They already know the outcome
Tightening race rattles Clinton World’s nerves
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box...-tightening-race-rattles-clintonworlds-nerves
Allies of Hillary Clinton are growing nervous as the Democratic presidential race with Bernie Sanders tightens ahead of contests in Nevada and South Carolina.
A new CNN/ORC poll released Wednesday found Clinton with a 1-point lead in Nevada, which hosts its caucuses on Saturday. That’s a huge change from the 23-point lead Clinton enjoyed in a late December poll by Gravis.
In South Carolina, which hosts its primary election on Feb. 27, Clinton has a more comfortable 18-point lead according to a CNN/ORC poll. But even that edge has narrowed since Sanders crushed her in New Hampshire’s primary last week.
As recently as mid-January, a poll from NBC, The Wall Street Journal and Marist found Clinton with a 33-point lead in South Carolina.
“I don’t get it. I don’t think anyone expected this race to look like this,” said one former Clinton aide who maintains ties with the campaign. “A big loss in New Hampshire, basically a tie going into Nevada. You have to ask yourself, ‘What’s next?' "
Team Clinton maintains confidence that its lead in South Carolina will hold, but the potential loss in Nevada has put people on edge about a “domino effect” in which states could fall one by one to Sanders as he gains momentum.
“It’s hard to feel confident about South Carolina if you lose Nevada,” the former aide said.
Democratic strategist Jim Manley, a former spokesman Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), said he believes Clinton will ultimately eke out a victory in Nevada because the state is “tailor-made for her" with its large population of minority voters.
Clinton's campaign is banking on support from Hispanics in the state. According to the 2014 U.S. Census, 27.8 percent of the population is Hispanic.
Yet Manley even acknowledged that “folks are giving Sanders a second look” there.
“He’s got some good momentum. There’s no doubt about it,” he said.
Internally, both Hillary and former President Bill Clinton have voiced their displeasure with various aspects of the campaign, particularly on messaging and organizing, according to sources. Those involved with the campaign increasingly believe a staff reshuffling will take place, especially if Clinton loses in Nevada.
“The **** will hit the fan,” one longtime friend of the Clintons predicted. “No doubt about it.”
“I think there’s real genuine concern about Bernie’s momentum and that the firewall doesn’t seem to be holding back the fire,” the friend said. “I don’t think people think she isn’t going to win the nomination. But I do think people think it’ll take a lot more money and a lot more time.”
still plenty of time, let's see how it all shakes out, shall we?
