Contributed by Tanya (Toni) DeMello MPA '08

When Mara Liasson, national political correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR) agreed to speak at Princeton many months ago, she had no idea that she would arrive right before the Texas and Ohio primaries of 2008. The campus was buzzing with excitement and anticipation, and the auditorium was packed with people ready and waiting to hang on her every word. Everyone wanted to hear her prediction for the outcome, but most people, Republicans and Democrats alike, wanted to know the answer to one question: Would Hillary Clinton have a ‘comeback’ or would Barack Obama be the clear Democratic nominee?

Liasson provides extensive coverage of politics and policy from Washington D.C. for NPR, focusing on the White House and Congress. Each election year, she provides key coverage of the candidates and issues in both presidential and congressional races. She seemed to be one person that could provide the answer to that question. However, Liasson surprised the audience with her opening statement.

She stated: “You can make the argument that it’s McCain, not Clinton or Obama, that represents the change for a party.” She asserted that the real shock this year was in the rise and victory of a Republican whose views on everything from campaign finance reform to global warming to immigration are at complete odds with his party. “McCain,” she said, “has wrapped it up, and his victory is the most improbable comeback of the race.”

She praised McCain for the gritty determination that drove him to pack his own bags, fly coach across the country to New Hampshire, and give the state everything he had. He attended over 100 town meetings and claimed a victory that would domino across the nation. Republicans, unable to coalesce around one candidate, contributed to McCain winning with a coalition for moderates. Moreover, while she admits that “we do not yet know what ‘McCainism’ is going to look like,” she posits that he could be a true reform Republican that would change the face of the Party—and that is the change about which no one has been talking.

On the Democratic side, Liasson stated without hesitation that Obama knows that Hillary Clinton is not giving up. He said himself: “Certain fighters cannot be defeated on points; they have to be knocked out.” But while Obama was far ahead in both points and momentum, she warned the audience not to underestimate Clinton’s ability to stay the course and surprise everyone. After all, this election, if nothing else, has been unpredictable.

She also warned the audience of the ‘phenomenon’ of Obama. She marveled, “His rallies are like revival meetings, and there is a lot of love for him. But what I wonder is: When will that die? Will it die?” The nation seems to have fallen head over heels for Obama, who has raised record amounts from individual donations, shocked the world by winning the Iowa caucus and, yet, is seen as an ordinary man with the extraordinary gift of connecting with and inspiring people. However, though he has risen to celebrity status, she asks again, “When will he fall?”

Liasson predicts an Obama win of the Democratic primary nomination, but she, like everyone else, would not guarantee anything. Instead, she left the audience with many more questions to ponder that will play roles in securing the remaining votes. For example, Democrats are wondering whether Obama or Clinton is more likely to win in a general election against McCain. In addition, everyone is questioning who is most likely to receive the vote of Independents; what role the Superdelegates will play; if Michigan and Florida will come back into play; the role new voters will have in the general election; and if race, gender and age will play increasingly important roles.

She has no definitive answers for the audience, but like her, many undecided voters are grappling with these questions. However, she is sure of one thing: “This is the most exciting election of my career.” And no matter which way you look at it, no matter who wins, change is coming to the White House.