In his concession speech in New Hampshire tonight, Obama borrowed several notes from John Edwards, and talked about workers struggling across the nation (in particular -- cough cough -- Nevada culinary workers) and children attending crumbling schools. Is he trying to get more specific, more explicitly progressive? I'll leave the heavy lifting to my colleagues who are on the scene in New Hampshire tonight, but to my ears, it was a significant shift. Here comes Hillary. A great opening line: "I come to you tonight with a very full heart. ... I listened to you and in the process, I found my own voice." The crowd of supporters goes crazy for that. Then she goes straight into the "comeback" meme. But it sounds like her new theme is being a president who "puts you first. ... There will be no invisible Americans." She also talks about the "will and the wisdom to end the war in Iraq the right way," which is a new wording of the "experience" argument. Clinton knows she needs a bigger picture narrative going forward, and she's going to find one. And perhaps with Edwards soon out of the realistic picture, Clinton will more full-throatedly appeal to her natural base of working class Democrats. Hate to say I told you so, but this isn't over. Isn't close to over. Never was. UPDATE: Check out John Judis' analysis of the New Hampshire exit polls. Obama's status as the "wine track" candidate was confirmed: "Clinton is still doing well among women (particularly older and married women), traditional Democrats, voters over 40, and among lower-middle income white voters without college degrees who are worried about the economy. Obama is doing fabulously among the young and very well among independents and upscale Independents. Both of these can also be important blocs for a Democrat to win in the fall." Obama won those making over $50,000, while Clinton won those making less than that. --Dana Goldstein
