it matters a great deal who wins OK, even as close as it is. It's still recorded as 1st place and 2nd place.

[mikehiggins]

13. The problem is, who said Clark will drop out?

Me, I would, at this point, and throw all of my support behind Edwards because he is the more likeable and arguably the more intelligent of the remaining candidates.

Confronted with the choice between Abraham Lincoln or John Kennedy with a drawl, I'd go with the drawl.

However, the original point is that nobody I've heard from has said that Clark plans to pull the plug if he doesn't win here.

Don't confuse pundit's take on reality with reality itself. Clark has the money and man(and woman)power to carry on with the battle. The only question is whether he thinks he has a shot or not. There is little point to winning battles in a losing effort.

We'll see.

[dolstein]

10. Symbolically, yes

It hurt Edwards when he finished fourth in New Hampshire. And it would definitely hurt Clark if he finishes second in Oklahoma. At this point, momentum matters more than degelates, and Clark won't get any momentum from a second place finish in Oklahoma. Plus there's that small matter of Clark Jr. saying his father should get out of the race if he lost Oklahoma. It's going to be mightly hard for Clark to spin a second place finish as anything other than a loss.

[John_H]

11. To be honest, no.

I think Clark needed a bigger win to force the whores into giving him the fairness he needs to have a chance. They'll declare it a victory for Edwards and the death of Clark no matter who squeaks out a victory.

[dansolo]

12. A win outside of SC helps Edwards a lot

And a third place for Kerry will lessen his momentum. Combine that with the recent poll where Edwards beast Bush, and now there is a real viable alternative to Kerry.

[theboss]

14. Edwards would love a win outside the Deep South

Oklahoma is sort of a Southern State, I guess. But it's not in Edwards backyard. He needs a win in someplace other than the Carolinas, Virginia, etc.