Ain't Democracy Grand?

The US Democratic primary race is starting to feel like a marathon.

I’ve run 18 of those suckers, and my experience is that the only times you really feel good are at the start line…and at the finish line.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama must be feeling like they’re at Mile 24 of the 26.2 mile race – there are only two miles to go, but it seems like forever. Meanwhile, John McCain crossed the finish line, got his medal and goodie bag long ago. Now he’s standing on the sidelines jeering at the poor saps left in the race.

After her decisive loss in North Carolina and narrow midnight victory in Indiana last night, you’d almost expect Clinton to call it a day and limp off to the curb, leaving the race to the younger, swifter Barack Obama. But marathoners don’t quit easily, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this tight race comes down to the Democratic Convention in August.

Orato.com featured coverage of last night’s Indiana primary by Blueindiana.net blogger Thomas Cook, who has a granular knowledge of his home state. Check out his story here: Minute-By-Minute At The Indiana Primary.

Also, stellar Orato.com correspondent Josh Sidman has posted a new story: Democratic Presidential Race: Its Over. The headline gives you a good idea of what he thinks about this marathon contest.

While you’re at it browse through the dozens of stories on the site about this historic race. It’s great to be alive to see the first serious black and female candidates for president running neck and neck for their party’s nomination.

The easiest way to find the coverage is just to go to the search window in the upper right hand corner of any page on the site and type in Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton or both to see the list of stories.

Meanwhile, remember: You Are The News. And there’s lots of news to report. Next up, West Virginia, with 28 delegates up for grabs. Then comes Oregon with 52 and Kentucky with 51, followed by Puerto Rico, 55, Montana, 16, and ending on June 3 (finally!) with South Dakota’s 15. Of course, if Clinton thinks she has any chance at winning on the floor of the convention, she might go for it, but if Obama’s momentum holds through the final primaries, she may throw in the towel.

Whatever happens, it has been the most exciting presidential primary race in decades – and for the first time, citizens are as involved in the journalism as the politicking.

Ain’t democracy grand?