THE DEMOCRATIC primary in Pennsylvania has boosted Senator Hillary Clinton's claim to be the party's most winnable candidate against John McCain, but has certainly not resolved her competition with Senator Barack Obama. It therefore reinforces the dilemma facing party delegates and superdelegates on when to decide who should be their candidate.
Her demographic appeal is essential if the Democrats are to win the presidency in November - but who is to say that it would not be equally available to him? And does not the huge turnout of Democratic voters indicate they have an inherent advantage over Mr McCain such that they could select Mr Obama as the better presidential candidate despite the risk he might not carry all the party's base with him? These considerations will now be stretched out into June over the last nine contests in North Carolina, Indiana, Oregon, Kentucky, West Virginia, Montana, South Dakota and Puerto Rico, and caucuses in Guam.
The obvious danger that inter-party wrangling will badly damage the Democrats' appeal, weaken their organisation and give Mr McCain a free run should force the pace in this contest. A political decision on who is to stand could and should be made ahead of the party convention in August. Not much will be different between June and August; the decision will fall to the superdelegates, since it looks impossible for Mrs Clinton to come abreast of Mr Obama's lead in pledged delegates.
This is the toughest of decisions largely because of the contrast between Mrs Clinton's appeal as a more winnable candidate against Mr McCain and Mr Obama's growing attraction as a better presidential one for many experienced Democrats and among independent voters. In Pennsylvania there was a sharp distinction between her demographics and his. She was supported by working class men, by women and by older voters, while he scored better with men as a whole, from blacks, and among the more affluent and younger voters. Class and race intermingle in this differentiation, reinforcing the national dilemma facing the Democrats.
Also playing into this contest is the deteriorating state of the US economy. As employment security, industrial output and housing issues agitate voters more and more, Mrs Clinton's experience has a greater appeal, especially among her core supporters. Mr Obama faces a real challenge in convincing voters that his programme could handle recessionary conditions more effectively and with better judgment. His leadership qualities are seriously tested in this way; but it should be recognised that his wider appeal to independent and cross-party voters, seen in his greater fundraising capacity, is also a factor in the equation. Despite her dogged perseverance and courage in fighting back, Mrs Clinton's campaign is less well planned and shows definite signs of flagging. That will tell between now and November.
Mr McCain, meanwhile, enjoys a long period of uncontested campaigning and publicity. However difficult the decision, it would be better for the Democrats to make it soon.